john craig wrote:I am obviously delighted with the result yesterday, but for me the performance was slightly worrying. We gave the ball away sloppily at times and didn't quite have the fluency we had before the international break. Maybe that's to be expected given that the players haven't been training together all week, have been all over the world playing for their countries and also for the simple reason that we can't continue to win every game by scoring four goals or more.
The form of our two star players also concerns me. Torres could have, and by his standards, should have had two or three yesterday. I also thought Gerrard was poor first half, apart from one great ball that Dossena headed onto the bar, and although he improved second half he wasn't at the peak of his game. Our chances of winning a trophy this season depend almost completely on these two maintaining form and fitness for the run-in, whether you choose to admit that to yourselves is another matter.
This isn't meant to be a doom and gloom post though. There were positives too, mainly the result which is by far the most important thing at this stage of the season. We did what Arsenal, Chelsea and United all failed to do this season - win at Craven Cottage, and despite not playing as fluently, still managed twenty attempts on goal, which suggests to me that Benitez is sending the team out with an attacking mentality. The other important thing is the belief in the squad. We kept going to the end and got what we deserved. Our 7th last minute/stoppage time goal this season.
Lastly the timing of the goal will demoralise United somewhat, just as they have been doing to us most weeks since February. Nothing worse than seeing your main rivals score a last minute winner. Now an out of form and low on confidence United have to play a decent side without Berbatov, Rooney, Scholes and Vidic, and they HAVE to win. Villa can't keep losing, they have to turn the corner sooner rather than later and start picking up points again. I can't see them winning at Old Trafford, but a draw's not out of the question.
Yet if wed had that little more luck it coulds been 5 or 7 & people liek u would be goin looks like weve not lost or ryhtme
dont talk
we were class yesterday & we attacked from the first till the last minute like we did in the previous 3 games