birdman

Have to agree that while the injury was unlucky he brought it on himself a bit. I've said it before... John needs to manage his own game better. Needlessly charging around is sapping his energy and has now also contributed to a bad injury! Anyway get well soon John and at least it wasn't severe ligament damage!

Another fantastic goal from Jack yesterday! Also good to see he had another crack at goal from outside the box which had a decent amount of power on it. Hope to see more of this.

Absolutely criminal how he lost his man for that first goal. He was basically ball watching and completely oblivious to Ings on his right. Stick to your man and make their life hell for 90 mins. That's what all our defenders should be doing, basics!!

Good bit of business for 4m I think and a decent squad player to have. Would be worth far more if he had an extra yard of pace but think he is best used in middle particularly when the opposition have a few tired legs in second half of a game.

While I have no problem at all with Kodjia potentially starting at weekend let's not forget he has had the luxury of starting against a very young, less physically strong side. Of course he looked good and did well but to make a direct comparison with what Wes has done so far is ridiculous.

Yeah I know about the excellent goals, a while ago now weren't they? Its more his overall play. Don't get me wrong hes obviously very decent and has great potential its just that he seems to be under performing yet doesn't get anywhere near as much stick as Wesley! Obviously "under performing" can be levelled at most of the team!

Personally I dont see alot of flair with Douglas. If this is something he has I want to see a whole lot more from him.

If he was carrying an injury and even if relatively minor then it was a perfect excuse to rest him so seems crazy that he wasn't. Sounds like hes almost recovered from it so hopefully we'll see some of the old John back at the weekend. If I was Smith I would be thinking about starting him from the bench though.

Its not ridiculous, one of the problems is his style of play and the fact hes incapable of managing his own energy levels throughout the game....hes burnt out and its blindingly obvious! Requires coaching to iron out some of the pointless runs with and without the ball. Some small adjustments in his play will go a long way.

yes many of us were saying a month ago that he needs resting and he still hasn't been. Unbelievable Jeff! I'm certain he will come back firing if he gets a breather for a game or two. Its as if his brain has a short circuit and he cant think straight. Hopefully gets dropped for Liverpool.

Doesn't matter who we have up top because until Smith changes the system - and attitude of the players - we're gonna have the same problem whether its Wes, Benteke or any other so called target man. Yes we need someone who can get hold of the ball and stick it in the net with minimal help but so do many other teams and those oven baked players are not cheap! Most of our midfield seem to be mentally and physically knackered at the moment resulting in poor decisions and misplaced passes which in turn is putting pressure on an already struggling defence. Hopefully a few will be rested for Liverpool but I'm sure we'll get back on track, hopefully this side of Xmas!

#prayforwes #keepthefaith

John should pick and choose his runs more wisely to conserve some energy for final third of match. He covers alot more distance but could easily knock off at least a 1km of charging around. I know this is what Johns game is all about but if he could focus his energy a bit more would be even more effective!

John is so frantic sometimes I wish he would just think about where hes going to go with the ball. I feel that hes knackered and starting to make bad decisions...kind of over playing a bit. Hes great, just needs a break!

My biggest concern is that Southgate is stubborn and the more pressure fans/pundits/media put on him to include Jack the more he will dig in and refuse. Of course I could be making up crap like this in my head lol

I agree and if we finish mid table this season - which will be fantastic - in order to keep Jack I think we are going to have to show some extraordinary intent in the transfer window. Having a player like Jack is both a wonderous and painful thing! The chances of him going to a top club next season are very high. He'll probably end up being the most wanted player in Europe at this rate!

Both fantastic players worthy of England squad. I believe that Jack also offers an improved workrate to Maddison in terms of tracking back and defending.

He was causing Man U all sorts of problems yesterday and by doing so creating space and time for our midfield. Of course you want to see him score but that was a really good AND IMPROVED performace. Worked very hard and made a big contribution to the point earned. Also cant remember which Man U player it was that bounced off Wes...very funny though lol

Hopefully Mings will learn when to play out and when not to. However I would rather he carry on playing in the style he does and put up with getting caught out now and again OVER being too safe all the time and hoofing it. The style he plays always carries more risk but for me the trade off is acceptable. Its just improving that decision making.

We're gonna win tomorrow if there is any justice in this world. Grealish scores two! Up the Villa!

Anyone else noticed the way he quickly nicks a pass with outside of his boot is becoming a trademark move? Fantastic technique

I think he will go. If he keeps this up I cant see how Southgate can not pick him. Pundits up and down the country and opposition fans are raving about him and Southgate will be under alot of pressure. Imagine not having that talent on the bench to call upon? Imagine the criticism he will get if England struggle for composure and creativity against better opposition than we have faced recently.

Its clear from the extended highlights (thanks for that by the way!) that Wes needs to work on his movement...technically and in terms of actual effort. 30 secs - why is he attacking the same space as El Ghazi? Wes should have darted either left or dropped right towards far post as either move could have drawn a Newc player away. 7:32 - One two with Jack...nice but why isn't he immediately busting a gut to get to the box? Its as if hes admiring the move for a split second and loses valuable time. As it turns out he ends up with decent space on edge of box anyway but is let down by poor decision from McGinn. 8 min - the sitter - on another day he scores that. Should have done better though Lots of good link up play too its just that he needs to be playing a bit higher and perhaps being more positive with the ball at his feet. I want to see what he can do driving at goal and testing the keeper!

Indeed. Tammy has way more chances created for him (both at Villa and Chelsea) and is also very good at creating his own chances hence he will always be prolific in the box as long as he gets the service. A very good combination. Wesley is nothing like that because he plays too deep and when he is in the box is solely relying on service from others (so far at least) which as far as I can tell has been scrappy (anyone else think we put too many useless "floaty" balls in the box?) He does need to improve and also try and create his own luck by generally being more positive on the ball and holding off players while running TOWARDS goal rather than always trying to bring others in to play with back to goal. Obviously we don't know what instructions hes had from Dean Smith but adjustments needed in both tactics his general play.

Yes he usually tries to score by teasing the ball around the keeper but I think he would be more successful if he could put his foot through it on occasion. After hes done all the hard work on the ball and left opposition defenders in meltdown sometimes he could do with smashing the ball at goal instead of looking for one more pass. Its that fine balance between selfish and team work! His natural instinct is always team work and of course thats his strongest game.