Herman22

I'll watch it on Sky as I love to ruin my Friday nights. I said in another thread that I think our team is perfect for a diamond but SB will never play it. Nyland Elmo Chester Tuan Taylor Bikir Hourihane McGinn Jack Kodija Abraham This system all hinges on two pieces of play. The CBs need to take the ball and either pass it out of defence or if the other team sit deep run it out to midfield. Everything with this will come through the middle and it depends on players passing quickly and moving into space to receive the ball back. It also needs the full backs to be forward and wide. They are used only if going through the middle is being blocked off by the other team flooding the defence. It allows you to overload the attack if you can control the ball as all of the front 5 can push on and the full backs are advanced. It also means that if you lose the ball you can crowd out the player in possession so you win it back or force them to kick it aimlessly. This works well with our team as the strikers like to drift wide (especially Kodija) by doing this they can drag the CBs out of position with the expectation the midfielders may find space. That's what I would do. I expect SB to go with a 4-5-1 and hope to nick something from a set-piece.

No doubt SB will say he is one of the "mad few" that he can never convince. The simple fact is that this is the general consensus among villa fans and SB is on borrowed time. He said at the weekend he would never walk away, I think that is down to his pay off more than any sense of loyalty to the club.

This is the article:

It has to be good news. Even if there is a release clause I'm sure it won't be a joke amount like the Delph one. Jack has had a poor start to the season, but he is still the most gifted player to come through the Villa academy is quite a while and should be rewarded. We now need a manager who can get the most out of this talented bunch!

I think he will get the next three games unless we get another Shef United type battering. We play Friday, Tuesday and Saturday then there is a two-week international break. To save his job he will need 6-7 points. But with two games away I can't see us getting more than 4. To get automatic promotion you need two points a game. That should always be the yardstick. We are currently at 1.44. I think in 3 more games we will be around the same. Mid-table form and we haven't played a top 6 side yet (besides maybe Brentford) he will have to go.

You are probably right. I do think if we are going to replace Bruce with some similar drivel we are as well to stick it out with him. If we are going to make a change, it has to be a real change in terms of philosophy and needs to be aimed at getting us to the PL but also keeping us there. I've been saying for a while that a diamond could work with the players we have. It would get Jack up the field and give defensive stability as long as the fullbacks are able to get forward and the centre-backs play it out to feet. SB likes to play it wide and get crosses into the box, but this would allow us to press the ball and try to control the game rather than flinging it into the box and hoping for the best.

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned him, but what about Marco Rose? He's Red Bull Salzburg manager and plays football in the Klopp mode, high press. Has also managed a team that is better than those they are playing against so manages expectation well. Plays attractive football and reached a Europa semi-final last season where they lost out to Marseille. I'm not sure you can attribute this to him, but they have found some real gems too like Naby Keita and Mane who are both at Liverpool now. I think he would take some convincing but would be a fantastic appointment. *Edit* I've just found this video on YouTube for anyone interested!

I thought the positives from Tuesday were Jedi, Hourihane, Bolasie off the bench and Kodija and Abraham up front. So they all have to start. I'd go with: Nyland Elmo Jedi Chester Taylor Bolaise Hourihane McGinn Grealish Kodija Abraham It would be great to see the likes of Hogan and Davis on the bench again as if we are going to play two up front we will need back up.

You know SB is one of these lads who doesn't know what twitter is. He probably has a Nokia 3310 that has 8 numbers in it. Rings up JT's voice mail every night just to hear his voice before bed.

You have to think with players the quality of Kodija and Abraham we have to go with two up front more often. Especially in home games. I also think Hogan plays better when he has someone beside him so the system could be adopted even when we have injuries/ suspensions. Davis to come back too who can be a real focal point.

Well worked goal. Nice finish from Tammy!

Well on top. Need to make the breakthrough during this spell.

I agree with this. It must be frustrating for him to get the ball back in a decent position, look up and see that Elmo has gone to RB and Adomah is standing beside Taylor. We seem to play wingers mainly for their defensive work, and our full backs never overlap. We need to put out a team that wants to attack. Go with Thor, Grealish and McGinn or Hourihane in midfield with a front three of Tammy, El Ghazi and Bolasie or Kodija. If we get attacking players on the pitch Jack will supply the bullets.

Chester has come out today and backed SB. He's obviously been taking notes from the boss too. This is what he said: “I fully expect us to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.” https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-dressing-room-message-15165810

He also said we lost 6 players who played a big part last season. Terry, Snoddy, Johnstone, Grabban (half a season). That's 4 players and one of them is a Jan loan deal. You can make 6 if you add Onomah who played very few games and Tuanzebe who arrived in Jan and played 2-3 times. Tuanzebe has returned so can't be included. I watch the press conference just to see what gutless questions will be asked and what lies will be given as answers.

This is the Clark interview from BHam Mail: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfer-news-clark-15137209 I'm sure if you have a look around you will find the Elphick one there too. Even from the most simple planning point of view SB's decisions this summer have been nothing short of crazy. At the end of last season, we had Chester, Terry, Samba, Tuanzebe for two CB positions. To let Terry and Samba go made sense from a financial and transfer policy point of view. But to get no replacement at all is hard to understand. Then on top of this, to loan out a senior pro in Elphick is hard to understand. But maybe he doesn't fancy him, but then why loan out Clark and Suliman too? And leave your self with no options, he banged on all summer about not rotating enough last season, he has no option now at all. Last point, if Chester gets injured or suspended we could be looking at a CB pairing of Jedi and Tuanzebe or Bree.

I think after the shitshow that was Sheffield United away SB will have to attempt to play players in more natural positions. Also, with the likes of Abraham and Bolaise getting time on the training pitch we should be able to pick a side with enough to win this game. But the team needs to be set up with pace and the ability to keep hold of the ball. It would be great to see a team set up like this: Nyland Elmo Chester Tuan Taylor Grealish BB McGinn Bolaise Abraham ElGazhi Nyland still No 1 for me, getting a lot of stick but the defence has been woeful and left him so exposed. Taylor for Hutton as he's been nothing short of shocking so far this season. Tuan to CB is a no-brainer and you can still use Jedi at DM off the bench if you need to see out the game. With subs like Albert, Hourihane, Kodija you can still change the game if/ when players get tired.

I think I read it somewhere in here but haven't the time to find it, but what about Mikel Arteta? Has been working under Pep since he arrived in England, speaks multiple languages and knows what the British game is about. If he could bring Pep's style of football and surround himself with likeminded coaches and staff I think he could do a fantastic job. The question would be 'does he feel like taking on a top job or would he prefer to stay and continue to learn from Pep?

I think we all agree that the new owners are no fools. They will have surrounded themselves with people who know football and know the numbers. When they remove Bruce and I think it is when rather than if, now. You would think they will look not only at getting out of the championship but also a sustainable model for the Premier League. Surely that means looking at a Wolves/ Fulham type manager. One who plays good football and can translate the football type using better players as we move up. Rather than Cardiff who will try (and ultimately fail) at trying to defend their way to 38 points for the season. The other point we should all consider is that there is a good team in our squad as it stands. We have the players to play proper football. We just need a manager with the courage to do it.

Yeah, I thought the same. McGinn just about pipped him for me. Yes, Kodija got two goals and was excellent but I thought the central midfield three were really good last night.

From what I've seen of him looks a decent player, good with both feet and is a decent size for a quick winger. BHam mail saying we more looking most likely to sign him. If nothing else he is another option in an area we are desperately short.

I didn't see the game yesterday, just saw the highlights from Sky. Pretty disappointing when a manager can't see the potential in being a man up for 50mins and make some positive changes to win the game. But you aren't going to change SB, he is negative by nature and will still see that as a point gained on the road rather than two lost. For me, it's his team selections that are baffling. Tuan at RB is just wrong, either play him at CB or leave him on the bench. Jedi at CB when he clearly doesn't want to play there. These are not enforced changes. Elmo or RDL can play at RB, Elphick or Tuan can play at CB. Even BB at DM is an out of position trial from last season. I'd still prefer to see Jedi in DM.

I thought he was quite decent against Yeovil after a bit of a shaky start. I think he needs to start beside Chester in the centre going forward.

I was thinking the same. But it's a long season and we always seem to get our fair share of injuries. Looking at how SB sets up with three in the middle you would think it will be two of Grealish, Hourihane, McGinn and Lansbury and one of Jedi, Whelan and BB.

I don't think Fulham have done anything wrong. The player himself has come away looking a bit stupid but he will say he wanted Prem football and Fulham offered that. Time to move on.