Observers might wonder whether the stone-faced, newly appointed Aston Villa manager was prepared for what he saw at White Hart Lane Monday night. He says he’d watched film of Villa, and understands the reality of his new position. Lots of very well-received comments from Garde have circulated widely during the week after. He seems to have his eyes wide open and understand what’s in front of him. He seems to have the composure and intellect not to be overwhelmed.
And now City come to Villa Park for Garde’s first match in charge.
Masochist that I am, I watched the Spurs match after the fact, having recorded it during the day while at work. I knew the result, so I wasn’t as emotionally involved. I could just watch.
I can hear the howls of protest, but I have to agree with Garde that it wasn’t that bad. Even if he was just being nice. Certainly no work of art, and just as certainly another loss, but it wasn’t what I’d expected to see from what I’d heard. I know that it would’ve been excruciating watching it in real time, though.
Of course, no one agreed with the team selection: Gabby starting, Gil on the bench. No Gana, no Amavi.
Then there was a lack of consistent pressing. Players not knowing what to expect from each other. Players not giving each other as much help as Spurs were doing.
And, most important, as every Villan knows, the team likes to concede early and late.
Lack of concentration and intensity, fatigue, perhaps, down the stretch. Tactics. Individual errors. They’ve all cost us. Clark, unfortunately, found himself in a bad situation early, and the rust showed. You’d like to think Guzan would’ve been able to do more at his near post. Starting that way is the last thing Villa need in any game.
But there were some passages of decent play. Good drive and strike from Sinclair, who carried a threat, and two near misses at the end, one of which we’d have expected Gestede to bury—or at least put on goal—eight or nine times out of 10. Ayew had a lovely strike that generally would’ve gone in for anyone we’ve played so far. We actually could have gotten something from the game, and it wouldn’t have been completely underserved. For a little bit near the end, I actually found myself thinking “we really might get a draw”…even though I knew the ending. A little luck wouldn’t be unwelcome.
The Way Forward
So, we didn’t see anyone new except Ayew and Lescott. But I still think the talent is there. Enough, anyway, given that we could’ve actually nicked a point away with far from the best side we could field.
What’s Garde going to make of it? I don’t think we’ll see KMac’s lineup again, for starters. Or Sherwood’s…if he had “one.”
Ayew needs to start, for me. Gil as well. Amavi needs the right CB pairing and winger to offer support when he goes forward. Lescott isn’t going to cover that gap well. If we’re up, then fine, sub in Richardson for Amavi, but don’t start him.
If Grealish is going to be out there, he needs Gil with him, someone on the same wavelength who makes space and time, sees passes and runs, gives defenders something else to think about. Based on what I saw from Sinclair, I almost think I’d like to see Sinclair-Grealish-Gil as one of the possible set-ups behind Ayew. I know that will seem lightweight, but then I recall two fantastic goals against Leicester.
I also liked Sanchez’s game. Yes, he can be sloppy, and it might end up being costly. But he was relentless, aggressive, and the only ball-winner we had on the pitch. Him and Gana anchoring a 4-2-3-1? Certainly plausible.
Then, of course, we’ve got Veretout and Adama. And I can very easily see Grealish-Gil-Adama, if Adama will look up for a teammate once in a while. And, as many have suggested, maybe Traore should be playing the striker role up top, subbing for Ayew. Get him space with only one or two to beat…He might be very effective. Veretout is the mystery man of the bunch. He’s quick, has an engine, looks to drive forward and try to spot runners. Don’t know that he’s a No. 10, but Sinclair-Veretout-Gil could be a handful. Or Sinclair-Gil-Adama.
We all know Jack needs to add some defending and effort to his game. Garde doesn’t strike me as someone who’s going to accept anything less. So, we’ll see whether Grealish wants to be a luxury or a necessity. If he grows up and takes on his defensive responsibilities, and has quality around him, I think he can earn a starting place and be truly effective. He might actually come to not regret his decision to declare for England.
At the back…Well, I think most everyone would like to see something like Richards-Okore-Clark-Amavi.
Anyway, there are options, changes that could be made during the game without throwing everything out of whack. As I’ve been saying for years, Villa need to press more, especially early when the game’s tone is being set. Too many players obviously play too far off. Spurs were much quicker to commit, intercept and cut off avenues of escape, but so, too, have been virtually every side we’ve played.
We’ll see soon enough what Garde thinks. I’m encouraged by his comments on cohesiveness in the dressing room. Quick passing drills? A revelation. Villa are generally ponderous and too slow on the ball, negating their strengths and giving teams too much time to regroup and isolate players.
Perhaps the side Rémi puts out against City will be transitional. Suppose it depends on what things look like during the week in training. He may very well play for a draw that would actually be a victory, and give the side something to cling to.
We do need to circle the wagons at home…I know the current regime hasn’t endeared themselves to anyone, but it’s not them we support. All of these new players, a new manager: They need that vocal backing whatever happens, that sense that Villa Park is a refuge, a true home.
And so the Garde era begins. It may very well not start with any points, but I think things will be different going forward, and can only hope that if nothing else, we see signs of what will prove to be our last great escape.
The Author
John Clark
John is co-owner of AVL, and has followed the Villa since the '70s. A journalist by trade, he is, by most accounts, a very nice person. You can follow me on Twitter @JClarkKohoutek. It's an astonishing experience. Or a complete waste of time.Comments 110
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John – Good read, an I agree Garde seems like a level headed manager who knows what he wants.
I think the team and formation for City will be really interesting. I don’t expect a result but I do expect to see a performance.
I also hope we start to see the skeleton of a regular starting 11 coming along soon. We should of course rotate and ch age based on performances and opposition, but I also think we’ve suffered a lot from chopping and changing players every game. Let’s see a bit more consistency.
hello JC- cannot argue with what you have said at all.
Some thought Spurs were not trying but I think like most of our games we have better quality than most teams but not the cohesive structure or plan. If Garde cannot instil that then they truly are rubbish.
What I am waiting to see is where Garde see’s the goals are coming from and I’m hoping it isn’t Tim’s one egg in the basket approach. For me Ayew is the no9 by a mile and we have so many potential support systems for him its mind boggling.
Garde is known for playing counter attack high pressing with good ball retention? how he puts that together god only knows but its what I have read. Tomorrow is a free shot and I won’t be surprised if we get something and I also think Garde pretty much Identified in one match what Tim failed to do in 10-12.
Hi jc!
Sinclair for me is a one dimensional speed merchant, finisher.
I’d like to see veretout.
hi jc
agree with a lot of your leader – method and guidence are the two main things villa have been missing for many years and no doult as it stands the club is a mess
Garde on face value seems to have all the attributes to instil the right kind of methods to get the best out of the sqaud eventually
it is not a forgone conclusion thou and he has much to prove , but the is a good feeling about his chances
loved your midfield , attack and formation but not defence , especially ricjardson starting
wonder how much Jordan Rhodes would be in jan? 8 in 12 games
ps i see a lot of posts about getting behind the team , but i don’t think villa fans every need telling that — the home support have had the stuffing and enjoyment knock out of them over long period
The away supports remains one of the most spetactular and is always sold out – that through a lot of anti football
Runtz its Richards
I’d like to see okore Sanchez Gana
Ayew as the spine.
If Grealish and Gil play together I want jack as the number 10 playing with ayew.
Rudy and Adama as impact subs!
UTV
cheers Jc i do like the defence too , but richards centre – many the spanish kid from pool will get a chance to shine now
Excellent article John and I totally agree . Maybe that is the way forward for us villa fans , watch the game when we know the score . It saves our hopes being dashed !
I would agree with tiur assessment , there was a spell in the second half where we got THS against the ropes , in fact I texted to my friend “if only we could play like this all the time “. The second half was an improvement when the subs came on so you could see it was the team selection not the quality of our players that made it essier for Spurs.
As you say, all Remi’s observations and strategies so far are excellent. I like that he has identified the hype around JG isn’t doing him any good and that he needs to work hard not rely on flair . (Mark’s quote).
This will be good for JG and the team.
The supporters involvement is difficult and I hear what you say Runtingz , we have had to watch dross for the last four seasons. This is soul destroying particularly for the ST holders – I don’t know how many games they’ve seen us win at VP in the last three seasons but you can probably count them on two hands . I also agree that the away fans are amazing – but there’s a different atmosphere for the away games .
Too many times I’ve been to VP and the fans have got on their backs to early . Our players are frightened to play at home and whilst that continues and our home form stays dire , we are going to be relegated for sure. I just hope that the fans can give Remi and our new players time to settle in and give all opposition teams hell – that’s what it should be about . I actually think they will as this is the worst start in history and to do otherwise will be as bad as scoring a goal for the other side.
I think Remi will be cautious tomorrow but will give an opportunity to the new boys : Ayew , Sanchez , GanA , Gil. These players have earned their place from the way they’ve played in past games . He may give Gestede and Amavi a chance though these aren’t so solid IMO.
In Remi we trust !
If you look at the losses this season we have conceded more goals lately with the so called steady players in, at least with the others in we were unlucky to lose. I really don’t know what to expect but I don’t think it will be No9 bus tactics and just maybe the crowd won’t need encouraging.
yes Jen thing have definatly changed at home at villa park and it’s never helpful to the team to boo players
i do think some have got on players backs though because they have lost hope in them -it’s all about the manager for me thou and under the right guy players will only get bood if they truly deserve it
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/aston-villa-manager-remi-garde-set-to-do-things-the-arsene-wenger-way-a6725666.html?
Welcome Remi Garde. It will be really interesting to see his team selection and formation tomorrow. Do not consult KMAC regarding the team you should pick. And please can start wil Gil and Amavi. Gil was an absolute joy to watch at Spurs and made an incredible difference to the performance of the team in the second half. And Ayew has scored in the last three games so it might be a good idea to start him – just a thought.
Good to see the rallying calls over the last two days, its difficult to cheer when you’ve won 17 home games from 75 but somehow the attendees have to motivate the team.
Hope the fans aren’t too vicious regarding Delph, he could see the takeover wasn’t happening and that CB and Cleverley, despite all Fox’s confidence, (BS) weren’t staying and did what was best for himself. Lets show our appreciation for an honest player who always gave his best for Villa.
Good to see you, SuperBox…
I agree with everyone about the long-suffering ST holders. They’ve endured an awful lot. I guess it’s sort of a moment where everyone might say, “alright, clean slate, let’s give it a go and give ’em hell.”
But I really do understand how hard it’s been and how fed up one can get.
RonnieBiggs-
Indeed…Veretout was highly rated. He’s got to get a chance, closest we have to a Delph in the side, seems to me.
Steamer-
Yeah, I’d probably want to boo him, but I think you’re right…Show a bit of class, let bygones be bygones. He played hard for us, and very much an honest player.
Mark-
“Garde is known for playing counter attack high pressing with good ball retention? how he puts that together god only knows”
Agreed. It’s what we need, and I hope to god he can make it happen.
Jenny-
You’ve talked about confidence a lot, and you’re absolutely right. You can see the lack of it all through the players. I agreed when Sherwood was saying they shouldn’t be afraid to lose. Problem was that he didn’t know how to set them up to succeed.
runtings-
Indeed…I’d like to know what Crespo and Ilori actually look like. I guess we did see Crespo. But can Ilori be any worse than Hutton?
RichardS-
For the life of me, I can’t understand why Gil wasn’t a nailed on starter in every game. Some teams might have the luxury of sitting their Mata or Hazard. But Gil is the closest we’ve got, and we have to have him out there.
As Jenny was saying, Rémi might be a bit cautious this first time out, but I’m dying to see the lineup.
John C – I’m with you on Gil. He is the most creative midfield player we have and if I picked the team he would be the firt name on the team sheet.
Hugely interesting to see the lineup today.
Expect changes
Well its a huge game today afrer yesterdays results putting us 6 points of safety.
I’ll be missing it though as I’m working my first ever weekend 🙁 Only about my 3rd home game ive missed in 11 years and it’s our new managers first game and delph’s return. And as we never win, and im not there, I bet we bloody win
Hope to see that Ayew, Adama, Gil and Veretout are all strting. Hope to see we play with tactics and a game plan. Hope Garde changes a lot and w aren’t so defensive
Can you imgaine if Gabby starts ? ahhahaha. what an awful footballer
As with most posters i can’t wait to see what team Remi selects. To be honest i don’t think he’ll go or wholesale changes for this game, probably pick an experienced team that has sufficient knowledge of how City play, in a 4-4-2 – Guzan: Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Amavi: Gil, Gana, Sanchez, Grealish: Gestede, Ayew.
I’m expecting Veretout and Traore to make a big contribution in what remains of the season and possibly the January addition of a ‘fox in the box’ type striker, possibly a CD and again, possibly, a GK. Remi will know the foreign markets and have contacts who may loan us the players required.
Gabby, hopefully, won’t be seen again, the problem is fining someone to take him because of 1) The ridiculous contract that Fox awarded him for doing ????? 2) He just isn’t good enough to play in any of the top three divisions.
We need Sanchez to step up and nullify Toure and Guzan to be alert to Kolarovs free kick expertise.
looking forward to match
would collymore shut up only 3 he would trust sid tony andrews and mac donald well sorry but after mac donald last 2 matches i wouldnt let him look after under 10 side 2 free matches and he asks sherwoods advice well should have played bunn ilor okore amavi kozak vertout unforgivable
sherwood blaming all and sundry but not himself should been sacked after cup final,who s fault that we are bottom of fitness levels his players not signed who he wanted
hopefully team for today will be
guzan/bunn toss a coin
richards
clark
crespo
amavi
gil
sanchez
gana
vertout
sinclair
ayew
subs
from
grealish traore rudi bacuna kozak
please can we see villa without
hutton richardson westwood gabby guzan sendross not mentioned
steamer- hopefully he will organise us so that Sanchez doesn’t blow himself out by 60 mins, that’s when he makes errors. He’s a big unit and has to do too much, either needs to drop a stone or be more selective of the ground he covers and pull others in. I guess it points to a lack of communication which plagues this team something Remi has already identified.
That’s a good team James, the only thing against it may be lack of EPL experience, talent wise, great, if we were mid – table with that team i think we could relax, play good football and develope into the team we want to be. Like you i think we have a lot of very good players who weren’t utilised correctly and now lack belief, that’s Remi’s biggest problem IMO.
Sherwood wants to make his mind up, did he approve the signings or didn’t he ?
Good point Mark, Richards has a view of the whole pitch from his position, he should be telling him when he chases possession and concedes a key position.
“Garde is known for playing counter attack high pressing with good ball retention? how he puts that together god only knows”
This made me laugh. I was sat on break trying to work ot how it’s even possible, but im still thinking
steamer
sherwood said he wanted winners then put out team of guzan hutton richardson clark westwood gabby week in week out
our first 4/5 matches bad mistakes cost us man u gabby free header richards defo pen pal game clark then guzan fuck up plus gabby fall over and miss sunderland richards miss guzan error free kick leicster sherwoods subs guzan fuck up last goal chelsea rudi miss guzan AGAIN swansea free kick guzan
leicster are 4 with goal difference plus 4 we have thrown away at least 6/8 points stupid because sherwood and experienced players
Steamer- that’s why I don’t think Richards is a CM yet, he’s captain but he’s to busy being captain marvel to sort the team out, wish Sendeross had his athleticism
Seems like we’ve waited ages for this day .
I think Remi will pick a balanced team like Steamer has selected .
Some of our new players won’t have faced a team like man city before and by all accounts they demolished Seville in the week. Let’s hope they’ve worn themselves out !!
Ya Ya , my favourite player from two seasons ago , is going to be a hell of a job to contain for Sanchez . I always marvel of how a player his size – and when you see him in the flesh he is hellish wide , can be so athletic . But I like Sanchez – note he’s always smiling and never gives up .
So it comes as no surprise that we are the unfittest in the league . Is this part of the reason why we are also the team who concede most 5 mins before half time and full time ? We all know that fatigue isn’t just physical it affects decision making too – massively . Hopefully the new fitness coach will improve this like he did under Gerard
Houllier.
I’d expect Remi will be trying to take the pressure off and be telling them – the pressure is on Man City – as under dogs you can go out and give your best performance . None of this “must win cup final games ” that Sherwood was putting on them .
Its going to be a tense 90 mins – good luck Remi ! We are all behind you !
Frem , so sorry to hear you can’t go – as the number one loyal fan that is just Sod’s law
🙁
Yes Richsrds seems to be so busy fire fighting that the inevitable errors occur at the back .
Watford’s keeper did a Guzan yesterday gave Leicester 2 goals, Watford are a good side though must be that no prem experience manager
love the line up
guzan mutton clark richards amavi, sanchez, gueye, vertout gil, sinclair and Ayew
steamer
i had 10 out of 11 and no gabby or westwood mcdonald take note how to line up a team
westwood and gabby not fit, subs bacuna,lescott,richardson,Nzogbia!! bunn, gestede, grealish.
Fantastic team selection by Remi – 6 changes from Spurs – but before I get carried away – Man City team world class
OMG – Carlos Gil starts a game. A much better line up today. Let’s hope they perform. The Man City team looks formidable.
been wanting something similar for weeks, months actually, good start for me bring it on.
Neville has started laughing already, of course we are going to play on the counter knob head.
Jen- yes jen they are top top top side as Merson would say but they lost 4-1 at home this season so are not unbeatable. And we have a balanced side with pace, 3 mid-fielders that are good at defending too
Afternoon all….
Well, that team is one that I’m happy with, apart from Sinclair’s selection. He’s taken the courage to put Jack on the bench .. +ve move i.m.o.
That’s it then … 3-1 to Villa! 🙂
Right, eyes down, look in…
I’d rather listen to Thiery Henri who worked with him than GNev. Furst thing Henri said about him was “he’s a Wenger clone “. Well that’s fine by me .
Sounds to me like Souness , Neville and Collymore are willing Remi to fail because he’s foreign . They take exception to us playing our way out of it not adopting the big Sam tactics .mwhhxh worked so well for Sunderland that they’re fans booed them off yesterday .
Traore does not even make the bench.
My word the Sky team have an extremely dismal opinion of the quality of this Aston Villa Team.
Oh god you’d think it was Worceeter city playing Barcelona to hear these sky pundits – no ones mentioned we beat man city last time they came to villa park – with no Benteke too !!
Jen- it makes my blood boil, they talking like its all over, leics had 10 points from 17 games at xmas and only 19 on 29 games so it snot over until the fat lady sings plus we have a window to change things mid season. they stink
The line up is better. would have put Adama in for Sinclair though
what does Adama do in training ? not involved again
Just hope Gil and sinclair get close into Ayew or elsehe will be isolated. We need Veretout to make runs from deep as well
Listening to RG taking football in music to my ears
COYVB
All this passing back to Guzan and playing out from the back is driving me insane
I’m no tactician but to me Alan Hutton’s roaring down the wings is leaving us short defensively ? Wing back or not ?
He seems too far forward ?
Great to hear the lads and Remi being cheered off at half time . Big big relief we haven’t conceded . Good performance from a team who’ve barely played together against a settled, top of the league world clas team . Things can only get better with Remi . Eat your words GNev.
This is exactly what I’ve talked about with our shape, no silly rushing at the ball leaving gaps, the pressing will come but you have to do it as a team and keep your shape, that’s how you do it when you don’t have superstars.
Right now Tim Sherwood looks a grade A knob, I’m so angry I could spit.
Brilliant, that’s the first time this season that we’ve put out a balanced, sensible team, well done Remi.
Interesting that there’s no Gabby,long may it continue.
Zoggy looks like his been rehabilitated, all hands on deck.
Good stats too.
If these players had been played from day one they’d be even better.
Hello John,
Back just in time for our second win of the season.
Your right Jen, the pundits are slating players who have hardly played. win, lose or draw you can see progress already.
God Guzan must have concussion
this is first day of season for us . City have a 10 week advantage .
Bloody hell – the zog is back !
Damn, where was this team hiding?
att – 36757.
Hope Delph doesn’t score.
The real Guzan is back
Well done, chuffed.
Bet the pundits are sick, watch them disect City and ignore Villa.
Villalore,
Pleased for him, he’s made some mistakes but IMO he’s a good keeper.
Absolutely made up, we rode our luck but Ayew, Gil, hutton immense, all the rest only slightly down from that. notice are fitness problems disappeared with a shape and concentration.
Tim Sherwood I hope you was watching you might learn something.
Shame villa park didn’t get going until snake boy came on
steamer- lets see souness explain this then 🙂
steamer- have we got our Villa back? lerner aside
Whew…I’ll take that point all day long.
souness chokes 🙂
JC I’m bouncing here wish I could bottle it 🙂
Over the moon
Sour souness , Gary Neville, Mark Saggers
all said Remi was mad playing such an attacking line up . A clean sheet against the top of the league at home – bloody brilliant.
All of our players fought til the end – new belief and Guzan – confidence restored . Amazing performance from all our lads and all of them put their heads on three line .
Cheered off – good times !! Micah deservedly MOTM .
This will be a massive confidence boost – they won’t play a better team than that and with Remis organisation and the lads playing with such passion he has done brilliantly
That was quite a reaction to Delph…must admit, was fun to hear it on TV, commentator: “It wasn’t that he left, but the way he did it that’s angered the Villa fans…He said he was staying.”
souness cannot give us credit no matter what the winker
I hear you, Mark. Never been so happy to see 0-0 at full time!
Yeaaaah a point! Was never going to score in a million years which is why we are down. If i hear anything about well defended its nonsense. We were terrible at the back which is why we are down. How many times was sterling and co left in the pen area alone! Its basic. Very lucky point another day we would of lost heavily.
But well done remi, deserved that for setting a team up properly and playing the right players. Its not rocket is it timmy!! 5 points from safety and i think the current bottom 3 are the ones down.
We will smash the championship though, it will be one of the best seasons in years
Agree Steamer, looks like he is more confident of his defence and didn’t make any panicked clearances.
I thought one week was too short for any meaningful changes but what a change! Not flawless but much more assured.
Hee done it for Wenger too if Arsenal beat Spurs 🙂
***** (5 stars) for the manager!
A competent team selection and with the luck of 3 missed City chances, maybe the situation has turned!
frem- “Garde is known for playing counter attack high pressing with good ball retention? how he puts that together god only knows”
now we know how mate 🙂
Jen it was like watching the quick passing drills from BMH this week, we have a manager that knows what footballs about and can put it over to the team. the players were almost embarrassed to explain the difference.
real football and a real football manager has finally arrived at villa park
no wonder english football is so far behind tenically and tactically when you have these big ex players preaching for dinasor football and big sam types to save viila
i’m so happy — JC after today i willl now change my answer to your headline to Garde can do anything with villa given time
No gabby and westwood, superb.
Loved ayew, vertout and gill. What is ayew though, main striker or support striker?
Remi needs to buy a spine asap, gk, cb and striker and we could win a few games!!!
Allthough great header from sterling brad!!!
steamer/villalore we couldn’t have confidence before in the players around you as we didn’t know where they were half the time, made each others jobs much easier.
Andrew- you kill me 😉 this was man city we were playing, garde set out a plan and the players followed it, do that and you make your own luck.
Runtingz- been waiting ages for this, garde is the only manager I have wanted from the off we have got very very lucky or we have a plan 🙂
If he can do that in three days then what are we going to be like after the international break . It doesn’t matter if city had some luck – to the players we didn’t lose to the top of the league . They will grow as a team and in belief – so whoever we play now , will my not be such a big challenge .
Runtingz,
“garde set out a plan and the players followed it, do that and you make your own luck.”
Absolutely true. And keepers are there to make saves. Villa needed to get anything they could, and they got it. Baby steps.
Andrew- Grealish will be back and make a huge difference to our attack, he’s made for this side, was good decision to bench him today will teach him to work harder at his game.
Sorry
Runtingz,
no wonder english football is so far behind tenically and tactically when you have these big ex players preaching for dinasor football and big sam types to save viila
The only negative comments about Garde have come from British pundits, the same ones who when England flop at a major tournament start whinging about lack of ball skills and bad coaching, when planks such as Cabbage, Cascarino, Burley, Jenas, McInally, the Redknapps, Ian Wright etc influence the footballing public spouting ignorant tripe and getting paid fortunes for it, then you realise the game is doomed.
Steamer- the ignorance of them astounds me mate, they do not know the players we have as we are not top 6 so how can we possibly play football??? the manager is unknown to them? 3 seasons with the top team in France for a decade yes he’s practically invisible, I suppose its all part of the Premiership football love in.
stan Collymore actually said before the game that we should support the engkish managers more and bring in a Roony type rule . What rubbish – I’m surprised at Stan who is usually knowledgeable . The reason why we have more foreign managers in this league is that they are better – it’s about results .
I think Stan is so anti the villa board that his judgment is being clouded . He may have valid issues with the Vila board but it’s like he wants Garde to fail so his point is proved .
To listen to him and Saggers before the game criticising the team selection because “the premier league us different to French football ” and saying we would get over run makes the point against city so much more plessurable
I wanted Moyes became of his managerial experience My reservations about Remi weren’t because of his lack of premier league experience but his short time in management . But thank God we didn’t get Moyes .
I think that Remi could be similar to Koeman as well as Wenger . Those players played out of their skins today – we couldn’t have asked for more .
yes steamer some of the coments they come out wth sometimes makes me wonder if the really understand the game the got paid o play
top players have rarely made top managers so gary neville has no excuse 🙂
just hope villa stick to this type of manager in the future which will make us a more powerful model of saints and swans
My friend on the way back from VP said the atmosphere was amazing today . The fans really played their part . That last ten minutes has put years on me though !
So far, I’m over the moon with our new French Revolution! As for the rest of the league, all I want to do is pull my trusty sword out of it’s scabbard and shout “En Garde”!!
This lineup proved something most of us have been saying all season — neither Gabby nor Lescott got so much as a sniff of the pitch, and we earned a well-deserved result. A huge part of our continued improvement will be due to simply, but resolutely, refusing to play those two dreadful has-beens.
BTW, could the Garde appointment prove to be the rebirth of NZog? From early accounts, he looked like he actually cared when he played today!
Haha mark and villa have killed me!
Loved gestede throw to hart:)
Perfect timing for int break. No adama or llori on the scene today?
We need to build around gill, he is superb. We should apologise for his treatment over the last year. Did not want him subbed.
Texas – I was saying it would be the stuff of dreams if zog had scored at the end ! But never has a draw felt so much like a win !
Stan is really putting his foot in his mouth big time, fair enough have a go at the board but already today we have seen the manager is very good and the French players are too. He will end up looking a right twonk.
Give it 3-4 games Gil will be a media darling
Yeah nzob could be back…..again!!!
By all accounts from pat murphy remi very miffed with grealish hype. With adama, nzog, gil, sinclair he is going to have to work to get in side which is ok. He aint going to get the love like from tim
Veretout is a stud. This guy will be sooo great for us. At the moment he’s all touch and pass, but the guy can run with the ball. He just needs more games. Why did TS not play him?
VillaMD-
Why, indeed…
Put a quick review up. No brilliant insights, but a clean sheet of paper to scribble on.
Villa MD because he was useless 😉 vertoute will get goals once we are playing further up the pitch. that will come as they get fitter and start to press higher up
Yep, surprised Adama didn’t make the subs. If he’s not a regular by Jan then Barca were right to get rid of him
Mark
turn your volume up , the fans were loud mate , way before that tosser came on,
old mate turned up and had tickets for game as his son was ill , l got in with a youth ticket , that baby lotion must be working , and the cider is taking its toll now . like the old days today in the pub at 9 having a breakfast with a pint !
steamer sorry about today mate , but should have some spare rib bones for Bella tomorrow , see you about 10 in the morning , brandy is kicking in ,
Hi Jenny hope your feeling better xxxxx
John Clark, Mark King,
Yea, now we have a real manager. I love the Thiery Henry quote on Garde “he’s a Wenger clone”.
Of the players we’ve signed, there are potentially great players that should start every game: Ayew, Veretout, Gana,
Let’s give Kozak a game. He looked great in preseason. What has happened to him
Jenny: I agree, I was more thrilled for this draw than I’ve been for some of our wins … it was just so good to see our boys fight with such commitment!