wilko154

I just hope we don't setup a defensive draw because we are away and because Norwich are promotion favorites.

We shouldn't be scared of anyone in this division and should setup to attack in each and every game.

If we can go at them early and grab an early goal the crowd will soon turn and make their players jobs harder (a bit like us last season )

Whilst it would be interesting to see Gil play with better players around him at Villa (the likes of Kodjia, McCormack, Adomah) I don't think its worth bringing him back.

He's light weight and I don't think there is anything he can do that Grealish can't.

Get rid in the summer and move on.

12 minutes ago, markavfc40 said:

I wouldn’t push Grealish out wide. He is our best and most influential player and he needs to be in a position where he can dictate the game and be involved as much as possible so has to play centrally. I think there was an argument at one time that this would make us less solid in the middle but I don’t think that is the case now. Grealish has shown when played at the top of a midfield three that he can put a shift in and help out defensively and isn’t afraid to put his foot in.

There would only be two changes for me and that would be Westwood for Gardner and McCormack for Ayew with Kodjia and Adomah starting either side of him and Jack pulling the strings just behind. I think played together on a regular basis Grealish and McCormack will build up an understanding and can provide that bit of guile along with the pace and power of Adomah and Kodjia.

Have to admit I missed the Wigan game as I was away. I heard Ayew was poor which is why I mentioned moving Jack out wide, but it sounds as if he is fully capable in the middle.

I have been looking forward to McCormack coming back for a while now as I think playing with Kodjia & Grealish will see him hit form.

I like it!

                   Gollini

Hutton Elphick Chester Amavi

                  Jedinka

      Bacuna          Westwood

Adomah                         Grealish

                     Kodjia

I am guessing Baker is still injured for this one

Would move Grealish outside and bring in an additional centre midfielder for this one as I think we could be overun.

Bacuna will be more of a driving force than Gardner.

3-0 Villa, top of the league here we come 

In some ways its our fault that he isn't living up the hype, I think the 'Super Jack Grealish' chants have gone to his head a bit and he almost thinks he's the best player in our side.

For a number 10 or winger one goal in 20 games or an assist every 10 games is pretty poor...

No doubt about it though, the last 2-3 games he has started to show the promise he had when he initially broke into the team under Sherwood.

If we can sort a position in the first team for him to have a run of consecutive games over Christmas we will hopefully start to see the best of him. Then come January with an improved midfield behind him he will step up to the level he's currently playing at for the England U21s

On 12/6/2016 at 08:03, Grasshopper said:

now thats a team with no shit in it

Set up like this

                 Gollini

  Bacuna Chester Baker >

        \/                                   ^

                                       Amavi

                  Jedinak             \/

        Tish

Adomah           < Grealish

      \/   \|                   |/   \/

          < McCormack >

                |/      \/    \|                          

                 < Kodjia >

                        \/

        

Average championship midfielder but he's the best we've got at the moment bar Jedinak.

It's not his fault we don't have better players to replace him with.

If he can play like he did on Saturday until January then he will be fine and he can then become a squad player.

30 minutes ago, Grasshopper said:

Imagine this line-up in Ch

Guzan

Hutton Richards Lescott Cissokho

Westwood Sanchez Vertoute Richardson

Gil Sinclair/Gaby

Hello L1

Its amazing thinking that this is what we watched for a whole season 

Unfortunately for Rudy he needs a striker to play along side with, someone who can do the running and move the defence around. Make runs from his flick ons etc...

Currently we need a 3 man midfield due to our weak options in that area and so playing two up front isn't going to happen anytime soon

Impact sub when we need to lump the ball long

I would like to see this setup for a few games when McCormack is fit to try and get the best out of both him and Jack.

                Jedinak

       Westwood Grealish

Adomah                Kodjia

            McCormack

or

               Jedinak

       Westwood Grealish

Adomah               McCormack

            Kodjia

53 minutes ago, sne said:

Midfield recruits in the summer really hasn't worked out has it 

Jedinak took almost 15 games to come good(ish) and  Tshibola has disappeared from the surface of the earth.

Approaching halfway through the season with Westwood and Gardener are both playing regularly with the expected result.

Jedinak's played 10 games, and has been one of our better players for half of those.

Problem with Ayew is he tries to do too much by himself.

Technically he is by far our best player, but he will beat a man and then take on the next when he should lay the ball of and get himself into some space.

Could be confidence, or it could be he thinks he's just better than this level.

Such a strange decision to keep playing Kodjia out left.

Granted once in a while he makes a great run from the left hand side, cutting in and creating a chance for himself. But the amount of chances he could create for himself as well as others create for him from a central position would be much greater.

As much as I trust Bruce tactically I think this is the one change we need to make going forward.

Possibly a sign Bruce see's us as weak on the left and in need of a winger come January?

Just now, Stevo985 said:

Nothing wrong with Westwood's performance today

I agree with that, one of his better games. I think he was let down by Gestede's limited movement up front and Gardner by the side of him.

He's let down by a pretty non-existent midfield in Gardner & Westwood

We also depended on his aerial dominance more today due to Baker being injured and Elphick and Chester not having the size to compete.

Last few games he's been one of our best player... replace him? Don't be daft

I agree, if Bruce is going to persist with Kodjia out wide then we need a striker who knows where the back of the net is up front. McCormack full of confidence should be that man.

It also stops us continuing giving Gabby and Gestede game time

Poor today, but get rid? Delusional

What are we going to do sell every player that doesn't fit into our starting line up?!

But you could argue that Baker would have won the header meaning Gollini never had to leave his line... 

So annoying!

Gestede is a complete waste up front. Kodjia is being wasted out on the left.

Gardner and Westwood are a non existent midfield, Bacuna or Grealish would give much more of an attacking outlet through the middle.

Gabby Agbonlahor is a waste of oxygen.

Spunked too many chances up the wall as usual.

I would take Gestede off now, whether we put Gabby on up top to stretch the game a bit, or move Kodjia up top and put Ayew or Grealish out left..

Kodjia seems wasted out left, he's spending more time tracking back than attacking as he should be.

                         Gollini

Hutton --- Elphick --- Chester --- Amavi

                        Jedinak

              Gardner --- Bacuna   

  Adomah   ---    Kodjia     ---    Grealish

  Was a close call between Grealish and Ayew out left, also not sure if Bacuna will get in ahead of Westwood now       

I think there is a chance Bruce will start the same team that he played at Brighton...          

Went to see Allied last night, probably my favorite film of the year so far! Although I am slightly biased with enjoying most WW films!

Could Lansbury shine in the Premiership though? That is the question we need to be asking for all signings in January if we are in a realistic position for 2nd place or the playoffs come May...

Gollini is slowly turning into a very good keeper, and this is coming through starting games consistently. To go out and buy a 'more experienced keeper' right now would be madness.

There are areas of the side that need improving in January and our keeper is not one of them.

Midfielders, a right back and possibly a left winger should be priorities with whatever funds we have left without breaking FFP.