Firstly, well done to Villa. You've got a poor squad but your saving grace is Vlaar and Benteke.
Quick player rating. Everyone played OK apart from:
Reid - way too slow now to be playing Premiership football.
Ridgewell - worst player this season by far.
Lugano - Slow and an utter calamity.
Anichebe - Spent the whole game in Vlaar's pocket. Further evidence that he's a waste of money.
I fancy having some money on us getting relegated. For me there's only 3 ways we can stay up:
a) We stop playing a high pressing game - I said weeks ago that my biggest worry was Mel's desire to play this way. It won't work when we've got no pace in our back four.
b) We sign at least 2 quick defenders in the next 36 hours so we can play a high line - won't happen due to lack of planning/lack of funds.
c) We're lucky enough to have 3 teams far worse than us - I can't see it. Fulham and possibly Stoke but I reckon the 3rd team will be us.
Sorry for the negative vibes but the powers that be should've known that we'd in trouble if we hired Mel without taking into account our sluggish defenders. Another reason why RG isn't up to the job. I don't blame Mel. He's not got the tools to do the job. Managers tend to have one style and it was up to RG and JP to either match the coach to the available playing staff or go for a change of style and back the new man in the transfer market!
Where to start?
posted on 30/1/14
You've got a poor squad but your saving grace is Vlaar and Benteke.
posted on 30/1/14
comment by Andy Grays cc the future is claret and blue. (U4819)
posted 6 minutes ago
You've got a poor squad but your saving grace is Vlaar and Benteke.
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Are you really telling me you'd have won without them last night? If you are then you're a fool!
posted on 30/1/14
We do not have a poor squad...fool.
Its not great but at least Lambert gives the youngsters ago and we are doing ok and they work hard.
posted on 30/1/14
Firstly Mr Cox, good to see you say well done Villa, fair enough.
I think last night proved in key areas we have better players than Albion, Benteke, Weimann, Vlaar, Delph, Bertrand, not mentioning Gabby or Okore.
Fair enough Albion have a better midfield, but your defenders and strikers are woeful. (exception Berahino and McCauley)
Also our squad is improving while yours is going backwards.
I have mentioned for a while you would have a long hard winter, but most of you seemed completely blind to this fact. Maybe you realise this now.
You really do need to get some players in ASAP as the other teams down the bottom will.
Finally can we have Mulumbu, it's not fair such a good player being involved in a relegation scrap.
posted on 30/1/14
Erm, yes you do. Two top players papering over the cracks!
With Vlaar and Benteke you're mid table. Without them you're relegation fodder!
posted on 30/1/14
You are just relegation fodder
posted on 30/1/14
cddvilla, i wasn't comparing our squads but merely saying that yours is poor except for Vlaar and Benteke who would be an asset to any club in the Premiership.
As for us, i've highlighted above what we need to do so i've acknowledged we need to change something fast whether it's players in or tactics.
posted on 30/1/14
comment by Andy Grays cc the future is claret and blue. (U4819)
posted 3 minutes ago
You are just relegation fodder
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On current form yes. Why else would i consider having a bet on us going down? However, we'll have a clearer picture at 11pm tomorrow!
posted on 30/1/14
Cox that's fair enough and yes I agree you may well sign a couple of gems before tomorrow.
One thing is for sure it seems Pepe Mel has been thrown in at the deep end.
If he wants to play a high line you desperately need pace at the back.
Olsson is ok at defending the 18 yard box, but the others on the pitch last night were awful.
Reid looked like he was running in treacle when Bertrand went past.
Ultimately I hope you stay up as games like last night are what it is all about, as oppose playing the likes of Fulham, Hull & West Ham.
posted on 30/1/14
Totally agree cddvilla. And yes, we need more derbies in the Prem!
I just hope that Mel, RG and JP share my concerns!