Luton vs Aston Villa post-match thread

[LeeB]

Where did it go wrong in the second half - we've let that happen a few times this season and got away with it against Forest, Luton and FUlham, but not Man Utd.

pretty much from the re-start it was a different game , that got progressively worse for us until about the 84th minute

But why? This has happened too many times for it to be something specific we do or stop doing.

We play a very controlled way and when the opposition change we struggle sometimes to adapt, but we generally do adapt eventually (we did it a bit quicker last week againts Forest).

It's just something we're still working out as we're still a work in progress effectively, but I do think Saturday's win is actually more beneficial than a second half stroll long term as it solidifies belief in ourselves.

[brontebilly]

Emery on the 79th minute rescued a bad situation that was unfolding, very good management really. Other previous managers we've had (i'm not going to name names), under such pressure would have gone to the dugout, sat down and adopted the crash position.

Result goes the other way and he gets criticised for delaying the changes. Like he was against Newcastle and Chelsea. That's the lot of a manager. With Rogers on a yellow I thought he could have tried swapping Tielemans and Rogers a good bit earlier. But it wouldn't have made much difference to how we defended those two set pieces.

It's a bit concerning in the last three games we crucified three very average teams early on but let them back into the game with some appalling defending. Constantly changing CBs hasn't helped and we are physically weak at set pieces anyway. Also with Ramsey injured again we really look out of options for cover now on that left side. I'd actually try Bailey there v Ajax with Digne behind him. Try McGinn on the right and Tim in next to Luiz. I'm not sure Tielemans deserves the hold his spot but maybe his guile would be more useful than Diaby's speed.

[oldtimernow]

Do Refs have match /game appraisals because Oliver's would be a stinker?
they should be made to sit down and rewatch their actions with a Devil's advocate , justifying why they made that decision.

[brontebilly]

Do Refs have match /game appraisals because Oliver's would be a stinker?
they should be made to sit down and rewatch their actions with a Devil's advocate , justifying why they made that decision.

Refs often play with struggling teams at home when they are pushing to get back in the game, it's more sub conscious than deliberate. It's tin hat stuff to think he has it in for us though. I think there is far too much made of his performance on here. Sure Luiz yellow was nonsense and I thought Rogers was also for a nothing foul (his first one more of a yellow). But Konsa should have been definitely booked for his foul before their second goal and at least one of Tim's fouls fell into the cynical category, one I liked on edge of their box for example. Watkins couldn't buy a foul in second half but again that happens.
Oliver had nothing to do with the two goals we conceded nor Morris big chance to put Luton ahead. I'm afraid a ring rusty Konsa was far more to blame for all three.

[Clampy]

How was Konsa to blame for the first one?

[Risso]

Do Refs have match /game appraisals because Oliver's would be a stinker?
they should be made to sit down and rewatch their actions with a Devil's advocate , justifying why they made that decision.

Yes they do.

[VillaTim]

Emery on the 79th minute rescued a bad situation that was unfolding, very good management really. Other previous managers we've had (i'm not going to name names), under such pressure would have gone to the dugout, sat down and adopted the crash position.

Result goes the other way and he gets criticised for delaying the changes. Like he was against Newcastle and Chelsea. That's the lot of a manager. With Rogers on a yellow I thought he could have tried swapping Tielemans and Rogers a good bit earlier. But it wouldn't have made much difference to how we defended those two set pieces.

It's a bit concerning in the last three games we crucified three very average teams early on but let them back into the game with some appalling defending. Constantly changing CBs hasn't helped and we are physically weak at set pieces anyway. Also with Ramsey injured again we really look out of options for cover now on that left side. I'd actually try Bailey there v Ajax with Digne behind him. Try McGinn on the right and Tim in next to Luiz. I'm not sure Tielemans deserves the hold his spot but maybe his guile would be more useful than Diaby's speed.

I thought Emery should have changed things sooner in the 2nd half , we were getting overrun down the right wing.
The defence isn't right, Lenglet is not the answer and i would certainly not make the loan a permanent move, let him be Barca's issue come May.
As for playing Irogbunam, yes maybe vs Ajax but he's not ready for League games in my opinion, Tielemans all day long.

[Somniloquism]

How was Konsa to blame for the first one?

It was Konsa (under pressure) who actually headed it back across the box for the first chance, then didn't do enough to stop the second ball played across from the same player when Cash cleared. However I don't think it was ring rust but a mis-match in physique between Morris and Konsa.

[Clampy]

The main fault for the first was Lenglet not leaving it for Emi to pick up.

[ez]

The main fault for the first was Lenglet not leaving it for Emi to pick up.

I remember Lenglet I think leaving the ball for Emi at Fulham. That didn't go well.

[VillaTim]

The main fault for the first was Lenglet not leaving it for Emi to pick up.

2 weeks running he's been involved in a mix up.

[pauliewalnuts]

The main fault for the first was Lenglet not leaving it for Emi to pick up.

Konsa had the chance to stop all this unfolding, though, he headed it right back into the danger area.

[Somniloquism]

And you don't think the first directly led to the second. How many people were stating he should have put it into row Z regardless of the call in the Fulham post match? And how many of the same people are now stating he should have left it for Emi to collect this week? Poor man can't win.

[LeeB]

I thought the call was a touch late and he did the right thing.

The problem was Alan Smith chose that exact moment to comment that Villa had handled every ball in pretty well so far, so that sealed that fate.

[Keeno]

And you don't think the first directly led to the second. How many people were stating he should have put it into row Z regardless of the call in the Fulham post match? And how many of the same people are now stating he should have left it for Emi to collect this week? Poor man can't win.

Yeah it's a fair point - I think he did the right thing in clearing it. What we then go and do in a totally different phase of play is then poor, but not related to that decision.