[Archived] Preview (Not) Asia Trophy

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Havent learnt anything we didn't already know:

+

Formica looks good. Nice touches and seems to be intent on getting forwards

Roberts has done well. Held the ball up as usual but also found a man afterwards

Nzonzi's been tidy and passed well.

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Dunn is off the pace

Emerton/Gamst are both steady but are too slow in supporting Roberts

As it stands the game has just reinforced the need to get a solid centre mid, a striker who poses a threat to goal rather than just laying it off and an attacking midfielder.

Be good to see some of Hoilett/Rochina if they're fit in the second half. Decent game considering, and we havent done badly.

[alexanders]

Maybe he is trying to look like Sam to become more popular. Enjoyed the forst half. The pundits saying we were trying to play the most foottæball

[chris]

Really like the look of Formica - few really lovely touches, he's played some great balls and just looks lively all the time. Hopefully he pushes on and can replace Dunn completely, as he was buggered last season, no way can we rely on him for this season too.

Hopefully Hoilett & Rochina can come on and inject some urgency into the attack, Pedersen/Emerton/Roberts aren't doing the best.

Yeah he was lively and so quick bit Tevez like (I am not saying he is a young Tevez lol), just surprised he had so much energy first time i've seen him.

[Kamy100]

Decent first half, both sides very committed. Only concern for me is Rovers defensive organisation which should be better. Formica looks good. For me N'Zonzi has done very well.

Hope the Junior and Rochina get a run out during second half if they are fit enough.

[heysham rover]

formica is obviously benefiting from being held back and worked his physique and stamina to be able to deal with the rigours of prem football, hats off to the backroom team.

[brian_gallagher85]

Have to a agree with you Kamy, I have to say I'm far from his biggest fan but he's bossed the midfield.

[Tom]

Can't see any changes yet but there will be soon. Hope to see Blackman and Linganzi maybe Henley as well.

[Myles Anderson]

I think villa look awful personally,

Yes I find it amazing how quickly A.M has transformed Villa into looking very much like Birmingham City Of Last Season.

[heysham rover]

i think the Fonz looks a different players, his touch and passing looks so much more assured. I noticed at Morecambe the ball was sticking to him like glue, whereas at times watching him trap the ball was like someone running after an unruly toddler

[Tom]

Olsson looks in serious pain

Bad bad news

Edit: Back on his feet

[bringdunnback]

According to official site, we won't be seeing Hoilett as he is still recovering. Shame but hopefully we'll see Rochina.

Formica impresive, hate to say it (check my username) but although Dunn is committed, some of his passes are wayward. Could well be a season where Dunny is faded out over the season.

[Lurid Coat]

Olsson's up again now, hopefully it isn't so bad

[philipl]

This is seriously worrying for Olsson.

[Tom]

This is seriously worrying for Olsson.

He looks fine now

Villa started the better side this half

1-0 Villa awful goal to concede

[Lurid Coat]

Villa 1-0 up, Bent

Bad marking by Givet

[BPF]

1- 0

[3rdpillar]

slack defending

[Nelsta]

ahh bugger!!!!!

[davulsukur]

Very glad to hear Olsson is back on his feet, definately need to keep him fit for the season opener.

[Exiled_Rover]

Very glad to hear Olsson is back on his feet, definately need to keep him fit for the season opener.

He's one of our key players. If he goes down we're literally ######.

[booth]

Awful defending, and Villa's first shot on target I think

[heysham rover]

Really poor defending, started with Pedersen letting his man come inside too easily. Givets marking was horrible, in between two players marking no one

[Tom]

Keeper should be sharper there for me.

Goal was coming though we sat back too much I imagine a few players just waiting to be replaced

[Exiled_Rover]

So all this talk of Formica being small seems off. Perhaps he's put on some muscle, but he's hardly 5 foot nothing.

[philipl]

Defending is all over the place. Terrible organiation.