Written by Damian Thursday, 28 January 2010 09:13
It would be easy to focus on the comments made by Arsene Wenger and the reaction from Martin O'Neill but I would simply be digging myself a hole as I agree with Mr Wenger; we do play long ball football. Okay, you can call it counter attacking football if you want, but it is long ball football nevertheless.
Arsene Wenger is also not the first manager to comment on this about our team. Zico talked about it last season as did Tony Mowbray when he was at West Brom. Football pundits have also called us one dimensional and well, turning to a faithful friend, the statistics don't lie either.
Arsenal made 350 passes last night and we made 288. We were unsuccessful with 74 while Arsenal we unsuccessful with 77. Now, don't get me wrong, these numbers are better than it has been this season, but our game does very much focus on everyone working hard, closing down other teams, then on the counter attack, hitting the ball long. You don't need to have worked in football for 15 years to see this.
It is what we have got and what we accept and it is what O'Neill did at Leicester and to some extent Celtic too - it is his style and we can call it something else if we want, but it is what it is.
What the Papers Say
Stuart James, The Guardian
Arsenal had been unable to settle into their rhythm and dominate midfield with their intricate passing game as Villa worked assiduously to close them down while at the same time peppering the visitors' penalty area with crosses. For that Martin O'Neill's side deserve credit rather than criticism.
James Nursey, Mirror Football
Last night Arsenal played their customary slick football but could find no way past Villa keeper Brad Friedel - nor the woodwork. And they had a major let-off when Villa’s England winger Stewart Downing twice failed to hit the target from close-range.
The Manager
Martin O'Neill
I thought we played splendidly in the game. Their goalkeeper made a great save from Gabby early on and I thought that set the tone. I thought Ashley put in some incredible balls that just needed a glance from someone to get in on the end of them.
Man of the Match
Webcam has listened and for that he should be recognised and I think he has been by getting the man of the match vote. The falling over after getting touched up has stopped. The always having an injury has staying down stopped and dare I say it I think he has been working on his crossing as they did look a little better last night, although there is room for improvement, as there is with everything.
He got just under 50% of the vote and well, hats off.
If he keeps this going and we can get a better player to play in between the midfielder and the main striker - he'll create a lot more goals too and he will get better for it. Behaviour breed behaviour and he just keeps need to doing this and he'll be in Brazil in 2014 with a big smile on his face and there is an outside chance he'll be off to South Africa this year too.
The Players and Some Stats
Brad Friedel, Luke Young, Ricardo Dunne, King Carlos Cuellar, James Collins, Stewart Downing, Webcam Young, James Milner, Stan Petrov, Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey (Fabian Delph on 78).
The main stats are above, but I do think it important to point out that Martin O'Neill does appear to be trying to make things better as we have seen a few games this season where the passing number has increased but the focus really does seem to be on hit it long and hope we can create something and there is nothing wrong with that, it is one way to do it and it has been successful for teams in the past.
Final Analysis
A point against Arsenal is acceptable. Where we find ourselves in the table is a little worrying. After 22 games last season we had 44 points and were fourth (we moved up to third after 23 games), today we have 37 points and we are seventh.
Now, I should be looking at the results against the same teams last season, but that takes too much work so I'll leave that for someone else. But, a point against Arsenal, as I've said, is acceptable.
We have an important game at the weekend and it won't be easy. We have to focus again, look at the positives from last night and keep working on them as they will come good, we know they will. We also have to factor in the FA Cup and the League Cup final - it really should be a case of prioritising now as silverware will make this season a success - finishing sixth without silverware won't be and sixth is looking tough right now.
I'm hoping for a signing or two and I'm also hoping that we don't lose any more players.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Comments (267)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
1874AVFC
said:
 |
... Damian, Still plus 2 after the respective games last season - good result against a good team, who, in my opinion were fairly poor last night - hoe the hell Arshavin was still on the pitch at the end is beyond me - cynical kick at Petrovs heel then within a few minutes he rugby tackles Petrov, not even a yellow, absolute disgrace. Passes? Who gives a monekys (apart from you blatantly as you bring it up EVERY damn game!), the result is important and to get a point from Arsenal is good enough for now. |
jimmyavfc
said:
 |
... wenger only talks bad about teams when he is under pressure, villa controlled the majority last night. young had clichy spinning time after time. he is getting the hang of right winger. happy with last night, we are a match for anybody now. MOM- cant decide between young or petrov, i say both |
DanWilson82
said:
 |
... I wouldn't call our play last night long ball whatsoever. In the past yes but last night we seemed to be playing it around on the floor, and those stats of 'Arsenal made 350 passes last night and we made 288' really sum that up as Arsenal are the best in the league at passing it around and playing keep ball. I like the way were going, there is definate improvement, and it looks like Ashley Young might finally be coming out of his shell and upping his game back to where we know it can be, just in time for the cup final and some difficult coming matches. 1 point against the Arsenal this season pleased me, they are playing some great stuff and this results says to me we are getting somewhere. |
1874AVFC
said:
|
... Oh, and another thing, Ashley was immense last night and had Big JC been fit, I think we may have snuck a goal or two..... |
abz1888
said:
 |
... Surprise surprise.. Wenger is moaning again! Why can't he just admit that his team wasn't good enough to break Villa down. Arsenal couldn't get into their stride because we closed them down and made it difficult. Hasn't Wenger seen our defensive stats...? OK, we play the long ball game a bit more than I'd like but if we had players the likes of Fabregas and Arshavvin then I'm sure it'd be different. That's exactly what we're missing. A few players who can play some 'classy' football. And we are crying out for a finisher because the goals just aren't there anymore!! |
CSM
said:
 |
... It was good point and proves that we can compete with the best in this league. Ok Arsenal hit the woodwork twice but felt we were much the better team in the first half. We just need someone to put the ball in the back of the net! |
deansaunderspermthatsperm
said:
 |
... sorry to be negative, but i have a horrible feeling this season is going to fall apart, i don't see how MON can be pleased with our performances when we can't score, we are having lots of chances but we don't have the skill to put them away, oh for the want of Deano and Dalian to come out of retirement. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
 |
... I thought we played very well. Unlucky not to score and a clean sheet against the top scorers in the league. Long ball or not MoN got it spot on. There are chances in this team and Gabby is capable, we just need to stick with it and the goals will come. We've seen sticky patches before, and not scoring in four games when you consider we've played Liverpool and Arsenal twice it isn't so bad. West Ham is the one that angered me, but we did everything BUT score and sometimes it's like that. No players are coming in and I believe this is because we are looking at a busy summer, a lot of outs and a couple of big ins. Fulham and Spurs away are two very important games for us. We are dangerous away from home and score more I believe. Spurs are a six pointer and a win against Fulham would certainly be a good result. It's getting to the business end now and we just need to stay in touch. We've got a very winnable run of games coming in a month. |
Damian
said:
 |
... deansaunderspermthatsperm if we get some form of silverware - it will be a success and i fancy we can beat united as they wont care about the league cup final as much as they cared about not letting man city win last night and i also think we will do well in the fa cup |
Mirth Gooner
said:
 |
... From an Arsenal perspective I think Wenger could have put it a little more tactfully - I think Villas tactics could be described as 'hitting the big man early' as in a long pass up to Heskey to hold the ball up and then play in the nippy players breaking around him. It's what Chelsea do and Newcastle did under Sir Bobby (Bellamy & Robert off Shearer). It's certainly not long ball a la Wimbledon. Personally thought the 2nd half was cracking, genuinely end to end stuff. Good luck, hope you guys get 4th. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... Mirth Gooner, Cheers honey, I think we deserved a point on the balnce of it and we were definitely smarting from the Emirates where I think 3-0 was a little flattering. Good luck mate, i'd rather see a footballing side like you win the league than any of the others. Good luck with your tough three coming up.  |
MeGooner
said:
 |
... I don't think Wenger meant anything bad by it, it's just how you guys played and you did it well, those long balls to young on the right caused us no end of problems so why would you stop! Good luck for 4th place |
deansaunderspermthatsperm
said:
|
... Damian, will 'some form of silverware' merely be papering over the cracks, now if we were to to win both cups...... |
Phil99
said:
 |
... Wenger was highly complimentary about you lot post-match and rightly so. Read the full post-match interview, this has been spun beyond belief. Well played last night, best team challenging for fourth and best of luck to you in getting it. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...those long balls to young on the right caused us no end of problems so why would you stop! Good luck for 4th place Exactly! Why would we pass it around in midfield where your clearly better than us. Bypass the midfield and get it out to our best players on the wings. Simple. Why cause yourself problems for the sake of aesthetics or statistics? Win the game is priority number and priority number two is don't lose it. |
Danish Gooner
said:
 |
... Arsenal fan here.I dont understand the fuss,all wenger did say was that Villa play the long ball game,there wasnt any derogatory comment in there,he actually praised villa for playing fair and being up for it.But to suggest that you dont play a long ball game is like suggestion that the earth isnt round....bollocks.Good luck against Man USA !!! |
nutcracker
said:
 |
... I think this is just the media selectively telling MON what Wenger said. If you listened to the whole statement, the 'long ball' was just a part of the whole thing. He did compliment Villa by saying that they are an efficient side and it's not easy coming to Villa Park. On the whole, I think it was a fair point. |
rocky5
said:
 |
... i hope arsenal win nothing they are a disgrace,to have no english players in starting eleven and probably 1 in squad when everyone is fit is a joke. think you should apply to join the french ligue. |
1874AVFC
said:
|
... I would also like to pont out that does it really matter if we finish 5th or 7th (our likely lowest position)? We will qualify for Europe already, irrespective of the Carling Cup result, and the reality is 4th is just a little bit too far away. Give me a damn good run in the FA Cup (ie a Wembley semi) and I for one will be happy - how many times can we say we have been to Wembley twice in a season? |
keithj
said:
 |
... being a villa fan is so frustrating, not the football but the press. beckham used to make sublime 60 yard passes to giggs but villa hoof the ball to their pacy wingers, think i might buy irish papers in the future |
deansaunderspermthatsperm
said:
|
...... to be honest, i can't disagree with you there  |
qashqai
said:
 |
... You know you have played well against the Gunners when Wenger moans and winges.Ash turned Clichey inside out and delivered some great balls into the box. The ball out of defence into Heskey worked really well and is the way Chelsea play with Drogba and nobody moans about them, except Wenger when Chelsea beat them 3-0 recently!!!!!! I enjoyed the game,which could have gone either way.I believe our passing game has improved a lot thanks to Milner and Downing. I believe Heskey deserves a lot of credit for his contribution in recent games,He is always winning the ball out of defence and brings the midfield players in or feeds Gabby who also is playing well IMO and the goals will come SOON. |
Badger
said:
 |
... I agree with the Gooner. That was not a long ball game last night. Direct, involving some long ball yes, but not long ball overall. As for the passing numbers, they surprise me. I thought we dominated possession although to be fair Skys figures don't agree with me. I thought we took it to them, stopped the midfield and just downright played well. Excellent performance which deserved more than it got, hence me being slightly unhappy we didn't get the win. If we can maintain that sort of performance, we'll win more than we los, no problem whatsoever, even with our lack of goalscorers atm. |
keithj
said:
|
... rocky,dean as a villa fan i want us to kick their arses every time we play them but when watching neutral games they are the best to watch most of the time |
villabandit
said:
 |
... can someone tell me if i mean if we lose to man utd do we go into europe as losers in a cup final |
mikey18
said:
 |
... Arsenal are the best passing team in the league and only made 62 more passes than us over the course of 90 minutes. I think we passed the ball well last night and would have to disagree with you Damian. Long ball would be putting it up to heskey and working off him, but how many times did we play it out wide and Ashley twist clichy? Or into the channels for gabby to run at Gallas. I think we are far from a long ball team with Milner in midfield but we do have it in our locker and i for one am glad its there. I'm worried 4 games and no goals, last season we scored 5 against arsenal home and away. We all know we are lacking some creative spark but MoN doesn't see it! He has said hes not worried because we are creating the chances!! Well i think we can kiss 4th spot away. |
Graymo
said:
 |
... I think those saying that UTD don't care about the cup are kidding themselves. Old Red face over there will want their name on everything. He'll be retiring soon so I think these trophies are probably becoming more important for him on a personal level. |
1874AVFC
said:
|
... villabandit, Usually yes (see comment 20), unless UEFA change the rules next season - even if we lose Man Utd would qualify for Chumps League so we would get their Europa slot. |
African Lion
said:
 |
... I don't think we play the traditional long ball. On the break we normally play via the midfield, Milner paticularly, and often run with it. What we do too often is swing it out wide in the final third and cross, when an incisive channel through ball to a well positoned, predatory finisher would reap better dividends. Oh sorry, forgot, we don't have one.....  |
Gooner
said:
 |
... Arsenal fan in peace. I do think was Wenger said has a bit of truth in it but I think our own manager could do it from time to time - ie play balls to widemen who swing in crosses, its a plan B Arsenal don't have anymore. As for Villa I wish ye all the best for the season - keep the heads up and ye could nick 4th. Surely lessons will be learnt for last season? I every one will be cheering for ye in the Carling Cup Final. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... Arsenal have one way of playing. We have several ways and a couple of formations because MoN has mixed it up down the seasons. We are versatile and can play to suit the opposition. We did enough to win that game, but i'll take a point and a clean sheet. I know we haven't scored in four, but we played Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham and Arsenal. We created chances in all the games and should could have won three. The goals will come and so will the points, we just need to keep playing as well as we are. |
mikey18
said:
|
... Tottenham signs gudjohnsen on Loan, io think this would of been perfect for us. Carew and Heskey have a real bad injury history and its abit early to be throwinf delfouneso in at the deep end! |
Badger
said:
|
... And how did Campbell's(albeit accidental) trip on Dunne not even warrant a foul? Joke referee, imo. |
keefvilla
said:
 |
... You lot haven't got any better in my absence have you? If we lose in the final of the League Cup, we will not qualify for the Europa league. Spurs did not qualify for Europe last season when they lost to Man Utd in the final. |
Scrumpy
said:
 |
... The ball between the full and centre back is starting to be used by Milner but Downing, Gabby, Young are not always looking for it and staying out wide. It will come. Heskey last night was awesome. He won every header (the guy seems to be able to jumpo an extra foot or two), his control was spot on and he held up everything (even balls that were a little stray and that a while ago we would have lost). He also got fired up and was showing some real commitment (wouldn't wish injury on anyone, but Vaseline or whatever his name's challenge on Heskey kind of deserved him right). Apart from one wayward shot Heskey was great (his confidence must be getting better for him to even attempt a 30 yard shot!) and playing our four midfielders in makes us very versatile and potent. He would have been MOTM if it weren't for Ash who was back at his best. His contol was absolutely breath-taking all night. I fear that Petrov may need a layoff soon (he was struggling with injury) but had a great game - again control of the ball was great - if a little negative when he played alot backwards or sideways, but better that than lose possession. When he is positive and takes on players or looks for that forward ball we are much better. I think Milner had a quiet game by his recent standards but again is picking out some great passes. Wondered if he dropped a little deeper to help out Petrov. Downing had one of those nights when things didn't go his way. He could have made it two on any other occassion. Good to see Delph get a run. Took a few minutes to get used to pace (which was flying along in second half) but looks promising going forward. If he gets a bit bigger and can learn that holding role to share with Milner/Petrov then he becomes very useful player. Dunne's run at the end was awesome. I thought he was going all the way (Campbell almost sh*t himself) and from where I was in Holte lower it looked a definite trip....still was consistent with the awful refereeing last night. We could have and should have won....and who would think we would be saying that, as recently they have been very good. I think it shows how far we have come. UTV!! |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... rocky, Ash, Milner, Gabby, Heskey and Carew are all capable of double figures. We have scored 13 goals in the cups in the same period. There are goals in this team we've just had a couple of tough fixtures and a bit of bad luck. We'll start firing soon, mark my words. |
MikeH
said:
 |
... Why did O'Neil jump to the "English" game comment being insulting? What Wenger meant was likely that the traditional English style of play was long outlet to the big target man to hold up the ball... he wasn't being derogatory about it, if you see the full comments. It's O'Neil who seems to think saying someone employed English tactics is insulting - why? Maybe he's ashamed of English tactics? Why MON? |
ronrabbit
said:
 |
... Wenger is just being his usual, t**tish self. Just avoiding his team short comings by passing the blame on. We are playing much better football this year than know, and our football is improving. Not every team can play like arsenal, and if they did it would be a very boring game. We dont play the best football in the league, but their are alot of teams who play worse football than us. To the performance, we are lacking so badly in quality up top, this team would be formidable if we had a player who cold put the ball in the net. This team with Tevez and Defoe up front would be up their pushing for the league. Just one player to play with gabby and we would be comfortably forth, tevez just behind gabby. But their lies the problem we have no Tevez and we dont look like one is going to be coming in anytime soon. Also heard red rafa know wants our very own jimmy milner? he can shove it up his arse to my mind, but his head could be turned, especially if they do finish up forth. We dont want another Barry situation on our hands. Although HAHA all the city fans moaning about how shit he was last night, How many of us said on here he is not a big game player? |
Badger
said:
|
...If we lose in the final of the League Cup, we will not qualify for the Europa league. Spurs did not qualify for Europe last season when they lost to Man Utd in the final. This is correct. At least from my understanding of it. 5th and 6th qualify. Then it's the two winners of the cups. So if Man U win the cup, that place goes to 7th. And if whoever wins the FA cup also qualifies for CL/Europa that place would go to 8th. Are we really going to finish outside the top 7? Europa should, as has already been pointed out, be pretty much in the bag. |
Clarkamus
said:
 |
... reo coker out for 3 months and warnock not looking to good, maybe that will see us dip into the market........ i hope so |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... ... the goals will come JPA , when we sign someone to score them Dont worry Kris Boyd will be on his way soon, although i think 40,000 a week is a little steep. Fat dave from the navigation has scored 24 goals this season in a pub league, he says he will sign for villa for half the money. |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... Are we really going to finish outside the top 7? Europa should, as has already been pointed out, be pretty much in the bag. IS their a single person on this blog who gives a flying f*** about the Europa league? its a crap competition, that you get barley any money for being in, you end up travelling all over europe to play in the snow and on plastic pitchs, against hackers and choppers whos only mindset is to cause as much damage to the english teams as possible. The Europa cup means f**k all, and it is a blessing that we are not in it this year. |
Badger
said:
|
...The Europa cup means f**k all, and it is a blessing that we are not in it this year. You opinion. I'd rather be in than not. Yes it's a distraction, but it's also good for the players imo. And Europa cup or League cup winners? No brainer to me. |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... He accepts pies and larger. assuming 2 pounds a pint, and 2 pounds a pie, that will be 5000 pies and 5000 pints a week. He could be the new Paul Mcgrath? Fat dave my lord, Fat dave, fat dave my lord, fat dave. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...The Europa cup means f**k all, and it is a blessing that we are not in it this year. Maybe, but I reckon we would have played Clark, Lowry, Albrighton, Delph and Fonz pretty regularly in that competition rather than loaning them out. Thats a big plus as far as i'm concerned. Whats better for their development, three months playing shit teams at blackpool or flying to Moscow for a european league in the snow with hostile home fans hurling abuse. You'd have to grow up fast in that situation. |
Badger
said:
|
...Whats better for their development, three months playing shit teams at blackpool or flying to Moscow for a european league in the snow with hostile home fans hurling abuse. You'd have to grow up fast in that situation. Spot on. |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... And Europa cup or League cup winners? Yeah league cup. Their are better sides in the league cup, (Arsenal, Man u, Liverpool, chelsea, man city, tottenham) you have to play less games, the final is somewhere that fans can actually get to, (well sort of, we all know what wembeley is like, well those of us that are older than about 16), and there are less stupid mid week games that are an arse to get to and mean that we play crap on the following weekend. If we make it to the europa league id like to see o'neill play the kids, and use it as a tool for experience, i woudlnt want to see any first teamers getting injurys when we are playing against ukraine fc or whoever on a sheep farm, in the minus 16 catogary c blizzard conditions. |
patrick37
said:
 |
... yea NRC out for 3 months, we sell gardner, the news isent great on warnock and we not scoring goals Mmmmmmmm wonder will we dip in to the transfer market. |
Villa_Chris
said:
 |
...From an Arsenal perspective I think Wenger could have put it a little more tactfully - I think Villas tactics could be described as 'hitting the big man early' as in a long pass up to Heskey to hold the ball up and then play in the nippy players breaking around him. It's what Chelsea do and Newcastle did under Sir Bobby (Bellamy & Robert off Shearer). It's certainly not long ball a la Wimbledon. Best comment on the page...coming from a Gooner. Other than Scrumpy's comment 38, agree 100% and couldn't of said it better myself! Heskey was brilliant last night, along with Petrov, Dunne, Young and Gabby. Highlights of the game: -Heskey's 'flip flap' then pass to Young in the corner -Dunne's run- Now thats how to attack, then totally wipe out an opponent....like a steam train!!  |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... Ronrabbit, if you were a top european striker would you rather sign for a european cup winning side or a lesser domestic cup winning side? Winning a european competition would see our reputation rise in europe considerably. |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... Moscow for a european league in the snow with hostile home fans hurling abuse. You'd have to grow up fast in that situation. Spot on. Moscows last game in the champions league there was about 4 people there? I take your point though, I think it would be great to send over all the kids, basically the youth team, out to turky where they flares thrown at them, death threats, and the crowd all sit their with a gun in there hand. It would be great preperation for when they go to upton park, or on last nights evidence old trafford. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...heard spurs were in for fat dave though melted welly face needs to get his own ideas instead of borrowing ours. I've heard the pies are better than ours in london and apparently his wife's dog's mother's owner's brother in laws cat is a spurs fan so he might prefer to go there.  |
mickey86
said:
 |
... its better to get the ball up the field in 5 seconds than 5 minutes, if people want to see it take that long to get the ball from one end of the pitch to the other then watch rugby. nothing wrong with long ball, teams rely on ther strengths and ours is pace and strength, so it would be pretty stupid of us to try and play like brazil. shut up arsene, your only happy when teams bend over for ya. |
Badger
said:
|
...Yeah league cup. So you'd rather win the league cup over the Europa? Each to their own I guess. These better sides tend to play their kids though most of the time. And don't forget teams that qualified for the CL also play in the Europa (Liverpool?). I'd suggest winning the Europa is a miles bigger achievement. It certainly put Shahktar Donetsk and Zenit on the map. |
mickey86
said:
|
... and if arsenal pass it around alot and villa just hoof it up the pitch then how come arsenal only made 60 passes more than us? |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... No top european striker gives a crap about the europa league. Or have shaktar donetsk gone out and brought a world class forward who we havent heard about. World class players want to play in the champions league. Come on i mean rangers got to the final two years ago, they would be a middling championship side in england, the quality is poor, the money is rubbish and no one really cares about it. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...It would be great preperation for when they go to upton park, or on last nights evidence old trafford. Exactly, they play the whole game, it's respoxibility on their shoulders and they have to perform. They are fully accountable and get a good runout. This would be awesome character building stuff and seriously improve them as players. I think that is why Mon is so keen on it. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...No top european striker gives a crap about the europa league. In negotiations with a player it sounds pretty good if you've won a european competition. They might have a f**kin clue who we are! |
john doyle
said:
 |
... why dont all you lot look at the facts instead of just praising everything that we do why have we got 2 players for every spot which martin brought i thought it was so if someone got injured ofr lost form then the 2nd guy could play but thats not what happens at a martin club he just playes people in the wrong place the team is completly unblanced why dose the best right back in england either have to sit and watch or play at left back why did he bring shorey back if he ait gona play him why is carlos not playing center half why do we play the clowns up front who cannotscore besause the are martins pets he will not drop them why was the fonz not brought on last night we looked a lot better with delph on the pitch heskey is playin well but he just slows down the play dont you lot rember what it was like before he came along when we were 3rd in the prem playing with pace and direct we dont do that now why has he not brought a goalscorer no goals in the last 4 games that matter martin wake up and show a bit of bottel we dont mind if we have a go insted of this negative approach all the time on the plus side ashly young played like we know he can for the first time in 14 months he showed that he can take players on and his crosses where great if only we had a goalscorer or the fonz on the pitch to put them away dunne was again our best player this guy should be the player of the year for us and in the prem he is the best player that martin has brought 3 days to go and no new players still do we look like a team that cost 130 mill to you still we can have a day out if we win we dont get into enything its just a day out martin just play the players you have brought in there right places thats all i ask |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... It certainly put Shahktar Donetsk and Zenit on the map. what the eastern european, collins colour edition map? Big teams dont take it seriosly, who were the last big team to win it, who actually do something in their own domestic league? The top teams may play weaker sides in the league cup, but there are no top sides in the eurpoa league, and if there are they usually play second rate sides anyway. Of course it would be nice to win it, but it doesnt mean anything, its pretty similar for the league and fa cup really, nice to win but its not going to push you on to anything special. Middlesborough got to the final not long ago and look where they are know, can you see a team getting to the champions league final, then 5 years later playing 2nd division football? |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... ron, would you have been able to psell Shaktar Donetsk or even have a f**kin clue who they are if they hadn't won it? Now be honest |
john doyle
said:
|
... i agree about the comments on the europa leage it is crap played for by papur teams thats why i get so mad that he wont go for the top 4 with his negatave play |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... ... No top european striker gives a crap about the europa league. In negotiations with a player it sounds pretty good if you've won a european competition. They might have a f**kin clue who we are! Is that how spurs brought their front line? Or how Arsenal managed to secure the services of Bergkamp, kanu, henry and wiltord? Was it how sevilla brought in luis fabiano, or how chelsea managed to lure anelka and drogba to stamford bridge? |
Badger
said:
|
...World class players want to play in the champions league I wouldn't disagree. But what would be second on the list? And even though you think it's a mickey mouse competition, I'd say Shahktar are a bigger name than us in European football atm. It's academic anyway, seeing as we're not in it. Another case of Marmite, I guess. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... john doyle, Warnock, Reo Coker, Bouma and Carew are all injured and Shorey got sent off at the weekend for Forest so he's supended. Delph and Fonz are young and MoN says Fonz isn't ready. Delph didn't start because he isn't experinced enough yet, but he came on to get that experience. We were unlucky in front of goal, and the reason we defend so well is because we defend from the front which seems to have impacted our goalscoring this season. We kept a clean sheet and took a point off the form team and highest scorers in the league. Liverppol and Arsenal twice without a goal is not a crisi, if anything it's pretty realistic and granted we should have beaten West Ham, but that's just football. Pick you toys up and put them back in your pram and wait till Fulham away at the weekend. We''l win that and give ourselves a good chance at the lane. |
CSM
said:
|
... The europa cup is the biggest waste of time in football. It's the Johnstone paint trophy for the mediocore teams in Eurpoe. Middlesbrough got there for crying ut loud. Who was there manager? that Dutch/Englsih t**t who hid under an umbrella at Wembley. I would rather play Man Utd at wembley in the Carling Cup final than play Unirea Urziceni (who the f*** are they???). I bet Anfield wil be buzzing when they come to town. |
Badger
said:
|
...can you see a team getting to the champions league final, then 5 years later playing 2nd division football? Er apart from Leeds you mean? Well nearly anyway. |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... I know who they are because they have played in the champions league before, but as proof the europa leage is crap i still cant spell their name after they won it. on the flip side any team that has won the european cup and i am all over the spelling of their name. Also and if this isnt the final nail in a Europa league coffin i dont know what is. The coverage of the Euopa league is on channel 5. (I would say case closed, but it gets worse). The coverage is hosted by none other other than colin murray, a man who knows as much about football as well 'john doyle'. The commentators can barley get the english players names correct, let alone someone from russia. Like i say i wouldnt mind if we use it for giving experience to the kids, but i cant see the point of tiring out first team players and risking injurys for a second rate competition. |
ronrabbit
said:
|
... Shahktar are a bigger name than us in European football atm. Yeah but come on woking town have almost the same reputation as us in europe at the moment. can you see a team getting to the champions league final, then 5 years later playing 2nd division football? Er apart from Leeds you mean? Well nearly anyway. Leads never got to the final, and that is a special case in that they had the most idiotic chairman, and the worst manager in the world. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...I would rather play Man Utd at wembley in the Carling Cup final than play Unirea Urziceni (who the f*** are they???). That's pretty ignorant dude. They're Romanian Champions managed by Dan Petrescu, they took points off Sevilla and Stuttgart and will be tough opposition for Pool. Oh yeah, they're also a Champions league side so playing a team like that might be a good idea considering our aspirations. How anyone can turn their nose up and the opportunity to win silverware is beyond me. I wouldn't be surprised if these are the same people who were crying into their cornflakes the morning after we got knocked out and now because we've had a cup run in what most of the same people were calling the mickey mouse cup at the beginning of the season they don't care anymore. I give up, I really do. |
GGGG
said:
 |
... JPA: West Ham is the one that angered me, but we did everything BUT score and sometimes it's like that. MON: We haven't won or scored in four matches but we've had umpteen chances and I'm not concerned. Not just our effort but our play was terrific. Good result last night against a very good team, but our inability to score is starting to piss me off now. Yes, we're playing well and creating chances but you could say that about alot of our games in the second half of last season, when we did everything BUT score... and look where that got us. It's a serious issue that needs to be addressed - something needs to change else we'll finish up below Everton again. The top 3 have scored 50 goals plus, Spurs, City & Liverpool have managed 40 or more and we haven't even hit 30. For once I don't agree with MON when he says we're hanging in there - I think we're getting left behind, especially if we don't beat Spurs. Hopefully I'm wrong and Gabby will suddenly find his scoring boots again but it's frustrating to watch us play so well with no end result. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... GGGGG, who have we played in the league recently and where are they in the league, and while you're at it how many goals have we scored in the cups? Calm down, it's a blip and we're playing very well. It'll come. |
Leroy
said:
 |
... This is the usual frustration that Wenger vents from time to time..... Yes we play the long ball alot of the time, but how is it any different to Stoke, Fulham or any other team that play the rough "foul every opportunity" style against the top sides to slow the play down? In fact i would say that long ball is far less repulsive. Last night showed that we can hang with the big sides, but we sorely lack the finisher as it has been well documented time and time again. The long ball totally exposed Gallas and Campbell at times and allowed Webcam to have multiple one on ones with Clichy of whom he torched repeatedly....of course we would love our team to play a similar attractive style..... But shouldnt an opposing manager simply concentrate on his own sides performance? We attempted to play the Gunners game at the Emirates and were blasted, so now we change style and it infuriates an opposing manager....what are we supposed to do....play what ever style opposing managers ask of us...... This is ridiculous if you ask me.......Piss of Wenger |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... Ron, I remember trying to geet a fuzzy reception on five to watch Brian Littles team in the UEFA years ago and it was exhilerating. I love watching Villa piut their whits against european teams and try a different style of playing. Colin Murray is a tw*t, but I don't really care. We should try and win everything we're in every season, that's the only way we'll get the experience, quality and squad size to compete in the top four. If we can't sustain a europa league run how the f**k are we supposed to compete in the CL?>  Remeber it's one thing getting there, but then you have to do your best in it AND qualify for it the following year. It's an excellent bench mark if you ask me and Europa league football is the way to improve that. |
Badger
said:
|
...Leads never got to the final, and that is a special case in that they had the most idiotic chairman, and the worst manager in the world. They got to the semis and were playing 3rd division football soon after. That's worse, in my book. And it doesn't about the chairman or manager. You asked a question and I answered it (sort of)  |
PMR
said:
 |
... I watched all of this last night and Wenger was just pissed because for the first time in a very long time, Villa controlled the match against his team. If you like stats check out the possession share last night. Teams playing long ball football do no out possess Arsenal. We kept the ball very well (for a change) and if you cannot work the ball forward through passing then the next best thing to do is to try and hit a long ball over the midfield. I think MON had his tactic SPOT ON last night, the only thing we were lacking, and are lacking, was someone with an eye for goal. Gabbys miss against West Ham when through, Heskeys woeful shot a million miles over the bar last night, and Downings failure to convert his header or hit the target with his volley last night, all illustrate this. MON has to be happy with the way they are playing though as they are all performing to the best of their ability. The only trouble is that as far as getting into the top 4 goes, we need more ability in front of goal. |
CSM
said:
|
... JPA, I agree with a lot of what you write and find you give an intersting view on things, but how can you defend Unirea Urziceni, without looking name me 3 of their players. The only reason they are in the Champions league is due to them playing in the Romanian division. What world class players would want to go and play in the Romainian division?? I Like Dan Petrescu and no doubt he is a good manager but I think you will be hard pushed to find many people who have heard of any players in his team. The Carling (mickey mouse Cup) will have millions of people across Britain watching it. The Europa league cup will have 4 old people who have lost the remote and the tv is stuck on channel 5, six women who tuned in to watch Colin and Justins how to camp up your house so it stays on the market for 6 months and doesn't sell, and about 20 football fans who are kidding themselves that it is an interesting competion that will give the team that win it prestige across the whole of europe! |
GGGG
said:
|
...GGGGG, who have we played in the league recently and where are they in the league, and while you're at it how many goals have we scored in the cups? Calm down, it's a blip and we're playing very well. It'll come.smilies/wink.gif If it's a blip, it's a bloody long one going back to this time last year! Man U last season was a classic example - we would've beaten them easily if we had a striker with any confidence. I don't think it will come if we stick with what we're doing, not from the strikers anyway, and I think MON's a little bit in denial about it. With a bit of luck Milner & Downing will start covering the problem up with a truckload of goals, but I really am beginning to wonder if Gabby's just another Luke Moore. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...The only trouble is that as far as getting into the top 4 goes, we need more ability in front of goal The final piece of the puzzle as we head towards the summer transfer window and the beginning of year 5 of the 5 year plan!! I'm excited, we will definitely get a striker, I don't know why everyone doubts O'Neill, he's signed everything we've needed so far, he just can't go out and do it all at the sam time like Man City can. It's a blessing because the team gels as it's built and he's just got to add the cherry on the top now. |
arsene wenger
said:
 |
... i agree that martin'were just a working class team'oneal blew his comments out of proportion because he didnt like being told that he plays like the away team especially at home |
PMR
said:
|
... Gabby and Luke Moore. Thats a little harsh. Gabby isn't lazy. We all know we need a top top striker but finding one for the money will be very difficult. MON has sorted out the Defense and the midfield, even after having to sell Barry, so we have to have faith that he;ll sort the front line too. However it will be very difficult finding a "top4 quality" striker for the money. I mean we are talking about finding a Drogba, Anelka, Rooney, Torres, Adebayor, Arshavin, Tevez or even a Defoe. |
Badger
said:
|
...I don't think it will come if we stick with what we're doing, not from the strikers anyway, and I think MON's a little bit in denial about it. I agree with your overall post GGGG, but disagree on this bit. I think MON knows we need at least one better striker. I agree with JPA's view that MON has adressed things and this will be next on the list. |
Badger
said:
|
...check the fouls commited stats They don't stack up for me Arsene. Your mob stuck it in at least as much as we did, imo. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...JPA, I agree with a lot of what you write and find you give an intersting view on things, but how can you defend Unirea Urziceni, without looking name me 3 of their players. The only reason they are in the Champions league is due to them playing in the Romanian division. I can't name any of their players. It's the first time they've ever won their domestic league and they've come from absolutley nowhere to break the strangle hold of Steau Bucharest and Dinamo Bucharest. I bet you've heard of those two as they play in the CL most seasons. Gabby is much better than Moore. Gabby will end up with double figures AGAIN this season, not bad imo and with the right addition we'll have goals coming out of our ears. The team is developing and learning together all the time. Calm down, a goal and three points against Fulham and everyone forgets, a week is a long time in football. |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... it dont matter anyway, we like you lot , we knew it would be a hard game villa well up for it ,no doubt about it we were slightly forced to play our cards by injuries which was a bitch but i would still say this is a point gained |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... i just dont understand referees, when that collins clearly blocked off ramsey what was the ref thinking? and then giving the free kick when ramsey took the ball after delph brought down rossiky |
GGGG
said:
|
...Gabby and Luke Moore. Thats a little harsh. I meant that Luke Moore looked like he had all the qualities of a top striker but it turned out he couldn't cut it at Premier League level. Gabby's an honest trier but sometimes that's not enough. True, MON knows what he's doing and has the track record to prove it, but in this instance he's stuck with Gabby & Heskey for a year and they're consistently not scoring chances they should be hoovering up. If we can't bring anyone new in for the moment, why not throw Delfouneso into the mix and see what happens? He can't do any worse than not score can he? And what better time to introduce him to league football than when we're playing well and creating chances? |
rocky5
said:
|
... ARSEne Wenger...we have more fouls against because your foreign fairys go down when there breathed on,as i said, other than the nice tippy tappy football you play your club is a disgrace |
frosty
said:
 |
... Villa's away FA Cup clash with either Wolves or Crystal Palace will be televised. The fifth round game at either Molineux or Selhurst Park will be shown on ITV1 on Sunday February 14, with a 3.45pm kick-off I'd prefer it to be on Channel 5  |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... most arsenal squads have 10 homegrown players in a 17 man squad, so whats with all the foriegner crap? isnt your captain a foriegner? |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... ashley young is known for going down when breathed on, i wouldnt call him a british fairy |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... stuart dwning and martin oneal squeeking at the ref when clichey didnt touch neither of them,are these fairys? i wouldnt say so |
frosty
said:
|
... Arsene Wenger.. is that the real you? Stop bloody moaning, it's over son you got a lucky point which will probably be your last for the next 3 games.. enjoy don't be bitter. |
Stan Balaban
said:
 |
...Liverppol and Arsenal twice without a goal is not a crisi, if anything it's pretty realistic and granted we should have beaten West Ham, but that's just football. JPA's right, the fixtures have given a skew to the no goals stat. Remember it's the same team that put 8 past Blackburn (over 2 games) so the goals are clearly there. I fancy a 2-0 to the Villa against Fulham. |
the pensioner
said:
 |
... JPA Nice...I agree totally with what you say! Now who's Cherry do you think MOM is after. |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... lol frosty i aint moaning about the game,just enquiring whats this guys facination with foriegners like its the world cup already |
GGGG
said:
|
...And not on Valentines day sh*t.. they've not thought that one out! What could be more romantic than taking her to see Villa?? Demonstrates your priorities perfectly! |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... aresne wenger, a point gained. Four points off us is more than anyone else in the Sky four is getting this season. Your fans are generally a bit up their own arse tho aren't they? excuse the pun, i'm a little under the weather. |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... and frosty, i think we were all lucky to get a point rather than unlucky not to get three, although we came closest i dont know how it can be said we were lucky |
Gallie
said:
 |
... Can I just say that thanks to 1874AVFC sending me on his superbly detailed spreadsheet, that we are indeed 2 points better off at the moment than we were from the equivalent games last season. But to put an interesting additional slant on that stat, we are actually 6 points better off at home (played 12) and 4 points worse off away (played 10). Now it's great that our home form has improved so much but it is a slight concern that we still perseve ourselves to be better away from home, while in actual fact we are not. Not a big thing but just room for improvement. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...lol frosty i aint moaning about the game,just enquiring whats this guys facination with foriegners like its the world cup already If arsenals team was a direct representation of the cultural demographic of the area they'd all be somalian anyway and they'd all have their market stalls lined up in the eighteen yard line. |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... i wouldnt say were gettin a bit too up our own arse, of course some always will, but every year its liverpools year, every year its spurs year, you lot thought you were gonna beat us at the emirates and i did read the comments lol, so who doesnt get a bit up their own ass from time to time? you lot were well up your own ass after playing a run of 5 or 6 games against the worst bunch of teams in the prem this time last year JUAN |
r0bb0
said:
 |
... Damian, I've found it easy to agree with much of what you've said recently but I have to take issue with you over today's posting. For the last quater of the match we played the long ball and I was frustrated by it....because it was in such stark contrast to the rest of the game! I may be doing you a disservice if you define crosses into the box as playing the long ball game? I don't think that's how most people would define it though. I've seen various posession statistics but there seems to be a consensus that we had more of the ball last night. Bearing in mind that we did play the long ball for the last quarter of the game that just underlines how we didn't play that way for the rest of the match. Maybe you will have second thoughts about some of what you've written today? |
GGGG
said:
|
...JPA's right, the fixtures have given a skew to the no goals stat. 22 games in the league, 29 goals scored - that's not skewed, it's over half a season, and we probably managed less than that in the second half of last season. "Crisis Club" Liverpool have managed 40 in 23 for comparison... but I'll shut up now as I sound like a right moaning b*stard. Truth is, I'll be happy no matter what we do in the league if we repeat 1994 against Fergie! |
ak_27
said:
 |
... Sevilla have built up there name to where it is today mainly down to winning the UEFA cup/ Europa cup. They are now recognised as one of the top clubs in Europe and they were a nobody club 6 yeras ago. It is still one of only 2 European cups that any team in the whole continent can win (not counting super cup). It would raise the name of this club hugely and help attract better players. Personally i would take it over the Carling cup any day but would also be delighted if we beat Utd in the final. I hate them so much. |
Villa_Chris
said:
|
...The Carling (mickey mouse Cup) will have millions of people across Britain watching it. The Europa league cup will have 4 old people who have lost the remote and the tv is stuck on channel 5, six women who tuned in to watch Colin and Justins how to camp up your house so it stays on the market for 6 months and doesn't sell, and about 20 football fans who are kidding themselves that it is an interesting competion that will give the team that win it prestige across the whole of europe! |
ak_27
said:
|
...its better to get the ball up the field in 5 seconds than 5 minutes Thats fine if when you get the ball up the field in 5 secs its to a Villa player and in a way he can control it and start to play. That is more often then not the case with long ball football in general. Long ball (especially againest a team sitting back ) normally gives the ball away. But we do seem to moving away from this this season and this has to continue. But its no harm having this option when we play the likes Of Arsenal who will push out and leave the gaps to play these long balls into. |
FanG
said:
 |
... "i hope arsenal win nothing they are a disgrace,to have no english players in starting eleven and probably 1 in squad when everyone is fit is a joke. think you should apply to join the french ligue." - yawn this is getting boring 3 englishmen and a welshman in the squad to face villa and in the fa cup we started 3 and had 2 and a welshman on the bench. and your clubs owned by a yank isnt it? and wenger tried to compliment your team on being efficient but you keep up the hatred of all things french!! |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... honestly though, i like villa, i like martin oneal, if you lot could get into the champions league you would feel the promised land and make the next step to challenging or investing the money where ever it needs to go, id like to see you lot up there , your club works to a good blue print and not on borrowed money or dirty cash, i dont care if you beat man utd or not at wembley but i hope you do well in the league an snatch fourth! |
Villa_Chris
said:
|
...Thats fine if when you get the ball up the field in 5 secs its to a Villa player and in a way he can control it and start to play. ak_27 Last night this was the case. Emile and Gabby were brilliant target men all night. |
ak_27
said:
|
... NRC's loss will be felt over the next few months for sure. So we have Sidwell ( )) and Delph as back up and Petrov and Milner looking tired. We could do with somebody in as i don't fancy the sight of Osbourne playing again for us. |
LukeYoung
said:
 |
... Villa have never gone five PL games without a goal. Last time it happened was in spring 1992 in the First Division (twice). This is only the fourth time in Premier League history that Aston Villa have failed to score in four successive games. Barren. Nine Premier League teams played a higher proportion of their passes long than Aston Villa (16%) did this midweek. Reputation. Source; Opta. |
ak_27
said:
|
...Last night this was the case. Emile and Gabby were brilliant target men all night Didn't get to see the game last night but I heard they both played well. It does work on occasion like is said above if the opposition are adventurous and push on and leave the gaps for Gabby to run into which makes it easier to hit long balls and find a Villa shirt. |
frosty
said:
|
... The title of the Arsenal blog .. Some Thoughts on our Draw with Bolton… I mean, Villa A statement half way down the Arsenal blog ... Most importantly, they closed us down in the midfield and created space by getting the ball wide in attack It's like saying 10 / 17 Arsenal players are English crazy fools!! |
GeeGun
said:
|
... "i hope arsenal win nothing they are a disgrace,to have no english players in starting eleven and probably 1 in squad when everyone is fit is a joke. think you should apply to join the french ligue." - yawn this is getting boring 3 englishmen and a welshman in the squad to face villa and in the fa cup we started 3 and had 2 and a welshman on the bench. and your clubs owned by a yank isnt it? and wenger tried to compliment your team on being efficient but you keep up the hatred of all things french!! |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...Now it's great that our home form has improved so much but it is a slight concern that we still perseve ourselves to be better away from home, while in actual fact we are not. Not a big thing but just room for improvement. We were paricularly good away last year and not great at home. That has switched, but i'd argue we are still more likely to score away from home due to the way we set out. 22 games in the league, 29 goals scored - that's not skewed, it's over half a season, That's fair, but we are much better at the back and don't concede many. We are capable of scoring more and we will. Don't throw your toys out because we've failed to score against Liverpool and Arsenal (twice) and hit the woodwork against West Ham. Youmention that Liverpool have scored 40 odd, but how many have they conceded. No good scoring 3 if your opponent scores 4. That's why stats are pointless when taken out of context. We really are playing very well at the moment when you think about the way we were earlier this season before Downing was fit. The forward personnel are the same as the beginning of last season so we have plenty of goals in the side. Stop panicking! We will sing a striker in the summer. Hopefully we will have european football of some sort and a trophy this time next year. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...and wenger tried to compliment your team on being efficient but you keep up the hatred of all things french!! We don't need your compliments here my Gunner compadre. I'm surprised O'Neill shook that creepy French wierdo's hand. Enjoy the rest of the season without the verminator as I believe that is the title and the CL disappearing down the plughole for you boys...bye bye |
rocky5
said:
|
... how am i been racist Arsene,am i not allowed to say foreign fairys without been called racist.discounting money foreign players have in my opininion ruined the english game with the cheating diving shit that they have bought to these shores and arsenal are the worst considering you usually start a game with no english players in the english premier league.and just for you i cringe when ash or heskey go down easy.up the spurs,lol |
frosty
said:
|
... GeeGun... you do understand why we hate the French don't you? ( Al Murray Voice .. ) Because the French keep picking fights with the Germans, which they are in no position to win thus, the English have to periodically tool up and head over there to save them, at horrendous expense. |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... Enjoy the rest of the season without the verminator as I believe that is the title and the CL disappearing down the plughole for you boys...bye byesmilies/cheesy.gifsmilies/shocked.gifsmilies/wink.gif lmaooooo is the champions league not dissapearing down your plughole JUAN |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...and in the fa cup we started 3 and had 2 and a welshman on the bench. And yours is owned by a yank too and your next major shareholder is the dodgiest KGB looking Russian mafia crime boss i've ever seen. 3 young english players and 2 on the bench eh? I believe my comrade suggested there wouldn't be any when you have everyone fit. We had six englishmen, one welshman and one irishman on the pitch last night and another englishman came on. In our squad we have 16 english, one welsh, one irish and 6 foreign nationals. Whoopy sh*t! |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... I don't know where it's coming from! Someone has to get all neanderthal while chiefy isn't here |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...wow so many englishmen but f**k all to show for it Yeah anyone would think we'd won f**k alol in four years! enjoy the europa league Enjoy the spiders in your trophy cabinet and another disappointing year in europe.....Verminated |
GeeGun
said:
|
... And yours is owned by a yank too and your next major shareholder is the dodgiest KGB looking Russian mafia crime boss i've ever seen. yeah but we havent got a problem with foreigners! and a few of our owners are english unlike yours! "We had six englishmen, one welshman and one irishman on the pitch last night and another englishman came on. In our squad we have 16 english, one welsh, one irish and 6 foreign nationals." again we havent got a problem with the mix of your squad infact good for you. i was responding to rockys charge that we should be in a french lg. enjoy the europa lg |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...lol rocky 5 yes up the spurs mate, your rivals Up the Arse...your favourite! |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... english vs foriegn is just the worst argument in history, nobody won f**k all without foriegners doing the hard work lol |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...again we havent got a problem with the mix of your squad infact good for you. i was responding to rockys charge that we should be in a french lg. Fair enough, that's a bit immature of him. It's obvious they'll never let Wenger back in france after the incident with that bus of schoolchildren and that bag of sweets!!! |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...english vs foriegn is just the worst argument in history, nobody won f**k all without foriegners doing the hard work lol This is very true, I believe the egyptians were the trail blazers in that respect |
GeeGun
said:
|
... "discounting money foreign players have in my opininion ruined the english game with the cheating diving shit that they have bought to these shores and arsenal are the worst considering you usually start a game with no english players in the english premier league" you sound just like the sun editor - i take it you never seen gerrard, rooney, ashley young take a tumble ever. all footballers dive - it even happens in amateur lgs. but hey blame it all on the foreigners as they get blamed for everything else i bet your reply is they brought it into the english game. |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... its true we havent won f**k all for four years but we have achieved financially for the future by building in the most expensive shit hole on earth, you can measure success in two ways, laying foundations or just pumping up debts in exchange for glory, while you lot were spending millions on the english (which is fine) all youve done is f**k all,weve now got a good suad and money in the bank(not other peoples money) so we will see what happens in the next 5 years |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... if the best footballers were all english they wouldnt be playing outside the top 4 put it like that! |
CSM
said:
|
...weve now got a good suad and money in the bank By good squad you mean, Fabregas and ........ Oh I forgot that Bendtface is a quality striker. Whats that injury prone child that is siupposed to be the sviour of englands Right wing??? Walcott isn't it, he has flourished into a injury prone, one footed waste of space. Apart from Fabregas and Arshavin your squad is as paper thin as Pompeys cheque book! |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... yeah its so paper that weve missed bendtner for 19 games van persie for 11 and scored more goals than any other club in europe, ok |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
 |
... As 0-0 games go, i found last nights very entertaining with some good football played by both sides. Thought Petrov was head and shoulders above everybody, and back to last seasons form. Ashley too, is now coming into to some form, he just neeeds to compose himself more with some of his dicision making. Dont really care what Wengar said. Hes merely taking attention off his players, which is good management in my book. Can understand why our gaffer got upset with it though, because he is trying to bring our football on, and we did play some good football last night. On the minus side, we are starting to rely too much on getting crosses on to either Dunnes or Collins head. We need more guile and craft...oh for Paul Merson in this current side! Also, however good a defender Guellar is, he is not a right back!!!! This was emphasised in the second half when he found himself clear, but ran the Ball out for a throw in. Its also taking three passes rather than two to get somebody on the overlap. We have the best right back in England.....play him there. OK Warnocks injury meant Martin did the right thing last night, but i would like to see more balence against Fulham. If Warnock is still injured, then why not bring in Beye to Left-back? Hes played there in the past! |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... csm,your just warming up these english men for fergie and you know it, if agbon scores a few more you should start worrying about oneal buyin nugent to replace him |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... 2 injurys to any of the team that started yesterday and your team will fall apart |
CSM
said:
|
... In fact lets go through your squad... Almunia - Looks like a drag queen Sagna - The new wes brown!! Gallas - To slow, old and can't tackle Campbell - Heard his hip replacement has just come in! Clichy - Would be good if he could actully defend Walcott - Really the best you have got??? Denilson - Another Brazilian who flatters to deceive Rosicky - Still looking for his 'Precious' Arshavin - Good but doesn't like the cold Fabregas - One of the best midfielders in the world (I will give you that one) Van Persie - Fit about 1 in 15 games Bendtner - Useless Eduardo - See above Adebayor- he's still one of yours isn't he?? |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... your argument has got to be the dumbest ever, just warm up young and agbon for their manchester united careers and be a good little club |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... well seen as my comments are blocked i can only chuckle at csm's clear refusl to look at the league table the most honest thing in football |
Badger
said:
|
... Bloody hell pack it in lads, We'll be called the new Spuds next. There was some reasonable debate going on too  |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...while you lot were spending millions on the english (which is fine) all youve done is f**k all,weve now got a good suad and money in the bank(not other peoples money) so we will see what happens in the next 5 years We pumped millions into a state of the art training facility which is better than yours and there are only two better in europe. We have planning permission to take our ground capacity to more than yours in the next two years. We have invested in renovating the stadium and linked assets such as the Holte hotel. We have invested millions in the youth set up which pi**es on yours in the youth cup and the reserve league every season. Check, I dare you. In fact your youth captain signed for us in the summer, you can check that too. Randy has pumped cash in, in the form of loans to his own banking companies so we have no debt to any corporate banks whatsoever. Our five year plan is nearly coming to fruition mate and once again Arsenal are still in a transitional period. We are catching you up sonny jim. so don't get all high and mighty when you don't have a clue what you're talking about. If you had half the guile and work ethic of our side rather than the fancy, shmancy glove wearing prima donnas that you do have you'd have won the title by now. |
MJT
said:
 |
... hahaha this argument had made me laugh JPA i have to hand it to you mate, u are on fire today keep it up i gotta agree with you on the goal scoring argument aswell, we are very capable of scoring as much goals as the top 4, and we are even more capable of conceding less goals which to me is even more important. goals will come, u watch. i dont think MoN will buy a striker this window, but will dip into lerners pockets to get us the striker everyone, including the man himself, knows we need. the reason hes not getting 1 this window is because if we bring in a keane, he will disrupt the team and no doubt he will take a few weeks to adjust to our play. and at this stage of the season, a few weeks is a long time and there games we cannot afford to lose. so i believe sticking with gabby and heskey is a gd idea, they know each other and are working very well together. it only takes 1 goal to spark off a streak of goals. on the europe vs league cup argument, instead of adding my argument to which 1 i would prefer im going to settle with both . ive got complete faith in our lads to to crack this so called "goal draught" and get back to the top off the fight for 4th, a league cup final win, and a at least an FA cup final appearance . cmon boys |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... JUAN ok a state of the art training complex, ours was number 1 in the world as well 2 years ago, the council will open a gym next week it it will be the worlds best till the next one opens up ,come on son,still its a step in the right direction its better than planning to sell and rent back |
GeeGun
said:
|
... Wow CSM thanks for listing the players that have acheived more points than villa in the premier league this season. Cheers mate. can you list the other 15 yrs worth of players who have consistently finsished above the Villa! again cheers |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...most honest thing in football Yeah a table halfway through a season is a great indicator....not. young and agbon for their manchester united careers and be a good little club Flamini Hleb Toure Adebayor Fabregas????? Don't get ahead of yourself mate, when you don't win anything for a long time players start leaving... If you miss this season he'll be at Barca next year. |
CSM
said:
|
... I'm only teasing Arsene, I actually hope Arsenal win the league this year. I think if Fabregas stays fit you will have a good chance. Although losing Vermaelen is a big loss. just warm up young and agbon for their manchester united careers and be a good little club I might be wrong but aren't Manchester United short of a few bob right now? |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... guile and wrk ethic yes teams win the championsleague by modeling themself on martin oneals choice football lol,come on you lack creation, you score half as many as you could, open your eyes mate |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
...http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/in...-at-villa? "Again the young foreign kid looks discombobulated, but carries on." Discombobulated?????????????????????????? WTF???? Guardianistas lol |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... still,my chosen name could be the cause of provocation because i know you lot aint serious, if you are .....well lmaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... we'd have won the title if we swapped squads? JUAN, is this what your saying? yes or no? |
GeeGun
said:
|
... CSM i retract my last post. very funny respect to the villans and i hope you get 4th as i think you and everton are good teams that have challenged for it for a few yrs now and one of you two deserves the opprtunity. |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... csm honestly, man united are short of money, which is why i think they will go for young and agbon because they might cost a bit but they will be good for the next 10 years giving value for money and they can both improve especially agbon, id take him to arsenal ,a straight swap for any player apart from fabregas or vermaelen |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
... Arsene Wengars brother said guile and wrk ethic yes teams win the championsleague by modeling themself on martin oneals choice football lol,come on you lack creation, you score half as many as you could, open your eyes mate How good do you think we would be with Fabregas, or someone similar? Like to hear it from another teams supporter, since its unbiased.  |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... i wouldnt complain if we spent 20million on agbon, and its true jermaine pennant-booze=theo walcott lol thats not a compliment for jermaine either |
LukeYoung
said:
|
... 43 - Number of long balls played by Aston Villa v Arsenal last night. The Gunners hit 37. Similar. Opta. |
Greg Davillain1887
said:
 |
... ssn news villa offer 18 million to real madrid for dutch contingent Raphael Van dar Vaart and ruud van nistleroy!! come on martin thats more like it! |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... i think if you had a fabregas, you lot would challenge for the title, i agree the english players spend far less time on the treatment table but you also could do with a bit more squad depth because sometimes your team looks quite tired and agbon would be a great impact substitute in the niggly smaller games if required,especially if you were playing against quality oposition withing a few days, sometimes i think a few of your players are overplayed and thats with a fully fit squad, you dont even need a fabregas because you have amazing pace, just someone who can open up space with 2 touches of the ball or less without killing the speed merchants by making them chase balls into the corners so often |
beh
said:
 |
... Impressed by last night`s performance. This team keeps on improving. The simple tactics hide the fact that we play with intelligence. We `ve got the game to play and beat any of the top 4. Crikey, that`s a quantum leap in 12 months ! The football will keep developing, but not at the cost of results. Over the moon.... but i did fear we`d get taught a lesson last night. Happy days. |
Damian
said:
|
... Stats from @optajoe 43 - Number of long balls played by Aston Villa v Arsenal last night. The Gunners hit 37. Similar. Long passes are a separate category. They were 58-43 in Villa's favour. A long ball is one played into a zone, a long pass is one aimed to a player. Short passes were 303 for Villa, 343 for Arsenal. |
arsene wenger
said:
|
... fabregas probably has one of the best work ethics for a creative midfield playmaker, but your team would still lose some industry even if you found a simular player,you will have to spend more time trying to win the game than in my opinion villa actually do, they prefer to sit back and play like the away team (at home) |
Damian
said:
|
... 9 - Nine Premier League teams played a higher proportion of their passes long than Aston Villa (16%) did this midweek from @optajoe |
Damian
said:
|
... just for a minute we are integrating twitter into the comment soon - so these things will be a lot easier to pass along in teh future |
HeyNowHank
said:
 |
... Don't worry, lads. A few good results over the next few weeks and we'll still be in contention for the treble. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
...Don't worry, lads. A few good results over the next few weeks and we'll still be in contention for the treble. BAM!! I like the way you think |
iwjp
said:
 |
... Arsenal Fan in peace, but just wanted to point out that this is what Arsene Wenger said: We know when we come here what we get and we were not disappointed. They play a very efficient English game with long balls and it is very physical. They are a good side at counter attacking. There is no criticism in there and it was just deliberate 'bad phrasing' by the journalist to provoke a reaction out of Martin O'Neill. We all need to start seeing through this type of stuff, as it's just the last of the journalist's and pundits trying to remain relevant. Far more insightful, interesting and accurate information is provided by the fan's blogs. Bit like this one. |
Juan Pablo Angel
said:
|
... iwjp, I know, but it's not often we get to put the wind up a club like yours. Well not for a while, it's becoming a little more regular this season. He actually said something about putting the ball in the air from what I saw last night, but hey no one really cares. It's a point and we move on. |
Goldie 7
said:
 |
... I don't know about anyone else but we never looked like scoring so i left on 83 mins, What a load a shite! Wenger is 100% right the football we play is poor, Why can't mon see we need a striker! Webcam was ace his crossing was on point last night he was definitely motm. As for Downing if he wasn't such a whimp we should of been 2-0 up, If that was 32m Tevez he would have scored a shit load frankly that's the difference. What was Heskey doing taking that shot on 30 yards out when ash was to the right of him, All he had to do was slot it in and we would have been through. When that happened early on i knew it was going to be one of those games, We had more chance of scoring when verma was on because of his yellow. When sol came on it was game over 4 us Have we even won a league game in Jan?? It always goes pear shaped after christmas i was expecting it this year. Fulham away won't be easy i honestly can see another bore draw! |
frem
said:
 |
... Oneill said reo's injury is a major blow. Ha. he doesn't care about him. even when he was fully fit and playing at his best he was never played. and it says we might have to dip into the transfer market now. i dont think we would dip in if hesk and gabi were out for the rest of the season. |
frem
said:
|
... we are in a real pickle now. we need a center mid as we only have petrov, milner and delph. sidwell cant even be classed has a footy player, and a striker, well, i think we all know about that situation. |
john doyle
said:
|
... pablo angel if shorey was suppended how comw he was on the bench last night as one of the subs martin is to bloddy negative full stop |
Scrumpy
said:
|
... Long ball, last quarter? What tosh!! It was all close control and running directly at the opposition with the ball at feet - as exemplified by Dunne (or Delph or Ash or even Petrov hobbled through on a run...) |
AVFC 4 LIFE UTV
said:
 |
... frem- i dont think were signing anybody, we won't buy now because it will cost more than it will in 6 months, and can i say if we do sign a striker who do we play him instead of. Heskey last night was my MOM behind Ash, vermalen didnt have a chance against him but then gabby hasnt scored in the league since man utd but can score whereas heskey isnt a natural goalscorer, but if we drop gab im afraid his confidence will go. |
Goldie 7
said:
|
...
So true ron i for one couldn't careless about Europa you have to win half a seasons worth of games to get to the final, Whats the point. To make the competition great the winner should get a champs league place even if it's the qualifying rounds, Makes sense doesn't it! |
Aero-4-Villa
said:
 |
... OFF TOPIC but i read on the os that theres only £54 tickets left for the final. Where are you seated with them tickets? Good/Bad? Ive never been to Wembley before.. Someone write back, please. UTV! |
AVFC 4 LIFE UTV
said:
|
... http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/Mat...70,00.html THATS FOR AERO-4-VILA LOOK UP ON THERE ITS CATAGORY THREE IS THE £54 TICKETS MATE GOOD LUCK |
kohoutek
said:
 |
... I thought we played well...Arsenal are obviously a quality side, and fair play to the Gunners' fans being reasonable on here. The stream was more than a bit dodgy, so I couldn't get a good look-in, but I'm liking the football we're trying to play. We were composed for the most part, kept causing Arsenal trouble at the back. Either side could've taken all three points. We had chances we should've buried, they hit the woodwork. A goal would've opened things up, obviously, but I don't mind us trying to get up the pitch quickly, call it whatever you like. Many of the cross-field balls to Ash were quality, and he looked well up for it. Arsene's comments were a bit of a backhanded compliment, but it's just down to the fact he was frustrated by his team's inability to impose its will, and the fact that lots of passing doesn't inevitably yield a result. Of course teams with less flair are going to play to their strengths. They aren't enough players in the world with enough quality for everyone to play like Arsenal. Football 101 says: When facing a team with more flair, shut them down, disrupt them, don't give them space and time. Arsenal also work very hard (all the top clubs do), and were looking to shut us down every bit as much. I, for one, was very encouraged by the passing stats. We could easily up those with more knocking it around, and perhaps we should when we're up, but 40 or so more passes didn't add up to much of anything for them. Indeed, Arsenal's best moment came on a bit of individual brilliance from Fabregas, not a sustained build-up. As to our scoring, as JPA has aptly pointed out, 3 of those four games were Liverpool and Arsenal. It's only the West Ham game that's frustrating in that run. We do need a top striker, but there are obviously goals in this team. We've a better run ahead of us, we'll see how things play out. I'm not pessimistic about our chances at all yet. |
Badger
said:
|
... In the yellow bits here; http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/Mat...70,00.html Don't worry, nowhere is crap at wembley, although I wouldn't like to be too far down the front myself. Those green bits higher up on the north and south are pukka. I know because the missus dragged me to a George Michael concert there |
churchill
said:
 |
... Football pundits cannot think outside the box. Which of these is more difficult to do? •Make a short pass sideways, or •Make a long pass forwards As supporters and spectators are we impressed by the easy things to do or the difficult? Quod erat demonstrandum |
Badger
said:
|
...Which of these is more difficult to do? Make a long pass sideways? Some beauties too. Reminded of the old days, so they did I always love to see a good crossfield ball splitting the play. |
AVFC 4 LIFE UTV
said:
|
... Just a tip for all villa fans off to wembeley take some cash with you because at wembeley they rip you off the last time i went was england vs slovenia in september and it was £8 for a pizza the size of a sky remote! go to the toilet about 5 mins before half time, even though there are loads of toilets you still get the wembely traffic jam,and good luck with the train system 80 000 people at wembley 50 000 getting the train, nice! Also isnt the train to wembeley a manchester-midland-London train? if it is book tickets because man utd fans and villa fans on the train. |
Scrumpy
said:
|
... Carlos may not be the worlds best RB, but he must have been practising this week. His passing was better (in that it didnt just go out) and was it my imagination but did he play a lovely little dinked pass over the top for Ash? Luke Young looked rusty and lacked a little confidence on the ball, I hope with a few games he starts to be as good going forward as he used to be. His defending seemed spot on apart from once when he went missing. The more I think about it (Fabregas' class aside when he hit the post) Im disappointed we didnt get more out the game despite my fears beforehand. I think Arsenal may get found out as they have to face some tougher opposition in the next few games - especially Sol against Rooney!. They are great to watch, very skilful and talented, but a bit ineffectual (like us in front of goal)... Is it only me, but I think a few players just lack that confidence (not skill) in front of goal and if one starts, everyone else will start scoring - its not like we dont create the chances. Then I would be more concerned. |
RAB
said:
 |
... Hi All Just thought id let you know ive got talksport on at the mo and they are debating what type of team villa re ie long ball - its based off the back of wenger comments..Tune in if you fancy - RAB |
frem
said:
|
... AVFC FOR LIFE- we cant be afraid to drop gabi or heskey. gabi is more like an athlete then a footy player and if he goes for the rest of the season without scoring i wont be surprised. carew just looks so lazy and easy to play against. he does not look interest anymore. hesk is getting better but wont score more than 6 goals a season. delfonso. i love and is our best striker but is not strong enough. My point is are strikers are not good enough and a fresh pair of legs to add competition and show them how to the ball in the net is what we are desperate for. If we dont buy one, i will be very worried for the rest of the season. |
frosty
said:
|
...I know because the missus dragged me to a George Michael concert there Badger couldn't let that slip past.. was that during the Wham days |
Chrisodon
said:
 |
... It's funny we Villa fans moaned for ages we need europe to attract a better quality of player. Which has worked in the case of Dunne, Warnock, Cuellar & Downing. Now i can't understand why some people are saying the europa league is pointless. It's a showcase of what's on offer in europe and they're style and adaptation of football, Compared to how we play. if we achieved chumps league we could end up a laughing stock, as the pace of a match is different the tactics are usually negative to start and they look to pick holes in teams. Now with out blooding ourselves against other potential chumps league teams or teams that finish 3rd in the chumps group stage. we'd be too exposed and run ragged. So long may our time in the europa league continue as i remember that night against Ajax and i loved every second of it. p.s We need to learn to walk with the big boys before we can run and catch them. |
GGGG
said:
|
... JPA Don't throw your toys out because we've failed to score against Liverpool and Arsenal (twice) and hit the woodwork against West Ham. Liverpool have a better goal difference than us too, so it's hardly a stat out of context! Our goals scored tally is the same as Bolton & West Ham at the mo', and as I said it's nowt to do with the last few games, it's to do with the past year. It's the main reason we're not in the driving seat for a Champions League spot, and it's frustrating because everything else is pretty much in place - we just need to start converting all these chances we create. Why is Arsene Wenger posting so much guff? Didn't he have enough of a moan last night? |
r0bb0
said:
|
... Goldie ...Spoken like a true fan. |
Pancho Villan
said:
 |
... It makes not a jot of difference who likes the way we play. All that matters is how effective we are. Dean Saunders would have scored a bucket load from Ashley's crosses last night. MON needs to have faith in Delfoneso or buy a player who knows how to anticipate where the ball is going to be, has the energy and enthusiasm to get there, and has the talent to put the chance away. Such players cost money. |
Clarkamus
said:
|
... surely we have gotta sign someone now that gardner has gone and potentially beye leaving there must be something that will happen late? any ideas? anyone????????? |
Badger
said:
|
...Badger couldn't let that slip past.. was that during the Wham days You swine sir! Ha, I knew someone would pull it Nah, it was June 9 2007 (she has just dug the tickets out) First concert to be held there. £100 each I was more intrigued about how the new wembley looked. And I have to say it's pretty impressive and spick and span etc. Bogs are lovely compared to before. I still got a feeling of longing for the twin towers though. Ah, you lucky bleeders who get to go for the first time ever will love it. You can't beat final day. |
Scrumpy
said:
|
... Goldie nothing like seeing if your team can win a valuable point or even get a deserved win.... Oh sorry, are you an Arsenal fan yeah i can see why you wanted to get on the road early |
Badger
said:
|
... I can understand why some people leave early and wouldn't slate anyone for it, but I can honestly say I don't think I ever did. Last minute goals seem so much more common these days too, for some reason. I must admit I chuckled at one of the lads on here (symbas?) who left after BB were beating us 2-0 the other day. How sick would you feel after that? |
GGGG
said:
|
...surely we have gotta sign someone now that gardner has gone and potentially beye leaving there must be something that will happen late? any ideas? anyone????????? Buy Cahill back off Bolton and stick him up front! He's got 7 for them from centre back, which would make him our top scorer. It worked with Chris Sutton! |
GGGG
said:
|
...Buy Cahill back off Bolton and stick him up front! He's got 7 for them from centre back, which would make him our top scorer. Sorry, that should've been second top scorer. |
GGGG
said:
|
...Third GGGG, Milner has 8 and Gabby has 10smilies/wink.gif Doh, I was looking at league goals - thought that didn't seem right with the League Cup run! |
odysseynumberfive
said:
 |
... Bagged my final tickets. Friends in all the right places at the moment, it seems. This ones at the F.A. |
Badger
said:
|
...but what is a issue number On your Credit/debit card? That's only for a couple of types of card, so you can probably ignore it. badger am i reading right have you no ticket for the final No mate, I haven't been this season, so don't deserve or expect one. |
villabiker
said:
 |
... i dont want to build your hopes up but i just might have aq spare one ONLY A MIGHT but would you be intrested |
Badger
said:
|
... Bloody hell, that's a tempter mate. On the one hand I'd feel a bit guilty if I was denying someone who's been going this season, but on the other hand I want to snatch your hand off! I'm definitely interested, but ask me if and when. And thanks for the offer mate, it's really appreciated |
Goldie 7
said:
|
...
It ended 0-0 mate did i miss anything? Yeah sure we could have nicked it 1-0 in the final few minutes but really could you see that happening. |
villabiker
said:
 |
... ok will know next week as mate is going to see how he is hes got broken leg if not going wonts it to go to a villa fan |
Goldie 7
said:
|
...r0bb0 Mate i left 7mins before fulltime i know a 0-0 when i see one. Did u go by any chance i paid my money i can leave when i want.... |
Goldie 7
said:
|
... What the hells happened to H&V, Sites been gone for over 2 days anyone know anything. |
Badger
said:
|
...Badger how come you haven't been all season mate? Let's just say I have to watch the pennies |
Goldie 7
said:
|
...What the hells happened to H&V, Sites been gone for over 2 days anyone know anything. Freaky the second i write that this popped up...What the hells happened to H&V, Sites been gone for over 2 days anyone know anything. |
skeester73
said:
 |
... So, NRC out for 3 months, Gardener of to the scum, Sidwell playing cr*p, Steve W out, Gabby and the mule not scoring with JC injuried....anyone starting to get Deja Vu from last year? Mind you there is a chance that MON might buy a player like Routledge or Shorey to ensure that we don't slide away again.....let's hope he concentrates on the league and fields a weak team against Wolves/CP and ManUre! In MON we trust....but for how bloody long? |
BOOZY
said:
 |
... YOU VILLA FANS ARE REAL CLOWNS- INCLUDING YOUR COACH- because i'm yet to see the insult intended in wengers comments- FIRST- WENGER SAID- 'They play a very efficient English game, with long balls and it is very physical' WHERE IS THE INSULT IN THAT. SECOND- 'They are a good side at counter attacking'- YET ANOTHER COMPLIMENT- BUT YOUR DRUNKEN COACH, SEEMS TO SEE THIS DIFFERENTLY THIRD- 'When we took the gamble to go forward and they won the ball, they are quick and that is why it was always us managing to create chances and score, or them catching us on the counter attack or playing on Agbonlahor or Heskey with long balls' NOW MARTIN ONEAL MUST HAVE BEEN ON SOMETHING TO TAKE THIS AS AN INSULT, OR HE IS JUST OVERLY EXCITED HAVING HELD THE GOONERS TO A DRAW, ONLY TO RESULT TO INSULTING ONE OF THE GAME'S LEGEND. I USED TO HAVE RESPECT FOR MARTIN ONEAL AND VILLA, AND I ALWAYS WISHED THEY'LL BE THE CLUB TO BREAK THE TOP 4, BUT NOW I'M SO DISAPPOINTED IN MON. he has now shown that he is in the company, of sam alladyce, tony pulis and co. WHAT A SOB. |
Celtic_Villan
said:
 |
... if that quote is true, your right but your still an idiot for saying it the way you did. now go away |
Badger
said:
|
...So, NRC out for 3 months, Gardener of to the scum, Sidwell playing cr*p, Steve W out, Gabby and the mule not scoring with JC injuried....anyone starting to get Deja Vu from last year? So it's MON's fault that players get injured? Delph has been getting a look in, so Sidwell probably won't get so much time anyway. NRC has hardly played, Gardner even less, so where's the loss there? Strikers aren't scoring, so that's MON's fault? No problem, you advise who he should sign. I'm sure he'd love to know who is a) available b) wants to come and c) is the right sort of value. f**k me, the way you go on, you'd think we were the only club that has these sorts of problems. Mind you there is a chance that MON might buy a player like Routledge or Shorey to ensure that we don't slide away again. Why do people such as yourself always mention Routledge. Don't you realise he was bought for pennies, a gamble? And what's wrong with Shorey? Perfectly reasonable backup, imo. In MON we trust....but for how bloody long? I'd suggest for the vast majority of Villa fans, plenty long. Until the likes of you drive him out. No comment about how well we played last night against the form side of the moment, I see. Says it all, imo. By all means criticise, but have some bloody balance at least |
kohoutek
said:
|
... Boozy- First, you're a tw*t. Second, Wenger was damning with faint praise. Obviously you're not equipped to deal with subtlety, but Wenger was taking an oblique swipe. Me, I don't particularly care. But I can see MON not being too pleased, as Arsene was not intending to heap praise. He was saying all he could to not try and sound complimentary, and you would know from this Frenchman's body of work (and team selection) that he would consider an "English" game an inferior game. |
Damian
said:
|
... r0bb0 first half was good but i wouldn´t say just the last quarter of an hour, i´d say the second half and while it has looked a bit better generally this season our game is very much focused on counter attacking/direct/long ball football with lots of hard work and not giving up there is nothing wrong with it, it is what o´neill does and it has been successful for him in the past but this midweek, there were 9 other teams that hit it longer more often than us and i now that at this time last season or the season before - january anyway - up until that time in the season there were only 4 other teams that hit it longer than us more often - so maybe we are getting better |
Badger
said:
|
... Boozy, One of your own supporters has said on here that MON was led into that, by only being fed parts of Wenger's statement by some bloody Journo. And if our coach is drunk, does that mean that Wenger's been on the antifreeze-laced Vodka? He must have been, given how blind he is all the time. Give over and get back on the piss mate. |
r0bb0
said:
|
... Goldie Mate i left 7mins before fulltime i know a 0-0 when i see one. Did u go by any chance i paid my money i can leave when i want....Yes....I was there but I bow to your superior perception. With 7 minutes to go I thought that it was unlikely that the game would end as a 0 : 0 draw but it turns out you were right I was wrong. Even if I'd known you were going to be right I would still have stayed till the end though. It would have been worth it just to see Richard Dunne running right through the Arsenal team and only being brought down by yet another cynical Arsenal tackle which only one person in 39,000 failed to see.....sorry...2 people, I doubt if Wenger saw it either. Had the foul been given I would have thought there was a chance of us scoring from the free kick (we were within inches from an earlier one). If I were you I'd take up Damian's Paddy Power offer but put the whole £30 on the winner. Please don't tell me who that is though as it'll take away from the tension on the 28th. |
r0bb0
said:
|
... Damian, I think we have all seen the football improve this season. A few months ago there were just occasional glimpses.Yesterday it was for just about the whole of the first half and (in my view) a good chunk of the second half. Where I think you are wrong is in the impression you give that MoN is only interested (or capable) of building long ball counter attacking sides. I do see a change in the way we are playing and I strongly believe that he is trying to encourage the team to play with a little more flair and invention .......... when the opposition and circumstances warrant it. I hope however that we never abandon the direct style of play completely as it is a valuable piece of our armoury. |
r0bb0
said:
|
... Damian, You're right about the hard work though. Yesterday the players worked their socks off. I hope that we see more substitutions over the coming weeks as I do worry about whether players will be able to maintain that level of energy for a whole season. Can anyone tell me how many games Gabby (for example) has played so far this year compared with the same time last year? |
Damian
said:
|
... r0bb0 i suspect gabby had played more - if only because of the european games and he is looking a little jaded now - maybe time for a little break, although saying that, they have all just had one - but a forced one might be better utilised agreed that the football is starting to get better, my pointing out that it worked for o´neill at celtic and leicester is merely to say that if it doesn´t ultiamtely get us to where we want to be, we either need to spend a shit load of money on players to help get us there, failing that, a manager who can without spending shit loads of money i´d rather the money because new managers carry risks and you can not be sure that the one you bring in is going to do it ... football is getting better, slowly. but at the end of the season, it is league table that matters. we have a long way to go ... |
r0bb0
said:
|
... I've no idea of their source or its accuracy, but here's a quote from an article in the Daily Mail: Statistically, O’Neill’s side make a lot fewer passes than Arsenal and tend to make them longer but they are not the most direct in the Premier League. |
r0bb0
said:
|
... Damian, Apart from possibly Wenger, can you think of a manager who is more likely than MoN to get us to the top of the table without spending "shit loads of money"? I was pleased to see Delph getting a run out yesterday although I would have been happier if Downing had been rested instead of Heskey who I thought was having an excellent game. I have the feeling (maybe wrong) that we are using the squad more this year than last even though certain players are rarely being rested. You and others quote a number of sources of statistics. Is there anywhere on here that lists the various sources? |
Nanwasafan
said:
 |
... Some of these Arse supporters do get excited don't they. They're terribly precious about their beloved 3rd place. I guess we'll let them keep it THIS year. WE'll settle for bagging a couple of cups. Robbo, I enjoyed your little comment on the result of 28th. Good work. By the way, this has been one of the most entertaining blogs for a while. |
Pancho Villan
said:
|
... I do wish people would stop talking about pass statistics - with either Peter Withe or Dean Saunders instead of Heskey/Gabby we would have pummelled them. It's about effectiveness, not styles of play or statistics |
Nanwasafan
said:
|
... robbo I think Damian uses Guardian Chalkboards. They are useful when used as a tool alongside your own perception and the opinions of others who have seen the game. What the statistics do not show, of course, is the nature of the pass. Easy ball across the midfield with 2 rows of 4 lined up in front or defence splitting pass, half blind with the outside of the left boot? Hence 'Pool often look like a good passing side in the stats. Ho ho ho. |
Pancho Villan
said:
|
... He's been suffering from 'turf toe' apparently I doubtful we shall ever see him in the C&B shirt again |
Villa_Chris
said:
|
... Why Pancho? If there was no chance of him returning to the first team due to his injuries, the club wouldn't of extended his contract and he wouldn't of tried to get back match fit. With Warnock injured, we may just see him make a sub appearance. I just hope its at a home game, he will get the best reception heard for a while. |
skeester73
said:
|
... Badger.....u want balance? The reason i pointed out the injured players was only to highlight how smalll the squad actually is and I do agree that some of those listed are 'squad' players...... The strikers not scoring is not MON fault but then the mule was never going to score 20 goals for us and Gabby is struggling to find that barn door at the moment. That said how many Villa fans that post on here are screaming out for a top rate striker? I mean we've Gabby (blows hot and cold), the mule...donkey, the Nomad that is JC who will get us how many and the fonz....a good prospect for the future (not the now). Villa fans (like me) mention Routledge because he was a waste of time and pennies! If Shorey was quality he would neverbe sent out on loan and only called back because of injuries. How chuffed will he be to be back warming the Villa bench? Perfectly reasonable backup! That statement says it all......LMFAO! We have been blessed with a quality manager and I hope he stays with us for years to come but EVERY Villa fan knows what happen last year due to the size of the squad and I fear it will happen again this season. IMO! |
GonzoAvfc
said:
 |
... Chris mate got my tickets at 3pm on wednesday sorry for late reply was in studio session then went to the game, then yesterday i was in studio again lol WEMBLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
ak_27
said:
|
... Chris have you managed to get me my ticket for the final yet? You would want to get a move on at this stage. |
Villa_Chris
said:
|
... ak_27 You would love sitting next to me, I have a man crush on Dunne! Unfortunately, I only bought 1 season ticket this season! |
SDM
said:
 |
... My Season ticket is in A3..cant see anywhere on the website that sys when I can buy. Any ideas? Cheers |
Villa_Chris
said:
|
... You're not allowed to go SDM! Only joking. I can't see it either. Just give them a call or e-mail them. Sure you'll get one. |
paddy
said:
 |
... really what are you talking about editor that is an idiotic comment we play with wingers fast and attacking football.Martin O Neill has brought us on leaps and bounds will you ever be happy i very much doubt it you were probably one of those idiots who was booing at wigan on the first day of the season. get behind Villa and MoN and grow up. |
Write comment
Latest Rumours from the Web
- Rumour time: Karl Henry and Alexander Hleb
- Craig Gardner set to leave Aston Villa for Birmingham City
- Spurs want John Carew and they are willing to offer Robbie Keane if we stump up cash too
- Transfer window is open, speculation is mounting and Craig Gardner is off
- Emile Heskey: Will he stay or will he go?
Wemberlee t-shirt
Follow Us
More Posts
- Martin O'Neill off to Liverpool? Not in this lifetime
- Sinbad couldn't help Birmingham City, semi-final date confirmed and season ticket prices
- Aston Villa Academy make semi-final and Doyle and O'Hara
- Headache for Martin O'Neill equals discussion topic for Aston Villa fans
- John Carew Carew, Chelsea at Wemberlee and Mr Lerner, take more
- Aston Villa beat Reading, Carew scores three and Wemberlee
- Aston Villa at Reading, Lerner cash cow and the FA Cup
- Aston Villa travel to Reading in the FA Cup and seventh isn't the new fourth
- Aston Villa player threatens to quit and others will be leaving too
- Krulak talks, the club say thanks and Vidic isn't wrong
Partners and Friends
Lucozade Sport on Facebook
Lucozade Sport loves Football as much as we do. They’ve been fuelling Aston Villa players for over 15 years and using this expertise to support amateur Footballers across the country. Visit their Facebook page for expert advice, video clips and Football chat. 
Login
Latest World Cup 2010 News
|
|
Get your online avatar
This blog is Gravatar friendly. That basically means, if you use Gravatar and leave a comment, as long as it's the same email address you registered at both sites, we'll show your avatar. It's a cool little site, we like it. Register here! Latest AVFC Blog Tweets
AVFC Blog
avfcblog
- follow:
- updates:2097
- followers:378
Loading...
Last 4 tweets in past 30 days from avfcblog:
People talking about '@avfcblog':
Leaving Comments
Only registered users can post comments without the need for it to be approved. Registration is free and takes two minutes so if you want your comments to show up straight away click here to register.
The Internet is Changing
