MentalM

I think Ings and Watkins will work better together under Gerrard.

This due to Gerrard want the 2 behind Watkins more central, while Smith wanted them further wide. Thats the position Ings often played in for Southampton.

Let Watkins stay on top due to his work ethic and pressure, Ings and Buendia behind him and we got a scary front 3.

4 minutes ago, desensitized43 said:

Ings and Watkins aren't proper finishers? Come on, now.

I am mentioning Ings as a goal threat in the original post. How he would fare in the position behind Watkins we dont know yet, but I hope he brings goals we are in dire need of them. 

Watkins is awesome, but he is missing alot of chances he should put  If you also follow the replies I have made, its regarding the position BEHIND Watkins I feel we need more goals from.

5 minutes ago, desensitized43 said:

They all count. What you're asking for isn't more goals it's more creativity from open play. That's different and something that's pretty complex to fix, particularly in the middle of a season.

They count yes, I believe we have the creativity but no proper finishers.

7 minutes ago, Kiwivillan said:

We're 7th for goals scored this season. =5th since Gerrard took over. Don't think it's as big a problem as you make out

9 of the 21 goals are from set pieces and penalties. I believe its an issue. 

I think LB is the most important atm. Combined with an AMC to give us more of a goal threat.

Targett needs competition. Period. 

RB: I think we can stay put until the summer. We got Kesler-Hayden ripping it up in League Two, and from the highlights I have seen I believe he should be eased into PL next season (and he is ready for it) else he might be gone.

With limited amount of money, going for players in CB and CM isnt the right priority for me. We need goals. Of the players who can play "AMC" behind Watkins (who should be on top), we got Ings (only one that you feel can score), El Ghazi, Trez, Ramsey, Chuk, JPB, Bailey, Buendia. Besides Ings only goalthreat I feel there is from JPB and Bailey (where Bailey seems to struggle with injury, and probably wont feature until february earliest, and JPB being more of a creative player)

I am an naive optimist, but I think 4th place is open for grabs for many teams this season. We are among them, together with United, West Ham, Leicester (I think they will return strong later this season), Arsenal, Wolves, Spurs (my favorite for it), and Brighton.

Goal definitely should be Europe. 

He just keeps saying the right things.

Even if I wanted to dislike him, its impossible.

13 minutes ago, Eastie said:

I don’t think either of those would cost big money compared to what we are used to spending - Eduard was the standout player up there and palace got him for about £12m - I think rangers are short of cash but of course gerrard May decide with the finances he has that he can get better elsewhere 

Yep, but I personally prefer us to give current players a shot. At least dont hamper the youths chances to play. 

6 minutes ago, TrentVilla said:

He said something about a club being a pleasure to negotiate with, was he referring to Rangers or Villa I didn’t quite catch it?

I would guess us, we been complimented on our behavior in that regards before. Norwich did say we were respectfult and a good club to deal with in regards to Buendia. 

13 minutes ago, Eastie said:

I think Kent and tavernier have been good for gerrard - for a full back to get 19 goals is something special even at that level - though gerrard will now be shopping at another level totally 

I agree, Tavernier been really good. However he is 6 years older than Cash, and we also have Kelser who is rocking it up in Swindon in that position. I would not invest since we have him.

Kent is a year older than Bailey, would we spend money in that position? Also if we plan for the future, Barry is also considered a left winger, especially if we play narrow in front. 

Many great players in Rangers, but I dont believe we should replace any of ours due to the current and potential ability. 

18 minutes ago, Stoobs said:

If there is one player he brings, I would put a couple of quid on it being Glen Kamara. He is a disciplined CDM who always seems to be in right place at right time. Never seems to run round park chasing the ball, just positionally aware. Also, very skilful on ball.  I posted Ryan Kent in an earlier thread but a forum member gave good reasons why he probably wouldn’t be needed. 

I dont rate Kamara that highly myself. So hope we stay clear. 

The others who could be possibilites are basically older versions of at least equal players (Tavernier, Kent, Aribo, Barisic).

Hope we stay away from the Rangers squad!

Is it horrible to say I am getting more and more excited?

Looking forward to a lot of our players getting a kick in their behind to lay down the work at the pitch. Looking forward to more pressing play. Looking forward to a game plan. Looking forward to Chuk, JPB and Archer getting more minutes.

Sceptic at first, but it changed after reading all the research people have done on social media on how Rangers played. I think it suits our players, and cant wait to see it in action. Just hope we dont sign any Rangers players, so we avoid one of those traps many managers do. Bring in the backroom staff, and stop it there. Unless some of the Rangers players are clear upgrades on ours, and I dont see that.

12 minutes ago, Wainy316 said:

Not Nakamba for me.  Some good tackles but poor passing and ruined the prospect of an advantage and very promising breakaway by rolling around as if he'd been shot.

Agree on the passing part. Still think he did decent. Not much more thou, but compared to most others.

2 hours ago, Wainy316 said:

On that basis we need to drop the whole of yesterday's team with the exception of Cash and Martinez.

Cash, Nakamba and Watkins*

West Ham are really good, and they also had margins yesterday. Rice was outstanding in the midfield, their central CM is among the best in the league, props to them.

Hause should have had a red, Konsa should not. Also think Bowen should had one for the push on Mcginn, even thou Mcginn falls as a sack of potatoes. Dont think the rules allow those pushes... Yes Mcginn, you are git for doing that.

Doesnt take away the fact that the deserved team won the game. We are horrific at the moment. Cant string two passes together and we make horrible decisions in game. Add playing Young as a central midfielder, what in the hell was that? What was Smith thinking?

3 players gets "adequate enough to not be beheaded" and thats Cash, Nakamba and Watkins. Young, Targett and Bailly should not start next game after this performance, that was among the worst I have seen. Martinez should have saved the two first ones.

Something is just wrong at the monent, and I guess friday is a must win for Smith.

Have we spent so much time with McPhee on set pieces we forgot everything else on the pitch?

Cant pressure, cant pass, cant make the right decisions.

I cant recognise this team from the team one year ago.

Its rough at the moment. I trust the owners and Purslow to know what to do

Up and downside of social media.

Upside is I hope they realised how much joy they bring to the Villa family. Only supportive and encouraging comments to that post. Sad that these people writing horrible things manages to make the Ghanaians feel like that, because they bring so much happiness to other Villa fans. Whenever I see their posts I smile, and I hope they will be able to visit Villa Park one day.

Copy pasting since it suits here better:

I personally wouldnt mind seeing a 4-4-1-1

Martinez

Cash - Konsa - Mings - Targett

Buendia - Luiz - McGinn - Bailey

Ings

Watkins

Both Luiz and McGinn holding more, and we could change into a 4-2-3-1 by pushing Buendia and Bailey further up if the match suits it.

I personally wouldnt mind seeing a 4-4-1-1

Martinez

Cash - Konsa - Mings - Targett

Buendia - Luiz - McGinn - Bailey

Ings

Watkins

Both Luiz and McGinn holding more, and we could change into a 4-2-3-1 by pushing Buendia and Bailey further up if the match suits it.

19 hours ago, Stevo985 said:

xG wouldn't tell you which PARTS of the set pieces are working. But it would certainly show you that set pieces leading to goals/chances had improved

If we are really inventive perhaps the xG metrics have not picked up similar positions and it would not give an increase in xG 

10 hours ago, villalad21 said:

Guy is just like Solskjaer. 

Just created vibes. We'll win nothing under him. 

Not starting Martinez is an unbelievable decision. We don't play in Europe. There is no reason to rest as many players as we did. 

This was a great opportunity wasted. Martinez plays and we win this game. 

You been barking up this tree for 3 years now. 

Being a manager is also about balancing the squad, giving younger players the clue that you get chances to prove your worth. If they never get a chance they will just wither away as our youth in former years.There is also a reason why many teams uses a cup keeper, you need a backup that has played a match in the last 3 years if something should happen to the first choice. 

Both teams used players thats usually second in the pecking order last night, for a reason. 

And perhaps we should look at the game. We played brilliantly and were unlucky to not win before penalties. Except Young I think all players played good. 

4 minutes ago, desensitized43 said:

Yeah I saw his apology on Insta and felt really bad for the guy. Saw that he'd disabled comments too and felt even worse. How bad must the abuse be that they have to do that?

The guy doesn't need to apologise for having the balls to step up and take a pen.

Only postitive comments on Twitter atleast, thats good  

I love El Ghazi, but he is frustrating.

When he is on, he is so good. Then he just randomly fumbles the ball with bad touches. Yet he shows up and scores important goals for us.

Its just so inconsistant.

No matter what happens, he is a great player who i respect for his professionality. I want him to stay, but I can also understand if he does since it seems like game time might be limited in the future if all our new signings hit it off.

Doubt we will get any in before we have any outs