To think when I was a kid, I was in awe of Qpr when they had wonderful players like Stanley Bowles and Gerry Francis etc.
They disgusted me today with the way they timewasted, which is bad enough in itself. Was there a single player of theirs who didn’t go down injured?
Couple that with the way they kicked Grealish off the park in the away game and I don’t think I’ve wanted to beat such a dirty, cheating team as much, in a very long time.
To think they are led by an ex England manager too.
There’s being professional and there’s cheating, to mind.
And Qpr under McClaren are a disgrace.
Mind you, we didn’t exactly help ourselves, did we?
While we dominated the first half, it was far too leisurely for my liking.
We looked ponderous and slow.
We didn’t press enough and lacked energy.
It’s not like you can say it was tiredness either, in my opinion, because as soon as we went 2-1 down, we managed to up the tempo and maintain it.
It might seem harsh, but I think we can say “new manager syndrome” and the honeymoon period are over now for Dean Smith.
Yes, it’s been a punishing schedule. But it’s been the same for all of the clubs and we’ve come out of the Christmas run very poorly for a team aiming at promotion.
Even the overly optimistic me now concedes that the top two is beyond us and we have to look at the play-offs.
I’m not at all happy about that.
Yes, perhaps I’m being unfair.
But footy is a results driven game, simple.
And we’re not beating teams we should be.
I know.
Smith needs time to get his own players in. That’s fair enough.
But he needs to push us on now and restore my confidence, as it’s shot. Again.
Maybe after more reflection, I’ll change my mind.
I think we can get carried away with all the media speculation. Safe bet is to ignore it all unless it is confirmed by official site. Hopefully Smith will bring in a few permanent signings and weed out reliance on loan players so we are more stable for next season.
Interestingly according to the Evening Standard –
Article 5.3 of Fifa’s regulations on the status and transfer of players says: “Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. During this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs.”
As Tammy has already played in an U23 match and the Community Shield for Chelsea this means he can’t play for a third club this season.
Hope it’s true.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea/why-chelsea-striker-tammy-abraham-could-see-wolves-transfer-blocked-by-fifa-a4028986.html
Abraham has scored a lot of goals but also missed a few costly sitters (WBA). The good thing is that for the first time in ages we are creating a lot of chances many of which a good striker should take.
We have gone off the boil a bit lately because we are missing the Grealish link up play. That needs to be addressed along with the defence.
I have confidence that Smith will build a team we can be proud of in time.
If it takes another season or 2 to get promoted so be it.
Compared to the last 10 years or so I am enjoying my trips to villa park.
thats the loan market. chelsea and Abraham both used villa and we benefited from having him here scoring goals,soon as a decent offer came in Chelsea would always recall and sell. we have to start using exploiting the loan to send our youngsters out and improving and increasing their stocks.
its a shame he will leave, but tammy and kodjia are very similar, they struggled together as they both make very similar runs, both are greedy never see the better option. i think Hogan can benefit from this, he really can do a job if given the chance and kodjia can also lead the line just as good as tammy has done.
I see Collymore is critisizing our club again.
I think he has forgotten just how costly and SHIT he was for us. Waste of space.
Agreed.
While it’s healthy to criticise things you think are wrong, he does seem to be making a habit of it lately.
https://www.myoldmansaid.com/most-press-dont-let-the-facts-get-in-the-way-of-the-tammy-abraham-story/
Thought you might be interested in this common sense post. Apologies that it’s cut and pasted from another Villa blog.
Don’t anyone know that the Villa are playing today, 2-1 Swans.
No one bothered until it’s time for the scramble for semi tickets. …lol.
Supposed to be a near sell out I think as they have reduced the ticket prices.
mccormack has left the building to motherwell wonder if they are contributing more to wages i seriously doubt it. but a good loan for him hope he knocks in loads of goals and impresses somebody
I read that Villa recalled McCormack from his loan which suggests a more attractive deal with Motherwell option to buy – for a bag of crisps – at the end of the season perhaps?
A bag of crisps? Do you really think he’d get hat much?
Well VAID3, I used to travel to the away games in my days and enjoy them days away. My neighbour just seen him on line with his son off to London for West ham game, I just dont know why the FA cup games are lacking in support. I’ve got Albion on at minute grounds empty I loved them cup games.
O’Hare gets his first chance under Smith, plus Hogan starts. With Abraham almost certainly off to Wolves we need options. Kalinic gets his first game too and Taylor back at left back. Good to see Chester getting a rest with Bree at CB. It’s a shame that the FA Cup is considered more of a distraction these days. I haven’t a clue what to predict today. We seem to go out of cup competitions quite quickly and I don’t expect things to change. 2-1 to Swansea.
Interesting that Smith prefers Hogan to Kodjia – my preference as well for the way Smith sets up the side.
ohare is in the team and its all down to him to impress, same with hogan if tammy is off now is hogans chance to make a statement to smith. shame about lansbury maybe hes not fully fit but he might get on last 30 he needs to impress smith, hoping the new goalie has a good debut game too,
3 nil villa
Not sure if I even want us to win this game and I feel bad about that as I love the romance of the FA Cup too. However the Championship is a hard division with more than enough games without adding in a cup run so I wouldn’t be too distraught if we lost today.
Whatever happens I hope they don’t draw.
Goal down in two minutes
Bit worrying when Kalinic says his strength is taking crosses and he spills the first on to then give them a goal hmmmm
Brilliant save by Swansea from Hogan , unlucky.
Started well then!
Sorry Nath, not going to win the bet today LOL
Villa to lose – am I cheating?
have you got a crystal ball ???
Sorry Nath, didn’t mean your accumulator or whatever you do – meant your Villa score forecast!
i have picked villa on my accumulator as well thats why i asked are you a gypsies with a crystal ball lol my 3 nil was not thought out but i thought we would win never-less. frustrating first 45. we were second best and lucky to be just 1 down.
Even I knew what you meant Hitch, Nath your to quick to say that. You did state 3-0 nil Villa. There’s every chance 3 nil Swansea.
lmao you taking the piss if i was serious about the score i wouldnt say nil when we have a new goalie and a new defence, lightweight or invisible midfield, i only stuck us on coupon because i saw nothing better at the price, for the record i never bet on scoreline i rather do time of the first empty crisp packet blowing across the field
Did you ever win with the crisp packet bet LOL?
Hogan getting the chances but not taking them, we’re not holding the ball, that goal by Our goalkeeper, the ball got to the attacking play first and then rebounded off goalkeeper. cannot yet seeing us winning this.
From the BBC text (all I have), I would say we are getting soundly outplayed.
Rouledge playing us off the park , I’m now having thoughts that all this talking of us being anywhere near top six or improving to the existent of exciting football is just a dream. again one player in Villa is McGinn playing to win, Odomah let him go , I’m getting wound up again I can feel it.
With you all the way Bill.
Miles off being a promotion side.