kiltorken

Soft defending killed us, trying to win the ball cleanly. Basics of defending, STOP THE ATTACK, TAKE THE  BALL OR THE MAN, don't let them waltz through. 

Just from watching on telly I thought our fans were great singing the whole way through, credit to the club. 

8 hours ago, Kiwivillan said:

1. He has been crap for years so he has become crap or do words have no meaning?

2. What does that even mean? 

If you read my whole post it alluded to him suffering from confidence issues causing him to appear crap rather than him actually losing his football abilities. 

Do you understand? Apologies it was such a complex piece I wrote. 

Completely speaking from the heart rather than the head but bring him home, he's been crap for years but he didn't just become a crap player. His confidence is shot. He needs to be loved, might give him a second wind coming back. I'd take him over Glen Murray. He has a unique track record of keeping villa up. 

7 minutes ago, mattyvilla said:

Is this 100% a loan , i'm sure it was mentioned on the radio that it was a 6 month contract with a 12 month extension if we stay up ?

"Sky sources" are reporting a 6 month loan and that he'll return to Milan in the summer. 

3 minutes ago, rodders0223 said:

Which is fair enough if you aren't a walking calamity. There is doing dirty work unseen and being tidy and then there is doing dirty work unseen and being a walking mistake anytime the ball drops to your feet.

He is looking like a league 1 player at times ffs no hyperbole no exaggeration.

So far out of his depth it is frightening.

He's a total deer in the headlights with the ball at the minute but I think it's still very early days to give him the mob treatment. He was a lot better with the ball in the beginning, obviously confidence is suffering. Patience from fans is what he needs in my opinion. 

Just now, lexicon said:

Did so much good tonight that won't be acknowledged by most who'll focus on the bad. Bust his arse and did a hell of a job shutting down their midfielders. 

He did a lot of great work without the ball. 

Confidence is shot,  think there's a player in there and playing under the cosh for most periods in the fastest big league in the world is tough for a player used to having time on the ball. 

22 minutes ago, Kuwabatake Sanjuro said:

reminds me a bit of Milan Baros

Sign him up, quick. 

5 minutes ago, Zatman said:

Christophe Dugarry and Youri Djorkaeff did OK all them years back

Yes very true and it's quite possible Giroud would be a good signing as well but his lack of form for the last two years is worrying, not sure what Djorkaeff and Dugarry's form was like before they came to the prem. I wouldn't be against the idea at all, maybe I'm just still suffering from the trauma of signing has-beens the last time we were in the prem. 

4 minutes ago, TRO said:

However, an intrinsic belief in a battle......is usually there under any circumstances.

Yes indeed, fair point, on paper would be an ideal signing . Although he hasn't been impressive for Chelsea since he arrived there a few years ago, not sure moving to villa now would inspire him. 

9 minutes ago, striker said:

Wages would be a concern for either but Villa don't really have much choice at the moment.

I'd be concerned whether a French world Cup winner in the twilight of his career would have the hunger required to slug it out in a relegation dogfight. 

45 minutes ago, Sam-AVFC said:

Anyway, back on topic. Who do people think we should spunk the next £100m on? 

Gabriel Barbosa, thanks. 

The kneejerk reactionist in me wants blood after witnessing such abysmal performances lately, especially today but there's some reason I can't quantify that makes me think Smith will turn this around if given time. Could be just naivety on my part or maybe Im just afraid of getting into that Allardyce, Pardew, Moyes merry-go-round where we perpetually sign players to keep us up from year or year till we go down again eventually and maybe go bankrupt again. 

In saying that it's becoming unbearable to watch the "performances" at the moment, we're making our direct relegation rivals look like top 4 teams. 

I don't know what to think anymore. 

My theory on why the rest of the team seem so afraid of the ball and nervous is because Jack is so much better than everyone else in the team that they don't have belief in themselves to contribute in comparison so just seek to let Jack do everything, when he does pass the ball we often end up losing possession due to the rest of the players being so shackled by fear they make basic errors which leave us constantly exposed to opposition attacks. I honestly don't believe the players are half as bad as it seems though , confidence issues are killing us in my opinion. 

12 hours ago, lapal_fan said:

That article is really touching.  Always liked Chester, pretty solid and he seems like a very decent chap.

Hope he can get a few apps before the season is out  

All the best Chezzy! 

He's the antithesis of the modern footballer in my books, genuine person wio put his body on the line for us. Zero arrogance, too man. And an accomplished defender to boot. 

14 minutes ago, KentVillan said:

And he deserved zero blame for that "freak assist". Although I'm sure some of our resident clearings in the woods took the opportunity.

Yeah well the good time charlies who expect everything for nothing who came out of the Woodwork recently are having buyers remorse. Hopefully they piss off soon enough or stay and support. 

10 minutes ago, KentVillan said:

doubt it's as simple as a Wes / Tammy thing. Wes is okay on defensive headers.

I actually think Wesley has been almost impeccable defensively from set pieces apart from that freak assist he gave away recently. Far cry from Kodjias pathetic kick to clear Liverpools goal from manes flick on the near post. 

Southampton aren't great, they've played the bottom teams in their last 6 or 7 games and we've literally played the current top 7. Yes, villa are more equipped than anyone at making a bollox of a good situation but not tomorrow. Tomorrow is the turnaround. The climb starts tomorrow. 

Disclaimer :tomorrow may or may not in fact be the turnaround 

Bets done for the game tomorrow, 5-0 and 5-1 with Wesley first scorer. Basically buying money. 

1 minute ago, Zatman said:

Decent shot stopper but woeful on crosses. Dont think he ever had a run with Mings im front of him for that.

I think Smith is a fan

I could see him liking his distribution. He's very quick at getting the ball back into play. 

4 minutes ago, Farlz said:

Great game tonight. What I love most about him is his distribution from the back is so good.

If we could combine Heaton's general good shot stopping with Nyland's distribution we'd have a super keeper. 

Its Nyland's dealing with crosses which is his biggest issue I think. 

Shocking today but let's not forget we've just witnessed the two worst performances of the season. Even top teams have shaky runs. It's not so long since we absolutely dominatrd Newcastle 

1 hour ago, OutByEaster? said:

we look awful and this has been the worst period of performances in Dean Smith's time here -

First time I think I disagreed with one of your statements, our run under Smith for two months before the glory run past year were appalling. Losing 3 zip to Wigan without a shot on goal ranks way lower on the scale surely. 

14 minutes ago, TRO said:

.People talk about Vardy and the talk is right....but I thought their No 4 was outstanding....he caught my eye

Thought the same, he was incredible. Such good reading of the game, just seemed to know where the ball was going to end up every time. Looks a superb player.