M_Afro

Dean did

I don’t disagree with the sentiment but there has to be a market for the player. If nobody is interested then you can’t do a fat lot about it. That’s why we have had so many players go out on loan over the past decade. We can’t get rid of them so end up subsidising their wages whilst they go and play elsewhere.

With Marv hopefully being available next match, I think we should give JJ a rest and play a midfield three of Marv, SJM and Sanson. A lot of JJ’s best performances have come as an impact sub. Bringing him and Doug on later in the game could really give us a boost.

We have had one of those seasons where we just seem to keep coming up against teams at the wrong time. Spurs looked very good in the second half today and will be so confident when they come to us next week! We will really need a good start. An early goal to boost confidence and get the crowd on side. Here’s hoping for a Phil 25 yarder!

I would be happy for us to give Leon another season to find his form but to be honest, I am yet to see anything that excites me. He just doesn’t look that good. You can usually see a player in there but I’m struggling with this one. I think it’s much more likely that he will continue to underwhelm.

Because it doesn’t suit the narrative! Steve is to blame for everything (including Covid and Brexit).

It’s not just about the number of appearances, although that does need to be factored in. It’s what he does when he plays that’s important. He has played enough games in the PL to make a fair judgment. Every time I have seen him play in the PL he has been dominant. Conversely, although I am a massive fan of his potential, I have never seen JJ dominate once. JJ has only played so many PL matches because our other options are so poor.

Phillips is exactly what we need. He is a proven premier league and international defensive midfielder. He is clever, aggressive, consistent and very capable at playing the ball effectively from the back. Leeds are a totally different team when he plays and he is currently England’s player of the year. Having said all of that, I just can’t see him joining us. Leeds will be desperate to keep him. Will he be desperate to leave them for a mid table team? Unlikely. Whatever happens, I hope we are decisive. Get it done or move on to other targets. Another summer of will he/won’t he would not be welcome.

To be fair. Non of them have played well for us consistently. I hope Buendia will but have great doubts over the other two (although I admit that they need more time).

Two things: We didn’t stick with Smith because he bought the players that are not performing and left us with a totally unbalanced squad. Smith also totally failed to get away from the relegation zone with said players. Fortunately Gerrard has elevated the points return with the same players and moved us away from danger. When he balances the squad in the summer, hopefully things will improve further. If they don’t then any criticism will be very fair.

Here’s a thought. Let’s give him a chance to see if he can eradicate it first. What if he buys these players and we win the league? I don’t care what anybody says. These players have never ever performed consistently in the Premier League. Never. Ever! Not for Smith. Not for Gerrard. Perhaps he is calling the players out because they deserve it. I think that our players are largely over hyped. People talk about JJ getting in the England squad ffs. I have not once seen him dominate a game for Villa. England is full of midfielders who dominate every week in the PL. JJ has real potential but he needs time. He is way off the England squad at the moment. Our only consistent players are Martinez, Mings, Cash and Konsa in that order. The rest are mostly average, sometimes awful, sometimes good. I think Coutinho and Digne will come good but they too need time. They are only just through the door. At the start of every match, no matter who is selected, I look at our midfield and think it looks lightweight. Pep couldn’t make a consistent cohesive midfield unit out of our players. It’s just not possible. I really think that Technology is quickly removing our ability to be patient. We have the world at our fingertips and instant access to whatever we fancy. Whatever happened to delayed gratification? Give Gerrard a chance. If he is still calling players out in a year then fair enough.

Wolves and Villa are very closely matched. I think the first goal will be key today. Wolves have been very lucky so far this season, including against us at VP. Hopefully we’ll get our own back today. 1-2 to the Villa boys. UTV

Not sure about that. According to wiki, he has played 49 times for Germany and scored 22 goals. That’s impressive and has nothing to do with Chelsea. He’s rated because of the things he’s done away from Chelsea. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out at a particular club. He also has a really good touch in my view. It’s only his finishing that has let him down at Chelsea. The rest of his game has been good.

I think he would be a really smart signing. He is a good age, works hard, has real pace, a good attitude, good feet and plays with his head up. His finishing has been poor for Chelsea but there is definitely a player in there. I think he would be great playing in front of Phil and Emi. In my view, he’s much better than Ollie or Ings.

I like the points measure over places too but I think it’s hard to compare this season to last because of Covid. Last season was so unique. All of our good form and most of our points came when there were no fans in the stadia. I haven’t worked it out but if you compare our ppg last season when stadia were full, compared to the ppg that Gerrard has achieved so far, that would possibly be a better barometer of progress. I also respect your view that you are concerned about the transfer business likely to happen in the summer but there’s way too much negativity on here. Let’s wait and see what happens and then criticise then if we get it wrong. I don’t share your concerns. Our January window was first class. One of the problems we have is, in my view, our last summer window was poor. I really trust Gerrard to get it right in the summer and then we will see what happens. We just need to give the bloke a chance.

I hadn’t thought of Everton. That might be a decent shout.

I would also sell him for £30m if we can get a better replacement. I think we may struggle to sell him though. Will he want to leave? Who would be prepared to pay £30m and match his wages? I can’t see anybody above us signing him. Who below us needs him or could afford him? Maybe Newcastle but I suspect they will be looking for better. Leeds if they stay up? Maybe. I think we are probably stuck with him to be honest. I think off loading Ings may be easier, although his wages will also be prohibitive to potential purchasers.

He’s been pretty poor so far. He needs a run without injury but I am not expecting much from him to be honest! I wouldn’t be surprised if we try and offload him in the summer.

Bonkers. Utterly bonkers!

You always speak sense mate. I totally agree with this. A few carefully planned transfers in the summer could make all the difference. We lack size, pace and physicality. Two or three carefully chosen players could really redress the balance and all of a sudden we will look a different prospect.

Me too although his save from Konsa was unbelievable.

Maybe. I think he just hates losing and is a bit of a spiky character. I would take that over a Steve Bruce type shoulder shrugger every single time.

You clearly have an agenda against the manager which is your prerogative. I suspect that you need to come to terms with it though because the intelligent people in charge of our great club will give him a fair chance. I believe that he is an intelligent, honest and diligent man who will be successful here. It will take a bit of time but he will get us there.

I have. That was the stimulus for my post. You don’t agree with my observation?

I think one of the really positive things about Gerrard is the way he speaks. He is honest and passionate. He doesn’t try and play any games. He’s straight down the middle. I suspect a few of the players are really going to regret their performance today.