Matt1874

Did he get a game today?

No. Bowery and tonev came on as attacking options.

He is either the worst trainer alive or sleeping with lamberts wife

The thing is, despite only seeing him briefly in a Villa shirt, and on YouTube, I would say with complete confidence that he is a better player than Weimann and Bowery. His best position is supposed to be as a 2nd striker. Just sums up the complete lack of logic in Lambert's team selection.

He's always been very average. He's not out of form. This in the norm. The few decent games/goals last season were the exception.

Give the job to Hoddle. If he doesn't want it then let Sid have the job until the end of the season.

I wish someone would take Bowery's name out of Lambert's substitution tombola.

-------------Guzan

Bacuna Herd Baker Clark

---------------KEA

Albrighton Lowton Delph Gabby

---------------Kozak

I know this may look a little daft but i'd give it a go.

Overall Bacuna has looked better defensively than Lowton. So he's at RB. Plus with him on the pitch there's hope at free kicks.

Not sure about LB. Tempted to put Luna back in but still scarred from Man U game. Could happily swap either Baker or Clark for Luna.

Lowton was one of our most creative players last season. We've had sod all creativity in middle of park all season. At least he can get involved playing in CM. I don't care that he hasn't played there before. He's good enough to adjust. And he doesn't seem to get forward and influence the game as much from RB as he did last season. Probably that pesky defensive coach.

Albrighton deserves to stay at RM and like prospect of him, Bacuna and Lowton linking up. KEA holding can allow Delph to bomb on.

Hopefully we can get a decent supply to Kozak to get a goal or 2.

Merry Xmas folks

Bacuna 800k

Luna 1.5 euro

Kozak 5.5m euro

Helenius 1m euro

Tonev 1.5m euro

Okore 4m euro

Not much over £10m and all wages under 15k a week!

Decent exchange rate we got then

He's an average player in an average team. Not good enough. Lucky we survived last season with likes of Weimann and Bowery getting game time over N'Zogbia

Listen Matt, we lost the game as a team.

Yep but not having the best 11 players on the pitch doesn't help.

True. But Bowery should not be harshly criticised for his brief appearance.

My criticism is with Lambert for bringing him on.

That is criticising Bowery though. We do not have instant quality on the bench to bring on.

If I was on the bench and came on i'd give my all but it wouldn't be good enough. Same goes for Bowery. I would never boo him or anything but I think i'm entitled to say he's not good enough on here.

Listen Matt, we lost the game as a team.

Yep but not having the best 11 players on the pitch doesn't help.

True. But Bowery should not be harshly criticised for his brief appearance.

My criticism is with Lambert for bringing him on.

Listen Matt, we lost the game as a team.

Yep but not having the best 11 players on the pitch doesn't help.

Jordan Bowery is not playing every game, why all the hate for the guy?

Because he's useless. Fair enough if he comes on last 5 mins if we're trying to hold on for a win. Otherwise shouldn't be on the pitch.

Matt give the guy a break. We are dealing with a few injuries at the moment.

We had better options than him on the bench. He came on before Bacuna. Helenius can't be any worse.

The reason to me is Bowery has certain physical attributes to contend with Stoke City.

But we lost the game and had less chance of getting a goal with Bowery on the pitch

Jordan Bowery is not playing every game, why all the hate for the guy?

Because he's useless. Fair enough if he comes on last 5 mins if we're trying to hold on for a win. Otherwise shouldn't be on the pitch.

Matt give the guy a break. We are dealing with a few injuries at the moment.

We had better options than him on the bench. He came on before Bacuna. Helenius can't be any worse.

I don't see any point in having a go at Bowery, he's just trying his best based on a few cameo appearances.

It's another example of a youngster who's been thrown into something he's not ready for, especially when chasing a game.

If Villa were 3-1 up when Bowery came on and had the same impact this discussion wouldn't be happening.

I agree. I've nothing against him personally. Same goes for anyone who wears the Villa shirt and gives their all. But he isn't good enough to play for Aston Villa. Like I said he can do a job last 5 mins when we're winning. But that's not enough.

Jordan Bowery is not playing every game, why all the hate for the guy?

Because he's useless. Fair enough if he comes on last 5 mins if we're trying to hold on for a win. Otherwise shouldn't be on the pitch.

He's absolutely robbing a living. He must wake up every morning and bounce into Bodymoor Heath like a kid who has won a competition.

"Faking It" - feature length episode to be shown soon?

Kozak has definitely grown on me. He looks awful in general play but comes alive in the area. Keep it up Libor!

He was very good in general play when compared to Benteke's recent performances.

Maybe but i'm not going to knock Benteke. He kept us in the league last season so if anyone's earned a bit of backing/faith during a lean spell it's him.

All players deserve backing from their supporters.

Yes they do.

Kozak has definitely grown on me. He looks awful in general play but comes alive in the area. Keep it up Libor!

He was very good in general play when compared to Benteke's recent performances.

Maybe but i'm not going to knock Benteke. He kept us in the league last season so if anyone's earned a bit of backing/faith during a lean spell it's him.

Kozak has definitely grown on me. He looks awful in general play but comes alive in the area. Keep it up Libor!

I think that overall, in terms of the players he's signed (and on the budget he's had) he's done pretty well and got some bargains. However what alarms me most is his team selection/substitutions and tactics.

I don't think many managers would be bringing Bowery on to play right midfield (or at all).

So while I quite like Lambert in some respects I think that other managers could do better, yes. At least when it comes to match day.

Should have taken Bowery off

Sounds like we're looking at

Guzan

Lowton Herd Clark Baker

Albrighton Westwood Delph Tonev

Kozak Weimann

Baker is more physical/better in the air. Clark is a better footballer. Wouldn't Baker CB, Clark LB make more sense?

It didn't first half west brom tho. 6 of one...half a dozen of the other.....

I think it depends who we're playing though. If we're worried about the other team's strength/aerial threat (e.g. today/Everton) then i'd have Baker at CB.

Baker is more physical/better in the air. Clark is a better footballer. Wouldn't Baker CB, Clark LB make more sense?

Assuming Luna is back I would bring Lowton in at RB and put Bacuna on the wing to replace Weimann.

Move Herd into the DM position and push Westwood and El Ahmadi further up the pitch.

Herd is very physical and good in the air and our midfield is basically midget sized. Given our penchant for hoofing it's criminal how many heading contests we lose in the middle of the pitch.

Definitely agree with Herd as DM. But i'd have Bacuna at RB and Lowton at RM as Bacuna better defensively and we're crying out for what Lowton offers offensively.

I don't see Lambert playing the two of them on the right hand side with Weimann available though, no matter how badly he performs.

What a goal!