The English Football Thread

14232949 · 01-19-2013, 06:00 PM

Yeah, but what happened second half Kitty kat? West Brom dominated. Perhaps favouring youth over experience wasn't Paul Lambert's greatest plan.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 01-19-2013, 06:06 PM

Well I like what Lambert is doing but you have a sound point there. The transfer window is key, we badly need to sign one or two established heads.

2nd half, their arses fell out. Once the first goal went in you just knew the 2nd was inevitable. I'm just grateful we got the point that keeps us out of the drop zone.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 01-19-2013, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

As for Bradford? Does anyone think we'll turn it around? I mean, seriously?

I think so. Need to go for the jugular though because it's inevitable that Bradford will score. I was thinking this yesterday that the 3rd goal really does put us in a dangerous situation. At 2-1 down it's much easier but the team have no option but to all out attack. We can score goals, and it's at home. Need a big performance from the defenders though.

I can just see us leading 2-0 though then Bradford score with 10 minutes to go and we can't get the goal to take us to ET.

jackhammer · 01-19-2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

In fairness, we turned it on in the second half and gave it a go, but we were undone by a criminal penalty decision and a scumbag diver.

Trouble with us is there's no leadership. Back in the old days, people like Andy Townsend or Paul McGrath would be geeing the guys up, instilling some fight into them. Even in the days of Yorke or Milner, you had people who knew how important it is to come back after a serious defeat. Other teams do it, Man U in particular, although they're several classes above us.

Once you let the rot sink in, once the heads droop there can often be no coming back. I think as I've said a spell in the lower tier is the best thing for us now. Less pressure --- not that we've ever been under that much; perennial underachievers they call us --- and a chance to regroup. Let a few of those who are not prepared to stay and fight **** off to Norwich or Stoke or wherever -- Benteke will surely go if/when we go down, which is a pity as he's one of the few who could help us back up --- and maybe rebuild from the ground up?

On a happier note, sort of, props to Reading for coming back to win after being 2-0 down --- eight minutes of madness that resulted in a totally amazing and needed victory for them.

FluffyK, didn't realise you were a Villa fan?

I didn't know you were a Villa fan! You may have told me in the past apologies. I am too and I really fear for them and I certainly won't blame any fault at Paul Lambert's feet but instead at the owners. We had 2 consecutive top 6 finishes under O'Neill and then he resigned a couple of days before the new season started in 2009 I think it was. Why? Because he asked for more money to take us to the next level and whilst I can agree with Randy Lerner in terms of finance and doing right by the club but nothing has been right since O'Neill left. 3 managers, 2 caretaker managers and Bent aside, a distinct lack of activity in the transfer market.

Having a 5 man midfield tonight with not one of them over 23 with severe lack of Premiership experience will definitely take it's toll and you can't expect them to light up the premiership.

Richard Dunne has been a real notable absentee and although I am not convinced by Vlaar, his experience has been missed too. Petrov is a given too. Going forward we do look good. Benteke has been a revelation and good to see Agbonlahor back but most matches are won in midfield and without any recognisable general in there we will suffer.

How awful is Brett Holman too? Barely know anything about him but he doesn't look up to scratch and what also grates is that Houllier bought Makoune a couple of years back, he played less than half a dozen games and went out on loan, never to be heard of again. Waste of 6 mill there.

As for relegation what is scary is that no team is playing truly terrible in the league. Wigan are their usual inconsistent self which means they could make it. QPR are slowly getting some form together. Southampton have picked up recently (Sacking Adkins is an absolute travesty), reading are playing well at times so Villa could well go down especially as Lambert has admitted no money is available.

Do Villa deserve to go down? On current form - yes but they are still one of the few survivors of the Premier league who have not gone down (only around 8 teams I think) and they still have a massive history and following so it would be sad to see them drop down but ultimately it may be the kick up the arse the American owners need to realise how important football is to the local community and not just a commodity.

**Goofle** · 01-20-2013, 02:08 AM

Adkins getting the sack was utterly despicable.

Big Ears · 01-20-2013, 03:53 AM

^ You're not wrong. Two promotions in successive years and they are 15th in the premier league. Who do they get to replace him? Some Argentinian, no-one has ever heard of, who was sacked when his club reached bottom of the Spanish league. Saints never learn and I fear for them now.

Unknown Soldier · 01-20-2013, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrycaaant

Trollheart, face the inevitable. Villa are going down!
Their defence is utterly useless.

I thought they looked better than normal yesterday (not saying much I know) but what happened to Richard Dunne? I know Petrov is seriously ill so two wise heads there are missing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle11

Adkins getting the sack was utterly despicable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Ears

^ You're not wrong. Two promotions in successive years and they are 15th in the premier league. Who do they get to replace him? Some Argentinian, no-one has ever heard of, who was sacked when his club reached bottom of the Spanish league. Saints never learn and I fear for them now.

Didn't know this!!! Their draw against Chelsea in mid-week was a great result or had he been sacked before this? Who is the Argentinian manager?

MoonlitSunshine · 01-20-2013, 06:33 AM

BREAKING NEWS: Torres gets rid of floppy mop, working on the assumption that without floopy hair in his eyes he might be able to see the goal.

Face · 01-20-2013, 08:14 AM

Remind me again why chelsea sold sturridge? Three goals in three games, him and suarez are already clicking.

Also, don't see why we aren't going for schniejder for 7 million! Compare that to some other buys.

**Goofle** · 01-20-2013, 08:27 AM

Sneidjer has been rank for a few years compared to his old self. Massive wages as well.

01-20-2013, 06:33 AM	#4168 (permalink)
MoonlitSunshine Dat's Der Bunny! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,088	BREAKING NEWS: Torres gets rid of floppy mop, working on the assumption that without floopy hair in his eyes he might be able to see the goal. __________________ "I found it eventually, at the bottom of a locker in a disused laboratory, with a sign on the door saying "Beware of the Leopard". Ever thought of going into Advertising?" - Arthur Dent

01-19-2013, 06:00 PM	#4161 (permalink)
14232949 The Big Dog Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,989	Yeah, but what happened second half Kitty kat? West Brom dominated. Perhaps favouring youth over experience wasn't Paul Lambert's greatest plan.

01-19-2013, 06:06 PM	#4162 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	Well I like what Lambert is doing but you have a sound point there. The transfer window is key, we badly need to sign one or two established heads. 2nd half, their arses fell out. Once the first goal went in you just knew the 2nd was inevitable. I'm just grateful we got the point that keeps us out of the drop zone.

01-20-2013, 03:53 AM	#4166 (permalink)
Big Ears Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 434	^ You're not wrong. Two promotions in successive years and they are 15th in the premier league. Who do they get to replace him? Some Argentinian, no-one has ever heard of, who was sacked when his club reached bottom of the Spanish league. Saints never learn and I fear for them now.

01-20-2013, 08:14 AM	#4169 (permalink)
Face Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: UK Posts: 306	Remind me again why chelsea sold sturridge? Three goals in three games, him and suarez are already clicking. Also, don't see why we aren't going for schniejder for 7 million! Compare that to some other buys.