[Archived] Preview: Aston Villa v. Rovers 20th August 2011

[tony gale's mic]

I am now absolutely convinced that Samba is on his way out.

Disgusting and unprofessional behaviour if a team captain will stand by and let his team mates struggle on without him.

I seriously hope Nelsen is back.

Why do we assume the decision was down to Samba?

And where the hell are Petrovic and Formica?

[RibbleValleyRover]

Hopefully we are playing 4-4-2 and willing to defend from the front. The bench will be interesting/frighteningly exposed.

That Villa line-up will kill us if we try any of that diamond nonsense.

Playing a 4-4-2 might kill us with that team selection. When I immediately look at that midfield the first thing that strikes me is that isn't balanced and highlights the weaknesses we have seen for the last 3-4 seasons.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

We are away from home against a very good team with 2 first teamers out. A draw would be fantastic at this stage.

[ABBEY]

Thank God for big Ryan.

has he played ANY footy so far or is he coming in totally cold?

[alexanders]

hands up if you are very worried of Kean getting his second defeat

very nervous, more then usual

Ditto.

[philipl]

We are away from home against a very good team with 2 first teamers out. A draw would be fantastic at this stage.

Four out- Grella, Emerton, Samba and Givet.

[den]

Subs

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13

Mark Bunn

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-

10

Maruo Formica

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-

14

Radosav Petrovic

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20

Ruben Rochina

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-

22

Nick Blackman

-

-

32

Bruno Ribeiro

-

-

35

Jason Lowe

[Pete1981]

kevingallacher8 Kevin Gallacher

#rovers bench bunn,formica,petrovic,rochina,blackman,ribiero,lowe

[Exiled_Rover]

Where are Samba, Petrovic and Formica?!

[Josh]

Dunn cannot play in the centre of midfield away from home, we might aswell play an injured Grella

[Tom]

hands up if you are very worried of Kean getting his second defeat

very nervous, more then usual

We would have been no matter the team

[Ricky]

We lost 4-1 in the same fixture last season. Hoping for a little better today.

[philipl]

The run of away ins in the season so far is continuing with Liverpool just taking the lead at ten man Arsenal.

[Amo]

Dunn cannot play in the centre of midfield away from home, we might aswell play an injured Grella

I dunno about that. He's looked trimmer this season and lasted 90mins against Wolves.

Dunno why Formica has been dropped, but 4-4-2 away from home is a bold move.

[Balwer]

I see what phillip and Mercerman were alluding to earlier and it's completely understandable. I am outraged.

HOW COULD MYLES ANDERSON NOT EVEN GET A SPOT ON THE BENCH?

[pick32]

kevingallacher8 Kevin Gallacher

#rovers bench bunn,formica,petrovic,rochina,blackman,ribiero,lowe

Just goes to show how much Kean rates Andersen. We are in the middle of a CD crisis and he doesn't even make the bench.

[Neal]

Why drop Formica? He's going to be full of confidence after scoring on his debut.... Ridiculous decision Kean. Words fail me.

[otto man]

I see what phillip and Mercerman were alluding to earlier and it's completely understandable. I am outraged.

HOW COULD MYLES ANDERSON NOT EVEN GET A SPOT ON THE BENCH?

Quality Beefy!

[Balwer]

1. Is Grella actually injured or being forced out like Diouf? If he is then can we get some sort of official word of what's wrong with him?

2. Why are people expecting Petrovic to start? The expectations on the lad by some around here are a bit high I feel. He's a £3m youngster from Serbia with good prospects, we didn't sign a £15m Premier League veteran.

[Eddie]

Apart from a slight lack of defensive options that is actually one of the stronger looking benches that we have had in a long time.

[Exiled_Rover]

1. Is Grella actually injured or being forced out like Diouf? If he is then can we get some sort of official word of what's wrong with him?

2. Why are people expecting Petrovic to start? The expectations on the lad by some around here are a bit high I feel. He's a £3m youngster from Serbia with good prospects, we didn't sign a £15m Premier League veteran.

Cos the other options in midfield are Dunn and Pedersen!

[pick32]

I would rather we had Hugo Fernandez or Matty Pearson on the bench, Nelsen is just returning and doubt he will be able to last 90minutes. I bet they could do a better job at the back than Nzonzi.

[philipl]

Kean is just flapping around now in his selections and tactics.

If Nelsen cannot last long (this is one huge gamble), presumably Petrovic gets pressed into service and Nzonzi drops back to centre half.

Not playing Formica looks odd but as Kalinic found out, forwards get dropped by Kean if they score a goal in the previous game.

[Pete1981]

Not playing Formica looks odd but as Kalinic found out, forwards get dropped by Kean if they score a goal in the previous game.

Unless your called Jason Roberts

[Mercer]

Don't think many would have predicted that team nor the absentees.

At the risk of stating the obvious, it's going to be essential that we don't concede an early goal.

I'd be very surprised if Ryan gets past half time.

We can't go on signing players who might deliver tomorrow, we need players who can deliver today.

COYB - deliver against all the odds.