Typical Villa eh?
I was really downhearted at the final whistle and really couldn’t be bothered to write about it.
I haven’t seen a replay of the penalty incident, but I’m pretty sure it shouldn’t have been given.
Chester won the ball cleanly, but having thought about it, I now totally accept that the defender didn’t need to go to ground.
But the ref shouldn’t have called it wrongly either.
Not that it matters much in the scheme of the whole game.
The simple thing for me is that after a decent first fifteen minutes, we were woeful for most of the rest of the game.
Waiting a day to do a write-up has given me a chance to read lots of views and it’s been interesting seeing the different opinions on what caused the draw.
It’s difficult for me to blame Chester, as he’s been so good for us.
I’ve seen quite a few blame Bruce’s negative tactics and while that might be partly true, I’m not at all convinced that’s the reason.
We create plenty of chances, but just don’t score.
We had a few very good chances (Chester’s header, El Ghazi’s net shot etc), but many of our shots on goal were incredibly weak.
Which brings us to Kodjia.
There are accusations that he’s often lazy.
Again, I don’t think so, but I do think he’s a confidence player whose head drops if things aren’t going well.
He was poor yesterday, but I still don’t think it was a lack of trying. I certainly remember him being involved quite a bit, but every time he touched the ball, he seemed to mess it up.
It was a bad day at the office for him and it happens.
And then we come to Bruce playing players out of position, which seems like most Villa fan’s biggest gripe.
While I agree it isn’t ideal, can we really say any of Hutton, Tuanzebe or Jedinak had a particularly poor game?
There’s a valid argument that playing players out of position doesn’t help and playing them in their proper positions maximises your chances.
It’s a good point, but if El Ghazi normally plays on the right, I didn’t see anyone complaining about him playing on the left as an inside-out winger (he’s right-footed).
I agree with the view that decent players should be able to play more than one position.
Where I do think Bruce is wrong, is in playing Jedinak in defence. He’s too slow and there was one instance where we got caught out and his lack of pace in chasing back just shocked me.
It’s not that he’s not good enough mentally to play there. Indeed he was excellent in the air. But his body can’t do what he wants and if he continues to play there, I seriously worry about what pacy, more pressing teams could do to us.
It’s almost like Bruce is shoehorning him into the side just for the sake of giving him a game, similar to what I think often happens with Whelan and to a lesser degree, Bjarnason.
It’s about keeping players happy, maybe at a cost to the team.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens now we’ve signed Bolasie.
The obvious thing for me would be El Ghazi goes right, Bolasie goes left, Elmohamady goes to RB and Tuanzebe goes into the centre.
Add Grealish and McGinn in the middle and that’s the core of a balanced team with FB’s supporting two wingers, exactly as it should be.
Do I think that will happen?
I’ll be surprised, to be honest.
There are too many ageing player, who are probably banging the manager’s door down, complaining that they can’t afford to not play at their age, that Bruce wants to keep happy.
So what do I personally blame then?
I hinted recently that I think we find it hard to motivate ourselves in certain games.
You could even say that I think we’re simply complacent.
Certainly the poor, often underhit passing backs that up.
It’s the lack of urgency and pace that’s our problem.
Quite often it seemed like we were playing a friendly yesterday.
And if it’s true, we need to sort it out.
Which is where Bruce definitely comes into it.
Ok, we can rightly say that we’re undefeated this season.
But given the easy fixtures up to now, I’m totally convinced we really ought to be top of the league.
I’m sure Bruce rants and raves at the players during the half time talk. If he does, I don’t think it’s working.
The simple fact is that if we keep dropping points in games we really should win, we are not going to get promoted. Not even via the playoffs.
It’s early days though and it’s not all doom and gloom.
While the overall performance was turgid, there were plus points in that El Ghazi looks a very decent, direct player,with a turn of pace and flair.
Nyland is starting to look a good shot-stopper.
And McGinn worked his guts out again.
These look to be excellent signings and if Bolasie hits the ground running, things are looking good.
But if Bruce can’t motivate possibly the best squad in the league to get the required results, well….
Comments
214 responses to “Villa 1-1 Reading; The blame game”
I hope JG and McGinn are being rested but both ended up with knocks after the Reading game. We can’t afford to have them missing against Sheff United.
There is a lot of hype around Bielsa – but it’s far too early to call it after just 5 games – on any team! Last season Wolves put together a stand out squad with the help of Mendes who, in a recent article talking about Wolves being the new Man City, was quoted as being part owner of Wolves! This was denied (of course!) last season as it’s contrary to FL rules.
The Championship is wide open this season; any number of clubs are going to be challenging at the top – still 41 games to go.
The talk about Leeds is based on an impressive start. Admittedly they could burn out like they have last few seasons or they could carry on like Wolves did, only time will tell. It was touched on earlier that Bruce doesn’t rate Taylor, probably among the majority on here, which got me thinking that his permanent signings seem to fall out of favour. Players like Taylor, Lansbury, Hourihane has dropped out with McGinn coming in. Bjarnasson is in and out and Hogan seems unlikely to ever be number one striker. In fact it’s more of Dimatteos signings and loaned players who figure, such as Chester, Jedinak, Adomah and Kodja, Tuanzebe, El Ghazi and probably Bolasie adding to long term players Hutton and Grealish. Is this because he doesn’t rate his own signings or did he not have much say prior to this season who came in?
Good point Holte. RDM is remembered more for the £25m he spent on McCormack, Tshibola and Gollini than the better players he acquired but then when you spend £60m in less than a month you expect there to be a few decent signings!
I think I know whom will be our next manager Man utd just lost at home to Tottenham, 3-0
Please Bill I’m depressed enough without having to see Jose’s miserable face in the dugout
I car nt stop smiling Pat, he’s gone tomorrow.
Me too 🙂
The chosen one.😂😂😂😂😂
Just watched his interview, Jose’s on another planet. Is he on something?
For those who haven’t see it ‘we were doing well until they scored’???
I worry for Jose. If he gets sacked in the morning how will he pay his mortgage? It’s a hard life!
jose mourinho won’t worry if he gets his p45, his family will never need for anything, won countless leagues, 3 english spanish and 2 italian /champions leagues and how many cups along the way.
gary cahill wouldnt improve us much, he has no speed, so would just be another elphick chester and jedi. i doubt he would want to drop out of the premiership to our club leeds i mean villa
JT wasn’t exactly a speed merchant but then neither was god! Experience and the ability to read the game is also a paramount element of a good CB so I disagree Nath; imho Cahill would be a big improvement over our current options to play alongside Chester.
It might just be tittle tattle but if it has legs then his decision might well depend on whether he still harbours England ambitions, whether we can afford the % of his wages or whether he fancies a big pay day abroad. Don’t think he will get a lot of playing time at Chelsea.
One (or maybe two) question(s) answered – Cahill has ‘retired’ from international football but remains available if called upon in extremis – which suggests he wants to stay in England rather than going abroad.
Now, assuming SB is interested, can he with the backing of Sawiris and Edens persuade Cahill to be part of Villa’s future.
I still believe he would be a key signing for us.
points taken
i never liked terry if i am being honest. just for the reason of lack of pace, i would like a higher defence line than we played last year. terry coped very well last season, like you said he used his knowledge and never got exposed in a foot race.
Fair play nath
Man utd sticking by Mourinho, wow after umiliation to the press by walking out suddenly won’t help his case. Anyways sod them its the Villa I’m worried about ,tonight’s game against Burton .I don’t think we will win this for some reason maybe it’s lack of confidence. 2-1 Burton.
Bill, can’t help but agree with your forecast. Will be interesting to see if Bolasie gets a few minutes.
I’m far more worried about Saturday with both JG and McGinn doubtful.
Definitely think Benitez at Newcastle seems under pressure. I saw reports yesterday he’s refused to extend his contract for now, this interview he doesn’t seem happy at all.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45317121
Now there’s a manager I’d walk over broken glass to get if I’d recently bought a football club. BRUCE OUT!
Seems pretty relaxed to me
Benitez is a step up from Bruce although I’m not convinced he would be ideal. I know a few Liverpool fans and they all say the same thing. Tactically excellent but not pleasing on the eye football. The feeling was with the players he had at Liverpool he could have been more adventurous. Maybe they have been spoilt with Klopps style. As Villa fans we probably get one great performance every 6-8 games, so Benitez would probably improve on this. I still can’t see him leaving premier league for championship though despite his restrictions at Newcastle.
Thinking about tonight’s game, I wonder who is going to play ‘up top’. Bruce has already said he will make ‘substantial chnages’ so I expect Kodjia to be on the bench. RHM didn’t really work as a cf as he doesn’t hold the ball up that well and it looks like Green will go out on loan otherwise would he have played as a central striker?
What it does highlight with Davies and Hogan both injured (and injury prone) is a shortage of a good central striker to provide options to Kodjia. Abraham isn’t coming so will Bruce move for Gallagher who is out of favour at Southampton?
Whatever we need one in before Friday!
I bumped into Klopp the weekend in a bar in Liverpool. He said he’d be well up for joining the Villa.
At least it looked like Klopp. I’d had an awful lot to drink…
Get Mellberg in as manager! Laursen as defensive coach..happy days!
Team Moreila, Bree, Tuanzebe, Elphick, Taylor, De Lart, Hourhane, Langbury, Adomah El Ghazi Hepburn Murphy, good luck lads.
Just got in.
Bree, Taylor and De Laet?
It’s obviously give all the second string a game and no more.
I’ve lost interest already, I think.
Taylor at CB it seems.
No stream, only audio at £3 a throw.
Er, I don’t think so.
Why’s Bolasie not even on the bench?
Not sure he’s match fit Badger
Someone on face book streaming but he’s got the camera upside down., .
🙂
Sounds like an exciting game. No shots from either team with half hour gone.
LOL and an upside down camera. Dad’s Army or what!
Preston beating Leeds 1-0 no scores on others.
Ah but we are winning on number of fouls committed!
Moved further ahead on the fouls count and are winning one yellow to nil. Can’t believe I’m actually posting this drivel!
Hull 0 2 Derby
Cardiff
0 1
Norwich
42 minute and Tuanzebe has had Villa’s first shot.
First shot of the match! The police have been called to control the crowd’s ecstatic reaction LOL
Sorry!
I feel sorry for the sold out away end. Pity the club doesn’t put same effort and enthusiasm in as the faithful.