01-26-2020, 11:56 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-26-2020, 11:59 AM by chasetownbaggie.)
No-one's come forth with any, so here's me onions.
Bond: virtually a spectator in the first half, had a busier second half without really coming under threat. Seemed to have all the off target shots covered. Looks able and wouldn't be averse to seeing him given a chance in the league should SJ stop performing. 6
O'Shea: another assured performance from the young lad though I felt he got caught out of position a few times, being too far up the pitch. Supported Phillips well but will need to impriove his crossing if we're going to persist with him at RB. Experience will have done him good. Big respect for not letting the split lip shake you. Not as good as Nathan though, tbh. 6.5
Hegazi: coming back to his best, a proper warrior. Has to stay in the team now, IMO. Incredible last ditch tackle in the first half which had it been mis-timed would have been a certain red card. MOTM for me. 9
Ajayi: Defended really well but played a couple of sloppy passes, one that could have led to a West Ham goal (see Hegazi) and one that led, ultimately, to his sending off. No complaints about his bookings. 5.5
Townsend: What a goal! Yet again, Conor shows what a reliable professional he is. Excellent back-up. Take a bow, son. 7
Phillips: I don't get the criticism Matty gets. To me, he always looks to get forward and uses his pace and strength to great effect to move us up the pitch. At the same time, he also puts in a shift defensively. Admittedly, his crosses aren't always up to scratch but show me a player whose crosses are consistently good - it's not an easy skill when you're running at full pelt. Kept Cresswell occupied. One of the first names on the teamsheet as far as I'm concerned. 7
Brunt: Ah Brunteh. Effing love you. If only you were 10 years younger. Used his experience to full effect, helped the team over the line in that last 20 minutes. 8
Barry: Just like Brunteh, used his vast experience. Though he hasn't got the pace now, it's still hard to believe he's 38, such are his fitness levels. Took a card for the team. Contender for MotM: 8.5
Krovinivic: excellent first half, pulling the strings. West Ham changed their formation second half and he became less effective. Understandably disappointed to be taken off but the right decision at the time. 7
Edwards: can be very pleased with his display, as with Phillips, worked hard defensively and used his pace to great effect going forward. Gave Zabaleta a torrid time in the first half. Just needs to work on his crossing. 7
Austin: worked hard for the team, as usual. Cracking header in the first half which for the life of me looked in ( I was already out of me armchair). 7
Subs:
Tulloch: very mature display when he came on. Used his pace to get into some good positions when going forward, including a half chance late in the game, but also did some stout defending when covering for O'Shea. Looks promising. 6
Bartley: sound, did what he had to do. 6
Zohore: excellent cameo when he came on, worked really hard to take the pressure of the defence in the last 10 minutes. Exemplary play when keeping the ball at the corner flag. 7
Comment on West Ham: God, they were poor. Bad attitude, no heart. Fear they will take Villa's place in the bottom 3 at the end of the season. Declan Rice deserves a pat on the back though. Plays with a maturity far beyond his 21 years.
Bond: virtually a spectator in the first half, had a busier second half without really coming under threat. Seemed to have all the off target shots covered. Looks able and wouldn't be averse to seeing him given a chance in the league should SJ stop performing. 6
O'Shea: another assured performance from the young lad though I felt he got caught out of position a few times, being too far up the pitch. Supported Phillips well but will need to impriove his crossing if we're going to persist with him at RB. Experience will have done him good. Big respect for not letting the split lip shake you. Not as good as Nathan though, tbh. 6.5
Hegazi: coming back to his best, a proper warrior. Has to stay in the team now, IMO. Incredible last ditch tackle in the first half which had it been mis-timed would have been a certain red card. MOTM for me. 9
Ajayi: Defended really well but played a couple of sloppy passes, one that could have led to a West Ham goal (see Hegazi) and one that led, ultimately, to his sending off. No complaints about his bookings. 5.5
Townsend: What a goal! Yet again, Conor shows what a reliable professional he is. Excellent back-up. Take a bow, son. 7
Phillips: I don't get the criticism Matty gets. To me, he always looks to get forward and uses his pace and strength to great effect to move us up the pitch. At the same time, he also puts in a shift defensively. Admittedly, his crosses aren't always up to scratch but show me a player whose crosses are consistently good - it's not an easy skill when you're running at full pelt. Kept Cresswell occupied. One of the first names on the teamsheet as far as I'm concerned. 7
Brunt: Ah Brunteh. Effing love you. If only you were 10 years younger. Used his experience to full effect, helped the team over the line in that last 20 minutes. 8
Barry: Just like Brunteh, used his vast experience. Though he hasn't got the pace now, it's still hard to believe he's 38, such are his fitness levels. Took a card for the team. Contender for MotM: 8.5
Krovinivic: excellent first half, pulling the strings. West Ham changed their formation second half and he became less effective. Understandably disappointed to be taken off but the right decision at the time. 7
Edwards: can be very pleased with his display, as with Phillips, worked hard defensively and used his pace to great effect going forward. Gave Zabaleta a torrid time in the first half. Just needs to work on his crossing. 7
Austin: worked hard for the team, as usual. Cracking header in the first half which for the life of me looked in ( I was already out of me armchair). 7
Subs:
Tulloch: very mature display when he came on. Used his pace to get into some good positions when going forward, including a half chance late in the game, but also did some stout defending when covering for O'Shea. Looks promising. 6
Bartley: sound, did what he had to do. 6
Zohore: excellent cameo when he came on, worked really hard to take the pressure of the defence in the last 10 minutes. Exemplary play when keeping the ball at the corner flag. 7
Comment on West Ham: God, they were poor. Bad attitude, no heart. Fear they will take Villa's place in the bottom 3 at the end of the season. Declan Rice deserves a pat on the back though. Plays with a maturity far beyond his 21 years.
