Indigo

Gutted about this. How's your luck.

Came on here to ponder the idea of someone like Denayer. As far as I know much like Carlos he's often played on the left side of CB as well despite being right footed, also quite quick and decent on the ball. Wouldn't be the worst shout on a free given the circumstances He wouldn't be at the standard of Carlos though I don't think, and even if the club look to sign another CB I guess their attitude like with other positions would still be one of not just signing one for the sake of it if they aren't exactly who they want.

Probably been pointed out already but how typical that a guy that has missed less than 10 games across his whole career with injury has this happen almost immediately with us.

He can frustrate the life out of me at times and there's no denying he has his limitations, but we just are a more effective team with him in it at the moment given our style/personnel.

Without checking myself I'd hazard a guess that some of the context to that stat is that more often that not he's started with Coutinho in that 4-3-2-1 formation, which often hasn't worked as they're occupying the same areas, or by having similar responsibilities in turn have less players to provide service too etc. I think the proof will be in him starting instead of Coutinho, either behind Watkins and Ings or with Bailey in for either. I think he's more than earned the chance to find out, and it's not like Coutinho can't also come on and have an impact on a game.

Martinez was POTY the season before last, not Targett. I know he won players player of the year but in the name of semantics it isn't the same thing. For what it's worth though I'd be having Digne over him all day. Targett is a solid player but it became particularly apparent when Grealish was absent how much he aided him, and as much as folk are citing some below-par performances from Digne he's come nowhere close to some of the disasters Targett had in his time.

Also saw it get pointed out a couple of days ago by someone who went back and checked that in the interviews in question Mings gave to Sky, he spoke about supporting the NHS, anti-racism, and how he felt footballers were privileged during lockdown to be able to still do their job - albeit in empty stadiums - while most of the rest of the world had their lives totally paused. Imagine having an issue with literally any of that or thinking you have to have won a Premier League to speak about it.

This guy is a great follow on Twitter for those interested in the tactical side of things. Good long-ish thread here on some stuff from the game today, he tends to cover Villa quite a bit.

To be fair Trezeguet walked off against Liverpool and proceeded to miss however many months thereafter. Can only hope it's a Konsa situation from the end of last season and not as bad as feared.

Has anyone clarified that he's 29 yet?

Could do with him coming off of his line more often than he does, as great as he is. We suddenly looked hugely more comfortable dealing with set pieces when he was claiming the ones that came in his vicinity.

That with/without record just makes it more and more apparent how important he is doesn't it?

He's clearly getting targeted by teams whenever he's on the pitch. I'd have him 4th choice easily.

I thought he was apparently only any good when he doesn't play? We're clearly so much better when this guy is on the pitch. For the love of everything just play him.

I'm not going to be complaining if it ends up working obviously, but I can't lie, that team confuses me. Staying with that midfield when it was a shambles last week and going more narrow when Everton's whole set-up is based around width just seems counterproductive in my view. Would quite like to see Buendia, Luiz and Bailey get on to make a real impact in the game and make even more of a case for themselves going forward.

He's obviously a player that's more about his overall game than goals, but at Championship level he also has that about him which makes him a great option for every team in that league. His injuries have been his biggest hindrance in getting his career properly going, so hopefully he can get a proper run of games going and really show what he can do over the course of a full season. Good luck to him.

There's an uncontrollable amount of irony in Souness accusing anyone of having too much to say.

Yeah Huddersfield are on a real downward spiral right now. Did a great job and overperformed last season but it's looking a much different story this time around, lot of worried people that follow them.

???

Have seen it said by a few scouts, coaches etc that Gerrard's occasional set-up in terms of the high full backs and the two "10s" makes much more sense as a 3-4-2-1 than the way we're currently attempting the shoe-horn it. The template for it to work is there considering how many sides play it, and definitely seems more balanced than the mangled way Villa's shape can look when trying that game plan. Not that we'll ever see it but I think something like this could work... Martinez Chambers-Carlos-Mings Cash-Luiz-Kamara-Digne Bailey-Buendia Striker Especially when you consider that KKH is more of a wing back by the looks of things, McGinn occasionally players as part of the forward line in this shape for Scotland etc. Definitely an interesting one to consider.

SAY IT LOUDER Might I also add please for the love of god ditch the obsession with creativity being provided by full backs whipping crosses in, when your forward options consist of strikers not suited to it as well as diminutive 10s and wingers.

For me the issue isn't just him not playing yesterday in isolation, outside of it being for Konsa anyway, as Chambers has more than made a case for himself with his performances. It's the combination of that along with the general manner in which the captaincy situation was handled and Gerrard's comments on him yesterday. He's trying to make a statement with it and is coming off worse for it.

I think people get too sneery about certain coaches like Howe, Marsch etc. Folk were taking the piss out of teams appointing them but at least they are actual coaches with a reputation in the game for being able to set a team up properly. Not trying to be wise after the fact but outside of Everton I guess I'm not sure off the top of my head if there's a single other side in the league whose manager/head coach I wouldn't rather have. My main concern without trying to get too carried away after one game is that it doesn't get any easier from here. After Everton we've got Palace away, followed by West Ham, Arsenal away and City. It could get ugly quite swiftly if things don't change.

Not sure if true but I can believe it.