The reluctance to attack in numbers in the first half seemed like a deliberate tactic, as if we were afraid of getting court on the counter. It worked in a way, as we had the better chances of the half and made Villa look short of ideas by stifling their options. I think we'd have been happy with a 0-0 draw really and take a replay at the KP; as an ex-Championship we can handle fixture congestion better than most. In the second half, however, Villa upped the temp and we struggled. Pearson made a positive substitution, but at the wrong time, as we were under constant pressure and the removal of a defender cost us. It was the next logical substitution (although it should have been Upson that went off as Morgan and Wasa are more of a partnership), but at the wrong time.
Wes should have gone off as he is just hopelessly out of his depth. And the other one that should have gone off against Villa was Mahrez. Totally ineffective and didn't win a thing all match. We can't afford to carry passengers in our position whatever their reputation.
Wes shouldn't have started. But since he did, I think he and Wassa would have adjusted to going from a three to a two because they have more of a partnership. The thing with Mahrez is, even if he has a bad game, he can go on and produce one bit of skill that open up the opposition defense. It didn't happen, which makes not taking him off look a bad decision, but if he had produced the goods - well, we wouldn't be discussing it. Hindsight and all that.
