Villa 59

5 minutes ago, MotoMkali said:

Disagree. He is tired but he wastes his energy chasing after a ball in front of him because if he wins it he could maybe score. But then he doesn't track back and leaves men free on the edge of the area. 

Well, no doubt he gets instructions from DS and I guess he must be  following those instructions otherwise he wouldnt be selected for every game. I still put it down to tiredness. Either that or his not managing his role in the correct manner so does DS shoulder some of the b!ame?

46 minutes ago, MotoMkali said:

I absolutely can. What do you call it if a player doesn't track his man and hasn't done so for the last 3 games. (and probably more but I have been very aware of it for those games) 

I call it 'tired' like I said.

15 minutes ago, ozvillafan said:

I'm surprised he's getting a bit of a slating, to be honest. The only Villa player on the pitch that came close to matching him last night was Watkins - but even his sloppy possession lead directly to 2 of their goals.

Mings was excellent throughout and my MOTM

I agree. I thought Ming's (and the defence in general) were ok last night but were  let down by an extremely weak midfield.

4 minutes ago, ozvillafan said:

I don't know if we are better without him.

He has that quality that can determine games (scoring against Leicester and Southampton) but offers little defensively. In games where we are on top in midfield, he can be a real asset. In games where we need to grind and graft he's a luxury we can't afford.

 

I would say that we're better without him in 'most' games. I think that's a fair comment and I stand by it. 

3 minutes ago, TRO said:

Absolutley correct....but we keep running with this notion that is not needed.

I have said on here numerous times....McGinn and Luiz are not dedicated CDM's in the sense of the word......They don't look comfortable or natural there to me, they look like they are just doing a job and happy to be playing, quite understandable really.

They never, get after anyone, they just want to recycle the ball....its not enough at this level, players will hurt us if we don't stop them.

We have arguably the best, winger, AM in the league, he needs a ball winner to play him in and when he loses it, we win it again and play him in......we just have midfielders who just retreat and lost duels up front ,then turn in to goals at the back.

We need a ratter in the squad, like a Robbie Savage, with better ball skills.

agree 100%... Top teams have always have always have a top notch DM, that would be my priority in the summer. I thought our defence were ok last night and I put the defeat down to a very weak midfield.

12 minutes ago, Junxs said:

I've never been a fan of loan signings, mainly because when they are out of form they never get dropped. The big clubs insist you play their players.

We looked a really good team with Jack in the middle and were destroying teams whilst Barkley was out the side with injury before covid kicked in.. since we've come back we've been awful and Ross has started every game

Agree 100%. We're simply better without Barkley imo

58 minutes ago, TRO said:

First class rendition imo.

El Ghazi is a myth....he scores the odd goal and it papers over his general game....He is a total luxury, and we have a few of them.

The Balance of the squad is not right, he leaves himself little options on nights like last Night.....The midfield right now is embarrassing....and there seemed to be a difference of opinion last night with Dean & Craig.

No strength in central midfield. Need a bruiser who can play a bit and is both technically good and energetic. We've been needing this for years.... we're too soft and too easy to play against! We can't handle the aggression shown by other teams. Both Burnley and West Ham bullied us and we didn't have the answer. 

1 hour ago, villalad21 said:

If there ever was an image of a luxury player this guy should be the cover of it.

Absolutely spot on. I'm also disappointed that he's stopping Ramsey progressing. I think Loftus-cheek would have been a better option. Tbf though that's with hindsight!

9 hours ago, MotoMkali said:

So lazy as well. He never tracks his man properly. When watching the game it is so frustrating when he sprints out of position to press by himself then doesn't bother to actually try and get back.

I don't think anyone can describe McGinn as 'lazy' ....tired yes, but never lazy

Barkley and McGinn both need to be benched on Saturday. Sanson and Ramsey in for me. We need to freshen the midfield. These 2 look dead on their feet!

A bang average player for me. He probably has 2 good games in 10. I'm convinced we can buy better. £30m is surely a joke.

54 minutes ago, villa89 said:

But he showed on numerous occasions that he has one thing Hassan will never have, a first touch.

My post was from the Southampton match mate...not last night!

1 minute ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

I genuinely hate when people pull this off, I don't think ANY reasonable fan thinks or expects this, its the MANNER of the performance.

Weve lost and drawn matches this season which I've not been upset about.

Fully agree. This is the worst we've played this season. I'm with you . It was awful to watch tonight. 

1 minute ago, PaulC said:

Probably all the running he has to do he's so knackered. He was our best player by a distance in my opinion. 

I thought Watkins played really well with very little support.

Both Barkley and McGinn should be benched for Saturday. Sanson and Ramsey in midfield and Traore on the Right.

Smith won't be happy tonight. 

Thank goodness we have points on the board early this season. 

Hopefully Sanson for McGinn on Saturday

Just about everything was poor tonight. 

Very tired looking players 

West Ham a decent side and thoroughly deserved to win! 

Lack of depth as caught us out IMO

Been schooled tonight. Could easily have been more.

22 minutes ago, Xela said:

If only he'd made more subs

Well they do look like their playing under water at times!

8 hours ago, Zatman said:

Except its a fake record which media keep selling 

Did he have a full season at Notts County?

11 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

 

@Kiwivillan reckons he is definitely worth a punt!

Punt?

3 minutes ago, useless said:

I thought Smith would be an interesting choice when at Walsall, did good job to get them out of relegation trouble, had them playing good football, and a Villa fan. I hope that he can win us a major trophy in the coming seasons.

Seems that you're a good judge if you could see his potential that far back 

And yes, I'm convinced we will things with him. Luckily, we have patient owners with ambitions and very deep pockets.

19 minutes ago, nick76 said:

I’m not normally one to pick on looks or stuff but you would’ve thought they would have picked a better expression or something from him to advertise it.  He looks like an advertisement for hemorrhoid cream with his sad expression.

Well he does talk 'piles' of shit! 

I'll see if I can get to the bottom of this

4 minutes ago, nick76 said:

I’m the opposite, Jacks best position is wide left and somebody on here just provided stats to back that up so I wouldn’t be looking for wide left player, I would be looking for that CAM role.  

Leave Jack free in him most effective position and bring in somebody to really take charge of that CAM role.

As you say it doesn’t matter for now but I hope the scouting team are focusing on CAM recruitment not wide left now, ready to buy in the summer.

Sorry mate, I must have misread what you said. Suffice to say that the think Jack is great in both positions. I suppose it depends on the other players in the squad are and whom we're playing. It's good to have several players who can adapt to different positions. I guess that's what Dean is looking for longterm.

1 minute ago, nick76 said:

Not sure I agree because that determines what we buy next whether a left sided forward or a CAM.

Yea, in that respect I agree with you. But there are far too many variables in the number of subs we should have used or what Jack's best position is. Moreover, when we get the left side forward that you mention it's time to re-evaluate. For now I think Deano has got it spot on IMO 

For what's it's worth I think we'll be looking for a left sided forward in the summer and it proves to be a good signing I would like Jack in the centre but for me it's the 'here and now' that matters most!