the_eristic

Hello from America. I hate Burnley so much it's unreal. Seriously though, would've won that by miles if not for Pope. Still, need to learn to not cross the ball so much against sides sitting deep like Burnley, especially first half they just swallowed them up. Midfield still too static, the number of times someone (especially the fullbacks) would receive a pass and look to move the play forward only to find the midfielders nearest him either stationary or even moving away from the play was infuriating, will never break sides down like that. Brilliant block by Mings at the end to save the point, but should've been home and dry by then.

Speaking of the final, thought Bassey was looking pretty good until the goal there.

Looked about like Konsa's at the weekend.

They won't accept being 5th or 2nd to 4th, we have to be 1st (4th) or better.

Given the dross we saw today, hope he gets a chance vs Burnley. He won't, but it'd be nice to give him a proper sendoff.

Strategy Stevie strikes again.

Bigger yet. We're talkin' Simon Dawkins here!

Wait, you mean to tell me the ref is poor? Shocked, I say! Shocked!

Boring and cheap-looking. Bet they'll cost a fortune, though. Colors look off, too, especially the blue.

I've been thinking that a fit KD might be the cog that makes two 10s work, as he can both displace defenders physically, hold it up to bring those around him into play AND break the lines with his running. Don't necessarily need him to be an elite finisher if he gets more out of Coutinho (if he's here) and Buendia. Ings would pair well with him, too. Fitness is a massive question, though.

That assist was tremendous. His first touch with his right takes a slightly overhit ball down and into the path of his left, where his next touch is that inch-perfect through ball, all while on the move.

Pretty happy with performance, largely controlled it, especially second half. Buendia needs to be the first name on the team sheet, has all the skill and all the industry. in The pass for Dings was perfection. Douglas as an 8 was helpful too, just to have some composure centrally. As good as JJ can be, both he and McGinn (speaking of, want to see his left foot actually on the left side more) are strongly inclined to try to carry the ball forward themselves rather than keep moves going, Dougie definitely balances our play more. Good showing by Chambers (again), too. For gripes, we're still too sloppy at times, throwing away the clean sheet to a nothing goal at the last minute is so frustrating. Also, subbing on Old Man Young yet again when you have a bench full of much younger guys who need the minutes and still fit the changes you want to make is annoying. All in all, though, a comfortable win at a place where we've been poor regularly, so hopefully we can carry this upturn in form and positivity into the week and cause Liverpool some problems.

Our best player by a mile and elevates the whole side. Can't wait to see him next week in the 78th minute.

How does an amusing offer differ from a cheeky bid?

......what's the release clause?

I'd be interested in seeing the stats and... heat maps..., but it felt like Leicester were consciously keeping the ball coming down our right side, particularly in the first half, both far away from Coutinho and in the zones of some of our weaker passers, in the McGinn/Cash/Konsa triangle, where balls enter and are mysteriously never seen with a Villa player again. Very much the same way teams would try to starve JG of the ball knowing we weren't up to much otherwise.

Buendia MOTM. Imagine, the player with excellent creative stats comes on and suddenly you create some chances. On the bench til the 78th minute again next week, then.

What a sad match of football.

About 2:03.

Seems likely. Bert is in the latest training vid (and dunks on the poor keeper), but those two are nowhere to be seen.

Kondogbia is largely a destroyer, really excellent defensively and physically at a level we don't have, but relatively limited on the ball. Kamara is quite good defensively, but on a different planet in terms of passing and carrying the ball, which are critical for a team attempting to keep possession and play more progressive football. There's a case for each, and a case for both in the same side, especially when/if Dougie leaves.

Sanson was one of the best pressers in the world (and put up pretty good attacking numbers, too) with Kamara playing behind him, might be worthwhile to combine them again. We'd probably sell Sanson back to OM at a loss the day after Kamara signed, though.

I, for one, think we should play the good players in the good formation with the good tactics. I sure hope we don't see the bad players in the bad formation with the bad tactics. That would be unfortunate.

Done his Achilles last night, gotta figure that's probably the end of the road for him.

Tbf, he was on his way up when linked to us... in 2013. Side note: Don't read the 2013 speculation thread. Some of the names we supposedly bid for or were otherwise connected with will hurt you, never mind reliving the Kiyotake fiasco.