Houlston

I will hazard a guess these lads are desperate to play first team football for Villa and I doubt their desire is the reason they are not in the team.

Its true the defence is better than this time last year but the conceded 46 to 34 paints a much prettier picture when you don't take into account 13 of those goals came in 2 games.

What a surprise that in two games when Weimann was played in a creative attacking role he plays well. We revert back to a negative style with him in a workman like position and he's poor

Everton did create other opportunities it wasn't like they just scored two goals from no where

He played the exact same position as he did at Liverpool albeit a different team formation overall.

So not meaning to be pedantic but therefore it wasn't the same position. He was coming back deeper and had less support and less of an outlet with Holt ahead.

What a surprise that in two games where Weimann was played in a creative attacking role he plays well. We revert back to a negative style with him in a workman like position and he's poor

Everton did create other opportunities it wasn't like they just scored two goals from nowhere

He also didn't play that high up the pitch anyway on Saturday

 

Yes odd that a team with no recognised striker

 

Wrong, Mirallas is a striker. It's where he played for Olympiacos, and it's where he played for the majority of his career. Was quite a good one at Olympiacos too, with 34 goals in 50 odd games.

 

Just because he's utilised as a winger at Everton doesn't mean he's not a striker.

 

Wrong. Miralllas is a winger. He was moved up front at Olympiakos after playing majority of his time on the wing for Saint-Etienne and Lille. And who knew a good player would be able to score loads of goals in a shit league. But anyway like I said no recognised striker.

What exactly is my argument then Houlston?  All I said was that defensive football is still football.  Being defensive and not conceeding urgo = defending well.  Also;

 

 

I'm not saying we were "right" to do this against Everton

 

 

But hey, feel free to make out that I'm saying Lambert is the messiah or whatever else suits

Your argument was that you said our tactics worked for 45 minutes, I tried to point out why this may have been the case and that we might have looked to capitalise on this.

I also never tried to make out that you think Lambert is the Messiah, you do a good enough job of that yourself. Smiley face.

Its a shame this argument about Bent isn't in the Lacina Traore thread but if that's a bit too out there then maybe just the Nicklas Helenius thread.

Still his experience in the dressing room is priceless and luckily immeasurable.

 

 

I'm not saying we were "right" to do this against Everton, but they are a possession-based team which holds the ball and passes their way through - much like Arsenal, but less gifted.  Our tactics worked perfectly for 45 minutes to an hour, we managed to take the lead and soak up most of their attacks.  Surely this is defending well? Even if you don't like it, it's playing well in a defensive context.  Football isn't just about attacking.

 

Yes odd that a team with no recognised striker couldn't score against a team with 5 defenders on the pitch, its almost a shame we didnt try to make more of that situation before Everton did bring a striker on.

Course ignoring that your argument would stand even further up if the team we had put out to defend could also hit on the counter better but of course that was hindered by starting with Holt.

For me, it is easy with the benefit of hindsight to criticise team selection.

 

I was at the game yesterday & I heard no complaints around me or in the pub beforehand when the team was announced.

 

I heard plenty of disappointment and confusion.

I think the quality of the team we were facing probably had something to do with it as well.

You mean the one that was vastly weakened and started with no recognised striker up front. Perhaps had we continued with a similar formula we may have exposed their weaknesses more as opposed to sitting deep, failing to counter attack and mustering one whole shot on target.

They did create more than that wonder kick you know.

An Everton side suffering from a lot of injuries and playing without a recognised striker and we come off the back of two good performances with four at the back, creating going forward and looking likely to score. So what happens we see a revert to 3/5 at the back and start Holt.

Why anyone should defend this as a good thing imo is odd.

4 shots and 1 shot on target all game, which we managed to score from and on a counter attack, something we could rarely do yesterday due to our poor set up. Who knew Southampton away wasn't a great model to go by.

I'm sure it's probably Tonevs fault though.

Yesterday summed up exactly why he was a poor signing, not sure why he started, nor am I sure what good he did do.

In an emergency situation, I'd take him over Bowery.
 

Is that because Bowery hasn't done his first aid training?

He has been better this season, but not great, Vlaar at times has been great.

Agreed Big John, the drive and will to win is exceptional in Delph. But lets give all the credit to Lambert.

I like him, he needs to be a bit stronger but I like that he is always looking to pass forward and mainly his passes find their intended man. He is regularly our highest passer and most accurate.

KEA should be out of the team first.

 

His foot is 70.3% Nitroglycerin.

 

the other 29,7% is pure Francium.

 

Is that why he's not supposed to play in the rain then?

I doubt he would have been brought on if we weren’t in the lead.

He was brought on to relieve pressure and hold up the ball to help secure our win, he did that a little last night.

He was definitely getting ready to come on at 3 3

Didn't Delph play as a right sided attacking midfielder for Leeds? Did very well there I think I recall, so maybe his better position is being out wide and more attacking.

No, he played as he is now left central/wide

Jordy Clasie must be coveted by almost all the big names in Europe, I'd be amazed and elated if we signed him.

He'll sign another

I don't think a lot of people realize this, but he was actually receiving instructions and was about to come on prior to the Lugano conceding the penalty, so it was a purely defensive change, Lambert was going to make it whether or not villa took the lead.

I think this is a very valid point that is being missed in the bigger picture. I understand why you would want to bring Grant on to hold up play, to win freekicks and to slow the play down at 4-3. He would also help out in defending free kicks and corners. However Holt was about to come on when we were at 3-3 and this is the problem I have with him as a signing he isnt going to suddenly enhance our game going forward at a time when we need that extra impetus to go on and win a game.

Great to see him playing with confidence again.

He's just a very bad footballer, why he is given any plaudits is beyond me. Passes? No. Strong in the tackle? No. Makes interceptions? No. Has vision? No. Pace? No. Runs around & presses? Yes. 

People give N'zogbia stick for only having the odd good game but KEA's ratio is far worse, its like playing with 10 men.

And no he isn't better than Sylla.

Please bring a midfielder in Paul or get your boots on.

If he keeps playing like this he wont be coming here, bitter sweet.