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We definitely deserved a point against a well-organised Aston Villa team. Villa were very negative at times, but they're clearly an effective side. Thought we played very well in the first half, but Villa stepped up a gear in the second and made life difficult for us. I felt that a number of our key players were quiet today, particularly Wright-Phillips and Barton, but in fairness they were up against a very solid defensive unit.
One thing that really irritated me about our performance - set-pieces. They were absolutely woeful today. We need to improve in this area because we wasted so many good opportunities to get the ball into the box.
I know football fans almost always moan about the referee, but this one really was absolutely abysmal. That was never a penalty. Traore hardly touched the Aston Villa player. Nobody in a claret shirt appealed for the decision and the away supporters couldn't believe their eyes when he pointed to the spot. There is no way the referee would have made a decision like that at Old Trafford or Anfield, but of course we're a small club so it's OK apparently. What made it even more frustrating was that we were denied an obvious penalty when a Villa defender handled the ball RIGHT IN FRONT of Mr Oliver. Traore's tackle was very bad, but I felt that there were a number of Villa players on yellow cards who were incredibly fortunate to stay on the pitch. I haven't seen such an inconsistent refereeing display for several seasons. He really was absolutely atrocious.
Paddy Kenny produced a great performance once again - fantastic save from that free-kick in the first half and he made a couple of decent stops in the latter stages of the match. Anton Ferdinand was also superb and dealt with the Villa forwards excellently. Barton, Derry and Faurlin gave away possession too much in the second half but certainly got 'stuck in'. Once again Bothroyd's general play was excellent (holding the ball up, winning headers, laying it off etc), but he just can't seem to put the ball in the back of the net at the moment.
I think what impressed me the most about this performance was the team spirit we showed. Warnock has engendered a real sense of belief in the side and that is what got us the point today.
One thing that really irritated me about our performance - set-pieces. They were absolutely woeful today. We need to improve in this area because we wasted so many good opportunities to get the ball into the box.
I know football fans almost always moan about the referee, but this one really was absolutely abysmal. That was never a penalty. Traore hardly touched the Aston Villa player. Nobody in a claret shirt appealed for the decision and the away supporters couldn't believe their eyes when he pointed to the spot. There is no way the referee would have made a decision like that at Old Trafford or Anfield, but of course we're a small club so it's OK apparently. What made it even more frustrating was that we were denied an obvious penalty when a Villa defender handled the ball RIGHT IN FRONT of Mr Oliver. Traore's tackle was very bad, but I felt that there were a number of Villa players on yellow cards who were incredibly fortunate to stay on the pitch. I haven't seen such an inconsistent refereeing display for several seasons. He really was absolutely atrocious.
Paddy Kenny produced a great performance once again - fantastic save from that free-kick in the first half and he made a couple of decent stops in the latter stages of the match. Anton Ferdinand was also superb and dealt with the Villa forwards excellently. Barton, Derry and Faurlin gave away possession too much in the second half but certainly got 'stuck in'. Once again Bothroyd's general play was excellent (holding the ball up, winning headers, laying it off etc), but he just can't seem to put the ball in the back of the net at the moment.
I think what impressed me the most about this performance was the team spirit we showed. Warnock has engendered a real sense of belief in the side and that is what got us the point today.
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