Villa (a) Post Match Thread

[DannyMan2006]

Rafa Speaks and tells us something none of us thought - we could have won the game apparently:

Everything he said was true, but he stuck to the positives as opposed to the negatives. It's what I expect from any manager. Positive in the media, but I would expect him to have words with some of the players after that, though I think his tactics were to blame as much as the players today.

[EST_1892]

Babel should have started to at least came on. He could have been our match winner.

It is very possible that Babel could have been carrying a knock or niggle of some kind. The one thing everyone seems to agree on is the omission of Babel being wrong. So why would Rafa disagree with a few 1000 fans?

It was just an observation, but a few times it showed the bench, Babel was rubbing his right thigh with both hands which said to me something wasn't quite right. Who knows?

I'm going to put today down to a one off with the abscence of Gerrard and the injury to Torres. I'm still getting mystified by Rafa's substitutions as I have been for a couple of seasons now.

Today's game has opened a whole can of worms, that's for sure. His only saving grace is that this has happened at the start of the season when all the top 4 are spluttering.

[DannyMan2006]

Are we Grimsby going for a premiership scalp or are we the most successful British Club ever with a front two costing £40m?

Get a grip, he needs to work out how to attack, not stop attacks. Buy a ****ing sword to go with your shield Rafa.

I agree with you mate, but you have to balance out your views. It's not all great by any means but we are a long way from throwing in the towel. I'm sure you'll agree that we played great football at times last season, that will come.

I've not been impressed by any team so far this season. But it's too early to judge. Whilst a team is getting going it's about grinding out results and like our main rivals we have done that.

Chelsea seem to be favourites but they failed to beat Spurs who have not won at the bridge for about 20 years. They were also out played by Wigan but sneaked a win. Man Utd failed to beat Newcastle who they always smash, din't they get six aginst them last year? Arsenal lost to Fulham who many consider to be candidates for the drop.

We will get better.

[DannyMan2006]

It is very possible that Babel could have been carrying a knock or niggle of some kind. The one thing everyone seems to agree on is the omission of Babel being wrong. So why would Rafa disagree with a few 1000 fans?

It was just an observation, but a few times it showed the bench, Babel was rubbing his right thigh with both hands which said to me something wasn't quite right. Who knows?

I'm going to put today down to a one off with the abscence of Gerrard and the injury to Torres. I'm still getting mystified by Rafa's substitutions as I have been for a couple of seasons now.

Today's game has opened a whole can of worms, that's for sure. His only saving grace is that this has happened at the start of the season when all the top 4 are spluttering.

You may be right, he seemed set to come on, but then stopped warming up and Aurelio came on. But in that case surely El Zhar should have been given the nod.

[Rashid]

I agree with you mate, but you have to balance out your views. It's not all great by any means but we are a long way from throwing in the towel. I'm sure you'll agree that we played great football at times last season, that will come.

I've not been impressed by any team so far this season. But it's too early to judge. Whilst a team is getting going it's about grinding out results and like our main rivals we have done that.

Chelsea seem to be favourites but they failed to beat Spurs who have not won at the bridge for about 20 years. They were also out played by Wigan but sneaked a win. Man Utd failed to beat Newcastle who they always smash, din't they get six aginst them last year? Arsenal lost to Fulham who many consider to be candidates for the drop.

We will get better.

My problem is none of our rivals will go to Villa Park looking for a draw, it's about the intent. Barcelona just lost to Numancia, they had 28 shots on goal and hit the woodwork, they also kept the ball etc. OK it didn't happen and a defeat sucks but they had a go at least.

I just don't like the way we play football and our mentality. Did Friedal have to make a save today?

[blacky]

It is a disgrace for any LFC manager to do that against Aston Villa.

This doesn't happen often but I agree with you Rash When I seen the team selection I cringed and knew exactly what he wanted to do. Contain Villa, settle for the draw but try and nick a goal if we could which would be a bonus. We should have sent a message of intent to the top 3 today. Kept our 100% record and gone into the united game 2 pts clear of the Chavs. Instead we finished the game with a keeper, 5 defenders, 3 defensive midfielders, a player who doesn't know where he plays and a rookie up top. On top of that we left Babel on the bench We were ultra negative today and I am deeply upset about the performance. I am a fan of Rafa but this is a make or break season for him. Sort it out Rafa. A win against the mancs is a must.

[EST_1892]

You may be right, he seemed set to come on, but then stopped warming up and Aurelio came on. But in that case surely El Zhar should have been given the nod.

I thought it was as replacement for Torres? People in the match thread were sure until N'Gog suddenley appeared?

[Rashid]

A win against the mancs is a must.

I disagree, it's not a must but it would be nice. United are a good team, what is a MUST is a win against Villa and other such ****e. Or at least we should be aiming to win, aiming to have a go at them. You are right, at the end we had about 10 defensive players on the pitch. It's not acceptable.

[FatTony]

This doesn't happen often but I agree with you Rash When I seen the team selection I cringed and knew exactly what he wanted to do. Contain Villa, settle for the draw but try and nick a goal if we could which would be a bonus. We should have sent a message of intent to the top 3 today. Kept our 100% record and gone into the united game 2 pts clear of the Chavs. Instead we finished the game with a keeper, 5 defenders, 3 defensive midfielders, a player who doesn't know where he plays and a rookie up top. On top of that we left Babel on the bench We were ultra negative today and I am deeply upset about the performance. I am a fan of Rafa but this is a make or break season for him. Sort it out Rafa. A win against the mancs is a must.

Add to this the fact that newly promoted Stoke put 3 goals passed the same team last week. Thats a defense which was probably lacking confidence to say the least. We on the other hand didn't even work Friedel once....

[Hustler]

Is our current line-up better than the Evans era? Im beginning to think not.

D.James,M Wright, J Scales, N Ruddock,J McAteer, J Redknapp, J Barnes, S McManaman, R Jones, R Fowler, S Collymore.

[DannyMan2006]

My problem is none of our rivals will go to Villa Park looking for a draw, it's about the intent. Barcelona just lost to Numancia, they had 28 shots on goal and hit the woodwork, they also kept the ball etc. OK it didn't happen and a defeat sucks but they had a go at least.

I just don't like the way we play football and our mentality. Did Friedal have to make a save today?

That was my problem too. I can't defend that. But we normally play to win and that's only one game. I'm sure you remember last season where we had stacks of chances in many games and yet failed to win. That didn't please people either.

I saw sat here today screaming at the TV in frustration, but we did have three of the best four chances, N'gog, Alonso and Keane were close to a winner, Carew for them. Funnily enough Keane was involved in all three of tose and they all happened when he was in the centre - Rafa take note.

[FatTony]

Is our current line-up better than the Evans era? Im beginning to think not.

D.James,M Wright, J Scales, N Ruddock,J McAteer, J Redknapp, J Barnes, S McManaman, R Jones, R Fowler, S Collymore.

That team looks awesome in contrast

[Exiled_red]

I agree with you mate, but you have to balance out your views. It's not all great by any means but we are a long way from throwing in the towel. I'm sure you'll agree that we played great football at times last season, that will come.

I've not been impressed by any team so far this season. But it's too early to judge. Whilst a team is getting going it's about grinding out results and like our main rivals we have done that.

Chelsea seem to be favourites but they failed to beat Spurs who have not won at the bridge for about 20 years. They were also out played by Wigan but sneaked a win. Man Utd failed to beat Newcastle who they always smash, din't they get six aginst them last year? Arsenal lost to Fulham who many consider to be candidates for the drop.

We will get better.

Personally I think the Premiership is going to be tighter this year and every point is going to count, despite what people think the other top four teams haven't been playing great either, it's just when we are poor we get criticized more, when the others play poorly and get results "that's what wins titles" lines come out etc. We just get more slaggings because certain people have their own agenda.

I'll admit to being disappointed with the performance and the fact we were so negative in our approach but a point away at Villa is a decent result

[DannyMan2006]

Is our current line-up better than the Evans era? Im beginning to think not.

D.James,M Wright, J Scales, N Ruddock,J McAteer, J Redknapp, J Barnes, S McManaman, R Jones, R Fowler, S Collymore.

Of those I'd take Rob Jones, Robbie and Macca.

[attack attack attack]

That team looks awesome in contrast

swap jones for bjornebye