eholm

Well, a couple of spoonfuls of humble pie for me tonight. I’ve made it pretty clear on here over the last few weeks that I didn’t think he was at the level we needed for this season. I wasn’t writing him off as you can see his potential but I was certain a loan to a lesser league would have been the best thing for him. That potential, though, gets realised more and more at the moment - that was one hell of a goal, young man. Long way to go yet for the lad and I’d still have concerns if OW was out for a period of time but fair to play to JD, he really is making an impact when he’s on the pitch.

Agree 100%. Unrealistic for us to be considered a CL contender this season. The 2 huge injuries will significantly hamper us, especially TM. If we were able to match our 7th place finish and win the ECL that, for me, would be a fantastic season.

This. Zaniolo as the LHS 8/10 and move McGinn back to the RHS. Or move Zaniolo to the RHS. We then get JJ back and have much better options….

Like others I am trying to figure out Unai’s reasons for the approach he took on Sunday. After listening to his pre and post match, he regularly stated his ‘excitement’ at facing Liverpool with our ‘style and structure’. Could it be that he really wanted to see exactly how we would perform playing in the same way as we had in the previous 2 games…..a benchmark test as it were to see where we are right now? It’s early in the season so plenty of time to recover if it didn’t work out. I get the feeling that Unai would prefer not to be low block ultra defensive in any away game (particularly vs the top teams) as it diffuses his raison d’etre….control. Ideally he wants us to have fairly similar styles irrespective of opponent/venue etc. Clearly it didn’t work so he now knows we have to return to a more pragmatic approach when the opponent dictates.

Yeah will be very interesting to see how he develops physically.....but I guess as his adaptation to the pace of the PL continues, his imprved anticipation of ball and man will mean we wont need him to turn into Mings MKII.

Valid point re the pace issue.....i think its more the unfortunate combination of lack of pace with a lack of physicallity/agression. Hopefully adaptation to the overall pace of the PL will help him improve.

Pau's ability on the ball is superb. My concern is that we are all hoping that he will adapt and improve from a defensive perspective. The main attributes we need him to improve on are physicality/strength and pace. I am not convinced any amount of training and work will actually produce tangible developments in either of those areas. I’m struggling to think of a PL defender who lacked both attributes but was able to develop them and become a top quality CB….unless anyone can correct me?

100%. Look, UE has prob forgotten more about football than I have ever known in my 47 years, the guy is a top, top level manager - he’s fantastic …..I just don’t understand what he has seen in JD at all??? Yes he’s physical and has a bit about him but technically he is poor and clearly has very little football intelligence. Unai believes he is good enough to be Ollie’s back up…..that staggers me but, as I have said, he wouldn’t have kept Duran in the squad without good reason. At the moment, I cannot for the life of me see it or understand it. I just hope to god that Unai’s called this one right.

…..because he is no where near the required standard.

As expected, absolutely no where near he needs to be in terms of touch, control and ability. Tbh I found his performance a bit embarrassing. Not his fault and he probably has some decent potential but for a squad looking to get top 7, again I just don’t understand what UE sees in him. I want to be proved completely wrong but I’ll say it again, if OW is out for any length of time we cannot rely on the kid at all. I just hope that Zaniolo will be able to play up there in that scenario, although he’s never really done it before. Concerning.

Probably been mentioned before....but the delay in JP's move to Hull could indicate a slight change of approach from UE in regards to him staying if no replacement can be found.....much like the Digne situation.

Well it’s a Villa forum designed to allow Villa fans to express their opinions on all aspects of the club from the owners to the manager to the players. Whether you see that as moaning and pointless is obviously your prerogative, however, we all have a right to reiterate our opinions if we like because, as we know in football, ‘that’ is never ‘that’.

Good goal but still not good enough to replace OW if he’s out injured for any length of time, imo. Great potential though.

Its more the profile of a player than a posiitonal label. IF Watkins is out for a period of time we could do with a similar type profile at the top of the pitch i.e physical and has the ability to hold the ball up. I get the point re the system but if we are playing the better teams (without OW) and so will invariably have less of the ball, we may struggle to retain possession withut that type of forward. At the moment, I dont see JD being good enough to deputise in this scenario.

Fair point that.

For me its the fact that he is the ONLY back up striker. This coupled with my paranoia that Ollie is gonna get an injury lasting a few months at some point this season! Having watched JD's albeit fleeting minutes, I think his first touch is lacking and his control needs imporving.....both of which you would expect for a young player and that will no doubt improve as he develops. I know we have players who could play the OW role but not necessarily for a prolonged period of time and that is my concern. I have no doubt that JD has huge potential and I could be completely wrong - it would be fantastic if he could come in when needed and score 5+ goals in the PL if required. However, that is a big ask for a kid who is still probably acclimatising to the country let alone the PL. I realise that its all if/buts/maybes regarding how often he will actually be needed, however, a squad needs to cover for these eventualities and I would kave liked to see an older/experienced ST come in on loan just to provide that bit more cover up top considering the amount of gameswe have this season.

Bravo, sir!!

11pm Friday 1st September

Yeah, think you're right mate. Guess the 2 x ACLs have made me paranoid about Ollie being crocked at some point for a few months!

Indeed. He really loves versatility in his players more than any other manager I can recall. I know that we have players that 'could' play the OW role if he is out but do feel we would miss the physicality/hold up play that he brings if, for example, Diaby moved forward. Then again, Arsenal have Jesus and Nketiah as thier 2 CF options, so maybe I am worrying unnecessarily.

Still really need cover for Ollie - Duran is just too much of a gamble and an unknown quantity at this stage of his career (although his potential will be very interesting for us to develop over the next few years). Hopefully, a late Coutinho sale will facilatate a forward incoming who can cover as a 9. A serious injury to OW and we are struggling as he is so vital to how we play.

Mings replacement. Different profile but need 4 CBs. Unai clearly sees Chambers as RB (3rd choice?) so needed a 4th CB. Loan you would imagine.

Defo feels like one out before anyone else coming in. Phil leaving will be only way be add any more imo.

I really hope I’m proved wrong but still think we need to replace him in the squad for this season as he is no where near the level we require for a top 6 finish. The drop off in quality from Ollie to Jhon is on a par with Emi to Robin.

IIRC, I’m pretty sure the sell-on clause was 50% of ANY future fee…. We got him on the cheap so this would have been Barca’s way of recouping more of their losses.