I thought for quite a while before the game and still couldn’t figure who would win it, at least not enough to make a prediction.
I ended up with the conclusion that I’d have been happy with a point, which would have been a fair result today, but I have to say I think Swansea did more than us throughout the whole game, which is why I find I can’t really complain.
They play some lovely one touch football, don’t they, Swansea?
But we played an open game too and it made for decent viewing, with both teams going for it.
Simply put though, Swansea were the better side in the first half. They controlled the ball better and made better space, which combined with their passing accuracy, made it seem like we were chasing shadows at times.
Still, we were holding our own and countering quite well, but I think many of us must have felt somewhat relieved that it was 0-0 at half time.
Sherwood obviously had a word at half time and told the fullbacks to get more involved, which I thought was a risky tactic, as Swansea’s wide men had already caused us problems.
Our defence were doing fairly well though and we were definitely the better side for most of the second half.
Until Monk brought Montero on.
He gave Bacuna a torrid time and managed to get down the wing to lay a nice ball on for Gomis, who had looked unlucky up until then, to beat Clark to it and score.
We had our chances, but I never felt convinced that we’d score unless we had a bit of luck on our side.
It was one of those days.
Criticisms?
Well, I didn’t understand Westwood coming on for N’Zogbia, as I thought the latter looked a threat. But what do I know?
And Guzan’s kicking is just atrocious. More practice needed there, I think.
Regardless, I don’t think we should be too downhearted.
We played pretty well against a very good footballing side and mostly held our own.
It’s just that the negatives outweigh the positives at the moment.
We’re back amongst it again and it looks like Benteke is injured yet again. For once, the international break might do us a favour there, I suppose.
If only we’d got the point today, we’d have felt just that little more secure.
As Tim Sherwood would no doubt say; “Onwards and upwards!”.
I see today’s games are going to plan so far.UTV
I take it back hull????
http://swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/aston-villa-lost-in-supermarket.html?m=1
Great article about the reality of our finances. Also interesting seeing MON’s net spend pa just £21m but Lambert still had £16m pa. Where the hell did it all go so wrong.
Also seems gate receipts are less than 25% of club income now. No wonder nobody listens to us anymore. Are we just an inconvenience nowadays? I see the day soon when clubs CGI a crowd into empty stands just to save their reputation.
On the plus side, we do seem to be in a period of growth having made significant savings/cuts in expenditure and are seeing increased commercial revenue, so if a new owner comes in, he’ll have a great platform to work from. Funny though, if it wasn’t for the dreaded amortisation (player depreciation), and accounting gymnastics, we’d have been roughly breaking even for years…
Sinclair shot us in the foot this game. He was too busy concentrating on a revenge goal and that selfishness destroyed us on the left wing giving us a half hearted attack. Every opportunity he had, he went for goal when there was better options and this resulted in him scuffing the ball over and wide on numerous occasions. His best opportunity was that very late volley from the Delph strike that skimmed past the corner.
I said this against Sunderland when he missed the open goal by skying it. Regardless of whether we are 2 nil up, 4 nil up or whatever, he needs to be put in his place because like this game, an open net could appear and his missing it will result in us losing points.
I’m that livid by his “contribution” in the game that i’m close to writing an article about it. I think Sherwood is partly at fault for not taking him off. I would have liked a like for like swap with Gil finally getting a show in. The pressure of playing his former team was too much and Gil only had his worth to prove, no his former club.
END RANT.
Mr Cheese…. Mama’s and Papa’s have an offer on dummies this week. You should contemplate taking advantage. 🙂
Waterstones are selling cheap joke books as well, have butchers 😉