Johnnyp

I think, at home ( and it’s probably a false internal narrative with the players playing in front of a partisan home crowd more than a different setup ) we are forcing it a bit. Away from home it all looks a lot more fluid. We need to trust our processes a bit more. We didn’t buckle mentally infront of a raucous Goodison. It’s a different pressure at home but need to learn to stick to the work carried out Mon-Fri. If anything we are running on emotion a bit too much at home. We’ll fix this i feel.

It’s amazing though when you think of it in context. Leicester was a freak show. Then got bet by Arsenal in a game we could easily of won. Very competitive in large parts against City. I’d hope we don’t soften mentally because it’s palace at home. That’s the growth we need to see.

Love how he’s totally unmoved by the monies spent for Duran and Moreno. He’s like “ you’ll play more when your ready “

He had a fine game. Not arsed about the freak out from some fans with Moreno not starting. Not my money. Don’t care. Be glad Digne is responding this way. Could of sulked like Targett.

No more talk of “ winnable run of games “ please. Top teams don’t speak in those terms and if we want to be one, we shouldn’t be either. What’s on offer against Palace is no different than what was up for grabs against Everton. And i do believe it creeps up on players ( not from VT necessarily ) but a mood, vibe etc - that Palace and the like at home is somewhat easier. We should be as unmoved emotionally playing Crystal Palace at home as we are Man City away.

My opinion on Watkins is this. He might not be the most technically proficient striker in the world ( though that penalty flies in the face of that statement, what a hit ) but watching him under Emery and when he was at his best at Brentford, he comes across as someone who is very coachable, receptive to new ideas, tactically very aware. He’s certainly buying in to what Emery is doing with him, clearly. It’s no coincidence that his worst spells here was under Gerrard and the back end of Smith. When he’s disinterested and he doesn’t buy into something then the holes he has from a technical standpoint become even more visible. When he’s like this though - he’s very dangerous. Long may it continue.

Should put to bed any silly talk of Georgia replacing them who ( a ) have only beaten a tier 1 nation once in their history and ( b ) never beaten Italy in test rugby

It’s quite possible Italy will probably lose all 5 games in this six nations ( i feel Wales will have massive pressure on them to win ) but this is by far the best Italian performance since they came in 20 something years ago, consistency wise. Been brilliant in all 3 games so far.

That’s a fkn penalty. He clattered Watkins

Emery can’t but be backed in the summer if you think about it. He’s clearly ( and rightly ) not going to climb down and compromise on how he wants to play. I think how active he gets on the sideline is more of a positional directive for players to “ go here, fill in space “ etc. The mistakes we seen against Leicester and other games is more of an individual lacking the technical ability and footballing IQ to carry out what he wants. He can’t really coach that out of them. If a player isn’t capable of doing it they will always revert to type when pressure is on. I think Martinez will go. Carlos will be like a new signing. Think we’ll make a serious play for Guendouzi.

Styles make fights. Conlan would beat Lara comfortably. He was beating Wood easily and got caught late. I think conlan boxes rings around Lara.

Your point is naff. He’s improved immeasurably Longstaff, Almiron, Joelinton. That’s coaching. They weren’t bought in with oil money. You think Mings takes us on mate to where we wanna go then pass that bong over on here.

I must of missed that part where Konsa ran over to Mings, grabbed his head and motioned his head in the direction of the ball and sent it into Saka’s path. Mings is allowed to be called out on shite errors and you can still be of the opinion that you don’t rate Konsa. Those 2 things aren’t mutually exclusive.

No friction. They’ll need to be told in no uncertain terms “ if you aren’t good enough lads or show a genuine desire to improve, you’ll be off “ This isn’t playing out like before. Too many of these have survived too many managers with zero accountability on them.

The players won this little stand off for want of a better word when things went south under Smith and Gerrard. Thankfully for them, they weren’t particularly good managers. They aren’t winning this time. This guy is not going to be **** under the bus. He’s going nowhere anywhere remotely soon. But they will be this time.

You do know you’ll go up in flames if you criticise Mings here. It’s a stupid, poorly directed header, end of. It’s amazing - Eddie Howe was able to identify pretty quickly that mings wouldn’t be good enough to play CB. We revere him.

Great reposte. Thought provoking .

It’s not a must win. Stop this silliness. Villa fans don’t know their arse from their elbow. In one breath it’s “ trust the process, then we panic and say “ it’s a must win “ He’s an elite coach, trying to change the way we play and it’s obvious 4-5 including the keeper probably won’t be here long term. They aren’t getting up to speed and won’t.

He’s picking him because there’s nothing on that bench. I believe if Emery had a better option, he’d be playing. I believe fans are afraid to go in hard on Buendia because of the price tag. They believe he’ll come good. I don’t rate the guy. I’m not afraid to say it.

I’d be amazed if we don’t.

Would he be in the team if it wasn’t for his price tag ? I just don’t see top class off of him. Over/underhits basic passes. He’s physically lacking ( many have said the same ) Does far too much mouthing too for a lad who makes a fair share of mistakes.

He’s been undone by basic rudimentary individual errors that he can do absolutely nothing about. How does Emery legislative for the Mings header that goes straight to Saka. Needs better defenders.

That’s as good as he could put out. Happy with that.

Think we should be all in for Jack Clarke this summer. Spurs came too early for him. He’s a fantastic talent.