Alex Neil.

[Jack Daniels]

3 things.

When was the last time all 3 subs scored in the same game?

Also, when Fisher went off at 2-2, he could have played it safe by putting Clarke on but instead, he went for it by putting on a striker, Moult.

Finally, any talk that they are not playing for him was destroyed with the 2nd half performance at 2-0 down.

Feeling at lot more optimistic about Saturday now than I was before the Villa game. Only 2 points adrift.

Keep The Faith.

 

[Regardless]

3 things.

When was the last time all 3 subs scored in the same game?

Also, when Fisher went off at 2-2, he could have played it safe by putting Clarke on but instead, he went for it by putting on a striker, Moult.

Finally, any talk that they are not playing for him was destroyed with the 2nd half performance at 2-0 down.

Feeling at lot more optimistic about Saturday now than I was before the Villa game. Only 2 points adrift.

Keep The Faith.

And only 11 points adrift of the play-offs and 35 matches in with to bridge the gap 😛

 

[SF]

Still 100% behind Neil, he's here for the long term.

 

[flippinheck]

3 things.

When was the last time all 3 subs scored in the same game?

Also, when Fisher went off at 2-2, he could have played it safe by putting Clarke on but instead, he went for it by putting on a striker, Moult.

Finally, any talk that they are not playing for him was destroyed with the 2nd half performance at 2-0 down.

Feeling at lot more optimistic about Saturday now than I was before the Villa game. Only 2 points adrift.

Keep The Faith.

Spot on, we know where the fault lies in our lack of progression from last season. 5th wealthiest owner and 21st size of budget in the Championship.

 

[norfolk white]

This is from a Villa fan:

I agree - the red card made little difference imo Preston looked a totally different team from the kick off and I also could sense that 2-0 would not be enough - you have to give credit to Alex Neil for this - not for the first time an opposition coach does a number on Bruce.

Source:https://www.villatalk.com/topic/15647-steve-bruce/?page=2338

 

[raefil]

I actually went to bed buzzing last night.

Saw so much negativity after the game but ive got this deep feling that the corner really was turned last night. A couple of wins and the confidence will be back.

 

[Madferret]

Not sure whether AN is a tactical genius or just nuts! Moult for Fisher was, to put it mildly, an interesting substitution. Especially in light of his “ We are sometimes a naive young team” comment. Nonetheless, the lads deserve massive credit for last night. The character displayed in fighting back against a team with Villa’s Resources was tremendous.

 

[Nishtar36]

Credit to Neil for changing it but why did we start in that weird 4-4-2 shape. It wasted 45 minutes of the game.

4-2-3-1, DJ with Pearson is where we look most comfortable.

 

[paddysr]

Not sure whether AN is a tactical genius or just nuts! Moult for Fisher was, to put it mildly, an interesting substitution. Especially in light of his “ We are sometimes a naive young team” comment. Nonetheless, the lads deserve massive credit for last night. The character displayed in fighting back against a team with Villa’s Resources was tremendous.

Lucky we have Browne who can pretty much play anywhere. It's the bravest tactical decision I have seen him make since Hull away

 

[utw]

Credit to Neil for changing it but why did we start in that weird 4-4-2 shape. It wasted 45 minutes of the game.

4-2-3-1, DJ with Pearson is where we look most comfortable.

Not DJ's biggest fan but he changed the game last night. Hats off to him.

 

[beagleman]

I actually went to bed buzzing last night.

Saw so much negativity after the game but ive got this deep feling that the corner really was turned last night. A couple of wins and the confidence will be back.

Agree with Rae on this, if we just held on a win would have been amazing but Mqxwellls save from the pen made my night. Confidence should be up today.

 

[jumping mouse]

Make no bones about it. We are properly in the shit.

And AN is not the most tactically astute manager. I don't think he's even the best man manager or coach.

But he should get some credit, at least, for giving it a go when the chips are down. (Grayson's ultra cautious timid respectful approach by comparison? North End were beaten before they got on the pitch)

If this chest out battling approach backed up by brave tactical decisions filters down to the players - then we might have a chance.

 

[Mancunian White]

Credit to Neil for changing it but why did we start in that weird 4-4-2 shape. It wasted 45 minutes of the game.

4-2-3-1, DJ with Pearson is where we look most comfortable.

Probably did it to match villa's 442. He did the same last season at their place too

 

[FootballcrazyP_]

Not sure whether AN is a tactical genius or just nuts! Moult for Fisher was, to put it mildly, an interesting substitution. Especially in light of his “ We are sometimes a naive young team” comment. Nonetheless, the lads deserve massive credit for last night. The character displayed in fighting back against a team with Villa’s Resources was tremendous.

The Sub was already going to be made, I think Robinson was going to come off, but Fisher’s injury changed the plans and that was lucky, because robbo had a good game. We’ve been due some luck last night was a mixed bag, lets see what happens at the weekend, i’m not getting carried away on a 45 minute show. But it does show the players have it in them, sort out the defense and play attacking football like it the second half, these lads can make the playoffs. But if we go back into our shell then sorry neil has to go.

 

[Mancunian White]

I think he's reverting to the manager we saw last year, the one who said "I'd rather lose chasing a win than play for a draw."

He's been getting more and more cautious but I think he's now going all in.

 

[Joanpne]

I actually went to bed buzzing last night.

Saw so much negativity after the game but ive got this deep feling that the corner really was turned last night. A couple of wins and the confidence will be back.

Totally agree. We would all have been very happy with a point before the game, we got one, it matters not a jot what happened to achieve it, the fact is we did. I think we will be fine too.

 

[Idi Amin]

I actually went to bed buzzing last night.

Saw so much negativity after the game but ive got this deep feling that the corner really was turned last night. A couple of wins and the confidence will be back.

Surely it takes more than a great second half fight back against 10 men, to turn round an organisation that is ‘rotten to the core’ Phil!

 

[KeithLard]

Such an odd game, a complete rollercoaster. We have something to build on, that is the main thing. The players can take heart from the second half performance, how clinical we were, how well we created chances, our set pieces.

We clearly need to address the defence. The goals were fairly basic again and silly little errors. I think a lot come from confidence. Hopefully the penalty save from Maxwell is the catalyst for confidence. Had we lost 4-3 it would have been shocking.

I'm more optimistic now for the Wigan game and the fixtures after. I just hope AN sticks with the same defence and works on it. The confidence will come when we don't immediately concede after taking a lead!!

 

[alexpne18]

Think we'll finish 17-20th this year, which I'd be delighted with.

 

[Former Member]

I'm still behind him. Don't turn into a bad manager overnight, he's just got a few game plans wrong this season.

Credit to Neil for changing it but why did we start in that weird 4-4-2 shape. It wasted 45 minutes of the game.

4-2-3-1, DJ with Pearson is where we look most comfortable.

Robinson actually started at 10. Not only did he keep passing the ball to them (nothing to do with his position), he was all over the gaff. He didn't know where to stand / run.

Also we changed back to the 4-3-3 shape (Browne CM, Barky RW, Robbo LW) when it was still 0-0 as we were getting overrun in the middle.