A defeat to high-flying Leicester last weekend puts Southampton’s quest for European football in jeopardy, with Garry Monk’s Swansea hot on their heels. Ronald Koeman will be desperate for a win against Aston Villa this weekend, to prevent it slipping further from their grasp.
In many respects you could argue Southampton were unlucky to lose to Leicester, as they had the lions share of possession and took the same number of shots as their opponents. Their positive approach to the game was probably best encapsulated by the performance of defender Nathaniel Clyne, who looked to get forward at every opportunity – completing an impressive 39 passes in the opposition half. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that this was more than any of his teammates and the third most of any defender in the league.
There have been many bright sparks in Southampton’s season, but arguably the biggest success story has been winger Sadio Mane who has produced a number of eye-catching performances. In particular, his dribbling has impressed and this ability of his was on show against Leicester as he completed four dribbles, the third most in the league during the last round of fixtures. Mane is 11/5 with 888sport.com to score at any time at the weekend.
Southampton’s youth academy has been lauded in recent seasons, as it has produced a number of talented youngsters who have graduated into the first team. One such player who has emerged this season is defensive midfielder Harrison Reed, who’s hard-tackling and determined style of play has impressed many. His ability to protect the back four was evident against Leicester as according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, he made five interceptions and won three tackles.
Tom Cleverley’s third goal in three games moved Aston Villa up to fourteenth, further away from the relegation spots. Tim Sherwood will be looking for one more win to all but guarantee safety for another year.
Tom Cleverley’s recent run of form has seen some pundits tipping him for a recall to the England squad. The midfielder has scored important goals, but he’s also demonstrated his excellent array of passing, with the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index showing that he completed a pass in the opposition half at an impressive rate of a pass every 3.3 minutes.
Cleverley wasn’t the only Villa midfielder showcasing excellent passing skills, fellow England international Fabian Delph was too. Delph played a total of 45 passes in the opposition half, which was more than any other player in the Villa squad and the fourth most in the league. If you fancy Cleverley to hit the back of the net this weekend, head to 888sport.com who have him at 7/1 to score at any time.
Villa’s offensive-minded players have gained most of the plaudits for their resurgence in recent weeks, but it would be wrong to ignore the contributions of their defenders. Jores Okore is one player, in particular, who has excelled and he was defensively astute again against Leicester, making a total of 11 defensive contributions (based on blocks, tackles won, clearances and interceptions).
The Author
Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.Comments 171
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Southampton, when they put out their best team are OK, nothing more, with all the injuries and suspensions they have i’m looking at a comfortable 3-0 Villa win.
It Pees you off when clubs half the size of Villa look down on us, Soton are a gloryfied Championship club that’s won one FA Cup in their history and they think they’re the dogs. This is the legacy of Lerner and Lambert and yet some Villans still defend them.
morning folks,
I think we will beat these today as long as the players don’t get complacent. There’s been a lot of ego boosting and JG has had crap from fans to deal with so lets hope TS gets us up for it.
steamer, right now I’d take the start of Lerners reign all over again but with this approach and TS or someone of like mind at the helm and fox in the background.
Morning chaps,
Going to the game today, bit excited as it’s the only league game I’ve managed to attend all season, was lucky enough to get a ticket when they went on general sale. Bit worried about the game, the press down here have been on the saint’s players back to the point their players have been in the press saying it’s their ‘biggest game of the season’. They’ll be right up for it and I can see Clyne giving us all sorts of issues (as usual), Pelle too. I also think we’ll have one eye on the cup at this point to boot. Still I go in hope to be proved wrong! COYVB!
Rags- have a great day mate, they are talking that way as they have been poor for a while. last time we played them Weimann and Gabby were up top and Delph was out. No tekkers, no grealish, no Vlaar and more importantly no TS, he beat them twice last season with spuds both 3-2
They had 60% possesion and we still got a draw. I think you’ll have a good day as no matter what they think they don’t know what’s coming to them 🙂
Cheers mate, hope you’re right! 🙂
Dunno what the new ground is like, looks like a chocolate box, but the Dell was a tip, but i always enjoyed a day out there, nice part of the country.
Morning all
Another huge game, it’s a hindrance being the early KO, as those hot on our heels will be fired up knowing our result. This is why we need at least a point , it will mount extra pressure on those directly behind us, no matter what we do we don’t seem to be able to break free of the relegation shackles, I think this could go to the final Sunday and the nerves will definitely be jangling as Burnley have nothing to play for except pride and wanting to put in a final good performance for their fans.
Of course if Spurs and Leicester win the pressure is off.
We have lost 8 out of our last 10 away(, this needs to change today, and I hope Spurs turn up today and play like we know they can, I hope TS has the lads fired up and well prepared, I don’t want them thinking we are safe and let their minds drift off with thoughts of the cup final
morning all
well the bomb sqaud are on there way too saints to do a make safe
we can defuse the explosives left under our club by lambert n co today and i we get the kind o villa ts has begun again we can put this drop stuff to bed today
enjoy rags
cheers for the stats btw Matt
gregory tweet
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/05/16/john-gregory-tweets-message-to-aston-villa-ahead-of-relegation-c/?
Morning all
Think the biggest threat to us is ourselves today with complacency. Southampton aint in the best of form overall, saying that they still have decent form at home doing enough to beat teams (although not playing many big teams at home lately). But they are not playing as well as they have earlier on this season.
Just seen the team news… Southampton have Long and Ward Prowse back, the kid Reed is replaced by Davis. Mane is dangerous for them and Long always seems to have good games against Villa.
Our team news is Hutton in for Richardson who’s got an injury, might disrupt our rhythm a bit. I did think it may be worth bringing in Sanchez for Westwood to give a bit more physicality against Wanyama. Also wondered if Gabby might come back in for Nzog as they struggle against the counter. But I still like the look of our team, we’re playing really well so why change it?
I think we can nick it 2-1 or maybe a draw that should hopefully see us safe.
UTV!
Hutton, in for richardson so is Bakuna playing out Left or hutton?
Thats a mean ass looking lion Mark!
#fightlikelions
No idea Mark, but personally I would put Hutton there as to not disrupt Bacuna’s rhythm.
me too Ree, maybe it will help against their full backs. as I put up earlier we managed a draw without half of this team and manager when they were on form, we were even leading until the 81st think it was the gabby not tracking the fullback cock up
Big stat on BT sport – we havent won a second half in the league all year. Really surprised by that so looked it up… they’re right… we havent. David James linked it to our fitness saying Sherwood has been trying to get our fitness up, apparently its still not all the way there. Shows how important a good start is for us.
Also Scholes reckons Cleverly might end up at Everton next season due to closeness to home. Im inclined to think he’s right, but also because TC will want similar wages to what he’s on right now. From what I know its around 80k a week which would put him as our top earner… he is not our top player so cant see that happening. And cant see him taking a 20k a week cut if Everton offer him more.
I’m at St Mary’s and it’s fancy dress here today. I’ve seen men in inflatable sumo outfits and unlikely looking super heroes, but the strangest one has to be Alan ‘dog shit’ Hutton dressed as a professional footballer.
3-2 to us. IGALBOC.
Ree watching bt too — if we sign cleverly then we will have owners that want to push on at the helm
Ree don’t see how Everton can afford more? we will be losing a fair few off the wage bill this summer so we should have plenty of leeway plus extra tv money. win the Fa cup and Cleverly may be a fool to leave. He’s spoken about being in the right team to suit his style recently so I think a lower wage and incentives plus a signing on fee will do it.
financially are no better than us maybe worse at this point.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/31/everton-record-profits-reduce-debt
Mark – remember deadline day? He was looking for a move there, he settled for us when it didnt happen. Always thought Everton was his preferred choice, maybe now its a bit more even. How much Everton will offer him depends on how much they want him, and I think right now with Barry looking well off the pace, they are looking for a CM. Dont think Cleverly is perfectly suited as he is pretty much identical to McCarthy with his work rate and intensity. they need more of a deep playmaker direct replacement for Barry but Martinez likes him.
Personally I wouldnt make him our top earner, I dont rate him that much. He is completely a confidence player, and his main asset is his work rate. His work rate will be hard to replace but his quality on the ball will not. Id much rather spend 80k on Milner, he has the work rate, intensity and more quality but doubt that would happen. Id even take a punt on Leroy Fer, think hes a quality player although not as much work rate.
Bit lucky with that offside!
Ree I think a lot has changed since then for him with TS here
Wow what a miss by Tekkers…
fcuk
What a sh1t goal to concede!
we will win today if we don’t play like a bunch of cnuts!!!!
Wtf…. Vlaar has had a nightmare of a start…
Wtf is going on…
This is ridiculous
3-0 all over FFS we are not safe yet, and look shocking at the back , even more gutted I didn’t back us at 66/1 today for the drop
This is football’s equivalent of The Red Wedding.
shite defensive display and no tempo or pressing can the real AV stand up please
Complacent isnt even the word… they need to wake the f up
what a wake up call vlar bye bye
We had the chance to secure safety today, well that has been royally fucked up… 4-0 and it looks chaotic we are going down if keep this up. The GD is fucked
What a fukn nightmare
well we said they had to guard against complacency but the midfield are like wet paper and the back four are high and exposed, paper lions today.
No saints will be crucified today, be a few red faced Villains, though. To be fair, no one expected this.
They’ll just have to win nextweek.
its like watching painting by numbers, you can see exactly what we are going to do next my gran could intercept these passes
Great goal by Long! They’re really enjoying their footy now. They’re giving their fans a great home ground send off, though, unfortunately, at Villa’s expense.
half the away support leaving well before half time
dispite the great suff ts has brought too the club today highlights all the bad things about aston villa
cmon just 4 more 😉
hopefully ts can get the boys more solid and we go out and win the secound half
Benteke! Well, at least, they got a goal. 2nd half will be interesting.
Fastest hat-trick in PL history.
runtings
Exactly!
Mark
Yep! just another 4-5:)
Fukn absolute joke! Im fuming… hope Sherwood gives them copious amounts of sh!t half time.
Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Our defending has been non existent, where the f is the intensity and pressing? Did we think we were just gonna turn up today and walk a result? No pressing plus high back line = suicide just as what happened at Arsenal. Complacency right from the start we passes it around like it was a training excercise, Benteke should have take that first chance. But still, the defending….
Long goal kick for the first goal, piss poor defending by Vlaar, mistake by Vlaar again for the second. Third so soon after is just fukn stupid. Jesus so many mistakes I cant even recall. Fifth was a great strike but seriously how can you defend like that in the PL?
Its rags fault he’s jinxed it 😉
we can blame blunders at the back but we have no pressure on the ball Delph and cleverly asleep, as soon as westwood and grealish get the ball they are on them and there is no outlet at all for them.
Wow @ Alan Hutton positioning for the first goal. Okore has been horrible.
well what a joke sherwood can only get so much out of them
5 goal westwood sleeping
bad mistake in picking same side again grealish head turned all week
The pressing has been piss poor Mark, right from the start. It is like they are all asleep. The mistakes for the first couple goals set the tone tho, and nobody could put a halt to it. You need real leaders to come out and take charge of the situation, what the fuck are they doing? Vlaar and Delph are the leaders out there and they have had mares…. Even more embarrassing than Arsenal.
Gabby on for Nzogbia, Westwood is really close to getting sent off maybe swap for Sanchez..
Why have we gone from playing quick passing football to crosses from the right all day long to Tekkers, where’s the invention gone? been happening since last game.
one thought could given lose the cup final?
wish mutton would stop ruining our attacks
why westwood still on
looking for a goal put on gabby
are we still5 1 down lowton 2 sub
think ts is looking at his options for next match, Westwood has had a lot of work to do today
don t like moaning about sherwood but today has been shocking
vlar hutton westwood brutal
okore zog as well
gabby is abusted flush
lowton no fight when he came on
we need major money spent
we had free kick at half way line 30 seconds later soton score
JG probably turn out to be the kick up the arse we need before the cup final. cant believe I’ve got to support spuds and leics now.
Joke of a match, we contributed more to the scoreline than the Southampton players. Nothing you can salvage from this match, apart from what not to do. This is the biggest thing we can take away from this match. Our weakness is playing a high line when the midfield is lethargic and not pressing. Doing this in the cup final is suicide. Besides that erase it from the memory banks and dont let it linger.
Cant believe Im reduced to supporting Spurs for 90 mins to ensure that we stay up. Fuk this ish
Villa will beat Burnley.
Villa played poorly for much of the match, but Southampton generally have better players, and that was apparent today, especially at the back where Southampton were tight. They got their tactics right against the diamond formation and exploited the wide open spaces.
That hat-trick was freakish, won’t see it again for 20-30 years.
Arsenal usually a side that keeps plenty possession, if they were clever with it they would concede possession to us like they did at the emirates and watch us shoot ourselves in the foot. One thing for damn sure we will be 100% more up for it for the cup final and the midfield will do a lot more pressing.
Mark
Might have needed a wee kick in the arse. Actually, we got a pretty big one. That should provide some motivation.
now matter how you dress it up major changes are needed at villa going forward
it was possibly one of those games – but the way sants play football and the type of players they have are exactly what we lack
hopefully results go our way today , they havent so far generally
Trinity I disagree, I dont think theres too much difference in quality between us. The difference was we were so damn complacent and it spread from the back all throughout the team. The first goal was from a flick on from a goal kick. Okore lost the flick on, Vlaar wasnt greatly positioned but hutton even worse, he shuda been backing up the play but he totally switched off and the flick on was perfect, Vlaar couldnt get back and boom. Second goal even worse with Vlaar’s pass back. After that it was just calamity after calamity.
Our 4321 matched up well against their 4231, its just that we didnt perform esp the defence. Not sure if it was their gameplan to sit back and let us have the ball at the start, then exploit the high line or if it something that happened naturally in the game but it was a disaster.
Runtings I dont really agree. Southampton are usually the ones with a high line and press high. Imagine how different the game would have been if Benteke tucked away that first chance? I would say the game would have been completely different and we may even have won. Benteke was complacent with that chance, then shortly afterwards we were punished in defense. Really dissapointing to see that we turned up expecting to get a result without giving 100%. Maybe the matches against Everton and esp West Ham where we didnt play well and did just about enough gave us a mentality that we can win without giving our all. But we have been shaken up now and hopefully that lesson will resonate with the players.
Hopefully we will be safe by 5pm today and we can give some outsiders some game time next week because they really need this kick up the ass.
personally I think to start nzogbia was to far forward, and we lacked pressure on the ball with virtually a 3 in midfield, and were too disjointed and lacked movement. Southampton have the second best defence in the prem and they sat and lofted the ball to the big man up top with acres behind our defence. I’m afraid Tim got suckered by Koeman but we didn’t help the situation with stupid mistakes and a very slow start.
When we play the two 10’s formation one vital thing is that the two 10’s put pressure on whoever the ball carrier is or mark whoever is closest when not in possession. Its not like a 433 where the wingers might have to track the full back runs. In our 4321 formation the wide midfielders track the full back runs if any otheriwse they put pressure in midfield. But we cant blame the first two goals on a lack of pressing. First goal from a goal kick, 2nd goal from a bad pass back. From then we were fighting a losing-battle. Cut out those dumb mistakes and we would not be in a position where we were chasing the game that led immediately (why did noone ie Vlaar/Delph just calm the game down and organise for a couple mins?) to the next goal where Bacuna was pushing too far upfield. Then went even further downhill from that. Okore and Vlaar were horrible today.
ree well something was drastically wrong today —- was it player or tactics , maybe both
the amount of tmes we were split open by one 20 yard forward pass waa frightening
Side note Hull have started really brightly and could be ahead after hitting the woodwork.
Well shit. My recording failed but maybe a good thing for me. Stuff like this is going to happen –rats. Makes the next game important. If Villa aren’t safe at this point Burnley will have something to fight for.
Ree I think runtingz is right in that we lacked leaders on the pitch to recognise the situation and take action to correct it . when you concede so easily its best to steady the ship and reassess not carry on in the same manner. that should of happened after the first goal let alone the second. Delph is the type of captain that usually leads by example but not in an organising way which we severely lacked today.
we are good but lack finesse.
we must not also forget that ts while he has done amazng for us is a very inexperienced manager and it may take time for him to learn how to react tactically when it is needed
Ree had the right word i.m.o.: “complacency”,
For me Koeman had done his homework on Villa and found the high-line and square Villa defence to be the Achilles Heel. And didn’t they find it.
Villa, from the start, looked as though they just had to play to get at least a point. Not so the Saints.
So, with Villa’s defensive strategy in ruins, the keeper (Given) was today tested for the first time.
Sorry to say, I believe Guzan would not have had to play out of his skin to do better today. His extra 4 inches of reach and overall size would have stopped some of those goals. OK, we might still have lost 3-0 or 3-1, but it wouldn’t have looked so bad.
We need a bigger keeper than Given for sure.
Runtingsz personally I think it was the players and their complacency, one player infected another like a disease. We did have too high a line imo, maybe we could have started a diff formation or diff tactics and it would have been better. But regardless about how we lined up it wouldnt have made a difference when you make so many mistakes and without the leadership to correct it.
Today everything went wrong, maybe even the offside decision that went in our favour at the beginning would have woken us up earlier, I dunno. As a team we are susceptible to fall apart it has happened on too many occasions in the past. We do lack the kind of leadership that would steady the ship that the top clubs have. Delph imo is a good captain and will get even better as time goes on but he needs more. I was disappointed in Vlaar today and now I wouldnt be bothered if he didnt sign a new contract. He still is a good defender imo but has way too many off days and makes too many mistakes that cost us. Okore can still learn. If he goes we need to replace with better, with a leader. Clarke has shown that this season and Baker has performed well on occasion, still think we need more quality there.
Newcastle winning…
Hull are making a good fight of it but Spurs quality is starting to show.
ree from my view of things when your team is clearly getting ripped apart i would expect the manager to react and change the instruction he sent his team out there with
it is not the first time he has been out foxed tactically — his diamond works well but not against all set ups
i know it was the qpr guy that used to help a lot with tactical tweeks and maybe he needs someone simular to help him
We havent played the diamond ie 41212 for a long time, since Gabby got injured. We have been playing 4321 which works well imo. The diamond may have been more effective today. I think the 4321 matches up well to the 4231 tactically, defensively our two 10’s put pressure on their two DM’s causing their 3 to drop back looking for the ball and their striker isolated. Offensively our full backs cause their wide players in the 3 to track back and their two DM’s are occupied with our two 10’s meaning any runs from our midfield 3 are hard to track, which is something Delph and Cleverly usually do well.
Its not really the tactics, its the way the game plays out. Once we went one or two down we needed to change it up, take control again and thats down mostly to the players on the pitch. Sherwood could have changed the formation from the sides to a orthodox 433 or told them to drop deeper, Im pretty sure the players werent listening or werent able to implement any changes he did want from the sidelines. I dont blame Tim for the defeat, how can you blame tactics when so many made so many mistakes?
john l
i have been saying for ages we need new keeper
after today we are in big trouble hutton disaster for a professional full back not be able to switch sides and play as poor asthat awful
vlar okore shocking how many goals have we conceded since concrete ron came back into team 3 v man u man c qpr 2 v everton stoke 6today
westwood showed his true colours today
delph cleverly every one allowed poor game
benteke goal missed one no service
zog due a rest where is wigan player pay up contract ship out
grealish probably could done with rest after week but how many frees did he win
subs
gabby his time is up no effort good chance at end bar 2goals against sunderland what is one from 15 sep
lowton drivesme mad hanging out leg when players going passed him another for exit
sinclair bit like gil don t know what they done wrong 4 goals between them in under 10 matches
i like sherwood but a hell of lot work to do
Take it back about Spurs quality, Hull are the better team.
Spurs take the lead! Undeservedly so, Hull had a couple chances but Lamela plays in Chadli with a nice ball, Chadli takes it into his stride went past the keeper and scores! Tight offside call but who cares? If it ends like this we’re safe!
Dembele on for Lamela, I always rated Dembele he hasnt started much for Spurs this year. Not sure where he would fit in our team tho.
Spurs 2-0! Danny Rose 1-2 with the tw@t Mason, who did a great chipped return to Rose over the Hull defense tbf, and Rose volleyed it in weak foot. We’re safe boys!
… but Newcastle aint! 1-1 QPR, Matt Philips… could be worth a punt in the summer?
QPR 2-1 Newcastle! That boy Fer from 35 yards! Hes quality imo and plenty teams will be looking at him this summer. Hopefully we are one of them!
Sidenote – Hull shuda scored… pulled back to Hernandez in the box, he fluffs but gets a second chance, cleared off the line then scramble to clear and N’Doye puts it wide… Hull can still get back in this
Too soon to look forward to 2015/16?
Can’t see Hull pulling this one off.
James: “i like sherwood but a hell of lot work to do”
I agree with most of your comments, but I think TS knows he’s got a job to do. At least I expect him to have that awareness.
It’ll be interesting to see who stands up to be counted on Cup Final day.
Wow Cisse cuda scored for Newc after a scramble but Hill blocked it. Theyre pressing a lot now…
Hull is all over! We’re safe now!!!!!!!
Get in!!1 Some silver lining after a dire day.
Well… its going down to the last day, but we’re out of the picture so happy days!
Villa 38 pts -25
Sunderland 37 pts -20
Newcastle 36 pts -25
Hull 34 pts -18
Sunderland have a game in hand against Arsenal, if they lose its between them, Newcastle and Hull. If they draw they are out of it.
Biggest thing for us now is the fact that we can move up 2 places on the final day or we can move down 2. Thats a difference of 5-6m quid prize money so not to be scoffed at. Id be happy to finish where we are, would love to go above the baggies which is still possible.
We’ve been lucky over the years, no matter how bad we have been since MON we have still never had to go down to a final day decider. Hopefully we will not be in this position next year. Onwards and upwards!
At half-time (when 1-5 down) I was thinking back to when Villa went to Spurs in 1966 (Greaves, Glizean, Mullery and all) and were losing by the same score at h-t.
But then Villa came back to draw 5-5 with Alan Deakin nearly winning it for Villa in the last minute but their player scrambled a half-hit shot off the line!
I can also remember when Villa were losing 0-4 against Liverpool with 20 minutes to go but still drew 4-4.
They don’t make ’em like that any more!
JL I agree on Given he doesn’t command his box, has always been a stick to his line shot stopper. Guzan would of been quicker off his line today and is Givens equal if not better on the line, Givens plus is distribution, I’ll be amazed if he makes the cup final.
JL I played in a game that was 0-5 at half time and won 6-5 should never give up no matter how unlikely. they scored 4 in less than 15 mins!
I think Given has deserved to be in goal. Cant really blame him for any of the goals, maybe he should have pushed out the 3rd or done better with the long ranger. Being short for a GK he doesnt have the same command of the area, but Guzan hasnt been much better, Guzan has made way too many mistakes. Id still have Given as you can trust him to save the shots he should save, which Guzan hasnt done this season.
Remember when Guzan was good and saved us 3-6 points a season? This year he has cost us more than saved us.
Ree- don’t think that’s true he has saved plenty this season we were just so poor, his command of the box and distribution have got worse. That was the most exposed Givens been since we played wba in the cup and it showed. apparently rob green has made the most saves but lets face it Qpr are crap at the back, he’s had the practice.
Well, safe at last…
I really wondered when Villa would stumble, and today they certainly did. Having been on a good run and not pulling away makes for a tough situation, mentally. They players have given their all for several weeks now and did enough with West Ham, Everton and Spurs to deservedly stay up, in the end.
Tactics…Well, Southampton, a good team on a poor run of results found their quality today. The back four were shocking, continually caught out by the long balls exploiting the high line. But we did insist on trying to keep playing forward instead of tightening up and consolidating, and like several of us have said, didn’t get the pressing right to keep them away from those balls.
When you play like we do, you can ship goals when things go wrong. We basically played into their hands, but were the authors of our own demise, and they were able to take advantage of the errors and make us pay.
But down this stretch I’ve figured the odds had to catch up with some teams, and they have. Soton were probably due an break-out. We could’ve come out much more cautiously and played for the point, but that’s not really how TS has been approaching things.
I hope it serves as a good wake-up call, and Sherwood will have learned something. Now that we’re safe, it’s time to put things right against Burnley, incorporate the lessons learned today, and regroup for the Cup Final.
I have to say I’m still in Guzan’s camp versus Given. Can we do better? Yeah, probably so, but I think Guzan’s more aggressive and physical, commands the area better. Equally good if not better shot stopper. Given did probably as much as he could. Don’t know whether Guzan would’ve been caught out on Long’s shot, but it was a great effort. The rebounds didn’t do us any favors.
JC thought the midfield looked leggy today. TS got a few tonkings at spuds for all the games he won he got some hidings from the top sides 4-5 nil
Okore and Bacuna are sh!t…and today Villa were punished; unless Senderos is unfit then Sherwood is to blame for selecting Okore. Hutton, Bacuna and Okore are completely incompetent footballers and there’s nothing that can be done about that this season….thank goodness for Hull.
Hi Lifers
Don`t let today`s battering over shadow the great job TS has done,he has kept us up,without any signings and with a mountain of injuries.
I am in hiding today,I am avoiding the press,radio and tv.A very good player is playing his last game for `Pool,he has shone in average sides and yet is being hailed the greatest ever?????????????Dalglish was a truly great player.The fans have slagged him for the last 2 seasons,yet somehow today they have forgotten this.Pass be the sick bucket,we are being forced into a compulsory display of reverence toward SG by the media.If you dare to give an alternative point of view you will be slaughtered,thankfully AVL does not employ such censorship.I will state my prejudice up front,he was a diving cheat,not averse to the odd 2 footed tackle-George Boaetang-can`t stand him or his club.A very good player,yes,but a great one?Not in my opinion.
Was it a one off, wrong tactics or poor players ? IMO all three, how can a back 4 with three current internationals be so disjointed ? Soton have players wo can run through a defence so why play so square ?
They must have hit five 60 yard general direction balls at our central defence who never reacted one bit.
Bacuna, Okore and Hutton aren’t good enough IMO, Given showed why Guzan has been number 1 for so long. Westwood isn’t good enough either while Zog retains a certain amount of quality but can’t impose himself on a game.
TS looked livid as he should have been, its a good job Koeman told them to sit back as IMO they could have hit an easy ten, thats how bad we were. Nothing good came out of this game, pathetic, no, pityful, still not strong enough.
agree steamer
if we think we will not struggle next sason we are kidding ourselves unless the are major changes
What a sad way to avoid relegation! Goal difference took a battering as well. Hopefully that will force a strong response against burnley and we will rise to the occasion at wembley. I suppose saints had a big game in them but what a time implode! Sherwood has a bit of a dilemma in goal now! UTV
Ree: “Cant really blame [Given] for any of the goals”
Agreed in that he played as well as his stature permits. The fact is that Guzan is 4 inches bigger all round and I’ve seen him save several of the shots that today turned into goals – yes, even this season! 😉
to put it into perspective, Bacuna’s not a full back, huttons not a left back or a that good anyhow. Okore needs to lose a stone and Vlaar is prone to the odd nightmare. Its blatant that we under performed when compared to recent games. the team almost picks itself as we have little depth or fit players. so all in all it will look very different next season if TS has anything about him.
Steamer: “…they could have hit an easy ten, thats how bad we were.”
Koeman has said that he recognised Villa’s style of high defence and that’s what beat us – he’d simply done his homework and could see the weak points.
Admittedly it’s also a defence that next season has to be rectified.
1. New (big) keeper. Friedel? 😉
2. Full-backs, though I don’t think that Cissy is so bad, and Hutton at r-b same.
3. Vlaar has made too many serious errors – that last minute affair vs Stoke and then today, to name 2. I think he’ll go.
In Okore, Clark and Baker I think we’re OK at c-b. But if we sign someone better I won’t complain.
John, Okore is a woeful centre back. His positioning is awful and he is clumsy in possession. Lambert rightly wanted to dump Hutton and Bacuna, Lowton, Cissokho et al are his blunders. The defence needs a complete overhaul.
well…………..That was shite
Thankfully we are safe but it doesn’t feel right after that display. season is nearly over thankfully. Full Villa Park next week should be good.
Sherwood has a lot of work to do in the summer
I think TS’s remarks about how we would be ok next season if we don’t sign anyone is designed to keep the squad happy and pulling in the same direction. I don’t expect for one minute he’ll not address our problem positions.
Thought Westwood got hung out to dry, no-one showed and he rely’s on moving the ball quickly so got caught because Southampton swamped him as soon as he had the ball.
none of our fullbacks are of Southamptons quality and that’s the standard we need. It looked to me that Bakuna and Hutton pushed up at the same time, whereas Richardson sat more.
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/05/16/koeman-reveals-the-aston-villa-tactic-southampton-punished/?
Well a woeful display today, due partly to poor team selection against the Saints. Hutton should never have played, never a left back, and only an average right back, and his last time out against Shane Long was probably in the mind of both players, and Long with a point to prove. Would have preferred Lowton who has played there before and Sinclair for Grealish to give more experience to defend, as Delph was virtually alone on that side.
The most important thing in the players minds would also have been bookings and injuries, in case it maent any of them missing the Final.
Thank goodness all the other results went in our favour. A major cock-up by Tim, but he will learn by his mistakes, and now he has the chance to.
Premier league again next season…..Yesssssssssssssss!!!!
PP,
Thing is (about the team selection) if you did as you suggest, where would you play Bacuna? In place of whom?
Bacuna (I believe) has provided more assists than any other Villa player … all to Benteke I think.
Very unprofessional showing. No excuses. Called it before the game, players weren’t motivated to perform, simple as? Well not quite, few TS grumbles notwithstanding the above caveat and the fact we’d be down without him.
1.) TS patronising Saints before the game in the media- something along the lines of ‘doing well for a small club aren’t they?’
2.) Gabby should have started today to give their back line some real pace to worry about- Saints are truly shit scared of him, he always hands their arses to them.
3.) Although we badly need a new GK I wasn’t too impressed with the mid week rumours, can’t be good for morale.
4.) Quiet alarming that TS drop the back line deeper after every punt forward was made to look like a world class defence splitting pass. Anyone a bit worried about the lack of a plan B?
I now think TS has a massive decision to made on Given- does he drop him for Burnley and if he does what does it mean for the FA cup final? Can we really start Given in that game after today?
didn’t drop**
Shame about Stevie G’s leaving do.
One difference in Villa today and Andrew P is sitting at home with his vontrap family saying he called it – dog shite Hutton ….
Sherwood out…..
Rags, great post!
Wasn’t able to watch the 1st half and can u blame me for not watching the 2nd when I tuned in and it was 5-0, what a shock that was!
Is it a bit of a case of short memories with Guzan however???
We’d have been relegated twice (ok this year he’s gotten complacent imo) it hadn’t been for him (and others…Vlaar, Benteke and Gabby), he’d had a couple of strong seasons for us where he had to be one of the best shotstoppers in the Prem.
He needed a wakeup call but he must have gotten the msg now. I expect him to play against Burnley (unless Sherwood has decided he’s not his cup of tea) and play well and then like you astutely pointed out… how could anyone pick Given if you want to put your best team out at Wemberley to win a trophy; it would be ironic seeing as how Guzan (formerly known as Lil Brad) got dumped by O Neil but it would be the right choice if we want to field our best team. Given scares me when the opposition sticks a big centreforward on him during corners to block him, just not big enough…
UTV
What did Given do wrong?
Ok putting my two bits in about the defence b4 I’m off!
Everybody panics after a bad loss predictably, however it’s not all doom and gloom.
Okore does need to lose some weight but he’d look class recently up until today’s disaster.
Vlaar is a good player and if the contract terms were right I’d keep him as a role model/teacher for the younger lads. Guzan needs competition but he does not need to go; he’s a good keeper who got complacent because we’ve got an OAP/Midget backing him up (Given had many great years in the Prem but he got found out today) so he hadn’t felt his place was in jeopardy as recent as one month ago.
Bacuna is a riddle I’m yet to figure out, talk about jekyl and hyde. We need his pace and crossing (when he’s on) but he’s not a natural defender as know all too well and Hutton has redeemed himself somewhat but could someone, anyone pls explain to me why we signed him for 4 more yrs!?!?!? when he was about as welcome as the Black Plague prior to that, very strange indeed…
Of course John L it would be wonderful to land a top drawer CB but has that really been the problem this season… Clarke has done ever so well and Baker has also looked good when not injured and Okore has started to look like the pre-injury player we were so excited about but yes get on the stationary bike and get leaner, fitter for next season big fella.
We’ve got wingers now who aren’t even playing and may be even shipped out or not signed (see Sinclair and Gil) but we need one or two more proper box to box midfielders who can defend, pass and get the odd goal to challenge what looks to be our set 3 for next season unless Villa actually go out and find and sign someone good to play in the middle prior to next season.
We’d been playing good football prior to this mini catastrophe but we can still get back on track against Burnley and give Arsenal a run for their money at Wembley!
UTV
Tony H – it’s not Given’s fault that he was not born with the right goalkeeper’s stature! Some years ago you’d probably be OK with a 6 foot keeper but since Friedel and then Guzan we’ve realised that size does count! 😉
Tony H, I tend to agree with John L, looking at the highlights it does make me wonder if a bigger keeper gets to some of those. Look at the difference deGea has made at Man U. Your keeper needs to pull off some big stops occasionally to turn the tide of momentum and I’m not sure due to his age that he still has that freakish athleticism/reflexes he had as a younger man that made/makes up for his small stature which also impacts his ability to dominate his area which a top keeper must do. He’s done fine. I just think that Guzan is a better keeper given their respective career stages.
Ronnie – No I wasn’t suggesting that we needed another c-b … I was just surmising that if they went out and bought a top-rated one (a bit unlikely) then that would be OK by me! 😉 In reality though I think we’re OK for the c-b spots.
Would be nice John, when he drives up to Villa Park in his Lamborghini pls do let me know I’ll be the first one to watch the press conference ;). Again we’re forgetting after a brutal 45 mins from the whole group how rock solid Vlaar has been for most of his Villa career but he’s injury prone and not getting any younger/faster is he?
Just hope we put this blip behind us and get back to playing the good football we’ve been playing for most of the TS reign; God I’d love to beat Arsenal although I’m not getting my hopes up too high after today…
COYVB
Ronnie,
My feeling is that Villa fans (after what they’ve been subjected to in the last few years) should just relax now we’re safe and do the same for the Cup Final, and take whatever comes in these two matches in a happy state!
It’s what goes on during the summer and into next season we need to sharpen up for (i.m.o.) …
From what we’ve seen down at Villa this season we have two decent centre back pairings that work well together – Baker and Vlaar or Clarke and Okore – other combinations dont work too well.
Bacuna seems to split the crowd – like him going forward, dont like him defending.
We need LB, RB and a good keeper (both ours are no good but at least Given was good when he was younger)
JL
I think you misread what I said. Hutton and Grealish should have been replaced by Lowton and Sinclair for the game, so Bacuna would still have been playing right back, and Sinclair would have been much better defensively than Grealish.
I fail to see how any keeper could have made up for that utter shambles.
I looked at all the goals and can’t see how the keeper is at fault. On any goal, you could hope the keeper does better but this criticism of Given is unfair. Guzan would have not got to any of those and I imagine Guzan would have gone to the Vlaar backpass with his hands and got sent off.
We took a tinning. We’ll recover. We’re safe.
Ree
You might be right, could just be one of those days. They were complacent, but that alone doesn’t explain 6-1 and that’s with their first goal being wrongly disallowed, could have been 6-1 at half time. Blaming Delph and his leadership style isn’t the whole answer either because Vlaar and Westwood were on the pitch, too. There’s a few factors for the hiding, not to forget the Saints were pretty good.
No doubt, the squad still needs an injection of real quality. This team had the opportunity to prove itself this year and has, once again, barely survived in the PL. That’s mostly thanks to an injection of enthusiasm by TS and the recent form and goals of our best player, Benteke.
Southampton have had their best season in the top flight for 30 years. Quality wise, they’re simply better than Villa. Until this game we were good in a few, Southampton have been consistently good all season, even though, many of their top players were sold off. We need some new players.
Thanks to Spurs beating Hull etc, Villa survive in the PL to fight another day. Perhaps, the big loss will stop any complacency over the next fortnight. We’ll see. I think Villa will do all right. But, let’s not kid ourselves, this team still needs better players brought in.
Bibulus
You’re right about the centre back pairings. Trouble is the injuries.
I think Guzan is our best keeper, though, TS was right to drop him for a while.
JL.
I know where you’re coming from with the let’s take it as it comes attitude, though, I think, “next season” should start right now.
Finally at my utterly fragile wit’s end with that fake concrete bollard, Vlaar…
Got Guzan dropped with his back pass, despite Guzan calling NO!!!
Now he makes Given look like an utter tool!!!
He should never wear our famous shirt again.
I have a 1971 Training Top with his signature on… Boil wash tomorrow!!!
I could let a 3 niil defeat slide but 6-1 is a bloody disgrace, professional prem league players should not be getting beat like that. Spurs under ts took a few beatings, does like a high line.
But its a bloody miracle we are safe, ts thank you.
We all know we need new players, dont go 4 years of relegation battle with good players. Build around delph, grealish, cleves, tekkers. Need a gk 2 full backs and a quick cb. Use sinclar and gill more too.
PP,
Sorry if I got it wrong! 🙁
Tony H:
Size, mate … size!
If you add 4 inches to all parts of his body he would probably have stopped a couple by getting his fingertips to ’em, and, likewise, extra body size would most likely have probably properly blocked one or two others.
Plus – as has been said – Given has probably lost some ability in recent years. Maybe through not playing enough games.
Otherwise he didn’t do much wrong, I agree. We just need a bigger keeper.
It’s nice to see Delph and Sherwood apologize to the fans the way they have, not in a copy and paste kind of way. These guys sound genuine to me.
Good moaning all,
What peed me off even more than the pathetic display was the sight of folk impersonating Villa fans walking out after twenty minutes of the one blip of Sherwood’s miracle, were they going down the pub to discuss the golden era of Lambert ? Bit of advice to the tossers, if you want to protest then give your Cup Final tickets to real Villans, i know enough of the real die hards who haven’t got one. Obviously these twats are happy clappers, the modern fan, no substance, no balls, wonder what they’d have done when we dropped into Division 3, gobshites.
Common sense as always Trin, very good posts.
Steamer,
Yes, the mind boggles, doesn’t it?
Having paid all that dough to go there, they leave to presumably drown their sorrows in the pub.
Like you, I **stood** and watched all the way through as Villa got a hammering from time to time in the 60s.
Mind you, that 0-4 comeback with 20 minutes to go vs Liverpool was a match worth waiting to the end for! 🙂
I think that TS may well give Senders a game next week and if he comes through it ok the the CF is a possibility for him. Sorry, just don’t rate Okore at all.
JL,
Heavy defeats were almost a ritual, remember when mighty Northampton had a season in Division one, i thin they won about five games, two against Villa, John Gavan conceded a goal from the half way line from a John Mackin free kick, Town then proceeded to get themselves relegated to Division four in three seasons, bring a tear to a glass eye.
Steamer,
Hey … Jenny was speaking up for Okore pretty highly a few days ago! I think he plays better with Clark … and I like him, so there!!!! 😉
Yes, those days in the 60s can be laughed at now … and when something like yesterday happens it reminds you of all that.
It’s a pity … we had the basis of a good time in the 60s … Withers, Aitken, Woosnam and Hateley did well … but Wright, Deakin and Tindall suffered through injury over and over. Slogger? Well, he slogged.
i think there is hope for okore , baker and clark
no one played well for us yesterday and these things can happen to any team
but i hope lessons are learned tactically as i do think the manager should be able to recognise when his game plan isnt working and change it
On the centre backs, Vlaar and okore favour the right of defence. Clarke and baker are left footed and better in the air and generally quicker off the mark. Clarke plays well as what we used to call a sweeper. Bearing that in mind vlaar and okore are not the best match, add Hutton out of position and a tall centre forward and you get yesterday. Hopefully wenger wont go that route.
Where Guzan May of been of use yesterday is he’s quicker off the line and as Jl points out bigger . Given is glued to his line generally as he knows he can’t come and claim which leaves 2 muscular but shortish CH’s to win everything in the air. I was surprised that they played so flat though when it was plain they couldn’t win the headers consistently.
I thought grealish was our mom pp, the lad drew 9 of 19 fouls committed by southampted it seemed a lot more, he seemed the only one not fazed.
Also I’m not liking the return to benteke being stationary up top no matter how dominant he can be he’s better when mobile and so are we
Steamer- Ye, the fans leaving early are twonks. They can’t really love the Villa. Stay and sing and get behind the team like everyone else did. Saint’s fans on twitter saying we were the best set of away fans they’ve seen all season.
At least we got our mistakes out yesterday and not in two weeks time
who to sell this summer ? Given, Guzan, Luna, Bennett, Richard, sissy, Hutton, Sanchez, Wiemann, Kosak, Gabby, Helenius
oh and we haven’t gave Vlaar a new deal, don’t think anyone will be bothered if we don’t either
well were safe and thats all that matters , dont think we’ll ever be bringing this season up in the old peoples homes , its over and that twonk has gone , lets see what TS brings in , in the summer ,
to walk out at an away game and on tv is a bloody disgrace , l noticed 3 of them who l know and l will be ringing them later and they are happy clappers , fucking ejits ,
well worcs next weekend for a piss up , yesterday was good for me , lm shit at pool but l beat the mighty wizza , then lost all the next games , steamer l kept my temper last night with the 10 kids here ,
how can so called villa fans charge fellow villa fans £300/400 for a final ticket , lm still asking around Runtins , did get offered one for £300 , they are out there , 3 lads l know have paid £600 ,
enjoy your sunday,
jens XXXXXXX
Morning all,
Attending the game did open my eyes to a core of idiots we have in our away support, not sure if it’s a regular thing but maybe Frem could let me know?
Three lads sitting behind me, utterly drunk at 1pm, got a bang on the head from one of them after about 5 mins. Luckily the saints players saw this, took pity on me and scored 3 goals in 3 mins. After the third they left and didn’t come back. Absolute bellends.
Then there was a lad sitting about 3 rows in front who seems to think his job was to eyeball and threaten saints fans for what I don’t know, clearly though he thought he was johnny concentrate at 5 foot 5 and 9 stone dripping wet; pathetic.
Then at half time in the concourse flares where let off and more kids were causing trouble, I think they thought they were at a slayer concert, moshing, throwing full pints of beer at all and sundry. Utter whoppers.
On the positive side in the second half we didn’t stop singing, had some good banter with saints fans and the guys in fancy dress did us proud!
Yes Rags, it’s a regular thing. There are always a few twats at away games who go simply to try and cause trouble. It’s the type of guys who spend all the match looking at the home fans next them and trying to wind them up. away games are great for the most part, sing, good banter with the home fans, it’s a laugh. They had a reply to most things there fans but when we sang ” You’ve won fuck all ” for about 10 mins straight they had no reply 🙂
Rags do you always have that effect at away games? tell me your not going to the final?
😉
haha yeah, I’ve just been singing ‘You’ve never won fuck all’ in the shower! We sang that at them until my hands hurt from the clapping!
Don’t worry Kingy I’m not! Was quoted £400, honestly I can’t justify the £120 face value of the ticket I got for the semi!
The only other away game I went to was Blackburn many moons ago, 2-2 draw Melberg and Angel!
Nice pies at Blackburn.
Agree with S75 about making money off fellow Villans, there’s a couple of happy clappers in the Aston Soc who have been selling Villa memorabilia at a profit for years, when i sold my collection i made a point of avoiding them and sold it to a bloke who’s grandfather actually saw them play at Wellington Road.
Away games are great. Now that I have a job, I’m going to try and go to every away game next season, even in Europe when we win the cup 😉 Really can’t wait for next season now and pre season
Rags- felt slightly responsible after I’d assured you we would give them a game, that soon got replaced by disbelief 🙂
I have to say Nzogbia’s best move was when he walked off. For the entire first half he offered nothing in defence or attack he was anonymous. when you watch the goals you can see what quality full backs offer to a team.
In retrospect It would have been better to play Sinclair or gabby on the right, Also Ree suggested playing Sanchez instead of Westwood because of Wanyama. as it turned out he would of been handy at 6’2″ in winning some of those headers in front of the back four. also lowton a left back as at least he’s played there and been ok if not great.
here’s a good breakdown of what happened .
http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/5/17/8616111/three-goals-three-minutes-southampton-6-aston-villa-tactics-mane-hat-trick
Watching on TV and some of those costumes were hilarious, that is one thing i like about modern footy and Villans in particular. Remember the mealies at Bolton last year, their idea of a costume was a flat cap from the charity shop.
The thing that disappointed me about TS was the delay in changing things at 3-0, mind, he looked as shocked as we were.
JL,
I know you were a fan of Deakin, if he hadn’t have had such bad luck with injuries then Martin Peters wouldn’t have got a game for England. Went down the tip for an u23 game versus Greece and we supplied Sleeuwenhoek, Deakin and Harry Burrows, you could have added Tindall and Wright to that little lot, none won a full cap.
Steamer: “Went down the tip for an u23 game versus Greece and we supplied Sleeuwenhoek, Deakin and Harry Burrows…”
Well, well, well … I wuz there too! 🙂 Burrows had a sad game, though…
It’s been a long time since I went to the Tip … 50 years probably. In fact that might have been the last game I saw there.
I think it happened very quick steamer and the options to change it were not great. If we had wised up and dropped 5 into midfield after the 1st goal, and the disallowed one, we could of defended on our 18 yard for a while giving Given easy balls to pick up instead of flick-ons into acres of space.
we tried to press high up but they bypassed us down the flanks and over the top, grealish tried but the midfield were not making runs to support and the only option was the ball into tekkers, which he won but then ceded possession.
we did start slow though maybe they are feeling the strain. As ree said Tekkers scores when he was through before their 1st and its up to them to come at us.
Upset doesn’t cover this bloke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1hxgqm96EA
JL,
Thats my memory of the game, he didn’t do himself justice.
Steamer and JL….many happy memories of Deakin, Slogger, ‘arry and the boys……Think Koeman also had a point to prove to Villa and Lerner yesterday……when he was willing to become our manager…..!!…and his agent was ignored…
PP was that recently after Lambert went or before he came?
well thank god that season over now can concentrate on cup
massive thank you tim sherwood yes yesterday was a big blip,sherwood has taken over a team that had collected 12 points out of 63 lost to l orient in cup ,scored less than 1 goal every 2 games ,could not sign any players just use ones that had made all records low in a season,won 5 league matches 3 cup and bar yesterday and utd we should have got something out of stoke newcastle man city swansea.
now for next season sherwood needs at least 25/30 million plus what he makes,our squad is poor
the mad month of september new contractr for gabby hutton lambert ,have left gabby hutton unsellable and i dont think good enough going forward,given zog have one year left so no movement there
keeper need 1 at least over 6 feet tall
rb as i said earlier hutton can t be moved on,bacuna think with right set up could be all right
lb sissko used as cover NEW LEFT BACK
cb clark okore yes need work need 2 more
midfield delph sanchez need 2 more westwood do as squad player
attacking mid grealish gil zog same as hutton
strikers benteke gabby same as zog
few young players as well
like to see cleverly sinclair signed up now list of players to sell release
guzan lowton bennet luna stevens sendross vlar baker cole richardson all injury prone tonev sylla helnius kozak wiemen long list but most have been in one relegation battle after another if that does not tell a story
guzan notgood enough lowton bennet
i think we are in for an interesting few weeks
we should soon start getting info on who if anyone is about to take over the club
find out if we have raised ambition or not and also who the manageer willo be
TS has been superb but it doesnt mean ambitous new owners wouldnt go for rafa ,klopp and the likes
JG, I think mutton is sell-able, he’s had a reasonable season. I don’t know why anyone would want to keep Bakuna getting by at right back? the lad was bought as a midfielder and hopefully that’s where he’ll end up. not first choice IMO but his preferred position is centre mid. Weimann must be thinking his times up, as for Kosak would like to see him stay if he recovers. As runtingz implies its all up in the air again until we are sold or Randy takes us off the market, if we are still in Limbo he won’t be getting loads IMO and we may well end up with another season of many cheap players settling in.
http://www.myoldmansaid.com/five-reasons-to-be-cheerful-as-aston-villa-fans-after-saints-carnage/?
mark k
hutton did ok this season but would like to think sherwood could do much better as for bacuna in right set up could do all right,good going forward
we can t go another season without serious investment on quality players not quantity like we have last 3/4 years
Delph, Benteke and Vlaar will move on….
Cleverley and Sinclair will sign, and Milner will return as Villa captain….
Bamford and Ings will become Villa players….
New goalkeeper and two new defenders….Hutton, Weimann and several other squad members will move on….
New owners to be announced after the Cup Final…..American…..
Well I sat and watched that debacle blimey even Steamer could have defended better than that lot, I tell you one thing for nothing Mane would never have scored a hat trick he would have been on a stretcher after his first.
I was also amazed at the fans leaving early, take it back a few years and I could not see those same fans leaving the Old Den early, the last thing you want to do is walk around New Cross while the game was still going, how things have changed they were probably having a drink with Saints fans before the game.
At least we are safe and all credit to TS for turning it around so quickly.
AVFC ITWT
Morning all,
Hi Matt, I have been having trouble logging on to the site – not sure what I am doing wrong but when I go to log on it goes to a white screen. Can’t log in on phone at all now.
So we have had our bad day at the offiice – and thanks to Spurs, it hasn’t harmed our Premier League status. It’s easier to put in perspective when you haven’t travelled miles and paid to see a performance like that (so apologies to Rags in advance) but here are the positives.
1. Tim Sherwood’s response at HT He was measured and kept his cool . Compare to when he publicly lambasted the players at Spurs – a sign he had lost it – which leader’s can’t afford to do. When asked by the pundit “did you give them hell in the dressing room at HT” he replied “no I didn’t – that is the last thing they needed ”
2. Tim Sherwood’s response at FT. Again, no naming names no inferences to “the shambolic defence” but a united and positive “everyone will take responsibility – from the coaches, the whole team – everyone”. Great response – this allows the obvious culprits to recover and prepare for the cup final in the knowledge that “we are all in this together”. The last thing TS wants it to bring back the “playing with fear” that Lamber’s tenure produced. There are four commonly held fears that impede sportsmen, fear of losing, fear of making a mistake, fear of rejection and fear of embarrassment. TS has taken the “win or lose as a team” to get them back in the winning mentality
3. Sometimes a reality check isn’t a bad thing. It has highlighted weaknesses and they can work on them before the final.
As Ali and countless others have said “it’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up from it. From what I’ve seen so far, TIm Sherwood is the right person to get them back up.
Taken overall, the Sherwood effect has been remarkable. Before this team is condemned, consider how they have played previously. They really did look like a top four side against Everton so we know they can do it Okore in particular was outstanding against Everton and West Ham . I am not sure he is over weight as some claim either. He was first to every single ball and outran Lukaku in the game against the toffees – I know this as I was sitting right in front of where he was playing.
I agree with John L – it will be fascinating to see who gets in the team for Wembley. Saturday’s game will have made selection just that bit harder for TS and whilst GIven seemed already on the team sheet before, the six conceded may just see Guzan return. Having said that, I don’t think GIven was at fault for the six as it was him agaiinst the Southampton stirke force -our defence went AWOL !.
oh and I am using Safari on my phone as the browser ?
I agree with PP – they had the stuffing knocked out of them – and as often happens, when a team score 3 in rapid succession – and my God, record breaking success on Saturday – the other team’s head goes. I remember Fergie’s 6.1 loss to Man CIty – and the same season he won the league. Being battered like that in four minutes would send the panic mode into the best of teams.
Well what a weekend, we survived another season in top flight and we’ve convinced Arsenal they’ve no worries for the final. Means we can surprise them.
Saturday’s football discussed above (bad day), old news, I’ve moved on now. The team needs big investment, we need to trust TS to make the decisions, he saved us from the brink of disaster.
I’ll let TS decide who goes i’ve my favourites for the chop.