Match Day Thread A “Big Club” - Aston Villains vs Ralph’s Marauders (aka PL Saints) Sat March 5, 15.00

Just researched the record and we last lost at home in September. Two winnable home games to come and we cement 9th place and a cup semi at home after that so look on the bright side all is not lost - yet!

 

Yep, and you know what, i dont mind saint Villa were pretty good today. Must give them credit.

 

Does this mean that the Reversal of the Mechanism has been reversed again?

 

I think it just means we may lose a couple to 3 games in a row, then the our world will be normal again.

As in, i hope I’m wrong, but even before today i thought Sandcastle Utd would beat us.

 

The best thing is, our next 3 matches (including the cup game) are at home. I hope you’re wrong too!

 

Some gear changes get messed up. Today we appeared to have fell away from our recent smooth gear changing, quite a bit it seems. Normal service will resume once Ralph gets the car in garage and takes a good look under the bonnet, tops up the oil, few adjustments made etc. It's worth noting that Gerrard clearly knows when we are vulnerable and got his players in the right mindset to undo us early in each half as well as a half time morale knocker. Lessons will be learned for sure and corrections made ready for NU.

 

Who is doing the Newcastle thread?

 

Any volunteers? Remember, the Mechanism might have missed a cog, but it’s still reversing nicely!

 

You’re only as good as your last win.

That was a horrible game of football. Villa really weren’t that good and whilst they took their goals well they were all defensive nightmares. Saints were lethargic, always second to the ball and lacked their usual skill to pick the right pass. Villa pressed us quite well and so we made most of our passes sideways or backwards. Lately I have been saying no one had a bad game. Today, no one had even a decent game.

But you’re only as bad as your last defeat. Roll on Thursday!

 

Match of the day has always been **** anyway.

 

Maybe this result highlights how vital it is we extend Salisu’s contact and how important it actually is to sign another central defender who could reach a similar level

Absolutely no good having a defence that falls apart when one player is missing. Picture a couple of other injuries - say GK and CM - that would have been another humiliation

Or at the very least go back to the old lesson from when Ralph first joined - when forced to use defenders of the calibre of Stephens and Bednarek - use a back three

I have nothing against those two and Lyanco as members of our squad but if we want to look up rather than down (as mentioned by someone else earlier) then we need a better partner for Salisu. Both to be more solid and to hopefully put us in a position where at least one “very good” central defender is playing.

Trouble becomes freeing up the squad space. We can’t manage 5 central defenders all on circa 50k a week really. But perhaps a super promising youth option is the way to go again (such as going back to the chelsea academy)

It is a tricky one.
It is similar in defensive central midfield. We need someone else in the squad there but have Romeu as one of the higher earners. So need someone young and/or versatile. I’d like us to go back for Sangare but that would be top end of our budget (if not outside it) and he would have to come straight in as first choice. So that would be a signing for it Romeu moved which I’d like to think isn’t on the cards

 

I thought it was a back 3 in the second half? I think Bedders, Stephens and Valery have all shown they are decent CBs. But better alongside a Salisu or Lyanco. Neither were available today so I don’t think we ought to judge them too harshly just on todays performance. The whole team were poor today. Stephens and Valery were excellent in the cup game.

 

I think Bednarek and Stephens are both Premier league quality defenders - both have proved it countless times. Like on Wednesday - Stephens was excellent.

 

That has to be the worst atmosphere I've experienced at an away match for years. Wish people would put as much energy into supporting the team as they do slagging Ings off.

 

They didn’t look like it today

 

Bednarek blows hot and cold I find. Definitely has it in him to string good performances together but is also capable of some terrible moments/performances as well.

Stephens is the same but not as consistent in his strong performances.

Lyanco is still an unknown to me but from what I’ve seen so far he would be 4th choice for me.

The thing we missed today the most was Salisu’s aggression when breaking up play/tackling. He runs out like a lunatic to make the challenge as soon as the attacking player receives the ball. Coutinho/Watkins/Ings today were getting the ball and being able to turn and run at the defence way too often. If Salisu was on the pitch he would’ve engaged the attacking player immediately like he always does.

In terms of getting another player like him, **** knows. His aggression and point of engagement are far higher up the pitch than basically any other centre back I can remember seeing. I think a proper defensive mid would’ve been more effective today than the centre backs, but I do agree it is an area we can improve on (that could be said for basically any where on the pitch though)

 

If there is a player out there that can play both defensive midfield and centre back then that would be a very good option. That way there can be competition in multiple parts of the squad and we don’t have to try and find someone who can instantly force Romeu out (rather grow into that) but not be on the bench behind him the whole time

It isn’t really in our budget of both fee and overall squad wages to sign someone who will take Romeu’s spot and force him onto the bench. Especially not when direct first team signings for goalkeeper and striker will be needed - as well as other squad roles

Whether such a player exists / how many are out there and if they are in our reach is not something I know

 

Knew it would be like that. Our fans are so frustrating sometimes. Obviously Ings is gonna score and make you all look like dicks.

 

Honestly mate it was pathetic. Even aside from the Ings stuff it was dead as **** and I can't recall a single quick version of OWTS involving the whole end.

Too many people not interested in supporting the team, or 'lads' who've been on the packet all day and have done all their energy and excitement at the pub.


On a not unrelated note, am I the only one who is completely bored to tears of the slow OWTS? It should only be sung a handful of times each match imo; beginning, end, and goals/big moments.

Instead we've got clowns trying to start it for the 5th time in the twelth minute. ****ing zzzzzzz and no wonder people switch off.

 

Apart from that and the result I had a good day.