Aston Villa H 7/8/07

[Zece_WFC]

I was only disappointed in one performance tonight and if he doesn't want to play for us we should let him go.

enlighten me.

Ince MOTM tonight, really good game (second half) roll on Sat!

[NeechezTheSaddler]

I assume he's talking about Butler

[cyclothymic]

Ince - outstanding. A lesson in how to make saves. Maybe should of got the cross for their goal :?

Wrack - good. Looked lively for the full 90 minutes and really got stuck in. Hope this is the season when he is back to his best.
Gerrard - sound
Dann - sound - him and Gerrard to start on Saturday without a doubt
Boertian - scored a silly own goal but after that looked very useful. Defended well and looked good going forward. Reminded me of Chris Marsh actually

Sonko - better than on Saturday. Can tackle and linked up some nice passes with the front two
Dobson - very solid in midfield and for the first time in a while I am not worried about our lack of strength there
Sonner - OK ... but really needs to work on his shot. Should not take free kicks until he can find the goal.
Fox - had a good second half, especially once Ishi came on

Butler - What is the matter with Martin?
Mooney - Brick Shit-house. Wonderfully solid and passed well. Feed him and he will score

Subs:

Ishi - real live wire tonight. Set up the goal and looked very exciting. Hungry for the ball
Hall - passing great and did beat players. Linked up well with the front two. What he lacks in pace he more than makes up for in ability. Took his goal well
Sillah - looked promising. Is the thinest footballer I have ever seen though so don't expect crunching tackles
McDermott - wasn't on for long and I can't remember how he did (which means he didn't mess up)

Have I missed anyone???

[Magic Man Fan]

Butler shouldn't even be starting. Money certainly hasn't learnt his lesson with Butler and whether he plays well or not (or even looks interested) he's like to play almost every minute of every game.

No need at all this season when we have more options. Drop him.

[Blackcountry Villa]

That Butler is rubbish! Although Marlene Deadwood still made him look good

[Barren Flak]

Sillah - looked promising. Is the thinest footballer I have ever seen though so don't expect crunching tackles

Thinner than Evran Wright, blimey.

[Deano_Saddler]

Butler shouldn't even be starting. Money certainly hasn't learnt his lesson with Butler and whether he plays well or not (or even looks interested) he's like to play almost every minute of every game.

No need at all this season when we have more options. Drop him.

I don't understand what everybody's problem is with Butler, for me he has to start most of the games this season because i don't see Mooney scoring many, Carniero might not work out and you can't expect the likes of Deeney & Nicholls to do it so who else have we got.

[Magic Man Fan]

Butler shouldn't even be starting. Money certainly hasn't learnt his lesson with Butler and whether he plays well or not (or even looks interested) he's like to play almost every minute of every game.

No need at all this season when we have more options. Drop him.

I don't understand what everybody's problem is with Butler, for me he has to start most of the games this season because i don't see Mooney scoring many, Carniero might not work out and you can't expect the likes of Deeney & Nicholls to do it so who else have we got.

Try watching the games a bit more closely. It's not about scoring, it's about putting in the effort. Butler just isn't interested. He wanted to leave and it shows. Deeney and Nicholls would score more than Butler because they have pace, ability but most of all desire.

[cal wfc fan]

I assume he's talking about Butler

I assumed that and didn't even go!!

[cyclothymic]

I assume he's talking about Butler

I assumed that and didn't even go!!

Its not just me imagining things then :P

[cal wfc fan]

Butler shouldn't even be starting. Money certainly hasn't learnt his lesson with Butler and whether he plays well or not (or even looks interested) he's like to play almost every minute of every game.

No need at all this season when we have more options. Drop him.

I don't understand what everybody's problem is with Butler, for me he has to start most of the games this season because i don't see Mooney scoring many, Carniero might not work out and you can't expect the likes of Deeney & Nicholls to do it so who else have we got.

Try watching the games a bit more closely. It's not about scoring, it's about putting in the effort. Butler just isn't interested. He wanted to leave and it shows. Deeney and Nicholls would score more than Butler because they have pace, ability but most of all desire.

Didn't Mooney score a hat trick the other night??? :roll:

[Mr Sid]

Thought that we were solid tonight against a second string Villa. Plus points must be that Paul Hall should play on saturday as he turned the game with his link up play. Sonko had down nothing in the 1st half and looked lost. I was sitting behind the dugout and Money was constantly having to tell him where to play. The other was Ishy, he showed again that he can frighten any team, but he still needs to keep his mouth shut as he would have got booked in a normal game for the amount of abuse he gave the ref when they were fouling him.

Ince - Great display of solid keeping, no chance with goal which was a fluke

Wrack - Okay but why does he always need to pass back rather than looking for the forward ball

Gerrard - sound but still prefer Roper with Dann

Dann - solid as always

Boertian - ball hit him rather him putting it in the net, solid in the tackle and a really good signing in a position that was weak last year

Sonko - If this performance was better than saturdays god help us. Thought he tried too many clever touches when under preasure in our half and gave the ball away far too easily. When he did have the ball in their half he did nothing. Lets hope for better from him.

Dobson - does a hell of alot of work that goes unnoticed, very solid in midfield and linked well with Mooney

Sonner - good performance, passing is definately better than anyone else we have and he adds something from last year

Fox - poor crossing througout the game but when he decided to have a go at their full back he looked good

Butler - No service and tightly marked

Mooney - Held the ball up well and linked the play well, would have liked to seen more of him playing with Hall as they linked really well

Subs:

Ishi - Great performance from Ishy, he frightened them stupid and great run to set up the goal. Still showed his other side when giving the ref a load of verbal but really exciting prospect for this season

Hall - linked the play brilliantly when he came on, everything Sonko didin't do he did. Took the goal well

Sillah - Every pass he made hit the player even when under pressure. Has extremely quick feet and very quick. Not the biggest but neither is Ishy. Would be a good signing if we can get a work permit.

McDermott - did well when he came on

Roll on Carlisle!!!!

[danksy9]

Mark my words Ishy will be the first player to leave walsall for more than a million pounds

[tape66]

Mark my words Ishy will be the first player to leave walsall for more than a million pounds

not sure on that mate, but he is the best player that we have, and have had for a while.
A pleasure to watch, apart from the anger.

[danksy9]

Mark my words Ishy will be the first player to leave walsall for more than a million pounds

not sure on that mate, but he is the best player that we have, and have had for a while.
A pleasure to watch, apart from the anger.

There's hole lot of anger in that little man. Can we do an exersisum on him to try and release all the anger :lol: :lol:

[liamrowc52]

Mark my words Ishy will be the first player to leave walsall for more than a million pounds

not sure on that mate, but he is the best player that we have, and have had for a while.
A pleasure to watch, apart from the anger.

How do you rate dann compaired, think he can go as far as ishy?

[danksy9]

Mark my words Ishy will be the first player to leave walsall for more than a million pounds

not sure on that mate, but he is the best player that we have, and have had for a while.
A pleasure to watch, apart from the anger.

How do you rate dann compaired, think he can go as far as ishy?

Don't get me wrong Scott Dann is class , but attacking players especially ones like ishy fetch more money

[tape66]

Mark my words Ishy will be the first player to leave walsall for more than a million pounds

not sure on that mate, but he is the best player that we have, and have had for a while.
A pleasure to watch, apart from the anger.

How do you rate dann compaired, think he can go as far as ishy?

While Dann is an excellent player, Ishy seams to have more impact in a game ( although I admit that ishy is on the pitch for a shorter period of time)
I do rate them both though.

[liamrowc52]

Mark my words Ishy will be the first player to leave walsall for more than a million pounds

not sure on that mate, but he is the best player that we have, and have had for a while.
A pleasure to watch, apart from the anger.

How do you rate dann compaired, think he can go as far as ishy?

While Dann is an excellent player, Ishy seams to have more impact in a game ( although I admit that ishy is on the pitch for a shorter period of time)
I do rate them both though.

In my opinion without dann we would lose alot more games than without ishy, as for selling however i think Ishy might fetch more as dann seems to of reached his peak of quality, being a defensive player and suchsuch.

[Exile]

It'll be interesting to see how we use the bench this season - I'd like to see more impact players brought on in time to make a difference, rather than have five or ten minutes poodling about.

[Scooby]

Sonko and Carneiro-Oh Dear! My god they looked out of their depth against Villa reserves last night and some think Butler is bad. . . . . . . .? We still need a 'quality' British midfielder and a striker DD!

[cyclothymic]

Thought that we were solid tonight against a second string Villa. Plus points must be that Paul Hall should play on saturday as he turned the game with his link up play. Sonko had down nothing in the 1st half and looked lost. I was sitting behind the dugout and Money was constantly having to tell him where to play. The other was Ishy, he showed again that he can frighten any team, but he still needs to keep his mouth shut as he would have got booked in a normal game for the amount of abuse he gave the ref when they were fouling him.

Ince - Great display of solid keeping, no chance with goal which was a fluke

Wrack - Okay but why does he always need to pass back rather than looking for the forward ball

Gerrard - sound but still prefer Roper with Dann

Dann - solid as always

Boertian - ball hit him rather him putting it in the net, solid in the tackle and a really good signing in a position that was weak last year

Sonko - If this performance was better than saturdays god help us. Thought he tried too many clever touches when under preasure in our half and gave the ball away far too easily. When he did have the ball in their half he did nothing. Lets hope for better from him.

Dobson - does a hell of alot of work that goes unnoticed, very solid in midfield and linked well with Mooney

Sonner - good performance, passing is definately better than anyone else we have and he adds something from last year

Fox - poor crossing througout the game but when he decided to have a go at their full back he looked good

Butler - No service and tightly marked

Mooney - Held the ball up well and linked the play well, would have liked to seen more of him playing with Hall as they linked really well

Subs:

Ishi - Great performance from Ishy, he frightened them stupid and great run to set up the goal. Still showed his other side when giving the ref a load of verbal but really exciting prospect for this season

Hall - linked the play brilliantly when he came on, everything Sonko didin't do he did. Took the goal well

Sillah - Every pass he made hit the player even when under pressure. Has extremely quick feet and very quick. Not the biggest but neither is Ishy. Would be a good signing if we can get a work permit.

McDermott - did well when he came on

Roll on Carlisle!!!!

Were you in row G Mr Sid? With Villa fans either side of you?

[NEWPORT SADDLERS DAD]

Butler doesn't deserve a starting place.Last season he started well and when the goals dried up
worked hard.Now he lets Mooney do the running and watches the game more than getting involved,
at least money took him off last night,perhaps he is realising Martin has no interest.
Drop him to the bench or we will be playing with ten men every week.

[Duke]

Sounds a good nights work to me , decent crowd to boost JB's pension fund , good second half performance , plenty of players used including a trialist , abd most importantly hopefuly no injuries . thats what pre- season is all about , good stuff .

[big baz 1]

Butler shouldn't even be starting. Money certainly hasn't learnt his lesson with Butler and whether he plays well or not (or even looks interested) he's like to play almost every minute of every game.

No need at all this season when we have more options. Drop him.

Though butler is my favourite walsall player i would agree with mmf that he needs to be dropped, maybe to give him that kick up the backside to make him realise if you not playing well you dont deserve to be in the team. Then butler will get back to the form he had at the start of last season. Martin butler is a good striker .

[philthesaddler]

I thought it was a really good friendly to be honest, probably the best I've seen, Villa didnt play a bunch of first teamer only willing to stroll round the park, they played their hungry players, some of which looked very decent, notably the left winger.

The 2nd half was particularly enjoyable.

You can see Villas problems are similar to ours in a way, in scoring goals, they should have destroyed us in the first half, but didn't.

Ishy must start when he's back from his ban, was a bit more impressed with carneiro, although I think he will win us a lot of free kicks with his simulation.

[Duke]

Listened to the game on WM , it appeared a very good match , Daz Hale was very impressed with Sonner and Ishy .

[Bernie]

That match showed very clearly our strengths and weaknesses as we start the new season.

We have a very good goalkeeper and an excellent defence. We were able to deal with almost constant pressure in the first half. It is very much to Richard Money's credit that our back four, assisted by the midfield were able to keep Villa to just one goal. The team was also very fit, because despite being given the run around they did not flag, but got even better as the match went on. I think we can start the season with some confidence that we will again be a very hard team to beat.

Unfortunately the weaknesses in the first half were just as obvious. As an attacking force we were poor. The pass completion rate was ridiculously low. We have some players who are good at helping the defence and winning the ball but who do not find a Walsall player often enough with their passes.

It must be obvious to everyone that Butler is no longer good enough for this level. The years have caught up with him - he is already nearly two years older than most Walsall players are when they drop out of league football. If he is willing to accept a free transfer then he should go. It is painful to watch him struggling.

Mooney might still be useful if he can be partnered with someone with pace and flair - but I hope that he does not start any more games alongside Butler.

In the second half we saw very clearly the difference that pace makes to a team.

Richard Money has done a brilliant job at organising the defense. He inherited some good defensive players, but he deserves a lot of praise for marshalling them into such an efficient force. If he can now work the same trick with our attack and bring out the potential of some of our young players then he will deserve to be called a great Walsall manager.

[asimpson]

My view for what its worth.

Ince- Very Solid again. Won everything in the air, and his kicking wasnt all that bad

Wrack- Not a bad performance but nothing to write home about. Looks like he will continue as right back until Weston decides he wants to be fit

Dann- Very Good

Gerrard- Good

Boetein- Once again a quality display. Money has found a cracker of a left back here!

Sonko- Not bad, Although lacks pace

Sonner- Nice assured performance although did get caught on the ball a few times

Dobson- Real captains performance particually in the second half where he appeared to be everywhere

Fox- One of his better performaces in the left midfield role but i still dont see him there permantley

Butler- Didnt do alot for me. He kept the ball well but didnt even look like scoring

Mooney- Ran alot but couldnt find a way passed solid Villa back line

Subs

Hall- Much better performance than against Blues. Shouls start ahead of sonkop saturday

Ishy- I think i shall have to made to eat my words on ishy. We at last looked like we were going to score when he came on. I think ishy is going to have a very good season

Sillah - I struggled to see him when he came on he was that small, but i have no complaints with his performance. Every pass found a white shirt.

Mc dermot- No time to do alot

Once again as i said after blues game Mooney and Butler together upfront does not work!!. One or the other alongside either caniero or deeney. But DD is sure to stick with these two on saturday.

[Magic Man Fan]

It'll be interesting to see how we use the bench this season - I'd like to see more impact players brought on in time to make a difference, rather than have five or ten minutes poodling about.

I would too and I think that's DD's thinking too.

If DD is intent on keeping it tight and not starting with so much attacking intent on the wings (i.e. Fox on the left and whoever on the right) then I really would like to see Ishmel up front alongside Mooney. We really could kill teams in League One with that option.