little_wizard123

So how are we set up? Is Gabby down the centre with Ayew to his left? And what about the midfield three?

Agbonlahor has had four touches so far

Agbonlahor has had four touches so far

Baker at LB or Cissokho over Amavi? Amavi is the first name on the team sheet for me...

It very much looks like 4-3-3. I'd agree with your back 8 other than Hutton starting. TS has essentially confirmed Westwood starts and mentioned Crespo as a squad player so I think Hutton will play. Richards at RCB is a concern, so I think the PL experience of Hutton will be a deciding factor there.

I'm going to guess at Gestede starting. Crossing fantastic today and Kozak was poor. Sinclair starts for me too but on the left, and think Bacuna will play on the right. Not massively impressed with him in pre-season but he rarely got the opportunity in midfield last season and appears to have shown the manager enough.

We have way more options on the left - Sinclair, Ayew, Agbonlahor and Grealish are all better on the left than the right (Sherwood saying today that Ayew is either a number 9 or LW).

For me, front three is either: Ayew, Gestede, Sinclair or Sinclair, Ayew, Bacuna.

Very disappointed with no Sanchez. He played 90 in midweek so don't really feel like he'd be 'thrown into the deep end' - he played in the World Cup! 

Agbonlahor and Weimann can just get into this team with no effort, despite having a decent bench with great options. Starting Grealish or Bent would have sent a signal to the fans and players that Lambert is happy to switch things around when they're not working. 

This is my prediction:

Guzan; Hutton Senderos Vlaar Richardson; Sanchez; Westwood Delph; N'Zogbia Agbonlahor Grealish.  

Don't think Cissokho will make it, although Vlaar looks fine to start. Probably going to be Weimann ahead of Grealish but I think Grealish starting will give the crowd a massive lift - it's a really easy way for Lambert to lift us.

0-0 or 1-0 either way seem the obvious predictions.

Why do I keep reading about chances created by an Englishman? Isn't that a bit of a pointless stat? He's a premiership player so why just compare him to English players?

 

Because it sounds better than 256th in the Premier League

15th I think. I used it myself as I wasn't sure of his position in the league. And it also makes it sound more impressive.

So when he keeps the ball moving and doesn't give it away he's "not making any risky passes", yet he created the 3rd most chances for an Englishmen, but then has his assists record criticised. You try passing the ball to Agbonlahor or Weimann.   Criticising an assist record when creating so many chances is flawed logic.

I think a player who apparently always plays it safe yet creates so many chances from the deep-lying midfielder role is pretty bloody incredible, and not something to be criticised. 

It would make me sad to see Gabby in a different shirt next season, but there is no way that we could justify a new deal for him while he is playing the way he has for the last god knows how long.

 

But PL etc. obviously feel different as they feel he's good enough to start week in, week out.

Earning £20k+ a week, imagine arguing over a parking space.

If we're going to play all of Sanchez, Westwood and Delph in the team, we need to keep KEA for cover. If Westwood is going to sit out, he's not needed as much. He's not a bad player, so happy for him to stay until somebody else can replace him.

He was brilliant but i don't think we have enough going forward with a midfield 3 of sanchez, delph and Westwood.

Pretty much this - definitely true if two of the players ahead of this trio are Agbonlahor and Weimann. But it'd be interesting to see how Westwood and Delph play with a strong DM behind them, as they're two of the more creative guys in our squad, and could be useful going forward.

Hi there,

Long time lurker, but thought I should get involved. Do some writing for MyOldManSaid, plus help edit Villa stats on Fifa.