Philosopher

If we could get the 8 - 10 mil he was worth as part of the milner deal it I would sell him. Think his current form is OK, but from where I was in the upper north stand on saturday he was disapointing. Spent most of the match standing around (apart from putting in the odd good tackle), rarely got into the box even though he was playing as a second striker and both Petrov and Herd were sitting deep. Gave the ball away a lot and generally looked to be playing for himself. Many people have criticised Albrighton for over hitting crosses, but most of the time Gabby was the only player in the box for Albie to aim at and he was being double marked. I cannot recall anyone following up at the far post when a cross was being delivered which the exceptions of crosses from the left with Ablie making the run towards the back post. Ireland should've been getting in the box or Herd should have been given the freedom to make the late runs into the box from deep. Not the type of player to build a team around contrary to what some have said. The only thing he has which is top class is his first touch. Everyone talks about his great one season at citeh, but we must remember he was playing alongside Robinho and they were very good at home that season, but dreadful away from home. The only reason he is being singled out for praise is because going forward he is the only inventive player playing full games. Bannan was far more effective when he came on than Ireland, he spread the play intelligently, kept the ball and is alway on the look out for the oppourtunity to make a killer pass. Bannan is the best playmaker in the squad period. Ireland still has a hell of a lot to prove in my eyes!

That was the best display of attacking football from Villa all season. We had 23 shots to 3, dominated possession, should've had 2 penalties, on another day Bent would've nabbed a hattrick and scored 2 goals, but somehow we only drew! WTF! Given - 6.5 - Little to do except pick the ball out the back of the net. Warnock - 1 - was absolutely awful the guy is a liability, we should've sold him to Liverpool when we had the chance! That OG was an embarrassment. Dunne - 4 - cannot handle pace, Cisse terrorised him tonight. Cuellar - 6 - was solid, did what he had to do defensively, can't remember him missing a pass, passed it short and safe and was composed in doing so. Hutton - 6.5 - had a decent game (can't believe I just wrote that). Defensivley still worrying, but no major mistakes, was a great outlet going forward, sometimes to slow to pass the ball. Clark - 8.5 - was excellent, looking like a proper defensive midfielder. Petrov - 7 - was solid and provided a fine cross for the equaliser. Ireland - 7 - was good, but looked dead on his feet come the final 10 minutes. Nice touches, alway probing, still not quite at his sharpest. N'zogbia - 7.5 - Best game in a Villa shirt, average first half though, fine finish for the equaliser. Keane - 8 - Link up play was superb, wish he was 3 years younger and we owned him! Bent - 8 - Ran the channels well, linked up with keane really well, scored, but should've scored more. Movement was a constant menace. Bannan - 7 - His passing vision is the best in the squad deserves a start, will be starting once Keane returns to LA.

Personally I think Gabby playing in his current role which seems a combination of left winger and striker is best suited to him. Because of this new way of playing Gabby I beleive Bent can and will score goals as the main striker. If they were both playing centrally then I think they would get in each others way. But because Gabby is playing deeper and cuttting i from the left, this allows Bent to do what he does best which is sit on the shoulder of the last defender looking to break the offside trap and also get in the box and on the end of crosses. Also I think people are not acknowleging the role Bent has played in Gabby's great start to the season. Bent's movement and goal threat keep defenders in two minds as he tends to drift in between the two centre halves before making his run, and this gives Gabby that little bit more time on the ball as the defenders aren't sure who is best placed to pick him up. And because Gabby starts out from the left wing the RCH has to leave Gabby and hold his position meaning Gabby has more space. If the opponents use the RFB to pick Gabby up then that means more space for the central midfielder on the left side of the diamond, So with this we can easily drag opposing defenders out of position. Then with Bannons vision and Ireland intelligent runs off the ball (when he's playing well) potentailly we will have the creativity in the centre of the park to exploit the space. Last thing about Bent is that when it comes to holding up the ball he is like Gabby, he is strong enough to sheild the ball and good enough in the air to win a well place ball, but half the time his first or second touch will let him down. So while niether are proper target men both are decent when holding up the ball, and remember Bent is no slouch the guys got pace too, but I think this groin problem is hampering his running. Having had groin problems before I know from experience that running at full speed is a sure fire way to make the problem worse. I am genuinely encouraged by Bent and Gabby so far this season, Bent has got into lot of got positions to score and has picked up a couple of league goals even though he's not fully fit, and Gabby looks confident again and has really improved his dribbling. The technical improvments Gabby has made over the last 3 or 4 season have been massive and if he keeps working on his touch I am sure he has more improvements to make. With Bent and Gabby up front and the trio of Given, Dunne and Collins we have the basis of a strong side. I hope Warnock can keep improving and that Hutton gets back to his best because for this Diamond formation to work we need those to to provide width and crosses into the box. BTW I am hoping the diamond works as the only way our midfield can really compete is with plenty of bodies in there! Technically Our midfield is very good, but we lack athleticism and strength, and in the premier league that is a real problem. Also N'Zogbia has potential at the head of the diamond so if Ireland doesn't work out there or gets injured we have plenty of cover. McLeish deserves a lot of credit for Gabby's form as while Houllier tried Gabby out on the left, Gabby had to hold his position out on the flank rather than make runs inside as A.Young was occupying the hole and we had Downing left wing. Throw in the fact we played with a much higher line (thus squeezing the space) and was completely lacking a left back that was compotent going forward we seemed restricted to using Gabby more as a target for high balls more than anything else, as he simply lacked the space to fully utilize his pace (and gabby was carrying a few extra pounds last season). What Mcleish has done is recognise the player Gabby could and should be and played him to his strengths.

I assume because he came on as a sub for the under 21's last night that meant he was unavailable. Unfortunately he came on when England were on the backfoot and protecting their lead so he didn't really get the chance to shine.

I agree with much of what you said, but in regards to Delph he is still inexperienced at this level and so his decision making in regards to his tackling will improve, but you also have to remember Delph is being asked to play that defensively. We have totally lacked creativity through the middle of the park since Merson left, but the frustrating thing now is that we have two players capable of filling that void and they aren't getting the chance because of Heskey! Ireland and Bannan need to be given the chance to show what they can do. My line up would be Herd -- Collins --- Dunne -- Warnock --------------- Clark ------------------ --------Bannan --- Delph------------- N'Zogbia ---------------------- Gabby --------------- Bent -------------------

Btw I expect us to improve as the season goes on as we have a new manager, playing a new system, with a very different midfiled from last season. So to go 3 games unbeaten and keeping two cleans sheets in encouraging, irrespective of how predictable our attcking play is. It will give the players confidence, which was clearly lacking last season.

Herds performance was very encouraging, can see why he was preferrred to Lichaj and beye on that performance. Delph had a queiter game but every time he got the ball he played good passes and looks to have that bit of extra class. If he stays fit he is going to excel this season. Gabby was always a threat, but a bit to predictable when running at players. Petrov was steady eddie as usual. N'Zogbia looked a threat, but didn't have his shooting boots on today. Heskey was a headless chicken, the only reason why he was on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes I guess was to win headers as he offered F all else. Dunne is the Dunny (defensive) Monster he was in his first season here, but both he a Collins still hoof too much. Warnock had his best game in a villa shirt in the last 18 months. All in all solid display, but we need more creativity going forward. Our attack is functional wiith listen invention. Heskey Gabby, Bent are not creative players. I wonder if Fulham would consider accepting Heskey in exchange for Dembele?

Could be. Would need a strong DCM'er behind them to allow them to play. If you threw a ball down in a crowded room that contained Delph and Gardner, you'd bet on them claiming it. We know Delph's aggressive desire to win the ball, and having watched Gardner live for the reserves a number of times he also doesn't take prisoners. You're right though about a strong sitting DCM because both Delph and Gardner have a considerable goal threat and need to attack the box. To say great in 2 or 3 years is possible, but a lot can go wrong in 3 years. Although personally I think the 2 of them could do a job for us this season. They are both very good passers, both have a good shot on them, and both get stuck in.

This McLeish business just is not in keeping with the manner in which Randy normally conducts his business. Which gives me hope! General this is my first post on your topic unfortunately it not about a positive issue. Please inform the us the fans whether the reported approach for Alex Mcleish is true or not (Preferabley not). I am against his appointment (if he is a target), but that is nothing to do with him being a former BCFC manager. My problem is that we have fantastic young players who need a manager that has a technical approach, will play a pass and move style, and has a proven track record of bringing through young players (Martinez was a decent option). Mcleish is the opposite of this. If we are to become a team capable of winning trophies we need to produce a few top class players, and the current crop of youngsters are our best hope of doing that. If Mcleish arrives and Downing as well as Ashley Young leaves You might as well tell the premier league to relegate us now! As I would prefer us being a good championship side as opposed to being an average premiership side, playing boring football and with no prospect of going further than that, and if Randy is happy with mediocraty he should sell up, as it will be like Doug Ellis all over again! I don't care if I get banned you and Randy need to know just how big a mistake appointing Mcleish will be!

This McLeish business just is not in keeping with the manner in which our owner normally conducts his business. Which gives me hope! I personally am against his apointment, but that is nothing to do with him being a former SHA manager. My problem is that we have fantastic young player who need a manager that has a technical approach, will play a pass and move style, and has a proven track record of bringing through young player. Mcleish is the opposite of this. If we are to become a team capable of winning trophies we need to produce a few top class players, and the current crop are our best hope of doing that.

Aaaaaaaarrrrrggggggg, what a cock! He could be a Villa legend, but instead his weak mind means he's just another Sasa Curic or Bosko Balaban.

Barry is good in possession but its his defensive work off the ball where he goes missing. In the premier league when you play with two forwards and two widemen you need a central midfield pair that know how to protect their back four. In home games it might make sense to start him against the technicially weaker teams, but I would prefer Pires to Bannan as Pires rarely gives the ball away Bannan still does that overplaying it thing that you can't afford to do when playing central midfield. Loan is the best thing for him, for now. Needs game time and we can't really afford to take risks now with team selection.

Firstly I don't have a problem with the team selection, In fact for me its the senior players in the team that are letting us down. Gabby's been terrible and Heskeys done nothing however, I will forgive them for that though as the supply has been non-existent. Petrov has been poor, Bradley is off the pace, We are defending too deep and Clark was poor for Balotelli's goal. Delfouneso looks lively but he is getting crowded out of it, easliy been the best of the forwards. Bannan looks great in possession and Delph and Herd have done ok at fullback which is pleasing as they shouldn't really be playing there. Man may have dominated possession but on the few occassions when have managed to build an attack we have looked Dangerous. I would take off Petrov and one of Heskey or Gabby.

Delph had very little to do against Blackburn defensively as a we dominated possession from start to finish. Also Emerton was playing very narrow and Salgado was very unadvernturous at RB which made it easy for Delph. Its clear to me that Delph is a central midfielder, he can do a job at LB no doubt, but his talents are wasted there. For me he is the one of the best (if not the best) passers in the team and played the pass of the game (a delightful 50 yard ball that swerved around two blackburn defenders right into the path of Albrighton). He's got skill, passing range, agression, a lovely first touch and is the most composed players in the squad, a star in the making.

Why the **** Houillier persists with Gabby on the left is beyond me. Almost every time the ball was played to him he gave it away. He offers no penetration what-so-ever, if Albrighton had started the Fulham fullbacks would have been destroyed as they are both average. Petrov was poor, Makoun off the pace (to be expected though), Bent was living off scraps. Players all get 6 Houillier gets a 1

Still don't see the point of Gabby on the left. Petrov dwelling on the ball too much, Makoun not yet used to prem pace hence when defending looks off the pace. Downing playing well, Walker looking lively and Bent getting into good positions. I would probably bring on Albrighton and Bradley on for Gabby and Petrov in the second half. But leaving Makoun on and bringing on Bradley is probably not going to happen Houillier will probably play it safe and take off Makoun for Bradley.

Slightly OT but rotation 1 your first team, rotation 2 back up? If so Petrov over Makoun? Gabby over Bent? Delfouneso on the wing over Albrighton? -------------------GK --Walker---Collins------CB --------Taiwo -----------------Makoun --------Bradley----- Delph Albrighton----------------------- A.Young -----------------Bent Delfouneso will be a top top player, but playing him anywhere near out wide is just stupid. He is as near a striker as the definition is. He can be a very influential player for us, and I think he will. He can learn his hold up play and professionalism (apart from the falling over like a sack of spuds) from Heskey, his movement and scoring ability from Bent and how to lift weights in the gym from Gabby. First I did say that with the line ups i suggested we wouldn't be playing all our best players in the same team. I sugestted those line ups because you can pick your best players but that doesn't mean you will get the best team. What I was looking at with those was the blend, niether team is first choice. If you look at Man U these days only Van Der Sar, Rio, Vidic, Rooney, evra and maybe Berbertov are first choice players. Fergie tends to rotate the all of his players and in important games all those 6 play if fit plus the form players in the other positions. Also the reality is it is rare that a manger has ALL of his best players available to him. Throw in the fact that We have 5 or 6 youngsters that have the potential to be better than any of our first choice players it makes sense to give them games, but to have a decent chance of winning it is advisable to play them with some experienced players. Secondly GH is currently trying to use Gabby in a similar manner I suggested for Delfouneso however its not really working as Gabby was never a particularly good dribbler, he knocks the ball past players and then runs after it. This is fine if you have one player on you a lots of space in behind but if not your just going to give the ball away. Delfouneso for me is the best dribbler in the team, when he runs with the ball he terrifies defenders (as the ball stays close to him and he is quick with great acceleration, balance and agility) and if he developed a consistantly accurate long range shot (which he's more than capable of) He would be very effective coming inside onto his right foot and Walker as we all know is excellent attacking down the outside. Also Delfouneso doesn't need to beef up, he has great balance and a nice first touch and good skill, if you have that you don't need so much body strength to hold the ball up and he is 6'1. Thierry Henry was never bulky but Rio Ferdinand no less claimed that Henry's strength was very hard to deal with. Gabby needed to bulk up as he never really had great balance, his touch is average, and his skill is averge, but Gabby was fast as **** and is actually a good finisher. My only issue with Gabby is that his movement in the box is poor. Plus of all our strikers Gabby is best suited to play as a lone striker as he is quick but is also good at holding the ball up. So long as we keep the ball on the deck Gabby makes an Excellent lone striker, Delfouneso one day yes, but he needs more experience to play alone upfront. Once Delfouneso hits 29/30 then he should gradually increase his muscle mass as his natural agility and pace will start to decline and he will need to change the way he plays by the time he hits 31. Until then he should just let his body fill out naturally, because its dangerous doing lots of wieght training on top of his normal training while his body is still developing. Up until he hits 21/22 will his bones will still be getting denser. Playing Young as a winger limits his contribution and means that when hes out wide he won't see so much of the ball. But playing as one of 3 strikers coming in from the left and being allowed to drift inside if we had a quality attacking LB would see him more involved and harder to pick up. Finally Petrov as a sitting holding midfielder is the second best at the club, why because he works hard, rarely gives the ball away and holds it up quite well too. The problem is he lacks the speed and acceleration to get up and down the pitch so well and so is better suited to being at the back of a three man central midfield as opposed to in a 4-4-2. And with 2 attack minded midfielders in front you want your holding midfielder to hold his position most of the time. Seems like an adaptation of the formation Arsenal play nowadays. No? The holder - Song/Petrov Box2Box - Wilshere/Delph Creator - Fabregas/Gardner Right side - Walcott/Delfouneso Striker - RVP/Bent Left side - Nasri/Young If there was a way Ash can play on the left so he can still cross the ball in but have a more involved part in the game then that is it. Yeah I will agree with that. Young is more than just a winger, the question is how to get more from him.

Thats why we play with Young in the hole, because he can bring others into the game and link up the play. If you keep the ball on the deck you don't need a target man so long as there is someone to link the play. This season or problems have been the final ball and putting away chances, our possession and build up play have been good. Bent does play well with a target man and his awareness in the box is very good so thats why I think out of him Gabby, and Delfouneso he is best at playing with a target man and proper winger out wide.

Slightly OT but rotation 1 your first team, rotation 2 back up? If so Petrov over Makoun? Gabby over Bent? Delfouneso on the wing over Albrighton? -------------------GK --Walker---Collins------CB --------Taiwo -----------------Makoun --------Bradley----- Delph Albrighton----------------------- A.Young -----------------Bent Delfouneso will be a top top player, but playing him anywhere near out wide is just stupid. He is as near a striker as the definition is. He can be a very influential player for us, and I think he will. He can learn his hold up play and professionalism (apart from the falling over like a sack of spuds) from Heskey, his movement and scoring ability from Bent and how to lift weights in the gym from Gabby. First I did say that with the line ups i suggested we wouldn't be playing all our best players in the same team. I sugestted those line ups because you can pick your best players but that doesn't mean you will get the best team. What I was looking at with those was the blend, niether team is first choice. If you look at Man U these days only Van Der Sar, Rio, Vidic, Rooney, evra and maybe Berbertov are first choice players. Fergie tends to rotate the all of his players and in important games all those 6 play if fit plus the form players in the other positions. Also the reality is it is rare that a manger has ALL of his best players available to him. Throw in the fact that We have 5 or 6 youngsters that have the potential to be better than any of our first choice players it makes sense to give them games, but to have a decent chance of winning it is advisable to play them with some experienced players. Secondly GH is currently trying to use Gabby in a similar manner I suggested for Delfouneso however its not really working as Gabby was never a particularly good dribbler, he knocks the ball past players and then runs after it. This is fine if you have one player on you a lots of space in behind but if not your just going to give the ball away. Delfouneso for me is the best dribbler in the team, when he runs with the ball he terrifies defenders (as the ball stays close to him and he is quick with great acceleration, balance and agility) and if he developed a consistantly accurate long range shot (which he's more than capable of) He would be very effective coming inside onto his right foot and Walker as we all know is excellent attacking down the outside. Also Delfouneso doesn't need to beef up, he has great balance and a nice first touch and good skill, if you have that you don't need so much body strength to hold the ball up and he is 6'1. Thierry Henry was never bulky but Rio Ferdinand no less claimed that Henry's strength was very hard to deal with. Gabby needed to bulk up as he never really had great balance, his touch is average, and his skill is averge, but Gabby was fast as **** and is actually a good finisher. My only issue with Gabby is that his movement in the box is poor. Plus of all our strikers Gabby is best suited to play as a lone striker as he is quick but is also good at holding the ball up. So long as we keep the ball on the deck Gabby makes an Excellent lone striker, Delfouneso one day yes, but he needs more experience to play alone upfront. Once Delfouneso hits 29/30 then he should gradually increase his muscle mass as his natural agility and pace will start to decline and he will need to change the way he plays by the time he hits 31. Until then he should just let his body fill out naturally, because its dangerous doing lots of wieght training on top of his normal training while his body is still developing. Up until he hits 21/22 will his bones will still be getting denser. Playing Young as a winger limits his contribution and means that when hes out wide he won't see so much of the ball. But playing as one of 3 strikers coming in from the left and being allowed to drift inside if we had a quality attacking LB would see him more involved and harder to pick up. Finally Petrov as a sitting holding midfielder is the second best at the club, why because he works hard, rarely gives the ball away and holds it up quite well too. The problem is he lacks the speed and acceleration to get up and down the pitch so well and so is better suited to being at the back of a three man central midfield as opposed to in a 4-4-2. And with 2 attack minded midfielders in front you want your holding midfielder to hold his position most of the time.

Sounds good, although only having 4 in midfield limits how many of our talented and promising midfielders we can play. Rotating or strikers is a something that I am sure Houillier would do if there was a fixture pile up, but with only the league and FA cup he is not going to do that very often this season. Somehow we need to get into europe! Also to me a Delfouneso, Bent combo doesn't look that great as a partnership for me as apart from Delfouneso's liking for dropping deep and running at defenses they look to do the same things and get in the same positions. I actually think Delfouneso would do better cutting in from the right looking to run at players and get in the box with Walker over lapping and Gabby playing as a lone striker with Ash cutting in from the left as a playmaker forward with an attacking LB overlapping. Then the other rotation being Bent and Heskey up front with Albrighton and Downing out wide suppling lots of crosses and solid fullbacks on either side. Crackpot made a very good point about promising midfielders, Bannan, Delph and Gardner are all deserving of first team starts. Next season I might be looking at something like this Rotation 1 -------------------GK---------------------- --Walker --Collins --Dunne --Attacking LB -----------------Petrov-------------------- --------Gardner----- Delph---------------- Delfouneso----------------------- A.Young -----------------Gabby-------------------- Rotation 2 ----------------GK-------------- L.Young--Cuellar--Clark--Baker ------Makoun----Bradley------- Albrighton--------------Downing -------Heskey---Bent----------- The blend is nice with those line ups however the problem you get is that we don't get all our best players in one team. Plus they are contingent on us signing both Walker and Bradley and in regards to the latter he still he to prove himself. Clark, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Delph, Gardner, Bannan and possibly Baker and Lichaj have very bright futures and its imperitive that they get game time, but I think we will have to look at sending two or three of them on loan. Back to Delfouneso the boys got talent but he must remember he cannot afford to take his foot off the gas, he has to always work hard in training, listen to the coaching staff, and be prepared for a battle every time his steps out on the pitch as talent wise he has it all as many have said. I have been waiting for these lads to start fulfilling their promise for over a year and a half now and Delfouneso even longer (since his goal in the uefa cup).

I just found out the news and I am GOBSMACKED. **** me 24 million on player thats twice our current record transfer fee. He'll score goals and fit in well but that is 9 million more than I would pay for him!

I would give everyone a 6 except for Collins (for the goal), Walker and Albrighton (all our best moves came from that right flank) get 7. Sorry forgot Petrov and Carew where disappointing they get 5. Carew tried hard which is an improvement. Delfouneso should definitely have started ahead of Carew the boy is becoming a man and deserves a run of games.

How **** blind is houillier? Any idiot can see Carew is playing like SHIT, when the **** is he going to be taken off?

This. Who gives a flying **** about Kenny Dalglish!

Walker looks the real deal, calm, always made the right decision, quick and a power running with the ball, exactly what we need. Randy must do everything he can to sign permanently. I give him an 8.5. Ashley Young back on the left wing today and was SHIT its clear to me that Ash's form is the problem not where he is being played. 3 Albrighton has a knack of scoring goals and getting assists and thats a top class player in the making. 7 Gabby's distribution in this game was very good, he has come on leaps and bounds, but need to get himself into more goalscoring positions. 6.5 Everyone else gets a 5.5 as we never imposed ourselves on a team we are clearly better than. Nearly forgot Bannan looks like the guy that should be playing in the hole as playmaker, eye for a pass, keeps the ball even though hes little and can dribble. My team for the next game. Friedel, Walker, Clark, Cuellar, Collins, Albrighton, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Downing, Bannan, Gabby.