So there were only two of us who had to work this evening and things were going really well, so I decided we were going to sneak in and watch the game in the office.
Unfortunately, the other chap is a Bluenose.
We all have our failings I guess, but in fairness, he’s pretty level-headed and actually doesn’t want the Villa to be relegated, as he wants all the Midland clubs in the Prem.
Anyway, it turned out to be really interesting, analysing the game with the enemy and I want to first concentrate on what he thought, even though I know your immediate reaction will be that you don’t care what a Bluenose thinks.
Bear with me.
In short, he thought we played really well, particularly in the second half, where he said we bossed the game and deserved the win.
Ultimately he went on to say that he couldn’t see what the problem was; a point at Newcastle was a very good one, considering who they’ve beaten in their last two games and if we keep playing like that (and the second half against Arsenal, which he also watched) we won’t have a problem, as bleak as it might seem just now.
I of course replied, that while I’d normally be pretty happy with that point, we need wins and anything less won’t do.
To which, he offered what I think on reflection was some sage advice in “Take the point. It wasn’t a loss and your lads will take something away from that”.
And you know, I suspect he just might be right.
We talked about Sanchez throughout the game and I explained that I thought he broke play up really well and gets his foot in, but gets slated for giving the ball away.
Hence a few minutes were spent watching him closely and indeed, my workmate agreed with me as we watched him do just what I said. Only to give the ball away easily.
That said, it was noticeable that we generally gave the ball away a lot less today, something that has to improve our chances.
I also thought we were getting more of the awkward bounce, or second balls, or dare I say it, a bit more luck overall.
For once I got the feeling that things just weren’t going against us all of the time, like it’s seemed for a long while.
This has to be down to improved workrate, something else I noticed about us.
The lads were actually showing they have something about them.
There were of course still the sideways and backwards passes, but I got the feeling that we were trying to get it up there more quickly.
Remi Garde says we need to up the intensity and it’s something I strongly agree with. We came out of the traps really well in the second half and had Newcastle on the back foot, big time in my opinion.
But that’s where we failed today.
For much of that second half, my workmate was saying “you’ll win this”, although that was balanced by him saying we needed to watch the counter.
I mentioned in the last article that it was a fine line between going for it and getting caught out, or being a bit more careful.
I’m 50-50, as I believe if we’d got Traore on, he might have scared the proverbial out of the Newcastle defenders, but was that water-soaked pitch really the right sort of surface for him to come on to?
I personally think that sort of surface was more likely to cause an injury to Traore himself, so Garde was right not to play him.
But we perhaps could have put one of the flair players on in an attempt to take it to them more than we did.
Then again though, Newcastle had some great chances, so perhaps Garde was again correct to not change things?
Our defence is still shocking, another reason we had to be careful.
Where was the man at the back post for Newcastle’s goal?
While I’m beginning to think Garde’s thoughts are starting to be taken onboard by the team overall, it seems little has changed at the back and it’s still schoolboy type mistakes.
As for Ayew’s goal, well it was just stunning wasn’t it?
I didn’t think for a minute he had a chance of scoring from where he was and the pair of us were simply open-mouthed for a second.
Well done and a deserved MOTM award, I reckon.
As for the rest of the team, well I’m not sure I can single out too much.
Okore looked pretty solid.
Yes, Sanchez gave it away a few times. I like him, I know many of you don’t, so I won’t comment further.
Sinclair was again fairly anonymous, but I didn’t particularly notice him tracking back so much this time.
Gestede? Well, I’m not convinced, but don’t think he was particularly bad.
Indeed, it’s hard to slate anybody when we’ve got an away point combined with an improved overall performance, even though we think three points is the only acceptable result.
But it’s hard to get away from my workmates opinion, where we only need to go on a two or three game run, while other teams suffer and things might look very different.
After all, we all know the Prem has many twists and turns to come.
The point is, I still have a few straws to clutch at and it ain’t over until the fat lady sings “It’s (mathmatically) impossible”, that old Perry Como classic.
As for my “gutless bunch of wimps” comment, I happily take it back.
For today.
I see Gabby wasn’t in the squad at all.
Any coincidence that we were improved today, do you think?
Glad to see you’re back from the dark side Badger. Strange days when a Bluenose is saying it’s not so bad! I was thinking there can’t have been many Villa matches where neutrals enjoyed watching us, that was a good old fashioned game of football.
Ayew was class today, even without that phenomenal goal, his work rate and desire were the best I’ve seen all the season, from anyone. Okore was very solid too, must have been challenging playing on that sort of surface coming back from long term injury.
It’s a good job I’m not your boss Badger, slipping into my office to see the game, as I’ve said in previous post and agree with Holtender that reminded me of games gone bye, let’s be honest most of us thought a loss was on the cards, Hutton, best I’ve seen him, Lescott , ok we all cringe when he play’s, but for one moment in the game was at fault but played well, Ayew yes motm for me as well, to be honest I was entertained with that game, let’s hope confidence has returned and we can get points.
After all that we’ve been through, an entertaining match and not throwing it away at the end, I think the players will be a lot more confident on Boxing Day.
If the rest of the squad show the same commitment, desire and attitude in our remaining games as Jordon Ayew showed against Newcastle in the 2nd half we’ll have a very good chance of staying up.
With out a doubt Stubbs, determined efforts from him.
As others have said everyone can make a mistake….and every team has a bad defence….else there would be no goals……Ayew’s apart.
Can get the MOTD pundits ( Sick note Jenas mainly) saying Newcastle BOSSED the 2nd half and should have won easy……how the hell can anyone say that.
This match was an inspiration and apart from only getting a point I am up for the rest of the season….just got to get past all the micro analysis on here and on FB posts.that are so dispiriting.
MOTD factoid….last 2 teams that were bottom at Xmas stayed up…..of .cause Jeanas said no way with us…..mind you didnt he play for Newcastle once or twice.
Keown said we playing for pride…….about bloody time !!!
Jenas really is a shit pundit. I’d give OohAhh’s right arm to have Hanson back…
Haven’t watched the match (yet) but a point away is not to be sniffed at.
Still don’t think we’ll stay up but I’d like to see them at least put up a fight.
On the off chance that he might exist and I’ve been wrong all these years I’ve written to Santa and asked for the PL next season. If we do stay up then you’ll know who to thank 🙂
Merry Christmas
thoroughly enjoyed watching this the main take for me was the team spirit shown not in evidence since the semis and if you can get the right service to gestede he will cause problems, he needs to get nasty put the keeper in the back of the net a few times =keeper watching him not the ball.
GUZAN…….dont ever ever say how bad he is…mind you he can be at times……but having seen both of Watfords goalies and now both of Liverpools……my god Guzan looks like the best ever.
benteke on the bench again think he would be up for a loan move?
Rumour….Benteke to Chelsea.
He’d be a quality signing for Chelsea. Should never of gone to Liverpool.
Nobody should ever go to Liverpool. 🙂
The Beatles did? nana nar nana nar nar nar. is there an think that you want.
That’s kind of you Bill. I’ll have a pint please mate!