Oh dear. After playing solidily without any real enterprise we go down to a goal 2 minutes into extra time - shot from outside the penalty box which Schwartzer should have done better with, bundled over the line. The two CBs solid and Diarra, when he came on for Murphy at half time, looking stong and composed. But we just couldn't string passes together and lost the ball too often, too easily in midfield. Pretty poor game, which neither team deserved to win. But we diidn't.
Thanks for the view C58. Radio 5 suggested MS could have done better to keep the point for us. And the stats suggest we ought to have been more assertive. However, we know that it's Lawro's fault for predicting an away win; and he won't be held accountable given the match will be last on MOTD so nothing from the pundits. 3 points next week please. C O Y W
How many times have we conceded in the last 5 mins- I'd be interested to know where we would be in the league if every game had ended on 85 mins!
Went to the game this afternoon, the most frustrating thing was as much as we hate this word, the lack of ambition we showed. Our best spell of the game was early in the 2nd half where diarra was dictating and AJ and dembele were actually running at the defence. Villa were mediocre at best as I'm sure there fans would admit and had this been at the cottage we probably would have won 2 or 3 nil. Main problem was the pog was too isolated, with dembele (who wasn't at his usual best) playing very deep. Although the pog plays on the shoulder better than zamora, he doesn't hold the ball up quite as well. We just lacked a drive going forward which I knew we were capable of but just seemed too timid. I'd rather have a real good go and get smashed 4-0 than play for drab 0-0's like this and end up losing at the end. I think back to stoke away, twente away, playing for 0-0's then getting finished off at the end. I felt much better after say the 3-1 defeats at home to spurs and everton when we gave it a real go but just got unforutnately beaten on the counter at the end. Despite this setback I still feel the wheels are in motion for a strong end to the season. Dembele and dempsey will get back on it and I'd like to see diarra from the start as he looks superb. COYW!!!!
Hi Robes - I think Dembele did more agressive running in the second half, but was continuously pulled back or tripped - small niggling fouls that often don't get cards but spoil and disrupt.
Yeah I'm inclined to agree tosh regarding niggling fouls, although his first touch wasn't the best its ever been. He has been an absolute talisman since christmas and we are beginning to expect so much of him. I'm not too concerned as he's only human and can't be brilliant every week.
