the_eristic

Are we Scunthorpe in disguise?

If AEG is headed to Roma, plus KD on loan in January and Trez likely to go in Summer (not to mention Wes), there's definitely going to be room.

From the Reaction thread right after. Top of page 3.

Someone said the same about Sanson here either in the match thread or reaction thread right after the game. Didn't see it on camera, though, afaik.

It's a problem throughout our side. We don't have a single consistent, high volume passer, we have a collection of high risk, low volume passers, who largely prefer to attempt to switch play quickly or hit it over the top when they can't turn and carry. We desperately need that skilled, stable recycler 6 or 8 to keep the ball and work it to create instead of trying to play 200 mph fast break stuff 24/7 (which worked ok when we had a guy they could just blast anything at and he could control it, papered over the weakness somewhat... until he was injured), and, importantly, to reduce the number of times the ball just comes straight back at us.

Would've been great years ago, but think he's probably done after he had to leave Fiorentina.

I'm afraid he's too disruptive in a three, the normally steady enough pairing of Mings + Konsa look much less sure of who should be doing what when he's there.

Hopefully that's the end of three CBs. We still need a midfield upgrade or three and from now on, it's Ollie Whatkins. Never a pen, though, at 1-0, that second half is a different proposition.

Midfield couldn't pass a kidney stone tonight.

Are we going for the shit deflected goals record?

That was an impeccable tackle, embarassing refereeing.

hoooooooooooooof

Ings/Ollie/Buendia all terribly isolated when receiving the ball. Our lack of width means they have to control it under pressure then beat 3+ Arsenal players who are free to focus on them.

Mentioned this last week, but it's like even our most technical players have completely lost their touch and basic footballing skills. Makes no sense.

At sea.

He's looked the most ready physically whenever I've seen him, think he'll get some minutes this season.

Definitely lost it at some point second half for some reason, his whole face and body language changed and the performance with them.

Still looks really uncomfortable at times. Had been one of our better players on the ball, but it's like his touch and technique has largely deserted him. Hope that injury isn't lingering.

Sometimes, it really feels like MON, where's it's all down to one or more players turning up more than any system or plan really working beyond get it forward and go at them. Things aren't going right, it's roll the dice more than make an adjustment. Today was Stoke 2-2 but worse, maybe not in terms of stakes due to it being early in the season, but incredibly similar performance.

Lost his defensive contribution and any ability to connect the play going forward when he went off. Could've had an assist or goal with sharper play from teammates, too.

Never the time to bring on a kid in a crucial position, could not catch up to the pace and intensity of the game in the slightest. Chasing shadows.

Our disdain for having the ball longer than 5 seconds has cost us again. Always going to happen when you panic and slash at it and give them the ball back over and over and over and over an... Dougie should've stayed on, Target should've come off, a striker should've come off for a midfielder, but we'd rather hooooooof.

Wtf indeed. Surely that can be reported to twitter and Villa and have those responsible banned from the stadium if identified?

What could be more expected of Villa than to underperform expectations? Totally the wrong midfield approach against their pair of sitters plus Moura, Kane, Ndombele all dropping deep and overloading either a lone Dougie or out wide once the press was broken, really needed another deeper ball winner/retainer in there. McGinn and Ramsey much too rash and rushed, our play in general not composed and patient enough. Needed at least a sub and probably change of shape from the half, 70 minutes was far too late and probably just disruptive at that point.

Smith out it is then.