Vive_La_Villa

Thanks for that. The current top 6 range from the best being 0.52 and the worst being 1.42. As we score a lot of goal I think we need to be somewhere in between that ratio if want top 2 or continue as we are if happy with play offs. I know you have don’t this but I think it’s completely pointless comparing smiths defensive record with teams around us during that same period as it would be dependant on their form since he took over. You can’t just ignore the rest of the season of our rivals defensive just because we got a new manager. That makes no sense.

I don’t think it’s a myth Thug. But there has been improvement which suggests we are heading in the right direction. As many have said a new keeper change could be a game changer for us.

Never once said that and have constantly posted about how happy I’ve been under Smith since he took over. But whatever makes you happy.

It’s ok. My opinions on villas defence aren’t keeping me up at night.

I don’t really give a shit about Derby and Baggies defence and I hope Smith doesn’t either. Imagine him saying (or even thinking) yes we are conceding a lot of goals since I took over but it’s ok because a few teams around us are too,

I’m happy. I’m just pointing out where I think we have a problem. That’s my OPINION. I don’t know what your problem is.

As I said. Thankfully Smith has admitted it hasn’t been good enough and there’s big areas for improvement at the back. Maybe you should give him a call and tell him about the facts.

Our defensive record under Smith is slightly better than what it was under Bruce. That’s a fact. I’m trying to have what I felt was a reasonable discussion about where we could improve. But you’ve clearly got a bee in your bonnet about something and now have started chatting crap about trump supporters and Brexiteers. So you’re right, it’s a probably a waste of time continuing it. its football mate. Lighten up.

Teri it’s not just the goals we are conceding it’s the nature of them. Teams aren’t having to work hard enough to score against us. Surely you can see this?

I like whatever we are doing in the attacking third as it’s seems to be working! We’re running defenders ragged. I’ve never seen us create so many chances in games before.

We’re not talking about the odd error. That’s normal. It seems to be costly errors every game! If you don’t think we have a problem at the back and are conceding too many soft goals Im them happy for you. Thankfully Smith doesn’t feel the same way otherwise we’d be stuck in this league for a very long time. How about two 0-0 draws bad, two 3-3 draws bad. We need wins. Doesn’t matter how they come. Poor defending/keeping cost us 2 points yesterday, a least a points against qpr and at least a point against Norwich. We’re conceding very soft goals that shouldn’t be happening. There’s no red herring. We just can’t defend.

Probably 7 more games without a decent keeper.

You got the odd Bruce lover questioning Smith. In the main the concern is our defence and keeper in general. This is something Smith will need to address and will need time and money to do this. Everyone accepted that when he took over. We conceded 2 to Norwich due to errors. 1 to QPR due to an error. Derby missed 2 one on ones due to errors, Bolton had one amazingly cleared off the line. Birmingham scored one due to an error and missed an open goal. A more clinical team was eventually going to take these guilt edge chances that we keep letting teams create. It’s a massive concern for some fans and I’m sure it is for Smith too. its not complaining, moaning for sake of moaning or being ungrateful. It’s an understandable concern.

I think you’ve totally taken constructive criticism out of context. Just because we are not spending all day waxing lyrical over our new manager it doesn’t mean we’re unhappy. Ridicolous to suggest a poster talking about concerns makes them look silly.

Ok fair enough. It’s just our defence hasn’t actually improved since Smith took over. It’s stayed the same. Obviously we are scoring a lot more though.

I suppose. Things don’t normally change that quickly though. I think we had a shit defence and Keeper with Bruce and we now have the same with Smith. He needs transfer window/windows to address this in my opinion. Although a decent keeper could in turn help the defence.

My post was in response to this. We are poorer defensively than other sides in the league. The stats prove this.

But we have the joint worst defensive record in the league? Unless we are only going to judge our season from started 7 games ago.

I loved the fact it always felt like we would score. I just hated the fact it always felt like we would concede!

There’s a replay that shows it’s pretty much right next to him. He’s body had started to shift to the other side so he couldn’t react. It was very poor keeping. As for our defenders. I think we just need new players rather than being able to improve what we have. As you said Axel is learning the game so will get better, The other 3 are past improvement.

As much as I enjoyed that game. If we’re honest Bristol city players were dead on their feet. The Carling cup semi final really did them over.

Second highest scorers in the league scoring in every game but 1. Worst defence in the league along with 5 other teams. 3 clean sheets all season. Changing the keeper will be a massive start to fixing the defensive problems but Smith will probably need the rest of the season and the summer to really get us playing his way. Playoffs would be good.

Whilst I agree with everything you say we never conceded 5 goals in one game under Bruce. (Although shef United should have won by 7 or 8). Smith will be hurting by that stat. it will never happen again whilst he is in charge.

He got the Hogan sub wrong against Norwich too. He hasn’t been perfect but has done a lot more good than bad. That’s all we can ask for.

I think Smith got the midfield wrong yesterday if that helps? I also think he shouldn’t be starting Nyland.