I know Duff was a late withdrawal through illness but where did that line up come from ? For an hour we payed a strange system with too many players not quite sure what their role was and we had no control of the game. When we attacked we looked as if something would happen (and it might have done if our shooting/headers had been sharper) but it was sporadic. As always, to get rid of the negatives first. Richardson was poor and given the way Kaca and Berbatov had linked together before or the spriteliness that Frei offers, the wrong decision. Hugo is wasted out wide and on the right showed nothing. Sidwell was like a little boy lost - sure he ran about but in the main pointlessly and he backed off forcing us to go far too deep. The positives were mainly after the sustitutions, when at last we played as a team. Diarra's class just oozed out. He immediately took control and for the first time we held the ball and forced Villa onto the back foot. Chrissy Baird was a different player because he knew for the first time in the game where his midfield partner would be. Dejagah was prepared to take them on and linked well with Riether. Although Kara was only on for 10 minutes or so, he also brought some class and best of all annoyed them. Schwarzer did what was needed of him but again his kicking was dreadful. The two Hs were back to their best. Riether showed great pace and some tremendous runs. Riise was my MOTM, and not just because he took all the corners including the one we scored from !. Just a pity he didn't have somebody better than Richardson ahead of him. Berbatov was a close second for my MOTM. Again so much class and vision, which until Diarra came on was often wasted by those around him. Satisfied with the 3 points but we made hard work of it, mainly becuase there was no balance to the team for an hour. The most satifying thing however, is that we have some really, really good players out there. The key will be to get the right one's on the field in their correct position. Here is a video clip of some highlights and Chris Baird's goal. http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/10/20/video-fulham-1-0-aston-villa-premier-league-highlights/
That's a pretty thorough analysis, C58, and one I agree with entirely. I have been concerned about Sidwell for the past couple of games, although I felt he was improving. But today, he was terrible. Constantly out of position or failing to find a pass, Berbatov had to play deeper to try and find where our midfield was hiding. To let a team as poor as that Villa team have control of the midfield in the first half was desperately poor. The other player I also wanted to highlight was Diarra. The game changed when he came on and he gave us some much needed shape and composure. I'm still bemused that he came on for Petric and Sidwell stayed on until the last 10 minutes, but I can only assume Kaca wasn't match fit which is why Hugo stayed out wide. In any event, Diarra looked great and gave a reminder that our midfield wasn't entirely Dembele. I imagine there will be people who criticise Hugo again, but he plays as hard as he can. Jol seems to think of him as a utility forward (let's be honest, he's a distant third in the striker stakes) and consequently he has to play a number of roles. He isn't a winger and it showed, but I was happy with his effort today which would have been rewarded better if Sidwell had a better game in the middle. With the goal, there were groans when we felt Riise had botched the corner to cheers once it went in. I love seeing Baird score, there is noone who looks happier when they put the ball in the net. Lastly I wanted to comment (again) on the importance of partnerships on the wing. Duff was missing today and Reither (who was his usual solid self) couldn't link up with Hugo in the same way. Similarly Riise couldn't find the same link up play he has with Kaca. I'm glad we have some depth for when they are absent (Dejagah looked talented, if temperamental), but today underlined to me the importance of linking players. Villa were very poor today and we made much harder work of this game than we needed to. EDIT: Also, I should mention how poor the referee was today. He seemed to let alot of fouls from Villa go unpunished, then randomly give fouls when there were none. It felt more like a Championship match with the amount of leeway he gave the Villa players. That said, he could have sent a Fulham player off in the second half (Riise?) for a terrible attempt at a tackle, so maybe I should be happy!
Thanks Surlyc, I forgot to mention the ref and agree entirely. Here's an independent assessment, giving player ratings. It confirms what we've already said and the only thing I'd disagree with is, that for both Richardson and Siidwell the mark is too high - a 5 would be kind. http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/fulham-v-villa-player-ratings
Surprised Petric hasn't been mentioned. I only watched the first half but he looked dreadful, totally off the pace. Maybe understandable considering he's been out a while, but that's an excuse selectively given, depending on the player...
You're right that it is selective, Bidley. However I don't think you can judge Petric on this performance, as the support just wasn't there for him. This match was all about the midfield and the importance of getting Diarra and Duff back in the team.
I don't think the formation worked today for Jol, we made very hard work of a very poor Villa team. Rodallega is absolutely wasted on the wing, Richardson still has a long way to go to win me over, but at least Diarra and Dejagah both had a positive influence when they came on and probably turned the game in our favour. Like many others, I was not particularly impressed with Sidwell's performance, whether or not this is down to him trying too hard to prove himself against his former club, I don't know, but Baird's winner today and Diarra miraculous recovery could and probably should spell the end of his run in the first team. Would like to point out that I was very impressed with Dejagah's cameo role. Now we have Dejagah, Duff, Frei and Kaca as options for the wing. But Jol needs to revert back to the classic 4-4-2 with Baird and Diarra in the centre, Berba and Petric up top and Duff/Kaca/Dejagah/Frei on the wings. Riether and Riise were also impressive.
I haven't seen any footage yet, so can't comment on the game. On the basis of all the comments above, Bandit's shout for the next team selection seem about right, with one glaring omission. If he's fit, I'd include Ruiz somewhere. My choice would be instead of Petric (not that I have a problem with Petric).
Till Diarra came in there was no midfield. Sidwell should have been replaced earlier. Formation was all wrong. Other than the 3 points nothing exciting about the game. Was falling asleep first half. As it was my daughter's first ever game I can consider it a success!!
Very pleased that we won because for long periods of the match I wasn't sure we were going to. My villa supporting mate who sat next to me was bemoaning his side all the way through and how right he was - they are such a poor side and it was disappointing not to have made more of the weakness of opposition in front of us. Overall I thought there was some dreadful passing from both sides and like others on here was less than satisfied with Sidwell. Petric didn't look too great but that was partially due to the service and Berba had to keep trying to create chances for himself from nothing but such a pleasure to watch, he really is. Reither was my MOM and didn't put a foot wrong. Hope we can keep hold of him when the loan expires. Thought we looked solid at the back again, which was pleasing. We do just need that something extra in midfield, but a good win and pleased overall.
I have to agree with most of what's been said. We made hard work of beating a poor Villa team. The lack of Kaca and Duff to pair-up with our 2 excellent full-backs was clear, but the return of Diarra gave us some shape in midfield at the end. Sidders did not have a good game, and I was surprised that MJ pushed-him up after the subs. Hugo did ok, so I do not agree with any real criticism of him, given he was out on the wing. Petric worked hard, but has not got used to Berbatov. Berbatov is my MOTM - A lot of what he orchestrated did not quite work out, but he is showing real CLASS. And finally, my congratulations to Chris Baird on his goal - It was noticeable in some of the first-half corners how much he was moving around the box, so well-deserved. C O Y W
It's encouraging that we won, whatever the manner, as this is the sort of game we'd have drawn or even lost in seasons past.
Quite agree with previous comments,for me the match was one big yawn. As i have said in previous postings, we need a quality midfielder and defender when the window opens. Still 3 points gained,definitely a plus.
Labouring the point I know, but Sidwell has been dreadful in the last three matches. If the next game wasn't an away, he'd be lucky to be on the bench. More likely his 4-2-3-1 Bandit. Baird and Diarra the '2' as you say. My inclination would be Ruiz (if he's fit) in the middle of the '3' as Captain says. It's happy days though when whose on the bench is almost as interesting as whose playing.
I really like Diarra, he is quality. Djegah looks good too. Berbatov is pure class, definite Fulham legend potential. Disappointed for Sidwell. He has limitations but he gives it everything. Special mention has got to go to Bairdinho. 150 appearances and gets a goal. Such a great player for us.
I can’t really add much to what you guys have commented on already. Villa looked very poor buy what worried be was despite having the majority of the position we don’t really do anything with it. I can’t recall Guzan having to do a great deal. Our midfield was very poor until Diarra came on. He showed his quality when he game on in the second half. I thought Schwarzer played well despite not having a lot to do. There was one instance in the first half where he saved and held a shot low to his left (I can’t recall who from) and Bent was right on him, had he not held it the game could have gone the other way. One player I was very impressed with was Ashkan Dejagah when he came on for Richardson. I though he had a very good 20min, I'm not sure what anyone else thought of his performance? I though Rodallega was poor (as ever) both in the first half out on the left and in the second when he want upfront with Berbatov. Overall it wasn’t a great performance. I think once we get our midfield sorted (hopefully improved in January) I think we will improve. Defensively we were good however I fear loosing Hangeland either in January or at the end of the season.
One other thing I want to add was I was impressed with the Villa Fans. For the 19th minute they stood up and applauded Stiliyan Petrov their number 19. I guess they must do that for all the games. The good news is his leukaemia is in remission.
I watched the Match Choice replay and agree Berbatov was as brilliant as Petric was uninspiring. Rodallella and Sidwell gave a good account of themselves. I think the 1-0 score didn't really reflect our dominance throughout most of the game, though admittedly Villa had its chanced, too. It was good to see the boys playing again. These "international" layoffs are terrible.
