Blues 1 – 1 Villa: I’ll take that point

Blimey, I actually predicted a game correctly. It makes a change, as I haven’t even been able to pick my nose, let alone a result, for ages.

I can’t say it was a convincing performance, as in truth Blues looked the better side for most of the game, to me.
But this game was never about the performance and the result was always way more important in not setting us back.

Was it a deserved point?
I have to hold my hands up and say if you look at the game overall, you might well say we didn’t deserve the point.
But then I’m not convinced Blues really did enough to warrant all three points either.
So it’s a tough call and I’d accept opinions of whatever stance.

The thing is we got a point in one of the toughest away games we’ll face all season and that can’t be bad.

It was a typical tough game, with some very strong tackles being dished out from both sides. Just as it should be.
Both managers obviously managed to fire their players up.

The only sad point for me was Bruce bringing Gabby on.
While I can’t criticise the player for anything he did today, I just feel that was a massive mistake.
To my mind, he’s been one of the biggest factors as to why we’re not in the Prem anymore and should just be hoofed, whatever the cost.
The only single redeeming thing is that none of our other strikers were left on the bench either.
If he’d have got a start while McCormack and Gestede didn’t, I’d have been fuming now.
THe only reason Bruce must have included him in the squad was because of his begging to be included because it was the blues game.
Where’s his desire been for god knows how long? Just get rid Steve, trust me.

That said, what’s wrong with McCormack?
He looks nothing like the 20 goal a season striker I’ve read about.
Mind you, I’m probably being unfair, as playing so deep doesn’t really offer any striker much, does it?
Likewise Gestede and why Gardner got the goal.
Still, it’s more about not getting beaten at the moment, so I can’t moan.

It was a nice header from Gardner and a decent goal from them, albeit deflected, so I’m reasonably happy.

The main thing is we didn’t lose and face Blackburn at home on Saturday; a game we should do ok in.
And which will keep us moving forward nicely.

Now I’m going to sit back and reflect with a few Stellas.

Oh, MOTM had to be Jedinak, as much as I’ve criticised him lately.
He looked very solid, along with Chester.
I guess Baker could be included there too, but I never really noticed him too much, which I suppose is a good thing.

Westwood?
Ermm…..

47 Comments

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  1. giddyvillan
    giddyvillan October 30, 2016 at 2:44 pm . Reply

    I hope we give the scum a SHITE allocation of tickets when they come to a decent ground,a poxy 1,988 allocated to us with an attendance of 29,655 tight bastards.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath October 30, 2016 at 4:28 pm . Reply

      I saw quite a few empty seats in their end as well

      1. Ardent Villain
        Ardent Villain October 30, 2016 at 10:40 pm . Reply

        I understood that WM Police had advised City not to make this an all-capacity match.

        That might be understandable from WMP’s point of view, but it suggests that they’ll ask Villa to restrict attendance as well…

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath October 31, 2016 at 4:19 pm . Reply

          What a joke is reducing capacity going to stop violence. The thugs will gonna matter how many are allowed in.

  2. Hitchens 60
    Hitchens 60 October 30, 2016 at 2:55 pm . Reply

    Badger, I think all the defence played well, even Hutton who got back after his mistake to prevent a shot on goal. Jedinak was outstanding but Baker and Chester were also excellent.

    We ground out a point – that has to be a positive given our recent history.

    We need to follow this up with a good attacking and winning display against Blackburn – and please play McCormack centrally in behind the strikers.

    1. pat57
      pat57 October 30, 2016 at 3:17 pm . Reply

      @H60
      ‘Ground out a point’ God when was the last time you heard those words coupled with Aston Villa?

      We played with some passion and commitment which is all we can ask. We’re definitely deficient in mid-field but if we can keep on getting 2 out of 3 points until January we’ll be well placed for when SB can bring in some new players.

      4 games and no defeats so far, couldn’t have dreamed of this pre-SB.

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath October 30, 2016 at 4:30 pm . Reply

      I must say baker has improved. Elphnick will struggle getting back in. Just wonder how long baker will stay fit for though he’s very injury prone

  3. bencey83
    bencey83 October 30, 2016 at 4:20 pm . Reply

    Didn’t deserve anything out of that! Some very poor defending at times. Created next to nothing. Happy with the point.

  4. giddyvillan
    giddyvillan October 30, 2016 at 5:42 pm . Reply

    It seems that won’t be just a one off with shabby we’ll be seeing alot more of him unfortunately Bruce has given him a clean slate & is trying to get him fitter over to you Dr x

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 October 30, 2016 at 6:43 pm . Reply

      Giddy – two points that impress me about Dr Tony.

      1. He’s decisive, knows his own mind and communicates his views openly
      2. He never ever completely closes the door. He was disappointed by Gabby’s attitude in the summer but make no mistake if the guy makes an effort and can contribute to the cause then Dr. Tony will be the first to welcome him back.

      OLL – you have knowledge of the inscrutable Chinese – no doubt you can provide the appropriate proverb to describe the triumphant return of the fallen!

      1. OriginalLondonLion
        OriginalLondonLion October 30, 2016 at 6:54 pm . Reply

        I will have to pass that to the missus, who was watching the game in Thailand, The single word she Skyped after the game wasn’t ladylike, Chinese or proverbial.

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath October 31, 2016 at 4:12 pm . Reply

      Bottom line is despite all these strikers we have we are barely scoring a goal a game so nothing to lose giving him a go. Plus in new year we will need him due to African word cup

  5. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson October 30, 2016 at 6:54 pm . Reply

    Hitch, for you mate. 堕落的回归
    Duòluò de huíguī

    1. OriginalLondonLion
      OriginalLondonLion October 30, 2016 at 6:56 pm . Reply

      What a multi-talented lot bloggers on here are.

    2. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 October 30, 2016 at 7:01 pm . Reply

      Bl**dy hell Bill, the only Latin I know is plant names! 🙂

  6. Guest
    Guest October 30, 2016 at 7:01 pm . Reply

    Thought we were rubbish today, that was as bad as the Wolves game, hot potato football, no fluency, no guile, no idea.

    Kodija is really starting to annoy me, he’s as greedy as they come and he and McCormack clearly do not like each other, it appears it may have to be one or the other and not both in the same team.

    Not sure why Westwood gets picked over Tshibola, or Gardner for that matter, goal aside he was quite woeful today.

    If we play like that every game we’ll be lucky to pick up many more wins this season.

    I’ve yet to see us really outplay anybody this season.

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 October 30, 2016 at 7:13 pm . Reply

      We outplayed Forrest and got a draw! For now I don’t care whether we play beautiful football, I only care about results.

      Complain all you like but at least we are securing points or perhaps you would prefer us to be like last season or even the first 11 games of this season.

      And Kodjia played for much of the game on his own up front with no support and two or three men marking him – what else was he supposed to do – and did he annoy you with his goal against Fulham?

      When Sir Ron first came he concentrated on grounding out results buying players like Des Bremner – he made sure we didn’t lose so SB’s job at the moment is the same – let’s give the guy some time before passing judgement or perhaps you think we should look for another manager!

      Finally I think losing Adomah so early in the game unbalanced the side but this seems to have gone largely unnoticed!

      1. Guest
        Guest October 30, 2016 at 8:35 pm . Reply

        We must have watched a different game Hitchens as i think the game against Forrest was pretty even.

        My point about Kodjia is completely valid, i couldn’t give a fiddlers fuck if he has scored 3 in the last 3 games, he is selfish and needs to learn to be a better team player.

        At what point did i blame Bruce for any of this? all i said was we were awful today, and we where, just as we where against Wolves, infact we have been lucky in both games to pick up a point, we didn’t grind out a result, we got lucky, pure and simple, yes we are due some luck, but that won’t last, i personally would rather we tried to improve our game.

        Wind your neck in you silly old sod, i am more than entitled to an opinion, sorry it doesn’t fit with your rose tinted version of events but hey, that’s the point of this forum isn’t it?

        1. Hitchens 60
          Hitchens 60 October 31, 2016 at 7:21 am . Reply

          Guest – never said you weren’t (entitled to an opinion) but your point about being entitled to an opinion is as valid for me – so we’ll agree to differ!

          Having said that my response was a bit over the top for which I apologise – too much of the amber nectar!

      2. jvillan
        jvillan October 30, 2016 at 10:33 pm . Reply

        hitchens
        about your point on adoamh injury if bruce had not put flabby on bench he could have used green or heburn murphy on bench

        1. Hitchens 60
          Hitchens 60 October 31, 2016 at 7:23 am . Reply

          Fair point JV – we didn’t have anyone (fit enough) to do a similar job.

      3. OohAhPaulMcGrath
        OohAhPaulMcGrath October 31, 2016 at 4:16 pm . Reply

        Kodjia spent so much time rolling around pretending to be injured. He was a right wimp he’s got no bottle and scared to put a challenge in. He was embarrassing imo

        1. Bill Pearson
          Bill Pearson October 31, 2016 at 4:40 pm . Reply

          You obviously didn’t see the game Oohah, you have a knee in you thigh and laugh it off, plus a knee in the back and think its funny, he was a marked man and they tried to slow him down, that game got physical just look at fat Gabbys face with either stud or nail marks. That team played its game for a local coming together. Well done the lads, and by the way, some on here are pretentious in remarks made to others.

          1. Hitchens 60
            Hitchens 60 October 31, 2016 at 5:33 pm . Reply

            Spot on Bill

          2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
            OohAhPaulMcGrath October 31, 2016 at 11:04 pm . Reply

            I did see the game he hardly touched him seriously.

          3. Guest
            Guest November 1, 2016 at 2:44 pm . Reply

            Is that supposed to be a jibe at me Bill?

  7. giddyvillan
    giddyvillan October 30, 2016 at 7:23 pm . Reply

    I thought we outplayed Huddersfield & only for a keeper error we would of won

    1. Guest
      Guest October 30, 2016 at 8:25 pm . Reply

      True, apart from them.

    2. Bum Bum
      Bum Bum October 30, 2016 at 9:37 pm . Reply

      Not even a keeper error. Just a bloody 1 in a million fluke!!! Pleased today. Kodjia gave the effort but got hoofed off the ball by the scums bouncers. Lots of effort and some nice touches, but best of all we didn’t cave in. Some tired legs but we kept going. Amavi was great both at the back and going forward. Ayew looked angry asbhe always does, the Jedi was awesome, Baker and Chester were solid as can be! Gabby…the less said the better. Roll on Blackburn!!!!

  8. Ardent Villain
    Ardent Villain October 30, 2016 at 10:51 pm . Reply

    While I share Badger’s overall view of Shabby, I must admit that that when Bruce put him on in the 80th minute it did seem to rattle Blues. I actually thought that if it wasn’t for the prolonged injury in stoppage time, we actually looked more likely to pinch a late winner.

    I still don’t expect Agbonlahor to get more than a bit-part in future games.

    As for the game overall – a fair result IMO, they threw the kitchen sink at us in the 2nd half and a few weeks ago we’d have crumbled under that assault. Never looked likely to me today, and I like the fact that we seem to be re-discovering how to defend- and score from- set pieces again.

  9. nath
    nath October 31, 2016 at 5:57 am . Reply

    happy with a point, keeps the momentum rolling along. thought our players all gave their whole, villa teams of the past5 years or even longer. would have crumbled under the pressure and anti football from the noses. i thought they were playing union rugby code,with their up and under balls, i saw um kicking for touch. they rough up the villa players, goalie committed a Schumacher like foul, i thought these tactics and successfully injuring players, helped them to a share of the spoils. i think mccormack is struggling with the system we play. when he was introduced this stopped our game plan of countering with speed.

    but i dont think either team did enough to win the game = share of the points will do, by the time we meet again, we will have improved loads. promotion is our aim while theirs is just to win that game.

  10. Hitchens 60
    Hitchens 60 October 31, 2016 at 9:17 pm . Reply

    See U23’s won 4-0 with outstanding display from Hepburn-Murphy (2) and a cracking goal from Tshibola (Green got the 4th). Jack Grealish and Agbonlahor also featured.

    How long before Bruce starts to include some of these up and coming youngsters in the first team. Would like to see Tshibola get a run.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath October 31, 2016 at 11:04 pm . Reply

      Why didn’t Tish start Sunday anyone know?

      1. Tekkers48
        Tekkers48 October 31, 2016 at 11:47 pm . Reply

        Tish is an anagram of Shit ! We could therefor have called all of last year’s team tish !

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