11 Feb 2015 23:16:01
We must concede that Wigan were a very poor side but its very difficult to keep a level head after watching such an improved performance. The final nail in the coffin for anyone who retains the belief Stuart Pearce should have been given more time. I think we would be doing a great disservice to Dougie Freedman by putting this performance down to new manager "bounce". This was night & day from the Millwall shambles. Dougie Freedman delivered his ethos in spades:

We presented as a team
The shape remained rigid for the entire game
We played the ball on the floor for 80%
We pressed the opposition with vigour
The players were communicating visibly
We worked hard

We weren't Brazil, but the difference in the space of 2 weeks is plain for all to see.
Lansbury got MOM, he must have been run close by Burke, Gardner & Lichaj.
Congratulations Dougie Freedman we look a different team.

1.) 12 Feb 2015
Agreed Cjay, a much better performance.
For me though, Fox still looked vulnerable at the back.
For me last night the biggest difference I felt was that every player wanted the ball and wanted to play with it. Too many times under Pearce they looked scared of the ball.
In Dougies post match radio interview he spoke about, we'll be hopefully seeing 2/3 of the youngsters before the end of the season in the first team. Any ideas who?? They were meant to of been there last night, but I didn't see anyone new.
Ps
Speedy recovery Brit! Hopefully it's not as bad as it looked. (but I doubt it)
Onwards and upwards!

2.) 12 Feb 2015
Before we all start creaming over dougie Pearce started very well so let's compare after dougie has managed as many games as Pearce. dougie doesn't start new seasons very well his first full season with Bolton he didn't win till October and his second season it took him 6 games to win and got sacked after 1 win in 10.
It's good to be winning again but a lot of new managers win there first couple, the change was needed but will he carry it through?

3.) 12 Feb 2015
Uptheforest. I hear what you are saying, but if like me you saw those games even though we were winning we weren't playing well or holding shape. I know its early days but the team seem better as a whole under DF.

4.) 12 Feb 2015
12 Feb 2015 09:13:22
Cjay: sounds like there were lots of positives last night. Reid is due back soon - what difference do you think he will make to the midfield and how did Gardner do as DM?

5.) 12 Feb 2015
Bsered: Gardner was superb pal, classic DM job breaking up play & quick distribution to start the plays. The midfield 3 all played well but both Osborn & Lansbury are guilty of losing posession.
When Reid is fit, i would put Osborn wide left, put Reid CM & drop Antonio to the bench & use him as an impact player.

6.) 12 Feb 2015
IMO the midfield was the best it has been all season. I thought Gardner was superb controlling it everything went through him, Lansbury was back to his best and has now managed two games without getting booked, The back four looked solid and did what they should do Head it and Kick it away from their attack. I was very surprised to see the stats to see they had more possession than us but that was probably due to the fact that after the third goal we sat back and let them come on to us. After all said it was a much better performance.

7.) 12 Feb 2015
12 Feb 2015 14:58:58
I beg to differ fox looked like a man possessed and so did lichaj. And dropping Antonio when Reid recovers undoubtedly the best player all season and you think he should be an impact player???

8.) 12 Feb 2015
12 Feb 2015 15:13:20
Surely even you have to realise when certain players have taken against you nothing will work

9.) 12 Feb 2015
Dropping Antonio is a huge call Cjay. We recently turned down a 4 million bid for him and he is still a big threat. To be fair though it's true that he would be one hell of an impact player in the last 30 mins of games.
Does anyone know what the contract situation is with Gardner at Villa? Could we get him back next year?

10.) 12 Feb 2015
Who said anything about Fox & Lichaj?? As for Antonio, being the best player in a disfunctional team with 3 wins in 24 is hardly an accolade. Point is he's knackered & his one dimensional push it past the player & out pace him is becoming predictable, furthermore it isolates the rest of a very willing midfield. Its narrow minded thinking like yours that got Stuart Pearce the sack.

11.) 12 Feb 2015
I don't think that Osborn will do as much damage on the wing as he does in the centre. Tough call though. if Reid will be able to walk straight back into the team. I think it'd be Gardner giving way, sadly. We don't need to worry about it till mid March, if reports are true.
Dougie seems to play with his wingers extremely wide almost touching the line. Clearly a tactic to widen the play and stretch the opponents. Darlow had a couple of miss hit attempts at a cross ball to Antonio, clearly been told to do it.

12.) 12 Feb 2015
Predictable or not he puts a shift in every game and is getting the recognition for it not and from just us fans but other clubs too. I know u never stated lichaj just brought him in for a bit of credit

13.) 12 Feb 2015
Ultimately its down to what people prefer. A 5 man midfield working in unison or a 4 man midfield with 1 man doing his own thing. Antonio is an excellent player in his own right & his stats in a team full of individuals prove that, but his skills don't lie in team interplay. Would his absence improve us?

14.) 12 Feb 2015
12 Feb 2015 16:55:55
For what it's worth I think both Reid and Osborn together would be a frightening combination for the opposing sides. Britt's loss may make Antonio our best impact sub player but if we can't get a striker to do the work, we can still rely on a top quality midfield to get goals.

15.) 12 Feb 2015
12 Feb 2015 19:19:19
I actually think Antonio showed a great deal more team ethic last night. Work rate was good and he even got his head up looking to pass rather than beating everyone on his own.
Osbourne I thought was poor last night. work rate was very good but he was far too greedy in possession and wasted a host of good attacking positions