WakefieldVillan

2 hours ago, TRO said:

My concern is that our full backs can stop crosses and they have some players who can cross a ball.

 And wingers. 

10 hours ago, Kingman said:

For comparison, Last season... 

 

 

This season (possible) 

 

 

 

7 hours ago, PieFacE said:

Looking at those two teams on paper, I don't think there's much in it to be honest. We've got more legs about us now. 

The biggest difference will be in how we approach the game. Was awful under Bruce last year.

I agree, on paper I don't think theres a whole world of difference in terms of quality of those two sides, but the main thing is the energy we have as opposed to last year. 

The average age of last season's final team (outfield) was 30 years, this year it will be around 26 (that's if Adomah & Whelan start) could be as low as 24 depending on Smith's selection. We also had 7 (Seven) players 30+ whilst this year it will probably be 4 (maximum). 

I think we have a better mix this time round with experience AND youth. 

I'm in my 40's, I appreciate it's "only a game", I've experienced "real loss" like most of us have in our own way, I lost my mum prior to the Fulham final and I was hoping that a victory would be some kind of sign that she's watching down (probably stupid I know) but it never happened and it hurt, but more so for other reasons, than the football side and not going up...

This one feels different, I want it so bad, for our fans, for Jack (to stay), for Smith (one of us), for everyone involved at the club, I literally am not ashamed to say it, but to see our Jack lift the play-off trophy at Wembley on Monday will probably bring me to floods of tears..

Good luck Jack, play your game, lead us to victory and see you next season!! 

Gutted not to be going, but I just haven't been to the matches to qualify, still hoping to drop on some corporate tickets with work, but it is looking very unlikely.

Hope all those that are going, have an absolute cracking day and do our wonderful club proud (I am sure you will) - And I hope the players make it a truly special day for you all!

3 hours ago, MotoMkali said:

They are all quality players who deserve to be in the pl. All of them were in meh teams and still performed excellently when everyones attention was on them. If we keep Grealish people will be focused on him and they can take advantage of weaker coverage and bag a bunch of goals. You also can't overlook both Grealish and mcginn are 2 of the most foul able players in Europe and in the Premier league most of the challenges would be guaranteed yellows and a lot of them would be straight reds. This will obviously be really helpful if we have players who can create for themselves and others players like bowen and maupey will force a foul or get a decent shot off and I think they are both good enough finishers at the Premier league level. 

Obviously if Smith finds a cheap winger who could provide 7 and 7 or something for around 8 mil I would be happy but often it is hit and miss when coming to an English league. But I think bowen would be about 12 million, lolley 8 and maupey 10. (prices aren't super informed but I don't think they would be too much more max 15 each I think) 30 million plus 6 for el ghazi would give us an attack of

                      Maupay

El ghazi.                        Bowen

        Grealish      mcginn

Lolley off the bench, he can play anywhere in the attacking midfield and bowen can play striker so everyone of these 5 can have a rest when they are playing poorly. Plus he is an excellent back up if Grealish gets Injured again. 

Can't argue with the names above, obviously if we can find cheaper alternatives better still, but it is in wide areas that we need strengthening and players of that ilk would transform us IMO.

Sitting Kalvin Phillips behind that lot would be my first signing though (if we go up of course!)

57 minutes ago, Block 510 said:

Current form is a better guide to the outcome. 

Villa went on a great run to the playoffs but seem to have lost a bit of form now. You finished just the two points above us in the end so it shows how poor you were earlier in the season that it took a 10 game winning streak just to make the playoffs. Excellent effort and thank the lord for Grealish. 

But you haven’t done so well recently. draw against Leeds loss against Norwich and struggled to put away 10 man WBA.  

I’ve read your forums and you sound a lot like Leeds did assuming it’s done and dusted. 

On current form we are the one with a head of steam.

We of course will write articles with our own angle on them but Villa are not far and away superior enough to us to warrant the dismissive arrogance shown by some posters. Do the “if the real Villa show up” crowd  believe that they played the real Derby County this season?

We have proved ourselves a big game club this season. Bottlers no more.

 

I think you're being a little unfair saying we sound like Leeds fans did and writing you guys off. Think we are a lot more level headed than to think we have this one in the bag regardless of how we perform. Maybe I have misinterpreted that, but I think the majority of our fans respect Derby, respect they performed admirably away at Elland Rd, have plenty of quality in their side and it wont be an easy game.

I think however, that said, we should still gain confidence from our performances and the recent matches between us, without being complacent.

I expect a good game, would make us slight favourites, but it will ultimately be the team that performs on the day and handles the occasion better that will succeed. I pray to god that this us.

I will echo posts from others that it will be slightly easier losing to Derby than it would any of the other play off contenders, was really pleased for Lampard to get one over Leeds and Bielsa.

But I will still be heartbroken should the cup not be sporting claret and blue ribbons come 5pm Monday 27th May

17 minutes ago, Pez1974 said:

Big pitch at Wembley - he could cause havoc coming on at 60 minutes. Somehow we have to coach something into a player who has the one thing that can't be coached - pace.

Isn't actually that much bigger is it?! Just something that has been said for years... I think it is more the occasion that is big and emotionally it can affect players more.

Anyway back to Green, definitely a non-starter for me.

Fair play to Derby last night, I really did not see that level of performance or result coming one bit, I had well and truly wrote them off, but it's nights like last night and of course Tuesday that we all love this beautiful game so much.

They should not be underestimated in the final, they have very good players in Lawrence, Marriott, Wilson and Mount in particular, however like a few others have mentioned, if we bring our "A" game I believe we are a stronger team (at least on paper!).

I think it will be a cracking game, both sides like to play football and it will be interesting how Lampard sets his team up, he switched to a 4-4-2 diamond last night and it worked a treat, but it still left them exposed countless of times, I can't see him going that gung-ho in this one but still sense there will be goals-a-plenty.

Marriott concerns me the most, we need to deal with his running, he has already performed well at VP when he was at Peterborough and he will have a lot of confidence from the win at Elland Road, as will all the other Derby players. If we can defend well, we have quality players of our own that can cause them A LOT of problems.

UTV 

Heard from a source in the game, Bielsa will be definitely gone, they can not afford to keep him and it was promotion or bust. 

Obviously a lot of people are questioning whether he will be there or not so not claiming to be 'in the know' just sharing what I've heard. 

Wonder if we will hear anything  from the Leeds fans on here today...   

Any news on whether Chester is fully fit again, can't seem to find anything other than he was back in training the other week?

Just wondered if he would make the final squad, guessing (lack of) match fitness would work against him regardless. 

I feel like a lot of my recent posts have been just negative ones relating to our Albert so apologies for that.. but here's another one  ... no way should he be near the starting eleven at Wembley.

If we are to stick with a 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 formation (which I can't really see us changing from) then I would either go;

El Ghazi, Abraham, Kodjia          or         Abraham, Davis, Kodjia   

Do not see a problem with the Villa players celebrating last night, I think the manner of the game, the occasion, how we won it ETC which made them perhaps celebrate more, this is what they have been aiming to achieve since Smith took over, it was probably a bit of release.

I am 100% sure that all the players and the management team are fully aware that they have achieved nothing as yet and today will be fully focused on Wembley in 12 days time.

Going back to Smith and last night, thought he should have made the changes earlier than he did and not the ones I would have made, but fair play to the guy, been a breath of fresh air and looks like he has everyone on his side - players, coaching staff and fans alike.

Anything can happen in a one-off final so come the day I will be just as nervous whether we are facing Derby or Leeds, but I can't really understand anyone's logic that would prefer to play Leeds considering we have beaten the Rams 7-0 (over the two league fixtures).

I suppose we would be favourites against them and maybe people are wary that would add to the pressure?! I don't know. I am just relieved we are there and honestly feel that if we play to our capabilities and strengths we will win the game regardless of the opponents! 

1 minute ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Did you notice the steely determination and focus in his face before he stepped up?

I knew he would score haha.

Ironically, I also knew Adomah would miss.

The entire nation knew Adomah would miss

Ecstatic and worn out. That was a tough watch.

Thought we shaded the first half without creating any clear cut chances but one set piece goal and the nerves really kicked in.

Second half up until the sending off we were all over the place, the occasion definitely got to several of our players. 

The sending off at least gave us the initiative but it was never going to be easy against a team that had sat back at Villa Park for 90 minutes previously, it's what they do and to be fair they fought well and we had too many players off colour today.

The penalties were torture but Jed made it a little less painful with 2 early wonder saves, so pleased for him and MOTM for that alone. Think we edged it over the 2 legs but will need to raise our game considerably for success at Wembley.

I really don't know what to say about our wide men, especially the right flank, it is just dire. Albert was better than Andre tonight (to be fair I would have been) then he hits a potential winning penalty into orbit! The thing is, I bet, like me, you knew it was going to happen. Ridiculous footballer.

Too early for Wembley selections but I would seriously be looking at maybe a 4-1-3-2 formation, defence then something like;

                 Whelan

McGinn Grealish Hourihane  

            Tammy  Kodje

Basically eliminate our sh1te ! ?

Anyway, roll on Wembley, we can still do it

Jedinak for Taylor (mings to LB) 

Davis for Green (Abraham to RW)

Call me crazy 

We have been the better side but look vulnerable from set pieces, it's what I feared hence the Jedinak suggestion. 

Our major problem all season is in wide areas and tonight is the same, so much lack of quality. 

Our season depends on this 45 minutes, we are better footballers that is so clear for everyone to see, but we need to battle for our lives now 

Positive team selection by the gaffer but can't argue with it at all! Such a difference from our previous fella in charge!

Big positive for me is the omission of Albert and I just hope Green can become a Villa legend tonight and do the business and fire us to Wembley! 

UTV 

6 minutes ago, Keener window-cleaner said:

We need a good holding midfielder to allow Grealish and McGinn to play further forward, it has been a perfect balance with Whelan in that holding role. We need his positioning, footballing intelligence, calmness and routine there. He never goes hiding either. There was a reason he was played week in and week out at Stoke despite them forking out millions and millions on other midfielders. He did one mistake last game, everyone does now and then, doesn't take away his performances of late.

I don't know about the form of Jedi, but as WBA must attack and have a lot of strong players in the air I would consider playing Jedi if Whelan needs a rest. Jedi is a big game player, a leader with experience who ca be relied on.  Or perhaps he can come in and hopefully close the game towards the end.

If we are in a similar position as last game and need to gamble on scoring Hourihane is the obvious choice. As WBA most likely will attack I would be hesitant and a bit worrying with staring him as the holding midfielder though. The five goals conceded against Forest still springs to mind.

I must say I mentioned Jedinak too. I know he isn't always the most popular choice, but I do think he has the experience and physical attributes for a game of this nature. That said, I think he will stick with Whelan and that's fine by me.

I trust the gaffer to pick what he feels is the best side to see us through to the play off final, whether that be Whelan or Hourihane, or Adomah or Green ETC he loves the club, he's one of us and he's doing a cracking job up to now, let's hope it ends with a play off final victory! 

Poor mistake but had a decent season, definitely won't hold it against him.

Always thought the away fixture was the game more suitable for him to play in but 2 games in 4 days isn't ideal, be interesting what Smith does. 

I'd actually consider Jedinak in there for the extra aerial presence he has, but I'd be nervous every time he had the ball at his feet, so yeah, scrap that ! 

F**K Baggies

F**K dirty Leeds 

We're going up

Fantastic result in the end and the Gayle sending off could be key to us going through. Hourihane changed the game when he came on and should have started (IMO), I don't think Whelan is needed against a team like West Brom who were always going to sit in and look to counter. If it's Leeds in the final then that's a different game totally and Whelan may be the right pick but that's for another time (hopefully)!

We are a better footballing team than West Brom, though they played well for 60 minutes and coped with our attacks quite easily I thought, we just need to play on the front foot at the Hawthorns and take the game to them. I feel confident..

Also Adomah should never start another game for us, yes he offers a little more defensively BUT and it's a big but, his legs have gone, he cant beat a man, his crossing his poor and but for one terrific run of games where he scored for fun his finishing is pretty poor too, give me Kodjia or Green any day of the week! 

2 minutes ago, jones1328 said:

Hindsight is a wonderful thing

Team I said prior game so yeah 

Adomah and Whelan off at HT for Kodjia and Hourihane, basically the team we SHOULD have started with