the_eristic

oh hey let's just invite extra pressure, that'll help

1 hour ago, Adam2003 said:

Yeah def foul throw, although quite a bit before the goal - ie far enough back that VAR felt it shouldn’t be relevant. 

I cannot recall ever seeing a foul throw called in top level football, and I probably see at least one perpetrated per match. Someone scored right after one this season, Leeds maybe?

46 minutes ago, Kuwabatake Sanjuro said:

Not at his best tonight, although he had a couple of half chances his decision making was poor at times and had too many crosses blocked. I really hope we have someone ready to compete/rotate with him next season as it is hard to maintain high levels for 38 games a season. I think KKH might be ready to do it but we will see.

Unless we get a truly worthwhile offer for him, I'd get Guilbert back in and let them battle it out. He's smashed it in France two loans in a row, while KKH really needs to have a year in the C'ship. L2 -> L1 -> Prem is too big a jump for a teenage defender, imo, and nobody wants to see Young or Chambers there if Cash is injured/suspended, nor are they really much competition for him.

3 minutes ago, villanmac said:

I don't know how people can watch us and not think we desperately need a striker.

It's not just taking chances, it's having a player that can cause panic and uncertainty to the centre halves, whether it's being able to come short and take the ball into feet use strength/pace, peel off the last man, we've got nothing. 

The right striker absolutely makes Coutinho + Buendia work. Also suits Ings' game more, while Ollie is better suited to a side playing more on the counter with wingers, imo. Question is, who and how much?

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.

1 minute ago, 7392craig said:

Anyone up for Joe Gomez?

Looked about like Konsa's at the weekend.

4 hours ago, withes_shin said:

Not being pedantic - but if they won't accept 2nd best why would they want top 4 and not top 1

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.

14 minutes ago, DaveAV1 said:

What, bigger than the Djemba Djemba window??

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.

11 minutes ago, MWARLEY2 said:

He has got unique qualities he really has.  Wonderful feet and skill allied to ridiculous strength and a proper burst of speed now 

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.

13 minutes ago, Xela said:

A serious offer?

I was hoping we would submit an amusing one. Or possibly an indifferent one. 

How does an amusing offer differ from a cheeky bid?

20 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Love him as a bloke as well, although must remember to try not to get too attached.

PTSD.

......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.

46 minutes ago, Tom13 said:

Also, which training vid? I watched the one on VillaTV and Bert ain't in it.

About 2:03.

22 minutes ago, WallisFrizz said:

SG very specifically talked about why Traore was out (groin) but then very pointedly said that Sanson and Hause were “unavailable” so I presumed Covid. 

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