I said that before Sherwood’s appointment, I wasn’t too bothered about this game, but after his appointment, I thought we should go for it and do everything to win the game.
We got the result, but I don’t think we did everything to win the game, particularly in the first half, which was frankly really poor.
In fact it was the same old, where we didn’t have an effort on target.
The only points of note were the penalty shout, where Vlaar could have been pulled for leaning on a Leicester player, but for me, it would have been harsh.
Then, there was a cracking shot from James, which Given did really well to save.
We played way too narrow for my liking, with a tempo that was way too slow and predictable.
A typical Lambert scaredy-cat approach, which is just awful to watch.
Marshall out, in my opinion, if that’s what he has to offer and indeed he had better be brushing up his CV, as I’ve no doubt he’ll be getting the bullet.
So, poor overall and Leicester looked better value in the first half.
Sherwood made his way to the dressing room at half time and his team talk definitely had an effect in my opinion, as we immediately looked better.
I want to mention the pundits and commentators here, as I believe they all had it spot on about where our problems lie.
It probably isn’t rocket science and I’m sure that anyone who watched the game would have seen it, but they demonstrated perfectly why Benteke seems to have been so poor lately.
It’s because he often has no support and no one to give/knock down the ball too, because the mids are too scared to get forward, for fear of not being able to support the defence.
It’s no wonder he has looked uninterested and it’s why I haven’t slated him much.
The midfield quite simply do not support the strikers, a fact backed up by a quote that the midfield has one assist between them in a stupid amount of games.
Anyway, it was obvious that Sherwood saw the problem straight away and called for a change, which resulted in players rushing forward when they had chance.
What a refreshing change from the Lambert tactics, where the mantra was safety first and nothing else.
While of course being too gung ho will see us concede, we will at the same time at least score goals, which is what the game is about.
I’m instantly upbeat over Sherwood’s appointment, just for this alone.
Back to the game then and after actually applying some pressure, we looked the better side.
Balls were going into the box and do you know what the single biggest memory from today’s game will be?
I saw Benteke smiling. Not once, but twice!
I suspect he’ll be relishing Sherwood’s appointment, as he knows he’s going to get chances. This can only bode well.
Bacuna scored a nice goal, which was just as well, as he was about to be hooked.
And then Sinclair got the second, which should have meant that we were comfortable.
Only for Leicester to pull one back via a really good header.
Which actually made it a bit of a nail-biter for the last few minutes.
Summing up then, a load of rubbish in the first half and more like a cup tie, in the second.
MOTM? Without a doubt, Given, who kept us in the game.
Ok, £56k a week for a no 2 goalie is daft.
But when you have his quality to call on, it doesn’t seem quite so bad, does it?
Would Guzan have made that save? I’m not so sure.
Anyway, we’re in the hat for the quarters draw, which can’t be bad.
I’m an extremely happy bunny today.
Villa v Baggies on TV again!!!!!
Who’s confirmed that mate??
All over NewsNow. Bit of a row as Bradford are on BT TV.
I an see why PSG poached our former head groundsmen looks fantastic.
Shame they couldn’t have poached Lambert…
They probably prefer quality.
Well gardeners put shit on their roses…
you beat me to the punch line.:o
Darren Bents scored for Derby again can’t we get him back off his loan to partner Benteke?
No, there is no re-call clause.
There’s always next season though.
Anyone read Lambert’s reason for turning us down? Claiming time constraints was the reason, and he only had 4-5 hours to come up with an answer and there just wasn’t enough time to say yes, but everything was agreed, even terms I guess. Sucks we missed out on him.
Bent is out of contract in the summer.
Would he be worth re-signing now we have a manager that will actually attack?
Ah, thought it was next summer.
I’d say no, as I think we could find someone better overall.
Bent’s scoring regularly because he’s playing in the championship, where he belongs.
If Derby come up and he decides to sign there permanently I can see him scoring regularly for them again next season.
He scored regularly in the prem when he was played consistently. Ridiculous comment
They play with width. Russell, Ward, Ince. then they have create CM’s like Hughes and Henrick. Obviously the Championship is a fair bit easier to get goals in, but you play to his strengths, get him in the box where he belongs and he’ll score regularly.
darren bent will he won’t he lmao what certain is when he does sign for the next season, his salary will be vastly reduced. most of the goals hes scored for derby have been shots that have deflected off him, why didn’t any premiership clubs buy him or loan him. sorry fulham did and what happened to them. he was displaced by their academy strikers and left on the bench. next thing nzog will be playing champions league
Goal hanging is obviously allowed in the championship,I class bent as a former player now.
Sidwell was their highest goal scorer. Fulham were trash, hell they conceded 85 goals. I wouldn’t personally hold Bent to his season at Fulham.
Hell, they still are trash. I’d still back him to score goals in the Prem under a solid manager like Sherwood who got Adebayor going.
Ridiculous comment?
And you’d know all about them wouldn’t ya ?
(Edit any more insults or name calling you will be banned)
i wouldn’t want you to hold bents stay at fulham as his fault. or the fact no OTHER premiership or foreign top club,never inquired to secure his service. we are talking about villa desperately trying to get him off the wage bill for 3 years. they would have allowed him to go free almost. the queues never materialized did they. if hes decent like you have stated am sure the likes of everton chelsea pool the manc teams will be alerted hes a free agent this summer, he gonna be hot property mark andrews words, don’t forget where you heard it first
Sounds like he’s talking a load of bollox so he can come to us in the summer. Obviously that will be our marque signing ffs
Actions speak louder than words OohAh, 6 goals in 7 games says it all.
The way you get yourself worked up is hilarious. Lambert, our marque signing in the summer… LOL.
How is he talking bollox? Clearly you have to think of family too.
OohAh, I think you must be talking about Rickie Lambert whilst I’m talking about Darren Bent.
Apologies for any confusion caused!!!
I dont think Lambert would have been a good signing. Him and Benteke up front together? We just need to get Benteke playing properly again and work off him. Hopefully Sherwood can sort out our formation and get some width in their supplying the big man.
Be interesting to see what team he plays on Saturday.
Maybe not, but we need a back up striker. Hopefully Sherwood can see Weimann needs to play off Benteke. But with Kozak not fully fit and who knows how he’ll be back, we need options up front and we just don’t have them. Even in his little game time, he’s better at bringing players into it, he’s far more technical than Benteke is. Not as strong in the air due to his back injury but would’ve been well worth it.
But £5m for a 33 year-old plan b? That seems a little ott to me.
I agree that’s a bit pricey but we put all of our eggs in one basket, yet again. Much like Lambert did with Hoolahan which I’m sure a fair few people on here if memory services me correctly said they’d have taken him, and then he impressed against us after that. If he was our only option which I’m guessing he was, 5m doesn’t look all that bad for his talents still. Hell currently I’d start him over Benteke. He’d at least move, bring players into the game and probably get the best out of Weimann, Sinclair, Gil.
I’d love to see Gil playing off Benteke as a number 10. With 2 genuine wide players (Not Gabby and Andi).
So Sinclair, Bacuna and Grealish. Any 2 of those would work if you want genuine wide players. Maybe N’Zogbia? Small chance but Richardson as well. Small chance but Calder’s looked a prospect and wouldn’t be a bad shout to get game time sooner rather than later.
I’m shocked at how much I’m looking forward to this Saturday!!! Bring it on!!!! UTV!!!
my comments have not appeared 🙁 and i was being nice as i could
Ancelotti’s playing Lucas Silva who has 20 minutes of game time in the league as a starter against Schalke.
Di Matteo is playing a 19 year old goal keeper when an experienced 34/35 year old sits on the bench because his first two choices are injured.
Yet some of our fans think Grealish is too young to play for Villa.
Grealish isn’t ‘too young’ – he’s just too lightweight at the moment. Needs to work on some strength to be able to get through defenders; it’s not really a question of age, as-such.
I’ve seen people complain about his age.
And he might be lightweight but he’s never going to get buff. Just doesn’t look like he has the body for it. Not everyone needs to be strong.
I’m not talking about becoming Mr Universe!
But at the moment the slightest brush from defenders and he goes flying; he’s got to be able to make some impact on any defender who simply tries to blow him off course.
Grealish needs game time not weights, just like foreign players who are older need time to adjust youth players do too, they need game time and confidence, lambert gave grealish neither and grealish has suffered, hopefully T’S gives him confidence and we can really see if he has what it takes.
Like George Best did? Like Messi does? You don’t have to be big to play the game, and Grealish held his own at Notts County last season, while he was getting the shit kicked out of him by Championship defenders. He’s never going to progress in the reserves, give the kid the chance to play…
I’ve had loads of OohAh related comments deleted…
The point about Grealish is being able to blood him in a successful side playing positive football. He’s no chance coming into the side at present ‘cos the level of expectation on him to ‘make a difference’ is unrealistic. Thus it’s how it differs from the other young players you quote. If Sherwood can get some positive results then the circumstances under which grealish gets game time would be considerably different.
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