Eastie Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 2 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said: Forest and Huddersfield at home. We destroyed them both. But that was before Bruce so going off topic now. Under Bruce I'd agree we should have beaten Forest away and Preston at home. And Brighton away . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vive_La_Villa Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 On 25/02/2017 at 17:45, terrytini said: I had a fiver on Chester to score first at 40/1, we won, and yet I'm sat in the car park debating wether to give my ST away. Ill buy it off you. Seriously PM me if interested and we'll sort something out. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markavfc40 Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 51 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said: Well, only 3 of those played on Saturday. One is a goalkeeper who's confidence is through the floor. The other a full back replacing a full back who's confidence is through the floor, two positions that shouldn't have *much* of an effect on a system. The other Lansbury, who is replacing Garwood. Fact is, Bruce has had time to put a system in place and through his own tinkering has utterly failed in his remit to do so. However I will say this, if had a full season in which we averaged ~2 points per game, except for a 7 game period where we lost 6 from 7 (which can in all fairness happen to any team) then we would be challenging for playoffs regardless. What we do now until May is very important, can he turn the ship around, again? I'm yet to be convinced, but I will be patient. I don't really see an alternative. You look at it as a whole though mate and you have a goalkeeper who has played less than ten games for us behind a centre back pairing that has played around 15–20 games together with a left back who has played a couple of games for us. Then in midfield you have Lansbury and Jedinak playing together for the second time alongside Bacuna for the first time. We have Green out wide making his second start I think for us. I agree he could have put a system in place by now but he was at first hampered by poor midfield options now with those addressed I get the feeling ideally he would like to have played 4-4-2 but finds himself with one fit forward. I think going forward then regardless of any mitigating circumstances previously by the end of this season we do have to have a formation in place and to have seen a group of good individuals evolve into a team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 I don't think Wagner would do any better than bruce. We need experience and wagner could be another garde type appointment. Give bruce until end of season and we see where we are there. I think we will be a lot better in next 5-6 games Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 1 minute ago, markavfc40 said: I agree he could have put a system in place by now but he was at first hampered by poor midfield options now with those addressed I get the feeling ideally he would like to have played 4-4-2 but finds himself with one fit forward. Whilst I agree with the general thrust of your post, have we played 4-4-2 even once under Bruce? Pre or post January? We seem to play a different system every week, there has been zero consistency in that or the personnel since the day he walked through the door. He needs to a get a grip on that and fast. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted February 27, 2017 Moderator Share Posted February 27, 2017 He was unambiguous in his pre-Derby prezzer that 4-4-2 is his preferred system; that he has never previously used a 4-3-3 in any of its guises; but that the make-up of this squad including factoring in injuries means that we're currently better equipped for a 4-3-3. I'd therefore expect that we'll be using a 4-4-2 as soon as we can. Which should make the central midfield selections interesting given that Jedinak, Lansbury & Hourihane are IMO automatic selections when available. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzy Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 3 minutes ago, BOF said: He was unambiguous in his pre-Derby prezzer that 4-4-2 is his preferred system; that he has never previously used a 4-3-3 in any of its guises; but that the make-up of this squad including factoring in injuries means that we're currently better equipped for a 4-3-3. I'd therefore expect that we'll be using a 4-4-2 as soon as we can. Which should make the central midfield selections interesting given that Jedinak, Lansbury & Hourihane are IMO automatic selections when available. Drop the Jedi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted February 27, 2017 Moderator Share Posted February 27, 2017 Just now, bobzy said: Drop the Jedi. I think it'll depend on whether the rest of them can demonstrate that they're able to win regularly in his absence, because up to now a win has usually required the Jedi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markavfc40 Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 (edited) 17 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said: Whilst I agree with the general thrust of your post, have we played 4-4-2 even once under Bruce? Pre or post January? We seem to play a different system every week, there has been zero consistency in that or the personnel since the day he walked through the door. He needs to a get a grip on that and fast. Kodjia and Hogan have played as a two before Hogan got injured. It was certainly a narrow midfield four as neither Adomah or Green played for a couple of games. He must have had a favoured system in mind when he overhauled the squad in January and like you say he must put it in place, trust his judgement and stick with it. The excuse of having inherited someone else's squad and trying to get the best out of it is no longer going to wash now we have seen 14 ins/out under him. The only thing I would say is if he does want to play a 2 up top then he can't until one of Gabby, Hogan or RHM are again fit. Edited February 27, 2017 by markavfc40 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzy Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 1 minute ago, BOF said: I think it'll depend on whether the rest of them can demonstrate that they're able to win regularly in his absence, because up to now a win has usually required the Jedi. I agree - but that's because of the 4-3-3. It requires someone to sit and break up play as the other two (or only one) midfielders (in theory, at least, not with Villa!) need to be higher up the pitch attempting to create and distribute the play. 4-4-2 isn't as reliable on those players, the midfield should be more dynamic and... "flat", for want of a better term. If I'm picking the central pairing that will work the hardest covering ground, it wouldn't include Jedinak. If we revert to 3 in the middle at any point, he becomes strangely invaluable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastie Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 2 minutes ago, markavfc40 said: Kodjia and Hogan have played as a two before Hogan got injured. It was certainly a narrow midfield four as neither Adomah or Green played for a couple of games. He must have a favoured system in mind when he overhauled the squad in January and like you say he must put it in place, trust his judgement and stick with it. The excuse of having inherited someone else's squad and trying to get the best out of it is no longer going to wash now we have seen 14 ins/out under him. The only thing I would say is if he does want to play a 2 up top then he can't until one of Gabby, Hogan or RHM are again fit. Interesting to see if 433 works in the next few games and then hogan comes back does he change it ? I guess the option will be to play kodija wide If needed - it's a pity rhm is out as it would have been an ideal chance for him right now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 (edited) 8 minutes ago, markavfc40 said: Kodjia and Hogan have played as a two before Hogan got injured. It was certainly a narrow midfield four as neither Adomah or Green played for a couple of games. Against Forest actually I think? I'm sure he then switched to Kodjia as a wide forward in the next game, whilst he has said in the past that he thinks that is his best position. Or was it the 3-5-2 next? He stuck by that for 2 games. You see what I'm saying though Mark, it all appears to be a bit of a mess. I would have more faith than I do if I had seen more consistency. As it is, I'm firmly on the fence as to whether I want him leading the charge next season or not. Edited February 27, 2017 by dont_do_it_doug. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 If the plan is to play with 2 forwards you don't get rid of 3 and only bring in 1 during January, especially when one of your strikers is expected to miss 1 month of play due to the AFCON and Gabby is the only other option. If your tactic is hinging on Jedinak sweeping up everything at DCM you bring in a back up as he hasn't got the legs to last the full 90. At least that's how I see it, but I'm not a vastly experienced manager, who knows the league. Just seem like common sense. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzy Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 1 minute ago, sne said: If the plan is to play with 2 forwards you don't get rid of 3 and only bring in 1 during January, especially when one of your strikers is expected to miss 1 month of play due to the AFCON and Gabby is the only other option. If your tactic is hinging on Jedinak sweeping up everything at DCM you bring in a back up as he hasn't got the legs to last the full 90. At least that's how I see it, but I'm not a vastly experienced manager, who knows the league. Just seem like common sense. Did we really get rid of 3 strikers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastie Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 I read Bruce saying 442 would work now as he had the right two fowards to fit that formation shortly after hogan arrived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Just now, bobzy said: Did we really get rid of 3 strikers? Ayew, Gestede and McCormack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzy Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Just now, sne said: Ayew, Gestede and McCormack Ah, fair. Ayew always played wide for us, didn't he? McCormack just rarely played Maybe they're cutting back wages a bit, to be fair. Can't imagine Ayew and McCormack were/are on peanuts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastie Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Just now, sne said: Ayew, Gestede and McCormack Could just about make one decent striker from the 3 at a push . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Just now, Eastie said: Could just about make one decent striker from the 3 at a push . All better than Gabby thou. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIVillan Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Im sure under the last few months of Lambert (after he visited Pep at Bayern) Villa used to have the higher percentage of possession during the games. Problem was we did feck all with it and kept losing, hence Lambert lost his job. So Derby having most of the ball means nothing they still lost and we won. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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