[Rustyspider13]

Our players are tired after EL, new manager bounce meant Villa would outwork us, Bruno suspended, Varane and Antony injured, bad game from Martinez, Ronaldo's ever decreasing ability-Too many factors against us combined for a truly woeful defeat. We didn't create one good chance in the second half. It's one of those games where everything goes wrong and it did.

A bad week for EtH. He didn't manage this game well. Ronaldo should not be playing 90 mins back to back. We're already missing Antony and Bruno's workrate, going with VdB instead of Fred is suicidal. Villa just ran through us time and time again and EtH didn't change it.

I can only hope EtH will learn from the last two games and make the big calls as necessary like he did after the first two games of the season. Top 4 is still achievable if we get a striker in January and use our lesser midfielders from time to time.

 

[fallengt]

This one on ETH. How did he think he could get away with De Beek and Ronaldo in starting lineup?
Was lucky last game but not this time.

 

[Black Adder]

Alright bungalow

Hope you find that inner peace you're looking for. Hint: it's not in worshipping Cristiano, but hey what do I know, I'm just Black Adder from the internet.

 

[RoyH1]

We’re missing Varane big time

 

[The Brown Bull]

Meh. Saw this coming. Shallow squad and let’s face it we fell over the line in most of our recent games. It’s going to take time.

 

[phelans shorts]

Hope you find that inner peace you're looking for. Hint: it's not in worshipping Cristiano, but hey what do I know, I'm just Black Adder from the internet.

Here’s a fun tip for you, look at my posts in the Ronaldo thread. Hell look at my posts in last years Ronaldo thread.

Hint: I’m not keen on the guy.

 

[sirAlexsglasses]

Lindeloff is absolutely shocking with any defender running at him, all he does is back off. We need a proper striker for gods sake, CR7 is past it now and Martial spends too much time on the treatment table. At no time did I think we were capable of getting a goal in that game.

 

[Siorac]

This was coming. We were dogshit against both West Ham and Real Sociedad.

13 games, -1 goal difference. We're a long way away from being a good team. For now, this season looks like a very typical one, could be any one of the last nine really.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

That goal in the second half was an absolute disgrace.

We start poorly, fine it happens (often with us) I guess... but then we get back into the game, sneak a goal in before half time and we're set-up.

And then we go and feckin' do that and that's the game done. Rubbish header from Martinez, Lindelof is a fecking useless wanker as normal, and also an idiot for not fouling him when he knows we're being countered. and nobody bothered to track the one runner they had. Shambles.

 

[Natener]

The passing in the attacking third is slow and soft. We just look devoid of ideas once we get into the attacking third and start rolling the ball about casually as if hoping for someone to come up with something. All that does is allow Villa to close down and intercept our passes. Only towards the end did Eriksen and Martinez started playing some good cross field balls that stretched the Villa defence. Honestly, I don't even feel Ronaldo was the problem when our pointless half hearted passing was barely getting the ball into their box for most parts of the game.

 

[Jazz]

Our players are tired after EL, new manager bounce meant Villa would outwork us, Bruno suspended, Varane and Antony injured, bad game from Martinez, Ronaldo's ever decreasing ability-Too many factors against us combined for a truly woeful defeat. We didn't create one good chance in the second half. It's one of those games where everything goes wrong and it did.

A bad week for EtH. He didn't manage this game well. Ronaldo should not be playing 90 mins back to back. We're already missing Antony and Bruno's workrate, going with VdB instead of Fred is suicidal. Villa just ran through us time and time again and EtH didn't change it.

I can only hope EtH will learn from the last two games and make the big calls as necessary like he did after the first two games of the season. Top 4 is still achievable if we get a striker in January and use our lesser midfielders from time to time.

I think he will. Has all my support with the shit show he's taken on. We just need to be calm. Got to get the players in a better mental space for the few remaining games before the WC.

 

[Sandikan]

Could definitely see who'd played midweek and was without some key players couldn't you!

 

[Black Adder]

Here’s a fun tip for you, look at my posts in the Ronaldo thread. Hell look at my posts in last years Ronaldo thread.

Hint: I’m not keen on the guy.

Whatever you say, I'm here only to seconded your opinion. Cheers!

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

Can we change Ronaldo’s chant to Iggy’s “I am the passenger”?

It’s frustrating because we are a threatening side without Ronaldo, and with him we’re lucky to be considered mid table.

 

[spiriticon]

We didn't play that badly I thought, but the defence let us down at key moments

 

[Litch]

Meh. Saw this coming. Shallow squad and let’s face it we fell over the line in most of our recent games. It’s going to take time.

Think you have to rotate the squad better. This game needed freshing up and should gave started Fred or Scott.

 

[Irrational.]

Pathetic - some Villa players also have an annoying habit of stepping up against us: Ramsey, Minge (who has some kind of weird anti-United complex), Cash, Digne etc.

Ronaldo also needs shipping off STAT. He is hindering the team on and off the pitch in a massive way.

 

[mikeyt]

No point going over the same old ground and calling out the same players who don't take their chance. We are forming a good first team, we are however 6 or 7 players away from being a good squad. Our depth is a million miles away from where it needs to be to compete with the better teams regularly.

What ETH has done to date has been good, but he needs 2 or 3 more windows at least to farm out those not good enough and bring in better quality.

Today has rubber stamped for me that VDB, Ronaldo and Lindelof simply must go and must go soon.

What worries me is that after the summer spend, the board won't give ETH anything in January and we need at least two first teamers - One being a striker!

 

[calodo2003]

Was only listening to the match, but the commentators were saying the wall was too far back. Haven't seen the goal yet so I have no idea.

That doesn't absolve us of the elsewise abysmal performance, mind.

 

[Jacko21]

Thought there was a fair chance we’d drop points today, not quite in that manner though.

Can’t abide games that descend into stop/start nonsense.

 

[Adrian7]

Why not play with Fred and Case and Eriksen in font of them, why keep playing him as a defensive mid ? I don't understand

 

[Rustyspider13]

I think he will. Has all my support with the shit show he's taken on. We just need to be calm. Got to get the players in a better mental space for the few remaining games before the WC.

He has my full support too. He's shown enough to earn it. Today was just one of those games.

 

[fergiewherearethou]

Ronaldo and DVB have no place as starters. I don't think we can face any opposition against which DVB can play decent football, maybe only if we relegate in League One.
Our defense let us down today, Martinez had probably his worst game for us, it can happen. Dalot was also sloppy. Lindelof is never reliable.
Villa had much more pace and energy and Emery is a very good manager.

 

[SuperiorXI]

VDB has slotted into Lingard’s role quiet well

He has just come back. Give him a chance.

 

[Hugh Jass]

I know everyone is disappointed and being slightly knee jerk, but we've played far too many matches already, and with minimal rotation.

This was coming for a while now. October schedule was an absolute joke. The most matches we've played in a month in our entire 100+ year history.

We really need to rest players midweek even if it means throwing some of the competitions we're in. I don't even care if we crash out of Europa League if it means we just focus on 4th place.

Yea has to put out the reserves mid week. Players badly need a rest.

I am just hoping a load of them dont get called up for the world cup. Could give them a much needed rest.

 

[T00lsh3d]

Good ebening

I’ve been saying that to my son, and even though I’ve explained it, he’s still looking at me like I’m a twat

 

[Al-T]

Villa have been gash so typical, therefore, that they get a new manager 'dead fish bounce' against us. That said, we were pish so can have few complaints.

Still much work to be done and the limitations of some of these players was exposed today.

 

[Litch]

Plus side, kick up the backside that we need more players

 

[OleTheGreat]

That was so lame but like I had already imagined, playing the same players every 3 days is so sad for a club the magnitude of Manchester United. I thought Rashford, Eriksen were clearly fatigued. Martinez is inhuman to keep going like that but Luke Shaw and Dalot looked fatigued as well. Casemiro did a lot to control the tempo but this team still cannot keep possession and play in the opponent half like EtH wants them to. We need more ball playing players and that will happen only in the summer. At this point I frankly think Newcastle will fight City and Arsenal before we do. I wish, pray and hope these useless owners leave soon.

 

[Oldyella]

Eriksen/Casemiro as a mid-field duo.... really?

He's got to change it. It's really not working atm. Today was perfect opportunity to try him in the 10 spot.

 

[baskinginthesun]

Irrelevant result. The upward trend is good but we were always going to have bumps and lose to poor teams. Especially with the schedule and injuries.

Onto the next one.

Agreed. Was frustrating during the game but, was able to brush it off afterwards. This was one of those performances. The overall upward trend has been good and this was an off day.

 

[Beans]

2 shots on target.

 

[horsechoker]

1. ETH needs to stop playing Ronaldo. Should have taken Donny off at HT at least. Played Martial and Rashford out of position.

2. All round not enough energy or hunger to win. Even Martínez had a shocker.

3. Ronaldo and Van de Beek anonymous. Two players who need to go in January or the summer at the latest.

4. Lindelöf is levels down from Varane and on a bad day worse than Maguire

5. We badly miss Bruno and Antony

6. After all that it was one of those days where Villa scored with every shot goal they had, plus the new manager bounce. With a better team performance we would've drawn or got a win but they seemed destined to score multiple goals.

Let's hope the World Cup is kind to our players.

 

[Red4Life_#7]

ETH should have had more protection of the back 4 in this game tbh. I chose Fred instead of VDB for this exact reason. Casemiro and Fred, with Eriksen in the number 8 position would have given us a stronger base against a Villa team who could be fired up and looking to impress the new manager.

Lindelof went wondering almost in the opposition's half chasing his man leaving a gap at the back which was exploted by Bailley.

I also feel the trip to Spain took it out of us today, we were good at times in possession, but Villa's energy and hunger was the difference today.

Ronaldo is getting a lot of stick here, but he is feeding off scraps. No pre-season at this level shows how important it is. He is finally looking fit enough for the level required.

Rashford is getting a lot of phrase here, but he is very inconsistent and goes missing too much.

VDB offered nothing in both games. Bruno was heavily missed today.

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

The consensus seems to be ten Hag made a few mistakes with selection, in-game management, subs, Ronaldo etc. They're fair criticisms but we should also be fair by saying the squad and the fixture pile-up would make this period difficult to negotiate for any coach. It was a tired performance against a team well up for it, so I don't feel like getting too carried away hammering most of the players or the manager.

I will say though I'm sick of the sight of Ronaldo, when he isn't scoring he's a non-entity leading the line. Donny is so anonymous it's painful to watch.

If we beat Fulham by hook or by crook we're still decently-placed at the break. Let's hope most of our players don't go to the tournament or if they do that their teams all get early baths.

 

[RaulitoElCrack]

2 passengers in Van de hide n seek and Ronaldo plus Garnacho who is improving but not ready means we have no chance in attack. Defence has no room for errors because attack cannot bail them out. Never deserved anything from this game.

Ronaldo and VdB need to be shipped asap. Nothing to offer now or in the future.

 

[Marwood]

Too many injuries for this number of games. Mixed with an opposition getting the new manager bounce/bit of luck.

We still played some decent stuff but got punished for every mistake.

 

[Lyng]

The obvious play was to move Eriksen in to Brunos position and play Fred in the middle but noooo Ten Hag just had to put Donnie in there.
And then playing Rashford on the right. Rashford is excellent on the left and useless everywhere else.
Of course it has to be added that Aston Villa played the match of their life's because it was against us, while they didn't turn up against New Saudicastle.
And the Ref was absurdly bad.

Maguire should move ahead of Lindelöf in the pecking order.
Ronaldo should never play again.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Ten Hag fecked up this. Bad lineup plus wrong and late subs. Amateurish stuff

 

[The Dane]

Bang. Back to earth. Guess it was coming after a few weeks of getting results without playing well. We have a long way to go and need minimum 4-5 top quality players before we have the squad depth and a starting 11 to compete with the best in the Premier League. We had a golden opportunity this year with both Liverpool and Chelsea misperforming, but I fear that they will sort things out before we do, and with Newcastle performing like this even before they have really started spending big, I fear that we will have to settle for Thursday night football for a few more years.