Avcol

He actually made me laugh out loud a couple of times. Truly terrible first touch and looked like a deer in the headlights. Ridiculous to even be subbed in having played so little and at 1-0 down. Would do nothing for his confidence and what the hell would Elphick have been thinking being brought off?!

He's made the same subs each week, often replacing the wingers and bringing hogan on for 10-15. Today I thought we'd at least maybe try Davis out as we'd been totally appalling the entire game and at least attempt to change the system. Nope, straight swaps in defensive areas. Hause for Elphick?! Bizarre. Whelan is just shocking. At least adomah whipped in a dangerous cross, more than El Ghazi did all game.  

This bloke has lost me today. Worst we've served up in our championship existence so far. Farcical defensively and not a clue without grealish going forward. Zero shots on target! 3-0 didnt even flatter them. Every player must have shovels for feet judging by their first touch. Mcginn once again only player with any credit. Argh it's so frustrating. We will never get it right.

31 minutes ago, villarule123 said:

We're gonna be the next Derby/Leeds/Ipswich etc and get stuck down here for years aren't we? 

My worst nightmare but one I can definitely see becoming a reality. 

1 minute ago, TRO said:

Look I can think of 2 small forwards who was able to make up for their size.....Craig Bellemy and David Speedie....not only were they quick, they were tenacious and scrapped for everything...they ratted for their opportunities.

Scott is passive and trots around aimlessly, no drive....a decision has to be made with players like this.

 

Totally agree, players like Bellamy had that animal within them and he was a real pest to the opposition defence. If Hogan isn't scoring, which he isn't and hasn't been since he arrived, he is offering absolutely nothing.

Made quite an impact in the limited time he played. Looked lively, hungry and his presence and strength is a real attribute. Definitely should be above Hogan in the pecking order 

Yep, definitely needs to be in contention to start our next league game. That midfield really needs freshening up and he's the only player I see who may be able to make an impact.

I've been one of those to defend him in the past, had mates bash him but I've always said he makes the clever runs, we haven't used him effectively etc etc.

My patience however is now totally gone. Thought after Jan/Feb last season where he chipped in with a few goals maybe we'd start to see the best of him but he hasn't been able to kick on, injuries or no injuries. You might as well have a broom up front. In a situation where he has to take his chances he simply must put that sitter away in the first half but he's volleyed it straight at the keeper from six yards. He isn't anywhere near involved enough in games and most of it seems to pass him by.

Granted they are different players, but look at the impact Davis made in 20 minutes compared to Hogan in 70. It isn't going to happen for him at Villa and I don't think excuses can be made anymore.

He cannot be immune to criticism. We are in total disarray in defence and it doesn't matter what Bruce did or didn't do anymore, it is down to Smith to fix it. I want nothing more than for him to get it right so bodies need to come in quickly.

Keep telling myself it's a cup game and is meaningless, but how can you not be concerned after watching that? Disgustingly poor at the back. Swansea walked the ball through us so many times, the third goal was cringeworthy. As someone else mentioned in the match thread it's farcical and it's happening every game. 

Oh man. It is so, so embarrassing. Absolutely diabolical, been able to just stroll through the defence multiple times. Softest goal ever.

Just now, AshVilla said:

I really am beginning to think our squad is not as strong as people make out.

Considering the amount of money we have spunked away its criminal we have gaping holes in so many positions.

 

Couldn't agree more. They cannot perform so poorly over more than half of a championship season and still be 'the best squad in the league', mismanagement or not.

Our defence is woeful with no depth, central midfield is clearly lacking and our forward options are bleak if/when Tammy departs. Lots of mediocre players in an unbalanced squad.

Cannot wait for those defensive reinforcements. Such a mess at the back.

Lol Hogan just cannot score. How has he not put that away?! 

Not the best of starts from Kalinic 

2 hours ago, sir_gary_cahill said:

He’s 34 years old and he’s played 174 times for us according to wiki, I can’t understand the stick he gets on here and at matches, he always gives his all and wears his heart on his sleeve, one of my favourite players 

He gets hopelessly exposed multiple times a game. Gives his man way too much space. Runs down the flank like Usain Bolt and then when we lose the ball tracks back like my Nan. 

He has been a committed player, didn't seem to moan when he got bombed out and has had good spells but his time needs to be up. Not even close to competent anymore.

6 hours ago, AVTuco said:

I don't know which one is better, or worse, him or El-Ghazi. 

It's a hard one, both have shown glimpses but nowhere near enough. They are both clearly skillful players and it's easy enough to say we have some of the best wide players in the league, but without consistency and end product each game it means nothing. 

I agree about his passing, I've noticed since he signed that's not one of his strongest points. But the energy he brings in midfield and pressure he places on the opposition is so crucial considering who he's playing alongside. He's indispensable. Great ball in for the first goal yesterday too. 

A couple of misplaced passes and a couple of passes he got lucky with, but better than Elmo and no glaring, costly errors so he should keep his place.

1 hour ago, Farlz said:

Whelan is the far superior player

5 minutes ago, villa89 said:

They are both shite imo.

Like choosing between the plague and cholera.

Still think we can get playoffs but a lot less confident than I was a month ago. Isn't going to be easy but lots left to play for and renovation of the squad to be done yet.

12 minutes ago, MaVilla said:

I always wait for the minimum once per game where he gets muscled off the ball, stands there flailing his arms at the ref like a 12 year old rather than hunt the ball down and try and win it back, while the opposition break down the pitch straight down the middle of us nearly scoring a goal.

He did it today, they nearly scored, the guy is a total liability.

This really annoys me too. Does seem like it happens most games. Not combative enough. Might look good in a YouTube highlights reel but that doesn't showcase any of the huge flaws in his game.

I remember when Smith first came in and it suddenly felt exciting again and we were being entertained. Felt like we'd score every time we attacked. Last few games have felt like real slogs to watch reminiscent of Bruce's time. Obviously I am absolutely behind Smith and he can only work with what he has. You can't polish a turd and our defence is a big one. 

What the last few games have showed us though is how reliant we are on Grealish for creativity and hearing that he's out until at least Feb is a concern. That is on Smith to find a solution and fast. If he wants to outscore the opposition then that's fine but conceding two at home every game and hoping Tammy gets on the end of a cross isn't enough. We need to be multidimensional. Will be intriguing to see how the squad looks by the end of January.

Surely the time is almost up for him. The space he gives to opponents and the jogging back is a joke. One in the first half today where he gave the ball away and jogged back as his man sprinted into the box had me pulling my hair out. So brazen going forward and then the inevitable counter attack happens. It's infuriating.

2 minutes ago, Dave-R said:

The crazy thing is it's most likely going to be clubs who are facing relegation fro. the premiere who bid for Tammy. So I think his playing days are for the championship if he leaves villa by any chance. If he thinks about it, be should see that he mite as well remain at villa and score for us in hope he can perma play for us.

I think sometimes people forget how young he is. He's 21 and has scored 39 goals in 61 championship appearances, a lot of which came when he was 19 at Bristol City. As much as I'd love it I don't think there's much chance he'd sign for us permanently. We may well keep him for the season but he's almost certainly going to be playing in the Premier League next season and I envisage it going a lot better than it did at Swansea. Doubt it will be with us.

4 minutes ago, Reivax_Villa said:

Our best player this season.

Without his goals we would be further down the table.

Despite the amount of chances he gets a game I still cannot see any of our other three strikers converting the amount chances that he has had.

He has carried us.

Was going to say the same thing. Even with a few sitters that he's missed, no one else we have at our disposal would be even close to his tally had they played. No chance of playoffs if he goes.