Back from the match / Pub / Lounge (Villa)

[Jackson Corner]

I thought we did ok but never really looked like scoring. I thought Benteke had his arms all over Morrison for the goal. Legs was terrible again. But we are lacking options, Kebe is a miss at the moment even as just an impact player off the bench.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

I think their confidence is shot to fcuk now that's the problem. That Wigan result was quite damaging. Get a point from that & we'd have been feeling good for tonight.

[chilipepper91]

As for the manager, I wonder if he has taken us as far as he can. If we give him more time to adapt to things, I fear it will be too late. He has done a brilliant job and is a great guy, but if we are going to make a change it needs to happen within the next month at most, so the new manager can have the January transfer window.

Would another manager do better with this set of players? Whether it's down to McDermott, Hammond or Zingarevich, I just don't think we have the quality for this league at the moment. Today's team was only a notch above the team which played counter-attacking football so well in the Championship (the only new players from last season were Shorey and Mariappa). Problem is, the quality is so much higher in the Prem and we don't have the skill to dominate games. We did as well as we could with these players today.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

The defence did look better tonight I thought. Midfield dynamo needed urgently..

[muddyfeet]

Was a dire game. Both teams looked really really poor

Subs should have been made earlier and Kanu taken off. was glad not to see Gorkss and Gunter on the pitch. We just look devoid of any creativity.

And Roberts is really getting on my nerves for some reason

[jumpers for goalposts]

We try to win football matches by hoofing the ball up to Roberts and hoping he wins a few corners...............

It was like watching 2 park teams tonight. Truly an abysmal football match. At least Villa can say they play the kids. We are just utter Pony. Nicky Shorey once again our biggest threat going forward

[Upper West Ginger]

Simply not good enough. The accuracy of our passing is utterly woeful. We are dependent upon our wingers to provide decent crosses into the box, but on the rare occasions when they were in a position to do so, the ball went just about everywhere except where it was needed. McAnuff clearly puts his heart and soul into his performance, but he simply is not and never will be an accomplished Premier League player. HRK also seems like a rabbit in the headlights whenever he is given any time and space in which to think and make a decision. Legs got caught dallying on the ball on several occasions. At least we were spared the presence of Gorkss this time, which was a small blessing; likewise Gunter. Mariappa and Cummings did OK, but no more than that.

If there is significant investment in new players in January we might stay up, but with this squad the only way is down.

[genome]

There's not really much more to say than, we're a good Championship team, not good enough for the Premiership. That's it.

[leicsRoyal]

I suppose we will keep the stat of being the side that covered the most yardage during the midweek games.

It's spoken about as if it is something to be proud of, look at the effort we put in and how fit we are.

In reality it's:

Break up the opposition attack
Hooof
Charge
Everybody forward
Ahh Sh!t
Panic
Everybody back.

[yuomi]

That was a really hard watch. A few points from me:

- Where is pog? No disrespect to ALF or Roberts but i'm befuddled.
- McCleary isn't a left winger AT ALL..if Jobi is on the pitch as well why the hell isn't he out there instead?
- Legs doesn't have any.
- Defensively that was the least unbearable we've been so far this season.
- Jason Roberts is the footballing equivalent of Benjamin Button, he's getting more childish and petulant the older he gets.

I'm not ready to call this season over yet, but at this rate we don't have til January to get more points. All the more crucial games against Sot'on and Su'land now...

[robinsfriday]

100 mile round trip and 1000 miles away from being a half decent PL team.

The players, I believe are playing to their standard. The real blame is with either the management or the owners. If BM had the money available and decided to purchase players of equal quality to that of what we have now then he must go. However, if AZ gave a small budget for BM to work with then the owners are delusional, ego driven idiots.

[Maguire]

Was a dire game. Both teams looked really really poor

Subs should have been made earlier and Kanu taken off. was glad not to see Gorkss and Gunter on the pitch. We just look devoid of any creativity.

And Roberts is really getting on my nerves for some reason

'gree with pajamagirl ^

Poor game between two poor teams. We weren't second best and were a touch unlucky to lose the game - particularly as an away side - but that lot aren't staying up this season i'm afraid. Villa were shocking for a home team, a lucky win won't change that either.

Bring on Man Utd, lol

[Mike Hunt]

100 mile round trip and 1000 miles away from being a half decent PL team.

The players, I believe are playing to their standard. The real blame is with either the management or the owners. If BM had the money available and decided to purchase players of equal quality to that of what we have now then he must go. However, if AZ gave a small budget for BM to work with then the owners are delusional, ego driven idiots.

The problem is - Brian has said that he would not make wholesale changes. That the guys deserve the chance to prove themselves.

[The Rouge]

IMO we looked good for pretty much the whole game, it felt like we had most of the possession in the Villa half but we couldn't create any good chances whatsoever. Compare that to Villa who had at least 3 golden opportunities in the first half, the goal, and a few good chances in the second half. The only meaningful shot we had came (surprise) from a corner, which ALF should have got on target.

Leigertwood was dire, lost the ball far too many times and any time he tries to make a pass I wince. Roberts may win free-kicks and try to take a man on but his final touch is atrocious. McAnuff had a decent game and was really unfairly treated by the officials. Defence looked solid aside from the times we got utterly carved open twice in the first half.

Just feel a bit empty after that. A draw was well within our grasp if we had the final ball quality, or the killer finisher. We lack a cutting edge, and players who are difference-makers at this level. We're battlers, yes, but quality will always show in this league.

Kind of agree with all of this.

[Big Ern]

100 mile round trip and 1000 miles away from being a half decent PL team.

The players, I believe are playing to their standard. The real blame is with either the management or the owners. If BM had the money available and decided to purchase players of equal quality to that of what we have now then he must go. However, if AZ gave a small budget for BM to work with then the owners are delusional, ego driven idiots.

The problem is - Brian has said that he would not make wholesale changes. That the guys deserve the chance to prove themselves.

I think they have more than proved themselves not up to this level. Changes need to be made.

[Rex]

Was a dire game. Both teams looked really really poor

Subs should have been made earlier and Kanu taken off. was glad not to see Gorkss and Gunter on the pitch. We just look devoid of any creativity.

And Roberts is really getting on my nerves for some reason

It looked like apathy to me.

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

We are simply not good enough we lack quality in so many areas on the pitch, we are going down.

Leg’s – He covers plenty of ground in midfield running his heart out but can’t pass he constantly give the ball away occasions when not under pressure.
McAnuff when he going to be dropped the captains arm ban it the only thing that is keeping him in the side at this moment in time.
Chip it Cummings returned, hit and hope 95% of the time into space or straight to a defender, we play in Blue and White Hoops Shaun

We need to sign two midfielders who can hold the ball, not panic, create something and go box to box.

Kebe has to return and be in starting eleven. He has electrifying pace so let him do what he is good at doing, going forward worrying defenders and not defending in his own half.

The centre of defence with Mariappa and Morrsion look better than it has done in recent weeks. Let’s see how they get on against Man U marking Van Persie and Rooney.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

Drop 4-4-2, it is not working, fill either the defence or midfield, we cant afford two wide players all the time, let whoever has the ball decide if to make a run down the flanks.

[muddyfeet]

Was a dire game. Both teams looked really really poor

Subs should have been made earlier and Kanu taken off. was glad not to see Gorkss and Gunter on the pitch. We just look devoid of any creativity.

And Roberts is really getting on my nerves for some reason

It looked like apathy to me.

He moans ALOT, the amount of times he got pissed off at shorey for a pass that wasn't inch perfect was starting to grate. Also he may win the ball alot up front but last night he was selfish with it - kept going for goal rather than passing it to Alfie. There was one moment where it looked like he had tried to play in Kanu but on replay it was a poor second touch he was going for goal himself

[Elm Park Pasty]

I missed the goal. I had switched over by then, and that says a lot about my positivity, turning over while the game is still 0-0. I don't blame the front two so much last night. They pretty much were chasing scraps and what they could create for themselves last night. I didn't understand the ploy at some points of Alfie being the furthest forward, we'd boot the ball, it soared over Roberts' head and left Alfie against two CBs. Midfield? Did we have one? Robson-Kanu? Sorry not impressed at all. Did he beat his man or put in one decent cross all night? Crossing from both wingers was poor, tackling in midfield was poor, case in point Legs bumbling on the ball in the centre circle when we were in a good position, only to lose the ball and leave us with a 3 on 3 at the back. Rubbish. As there is no creatvity in midfield, there is nothing. Why did we not at least even contemplate the idea of a player who can play through balls??? We get an international forward in that likes through balls and balls to feet and we haven't got anyone that can play them!! I thought the defence looked much better last night, but seriously how can they be expected to keep us in a game on their own, especially as far too often with the opposition running through midfield, they ARE on their own. I don't like the idea of stripping players of the captaincy, but I think we need leaders out there and I am not sure Jobi is one of them. Poor, poor, poor. I don't like the idea of firing Brian either but maybe we need to consider the idea that someone new might bring new ideas to the table. I liked the idea that Harry walked into QPR and told them they were an embarrassment, I think a few of our players could do with a kick up the pants!!!