WakefieldVillan

What a crazy league the Championship is, two weeks ago I thought we were out of contention for the play-off's but then, boom, 4 successive victories and we are now in with a great chance of securing either 5th or 6th place. I don't want to tempt fate but I really believe that we will get one of the final spots providing we don't lose any of our key players (IE Jack, Mings and McGinn). I know it has been said on numerous occasions but the loss of Grealish is the reason for me why we are just challenging for play off's as opposed to the automatic places. His return and the signing of Mings has just lifted the whole squad and with the likes of Axel and Lansbury available for selection next game and hopefully Chester before the end of the season, then I think we have one of if not the best squad in the league. The play-off's are a bit of a lottery and can be decided by the finest margins, but I genuinely feel that we would be the most feared team out of the four teams and I include either Leeds or Sheffield Utd in those thoughts, who would be picking themselves up from missing out on automatics. On our day we have the talent to beat any side in this division, we just need to keep the run going, the belief going, concentrate on one game at a time and not get carried away, for me I am more worried when we play the "lesser" teams than the so-called bigger clubs where we may be complacent and our recent results seem to reflect this. Blackburn up next and for me this is one of those games but hopefully the International break doesn't affect us too much and we put them to the sword. As for the run-in, for me, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds away are the two games where I think we may drop points, but I can see us making VP a fortress and winning our 4 remaining matched there, with a Norwich team already on the beach. Fingers crossed we are back where we belong next season! UTV!

Had £10 e/w on Poker Play and Potters Corner yesterday plus £20 on first race on ITV, which name escapes me. Won £650. If I had put them in a treble I would have been ecstatic! Not sure why I picked them, was just one of those days, added to by pretty much all the football scores going as I wanted, especially the Villa. Had a poor 2019 betting wise and nearly 1k down before yesterday so it was nice to finally have something going my way. I've also decided it's time to reign it in as it was affecting my moods!

Absolutely buzzing with last night's result, which was thoroughly deserved as the Forest goal came from a cross (no way the little ginge meant that one) and I think Steer only had a couple of routine saves during the course of the match. Us on the other hand had several good chances, aside from the goals. Tammy should have scored on a couple of occasions, one header wide he should have hit the target and then bringing a fine save out of Pantilimon. Kodjia and McGinn were both unlucky late on too. I was never fully comfortable watching the game, even with a 2-goal lead, but that was as much to do with the previous game at VP as opposed to how this game was going. We have been involved in lots of games with late drama and i feared the worst when the official held up 7 minutes stoppage time, but i needn't have worried. McGinn MOTM for me, goals win games and his two put us in a great position, his work rate was second to none as well, but we know that's always a given. The whole defence played well, marshalled extremely well by Mings - What a difference he has made?! I still feel that our wide players need to do more, at times they get out muscled easily, or give the ball away cheaply , though that said Green showed little glimpses that there is a player in there somewhere - if we got them fully firing then I would fancy us to get a play-off spot & promotion. As for the gaffer; I thought the team selection and the substitutions were the right choices at the right times, so great night all round - Roll on Saturday!

Absolutely delighted to see Jack named as captain, what a proud moment for him. I would give him it till the end of the season and tell him if he stays it's his for as long as he's here

Kalinic / Steer (not fussed) Elmo Elphick Mings Hause Whelan Grealish Carroll (if fit) El Ghazi Abraham Kodjia Subs: other GK, Taylor, Jedinak, Hourihane, Green, Adomah, Davis Presuming no Chester and Lansbury. Prediction 2-2

1000 pages and here's hoping to a 1000 more.... But somehow, I doubt it. The only consolation of Jack's injury is that potential buyers may be put off (by the price tag) and we get to keep him a bit longer, but I for one wouldn't begrudge him if he leaves to better things in the summer. I said at the start of the season if he gives us one more season that would be best for all parties, but it pains me to say that I feel a move now might be the best for his career. Whatever happens, I hope it doesn't become a disrupted summer of "will he stay or will he go" as we need to be fully focused right from the start of pre-season with as much of a settled squad as possible to hit the ground running. It would be a major boost to start the season with Jack and the likes of Axel, Mings, Mcginn and Abraham but I guess that's for another thread. Hopefully see him back in the team on Saturday, he is a genuine class act and our results without him emphasise this greatly.

Wow! Seriously?! I'm not Albert's biggest fan, well I am not a fan at all and I hope this is the last season we see him in a Villa shirt, but comments like that are just pure filth.

The line up is pretty much as expected, with the wide players being the only ones rotated and it's hard to say whether it makes us stronger or weaker to be honest. I remember Smith saying in one of his early interviews that he always liked to have '3.5 goals" in his starting eleven and his first few selections showed that, I feel that he is going against what he believes in with this selection. Abraham is the one goal and you have a goal between maybe Hourihane and Green, I don't see much more goal threat. I think we might well be tightening up now but he/we need to get the balance at both ends of the field.

Going to be interesting to see Smith's team selection today after Wednesday's poor performance. I feel only Kalinic, Mings and McGinn actually deserve to keep their shirts but unfortunately given our current injury situation we haven't got the (right) replacements with Tuanzebe, Chester, Grealish, Carroll and Lansbury all out. I hope to see no Adomah and Taylor for starters, but wouldn't be surprised to see both. With what's available I'd probably go; Kalinic Hutton Elphick Mings Hause Whelan Hourihane McGinn Kodjia Davis Abraham For me none of our wide players having been showing any kind of form, Tammy I think would put a shift in and still be a goal threat cutting in, Davis can hold the ball up better and allow McGinn and Hourihane to play off him, ignoring Kodge's faults he still has the ability to produce moments of class. No Barnes or Gayle is a bonus for us, I think we might edge this 2-1.

I thought he was shockingly bad first half on Wednesday night but improved slightly in the second half but that wasn't exactly a difficult achievement. I'm not going to completely rule him out as a dud though after just 2 games, however underwhelming they have been. He hasn't played that much football (it clearly shows) but least there is a bit more of a physical presence with him over Taylor, I don't think we've much to lose at this stage.

Our recent results against these leave me feeling apprehensive for Wednesday night but hopefully the team can be boosted by Friday's remarkable comeback. I would start with the same eleven that finished that game, providing Chester and Grealish are still sidelined. Would be a boost to see Jack on the bench sometime soon, seems like an eternity since he hobbled off at the Hawthorns. Hard to call this. Usually I would say I would take a point in this kind of fixture post-match, but single points aren't enough for us. We need to attack from the off, press high, play with confidence and purpose and hopefully if we can take our chances we may edge it 1-2 or 2-3. UTV

Was shocking last night, extremely bad. Not sure if his legs have totally gone or whether it was lack of match fitness; maybe a combination of both. I know Sheffield United players took their foot off the gas and sat back in the closing stages, but the difference Whelan made when he was on the pitch was like night and day compared to Mile. I think his time is up in the summer, but he's not been the worst player to grace the claret and blue shirt and obviously has decent traits but passing a football sure aint one of them

I'm equally intrigued. I think he will fit in and if he can regain some confidence, I expect him to grab a few goals.

Would be happy with this one, decent combative midfielder, experienced, not afraid to put a tackle in, would add some aerial pressence and more mobility than Whelan or Jedi. I think he would compliment McGinn and Grealish hugely. Hope it goes through

I'm firmly on the fence with this one; 100% agree that is time at Villa has been very disappointing to say the least, one five game period aside, he's either been very poor, substitute or injured. He was definitely the wrong signing at the wrong time. A player that really struggled in a 'system' that didn't suit his game. Is that Hogan's fault? Is that Bruce's fault? I would say a bit of both to be honest. A player does need to try to adapt his game to get game time, but asking him to come on as a substitute and hold up play whilst it was being hoofed up field was just plain ridiculous. With Smith coming in I was hoping that he would get the best out of him, the 'Brentford' Hogan but thus far it just isn't happening, playing one up top and the form of Tammy contributing to this, but also, lets face it he has been pretty terrible. As a striker (more than any other position I would say) you need to be brimming with confidence to get the best out of you and you can tell that he is bereft of this and it shows. I would love for him to find some form here as I think 'some' of the criticism is a little harsh but it doesn't look like it is going to happen so hopefully we can still get a decent fee rather than sending him out on loan, my worry is that he will go elsewhere and he will score goals. I guess time will tell.

Must say, pretty underwhelmed with that selection, was hoping not to see Adomah and (to a lesser extent) Whelan. Then when you add Taylor, Hutton & Elphick (though the latter has been doing ok) its not great on paper. Hopefully Smith knows what he's doing and can guide us to a victory and a decent performance or I think the doubters will be out in force later.

Have I missed something? Please tell me I have

The only way I would play 2 up top is to sacrifice a defender and go 3-5-2 otherwise I think we would get over-run in midfield. I don't think Smith would adopt this formation but if he did, I'd like to see something like this, which would at least eliminate our terrible full backs and may get us back to the quick high-press football we were playing at the start of Smith's reign; Kalinic Elphick Chester Hause Jedinak El Ghazi Hourihane McGinn Green Hogan Abraham Could quite easily swap Hogan for Kodge or Davis, Bree into the back 3, Elmo (dare I say) for El Ghazi... Just hope we can get back to winning ways, Ipswich are 5/1 with some bookies, I don't think it's that clear cut at all.

Is this another case of one of our players becoming a 'better' player just because they haven't played for us for a while?! That aside, I wouldn't be adverse to a recall and for Smith to have a look at him close up, he looks like he has decent attributes but he will need to show a LOT more than he did prior his loan move(s).

Me too. I thought goals aside, his overall game showed flaws. His time is up for me!

Bowen - What a surprise.

Would be an upgrade on Taylor (who wouldn't)?! He had a decent game at Villa Park a few month ago. Only 22 I think, so has time on his side and one that Smith could improve as a player. A bit lightweight, but quite quick and skilful in the games I have seen him play. Was under the impression he'd signed a new contract not that long ago though might be wrong. Definitely wouldn't be against this signing though if it happens.

I would be amazed if it is anything other than a public apology for 'spygate' (unfortunately!)

Fair enough, I am on my own with the Hourihane at LB one then but my reasoning's one last time 1) The general consensus is both Taylor and Hutton are sh1t. Both have been extremely poor for a long time now and we are still conceding goals with either in the team. They don't tackle well (Hutton to a lesser extent), they both allow wingers to cross time after time and both are positionally found wanting. 2) Taylor contributes absolutely nothing to us going forward and Hutton (although slightly better) is allowed by the opposition to run to the opposing box then 99% of the time lose it and be caught out of position. 3) Hourihane is hardly dominating from central midfield, but he has (usually) good set pieces, can pass a ball an is a lot more comfortable in possession. Therefore playing him in this position allows us to keep the ball better which means in theory less defending and also allows us to put someone stronger centrally. I am not for one minute saying for this to be a regular thing, the need for a left back is ridiculously important and it is crazy we have been left in the situation we are, I just think that it would be worth a gamble as opposed to the other tried & tested failed options. Anyway, you will be pleased I am not manager

Well that's where I'm at. Not ideal, but any worse than Taylor / Hutton I'm not too sure and at least he should be comfortable on the ball. Ideally of course, we need a new LB in this window!