Okay, so I called this one totally wrong.
It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last, I can assure you of that.
And while I’m very downbeat after this result, I really think we need to put things in perspective a little.
It would seem we’re still very fragile, although I’m not quite sure why that should be. We’ve got rid of most of the gutless/disinterested culprits and the rest have been condemned to the kid’s string, so they can’t interfere.
But just as we were romping this game for the first hour, so we collapsed as soon as the opposition scored.
Which is the bit I don’t quite understand.
Why do we still seem to have this “bottling” type of mentality? We saw the same against Luton.
It’s a puzzler and I suspect the biggest hurdle that the manager will have to over-come, if we’re to achieve promotion at the first attempt.
I’ve commented on the goalie previously and I’m not going there again, save to say we should get another one in; one with more experience, it’s as simple as that.
I looked at the stats on the OS and it seems we conceded 3 goals with 3 GK errors?
Until I’ve seen the goals for myself, I don’t know. But Gollini is beginning to look like a big liability, in my opinion. Pull the kid, before his confidence is shot too, I say.
I have to say I wondered why we signed him in the first place, as a young goalie is the last thing you want at a club with such high expectations in the Championship.
Expectations, that are going to be our biggest problem.
Ok, we bottled it today, but we romped this game for the first hour and proved that we can dominate for long periods.
Yes, we didn’t get the result, but I can’t help noticing how quickly some have jumped on the bandwagon of slating everything the club has done since Dr Xia took over.
Indeed, it seems there was a fair few who booed the side off the pitch.
I’d suggest this isn’t the way to go and it will only add to the lack of confidence.
Of course, our travelling support is amongst the best anywhere and they’re entitled to voice their opinions.
But I get the over-riding feeling that if we don’t give the team a chance, we’re only going to drive ourselves into a worsening spiral.
It’s still very early days in what’s going to be a long, tiring season.
And while we still look light in certain areas, particularly attack and midfield, the window isn’t over yet and we may still add.
And we do still have a decent squad, which I’d emphasise again, will come into play.
While today was disappointing, I won’t be making any firm assumptions just yet.
‘But I get the over-riding feeling that if we don’t give the team a chance, we’re only going to drive ourselves into a worsening spiral’
Unfortunately there are too many so called fans who seem to relish Villa losing so they can tell us all that they told us so.
Negativity is corrosive and wishing your team to lose so you can score points off other fans is not IMHO being a fan.
We’re going through a transition phase where we’re hoping to improve from nearly being the worst team in Premier League history. Honestly think all this sniping after 5 games isn’t helping anyone.
However as we all (hopefully) believe in free speech then people can say what they like but they must realise that what they say can have an effect. If in future the team keeps performing badly in might in some small part be down to them.
Being a fan is supporting your team not undermining it.
Badger glad you’ve done away with the ‘Dislike’ button as I’ll bet I’d get a load!
UTV and keep smiling!
We’ve been going through transition period since MON left how many more years! All fans can see we need a new keeper and error prone attacking fullbacks just don’t work for us the cons out weigh the pros! Our midfield is weak as piss and there is no creativity up front. In a nutshell we only have around the same points now as we did last year but in a lower division how is that progress!
I’m with you on this Oohah, we buy players to secome to pressure? Do the scrum do that or Newcastle ? cause they don’t, if you see problems don’t run with it correct it, its easy to say and have a go at a fan that sees things before others, whoever’s brought in that goalkeeper needs a kick up the backside, and Oohahs right to point out we have the same point’s as this time last year, I’m worried in seeing our team fall apart under pressure, question now is do we have the right manager? Albion didn’t think so.
Spot on Bill something is still not right. RDM is useless imo Cheksea was run by the players not him
Well said Oohah, Bill, it ain’t any fan’s comment that caused Villa’a demise is it? I think just maybe RL had a hand in that and in my book any fan that gives a shite would be screaming from the roof tops – not happy clapping everything like some soulless automaton.
@BWS
I’m not saying that fans caused us to have one of our worst seasons in our clubs history and I really can understand the frustration you feel, I feel it too.
Its not ‘happy clapping’ its just giving the new team a chance. 5 games is not IMHO giving the team a chance. It will take at least 10-15 games to get a new team playing together. Let’s give them that at least.
Pat I think the Luton game should have been a clue this season wasn’t going to be plain sailing.
I’m not calling for management changes or any such but believe if we are to have any sort of success at this level our lot need a change of attitude, to learn to battle, it’s a tough old league and a long season.
Whether RDM is the man to bring that change about time will tell but to say they’re good when they plainly ain’t is imo, ridiculous.
@BWS
After yesterday’s performance the last thing I’d say is that they were good because they clearly weren’t.
Just saying that they are just about a completely new team with 2 new players in the team Saturday so confidence might take a while to build.
I’m hoping and praying that there’s better to come.
Ain’t we all Pat.
Fully agree pat the negativity is poisonous thank fuck these fans aren’t doing the teamtalks.
Giddy, Henry V would have struggled with our lot…
Once more into the…
Oh f@@k it, I’m pissing in the wind here.
Taxi!
Lol 😀
“Negativity is corrosive and wishing your team to lose so you can score points off other fans is not IMHO being a fan.”
Spot on mate.
(You know who you are.)
Sorry but that really is a pile of ‘Holier than thou’ bulls**t .
Losing and throwing away leads is ingrained into the fabric of this club over the past 6-7 years, it will take many, many months, maybe years to remove this losers mentality regardless of new players, ownership and management.
We haven’t even won an away game for over a year, how can we be expected to win 20+ games to challenge even for the play offs. Realistically, its not going to happen this season
Exactly there is no way we will win another 25 games this season. We will win between 10-15 tops
Agreed we can’t sustain 90 min performances. This has to be down to the manager and mentality if the players. Also are the players fit enough. It was well illustrated last year v Keicester when fur the first hour we played our best football of the season the last half hour we played our worst. Look at Liverpool at home first 15-20 mins nothing in it they score a goal with a defensive error and whole team collapsed. It seems that as soon opposition score that’s it. Look at Bristol yesterday one down in a few minutes battered in first half yet never gave up and won 3.1. Can u imagine what blues will do to us they will fight to the bitter end even if they are 2 down with ten seconds left!
worrying part for me is how we have control of a game. then we allow the opposition back into the contest. or allow them complete control. happened in pre season and continued in every game except the rotherham. its like they can’t manage 90minutes.
also why would you bother getting two center halves with lots of experience and ability. then go in the opposite end of the scale with the goalie, young and inexperienced. doesn’t make any sense.
villa are not the only club to make raft of changes.also oahahaa and others above make a valid points, about how long this transition is lasting and going on for. these excuses don’t hold water anymore. fans i feel are justified in being negative. cause i can’t find anything positive to say about defeat at bristol.
next game is massive after the break. otherwise is gonna be a massive fight to avoid another relegation. because the slide downwards has not finished.
p/s i have nothing constructive left in me, so i am going on a sabbatical lmao type leave will continue to read the good positive posts
Spot on Nath next game us Forest at home a team we’ve struggled against in the past in the best of times. I’m not convinced we will win that one they are doing well this season too
I am optimistic
the majority of players we have bought in to date the fans have been positive about and a few more on the way by the sounds of it.
After years of moaning from fans that the club has kept us in the dark we now have an owner who is trying to keep us up to date. The downside of this is sometimes he may get it wrong but he is obviously trying.
We have played well in nearly all the games and admittedly tailed off. Hopefully the management will address this.
If this team does not come good by 15 matches I will be very surprised and if it takes a couple of years to get promoted so be it.
Went to the game yesterday I’m astonished so little comment regarding RDM.
No motivation no enthusiasm looks lost.
The team need a motivator someone to lead and motivate RDM not showing theses qualities.
That seems about right Ted, its what I’m saying he doesnt look as if he knows what to do. It’s alright some saying give it time and dont have a go we’ve seen this before ,Dr Xia spent a lot of money and its up to them player’s to show him why he did spend, not say well they have to find their feet, rubbish work for your money ,we do.
Aston Villa must be in the LMA’s pension portfolio…
Get a four year deal, do a shite job, get the sack after 12 -18 months, get a settlement of X million £’s and Bob’s your uncle.
Sort of explains the lack of concern don’t you think?
rdm only got a 2 year contract
Well fair play to the Doc then.
He was like that at Cheksea Terry and co run the team. He’s no passion like Garde he was a plank of wood too
Bill I wasn’t impressed with the appointment.
Watching his lack of drive and direction convinces me he is out if his depth and not the right manager.
Dr Tony is investing trying his best But without a competent manager we will struggle.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1684893/aston-villa-line-up-20m-championship-record-bid-for-hulls-abel-hernandez-to-save-their-season/
Sun saying Villa are offering up to £20 million for Hernandez. Here’s hoping…
RDM was not on my radar and the appointment of Clark soften the blow. I will see where we are at Christmas before I start knocking the manager. When I think about it Grealish Westwood, Bacuna and Ayew can sit on the bench and replace with better players if we can total change from last season
Boy oh boy do some like to moan!
I never rated him as a manager!
Same old losing mentality!
Players don’t care!
Nothing has changed!
etc etc etc
Well things have hanged for the better.
1: New chairman: He is investing in the club and communicates with the fans – a change from the previous owner.
2: Depth in backroom staff: Clark, Bond etc far far better than Black. Also director of football to come in for continuity, including between managers.
3: Shifting of failures: It appears the shifting of the players who have our displeasure is happening.
4: Recruitment of new players with experience, leadership and passion.
Ah, but what about the result at Bristol. New players take time to settle and adapt to new systems.
The only area I would question is Ayew. From what I have seen on TV and read, his body language and decision making is questionable. I hope one of the leaders carefully explains how he will fit into and help support the team.
I look forward to 100% agreement to the above from all. I still believe we will be back in the Premiership next season.
UTV
But the facts speak for themselves 4 points from 15 is relegation form. I agree with your Ayew comment he is clueless. But also keeper has to go too. Yes he may be decent in future but he’s cost us 6 points already
RDM is not a dug-out jack in the box. Nor is Wenger, or was Ferguson. There are plenty of fakers of the Roberto Martinez ilk. Running up the touchline punching the air when they have scored an undeserved penalty, clutching their foreheads and gazing skywards at every miss. Ham actors the lot.
What matters is the RDM sees the game correctly and works behind the scenes to correct the faults. He can be calm while it is happening in front of him, you see more if you are.
I am going to abandon the cool reason here and say I am still in favour of shooting out everybody who played in last season’s debacles, because their ability to crumble at the first setback is ingrained. Obviously that means Bacuna and Westwood. Ayew looks a sulker, worrying because it is not easy to change that. And I wonder about Grealish. Apparently there is such a thing as a Stamina gene, according to our GB rowing supremo, and people without it will never be good rowers, no matter what. If so there must be several talented footballers who will never last 90 minutes – we may have one.
Agree with most of that OLL. You may be right about Grealish and stamina, but I think it’s fair to add that he has a degree of flair that we would miss if he wasn’t picked. Didn’t Mourinho sub Hazard and Oscar pretty frequently at Chelsea? That’s fine if they contribute while on the pitch.
Rowing is slightly different. You can’t be subbed when flagging in the middle of a race.
Well we have 3 days left to deadline day, so let’s hope it’s productive!! I think the fact of what was on offer on our bench yesterday shows how light we are and the need of a few players. Especially with so many games in this league. Let’s just hope they know what they are doing and get it all sorted
I still don’t understand how with practically a new team and management & owner we still crumble under pressure 🤔 This really baffles me!!!
I think the keeper makes the team nervous he has to be dropped we can’t can’t continue with him
Fair point
I rarely agree with you Ooha but I’m also not overstruck on the keeper it’s a shame as our defence has certainly been improved hopefully the doc can also see this aswell as RDM.
I thought everyone agreed with me Giddy 😄. Yep he’s definitely the week link something has to be done. Though having attacking fullbacks who can’t defend is crap as well
Hope Big Sam lets us in to sign a few……well just Hart will do.
The enigma of our tendency to disintegrate after conceding a goal – this has been a problem for too long.
So as the manager of the team playing us – ‘guys go all out – get a goal and they will collapse’
Until we put that to bed we will continue to be vulnerable. Any team that score against us will be confident they can win so they pile on the pressure with complete freedom feeling they will have nothing to fear.
Massive, massive challenge to turn this around and it won’t happen quickly.
Lescotts finally fucked off (AEK) YIPPEE 😀
Yippee!!!
That’s great news.
Also, it seems we’ve conceded defeat re: Hernandez and Valencia isn’t coming.
So who’s our option 2 striker, I wonder?
Announcement expected today on that front.
Knowing our luck it will be Heskey!
Yes Lescott’s departure is a little ray of sunshine in a dark weekend.
Hope he likes the taste of Greek chewing gum.
His defending is about as stable as the Greek economy so he should do ok there!
Anything in this talk about Adomah?
Could be;
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/boss-remains-coy-over-aston-11814478
Morrisons officially for sale now??
Yes, I saw that.
I’m not convinced he’s the sort we want, mentally.
We need stable players, imo.
His quality can’t be doubted but it’s the rest of the baggage that comes with him that’s the problem.
Olympiacos after Ayew?
http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-make-contact-buy-jordan-ayew-di-matteo-best-keep-aston-villa/
Ayew out and enough money to make a Hull an offer they can’t refuse, maybe?
Things warming up nicely, it would seem.