[Archived] Villa Semi Final Match Preview

[Dan]

Half Time

Rovers 0 Sam P45

Cheers Phillip! First smile of the night from me :-)

[Exiled_Rover]

Utter sh*te - someone remind Sam that thi is the home leg!

Hopefully he will now be shocked into changing it and going out to actualy try and win the game.

He's always shocked into making a change, that's the problem - he constantly starts with the wrong team.

[LeChuck]

Just seen the replay of the first goal again and Nelsen was definitely the main culprit. Just what was he meant to be contributing to that defence.

Salgado should have continued his run, but he was never once level with Milner, Nelsen is a bloody idiot if he relied on Salgado overtaking him to get goal side.

[G Somerset Rover]

I want to get one thing clear.

IMO Sam can make all the subs in the world that he likes now, we can come out and even make a go of it. But for me he has now lost my support. He's got the tactics and team absolutely wrong yet again. The team have failed to perform for God knows how many first halfs this season and that speaks volumes in my eyes. They clearly do not believe in what they're being told or the tactics that they are being instructed to play.

I pray for OUR team that we turn this game around and have a fighting chance for the final but I have had it with Sam. Tonight's selection, tactics and first half performance have just reinforced what my head has been telling me.

[rebelmswar]

How on earth did we get to the semis McDonald

How did Sam keep us up last year New Manager Syndrome

How does pedersen get a game God must love him

How f@££:? Are we if we don't sack him? Pretty Sore

[tonyoz]

Chimonda almost just scored and own goal with his hand.

Good job the ref's a "homer".

[PAFELL]

How does Andy Cole ever get invited to be on television ? they must be really scraping the barrel to get someone to speak positively about us

Did he bring his boots?

[AJW]

shocking!

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Sounds like the players are losing faith in Sam. Wonder if we have another Wigan scenario on our hands from last season - players trying to oust him?

Sounds that way to me, guys on £30k a week playing like bad Sunday League players. I couldn't bring myself to watch it so I've got it on the radio. 5 live commentators loving it , they're taking the p--s out of us mercilessly. I can't take any more, I've got more pride than those tossers wearing our shirts.

[PAFELL]

I want to get one thing clear.

IMO Sam can make all the subs in the world that he likes now, we can come out and even make a go of it. But for me he has now lost my support. He's got the tactics and team absolutely wrong yet again. The team have failed to perform for God knows how many first halfs this season and that speaks volumes in my eyes. They clearly do not believe in what they're being told or the tactics that they are being instructed to play.

I pray for OUR team that we turn this game around and have a fighting chance for the final but I have had it with Sam. Tonight's selection, tactics and first half performance have just reinforced what my head has been telling me.

I agree. An Arsenal friend of mine said to me after the city game that Rovers players were afraid to tackle in case they got hurt for tonights game. He texted me at half time and said, it is obvious Rovers just DO NOT WANT TO PLAY AND HAVE FORGOTTON HOW. Could not argue with him.

[Roverall]

I think the players look up for it but completely lacking in confidence, and again stymied by Sam's cautious tactics. 5-4-1 at home in a cup semi? What a load of ###### that is.

Villa have been knocking about it with ease, their slick passing game in stark contrast to our hoof it and hope towards Kalinic. Platty is a pratty, but he did make a good point in saying that Villa's players support each other when they go forward. Our lot are slow and stodgy by comparison.

When is the last time one of Robinson's free-kicks has done anything productive? And I don't mean setting up counter-attacks. Oh, and Pedersen really is utter, utter crap - if I never see him or one of those long throws again it'll be too soon.

John Williams and our Dear Leader looked snug as a bug together in the stand before the game.

I'll be surprised if Williams has the bottle to hand Samuel his p45 any time soon.

[rebelmswar]

He only changed Jacobsen!!

[philipl]

Olson on

More from the BBC-

2053: Want some more from stattery from optjoe? Here you are: Villa have had five shots on target, Blackburn none. If I was Big Sam (and I'd rather not be to be honest), I'd bring on Junior Hoilett. Seem him a couple of times now and always looks lively. He was about the only Blackburn player to emerge from Monday's defeat at Man City with any credit.

2051: More boos greet the half-time whistle. Big Sam's got work to do.

[Friday Street]

Salgado was behind Milner, he's not quick enough to keep up with him, let alone overtake him. Nelsen saw the whole bloody thing, wasn't marking anyone and just let it happen.

Didn't mark Milner and was looking around for another Villa player who wasn't within 20 yards.

[promoted2001]

[The Rover of Finland]

Oh dear, Olsson plays LB. He is suppose to play on midfield. Not good at all.

[beerwins]

Well cheered me up thx.

[rebelmswar]

Gamst looks like he is protecting himself for a move.

Should have been another goal for them just now.

[The Rover of Finland]

Oh dear, Olsson plays LB. He is suppose to play on midfield. Not good at all.

There you go. Young just took few steps and almost 0-2.

[rebelmswar]

Try and picture this:-

Headless chickens with crutches = Tonights performance.

[hollowsr]

There you go. Young just took few steps and almost 0-2.

Did well just now did Olsson.

[novella]

I think Sam just says "hoof" at half time.

[G Somerset Rover]

My God we're living a charmed life.

Get at them Rovers FFS. Guzan may as well be on holiday.

Kalinic off the post.

[ada2020]

Its really really embarassing watching this.

We look so poor.

[hollowsr]

Sh*t so close by Kalinic he's deserved one tonight as well

also note for Gamst that came from a short throw