Back from the Game - Villa

[brendywendy]

Hmmmm. Today's Guardian encapsulates the biggest downside of the cup run - too much Sig on telly....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog ... ll-weekend

The best dead-ball specialist in England plays in the Championship

The large number of top-flight professional footballers who suffer from a chronic inability to clear the first man (or chronic ability to clear nearby advertising hoardings) with free-kicks and corners – yes, you Steven Gerrard – is, quite frankly, depressing. Most of them could learn a thing or two from the Reading midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. One of the hallmarks of, and reasons for, the Berkshire club's impressive Cup run was the 20-year-old Icelandic international's unerring ability to pick out team-mates from dead-ball situations, whether whipping the ball across the edge of the six-yard box from a corner or arrowing or lofting it towards the corridor of uncertainty between goalkeeper and central defenders from free-kicks. His added-time equaliser against Liverpool in the third round proved he's equally adept under pressure from the penalty spot, while his pass to help set up Reading's second yesterday demonstrated that his vision, awareness and technical savvy isn't restricted to dead-ball situations. Reading will do well to hold on to him this summer; the boy, as they say, is a bit special.

if we lose sig id be very very upset this summer

[under the tin]

We dared to dream yesterday.

I thought Villa were diabloically bad in the first half, and we were good value for the 2-0.

The Villa team were sent out early for the second half, presumably with their ears ringing from Mr.O'Neill's studious use of the hairdryer.
For the first 15 minutes or so of the second half, they came at us like hungry lions, chasing absolutely everything down, and the intensity of the onslaught caused us to lose discipline and shape, and we buckled.

The composure returned to our side, and we started to play football again, but alas, seasoned pro's like Friedel, etc. have been playing at the top long enough to know how to tire tryers out, and how to run the clock down.

Ah well, it was fun while it lasted, and it has saved a very expensive day out, and in all honesty, a probable stuffing by the nouveau riche monolith that is Chelsea.

Tabb reminded me of Stephen Hunt, when he was right at the top of his game.
Long's renaissance as a striker continues under McDermott
Gylfi does not look out of place when playing against Prem class opposition

We might have lost the game, but the club appears to have turned the corner, season-wise.
We'll be Ok.

[Hoop Blah]

The 2 things I was hoping for on the way to the game were that we'd give a good account of ourselves and the game would not be decided by a poor refereeing decision so from that point of view have to be satisfied but at 2-0 you start to dream.........

The third goal of the game was always going to be crucial and we certainly lost our shape and composure for 15 minutes afterwards.

By-the-by now but for the first time disagreed with a McD substitution and would have moved Sig to the centre where he's more of a goal threat and put HRK's pace down the left wing against Cuellar who's not a full back.Brynn would have been right had it still been 2-0.

Sigurdsson played in the centre pretty much the whole of the game though!

From where I was he was in behind the front two for about 80% of the game and was hardly ever out on the left hand side. I didn't think he had a great game either to be honest (deadball delivery aside that is).

[Maguire]

I didn't think he had a great game either to be honest (deadball delivery aside that is).

No, neither did I. Bit surprised how many people on here are saying he was awesome - thought he cut a peripheral figure really.

[SWLR]

I read McDermott's thinking that his role in part was to stop Petrov/ pin him back, as he clearly pulls the strings feeding Young, Downing and Milner and popping up with the odd goal.

Worked first half.

I believe McDermott is the most tactically astute manager we have had, bar none. Never once have I felt he hasn't read how to play the opposition, nor when and how to change things in a game. I never had that confidence with Pardew (Hughes up-front ) or Coppell (one-way to play).

[LoyalRoyalFan]

On reflection, Tabb was man of the match. His work rate is fantastic. Thought in the first half, that Mills was top-notch.

[Kitsondinho]

Well what a game that was!! It was worth the money and the 360 odd mile round trip, starting at 7:30am!! We were fantastic in the first half......Kebe was the player we know he can be, Tabb and Mills looked fantastic and the others all played their part. I could not believe how many high balls we played into Long that he won. Collins and Dunne had no answer to it in the first half and the Villa defence was all over the place!

At half time I was torn between booking a mini-bus for Wembley (and convincing my Dad to cut short his holiday to come) and being filled with terror!! I knew Villa would come back at us, but I was confident that we would hold them off on the evidence of the first half! My Uncle was worried about the fitness of the players. He kept saying at half time that they had burnt themselves out.

Villa were fantastic in the second half. Yes I know our defence fell apart, but if Villa had been as bad as they were in the first half, it wouldn't have mattered. Milner and Petrov really got hold of the game, Young was fantastic, as was Carew. I was not impressed with Downing at all (except for his cross that lead to the 2nd goal). As for Heskey, he held the ball up well after they went 2-3 up, but he SHOULD have smashed that chance into the roof of the net. It worries me that a chance like that will fall to him in the WC!!

Most of all, I think what summed the 2nd half up was the way Kebe fell apart. I have always liked Jimmy and really think he is one our best players, but it was horrible watching the confidence drain from him like that. He is all about mood and once we were behind he just dropped his head which was sad to see. Tabb was the only player I think kept up his 1st half performance in the 2nd half.
Despite this I am a VERY PROUD ROYAL today. I knew I should be when the Villa fan at work came and said to me "We were lucky you didn't get 3 or 4 in that first half! You were one of the best teams I've seen us play this year!!"

[Sarah Star]

Looks like Howard was wrong. He managed 45 though.

Why was Howard wrong?

[Ian Royal]

Looks like Howard was wrong. He managed 45 though.

Why was Howard wrong?

He didn't look like he could last 60 to me. I'm not sure he came out after HT did he?

[Ian Royal]

The 2 things I was hoping for on the way to the game were that we'd give a good account of ourselves and the game would not be decided by a poor refereeing decision so from that point of view have to be satisfied but at 2-0 you start to dream.........

The third goal of the game was always going to be crucial and we certainly lost our shape and composure for 15 minutes afterwards.

By-the-by now but for the first time disagreed with a McD substitution and would have moved Sig to the centre where he's more of a goal threat and put HRK's pace down the left wing against Cuellar who's not a full back.Brynn would have been right had it still been 2-0.

Sigurdsson played in the centre pretty much the whole of the game though!

From where I was he was in behind the front two for about 80% of the game and was hardly ever out on the left hand side. I didn't think he had a great game either to be honest (deadball delivery aside that is).

Thought Sig and Church played fairly free roles with Church drifted between upfront and left wing as needed and Sig linked midfield and attack and occasionally drifted wide left.
.

[RobRoyal]

Hmmmm. Today's Guardian encapsulates the biggest downside of the cup run - too much Sig on telly....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog ... ll-weekend

The best dead-ball specialist in England plays in the Championship

The large number of top-flight professional footballers who suffer from a chronic inability to clear the first man (or chronic ability to clear nearby advertising hoardings) with free-kicks and corners – yes, you Steven Gerrard – is, quite frankly, depressing. Most of them could learn a thing or two from the Reading midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. One of the hallmarks of, and reasons for, the Berkshire club's impressive Cup run was the 20-year-old Icelandic international's unerring ability to pick out team-mates from dead-ball situations, whether whipping the ball across the edge of the six-yard box from a corner or arrowing or lofting it towards the corridor of uncertainty between goalkeeper and central defenders from free-kicks. His added-time equaliser against Liverpool in the third round proved he's equally adept under pressure from the penalty spot, while his pass to help set up Reading's second yesterday demonstrated that his vision, awareness and technical savvy isn't restricted to dead-ball situations. Reading will do well to hold on to him this summer; the boy, as they say, is a bit special.

if we lose sig id be very very upset this summer

Oh God Barry Glendenning is going on about him on the football podcast now

Thankfully I don't think anyone listens to what Barry Glendenning says.

[Compo's Hat]

Your video shows Church clearly push him in the back, Warnocks throws himself a tiny bit, but Church still clearly pushes him.

Warnock clearly throws himself on the deck gaining the freekick. I must be blind as there is clearly no push, maybe contact but no push. He felt a hand touch his back and dived theatrically.

Balls. I was about 20 yards to the right of you, and it was a clear push from Church. No way was it a dive.

Have to agree with Jerry St Clair on that one, called that as soon as it happend just like i did when Long was about to make it 2-0. Even said to my brother just before that we need to get Kebe runing at Warnock more, hopefully Capello won't take him to South Africa as both Villa full backs were poor.

Was absolutely fuming by the time Villa had scored their third, all the hard work of the 1st half was completely destroyed by ten minutes of madness that made me feel like Rodgers had just given the half time team talk. I love Bryn but that was by far the worst i've seen him play for a while.

Will be interesting to see what happens against Derby now. We're by no means safe and must get points now with tougher tests to come on the horizon, no team is too good to go down and i hope the supporters don't just lie back and think we'll be fine now on what has been an extraordinary cup run which as at least made me feel like i haven't wasted my money for the whole of the season.

[Avon Royal]

It was there for the taking but sadly the boys completely bottled it. Completely. That's it.

Do you have a point to make or do you only deal in emoticons?

floyd has it spot on - it was a spectacular choke by a group of players who were plainly overwhelmed by the prospect of actually getting to an FA Cup semi-final. Did anyone really think we would win once Ashley Young scored? What happened afterwards was wholly predictable.

Still, some good performances out there against awkward opponents. Thought Tabb has his best game for Reading, Kebe was awesome but was plainly out on his feet after about an hour, and I think Mills looked several levels better than Ivar (who got owned, i'm afraid).

Sorry - but that is rubbish. They were simply outplayed by a team that is likely to be playing in the Champions League next season. Class teams can move up a gear in short bursts when they need to and that is exactly what Villa did. There are few teams that could have lived with them during the first 15mins of the second half.

We were simply beaten by a better team - choking doesn't come into it.

[Seal]

A few observations from a cracking but ultimately gut wrenching FA Cup tie:-

- Kebe fantastic first half, I got the feeling Villa hadn't done their homework as Warnock seemed genuinely shocked by his pace
- Can't really comment on the Villa goals as they were all down the other end. Not really sure if from good play or bad defending (apart from the first which was clearly an error)
- We pressed so well in the first half but there was no way we could keep that intensity up. Kebe for example looked dead after about 60 minutes
- Our bench just wasn't strong enough to pull the game back. Gunner came up and just gave the ball away for 15 minutes. Not really the added dynamism we needed
- James Milner the best player on the pitch. Great energy. Clearly looked a cut above the rest
- First half the best atmosphere in the north stand I've heard in a long time. Almost like being in a proper football stadium

In summary. Great cup tie, immensely proud of a first half performance. Gutted by the capitulation but at least we went out in style.

Also from a PR perspective, I think the cup run (and being on terrestrial TV a couple of times), has done wonders for our reputation and image. Lots of neutrals in the office this morning commenting on how they were routing for us, we played so well, etc etc

Have to disagree with you on one thing Seal-James Milner.
In my eyes he is just a trier and a plodder and it summed it up for me late on when he kicked the ball past Griffin and in a run chase Griffin won easily.
There were a number of times he was caught in possession in the hubub of central midfield and as my brother said to me "that's why he plays out wide"-another example of an overhyped English player and is just today's version of Phil Neville,a utility player who has no position where he excels but is capable of playing in a number of different roles so is a valuable squad player.
If he is a World Cup starter we have problems.

And I sir am going to have to disagree with you strongly here.

Firstly, he has a fantastic touch for a 'plodder', I though in a very poor Villa first half performance he was easily their stand out player - more time on the ball, controlling moves, picking passes, covering in defence well, and generally looking like the only guy on the pitch who played for England.

In the second half he was involved in I think all of the moves that led to Villa goals, and caused repeated headaches for our back four with his movement and late runs.

Secondly, the example you gave actually epitomised for me what was so great about him. It was the late in the game, he was in right place to pick up the loose ball from a Villa clearance, he carried the ball, kicked it up the line, chased it up to the corner flag to put pressure on Griffin to pass it back to Fed, pressurised Fed's kick, and then ran back into position to cover in the middle.

For me that was a great example of a player with tireless energy, determination, and awareness of what the team needed at that moment in the game. The Villa fans certainly appreciated it.

[Maguire]

floyd has it spot on - it was a spectacular choke by a group of players who were plainly overwhelmed by the prospect of actually getting to an FA Cup semi-final. Did anyone really think we would win once Ashley Young scored? What happened afterwards was wholly predictable.

Still, some good performances out there against awkward opponents. Thought Tabb has his best game for Reading, Kebe was awesome but was plainly out on his feet after about an hour, and I think Mills looked several levels better than Ivar (who got owned, i'm afraid).

Sorry - but that is rubbish. They were simply outplayed by a team that is likely to be playing in the Champions League next season. Class teams can move up a gear in short bursts when they need to and that is exactly what Villa did. There are few teams that could have lived with them during the first 15mins of the second half.

We were simply beaten by a better team - choking doesn't come into it.

Well that's a loser's attitude if ever I've heard one. It wouldn't be so bad if Villa had crafted three brilliant goals or something, but they didn't. We just switched off and didn't switch on again until we were 3-2 down at which point we got hold of the game again but by then it was too late.

[southbank1871]

It was a bit of both I'd say. The first Villa goal was all important as it gave them the lift they desparately needed. From then and for the next 10 minutes or so, all the momentum was with them and we sat back and invited them onto us. I said from about the first minute that if we keep allowing them to get crosses in that they'd score eventually with Carew on the pitch.

Whilst we did capitulate, there's much better teams than us that would have done the same.

[Sarah Star]

Looks like Howard was wrong. He managed 45 though.

Why was Howard wrong?

He didn't look like he could last 60 to me. I'm not sure he came out after HT did he?

He went off after the 3 goals went in on 59 mins. Might have been better if he had been subbed for Gunarsson at half-time, but who knows.

[Hoop Blah]

I'm stunned that IR got something wrong...

To be fair though, Howard may as well have stayed in the dressing room at half time for all the good he did!

[Ian Royal]

Jeezy Christ!

My postwas a sarcastic suggestion that Howard was totally ineffective after half time. Not that that was when he was subbed.

Even if Hoop Blah is a total arse half the time I expect at least some level of intelligence from him to be able to recognise that.

moron.

[Sarah Star]

Tbf to HB, I wasn't completely sure whether you were being sarcastic or just didn't know either, Ian. Sometimes on these boards it's a fine line.