Well, that wasn’t pretty, was it?
I’m struggling to think of a more boring game and given that we’ve experienced plenty of them over the last few years, that’s saying something.
The whole game can probably be summed up by the lines from one of the commentators I was listening too, where he said;
“This is the Prem. This is supposed to be the best we’ve got”
And he was absolutely correct.
The standard of set pieces and balls in general, from both sides was woeful and backs up my claim that the Premiership is just a load of over-hyped rubbish.
I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of the game too much, as it really doesn’t matter and all that really did, was the result. Which we simply didn’t get.
On the face of it, a draw at the Baggies isn’t too bad a result really and I’d have happily taken it, if we weren’t in our current situation.
But we needed a win and the annoying thing is I think we could have got it, if we’d actually gone for it, as frankly Albion were no better and it could even be said that they were actually worse than us on the day.
Yes, maybe we should have had a penalty and I was calling the referee all sorts at the time, but my feeling was that he let a lot of things go, in an effort to keep the game flowing, something many fans have called for, for years.
It was a fairly robust type of game, just the sort you expect to see in a Derby and I was personally glad the ref did play it that way.
I doubt some of you will agree.
So in a game where I thought Gil looked bright, Gana worked hard and Ayew looked dangerous, again it doesn’t matter.
We needed the points, but ultimately didn’t get them.
Albion will comfortably survive, but we won’t, because it’s too late.
And that’s frustrating, given that we at least matched them today.
We could have won that 🙁
We should have won that.
We didn’t win that.
Coulda Woulda Shoulda?
it is too late for us but to start winning you have stop losing and start keeping clean sheets. if anyone wants proof of this just look at the season before we won the league.
the ‘ I saw geddis score season’
Jesus that was a collector’s item. Was that the season we went for ever without scoring and if memory serves me right Des Bremner scored and broke the duck.
BWS – we were playing badly and Sir Ron bought Des (who) Bremner and he built a change through not losing. I remember it well as we went into a series of draws and then wins built on not conceding.
Unlike some I don’t expect us to suddenly start playing brilliant football but I’m encouraged that we are becoming more resilient and difficult to beat. From small acorns……
In my book Garde is doing OK – we shouldn’t make the mistake of looking for some sort of messiah that will miraculously turn round our results. Keep going Remi – you’re doing OK in my book. Clear out the deadwood and create the basis for the Pheonix to arise from the ashes of the last five years.
Them was happy times at VP Hitchy, ho for a time machine.
Too right mate – happy, happy times.
that’s the one
Sir Ron bought him and he was part of the squad that won the tittle so respect. But I never saw whatever Sir Ron did myself but then again I’ve never built a championship winning side!
Yes, Giddy we should have won and would have if we’d gone for it.
You know my views on the manager and I won’t go into them.
I’ll just say Gestede should have come on along with Kozak, imo.
Steve, agreed, it’s good that we’ve stopped conceding.
But as you say, just too late.
I cant think when the last time we’ve strung a 5 game unbeaten run together.
Most annoying thing is again results went our way today. We win today and the deficit is 7 points and we still have Norwich, Swansea, Bournemouth and Newcastle to play. 3 of those games are at home too!!
Definitely a wasted opportunity today.
and man utd
We have to get a striker from somewhere, especially if Gestede is out for a while. We cant continue with Kozak or Gabby up front.
In reality, our only way of picking up a decent striker is on loan, but we have to do something and quick.
We could face a bit of a dilemma when selecting a striker next match 2 left the field today shabbys got a dodgy back I wonder what Grant Holts up to??
Ayews brother ?
On another note, just watching West Ham play. Cresswell and Byram playing ful lbacks….both quality players we were supposedly after! More good decision making from the transfer committee!! And how good is Payet!!
I see pullis said it wasn’t a penalty PRICK yes MATE you & every baggies fan.
Giddy mate to be fair to em on the wm phone in most the biong biongers were saying it was a pen and slagging Pulis mate.
Fuck the penalty it’s not important. We shouldn’t be in this position where one or two dodgy ref decisions can relegate us in the first place. We are at the bottom because we have been shit all season not because of a couple of dodgy decisions
Pretty bang summing up Badger although a decent performance it’s to little to late.If we’d have had Reme from August I truly believe we wouldn’t have been in this position but it’s just a case of games left versus points ratio, simply to late to repair the damage.
Bang on.
We’re done for BWS, to me Lerner could and should have given the money first week in January, I know players wouldn’t come but to me he’s still holding back and has no respect for the fans.He’s getting his own back for the times other mangers ripping him off. We Are the fans that will suffer for the next few years.
We are Bill, he was never going to open the cheque book mate anyone who thought he was was on class A drugs mate.
Bloody true mate, took us all to the cleaners,
At the risk of being beaten to a pulp – I think Lerner, belatedly, may be starting to see the truth. It’s bo**ocks to throw good money after bad and spending now isn’t (if we’re honest) going to change things. Bolting the stable door comes to mind.
What I want to see now is proper investment for the future starting in the summer.
Hitchy mate the bloke is a serial dickhead, he did the same at the browns, one poor appointment after another to the piont they (the fans) were begging him to go.
The guy’s a looser that inherited daddy’s money,he’s been winging it for years and he’s been found out.
And according to reports his 18 yr old son Max will be on the board soon. Lerner is taking the piss!
Hitchen
My big problem with not spending now we go down with crap squad we are behind the gun for next season our players plus remi are showing little fight now what are they going to be like sun Wed Sat next season
Don’t think remi is the man for championship no plan b ,not even lobbing kitchen sink at it that’s 4 matches west ham Newcastle leiscter wba we were drawing never pushed boat out to win them,stuck with guzan Hutton Richardson week in week out,let Gardner go out on loan yet plays the crab every match
JV – I’m not saying we shouldn’t invest now if the right player becomes available that will improve us for next season and, of course, at the right price like Kalinic. My comment was specifically aimed at the (apparent) decision not to invest short term i.e. the Debuchy loan fee and hopefully not chasing pensioners like Vidic.
I don’t get the criticisms of Garde, whats absolutely sure is that he is making mistakes as he goes, bit like Mourniho, Wenger, ferguson, ancellotti that way, in so far as every manager does that.
I see absolutely snail paced improvement from Villa, I think Garde has the toughest assignment of all the Villa managers of the last 5 years, and the worst squad.
so at this point, after 12 premier league games, we are finally showing minuscule signs of improvement, the passing has improved, we seem to be conceding less goals, and we are a little tougher to beat,
3 games unbeaten in the prem, 5 including the FA cup ..
ah but the FM experts are convinced he hasn’t done enough yet,
Ridiculous, I don’t see any evidence of any catastrophic decisions that warrants serious criticism, absolutely made a few selection mistakes, possible tactical errors, all absolutely crystal clear mistakes that were pointed in hindsight.
He looks like a man that is desperately working and shaping and experimenting to me.
Don’t understand how some could have made their mind up already.
I agree I think Garde is a decent manager but could of done with him at start of season
MOTD…… Vllla just shaded it…..havin a laugh…or wot.
Think they should have a pen….2nd week running…thats 4 point you idiot refs.
In all games now they are unbeaten in five. What would have given for that earlier on? Too late now unfortunately.
I think Remi is doing a good job and, although we’re going down, if he sticks with us I’m fairly optimistic that we won’t be in the Championship too long.
With regard to the penalty shout it was definitely a pen but you can’t rely on the ref to save you, you have to make your own luck.
Jesus Christ, will it ever end!
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-rumour-mill-randy-10780635
Only looks about 12 ffs. Lerner taking the piss big time now
That’s a FUCKING joke has LERNER lost the plot??
I wouldn’t surprise me at all, be Lerners little grass !
Lost it years ago
Who next his Gardener????
OK let’s see what Hollis is truly made of. Whilst the Board have collective responsibility for appointing Directors, Hollis, as Chairman has already stated that he doesn’t want any token appointments; this in response to fans questions over adding a footballing ‘name’ to the Board. In response and I paraphrase – Hollis said any new Director has to add the skills needed to create a successful future for the club – we shall see.
reminds me of when the bendalls ran the club .what a mess they made of it
At least we won major honours with them
What God damn awful times they were, all that winning league tittles, European Cups and Super Cups business. Them was dark dark days at VP not like today under our glorious leader and his unparalleled stewardship of AVFC.
Hear hear BWS, we never had nail biting, hair loss,, ulcers, fighting to get into the grounds, not like today’s games. They don’t know how lucky they are.
Bill as former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan said “You have never had it so good”.
I remember when we won the European Cup. My boss (lovely guy) and his son were big Baggies fans – he told me his son had asked him ‘can the Villa really win the (European) Cup’. He told him and me he believed they could …….and so it came to pass. Oh for a repeat of those times when we were feared although it’s interesting looking back – even then the press didn’t favour us and were right royally pi**ed off when we beat Ipswich to the league title.
Do you remember the interview with Sir Ron after Ipswich beat us and he said to the reporter ‘do you want to bet against us’ absolute class.
Sure is Swampduck, Ellis going behind the board’s back by flying to the isles of Man and buying shares to gain control. me think dirty dealings are coming.
With decent striker we would of won yesterday. Get Rhodes in
Agreed Mike and said so yesterday. Rhodes and Gestede have a good partnership and with a half decent team supporting them we would be in a good position next season if we’re looking to bounce straight back up. No, I haven’t completely given up on a miracle but if we’re going to invest we should do so looking at what will be needed next season not short term fixes on a wing and a prayer – we’re too far behind for that.
Rhodes , Gestede , not good enough for Prem.
We staying up then dave 67 ?
Sorry Hitch only glanced through your comment, might be OK for champ.
Mike in my opinion Rhodes not good for Prem, I could be wrong, I hope and pray that we stay up, Talking to a Spurs fan today, said 3 wins in the next games and results go our way we are back in the mix. I said wishful thinking .
No need to apologise Dave. Rhodes may well make it in the prem – who knows but in terms of a sensible, affordable strategy I think he fits the bill. The question is – I suspect he has premiership ambitions and wants to go to a prem club – so why would he come to us? Interesting that no prem club seem to be that interested which supports your view.
Eric Black is a strong appointment at No2.Well experienced and was Remis choice.Im ready for the drop got my head round it.If Garde can pull it off and keep us up I think it would be a miracle but it is still possible.Team is improving defence is more solid with Richards at RB.We are creating chances and playing better football we just need that cutting edge upfront.Rumours of Christian Santos have been around for a short while.We really need that goal scoring clinical striker.But if all attempts fail and we drop we still can say we are improving and Garde knows what he is doing.Hollis wants a run of same staff in place for a long period for stability which I think will do us good.We need to reroot ourselves get some solid foundations to grow again.Im going to stick my neck out and say I feel we are going in the right direction now manager wise.Lets hope Hollis is better at stearing the big ship at his end.utv
Eric f**king Black ffs? I really don’t get this. He’s been coaching at Rotherham a team presently sitting 21st in the Championship, they’ve lost 17 from 28 games and have conceded 49 goals, oh yea this guy sounds the real deal.
Yet another underwhelming appointment at VP.
Silly me I forgot the most important thing…
He probably comes cheap.
He has been involved with a lot of clubs that have subsequently been relegated, so he’ll be a useful asset when the inevitable happens this season at VP…
Involved with a lot of clubs that have relegated?
What glowing reference but he’ll fit right at home at VP.
MATE it’s like going straight to the dignitas clinic before being diagnosed with a terminal illness.
He can speak French.
Doubt it Giddy he’s a Scot, they have trouble with English.
I think Swansea’s win today as all but condemned us, I really thought that they, Norwich and Sunderland were the 3 teams we may possibly catch, a pipe dream I know but I accept that dream is now over. Bournemouth are way too good to go down in my view and Newcastle will probably have a bit too much.
We need a striker Jay Dee, you’re right, but can’t see a good one coming in now, I’d hoped for Charlie Austin or Steven Naismith but those ships have sailed. I also think a real creative spark in midfield would help, we all sneered at Lambert when he tried to bring Wes Hoolahan in, but every time I see him play he looks class, I guess Norwich wouldn’t sell to Lambert though!
And I hoped to win the lottery Dave and there was more chance of that than Randy paying Austin100k a week.
True BWS, but worth Randy taking the gamble if Austin’s goals had kept us in the Prem, I guess we’ll never know now!
You’re spot on Big D, what an impact he had yesterday but as you say, we’ll never know.
The game followed the equally depressing interview with the board.
It might be fanciful to say the club planned to get relegated this season, I am sure they would deny it. However like going on holiday leaving the doors and windows unlocked and forgetting to cancel the newspapers isn’t planning to get burgled, it is high risk strategy that invites a bad result.
This season, unlike last or next, is the worst one to suffer relegation because of the change in finances. That should have dictated to a board knowing anything about football that they needed to follow Sherwood’s wishes and get enough experienced pros in to finish above 3 of Bournemouth, Norwich, Sunderland, Newcastle and Swansea.
Forget the froggy youngsters idea until next season because they were a high risk strategy from which Newcastle continue to suffer – we did not even have to guess – we just had to look. The second part of the error was not firing Sherwood at the beginning of the Summer when he told them he did not like their buying policy, if they were still pig-headed enough to ignore his concerns. They may not have got anyone who would have done better. As for the performance director and chief scout – well I have fired people in my field for similar shoddy work.
The commentary of the board meeting with AVFT was that Fox is in self-denial of culpability and Hollis does not know what type of business he is running. It isn’t just like any other business, that comment betrays ignorance and arrogance in equal measure.
Premiership football has similarities to show-business and high end supermarkets. When the customers leave they must be sufficiently enthused to be looking forward to their next visit. It should not be forgotten that they can “shop” in front of a small screen, they do not have to visit your premises at all. Offering an inferior range of products that the management thinks the customers can be fobbed off with, is a guarantee of disaster.
Are Fans different from Customers? Right across the city is an example that says maybe not. Cadbury has lost Fans, and remote Yankee management and a reduction in quality has its echo in B6.
Cadbury did indeed lose a massive percentage of it’s customers by messing and cheapening the recipe. Bit like the Villa.
We’re down. Have been for several months. Very, very few positives to speak of at our club. Rotherham…you couldn’t make it up.
Yes Rotherham?? We are certainly going for a man who knows how to get us out of the championship at the first attempt. But through the trap-door.
OLL – it seems his main skill is his ability to speak French
So can Platini and I don’t his diary’s full at the moment.
That was a poor attempt at irony!
Done deal Debuchy coming in thes week lads.