WakefieldVillan

2 hours ago, tomav84 said:

which is why i agree with a few that are calling for taylor to play sunday

I get why some are suggesting that. I personally just think Salah, Mane and Firminho can destroy pretty much any defences on their day so I think it's going to be immaterial which one of the two plays

Wasn't great last night by any stretch of the imagination but I don't think he played too badly after lockdown and he is still an upgrade on Taylor (I know, I know!) I can understand views that Taylor is better defensively but his limitations going forward outweighs any positives.

We look like we have a good team spirit right now and the players appear to be bonding very well, obviously the likes of Jack and John are very close, Mings is a key figure in the dressing room and I'm guessing Targett and Grealish know each other pretty well from the International set up (2016 Toulon tournament). Now I'm not suggesting he shouldn't ever be replaced, of course we should always be looking to improve, but I think building a good team spirit and a togetherness goes along way too, therefore I think he's one that we will have to persevere with until the start of the 21/22 season.

I think we will field a similar side to the one that played Bristol City and that's the right call for me. Hopefully a similar kind of performance should see us through to the Quarter Finals and continue our good start to the season. 

I don't think it will be a formality and we shouldn't take these lightly, although their league form has been mixed, they've not conceded a goal in 5 of their 6 matches so obviously doing something right. They also beat Wolves in the second round.

Difficult to predict Stokes line-up but they have decent solid Championship players throughout their squad.

Our team then - Steer, Guilbert, Elmo, Hause, Taylor, Lansbury, Nakamba, Ramsey, Traore, Davis, El Ghazi. - Doesn't look the strongest on paper, the defense in particular does worry me, but hopefully players are really playing for their place in our Premier League squad and should be busting a gut.

I think 1 goal will settle it, possibly pens.

12 minutes ago, Tomaszk said:

They are the games he should be in the team.

Next week at Anfield, not for me.

I can 100% guarantee Conor won't be playing at Anfield next week

Wasn't good enough, even prior lockdown (& Wembley goal) I wasn't overly impressed - I think it was more a case of him being "a body up" front (IE a striker playing striker as opposed to AEG) and some fans being easily pleased.

After the break he looked totally lost and way behind all our other forwards. Don't feel sorry for him, but wish him well.

1 hour ago, Zatman said:

I said before we shouldnt sign cast offs from the top teams, before somebody says McGrath it was a different time and era. 

A lot of these players have no hunger or desire when dropping down the table. Everton and West Ham prime examples

Cast off?  Chelsea have Kante, Pulisic, Mount, Havertz, Ziyech, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho , Kovacic, Gilmour and Ross all on their books - Looking at that, maybe something has to give.

He's only 26! He has tremendous ability and would improve our team (let alone squad) massively.

This would be the type of signing I would expect that Jack was hoping for, them two linking up could be great to watch. Really hope it happens

Unfortunately can't see this happening, still think he is in Frank's plans. Would be a terrific signing IMO though and I'm surprised that fans would turn their noses up at him. For where we are at the moment I think it would a great signing. I think personally more chance of getting Loftus-Cheek (loan). 

On 21/09/2020 at 21:11, OutByEaster? said:

------------------------------Steer-----------------------------

Elmo-----------Hause--------Engels----------Taylor

--------------------------Nakamba--------------------------

--------------Lansbury----------Ramsey----------------

Traore--------------------------------------------El Ghazi

----------------------------Davis------------------------------

Maybe?

 

Mings for Engels and I think that's how we will line up. If Traore isn't up to speed then I'd stick Jota in there. Have Jack and Ollie on the bench in case it's level late on.

Hopefully we have enough to get through, win this and (we should) get past Stoke/Gillingham at home then we are into the quarter-finals and we can start to smell the hot dogs... (well we would but for Covid ).

Delighted he's got a new contract and by the looks of it, with the majority. The lad can play, his hold up play is good, he's young, quick, very strong, works defenders and has good feet and YES we all know strikers are judged on how many goals they score and this is one fault that we ALL share, I still feel that he contributes really well to the team/squad and goals will come, he just has to keep working at it. I don't get the idea that he should play elsewhere, for me he is a front man, someone to get it into and for it to stick then get players playing off him, but he also has the ability to chase it in the channels (similar to the Burton goal). I wouldn't loan him out at all at the moment. Currently the pecking order is (1) Watkins (2) Davis (3) Samatta (4) Wesley (inj.) - Once Wes is fit, he goes alongside Davis and they both have it to prove who is best equipped. Only if Samatta leaves and we get someone in like Edouard and Wesley proves his fitness would then I loan Keinan to a Championship side.

Terrific debut, made me feel at ease when he was dealing with crosses coming in or he had the ball at his feet, just looked so calm and assured with a big presence.

Also, I put him in my dream team a few days before he signed for us so thrilled to bits with the penalty save and the clean sheet.

Reminds me of Buffon too with the short sleeves, let's hope he can become even half the keeper! 

7/10 last night. Not one of his better games, give the ball away a couple of times which is unlike him, yet still was our main attacking threat. Think he will be a tad disappointed he didn't get on the score sheet though.

Had 3 decent chances - first one he curled wide (hardest chance, and a bit unlucky), second one dragged past the near post and then then the last one deflected over and not sure if it was finding the far corner or not (I think ultimately he should be scoring both the last two chances). 

8 hours ago, Monsieur Hazdazler said:

It would be easy to be critical about a lack of creativity and so forth, but that’s probably harsh on Sheffield United. I thought it was an excellent 3 points and here’s why:

- Historically we’ve not played well against them going back a few years. They’re an awkward team, extremely well drilled and hard working, and when you have that with 3 at the back and 3 in midfield, you’re always going to get forced wide and struggle to create.

- When we went a man up their plan was straightforward. They went to two deep lines of strong, well organised physical players with one lone striker. They forced play wide and let JOC and Basham in particular deal with the aerial balls. With a front 3 of Grealish, Watkins and Trez we were unlikely to win those balls anyway. We probably could have focused on sending the balls into the box hard and low, but then you’ve gotta get through a congested area. Basically it was always going to be very difficult for us to break them down and our shot maps and shots on target vs shots taken shows how effective their defensive unit was. 

- Last season against ten men a couple of times we didn’t even look like we had a man advantage. This time we looked more composed, relaxed and controlled. Aside from the penalty they didn’t really threaten us. Interestingly their pen was from one of their CB’s being on the back shoulder of our full back which is classic Sheffield United really.

- Cash, Martinez and Watkins all looked good. Cash was solid, Martinez just looked superb and Watkins put a good shift in...his movement got us the man advantage and while it wasn’t his busiest game, you have to view that in the context of how busy their penalty box was and how little space he had. We will see more from him. Superb addition.

- Once we had scored and they had to push out a bit we created a couple of potentially very good chances. Watkins had a nice curler just over and Grealish had the deflected effort, that with a slightly better pass from Watkins he can hit first time and likely score. If you want a fairer reflection of our likely attacking style and output for this season honestly I think the last 15/20 mins is probably more representative. 
 

I think anyone here being negative about our performance just simply isn’t taking into account what we actually had to play against, sometimes you just have to credit the oppositions qualities and organisation and move on. If we were Sheffield United fans we’d be praising how organised our defence was and how well we shut them out. Can’t have it both ways! Last season we probably don’t win that, instead this year our new keeper saves a penalty and we score from a set piece. Fine margins that we weren’t the right side of last season.

Given that was our first league game of the season it was a good start and will be a good confidence booster. Hopefully we see McGinn back to his pre lockdown form sooner rather than later, and Traoré makes an impact. 

Perfectly said 

I said post match I'd be happy with a point and a good performance but given the option, I'd take a poor performance and 3 points like tonight every week of the season if truth be told.

Seen too many negative posts for my liking. It was our first (proper) competitive match and they clearly had the edge fitness wise but penalty aside we always looked in control (which to be fair we should against 10) and with a bit more composure and guile we could and should have had the game wrapped up with 10 mins to go. 

11v11 and that's a totally different game, one where I'm sure we would have created more chances and looked more fluid as the first 12 minutes we started brightly. After that it was basically attack vs defence and to their credit they defended pretty well. 

Martinez MOTM for the obvious, though Konsa was a close second. 

McGinn seems to be getting a lot of pelters on here and yes he was pretty dreadful, but I am surprised that people say he's not good enough. I hate the way we as fans write players off. He's been class overall since he came here, the injury has obviously taken some time to get right but he will come good again I guarantee and when he does it will improve us massively. I actually saw signs from 80+ mins of more of the real McGinn. Players have bad games = doesn't make them bad players.

I wouldn't class this as a "must win" game but I could see an argument that it is a "must not lose" kind of match so I would probably be reasonably happy with a point (& a good performance).

If we were to lose this we then go to Craven Cottage and although Fulham have started the season poorly, they were the better team for long spells at Elland Rd and after two straight defeats they will be extremely fired up for our visit so it won't be easy. 2 defeats then going into Liverpool and Leicester games and things could easily look so bleak, hence why I can see why fans could be nervous for tonight, I know I am.

That's the worst case scenario though.

I hope we come flying out of the traps and match them for fitness and aggression, if we do that then we have a good chance of at least a point. Their game plan / style of play / team shape - should be well known to us (& all opponents) now so we have no excuses really.

Barring injuries I think the team Smith will start with is - Martinez; Cash, Targett, Konsa, Mings; Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane; Trez, Watkins and Grealish.

Hopefully Traore is eligible to feature at some point.

Prediction 1-1.

UTV

Just having some salmon for lunch, thought it was an appropriate time to make my *first post on this thread.

Has he signed yet?

Oh and you're all absolutely crazy, but you've kept me entertained  (a little) 

*might be my second but I am not scrolling 300+ pages to check. YES 300!

31 minutes ago, Dave-R said:

Everything you said was ok till you said Ghazi as a wide option, that's entirely the reason why if we buy Traore we need another Winger as well 

I think we have to be realistic though Dave. If we do manage to sign Rashica and Traore and a big name striker (Tammy/Edouard) then I can't personally see us signing another winger/wide forward.

I know we had the King links, he wouldn't be a bad signing at a decent price - but if we're raiding Bournemouth then Brooks is the man I'd want. Buendia would be nice too.

Anyway it would be great if we did but I would prioritise a quality new ACM, CB and LB all before that (at this stage).

It's a big season though for Anwar if we get this competition in, I think there's still a player in there - it's up to him if he grasps the opportunities when they arrive.

Sorry if I have missed it but has there been a new link, errr.. linking.. us to Tammy?

Not my money but I think anything above £40M is too much - but I would love him or Edouard in (especially if Samatta is leaving).

I must say hearing Jack's interview and talk of the owners ambitions ETC - My first thoughts were of Abraham coming back. He obviously enjoyed is time here, knows the club well and watching Werner's debut the other night (I know he didn't score), he looks a class act and will be their first choice striker in all their "bigger" games.

That said, I'd be happy with Edouard too.

Watkins, Edouard (Abraham), Wesley and Davis up front

Rashica, Traore, Grealish, El Ghazi and Trez (& Watkins) as wide options.

Top 10 side that barring no injuries to key men. 

Delighted he got the goal last night which will hopefully do him the world of good confidence wise (even if it was only against "Burton").

Needs to keep spending hours and hours "finishing" on the training ground, because that is his only real weakness in his game (albeit a crucial one).

Still think he has a lot to offer and will play his part this season.

I won't write him off yet, yes he was poor last night, worst player on the pitch for us in fact, but he has got ability and he has shown glimpses of that in his time here.

Definitely a confidence player but he needs to add some aggression to his game, he has been way too passive in many performances for us and last night was the same.

Hopefully if we get some real competition for him (with the likes of Rashica & Traore) then he can step up to the plate.

I'd keep both him and Trez this season but ideally neither in our first eleven, one as sub and one fighting to get in the match-day squad.

Welcome Emi! 

Hopefully proves to be a great signing and has many clean sheets, not just for Villa but for my dream team  

His shirt to lose, Heaton as back up (providing real competition) and Steer third choice (still a  capable keeper) - Bin the rest!

Goosebumps! What a statement of intent!

I have waaaaaaaay too much love for this guy but I don't care, he's a joy to watch! 

Unfortunately can't see this one happening, if it was I think it may have been announced as a double swoop with Watkins. 

A shame because he's obviously a real talent.

Welcome Ollie!

Pleased with this one. Next.