nepal_villan

First and foremost hope the players and staff are doing well and the ones who may have symptoms recover quickly.  This definitely throughs a wrench into our PL season. Thank goodness we've already picked-up a decent number of points and are well away from a relegation scrap.

12 hours ago, Zatman said:

Get him on set pieces immediately, that criss for Mings was delicious

Came here to post the same.  I know Troare has put in a few good balls, but on balance he has been mediocre taking set pieces.

I'm also in the "go for it" camp.  

11 hours ago, penguin said:

Needs to go out on loan. I really like the lad and think he’s a lot better than the stick he gets but he just isn’t going to get minutes here and a productive spell elsewhere could be the kickstart he hopefully needs.

Traore can also play ST and hopefully Wesley will be returning in the next month or so. 

Pretty much my sentiments as well. But would much prefer bringing in a proper striker to have the flexibility to send him on a loan.

We are a very good side. That is all.

 As long as we keep progressing, can't see Grealish being in a rush to leave.  Minimum we will have him for another 1.5 seasons. 

2 hours ago, Rodders said:

They'll all want to play so no changes unless there are any fitness niggles that emerge in the next day or two. I was banging on about subs, today but listening to Dean's interview that hunger to play every game and continue momentum is probably the better option. After the United game it's 12 days until the spurs match, and so plenty of changes can be made for the cup game anyway. 

Think we have a side to win a trophy this year.  Hope we give the FA Cup a real go.

For ManUtd, would put Barkley in for Traore and switch Grealish to the right wing. Mings in for Hause. 

We are a very competent side. Players looked gassed though. Can't see us doing much second-half. Will likely need something off of a set piece or some Grealish magic.

My prediction is that we will get plenty of chances. Result will depend on if we can convert them. If we do I envision a 3-2 victory. 

Reassuring to see Crystal Palace score against Leicester and West Brom getting a draw against Liverpool. Makes our performance against them that the more impressive. Also Burnley had far more opportunities against Leeds than against us and were unlucky to have a goal disallowed and given a penalty against them.

6 hours ago, AV82 said:

From here. Maybe Smith and co. do really know what they are doing?

Reassuring to read the quotes from Smith about the signing and Traore's attitude.

4 hours ago, Rightdm00 said:

The Big 6 I was referring two were the 6 clubs that attempted a take over of the Prem earlier this year. Project Big picture. 

Arsenal

Manchester united 

Manchester city 

Liverpool 

Tottenham

Chelsea

The commercial revenues (beyond TV money) of these clubs are significantly higher than other clubs in the Premier League. That's where there is a major chasm that needs to be narrowed by clubs like Villa and Everton or else FFP will get in the way of squad development.

The other day I was listening to an interview with the Milwaukee Bucks General Manager where he mentioned trading notes with Aston Villa on Covid protocols at venue. Hopefully, they are also exchanging best practices on the commercial and marketing side.

Just listened to the Crystal Palace review. Enjoying the  sober analysis from Jugsy and Chadsy and helps differentiate the podcast from a few others where the guests tend to be more emotional in their analysis.

What's impressive is that we are really in control matches and creating so many chances. It's not like we are just getting lucky and nicking a few victories.

It's pretty clear we can create chances against any team, therefore in games like this  it is really about taking them. Chelsea will score 1-2 goals, it's whether we can find the net 3 times. Think we win 3-2 with Watkins and Grealish scoring - they are due.

5 hours ago, Zhan_Zhuang said:

A few posters had written Traore off before kicking a ball for us and they should be ashamed. Interestingly they don't seem to post I his thread anymore....

I definitely was one of the most critical voices of the initial signing and I'm still here 

Great to see the form he has been on in the last 2 matches - long may it continue.  

5 hours ago, MaVilla said:

I do something on the relegation thread showing this years points progress versus last year, i thought i would do something similar in here for top 6 points progression versus previous years.

Basically, top 6 points requirement since the 2014 season have been, 59, 66, 63, 69, 63, 62, this is an avg. PPG ranging from 1.6 to 1.8.

As you see by the right hand graph, our current PPG in the first 13 games, is 1.9 - meaning if we continued this progression, we would total 72 points.

Obviously i dont expect us to amass 72 points, but its interesting all the same.

 

Can you do a similar one for top 4 (i.e. UCL qualification)? 

He's been our MOM the last 1.5 games. I'll owe a massive apology if he keeps this up.

The first alone could have been a red card for a pretty violent looking stamp. Really let us down today.

14 minutes ago, rodders0223 said:

Signed a ridiculous contact in the Championship and apparently was on double bubble when we got promoted.

Wouldn't surprise me if he's on 70k a week. Nobody is coming in for him.

Gratefully, these signings look to be in the past.

He signed in Dec 2018. Purslow would have been CEO then and Smith the head coach. So can't really blame anyone but our current management if the contract is indeed so toxic.

I'd go for someone experienced who is willing to be a squad player. Deeney? He seems to have a lot of positive things to say about Villa and Dean Smith these days.

Then loan out Davis and Wes so they get matches.

He is contracted for a few more years, so hopefully he impresses at Hajduk Split and someone comes in for him. 

2 wins.  CP and one out of Spurs/Everton.

If we can be resolute at the back, feel we will win this comfortably.  Important to win this one to bolster our top 10 credentials, as I see a bad patch coming up in the following four matches.