What to say about this one?
I can probably sum it up in while I thought we were worth a draw, we were probably the cause of our own undoing.
The first half for me, was pretty poor and I have to confess to being a little bored.
We lacked the tenacity and tempo we showed in the Arsenal game, which is not surprising given we’ve had three difficult games inside a week.
But what disappointed me most was our incredible knack of giving the ball away far too easily, even when players weren’t under that much pressure.
That, combined with the fact that we gave Liverpool way too much respect and stood back too much for my liking. Yes, Pool have a decent attack, but they’re really not that good overall and the goal apart, I’m finding it difficult to recall any other chances they created, a ballooned shot over the bar apart.
So we were one down at half time and I was thinking “what do we do here?”
The obvious thing was to up the pace of the game and that’s pretty much what we did.
And it was much more like what I’d been expecting.
We started to get at them and started creating our own chances, where we could easily have had a couple of goals.
Gabby’s pace definitely worried them and Benteke was doing his usual winning nearly every ball in the air trick. Weimann had a decent shot, as did Gabby and Benteke had a storming shot well saved by Mignolet.
Part of me feels we were robbed though, as I think it was Benteke who seemed to be blatantly shoved in the back when a ball came in. It looked a definite penalty to me, but Mark Clattenburg wasn’t having any of it.
The second half was way better though and Delph stood out for me. He stopped them playing many a time and was involved in a lot of our creative play. I thought Bacuna did ok, but he was one of the worst offenders in giving the ball away early on, so him getting the MOTM award surprised me a little.
El Ahmedi looked very cool on the ball and his composure in the middle was like a breath of fresh air for me. Very accomplished.
On the definite plus side, I think Okore looks very solid. Even Vlaar wasn’t bad and I thought he marshalled the defence pretty well overall.
I just came away from the game feeling a little deflated, as I’m sure that if we’d have played the first half the same as we played the second, we’d have taken all the points.
Ah well, that’s our first three games out of the way. Many of us wouldn’t have been surprised if we were sat on one or even zero points today, so it’s not all bad.
If we keep taking it to teams, we will get results, no danger.
I’ve just realised, I consistently mis-spell Weimann!
“Wie” is hard to get out of my head, seeing as it’s a German word.
Never,
Doesnt seem that James Milner is going to get a look in at city this year….and doesn’t still have a box at the Villa??
As much as many of us would like Milner, he isn’t coming mate.
Put it this way. Could we get him for 15k a week?
Lads, Ohaah has read this one completely wrong imo.
In his world, we’d never concede a single goal and sometimes we just have to accept that we have good goals scored against us.
It’s why I never even mentioned it, as it was a bloody good goal, well taken and you really couldn’t fault any of the defence imo.
And we could quite easily have won that game.
The stats (which I don’t often think much of, in fairness) back that up.
Villa 17 shots, 3 on target.
Pool 3 shots, 1 on target.
Yep, Oohaah is one-eyed when it comes to Vlaar, but my advice is to just ignore the comments if you don’t agree.
My attitude mirrors Churchill, fwiw.
” I might not agree with what you say, but I’ll defend 100% your right to say it”
Unless you’re a nose, of course, where your opinion comes lower than whale shit lol.
Lads.. Any transfer links..
I like Milner but would live a Couthinio type.. Benteke would double his value with a guy like that supplying the ammunition..!
I think what we have found is that, when we are away from home, the home team attacks and we are then able to counter that with fast attacks which has shown against arsenal and Chelsea.
However, at home I feel if we don’t bring in some creativity then we are going to struggle. My reasons for this are that when teams come to us they sit back as they know are strengths now (counter attack) and then we can’t break then down! I can’t help but think some creativity will allow us to pick up more points at home and give us some versatility.
Think so far we have the making of a very good season as long as are home form improves! What I have noticed from watching all three games closely that we are much more organised and energetic! Many times last season I remember a lack of closing down and positioning being poor, however now we have some great organisation and work ethic to stop teams attacking!
In all honesty if everything would have gone are way then we could have 9 points now!
Fingers crossed we bring in some creativity and push on! UTV
Exactly, we have to play a different system at home. However to do this, we need to bring a quality playmaker. We have to do better at retaining the ball and creating chances from slower build up play. Yesterday, we kept giving the ball away 30 yards from goal and Liverpool would counter-attack!
I can’t understand why a majority of people on here think we need an attacking midfielder. We create loads of chances. Gardner, N’Zogbia, Helenius, Tonev, Weimann and Sylla, possibly even Bacuna and KEA can all play that position, so why would we need another? I agree we need a defensive midfielder but can’t see us getting one as Lambert is to attack minded.
What about Delph? I think you forgot him, as wasn’t he a more attacking mid at Leeds?
I couldn’t argue with any of those choices, but N’Zog apart, none of them have ever done it yet in the prem.
And N’zog, while creative, isn’t the answer as he doesn’t possess the guts and workrate.
We need a Gerrard/Lampard/Viera/Keane type. A cut above, in other words, who would transform us, but that isn’t going to come cheap.
If Lambert gets one on the cheap, I’ll take my hat off to him.
But it isn’t going to happen.
I forgot about Delph. He was an attacking midfielder at Leeds so he could def play there. My point is, as you’ve mentioned, none of the new signings have played in the prem before, neither have the players we’re linked with!!! I just don’t see the point of spending x amount of millions on an attacking midfielder when we have more than enough options there and would only, more than likely, sign a player from another country who hasn’t played prem football. It’s all a bit pointless to me.
“It’s all a bit pointless to me.”
Exactly! We’ll only buy more of the same.
That’s why we need to spend some serious money!
I think it’s beyond Lambert though and that’s where my biggest doubts about him remain.
I’m trying to not bring a downer on things, but this is a serious problem, imo.
“It’s all a bit pointless to me” in respect of why would we need another attacking midfielder when we have more than enough options in that position, at least give the lads we have a chance.
As for spending “serious money”. That worked well for Man City last season didn’t it? Great result for them today too. Spending “serious money” doesn’t guarantee anything.
“My reasons for this are that when teams come to us they sit back as they know are strengths now (counter attack) and then we can’t break then down!”
Nail on the head, imo.
Our current biggest strength is to work the opposition to death.
With our bunch of kids dying to perform and prove themselves, we really have to use this to our best advantage.
That’s why I felt Lambert got it slightly wrong yesterday.
Anyone whose performance shows a sign of dipping, haul them off, sharpish.
Although that is contrary to my “keeping decent players on if they’re doing ok” type comments above.
Of course, out-working the opposition could equally be seen as one-dimensional too.
I’m not convinced what we’re trying to achieve, in all honesty.
We need more quality if the above doesn’t work, imo.
And no,before anyone goes down that road; I’m not talking £30-40 mill players.
Just better and more proven
Ideally, we need someone similar to Coutinho or Silva. A real playmaker, someone who can pick a pass. Bare in mind we play with 3 strikers already. Tonev and Nzogbia are very similar in style, but realistically how many chances do they create? Yes, they can beat players and willl both score goals, but its a playmaker that our team is missing.
Helenius and Weimann are both strikers, i dont think this role suits them…and Gardner and Bacuna are not proven at this level.
Disagree slightly mate.
We need a hard grafting/tackling playmaker. Which of course is hard to find.
I’ve yet to see one in our squad.
Sylla might be that, but it’s a way off imo.
I like the idea of Wiemann behind Benteke because he does have a very high work rate, can score goals, links up well with the other players – especially Benteke – and is a bit of a waste on the right wing. I strongly suspect Bacuna or Tonev could fill in to the right of Benteke, with Delph and Westwood shoring up the defence.
B6,
“As for spending “serious money”. That worked well for Man City last season didn’t it?”
Well no it isn’t guaranteed, but who would you put your money on to win the league this season; Citeh or Villa?
The point being, it improves your chances, at least.
I can’t be doing with this “we can’t splash out at all” attitude. My opinion (and yes, I’ve seen the books) says we can easily afford at least one player in the £10 mill class and probably two or three.
Don’t ask me who, as I don’t get paid £40k a week to decide, but I’m sure the club could easily do it if the desire was there, which is the part I’m questioning.
The likes of Milner being mentioned is just laughable, for instance, as we wouldn’t want to pay him a quarter of what he’s on now.
And that’s bloody sad for a club the size of the Villa.
While I quite like what’s happening down the Villa (hell, I’m even starting to go to games again), let’s not get away from the fact that we’re trying to do this on the very, very cheap.
That stance will only see you get so far, even with an innovative manager.
All imo mate 🙂
Obviously I’d put my money on Man City mate but that’s an unrealistic question. We spent loads of cash before both on fees and on wages, it got us no-where. Players took the piss out of us and that’s why I can totally get why we don’t spend millions and millions on known, established players. Yes I agree we should be aiming higher, I get that. None of us lot know what Lamberts transfer budget was but what I do know is that Lerner has supported his manager through every transfer window apart from when O’Neil left and Kevin McDonald took over, prob cause there was only 2/3 weeks left of that particular window and the other time was when Gary Mcallister was “caretaker manager”.
I truly believe that if Lambert asked for a certain player Lerner would finance it. Just like Lambert wanted the lad from Nuremberg, we made an offer, it got turned down. Lambert would of had a valuation in his head of the player and wasn’t prepared to pay over it. But again Lerner showed he’s backed his manager. Lerner can only finance players that Lambert wants but won’t pay over the valuation, that’s good business from where I’m from.
But like you that’s just my opinion. 🙂
Ha, I like debating with you, because you’re very reasoned with what you say.
Fair play mate 🙂
Leaving my opinion that we had to pay over the top for players under MON aside,
I now think we’ve gone too far the other way.
I think you mean Kiyotake, the one that I made a majorly wrong post about a few weeks back. Oops!
Apparently we never put a bid in, but expressed an interest; I don’t know for sure.
But whatever, if Lambert wants him, just pay the money.
If you want to get players at what you think they’re worth, you’ll more often than not lose out, imo.
I didn’t want to pay a grand for my current crappy car, for instance, but it’s turning out to be a very reliable runner.
It really wouldn’t surprise me if we actually get him, although knowing me, being out of the loop, he’s probably gone elsewhere.
The point is, you pay peanuts, you generally get monkeys, kids apart.
I just want to see Lambert go for a proven player at some sort of level, that isn’t unknown to us all.
Then he’ll demonstrate that he knows a player that can move us upwards.
I will of course totally take my hat off re Benteke.
What a stunning find he’s proven to be!
Hardly in the spotlight at the time though, so doesn’t quite count.
Badger.. I agree BUT in Benteke we might have a mini bale on our hands..
With the bomb squad gone by next summer.. The sky money and probably the sale of Benteke.. We could easily have 40M to spend on 4 players.. Which could push us on..
Lionheart, you should already know my views on Benteke.
The bomb squad (and I hate that description, we signed them at the going rate at the time) has nothing to do with anything. We’ve already massacred the wage costs and I’m not fooled into thinking we need to get rid of these players before we can sign any other top players.
It’s just a target set by a penpusher (Faulkner) who knows nothing about the game, let’s make no mistake about it.
If Benteke stays fit we WILL have a Bale game on our hands.
He’s the next biggest property on the planet, imo.
IF he stays fit, which is my slight concern.
He’ll be taken out, big time, somewhere down the line, so will not last the season, imo.
And we could already do £40 mill if we wanted too.
We have an extra £30 mill before we start, this season.
That said, it seems most clubs are playing the same game.
Southampton aren’t trying to hide it though.
I can see Okore being a top target even at Xmas but he will want to leave next season. Good job Wev still got vlaar then!!!
Shut up with your usual shite and enjoy your holiday mate 😉
But u must agree we have been poor fist half and improved 2nd anyone can see that just like last year. Why can’t we play well for 95mins for once that’s all
I’m glad I’ve made your Sunday evening more fun. 😉
On a serious note I do get what you’re saying, yes we should be aiming higher but lets give these lads a chance. We’ve started the season really well. Not many of us expected any points from our first 3 games but we have 3 and being honest we really should of had 7, or certainly 5. We’ll win games this season that we won’t deserve to and we’ll lose games that we don’t deserve to lose but for the first time in a long long time I can actually see players playing for us that aren’t just here for there pay packets.
I’m sure we will spend 10-15 million on a player(s) but at the moment Lambert, in my opinion, doesn’t see the need. To me he’s very astute in the transfer market.
I’d like to see Delph and Sylla as holding midfielders and Tonev as the main link between defence and attack. Just my opinion. 🙂
Have we really started the season well?
If so, our ambition is surely set way too low imo.
That’s where I’m a bit confused.
What exactly are we aiming at?
We’ve played well, yes, but ain’t getting points.
The caveat about playing three top sides still applies, of course and I’m encouraged in that we do go for it, but where would you see us finishing?
Pool were no better than us overall, imo, but they’ll finish above us.
I’ll sadly put money on that.
Bear in mind Cardiff beat city today. We still look the same as last season IMO. At arsenal we were lucky that they had injuries and they missed a few chances after to go 2.0 up before we equalised. We played ok second half. Chelsea the same they were in first gear all match and still beat us and yet again we only turned up second half. Liverpool played us if park first half but we improved in second half. Can you not see the pattern here? Last season it was exactly the same one good half one bad. The team still can’t last 95mins. The defence has not kept a clean sheet since nov of last year. Just because we didn’t lose 8.0 to Chelsea dosnt mean Wev improved. All our old failings are still there for everyone to see
Have we started the season well? How many points were you expecting from Arsenal away, Chelsea away and Liverpool at home? So yep I personally think we’ve started the season well. We could and should of had at least 5 points on the board by now. But like I said previously we’ll lose games we should of won and we’ll win games we should of lost.
Yep we’re playing well, would you rather we were playing shit and really struggling? I don’t get where you’re coming from mate? Maybe you think 3 points after 3 games against teams that are challenging for the league and CL places is shit, I personally think it’s a huge improvement on last season and we’re moving forward.
I’ll put a bet on with you that we finish top 10. Which is an improvement on last season.
I wasn’t looking to put a total downer on us mate, just asking questions.
I’ll take that bet about us finishing in the top ten though.
I’ve got £10 or more (you choose, I want to contribute) says we won’t, with the proceeds going to acorns. You up for it?
I do think we’ll finish better off than last season though. Just.
I don’t think you have put a downer on it. It’s been a good debate, it’s good for the site. 🙂
Yes will def have the bet with all proceeds going to Acorns. 🙂 £50? If we finish top 10 you donate £50 and if we don’t I’ll donate £50. Be good for the site too, good times. 🙂
I think bottom 6-8 we will be marginally better than last year simply as goal diff won’t be as bad. Still shit though time to get some proper players in for once its not like we can’t afford it Ffs. Lerner out lambert out we are going nowhere fast and too many people on here are happy with that for my liking. No wonder Ian fucked off.
IMPO I don’t know whether any of ou agree but I think we gave Liverpool to much space,didnt close down and gave away possession to cheaply.We allowed them to play their way in the 1st half which eventually cost us the game…UTV 2nd half is how we have to play all season long UTV
See my previous comments Jay dee.
The way we play, we can’t stand off and need to stick it to them, like a bunch of kids should.
I don’t think it’s the way to go, but it’s what we currently do best mate.
Work them to death.
True mate I think the team will be watching that 1st half at bodymore next week UTV
Been away for the weekend so haven’t been able to post my thoughts from Saturday, I watched the game.
Honestly I’m a bit pissed off because I honestly believe Liverpool are a very very beatable side and are a top 10 team now and this was a great opportunity to claim another 3 points.
Basically without and in depth rant for 10 paragraphs we blew it and played shit to be honest. Delph was excellent again however. First time in a long time I’m actually gutted with the lads and PL.
B6,
Yes, I’ll have some of that mate.
£50 going to Acorns says we don’t finish in the top 10.
I honestly hope I lose!
MDN8,
Exactly how I see it.
Pool really are nothing special and we could easily have beaten them if we hadn’t paid them so much respect imo.
Mind you, Rodgers had a point when he said that they can just pick up the points even though they’re not brilliant.
That’s certainly what Man U did last season and they looked very average to me.
It seems it’s more about having a winning mindset, where you just keep dragging out results, than being a very good side, these days.
Badger,
£50 going to Acorns says we will finish in the top 10.
Have you thought about contacting Acorns and offering them free adverts on here? Could be good publicity for you guys who run the site too. 🙂
Good Idea. Not bothered about any publicity, I just think it’s a good cause.
I’ll have a nose on the Acorns site.
Considering all the shots we had , 17 ?, all we had to do was play 90 minutes the way we played the second half. And play the ball out from the back instead of long ball to Benteke on the left where we scrap to win the knock on. Easy solutions, hopefully Lambert has seen the same. UTV