The goalkeepers were the difference!

It's a concern now that in consecutive games we have conceded through length of the field breaks after we have lost possession from attacking set plays. What a pity that we can't get Diakite playing to his full potential, I believe his athleticism and pace could provide the xfactor for the current line up and plug some of the gaps in these breakaway situations.

Bosingwa was caught out on a number of occasions although he was up against Villas best player GA. I still think Harry is right to play him. We are definitely working the ball out of the back much better now and he is a major part of that. He definitely has defensive fralities, not a news flash, so needs a worker infront of him. This way, when Traore is in the lineup we generally only have one of the back four consistently "lumping" the ball out of the back!

Can't fault the effort but the result was bitterly disappointing.

Samba,Mbia, Townsend, Jenas were the pick for me and a nice cameo from Taarabt.

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From only seeing the highlights on mod it looked like we were very unlucky not to win given hitting the post and several world class saves from guzan in first half . bad defending on all their goals. 5 wins from 8 games looks like a big ask but at least under HR we are seeing a committed team fight and give it a go. if we go down i hope HR stays his signings have been superb and he is clearly a great motivator

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3 points in the locker, a game to remember for all the right reasons and fifty quid off the bookies. I had a good day.

Trouble is we get a head of steam,and then its a week off and we are generally poo after a break of any sort, enjoy the moment!!

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Even though Villa never had a chance until first half stoppage time, we struggled early on with Remy on the right. He provides very little in front of Bosingwa who really needs a strong worker in that position. Then Harry switched it and Tonwsend swapped flanks and we looked more secure but had just moved the potential weakness to our left which is where their first goal originated from.

In the second half we brought on Hoilett and moved Remy up front on his own. Then we had the problem that the ball wouldn't stick and the momentum was very much against us. We didn't quite see out the hour before we were behind.

We then moved to three at the back with, I think Samba, Hill and Bosingwa on the left! Enter Tarabt. Suddenly, the ball not sticking was less of an issue as we started to play through them and playing balls in behind for Remy to tun onto.

We get to 2-2. Harry changes to a back four again. Eventually we concede third and again revert to a back three this time with Mbia on the right Bosingwa central and Hill on left, I think! Samba moves up front and near the end Mackie comes on.

We were far superior in the first half with Guzan keeping them in it. Second half first 15 was Villa's and then it became an end to end terrific battle in which we couldn't quite finish the chances that we created with Remy's header, Hill's last gasp effort (will he ever score?) amongst them.

Obviously, it becomes extremely difficult now. We have to find a way of accomodating Remy's strengths. Whilst strengthening the defense. It is the same problem we had with Cisse. 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 doesn't quite do it. Perhaps we should try 4-2-3-1 again

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Continued from above. We could start Remy in the three and when BZ comes off and the game opens up move him up front and get Adel playing through balls. We have a host of options for the other midfield positions in the three and the two. It was our preferred system in the Championship winning season and was probably only abandoned because we didn't have enough quality players to use it in the Prem.

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I'd given up before the Southampton game. 2 back to back wins and I was being enticed back in. Then yesterdays result. I should have known. Lift a little....give hope....then Drop! A day in the life of a R! But can't fault the commitment. If only it had started acouple of months earlier.

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Based on the Saturday highlight-admiral display in the first half should have been 3-0 up but great kepping by Guzan
Fought back well in the second half which shows the attitude the Harry has instilled in the team
Almost got an equaliser-if only Hill had kept the ball down

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Some great football especially in first half - altho we should have had more goals.Donnelly scored a wonder ( lucky?) goal but after that was guilty of some rash finishing - Grant seems to have gone off the boil since Hill came and what has happened to Tutte?

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Dire performance against poor opposition. Will never understand why Hill brought Thompson back, he is crap. Hats off to the travelling support who never stopped singing and getting behind their team despite being stood on the trapdoor of the football league

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Don't understand why Hill made no substitutions, it's as tho he was happy with a draw against the bottom of the league. Both thompson and Grant had poor games and there were ready made subs on the bench in Haworth and Grimes, why are we playing a totally left footed player at right back - it means he cannot attack cos he can't cross the ball!

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