We finally took all 3 points from a game and yet when that final whistle blew, I was shaking with anger.
From start to finish this game should have been all for Crystal Palace and if they was more composed up front, it would have been. I literally have no idea how they did not take the full points which they thoroughly deserved.
I’m going to start with the positives of the game to get them out of the way quickly…
- Benteke is back and he scored! It was a great individual effort that he set up himself and took superbly.
- Clark was on form and really is showing his inner Lion. The defence was not rock solid, but they should be applauded for holding their own.
Those are the positives and now for what I really thought.
The game was a disgrace and yet it will surely nudge Lambert that little bit closer to job safe. I despise the man. His one dimensional approach to the game has ruined a team that could be a fairly decent side if played and encouraged correctly but he always seems to do the polar opposite. Let’s break this down…
FORMATION
We started with a 4-3-3 and this alone was enough to make my blood boil because it seemed that Lambert was reverting back to his already proven ineffective tactic which on paper looks well and gone but on the pitch… well on the pitch it just doesn’t work. It literally is all about getting the ball upfront and hoping that either gabby or Wiemann can get the ball to Bentekes feet where he can do the rest. It is uninspiring, unchallenging and typical Lambert. The worst part about this is that we will probably play the exact same formation again next week.
LINE UP
We all predicted it and yet everyone of us wanted something different. For me personally, the most exciting part of the line up was getting to see Cole link up with Benteke but unfortunately, this came to a swift close in the very early minutes and Lambert’s one creative decision was ruled out.
Gabby and Wiemann may just have played their worst game yet, but again, they will probably be played again next week. We had 3 strikers on the pitch and yet we only recorded 3 shots. If players aren’t playing how they should be playing, better yet, if players aren’t playing how they are being paid to play, drop them and put in a new player that wants to prove themselves. I don’t think both will be dropped at the same time, but I do want to see one of them dropped and replaced by either Grealish or Robinson. It would be good to see how they start the game, and what does Lambert and all the nay sayers have to lose? Take out one none scoring player, and put in an enthusiastic and eager youngster sounds like a good idea and if it doesn’t work, then we’ve tried and tested it haven’t we.
The midfield literally did nothing all game and this cause too much pressure on the defence and no action up front; this needs to change! The midfield should be scoring goals, setting goals up and easing the pressure from the defence. Ours didn’t do any of that today.
SUBSTITUTIONS
This is probably the single thing that angered me the most. Lambert was determined to sit on a 1 nil in the hope that we could see the game out and take the points. We was playing awful all game and it was obvious, yet Lambert only made a ‘tactical'(if it can be called that) change in the remaining minutes of the game and that was for Richardson! You know what kind of a game you are in for when Lambert brings Richardson on!
I was expecting either a change at half time or 60 minutes in and if the man had any sense, he would have taken Westwood off for Grealish and Wiemann off for Robinson. But what do I know? I’m just a fan and Lambert scraped 3 points so he must have made the right decisions……
VERDICT
We took 3 points which have placed us 12th in the league and that is what counts, but the way we got those points was diabolical and surely will not happen again because other teams will not be as unlucky.
There is no point calling for Lambert to go because I can’t see it happening and that saddens me deeply. I want him to actually think about the team that we have and change the way we play to accommodate those players. Yes, Benteke is our only true goal scorer, but it is your job to ensure that others are scoring as well because we can not afford to become the one man team we already are. It is now time to drop some of the regulars and give the younger lads a shot.
Next game I would like to see a 4-4-2 formation
Guzan
Hutton-Okore-Clark-Cissohko
Bacuna-Cole-Sanchez-Grealish
Robinson-Benteke
Of course, this is provided that Cole is ok to play.
GUZAN
HUTTON.. OKORE.. CLARK.. CISSY
SANCHEZ..CLEVERELY..
WINGER.. AM… GABBY
BENTEKE..
Delph and Vlaar most likely off.. if Vlaar goes Man U.. we should get Ash Young in.. if not ask Chelsea to loan us Salah..
If Delph goes Spuds.. ask them for Dembele or Holtby in exchange..
Add let’s say Young and Holtby to the team and that team looks very decent..
IF PL had any balls he would attack in our next two games.. Lesta (H) & West Brom (A).. Bag six points.. have us sitting in a tidy place just before the window opens..
Will be do it.. doubt it very much from past eveidence..!!
Can’t deny that Young and Holtby would improve our current team hugely!
With Young covering Left Back/Left Wing/Left WingBack and being one of United’s best performers the last month or so, I’d be surprised if they let him come back, nor would he probably want too. Although would never say no, obviously.
Also Holtby’s out on loan, I have my doubts Hamburger SV are going to allow him to leave them
I don’t see United being interested in Vlaar; too much time out injured, not exactly in the first flush of youth, etc. While I think he’s quality, suspect they’re after younger and bigger names.
Hope vlaar does go to utd he is no loss and Clarke and Okore seem to be coping better without him
I agree, they have a defensive injury list as bad as ours. I can’t see them wanting Vlaar either. Do think Van Gaal might want someone experienced though, so De Gea might be confident of the crap defense he has in front of him. Based on performances though, wouldn’t mind Smalling coming our way. Not a chance but he’s been their best defender this season bar… Young.
Utd defence seems ok now though so they might not bother. Apparantly theyve another 200 m to spend next summer complete that they can just go out and buy their way back into winning honours.
Largely what happens when they get said revenues. However if they don’t get CL again, they could be screwed on finding the right players, unless of course there’s some real hot shot that’s no longer wanted at one of the bigger clubs.
Their defense is fine largely because of De Gea. He’s in incredible form, although they could lose him next summer to Madrid. They often times get a lot of injuries and Young and Smalling have been incredible. They still largely need at least 1 CB and 1 RB.
I honestly have my doubts on this whole Vlaar to United garbage, if he goes, I have my doubts he’ll still be in the Prem unless Southampton feel like splitting up their defense that’s been on a large scale very good.
hmm make of this what you will http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/lambert-banking-on-bayern-boost-30803979.html
He’s trying to get Guardiola as his number 2. 🙂
Pretty obvious why he met pep guardiola hes offered him villa assistant role where Pep can learn “how to play shite football and break unwanted records and earn himself a new 4 year deal whilst doing so”!! Lamberk out
I’ve just looked at the fixtures with Benteke back if he’s hit a bit of form could lift us free of the bottom scrap.The next 8 we should get points from….utv
I think we’ll win all 8 and that Lambert is a better manager than Ron Saunders.
Can I have some of what you are drinking?
He drinks his own piss. Are you sure you want some???
I’ll be surprised if Cole starts the next game. He’s not getting any younger and his recovery time is getting longer! If he is fit, I’m not sure about starting him in central midfield as he’s all about creativity and not really an all round midfielder. Good shout on giving Bacuna another shot. I’d almost forgotten he existed! What exactly has happened with him, as he was almost a nailed on started every game last season?! I’d definitely be excited to see how your suggested lineup got on though. More so than seeing the same old same old with Gabby and Weimann!
Thinks you;re right on both counts:
Cole’s history injury-wise has always been pretty poor, that’s one big reason why he never lived up to the early hype ten or more years ago. One of those players who plays one or two games then sidelined for the next six.
Bacuna was a bit raw at times last season, but showed some real promise – a decent run in the starting line up could show just how good he can be.
Ardent, every time you post on here you make common sense, the thing with Cole though is that he is a very decent footballer who appears to want to play, I agree about the injuries, but if and when fit, for me, he offers so much more than Bacuna, in the case of Bacuna, he might be good, in the case of Cole, he is, without doubt, very good.
Hi Sasa, long time no hear!
I have no doubts about Cole’s ability – just that he’s one of those players [Trevor Francis springs to my mind…] who could/should have been a true ‘great’, but seems to have spent at least half of his career on the treatment table.
If he’s fit, then sure, play him; but I think we’ll only get one full game a month out of him, and when he’s not there, we should give Bacuna a run out.
no dispute at all mate, it is such a shame really that his body is shot, as he never feigns injury, but against Burnley he gave that something that we have lacked since Parker held that position some 20 years ago, different era i know, but our club deserves that type of player. all the best sir.
Btw why has Bacuna not figured this season he was arguably one of our best players last year. Rather have him than cleverly, Westwood and Richardson ffs
Has anyone read that article in the Birmingham Mail by Gregg Evans (who?) telling us to lay off Lambert.
Its a terrible read.
Seriously has he been paid of ffs?
Have you seen the comments lambasting the journalist and said article? Everyone’s ripped it apart…
It’s the usual thoughtless piece by a writer trying to get a paper views. Nothing was even remotely argued as to why anyone should lay off him. It really was a terrible read.
lamberk
gregg evans must be another lerner employee to write that crap
I thought the Evening Mail article headline was spot on.
Villa should lay off Lambert.
Immediately and without pay, just like happens to people in the real world.
Then I actually read the article. Which was tripe.
Ha ha quite funny for you Badger lol
Seconded! Lol!
Good article by Greg Evans. Lamberts doing well.
Anyone know the lyrics to this new benteke chant???the one on the lines of the lion sleeps tonight.someone put the video up but couldn’t understand some of the words.
A…Benteke,A….Benteke,A…Benteke……….oooooooooooooooooChristian Bentekeeeeeeeeee. It was ace on Tuesday night listening to it at Selhurst
Giddy I will try and post something next week about it the guy who made it up was stood next to me Tuesday, I will try to get all the words jotted down
Cheers VTID much appreciated mate.
In the meantime;
http://www.myoldmansaid.com/new-christian-benteke-song-lyrics-the-lions-sleeps-tonight/
I have to say Badger this is the most cringe worthy song the fans have ever sung I can’t watch it without cringing. We usually have much better songs than this lol
I totally agree, fwiw.
My all time fave?
To the tune of of “Give peace a chance”;
“All we are are saying, is give us a goal”.
Seems very apt at the moment and I’d have thought it might be due a comeback.
lol though I think we will bang in at least 4 tomorrow Leicester without their best defender, fans and players have had enough of Pearson so players will play poorly to get him sacked. Should be a formality can’t see anything but a 4.0 upwards scoreline to us tbh.
Oh how will you cope with such a scoreline…. Suicide watch for oohaah.
Not at all the good side is we’ve got as easier game as we will ever have tomorrow what worries me is if we win 4.0 which is possible everyone will say we’ve turned the corner and how great lamberk is etc when we are playing the whipping boys of the prem. I fancy a Benteke hatrick tomorrow.
Ooo-korrr-aaaar suuuuper-star
Sent down from Heaven after Paul McGrath
[Repeat]
to the tune of jesus christ superstar okores new song heard in midweek
Bloody hell, Oohah in “100% confident” shocker! 🙂
Billy’s boots, I like that one.
Yep I am badger I will be amazed if Benteke dosnt terrorise them tomorrow and gets at least 2-3 goals. This will be our easiest win since beating sunderland at home 6.1 or Norwich game last year. Can’t see anything but a comfortable villa win especially as their centre half is out.
6-0 VILLA put a big smile on oohA’s face,off on the piss badger promise I’ll behave if I come on later.pussing everyone off with the benteke chant love the high pitched part of it got it down to a T.UTV SOTC get it down yer 😀
6.0 wouldnt suprise me Giddy I can see us getting at least 4 fwiw
#pissing everyone LOL