Written by Damian Tuesday, 15 December 2009 10:10
Morning all. Have you seen the competition to win VIP tickets for the Liverpool match on December 29th? If you haven't, you should have a look and even if you are a season ticket holder who will be attending and doesn't want to change seats, you can still enter and maybe give them away to the wife/girlfriends parents to get in the good books, if you win. Just an idea and you can never have enough brownie points with the wife/girlfriends parents.
Anyway, moving on. We have a football match tonight, which is nice. I like midweek football as it sort of makes the week complete and I am confident of a win also. Not because Sunderland are poor or it is Steve Bruce and he's got no bottle for playing Aston Villa, but because we are on a good run and as long as O'Neill doesn't change the team about too much, then I believe that good run will continue.
I'm not going to harp on about the result the other day either, as referencing it in terms of this match is sort of pointless - we could have beat any team on Saturday and it would still be about continuity, but because of who we beat, they will have a little extra confidence.
It's going to be about keeping that confidence in check also because Sunderland are not going to attack as freely as United and it is going to be a completely different game. However, Steve Bruce will try to play football and that will, ultimately be his undoing, because I think Sunderland might do it quite well.
So, there will be updates on Twitter later, you can watch the match here if you want to watch it online, but I have a feeling there will be a few links added later and as soon as we have some team news, we will add it also.
We can say that it is possible that Warnock won't make it and that if he doesn't, Cueller will likely go to right back and Young over to left back while James Colling takes over at centre back. Now, it shouldn't be for me to comment, but with Cueller at centre back, I think we've looked absolutely excellent and I know Collins had a good few games and has looked composed, but is it right that Cueller should be moved when actually we do have a natural right back that could replace Young, if he has to go and replace Warnock?
It isn't about right or wrong, it's about what you think. If I were Cueller, I might be a bit annoyed but if I knew the situation, that I was going to be third choice centre back and second choice right back and I had accepted it, I'd be happy, as I was playing. But he has had some excellent games. What do you think?
Right, that wasn't meant to get heavy like that. It's a little early for that, so to go somewhere a little light hearted, you can get 7/5 on Aston Villa to win tonight and for me, that is a price I just can't say no to. That is almost double your money and when you consider Sunderland couldn't even beat Pompey at the weekend and have only one once in seven games - you've got to fancy we'll win. I'm having some of it.
Right, this is the post of the day. Go enter the competition, I'm going to get an early lunch.
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Damian
said:
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... Chiefy i've only just put the post up .. and its early still .. wait a minute or ten 3 points tonight. thats all you need to worry about |
Chiefy
said:
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... Damo, I am a little nervous to be honest about tonight, I know unlike me usually all i can see is the claret and blue winning but i know Villa and how hard they can make things, I hope the fact we are flying high and Sunderland are licking their wounds plays in to our hands with our counter attacking but it could be a hard game or it could be a walk over if i have to call it i will go 1 or 2-0 to villa |
Juan Pablo Angel
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... Chiefy, Man U manage to keep Vidic, Evans, Ferdinand, O Shea and Brown happy by playing O Shea and Brown in deifferent positions across the back four and given that you never know what will happen injury and suspension wise and the fact we will probably have a european campaign next year to think about we'll have enough games ot keep all of them happy. We have been striving for depth for so long it would be foolish to sell Cuellar to Madrid. |
frem
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... i hope for a win today. it seems a game we should win but we beet chelsea and liverpool and lost to wigan, west ham and blackburn. it will be gutting if we dont get three points after beating man u. it sounds stupid but i dont feel that confidante today. i think villa will go out thinking weve just beet united so we can easily beet sunderland and not bother trying. |
Hitzlsperger
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... I agree Cueller should keep the centre back role, since he and Dunne have played together we have looked solid. Not taking anything away from Collins who was also superb but I just don't think it's fair on Cueller. |
Pancho Villan
said:
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... Big match this. Definitely winnable. They're stuttering, we're flying. If we do a job on them tonight we will know the lads now have the mental toughness to take the charge for a top four place down to the wire. |
Juan Pablo Angel
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... It's only fair to continue with the team that beat Man U, I would play Beye given that Jones is out and there is going to be a limited physical threat from them, they'll either play bent alone or with Campbell. Collins should stay on the bench until someone puts in a bad performance or can't play. Anyone considered resting Dunne? |
RustyNail
said:
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... Cuellar should never be moved from centre back.With all our new signings in defense i think he has shone and been our best defender by far.Just take a look at the opta index and he is 4th best in the prem.that says it all. |
Chiefy
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... JPA -- I do see your point I really do honestly but i just dont think that we are going to be able to keep both happy, CUELLAR wants to go the world cup, he is 4th in the stats in defence and if COLLINS comes back in front of him dont you think that might P*"& off ?? Its all ifs and buts and i hope he doesn't go cause i think he is great but devils advocate i wouldn't be surprised |
Chiefy
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... JPA -- MAN UTD can keep them happy because they pay the wages because they win leagues, champions leagues and cups every year so that comparison is a MOO POINT |
Jaf
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... Well i would play Shorey tonight if Warnock is out, and keep carlos in the middle. He just hasn't got the legs/passing ability to play on the right.! |
Juan Pablo Angel
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... ----------Friedel----------- Beye--Cuellar---Dunne--Young Downing-Milner-Petrov--Young ----Agbonlahor--Heskey------ I'd play this team. It's the strongest we can put out and I think we should go with a natural full back for the sake of our attacking game as Sunderland don't pose much of a physical threat without Jones in the side. Collins went out of the side so it's only fair to have to wait for his next chance with the other two playing so well. The FA cup starts soon and there'll be more games for people to play in. We're gonna need everyone before the end of the season and Collins knew what he was getting into when he signed for us. The quality all our defenders are showing is almost certainly down to the competition for places we have at the back right now. |
flowershopboy
said:
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... we have to go out and win tonight and against stoke on saturday , otherwise beating united will have ment nothing! to be serious contenders for a champions league spot we have to be able to do what we did on saturday , but also come back down to earth do a job on the weaker teams |
DanWilson82
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... I hope Mon just has the balls to play the best players in their correct position. If Cuellar is playing better than Collins on the training pitch then keep him in there. It's good having this competition, it will keep players on their toes and means they have to work to wear the shirt. It's when players become to big for their boots and know they can walk into the starting 11 when their work rate will drop and they know they can get away with murder. It nice to see players like Beye and Reo-Coker really putting in a shift when they get a chance now and I expect to see the same from Collins/Cuellar/Dunne and Davies shortly, none of whom should count their place theirs unless they earn it. I smell good times ahead, we will win tonight, we've turned a corner. If we don't win, I think we should sack mon as he's doing a SH*T job and bring in Martin Jol. |
Juan Pablo Angel
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...If we don't win, I think we should sack mon as he's doing a SH*T job and bring in Martin Jol. I completely agree  If we can't beat Sunderland with half their team out someone needs F**king!   |
ak_27
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... I think being a villa fan means we have to go into this game tonight a little uneasy. This is when we normally slip up right after a great performance and when expectation and hopes are raised. I just hope im wrong but im not confident. But a win tonight would be huge. Just as big nearly as the 3 points on Sat in a way as this would really show we are becoming ruthless. I would like to thing we will bring the game to them. Get on the ball and use the confidence of beating Utd on Sat and show we really are contenders for that 4th spot. |
Chiefy
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...If we don't win, I think we should sack mon as he's doing a SH*T job and bring in Martin Jol Seriously WHAT ? not the smartest thing to say is it ?? lets get the negative trip out its been off the site since Sunday quick or it might be closed down pathetic |
CSM
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... Im going for a 1-3 victory tonight. Sunderland are not the same team without Cattermole and I think we will have to much for them. Its a really tough place to go and get 3 points but this is the sort of game that will show if we are taking this attack on a champions league spot seriously. Is anyone else really excited??? |
ak_27
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... JPA (can't believe im saying this) but i agree with your team selection for tonight. |
Juan Pablo Angel
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...Seriously WHAT ? not the smartest thing to say is it ?? lets get the negative trip out its been off the site since Sunday quick or it might be closed down pathetic Take a chill pill Chiefy, I think Dan was being sarcastic. You gonna put a bet on Heskey to score?  |
Chiefy
said:
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... I agree someone will need F*£^"£ing and quite hard but come on lets not get silly, the only bloke for 26years to do what no one else could and you can even consider mentioning sacking him not even funny |
Juan Pablo Angel
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...JPA (can't believe im saying this) but i agree with your team selection for tonight. |
Chiefy
said:
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... JPA -- you have mentioned it now let me go see the odds EMULE EMULE EMULE is on fire |
Chiefy
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... The MULE is 2-1 to score at any time during the game and 50-1 to score a hat trick, it might be worth a 10 on him to score and just a hopeful £5 on him to get a hat trick  seriously |
invinciblevilla
said:
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... What is all this "it is not fair to Cuellar" rubbish, we are talking professional football, not a nursery school charade. The manager picks what he considers is the best team, his perogative, his job. As to the comment that he will be p*ssed off; it appears from what I read that any team managed by O'Neil has great team spirit. Pity some of you who write on here and post dont become as professional as the manager. Look where we are and where we would have been if it had been left to all the puerile suggestions, both management, selection and transfer purchasers that many of you have put forward. FIFA Manager 2009 has a lot to answer for, real life is far more difficult! |
Chiefy
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... villa are 17/2 to come from behind and win 7/5 to win why cant they just keep 2/1 and 5/1 why do they have to make it even harder to work out by using stupid equations ? |
Damian
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... invinciblevilla yes we are talking professional football and as a professional, cueller might want to be putting himself in a position where he travels to south africa with his country next year. the fact that he isn't making a position his own, after some fantastic performances and after he came to play in that position, might be considered unfair by some from what i've read, there were weapons of mass destruction in iraq - doesn't mean it is true and as the original post, it isn't about right or wrong, it's about individual views. you clearly have yours as you believe everything you read |
Juan Pablo Angel
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... Being able to play in two positions should surely enhance Cuellar's credentials for a world cup place? Ramos plays two positions. I think it's good. I do however believe he shopuld be retained at CB tonight. Collins will just have to work harder in training to get back in. |
jk92923
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... 17/2 to come from behind is a brilliant bet! mate got 350/1 for Dunne to score first and beat Utd 2-1. even if it didn't happen, its not a ridiculous situation weither. there are good bets out there by combining 2. if you put bent to score first and villa to win 1-2, you coudl get greaty odds....and its something i can see! |
mikey18
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... Tottenham and City play together tonight, this is our change to get some real distance on them. Its got drawn written all over it, which could mean we could get 4 pts ahead of tottenham, 5 pts ahead of city and 5 pts ahead of liverpool if they win 8 if they don't! That is how important today's game is, a little breathing space over xmas is vital. In terms of selection, Young has to go to left back. Shorey is on loan and Bouma is not fit. So who is our second best right back? Cuellar. He is better than beye Stronger in the tackle and better in the air. Sunderland don't have many pacy players either. Collins slots in a CB, it makes sense. Its the best lineup for the team not individual players. Also Collins uses the ball better than any other of our centre backs and playing away from home that is vital. |
CSM
said:
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... I think we all know if Warnock isn't fit that Young will play left back and Cueller will move to Right back with Collins joining Dunne in the centre. There is no point speculating about Beye as it just wont happen. Although Cueller has had a good run in the last few games don't forget how good collins was before his injury. I agree Cueller deserves to be in the team but I don't think we are weaking the team by bringing Collins back in. He was immense when he was fit. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
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... When Warnock got injured initially on Sat Beye warmed up. Warnock stayed on, but when he did go off towards the end Collins came on. This is obviously because MoN wanted an attacking threat on the field at FB initially, but then wanted to close the game out later. I think Beyte should start and we should go at them from the off. We can always make a more defensive sub later if we're protecting a lead. Cuellar, Petrov and Dunne will provide enough protection and allow BEye to link up with Youn or Downing further up the pitch. |
Damian
said:
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... CSM i dont think we are weakening the team either .. but everyone and his dog knows that cueller has been fantastic at centre back and he came from scotland after winning player of the year and while that maybe isn't so difficult north of the border we've actually started to see some really good performances from him and then he gets moved .. as for beye - i dont think what we have seen of him is that bad and if he is anything like most players then he is going to need a little run dont get me wrong, i like collins, think he is very good but is he that good to just replace cueller? sure, if dunne or cueller got injured .. but to just automatically replace ... i'm not so sure still, its a nice position to be in |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
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... Damian, i agree with not changing our back four around. If Warnock is out, then we should not be making three changes to accomodate one. Luke to left-back, and Beye comes in. Thats all that should be done. |
ak_27
said:
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... When Warnock got injured initially on Sat Beye warmed up I think Beye's performances have improved a lot and i hope he given these oppertunities when they arise. The Newcastle fans really rate him as a player. |
symbas
said:
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... Cueller is for me the better centre half, but Colins has better distribution. So considering this, surely Colins would be better at RB as distribution, crossing etc is more important at this postion. But hey, MON knows better than us. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
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... Beye is a really good player, he played in that awesome Marseille side that won stuff in France and got to the UEFA cup final, he played with Drogba. He was also a senegalese international for years. He had a shaky start but he has talent is what i'm trying to get at and I think he would be a good shout tonight against a team we'll need to get at on the break away from home. If it was Stoke i'd say play Cuellar there for the physical presence, but it'll be a different game tonight. |
StickyAV
said:
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... I think we all know what the team will be. i have to believe in win tonight, hoping that the team will be believing too. As a completely unrlated side note, I find it funny that earler in the season all the pundits were saying, when asked whocould break top 4, that it was city or spurs. Villa they said, don't quite have the quality. Now that has all changed and they tout us. I'm pretty sure Mr A Hansen was saying we couldn't do it early season, and yet on motd on sat he said we def can! Almost as fickle and results based as some on here... |
invinciblevilla
said:
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... Damian, yes we all have our views and to be fair some of yours over the last few months have been pretty extreme, especially about O'Neil's purchases. I remember the stick Cuellar received about his "play" by many on here, it seems many supporters expect new signings to fit in immediately, it doesn't happen like that, well I suppose it does with a nintendo machine. No I dont accept everything I read as gospel, but I do accept what I heard last night on Sky, from Messrs Izzit, Elliot and the ex captain of Leicester,his name escapes me. In their interview they were fulsome of their praise in the way O'Neil engenders a spirit amongst players and they put their success, accepting their limitations, down to him completely. He is a professional, he has bought wisely, but starting from a low base, where many "good" players would not even entertain coming here, he has performed miracles. He picks a TEAM, which in his opinion will be the best for the match in hand, you may have noticed we are 4th in the league where most on here saw us going backwards this season, with Toffees, Spurs, mancity etc outspending us and being better!! As regards your comment about WMD, this is another puerile comment, that has nothing to do with the "blog" are you just trying to show you read some headlines occasionally? perhaps you could run a piece on how after the Copenhagen summit we can expect to be overwhelmed at Villa Park with polar bears as they drift on breakaway icebergs down the River Tame and get off to sample the wares of the Villa Filla in Witton Lane. Yes I have my views, the biggest is that all the players and staff at Villa Park are professionals and I expect them to act like that. No doubt you think that O'Neil is being unfair on Milner playing him where he does, this will ruin his trip to South Africa, according to your synopsis re Cuellar, doesn't matter that we dont win matches as long as these two get on the plane, get real, we are talking professional sport here not amateur aspirations! |
jk92923
said:
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... AK ; i left my villa shirt at home this morning!! i live in Dundalk so travel up adn down! which would mean i cant get the cheap drink, haha! in two minds at the monment but where else can you see a wave of claret and blue in Dublin?? beats watching patchy internet streams, thats for sure! you heading up? |
StickyAV
said:
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... On he Cuellar and Collins debate, I vote Collins. Cuellar has been awesme, but there was a few times he lost rooney at the weekend, and I don' ever really remember seeing colins loos someone or get turned like that. I think Collins wins moe in the air, and has better distribution. He is also taller, and heavier and is no slow coach either. I thought early season, though Dunne was looking after the defence and IS the reason we are so strong at the back, on actually moments of defensive heroics, collins was number 1. |
Chater1703
said:
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... Sticky AV, yes but Hansen also said that Liverpool would win the league(Pause for Laugh)Wigan would be a quality team(after beating us) and that you never win anything with kids. I never take the man seriously, half the time he's talking out his arse he other half he's slagging us off |
ak_27
said:
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... jk92923 Yeah going to head up for the game. I won't be wearing any jersey either. But we can get someone who is to buy the cheap booze for us? |
DanWilson82
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... Sticky AV - Spot on, I noticed after the Spurs Game Shearer wrote us off and said Spurs would bag 4th if anyone. Then on Saturday he was right behind us, saying we had a great squad and were in with a great chance. They make me laugh, don't see anyone like that on here! |
Badger
said:
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... I quite like the look of Beye, but I'm not sure about his positional sense in our system. Remember that game where Milner had to keep telling where to be? Cuellar has been fantastic for us and I rate him very highly (couldn't quite see the criticism of him last season) and I would move him to RB. Indeed, that's what I think will happen. But I wouldn't be unduly concerned if Beye does come in either. Either way Collins polishes the bench, until someone does something to justify a change. As for the actual game, well it's just the sort we have to win to back up our claims for top 4. I know some will say it's absolutely not a "must win", but imo it simply is  It will be a tough test and hopefully we'll have enough about us, but we will definitely have to work for it. I'm going for either 1-0 or 2-1 to us, but a draw wouldn't surprise me. I don't want to keep referring to them, but the shit could go 6th if they win tonight Just shows how open the league is this year. |
CSM
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... I agree Cueller shoudn't get dropped for Collins but I think Cueller will do a better job defensively than beye would and he has played right back before. Sticking Collins Right back would not be wise as he has never played right back so would be unfair to expect him to play well away from home on a cold tuesday night in an unfamiliar position. Sunderland like to use the flanks and I think having cueller snuffing out stuff on the wings will be important. I will bet my house MON goes with Cueller, Collins, Dunne and Young. The real problem will be when Warnock is fit and we have 3 centre backs playing well for 2 positions!! Who gets the boot? |
StickyAV
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... Chiefy, That is a seriously outside bet. How many hat tricks has heskey ever scored??? I don't remember any. |
Chater1703
said:
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... THE CHOICE IS DOING MY HEAD IN  WHY COULDN'T WE HAVE A SMALLER SQUAD (joking, please nooone take this seriously) |
Damian
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... invinciblevilla extreme opinions about purchases? i'll hold my hands up and say my views on milner were maybe extreme; £12mn was and in my opinion still a lot for him - but show me links to my extreme views about any of the other signings - you say it, but it must have happened if that is what you remember as for accepting everything you read as gospel - in your first comment you referred to ehat you had read about any 'team managed by O'Neil has great team spirit' - not what you heard. however - do you expect ex players to criticise o'neill? as for sitting 4thg in the lreague and going bacwards - the season isn't over. wait until the end - you dont know where we are going to finish and while we could win the league we could also finish 7th as for my puerile comments about WMD - it was merely to point out that all you read isn't always true - as again, you pointed out in your first comment about something you read, not heard. but hte same position applied - as for 'great team spirit' what about reo-coker? finally, my virws on milner and his ruined chances of a trip to south africa or maybe i should call this part your one dimensional view on all things. first; milner started playing central midfield a long time after i actually gave up saying that would likely be his best position and as as for him going to south africa, which i expect him too, it will be purely as a backup player who can play many positions as for cueller - he is a centre back and getting played at right back isn't going to help his chances for playing in south africa at centre back for his country. things are not always black and white. you have to look at the bigger picture. today is a positive day and as the original post said, its not about right or wrong, but opinion. however instead of having something positive to say you come on here with all this 'puerile comments' rubbish - is it really necessary? |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
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...The real problem will be when Warnock is fit and we have 3 centre backs playing well for 2 positions!! Who gets the boot? Whoever needs a rest imo. It's getting to the point in the season where we have a glut of fixtures, the conditions are tough and we are picking up the odd injury and suspension now. The team will begin changing fairly regularly now with the Carling and FA cups really kicking into gear after new year. I'm so glad we're not in europe still and i'm also glad we haven't been playing competitive games since July. I don't like the term 'giving them the boot' as O'Neill said earlier in the season, when other managers do it, it's called rotating and when he does it, it's called axeing them. Whoever plays will deserve to and the rest will have to play their way in. It's the way it is at Villa, the right way, the Clough way |
vivavilla
said:
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... Are we not forgetting that before Collins got injured he was playing excellent football? Equally as good as Cuellar is now if you ask me. This doesn't come down to preferred positions, this comes down to who is the better footballer. James Collins is a miles better defender than Habib Beye, so he should be brought in and Cuellar should be moved. |
Juan Pablo Angel
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... Viva, you make a good point, I argue that Beye will not be playing CB, he will be overlapping with the winger and causing problems in the final third as well as defending. This is a game where it will pay to have ball playing fullback with pace and a cross on him. I just read an interview with O'Neill where he said that Collins has still not been doing much running and might not be worth risking tonight. I bet he rests Collins and plays him and Cuellar for physical reasons against the huge african contingent at Stoke. |
vivavilla
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... If Collins isn't fit then that's fair enough, of course he should be rested. But I firmly believe in having your best 11 on the field. I don't necessarily agree that Sunderland is a game in particular where we need a proper fullback playing, I think you could say the same against pretty much and team in the league. 90% of our crosses come from our midfielders so I don't think Beye really offers anything extra there. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the difference an attacking fullback brings, I'd just rather have a solid defender away from home. Beye has blown very hot and cold so far. He was fairly average in his first run in the team, before an absolute shocker at West Ham and then an impressive show against Spurs. I'm a little worried about which Beye we might see. |
Damian
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... vivavilla yes - collins was great and everyone was very impressed but the question isn't really about that. what happens say, if gabby picks up a thigh strain tonight and cant make stoke so the fonz plays (just an example) for him in the next game and scores a hattrick but then gabby is fit again - do you drop the fonz because gabby is back or do you give him another little run? i guess the question is - does o'neill have his preferred 11 and as long as they are fit they will play or is he going to use the squad this year and maybe, if someone does come in for someone and does absolutely nothing wrong, should that not be enough to keep your place? like i said - its not about right or wrong or questioning. it's about, opinion |
vivavilla
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... The question is exactly about that isn't it? I was referring to Collins coming back into the squad and your example about Gabby/Fonz is an identical situation. MON has his squad and he will use it. My only point is that given a choice of Collins or Beye, Collins is the clear winner in my opinion. |
WMD
said:
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... Saddam could be responsible for up to 1,000,000 deaths in Iraq. Please help me on the definition of WMD's |
ronrabbit
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... It is important we dont lose tonight, we all want a win, and sort of expect a win, and a draw wont be a good result, but we need to go on a long unbeaten run, a loss will drain the confidence from the side, we have a new system which we have won every game playing, we need to keep this good run going, i expect a win, anything less than a win will not be good enough, but a draw wont be a disaster, |
ronrabbit
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... I think we should go with two full backs, cuellar is a great centre back, but he doesnt give us the options going forward. look at liverpool agaist arsenal, even though they had aurellio and johnson playing, they rarely overlapped and as such ment their wingers struggled. it gives an out let, wingers alawys get doubled up, with an overlap the balance is redressed, and the cross comes in, for this reason, for me has to be collins on the bench, beye in a right back, or shock horror, why cant willy bouma slot in for warnock, he is fit again know right? |
CSM
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... I'm with Viva on this one, I would prefer to see Collins at the back with Dunne and Cueller on the right ahead of Beye. I think we have enough going forward with Milner, gabby, young, young, downing and Heskey/Carew that playing Cueller won't mean we lack an attacking threat! |
Damian
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... vivavilla for me, as cueller is a centre back and he's come in when the opportunity presented it and done nothing wrong, i actually dont think he should be dropped much like if fonz came in and scored the goals, i think he should be given another chance. slightly different examples though as the fonz is a lot younger and they are not yet competing for the same position there will be differing views on this and i dont think there is a right or wrong but if it was a case of collins was clearly head and shoulders the better player i could also see it, but i'm not convinced of that either. i'm also not convinced o'neill will use the squad - i'm fairly convinced he'll stick to his preferred 11 and come febraury we'll be hearing about tired players but that is for february or the dreaded march, not now |
Damian
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... WMD very funny. it was a reference to someone above, maybe someone you know in fact, who commented that they had read that teams managed by o'neill have great team spirit and what many read in the september dossier released by the british government which went so far as to allege that irag had WMD and were even starting their nuclear weapons programme again it turned out not to be true and that came from the very top. just because something is written doesn't make it true was the point |
ak_27
said:
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...But I firmly believe in having your best 11 on the field Its about having your best 11 on the field playing in their best positions. Seriously don't under estimate how much a team gets effected by not having 2 out and out full backs playing on their correct sides. MON has taken this for vantage since he took over in a number of ways and it is one of my main reasons i don't rate him as highly as most do. Now he has seemed to finally picking our best team in their correct positions and if he reverts back to replacing a RB with a CB ,more down to trying to keep players happy then anything thats a bad sign. What will be next then? Heskey back into midfield or Sidwell/NRC playing on the wing? A full back in today's has 2 equally important roles. Defending and also attacking and Cullar just will not/ cannot do this this. Its not his fault. He is a hard hard CB who likes to get stuck in. He just does not have what it takes to be a full back. |
Christian1983
said:
 |
... I hate this fixture. It's tricky at the Stadium of Light. They're gonna be kicking lumps out of us (like a lot of the turd in the league) but they also have that little bit of creativity about them, unlike some of the others. Like most away games, I'd take a draw. I hope Collins and Dunne have Bent and Jones' number. Then it's down to Petrov stifling Malbranque. The boys shouldn't be short of confidence, but fatigue does worry me. It's quite a trip up there AND Saturday evening's antics took every bit of puff our lads could muster. I'm going to say 1-1 with us falling behind early in the 2nd half. And Downing levelling. |
invinciblevilla
said:
|
... Damian, I think you need to read some of the comments above to understand my peurile comment. We have people saying Sunderland are not that good, Jones out, is he?, its not fair etc etc. These are IMO puerile because they do not reflect professional sport. Sunderland have a very good record at home and we will need to be at our best to win. MON always shows respect for other team and will play what he considers is his best team, as I said his perogative, his job on the line!! Cuellar must be delighted that MON thought so much of him to bring him out of SPL to EPL and give him an outside chance of representing his country. Do you really think he has the same feelings as you seem to think, playing in two positions may actually improve his SA chances, the same as it does for Milner. Talking of Milner, yes you were over the top, but I accept that goes with the territory, but doesn't it also show that perhaps MON does recognise talent that you dont, Cuellar, Milner, Young and no doubt a few more. Hindsight is a wonderful gift but it doesn't count when you have to slap the money on the table without it. As regards your comment re the ex-players, you obviously did not see the Sky broadcast last night or you would not have made another ill informed comment. It was an excellent light hearted discussion, sat around ensemble, of past players. They were not just complimenting MON, they criticised him as well, even to the point that Elliot told how he was assaulted by O'Neil, who came back later and apologised. No this was a warts and all broadcast about Leicester City in their heyday, which they attributed to MON completely, you can see now, why. So you were the one, who with all the evidence provided, did not believe there were WMD in Iraq, hignsight again methinks! I have never written on this blog before and I do actually enjoy what you write in the main, but on occasions you seem to believe in your own legend status and dont accept that perhaps you are sometimes wrong about our manager and the rest of the professional football hierarchy's high opinion might have some basis |
Stan Balaban
said:
 |
... By many accounts Kenwyn Jones will shake off his shoulder injury and will be playing tonight. With that in mind I think MON will go with Cueller at RB with Collins and Dunne in the centre to give a more physical presence. This will also allow us to play a flat back 3 when attacking allowing Luke to join up with the midfield with Stan holding back and starting the attack with Ashley, Stewie, Luke and Millner all interchanging going forwards. |
Damian
said:
|
... invinciblevilla martin o'neill has worked in professional football 30 odd years so i'd hope he does recognise talent that i dont but much like it seemed a revelation to him that we had used so few players last season or that maybe milner would be a decent player in the middle - some here were shouting both those points form the roof tops several months before it seemed to dawn on o'neill, well, dawn on him publicly i should say - i'm not saying he doesn't know or isn't aware or that he isn't the best manager in the league but we can only go on what we actually see. what is that phrase coined by the new board - actions speak louder than words as for my views and if i am right or wrong - i'm the first to hold my hands up when i am wrong and i'd actually love it if o'neill got us top four this season and then two seasons down the line had us challenging for the league. my opinion is i dont think he can, but, i would absolutely love to be wrong and if i am - i've not really lost anything have i, because my club will be winning the league and all it would mean was i was wrong about one persons ability to bring success to the club. hell, i'd even pay to be wrong |
CSM
said:
|
... Why does this blog always turn into people arguing about Damian's views. Its his blog, he created it! He can say and put on here what he thinks whether he is right or wrong. Why should he apologise for something he has said or for sounding negative. It's his views and like all humans probably doesn't feel positive about all things Villa everyday. I personally come to this blog as I like reading about the team line ups and villa news and mostly appreciate Damian's views. It doesn't mean I always agree with what he writes but whats the point of trying to prove that he is wrong and you are right. I have never heard Damian write something contradicting to what he has written before. If you don't like what he writes go somewhere else, or create your own blog and see if you can get everyone to agree with you! I am not writing this comment because I am friends with Damian, as I don't know him at all. I just apreciate that he gives all of us a chance to discuss things AVFC. Who gives a rat ass about WMD's, we all know Saddam was bluenose! |
seano_star
said:
 |
... i don't like to be the merchant of doom and gloom but i am really worried about tonight. yes we are playing well but tonight is all about proving our consistency if we are to break into the top four. it's the type of game you feel gutted after; i mean, think were we would be had we beaten blackburn, wigan, wolves, one of either spurs or city at home...all games when we were favourites to win. i am optimistic, don't get me wrong... but i have a funny feeling i will come back on this blog about 10 oclock, dissapointed. wondering where it went wrong. proove me wrong villa. |
invinciblevilla
said:
|
... Damian, we must agree to differ then, I will take my snapshot as it is at the moment against the facts as shown by results, you can take yours as at May 2010 which is based on???? ManCity, Spurs, Everton et al have all played matches up to now, some of them have spent an absolute fortune, people said, like you we would not have a prayer competing, well up to now we are, why must we wait to make a point. If they are so much better than us according to posters on here why are they not in front of us now, level playing field surely after 16 matches is it not. Oh and by the way I dont know WMD as you infer, surely you can see email addresses in your ivory tower. Is this just the "politicians" slur/spin to win your point, pretty pathetic if it is! |
Damian
said:
|
... invinciblevilla the thing is we could have taken a snapshot last season when we were third or the season before when in january we were within touching distance, literally of top four - the point is, i'm not taking snapshots anymore based on a couple of good results - i'm going to take my snapshots based on the football we play i will say this - if we could play like we did in the first half against united for the rest of the season then i'll be more than happy but we've seen these glimpses before on a few occasions - i'm just not getting carried away any more by it and i'll wait until the end of the season - which will not be a snapshot but the absolute truth as to have we developed or not as for us having a prayer - i believe with the currnet squad of players we have, that we do have a prayer and at the start of the season - with all the hype and optimism, i thought we could steal fourth - but that was at the start of the season with the hype and optimism. some of the football i've seen hasn't been the best, but if it keeps getting better, then my views will change |
ak_27
said:
|
...if we could play like we did in the first half against united for the rest of the season then i'll be more than happy but we've seen these glimpses before on a few occasions - i'm just not getting carried away any more by it and i'll wait until the end of the season - which will not be a snapshot but the absolute truth as to have we developed or not Spot on Damien. |
StickyAV
said:
|
... CSM, I have not been inolved int conersation til now, but just want to give my 2p. Damian has done very well in creating, from what I have seen, the best Villa blog on the internet for several years now. I have ued it for a while, although never got around to joining! With the role as founder of a supporters webite, and moderator, there is some responsiblity. You can largely affect peoples moods and views with your own. So whist you should not sit on the fence in that position, at times when villa are not doing well, a blogger has the chance to raise the mood of the readers of the site. I personally get annoyed sometimes with the undertone of negativity, because I believe it is contageous, as is positivity. So maybe Damo should try a bit of the latter. Just look at Docs recent posts. Why though Doc no posts when we havenot been doing so well!!! Bring them back... So yes it's damo's blog and we are all thankful for it, but with that comes some responsibility, and I reserve te right to give my opinion on his posts. Just like you probably will on mine. It's an open forum. No one is above the law. This is democracy |
Damian
said:
|
... and i will just add, that anyone can send in their views/opinions on aston villa and chances are quite high they will get published i will say this - when it is pants - it isn't easy to come up with positivity but it is easy to point out why things are not going great .. and that is very much where opinion stems from, someone having a view that maybe, if things changed, things woudl get better |
Stan Balaban
said:
|
... Damien / Guys going OT for a moment, it looks like Benni McCarthy is leaving Blackburn in January. If Gabby were to bet injured or burn out, does anyone else think he could do a job for us? Whilst the Fonz is the future, it could be unfair for him to have to fully step-up if Gabby was out for a while and I don't see Heskey and Carew playing together. What do we think? |
CSM
said:
|
... Point taken Sticky, just get fed up with the arguing! It seems a bit pointless to me. I know it is a democracy and the whole idea of a blog is to voice your opinion but often feel Damian is made a scape goat. To be honest the old o*****e sight when Damina left tried the whole being positive every post idea and it just wasn't real! I agree I love Doc's posts but maybe he didn't post anything when the site was a bit negative as he didn't have anyting positive to say!! |
ak_27
said:
|
... Stan Balaban i think he could a job. I said this last night as well. The thing is he probably wants to leave to get first team football as he is struggling to get into the SA world cup squad and would he come here to also just be a bit part player? If he would i think he would do a great job as he is probably more complete then any of our strikers if he was motivated which the WC should really do for him. |
ak_27
said:
|
...Why though Doc no posts when we havenot been doing so well!!! Bring them back... Doc had been making quite a few negative posts up until lately. |
BrooksterMax
said:
 |
... I think this will be a tricky game, it is certainly not an automatic win for villa. They will need to be "mentally" right for this, not thinking that just because they beat Man U at the weekend they will walk this. Hopefully MON has this side of preparation sorted tonight. UTV |
invinciblevilla
said:
|
... Damian, my rant is over, I agree with most of your posters this is an acceptable blogging forum, As I said I have never posted before but I have had a watching brief. The word "fair" I am afraid stuck in my craw and encouraged me to put the electronic pen to paper. I dont want fair in my football team, I want the best. If the manager decides that even though a player has been injured he is better than the player who stepped in to cover, notwithstandinghe has had a brilliant run, then the player coming back in plays. If the man in possession is equally as good as the injured returning player, but he is better at playing another position where he is needed, then again move him for the GOOD OF THE TEAM. The team is all important, I believe the manager we have has always followed this principle wherever he has been, like his mentor. The team is playing better purely IMO because O'Neil has gradually been able to bring in the better players, such players were not available to him in earlier years. However Big Time Charlies he will not bring in, TEAM spirit is what he craves. Remember under Saunders not one of our leaugue winners were current internationals!! Keep up the good work, I hope you are wrong about your expectations, but at least we can be confident you will put your hand up, cant ask for more than that. |
carlpalmeravfc
said:
 |
... i saw your 7/5 for villa, and i add man utd to win.... make it a double for 2/1 and i reckon im quids in!!! Utd cant loose 2 in a row! CAN THEY??? |
glynnder
said:
 |
... Cuellar and Dunne have worked very well together, it could be that MON simply rates Collins contribution in center + cuellars in right above cuellars in centre + [beyes?]'s in right. As in, the amount of skill we lose movig cuellar to the right from the centre [which may not even be that much] is made up for by the amount we gain by playing Collins instead of Beye [if it is beye who's the atural replacement, my mind's blanked]. I'm not good at explaining but basically, Cuellar might still be choice CB with Dunne, but it's better to play the three CBs than two of them and Beye, anyone get that?? |
Damian
said:
|
... invinciblevilla i also hope i am wrong and i also want the best for my team. absolutely honest to god, i want the best and i crave that, dream about it and to some extent and this is wrong, but i also demand it in fact, i know that is wrong, but what is wrong with it? |
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