I feel the footballing gods looked down on us at least a little today.
I’d got the headline in my head for most of the first half and it was “A defeat of our own making” given how poor we were in our general lack of pace and constantly poor passing and giving the ball away dirt cheaply.
It was that poor that I felt we were lucky to get away with going in only a goal down, to be honest, although I do also feel we should have had a nailed on penalty when Bailey’s cross hit their defender on his arm which was apparently pointing. Of course, pointing at something would be called a natural position, but I don’t see how it could be deemed to be a natural defensive position. Hence it had to be a penalty and let’s face it, we’ve seen them given for way less this season.
Which just reminds me yet again about how poor the consistency of refereeing is these days.
Emery changed things by going two up top, with Duran and Watkins and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who thought we’d go long. That didn’t happen and we tried to play out slowly from the back even more than usual, it seemed. I could see the reasoning, as West Ham naturally sit back and want you to take it to them, so trying to draw them out made sense. Yet our passing was so poor today, it just wasn’t working and I thought we needed to change it up after about half an hour. Still, we went in just the one goal down and I actually felt a little grateful for small mercies.
I thought the woman commentator made a rare sensible comment in saying that our lack of midfield movement was making it difficult for our defenders but it didn’t take long until she lost that little bit of credit I’d given her for saying it.
And anyway, your defenders constantly underhitting or misdirecting the ball doesn’t make it easy either.
Emery did change it up slightly at half time with two fairly obvious subs in Cash and Diaby coming on for the hapless Longlet and Duran who was pretty ineffective. It also allowed Konsa to move back to his favoured position, whereas to me he seems awfully out of place on the right. Both subs proved very wise and Cash was very lively, while Diaby added to our game too. Later, Moreno, who looks tired to me and Rogers were swapped out for Digne and Zaniolo.
So our play improved and we were getting back into it when Moyes took Antonio off and put Johnson, a defender, on. Talk about gutless, but it was good for us. We were increasingly looking more likely and in the 79th minute, Tielemens who had performed poorly in a deeper position played the ball to Diaby, who set up an onrushing Zaniolo to tap in.
And then it all happened in the last few minutes. Matty Cash put in a superb block to prevent what looked a certain goal and West Ham had the ball in the net right at the back end of the game. I actually thought a West Ham player had handled, but only after the ball had crossed the line, in real time, but it was soon fairly obvious that it was beforehand. This is where the women undid her previous decent comment and she proceeded to continue saying the goal was good. So it’s speed, distance and also penalties that women are poor at.
Fortunately, after what seemed a ridiculously long VAR job, the decision was handed to the monitor and the ref. Immediately the sequence ran, the ref nodded and it was obvious that he’d seen the handball.
So that was that then. 1-1 and it leaves us in a better position than we might have been, having gained a point over Spurs this weekend.
Which reminds me. I heard yesterday that the extra Champion’s league spot is between England and Germany.
The best part is that we have an 82% chance of getting it.
So fourth place might eventually be somewhat academic.
It’s about time we had some luck on our side.
And how good is that extra CL place news?
Well balanced piece Badger.
Emery has repeatedly made the point about getting players used to the system and the importance of giving them playing time.
He’s having to juggle the Prem, Conference, injuries and a limited squad depth (taking inexperience into account) and McGinn’s suspension. Given all that I think he did pretty well today with his decision making. A draw at West Spam (for us anyway) is never a bad result and we stay 3 points ahead of Spuds. Their game in hand (away against Chelsea) is going to be a critical result.
A few players getting a rest over the IB is also good news. Hopefully Ramsey will be back before the Easter and Lille games as well.
UTV
Great first 15 minutes or so for us, and after that we were effing abysmal for the rest of the first half. It was like we’d forgotten how to pass the ball.
The second with the substitutions Holte and I personally requested 😁, we were tons better. Tielmans lost the ball from a corner but tracked all the way back to make an impressive recovery. Diaby, Bailey and Zaniolioioio caused untold threats and Cash for me was magnificent today. Ollie had a quiet one but was that down to a lack of space or has hurt knee? I still think Pau is carrying a knock but knows we need him. Konsa also had an off day. Tiredness?
A draw was fair and what I expected. Wolves next after a few days rest.
Will we see Buendia get a few minutes later in April????
Bum Bum, do you think Unai is looking for a substitution coach? I would be happy to job share with you 😂
The job’s yours mate. I’m always in the pub… 😁
Some suspect passing our as per usual it seems, wish we could play out neatly, find midfielders and keep the ball better.
I also want to ask the question of our set piece coach. Does he work on defending corners too? Really seems to be an achilles heel and conceding regularly, we also don’t seem to be scoring from them as much either. Hope the break works for us and those not featuring internationally can train well for our crucial March/April fixtures
I think I’d like to keep Zaniolio after all. He’s become more focused and I love his battling attitude and commitment on the field.
I wonder if Emery can work with him a bit more and bag a bargain? 4 strikers, especially when in Europe is a must have. We’ve seen what can happen to our centre backs when the first choice 4 were all out!!! Who’d have thought we needed, and used 6?
Fair and balanced summing up Badger.
I really don’t get all the fuss regarding this here disallowed goal – Richard Keys and the likes wading in so here’s the rule(s) for clarification…
scores in the opponents’ goal:
*directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper
*immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental
What’s the problem?
You may not like the rules but them is the rules and that (no) goal fell foul of them, end of.
Exactly mate. London biased morons.
Absolutely right RSS.
I’m sure we’ve already fallen foul of this rule 🙂
The hand ball rules around penalties do need reviewing – they are just crazy. West Ham can moan about the decisions but they were more than lucky that we didn’t get a penalty for a clear hand ball. What was the reason – oh yeah – although his (Coufal I think) arm was deliberately stuck out in a manner to make it difficult for Bailey to put the ball into the six yard area it was natural because he was ‘pointing’.
Load of absolute bonallacks!
I predict a lot of arms waving about with the digit finger stuck out!
Just been reading up on the 5th place CL spot. It seems if we lose against Lille, then the French may overtake us for that spot as Italy has basically secured one place, so there is double the incentive to beat them ‘cus if we slip up against Spuds, that 5th spot becomes hyper important.
MOTD said both WH goals were correctly disallowed too…
So Forest are now in the bottom three after a four point deduction. Luton are now one point ahead and, ironically, it’s the point they won against Forest with a last minute goal.
I don’t know the ins and outs of the case but, if I was a Forest fan, I’d be spitting feathers at the fact that another PL team has broken the rules 115 times and all is silent on that one.
I think there’s a big problem with these sovereign wealth funds owning teams, they have too much money and too much clout. I’d guess that all they’d need to do is whisper that, if they get upset, the price of oil might go up and the PL would soon be getting a quiet nudge from the government. Or perhaps that’s already happened?
Bum Bum, did you read the same article I refer to here?
https://www.premierleague.com/news/3915949
It’s typically complex and very interesting;
UEFA coefficient rankings* (teams remaining)
1. Italy, 17.714 (QF 4)
2. Germany, 16.357 (QF 3)
3. England, 16.250 (QF 5)
4. France, 14.750 (QF 3)
5. Spain, 14.437 (QF 3)
*Source: ESPN; as of 08:30 GMT 15 March
And as you suggest, all to play for. I reckon we have a very good chance, given the fact we have five clubs still in. I can see City getting CL and Pool winning the Europa.
Top 2 countries qualify for a place peeps, if you can’t be bothered to read.
I read it directly from the ESPN site, so the same, yeah. We’re odds on for it but as we all know it’s a funny old game! Interesting to read CL games don’t earn any more points than the lower Europa and our Conference league. The Arse v Harry Kane match will be worth watching.
I did a bit more matchday prediction fun today too. Even being quite negative, I still think we’ll beat Spuds to 5th by a couple of points. We need to work out a way to thank Fulham somehow. ManU need a miracle to make even 5th.
I bloody well hope the international break aids a few of our crocked players. I wish Konsa wasn’t going away. He looks like he needs a few days on the beach…Has Ollie been picked again?
Yep, Ollie’s in the squad and Kane’s crocked even though he’s still joining mg up with the squad.
Knowing Southgate though he’ll pick Palmer and Toney over Ollie!
Fine by me! reduces the chance of an injury to young Oliver!!!!
Weird isn’t it, that Southgate puts off so many people off supporting their home nation in our national sport. I’m not fond of the guy but you have to wonder what it is about the chap that puts so many off. Patronising? Supercilious? Smug?
I bet he’d be a right PITA if you lived next door to him! LOL! He’d be complaining that you’ve put your bins out too early|!!!
Talking of Big Nose…
(BBC)
“Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made England manager Gareth Southgate his top choice to replace Erik ten Hag in the summer.”
Oh my days 🤦♂️
Awesome clip of the day:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13216695/Tyrone-Mings-fans-stunned-recovery-ACL-injury.html
😁😁😁😁😁😁
Shows his resilience and commitment – something we’re still missing particularly when defending set pieces.
Torres, Konsa and Mings (at his best) would he some back three!
Pushing Moreno/Digne and Cash forward as wing backs???
Have u noticed how skinny Mings right leg is!!! It’s like Roger Federer’s famous left arm!!!!
Possibly – although playing 5 at the back didn’t work out well against Spuds!
Anyone seen the new Euros England kit with the redisgned flag of St George? The FA have seen fit to change it into a diversity trans flag.
Absolutely appalling.
Someone report them to the Independent Regulator – where was the fam consultation process?
I have no issue with diversity as a balanced social approach but the flag of St George is exactly that and represents England as a nation – full stop. What next – perhaps Islamic?
I worked with a major diversity company for over 20 years. There is nothing whatsoever balanced about it. It started with the best of intentions but turned into a cult.
On a different topic, Leicester charged for breaches of FFP when they were in the EPL.
Would that be the case if Leicester weren’t likely to get promoted? So would any point deduction apply to this season or next season (assuming they get promoted) and is that ‘lawful’ as new rules are set to be applied.
In the meantime Chelsea and ManC serenely sail on whilst, like Nero, the EPL fiddles – but not on a musical instrument!!
No wonder fans smell a whiff of something rather unpleasant!
Shite.
Exactly
Looks like Betano have struck up a two year sponsorship deal worth £40m! Well done Heck on bringing in truly needed funds, especially in this climate of FFP.
There will be some who decry it is a betting firm. But so what, betting is not illegal, so keep going.
That’s Adidas on board for next year and now a new sponsor. Revenues going up. All critical in FFP looking at teams having expenditure as no more than 70% of revenue in the next couple of years. I had read that we were currently at 92%. If we do qualify for Champions League next year, the combination of the above could be worth £80m.
Just 9 more nerve wracking Premier matches to go to grasp financial security (I hope).
Good news! Villa sign shirt sponsorship deal worth £40m over the next two years with BK8.
Not chuffed about more betting deals but good for the FFP bullshit!
Sorry, Greek betting firm Butano, not the Chinese BK8.
Butano or Betano? 😆
I’d have gone with the Mexican betting firm ‘Burrito’… 🤪
I’ve no doubt there will be criticism (about the betting deal) but my view is, if you can’t beat them, join them.
There have been dodgy sponsorship deals at ManC which are hardly at ‘arms length’ and if the EPL are making a big issue about banning gambling shirt sponsorship whilst driving hard to restrict the growth of ‘less well off clubs’ through FFP / PSR and points deductions then expect clubs to make the most out of gambling sponsorship while they still can.
Standing on a moral high ground that turns out to be sinking sand is of no use in the World we now find ourselves in. Sad but true.
I’m not happy about another betting company. Of course I get the revenue from it and the FFP bullshit but gambling wrecks lives! I won’t be buying a shirt or anything else for that matter with a gambling company name adorning the front. Are there no other sponsors out there who aren’t involved with gambling? Thank goodness it’s only another 2 years before we have to look elsewhere.
On a different topic, was it a mistake for Bailey to get himself sucked in by playing for a big 6 club? The headlines make out that he would love to go to Chelsea if opportunity came. If you listen to full interview then he sort of says he doesn’t know what the future holds. Unfortunately the media will be all over it unless he says there is absolutely no way he would leave Villa. Footballers aren’t exactly the brightest bunch in most cases and interviewers know how to make an headline from something not said.
Holte, haven’t read or seen the interview but the media are good at twisting words to create headlines that sell advertising! Bailey may have been misquoted but it sounds like he’s been a little silly in making unguarded comments.
On the other hand, if we are looking to sell a player in the summer, he’s just moved himself to the head of the queue.
No player is bigger than the club and if he doesn’t want to play for us ……..
Maybe he should look at what happened to Benteke’s and, more recently, Grealish’s career. Greener grass and all that!
What’s Bailey said??? He is a bit ‘unguarded’. When he was asked about Ollie’s knee he said it was really bad. The fitness of players you keep close to your chest.
He strikes me as a great kid whose brains are in his feet, like most footballers.
On the sponsorship deal, either way it’s the last time you’ll ever see a betting company on the front of a shirt as the ban comes in in 24 months.
Baileys agent has moved quickly to ‘clarify’ Bailey’s response to the ‘Chelsea’ question which does appear to have been reported completely out of context – no surprise there then!
Cash picks up suspected hamstring injury playing just 10 minutes for Poland!
Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks like Konsa at RB unless he gets injured with England!
And so our injury jinx continues. Interesting how the media keep on about injury problems at teams like Spuds, Barcodes and Manure but seem to have missed ours completely – and it’s not just the men’s team either.
Depends on the severity but that could be Cash for the remainder of the season.
Seems he collided with an advertising hoarding – is that our third injury of the season arising from a collision with an inanimate object?
Question: can someone explain how this Mainoo kid gets called up after 3 or 4 good games while Ramsey got F.all last season? Am I missing something?
Southgate!
I’d have gone with the Mexican betting firm ‘Burrito’… 🤪
I’ve just tried to access the Betano website but access is denied due to being based in Cyprus – regulations restrict. Apparently, we have to go to Bulgaria to access it! 🙄 🤦
Betano – advertising to 44000 people at VP who cannot actually place a bet with them.
I tried the Betano site and picked English (Nigerian). No dice, but apparently the wife of a now defunct government minister ……………
In two years time unhealthy food will be banned, so Villa can look to SAXO Salt to sponsor shirts because you can’t get it in supermarkets. It opens up a whole new vista of frustration marketing. Forest Green Rovers could get Danish bacon as shirt sponsors.
🤣
Clearly a clever move by Heck.
When asked about shirt betting sponsorship he answers ‘focused on the Asian market – we’ve protected UK citizens as no one here can access it’.
Not really as daft as it sounds given the EPL TV coverage in Asia is vast as is the betting industry – the UK market is tiny by comparison.