I’m stunned.
The first half sounded superb and Tony Morley suggested that the first half was the best we’d played for around two years. Indeed, it sounded like even Westwood, Gabby and Hutton were playing really well and Johnstone hardly touched the ball.
At one stage, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if we were 4-0 up; we were that impressive.
So what happened?
We went in two up at half time and things should have been very comfortable.
Nothing changed when the teams came back on and we retained the same 4-1-4-1 that seemed the best balanced we’ve been in a long time.
Yet we still managed to let them back into it and this surely has to be a mental thing?
Steve Bruce, who I don’t see got it wrong today, even though I feared for us from the off when I saw the line-up, must quite simply be pulling his hair out.
I predicted a 0-0 today and I’d have taken that.
But to have played so well in the first half and still end up drawing?
That’s a massive 2 points dropped, whichever way you look at it.
There are plus points in that we showed that we can do it.
But we have to show more resilience if we’re going to get to the play-offs.
Lansbury looked ok and that’s another plus.
Along with us retaining our home record.
Oh, we got two goals too.
But I’m still massively disappointed.
What formation and players to play?? Based on performance, fitness and experience this is my line up (4-1-2-3). 4 at back, Jedinak in front, midfield 2 of Lansbury and Hourihane, kodjia and Adomah on wings as part of front 3 with Hogan upfront.
Interesting option playing Kodija wide as he seems to prefer that rather playing in the centre
Aghhhh – being moderated
What you done Hitch, only naughty people get that.
Reckon it was ‘cos I used my mobile to comment – me, I’m always a good boy Bill 🙂
My worry is that we shipped out 3 strikers and only brought in Hogan. If either him or Kodijia get injured we have no real back up…
normally I would agree with you but for some reason Bruce has only been playing one up top. He like previous manager seems to have centre forwards in abundance but plays them on the flanks.
We still have GABBY !!!!
I think someone touched on it early, but it was evident that Brentford had the hunger to win the ball back and would chase and hurry us when we had possession. Like flies around shit and totally overwhelmed us, we didn’t have the engine to match that. Fitness/formation/new faces/lack of confidence after poor run of results, I would say there’s some truth in all those theories.
There defence had an easy ride though with Kodjia up front on his own. Hopefully we will go 442 and force opposing teams backwards. The experiment with Green and Adomah as inside forwards didn’t work at all.
On paper the additions look good. They appear to offer what we were lacking – energy in midfield, decent dead ball delivery, attacking runs from midfield, goalscoring from midfield. OK its early days but I don’t think the problem is the players or fitness (apart from the Icelander).
I am worried that once again we have got the wrong manager. I said some while ago in support of JVillan that we shouldn’t have been as bad as we were even with the squad we had, We don’t play in a positive fashion. We don’t get players forward. We get outplayed and outfought by ordinary teams.
We don’t really have a choice but I don’t expect Bruce to last beyond this season. I don’t know the answer but I have no confidence that he is up to it. People talk about the pressure and expectation. He played for Man United. He is well used to that. He needs to do better.
the whole dynamics of midfield was changed. brentford were easily the better team. but man for man we should have easily won. what most of you guys are missing. football is a team sport, teams are not made in days or weeks. theirs no set time. its hard work done on training fields, building bonds & team spirits knowledge what team mate likes, brentford where playing between our players. playing one twos through our lines. this comes with knowledge of your team mates.
i hope you guys give the new team some time. yeah this season looks over. we bought some decent players. we cant keep demanding, we need to support them and things will come good. there seems to be always one thing that remains even when we sack managers players owners. the results have ben dire. the villa colors seem to weigh the team down. we have to lighten up and hopefully these players live up to their abilities
feel free to slag me down lol its just my opinions not like i said hutton deserves a mbe or medal