Herman22

A manager like DS relies on full backs with bags of pace and stamina. The modern full/ wing back has become a huge part of the way teams set up. Look at the top two in the Premier League right now. When fit their starting full backs are quick and tricky with bags of energy and the ability to cross. The old mode full back (Gary Neville, Denis Irwin, etc.) doesn’t work in the these systems as they don’t overlap the wingers enough as they know they don’t have the legs to get back into position if it breaks down. That’s why players like Elmo and Hutton are looking so poor right now. I think Bree has the ability to play that role on the right. I think we need a replacement on the left as Taylor isn’t the man for that job either. Maybe Mitch Clark is?

There are players who are screaming out to be rested. Chester, McGinn, Hutton, Hourihane, Abraham and maybe 1 or 2 others. I'd like to see: Kalinic Bree Elphick Hause Ravan O'Hare Jedi Lansbury Adomah Hogan ElGhazi

I should check my sources!

Perhaps, I saw one of the lads from Villa View retweet it.

Sky are saying that he has been recalled by Chelsea. A lot of work for DS to do if this is true.

Talk on Twitter is that he’s done his Achilles and is out long term. Supposed to be getting Steer back for the QPR game and then as No. 2!

I don’t think Kalinic is available yet. DS said the first game he could play was the FA cup when he was signed. Also, Nyland is supposed to have been injured in training. I think after the performance yesterday DS needs to make a few changes. I’d go with: Bunn Bree Elphick Chester Taylor BB Hourihane McGinn Kodija Abraham Bolaise

We have so few options l can’t see many changes. Unless Taylor is for I can see the same back for as we know Tuanzebe is out for a few weeks. Perhaps BB in for Whelan or ElGhazi for Kodija. I’m just hoping we get on the ball and try influence the game more than we did against Leeds. But Swansea are a decent footballing side. Badly need 3 points, but I can see us getting 1.

This topic has decended into madness. Are people really calling Chester terrible? How about we look at this from Chester’s point of view. He decides to stay in the summer when it would have been easy to walk away. We then get new owners and he expects some decent defensive signing will be made. Bruce decides to strip the club of all defensive cover and play Chester alongside a defensive midfielder who has no idea how to play at CB. He also has to play alongside a RB at LB and a CB at RB. The moron Bruce is eventually fired and Smith sees sense and puts players in their natural positions but both LB and CB get injured leaving Chester to hold the baby again. Chester has never and will never be a dominant CB that comes and heads everything. If we know that I assume a Villa manager should know it too. So why did Bruce sell Baker, loan out Elphick, not resign Terry? Because the lad is clueless! If you want to blame someone for this mess blame him.

Elmo and Hutton cost us this game. Both absolutely terrible throughout.

Important we don’t lose this now. A draw isn’t a bad result.

Done!

Hutton marking Jansen on corners is madness. It was only a matter of time. I’m no Hutton fan but this isn’t his fault, someone with more size/ strength needs to pick up their biggest threat.

I've heard quite a few say he is poor with his feet, but at the end of the day he's a footballer. If we get him down the training ground and get him used to how we play I'm sure he can adapt. In the Championship I think you need a keeper who is big and not afraid to come and take people out. Nyland's main problem is he's too timid at times. I think at 6ft 7 he won't be afraid to come through the crowd. If we get a decent CB, LB and Tammy stays for the rest of the season I'll be happy.

Getting the No. 1 Croatia keeper to the Championship is no mean feat. Would be happy if this one works out. Like other have said I assume this mean Moreira heads home. Which would free up some loan space.

I didn't see the game but have just caught up on the highlights. Seemed we were lucky to get away with a point. It was a pity we gave away the lead so soon after getting back level. But again good fight to come back from being behind again. Another Hutton mistake led to the first goal, trying to clear with his right foot got him in trouble. And Elmo just not thinking led to the second. Still on a very decent run, just drawing too many now but we are playing all of the big/ inform teams. I've no doubt these games would have been losses under Bruce. If we aren't promoted this year it will be down to his terrible start against the poorer teams.

With Jack out I think Hourihane will move forward and Whelan will come in at DM. I'd like to see O'Hare get a chance and with the amount of game coming up there is no doubt he will but for Stoke tomorrow I think it's best to play Whelan. I'm just hoping we don't get an injury at CB in the coming weeks are we have no cover at all. Even with Collins signed up we are desperately short. With games on Dec 23, 26, 29 and Jan 1 and 5, that's 5 games in 14 days. The Christmas period is so tough and this is when I hope we see the best of our squad depth and quality.

There is no doubt he intentionally steers the ball hime with his hand/ arm. He knows what he’s doing and the linesman has to see it! What else is he looking at? On the positive side Tuanzebe is a class above, so comfortable on the ball and assured in defense. Whatever DS is doing in training with his is working. The partnership with Chester is premier league standard. I don’t know what McGinn eats but it must contain rocket fuel, he never stops for 90mins. Jack is thriving in this system and ElGhazi is starting to look a real player. How can this be the same team that looked so terrible under SB? I wont go into the negatives but Abraham needs to put at least one of those chances away and Hutton has the positional sense of a duck in a hurricane. All in all, we were the better team and should have 3 points. If we keep playing like that the top 2 is still a possibility.

How does he miss that? Abraham has missed 2-3 huge chances tonight!

If you’re going to blame the keeper for that goal you might as well blame the keeper for every goal. What can he do? It’s a volley into the corner from 5m out

Hutton is so so poor. He’s a mistake waiting to happen. More goals in this I think.

Two things stand out for me. I think the save Nyland made pushing Hugail shot on to the bar was the big moment in the game. We go to 2-1 there they are right back in it. As DS said after the game, we have 4 clean sheets in the last 8 matches. It’s a decent record. Second listening to the Pulis interview made me realize how great it is not having a dinosaur in charge anymore. The entire interview was excuses. All about how the players he has aren’t good enough. It was like listening to SB all over again. Anyway, fantastic result. On to West Brom on TV again.

We will see peak Pulis/ Bruceball at the weekend. TP will know he is weak under crosses so will take every opportunity to test him. I'm all for getting him out of the firing line, but does anyone really think Bunn/ Moreria will do better? Another Bruce masterstroke letting Steer go out on loan. For me, the Jan window needs to be about two things. Getting a top keeper and a CB at the same level as Chester and Tuan. Burnley have too many keepers so maybe a loan deal for Heaton or Pope could be organised.

I don't get why Nyland is getting all the abuse for us letting in 5 goals. Besides the last one, he didn't have a chance. All four defenders were a shambles for 90mins. I think the chief culprit was Hutton, it was great to see him getting forward but woefully out of position for at least 2 of the goals. I still think we need to replace Nyland in Jan, the lad is a liability but to blame him for the 5 goals last night is a joke. The positive is you can't knock the lads' spirit on the pitch, 1-0 down, 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3 down and came back again and again. What was disappointing was that we couldn't hold out at home against 10 men.

This game hinged on one act. Their centre back kicked Abraham in the head. He went off and we looked toothless after that. The team looks too unfit to play this style, DS needs time but the first half gives me hope.