Norwich City v Aston Villa (home) Monday 28th December 2015

[eatonparkboy]

So let me get this right.

We have both our wingers on the same side of the pitch. And a central midfielder on the right.

 

[Canaryboy]

So let me get this right.

We have both our wingers on the same side of the pitch. And a central midfielder on the right.

LOL, and he just scored.

Perhaps Olsson tired or had a knock or something. Or perhaps Alex Neil just thought he was rubbish in his last game. 

 

[eatonparkboy]

What am I saying!

 

[eatonparkboy]

On my own on here today.

So I think I'll tell myself that Wes is doing nothing, not even linking play so maybe Jerome can come on for him.

 

[eatonparkboy]

I'm doing a Forrest Gump.

I'm relieved-and that's all I have to say about that.

 

[Canaryboy]

I think we should make Mbokani our next permanent transfer and admit that he's our best striker. 

His 1 goal in every 4.00 chances makes him more clinical than Harry Kane. 

 

[GJP]

Must say that I haven't been over sold on Mbokani so far but today he took it to Villa. Very good.

 

[Fimbo]

Scrappy stuff. But a win. Nicely taken mbokani and great cross from Wes. Funny that they were both about to be subbed.

 

[dj161]

scrappy game, on another day we could of lost it, Rudd was excellent, thought the ref had a good game, though if I was a Villa fan I'd of been livid (we seemed to get everything our way),we didn't really keep the ball well enough but took our chances when the came about, glad Traore didn't start for them as he caused us all kinds of problems in the 20 minutes or so he was on for, Bennett again looks like our best defender by a mile, thought he did really well today, not sure if Martin had his boots on the right feet today, seemed to be scuffing everything, all in all a good win, not particularly pretty to watch but a wins a win, and Villa are looking more and more doomed, say hello to Ipswich indeed

 

[Gaffer]

Quality from Mbokani today and also from our central defenders. So all of a sudden those two areas of the pitch don't look in such desperate need of strengthening. Villa were poor but we've now got 20 points at the half way stage. We could easily reach 40 points with our current squad.

 

[Gaffer]

I think we should make Mbokani our next permanent transfer and admit that he's our best striker. 

His 1 goal in every 4.00 chances makes him more clinical than Harry Kane. 

He's done brilliantly considering the limited game time and chances he's had.

 

[Brian Fantana]

I see what the Gaffer is saying, the current squad have done well and it is not quite as bad as some would paint the situation but I would be reluctant to try and go the rest of the season without any additions, especially in the centre of defence or upfront.

Another great result though, they aren't pretty matches but who cares at the minute so long as we are winning.

 

[Din]

Massive win. Performance wasn't by any means our best but I think it was a case of we did what we needed to do to win the game. Our passing at times was pretty poor, and there was a spell in the 2nd half where I was a little bit concerned, as we were just causing ourselves problems. But ultimately we then got the 2nd goal and killed the game. Villa were just completely useless really. Toothless up front and inept at the back. The defending for both of our goals was abysmal and to be honest they could spend £30m on new players in January and I couldn't see them staying up.

I thought Bennett deserved his man of the match, with Mbokani not far behind him. Hoolahan and Redmond weren't quite as effective as usual, that said it was a beautiful cross from Wes to pick out Mbokani. Brady was good again, and Rudd made a couple of great saves as well. Howson still wasn't quite at it for me but was certainly better, particularly after he scored. Martin, Bassong and Dorrans were the main under-performers for me. 

That was a huge win, and win Southampton's inconsistant form I don't see a reason why we can't get a result from that if we are on it. 20 points at the half-way stage, with the January transfer window opening in a few days is a decent return. As it stands, under Neil, I'm confident about the way we're going.

 

[GJP]

In the first 4 minutes Howson won a header, won a tackle, made a clearance and fed the ball resulting in Mbokani winning the freekick. So to me he looked at it.

In the first 2 minutes Bennett lost the run of and was therefore beaten to the ball by Richards from a Villa corner. But after that he did win a lot of unchallenged headers so I can see why he got MOTM.

MOTM should have been Mbokani.

 

[hogesar]

In the first 4 minutes Howson won a header, won a tackle, made a clearance and fed the ball resulting in Mbokani winning the freekick. So to me he looked at it.

In the first 2 minutes Bennett lost the run of and was therefore beaten to the ball by Richards from a Villa corner. But after that he did win a lot of unchallenged headers so I can see why he got MOTM.

MOTM should have been Mbokani.

I thought Howson looked good every time he came into the middle of the park.

 

[Killiecanary]

I thought Howson looked good every time he came into the middle of the park.

yep.  Thought Howson did a decent job yesterday - as did pretty much everyone really (although I am ever more worried by Bassongs current form) and he took his goal beautifully as it wasn't an easy take by any means

but he really isn't a wide midfielder - he constantly comes inside (and I agree with you Hog, looks better there) but that can leave a void in front of Russell Martin at times which happened several times.  We are so well covered in central midfield (Tettey, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Vadis, Howson et al) but still need a genuine right midfielder in January.  

 

[Dubai Mark]

I guess I will get panned for being "negative" after a win and very valuable three points.......BUT, I thought we had several players not performing to the level they can against a very poor Villa side. The match was of a very poor standard overall, so as such, I was a bit shocked that, even taking in to account his assist,for example, how poor Wes was throughout, he together with many others couldnt find a yellow shirt for much of the match . Perhaps it was nerves that caused it, I dont know, but I just feel we will need to be much better against Southampton if we are to stand a chance of the three points.   But as I have said elsewhere, I am happy to see points over perforrmances this season, understand why, but against the likes of Villa actually, naively perhaps, expected both.

 

[morty]

I guess I will get panned for being "negative" after a win and very valuable three points.......BUT, I thought we had several players not performing to the level they can against a very poor Villa side. The match was of a very poor standard overall, so as such, I was a bit shocked that, even taking in to account his assist,for example, how poor Wes was throughout, he together with many others couldnt find a yellow shirt for much of the match . Perhaps it was nerves that caused it, I dont know, but I just feel we will need to be much better against Southampton if we are to stand a chance of the three points.   But as I have said elsewhere, I am happy to see points over perforrmances this season, understand why, but against the likes of Villa actually, naively perhaps, expected both.

I don't disagree entirely, but what matters is that we did enough to win the game.

I thought Wes was pretty poor too, but have given up discussing the subject with people, never has a player divided opinion so much!

 

[ZLF]

The two goals are why wes is so key;  had a quiet game yet involved in the two goals together with redmond with a touch of quality out of kilter with the game in general

 

[hogesar]

It wasn't our best performance, nor was it Wes' best performance, yet he's probably the only player that could have played that ball so perfectly to Mbokani at the end like he did. 

It was a nervous, tense affair where we couldn't really get our passing game going due to a combination of giving it away and consistent petty fouling from Villa.

Also, Morty, I don't think you'll find Wes divides much opinion anymore! Pretty much every pundit and ex-footballer who's commented on NCFC mentions how important he is to us, as do the other current players, whilst noting he isn't ideal for all away games this season. Don't think anyone can really criticise him when he's now got more premier league assists for us than any other player.