We've been a curate's egg all season really - good in parts. I really think getting in a RB who's genuinely PL standard will make a world of difference. We're unbalanced and I think that's the reason why, in the same way as a small stone in your shoe can ruin your whole posture.
We didn't really have to click through the gears. Good going forward, four goals and hit the woodwork twice - but should've had more. I think the defence took the game a bit lightly, dozed off and got sloppy. But it was a very unique game and we got the three points, let's move on. Good for us that Liverpool dropped points today, too. Maybe just a glimmer. If only we'd beaten Everton...
We have 3 big games to get into Europe, Man City can relax a bit in the league now, Spurs may just choke cos they're far too cocky at the moment, and a Pardew team, nailed on 3 points!
Did some of our defending come down to no one making those rash challenges that get silly cards perhaps?
Our RB's aren't THAT bad. Martina and Cedrid are both "genuinely PL standard," they're just not "top four PL standard." You can't put all the blame on the right backs. After all, they're only right backs. Besides, Bertrand has been a bit blah on the left this year. And we are not as good at DM without Schniederlin. We went from having arguably the best DM in the league to the mediocre Clasie. I think Clasie will improve quite a bit next year, but if not then we use Romeu who IMO has outplayed Clasie. That will solve a good bit of the problem.
No good challenges, anyway. At times we did nothing. But at times we were also guilty of making quite a few stabby, no-hope lunges. Villa were too easily able to dribble through guys today.
Sorry, I disagree (about the full backs). Neither Cedric nor Martina have the mix of tactical awareness, speed of thought and athleticism needed to play in what is one of the most demanding positions in the game. Remember the problems we had at LB during our first season back in the PL, & how we didn't start fitting together as a team until Luke Shaw stepped up? Well to me this season has been the same story only this time on the right.
Well you have to hope we will step up against superior opposition next week. Tadic was fantastic. Clasie, Mane and Romeu had good days as well.
Looked to me very much like each time we went two up the team thought "this is too easy". The negative atmosphere would have helped that feeling that Villa hadn't bothered to turn up. I wouldn't draw too many conclusions from this match. Vin
First half Romeu was fine but 2nd half it was too easy for Villa to get through our midfield. A better team would have highlighted this more clearly.
Can't be disappointed in scoring four goals away from home, even if it is only Villa. We are now only two wins away from matching last season's tally and that would be a pretty good effort all things considered..
