Shroppie

Ralph puts it down to a lightbulb moment when he realised he'd gone too far away from his philosophy and style of play. It started in the two Man City games. We went back to a back four. That gave us an extra attacking player and we started to press and defend from the front. He decided to put his faith in Stephens and Bednarek and stick with it. IMO, the biggest problem was lack of confidence. A couple of wins and the whole team have started believing, working hard for each other and looking a happy, cohesive unit. Players who were struggling have been lifted and the benefits of a settled team are obvious. They understand each other and what they're trying to do. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I like the way they have coped so far with PL, no stupid spending. I also like Eddie Howe. But a contingent of their fan base irritates me immensely: ideas well above the reality of their situation. I think this will be a season too far for them and they'll go down. Then lose Howe and vanish without trace. Also would love to see West Ham go down to see their entitlement fans and worshipers in the media have a meltdown. And to get that awful stadium off the rota. Sadly I think Norwich are getting close to nailed-on for one place. A pity. It's a good weekend away. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

How low had we sunk that we actually lost to Bournemouth? Compared with our performance yesterday the gulf is enormous. As much as the 0-9, the home loss to this dross needs rectifying. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Recovering from a great day yesterday. Good company and put faces to some Forum names! Not much to say about the game. Whole team worked for each other and the performance was brilliant. Amazing what getting a settled team, clear tactics and the right formation can do. Belief and confidence are back. On another day, Danny could have scored four. Long's offside before the would-have-been penalty was very debatable. Quite pleasant on here for once. Guess the skates and moaners are struggling to find any negatives. Happy days. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Yep. Just drinking with some Leicester fans after the game and they are full of praise. More worried about what's gone wrong with their game. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

In the first instance, no penalty unless the flick diverted the ball in such a way to give the defence a clear advantage. In the second it isn't totally the same offence. With Vardy through on goal it's denial of goal-scoring opportunity. We have a law for that. It may sometimes be the ref's subjective call, but I think it works. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

FWIW, I'd like the law to be simplified: Ref deems it to be deliberate - handball. Yellow card. Ref deems it to be accidental: if in the ref's opinion, the accidental handball helps the offending team in any way, handball and freekick/penalty. If the accidental handball helps the opposition or makes no material difference, play on. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Henry against Ireland was deliberate. Your argument is ridiculous. What's the difference between scoring after an accidental handball and conceding a penalty after an accidental handball? The handball law has to be consistent fir all players in all situations. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

It's the ridiculous rule that any contact by the scoring player is handball but for a defender it isn't. Don't ask me what the criteria are for handball by a defender. I haven't a clue. And why, ffs, is it different for attackers and defenders? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Agreed. All sorts of reasons to hope for a Blades win. Billy Sharp (sharp blade? [emoji23]) McGoaldrought, West Ham fans going into meltdown along with their media fanclub. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

What do you call a magic dog? A labracadabrador. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Any chance of changing the thread title? Fans are never going to get rid of VAR. It's a decent discussion with a wide range of opinions. Not everyone wants it scrapped. Personally I just want it to work. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Didi get an injury? [emoji6] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Doesn't look true. No mention of it in the Sky preview. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Thanks all for the considered opinions. Makes a change on here! Seems a strong view that we should stick with the settled defence, and you're probably right. Still think we need to be compact and not reckless, but getting forward quickly when we can. Just hope Bednarek and Stephens have got their sprinting shoes on. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Genuine question. I watched the game last night and Villa really stifled the Leicester attack by sitting back in a tight, narrow formation with three CBs. I know the upturn in our results has coincided with the move to a back four, and I doubt Ralph wants to go back, but is there a case for Yoshida Danso or Romeu to start this, and probably the Liverpool game, in place of an attacking player? Leicester are most dangerous on the break and when there is space behind the defence for Vardy to run into. Just suggesting, and not totally sure myself, but interested in views. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

1-1 now. Silly goal from Villa free kick given away. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

A straight red certainly applies to the league. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Not sure. Two yellows overall up to the quarters mean a missed cup game. Yellow in each semi leg means final missed but my guess is a two yellow red applies to the league. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Hope we're learning something from the way Villa are dealing with Leicester. Just hoping Vardy's frustration can get to him and get him sent off. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Plays for Liverpool. Therefore obviously better. End of. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

They were similar. Vokins had to make the ground and run with the ball before the shot, which was good but helped by a deflection. Jones' had less to do, but perhaps a cleaner shot. I'd say not much in it. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

True. Far worse than Bertrand v Leicester. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Agreed. There's no need to scrap it, just rethink the way it's implemented Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

With us, Skates and Bournemouth all at home, bound to be some date/time changes. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk