Well, that was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be.
As soon as we got the first, I knew it was all over, as Pulis doesn’t have a plan B and even if he did, I don’t think his players would be able to implement it, they’re so drilled into playing defensively.
While I think Middlesbrough offered very little, our players had to play their part and they did to such an extent that Dean Smith must have been absolutely delighted. I doubt the manager could have wished things to go any better than they did today.
I’m sure I’ll be saying for a while that I find it difficult to see that Grealish coming back has made such a difference, but the facts are undeniable. We’ve now taken 16 points from 16 since he came back, after an awful five previous games where he was missing.
I’m tempted to think it’s a confidence thing among our side, but it has to be more than that.
The work rate is excellent and we’re actually moving and looking for the ball.
Grealish and McGinn seem to be developing a really good understanding too, as they combined for quite a few one-twos during the game.
On AVTV, the comms were talking about how it was difficult to choose a man of the match.
I had exactly the same problem.
Steer, while he had little to do, was decisive and distributed the ball well.
Taylor. I still think we need to improve LB, but he was hard to fault today and did his defensive role well.
Elmohamady, I thought was excellent and the best I can recall from him for a while.
Hause, got caught out on one occasion, but was all-round solid.
Mings, An absolute powerhouse who did really well in the air. Looks very cool when playing out, too.
Whelan was outstanding, I thought. Passed quickly and accurately.
McGinn played his usual self. Excellent.
Green, a quite game, but by no means poor.
El Ghazi, was that his best game in a Villa shirt? Ran his socks off this time.
Grealish, caused all sorts of problems, as usual.
Abraham, worked his guts out and was unlucky to not score.
Heck, I didn’t see much wrong with the subs either.
If you twist my arm, I think I’m going to give it to Whelan, as the way he anchored the game and passed the ball impressed me.
Which, while I’m wondering what’s happened to Hourihane today, also leaves me wondering where he stands?
It’s hard to see Smith dropping Whelan to bring Hourihane back in.
So if you consider the whole team played really, really well, does that mean we were very good, or Boro were just plain poor?
Well, the cautious side of me always tends to think that the opposition were just poor.
But at the moment I don’t think it’s that.
We’re actually a very good side, who are going on a run at exactly the right time.
I’ve seen talk about how some of us would be worried about meeting the likes of Sheffield Utd in the play-offs.
Do you know something?
As it stands at the minute, I’d take us to beat anyone in this league.
It’s sod’s law that we now go into another international break.
But it’s Blackburn at home next and I’d expect our run to continue.
If I was our future opposition, I really wouldn’t fancy facing us.
Mmmm … not going to be too cocky until I’m certain we’re not paddling up the same creek!
Purslow said this with regard to FFP rules last October – “We’re highly respectful of them and are of course navigating within those rules.”
We can only trust that he knows what he’s doing.
9 points deduction is a joke, Blues were never going to be promoted and they are relatively safe from relegation zone. So basically the deterrent is practically zero. If it was a team in top six then 9 points would be a deterrent for any other club breaking the rules.
No mention of big feck’s 3-0 defeat to Kazahkstan?
I thought that might crop up.
Not a shot on target, from what I’ve seen.
I know it doesn’t matter now, but it proves what a crap manager he is, imo.
He’s a proper dinosaur.
Watched some of the game and Scotland were dire. They had 65% of the possession but were only passing it sideways and backwards. Clueless.
Poor McGinn was running around trying to do the job of two men so I was glad when he was taken off with 25 minutes or so left.
So that’s Scotland’s qualification over after the first game. If they can’t beat Kazakhstan they won’t stand a chance against Russia or Belgium. I’d even fancy Cyprus if they play like that again.
As for Big Feck – sacked in the morning.
So our best player was taken off?
Makes you wonder what Feck was seeing.
Think the scrum are in a bit of trouble, Albion, Leeds, Sheffield Utd, what’s the odds on getting nothing from them games.
That plus the fact that they’ve lost four in a row could make the end of the season more interesting than they’d like. Worth noting that even Rotherham in third have only lost two out of the last five games.
Oh yes, they’re in trouble.
Their season has collapsed.
But I do have a POV on this and i’ll try to comment over the weekend, time permitting.
Whilst I’m being reserved on the subject,I do agree that Small Heath are at a real risk of relegation. Not only do they have some tough fixtures, they have to find a way of motivating themselves – very difficult in the circumstances and also on the back of a drop in form / results.
In such a tight league, 9 points is significant.
Still doesn’t alter my objection to the whole premise of FFP when clubs like PSG, Man City and Real Madrid get away with blatently flouting the rules.
Hitch, I agree and (surprisingly) find myself with some sympathy for the noses.
There’s a good article in the Guardian which lays at least some of the blame on ‘Hurricane’ Harry Redknapp and notes the destruction he’s left behind him at clubs like Portsmouth, QPR, West Ham and, of course, Small Heath.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/mar/23/harry-redknapp-is-playing-a-familiar-tune-to-disown-birminghams-blues
Glad he never managed us.
To be honest I learnt more about him from that tv show, he’s been a lucky man in the game of football, yes your right he’s not been a Alex Ferguson in the game. But he’s been a likeable person and has personalities that tv picked up on.to be honest I feel for the scum only because clubs like Manchester’s and Londoners get away with being who they are, the midlands are frowned on by the media elite.
Don’t you think this statement from Southgate is somewhat unbelievable. A player that had playing days at Villa turns his back on the club by making an excuse think this,
Chelsea’s Callum Hudson Odoi was called into Southgate’s latest squad, despite limited appearances and many claret and blues felt Grealish was more deserved.
The England boss however, has claimed he must be playing top flight football to be truly considered, he told The Telegraph : “Jack worked with us in the Under-21s briefly. The difficulty is always, although we can see the quality.
“When the evidence of the opponent is a different level, that’s where it’s hard to directly correlate what that is going to look like at a level above .
Rubbish Southgate, one or two of your squad needs to be rested you won’t get far thinking like that.
Bill, I read what Southgate said about Grealish and found myself really annoyed with it.
Firstly he is saying Grealish needs to be playing premier league football to be considered! Sancho and Odoi? One is playing in a league (Bayern and Dortmund aside) which is nowhere near the quality of the premier league and probably more comparable to the championship. The other has played 5 minutes in the premier league but of course plays for the mighty Chelsea (privileged rights)
Secondly he is practically encouraging Grealish to leave Villa if we don’t get promoted.
Of course he is a fine one to offer advice because he left Villa to join the mighty Middlesbrough (nothing to do with the money of course)
Just when I was starting to like the bloke again, he tries to shit on Villa again!
Personally I’m glad that Southgate hasn’t called up Jack. We need him fit for the run in to what might yet be a great season. The break won’t do him any harm.
He’s doing us a favour really and, when we do get promoted, he’ll have no excuses then will he?
Pat57, fully agree, You’re feeling the same as me on that, All are singing his praises at the minute, but I’m seeing nothing better than our past managers,he might have the player thinking more on games but I’m pretty sure he’s going to drop a changer on better opposition. This one touch football will get found out and the more skilful player will be back. This is my opinion only, you do need a creative footballer in the game otherwise it’s not football as we know it.
Southgate has,shown himself to be yet another lackey of the FA, servants all of the powerful. How the hell has Odoi proved himself in any league let alone the Premiership – Southgate makes a fool of himself – put him in another Pizza advert LOL.
But, I agree, he’s done us a major favour – the last thing we need is JG getting tapped up in an England dressing room.
Still gotta see what happens to the Scum regarding Jack’s attack. They haven’t responded fully yet. Don’t they have another 2 weeks? It could clearly be another points deduction that could send them down automatically. The £5K fine isn’t the last of it down the Sty.
Is this the clanger Southgate going to get, Montenegro 1 England 0 ….
Well as it ended 1-5 I’d say probably not.
First time I’ve seen Hudson-Odoi and I think he had a really good game. Well worth his place in the team.
Hudson-Odoi’s playing as a winger, basically Sterling’s opposite number, so he’s not a direct competitor. Jack would be playing for Dele Alli’s or Barkley’s place surely?
Anyway, as I’ve said, I’m glad that Jack isn’t included in the England team. We need him fit and fresh for the eight game run in.
COYL
Hourihane scores a marvellous free kick to give the ROI the lead. His first goal for his country!
Come on Conor.
Let’s get geared up for tomorrow lads, win this and I’m believing we can do it. not predicting as I’m bad luck when I do. Utd.
I’m with you Bill. May e a win tomorrow will compensate for the Brexit delay!!! 😁
Going to watch the scum get relegated on the box tonight, predicting 5-1 Albion.
That will make up for Brexit.