Dean Smith

[KentVillan 1,483]

It's very easy to get carried away with formations when things aren't going well, but I'm not sure DS could do much different.

The two big problems he's facing are:

1. We haven't had a natural ballwinning midfield option available - we missed out on Kalvin Phillips, and Nakamba wasn't match fit at the start of the season. So while I don't think this role is essential in every match, he lacks the option (e.g. when Spurs brought Eriksen on). Douglas Luiz and Hourihane are useful defensively, but it isn't their forte. I think we'll see more variation when Nakamba is ready.
2. We didn't sign an extra striker, so shapes like 4-4-2, 3-5-2, etc. aren't really feasible unless you want to start Kodjia or Davis regularly, which would mean leaving out some much better players.

Once you factor those points in, I don't think it matters really whether you play 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-3, or whatever. The team will have the same characteristics: good in possession in central areas, a bit weaker on the wings, lacking a natural goalscoring threat, and vulnerable to counter attacks.

A lot of people are suggesting narrow formations because we have a lot of talent in central midfield, but the problem with narrow formations is you allow the opposition defensive lines to come narrow, which is what they want to do. Width isn't just about getting crosses in, it's also about stretching the defensive line to create gaps (e.g. Jota's assist to Wesley against Everton is through a gap in the defensive line created by Guilbert's run).

We do have Guilbert who can create a lot of width on the right by himself, but I don't think either of our left backs has the pace and stamina to do the same job on the left, without some support from a winger.

I think the international break comes at a convenient time for the team to pause and regroup. We have some massive games in September and October against West Ham (H), Burnley (H), Norwich (A) and Brighton (H). Those two months will decide whether we stay up IMO. Get 6+ points from those 4 games, and we're looking in reasonable shape. We then have a string of much harder games in November and December, so we won't be wanting to make up ground then.

I also think we'll be active in the transfer market in January. No problem with the Wesley signing, but he's carrying too much responsibility and we need another option in attack. I would also look for another left back, unless Targett finds fitness and form.

[Tomaszk 2,895]

Signing a good forward in January will be tricky if we're anywhere near the bottom, which you have to think is likely.

[Villan_of_oz 2,268]

1 hour ago, Tomaszk said:

Signing a good forward in January will be tricky if we're anywhere near the bottom, which you have to think is likely.

We are one win off being 8th. Calm down

Edited September 2 by Villan_of_oz

[HKP90 207]

I can’t believe that after the stick (quite rightly I must add) that previous managers have had for adopting a turgid defensive approach, people on this thread are now suggesting that if DS does not change his philosophy it ‘may be his downfall’. The lack of patience on offer is absolutely staggering.

[Vive_La_Villa 8,103]

If that goal had stood Dean Smith would have been applauded for his substitutions and going 4-3-2.  All 3 of the changes affected the game.  

[tomav84 526]

10 hours ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

Whilst we didn’t play well I saw an amazing amount of fight from the players. Especially with 10 men.  To play most of second half with 10 men and overturn a 1-0 deficit shows tremendous character. 

Surely we should be taking heart from that. 

i actually thought we played better with 10 men than the rest of the game. a big factor in that was davis coming on. really hoping smith now realises 2 strikers as a viable option in future games. you cannot hide from the fact that our only real goalscoring chance came in the 96 minute however, and that is what i am concerned about. bournemouth was similar. we will not stay in this league by creating only 1 or 2 real chances per game

[KenjiOgiwara 1,954]

I remember us having a tough patch after Christmas last season. Everything was wrong and Deano didn't have a clue. After a while trying to get it right we won ten matches in a row.  

Now I am not saying we will repeat ten wins in a row, but you would thought it taught people some patience and that developing a team has ups and downs. 

Then again maybe not. 

Edited September 2 by KenjiOgiwara

[Vive_La_Villa 8,103]

1 minute ago, tomav84 said:

i actually thought we played better with 10 men than the rest of the game. a big factor in that was davis coming on. really hoping smith now realises 2 strikers as a viable option in future games. you cannot hide from the fact that our only real goalscoring chance came in the 96 minute however, and that is what i am concerned about. bournemouth was similar. we will not stay in this league by creating only 1 or 2 real chances per game

I agreed Davis impressed which was encouraging. He looks ready. 

Wesley had a bit of a shocker. The lack of service didn’t help but he struggled with his hold up play.

[Vive_La_Villa 8,103]

3 minutes ago, KenjiOgiwara said:

I remember us having a tough patch after Christmas last season. Everything was wrong and Deano didn't have a clue. After a while trying to get it right we won ten matches in a row.  

Now I am not saying we will repeat ten wins in a row, but you would thought it taught people some patience and that developing a team has ups and downs. 

Then again maybe not. 

The reactive nature to results will never change. That game was a draw in my eyes.  Palace away is not an easy game and we stood up to them with 10 men for most of the second half. 

What this team may lack in quality will be made up for in character and spirit. We will be fine. 

[tomav84 526]

15 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I agreed Davis impressed which was encouraging. He looks ready. 

Wesley had a bit of a shocker. The lack of service didn’t help but he struggled with his hold up play.

i said before on his own thread after the bournemouth game, that he will not succeed at villa as the lone striker. i just dont see how he can do it all on his own. he would thrive with a strike partner however

[briny_ear 5,347]

EDIT.

Oh, bogus stats deleted!

Edited September 2 by briny_ear

[MaVilla 2,763]

33 minutes ago, tomav84 said:

i said before on his own thread after the bournemouth game, that he will not succeed at villa as the lone striker. i just dont see how he can do it all on his own. he would thrive with a strike partner however

We don't need two strikers playing, we just need to get the wingers, midfielders and full backs etc supporting the lone striker better and offering options and late runners, backup etc.

If we can get 2 or 3 (or more) players in and around the box etc then our attacking play/options would look very different.

The issue is that we currently aren't doing that consistently, for whatever reason.

[PieFacE 8,377]

2 hours ago, HKP90 said:

I can’t believe that after the stick (quite rightly I must add) that previous managers have had for adopting a turgid defensive approach, people on this thread are now suggesting that if DS does not change his philosophy it ‘may be his downfall’. The lack of patience on offer is absolutely staggering.

This. It's kinda embarrassing.

Edited September 2 by PieFacE

[Villan_of_oz 2,268]

1 hour ago, briny_ear said:

EDIT.

Oh, bogus stats deleted!

Huh?

[KenjiOgiwara 1,954]

7 hours ago, KentVillan said:

We do have Guilbert who can create a lot of width on the right by himself, but I don't think either of our left backs has the pace and stamina to do the same job on the left, without some support from a winger.

Begs the question if this is why Trezeguet gets so knackered and works so hard. Taylor isn't exactly a wing back to put it mildly. 

[villalad21 2,945]

I wouldn't want him to go on and change his system.

That just sound desperate and panicking. Need to keep doing what he know and what's worked for him in the past. Will take time for all these players to settle.

[briny_ear 5,347]

9 minutes ago, Villan_of_oz said:

Huh?

I posted some dodgy stats, realised it and deleted them.

[TRO 11,750]

No time to panic......but discussing the faults, is healthy.

[TRO 11,750]

5 minutes ago, villalad21 said:

I wouldn't want him to go on and change his system.

That just sound desperate and panicking. Need to keep doing what he know and what's worked for him in the past. Will take time for all these players to settle.

I don't want him to change his system either.....but tweaking it away from home, might be prudent.

I am not sure we are good enough, to play the same home and away.

[HKP90 207]

3 hours ago, MaVilla said:

We don't need two strikers playing, we just need to get the wingers, midfielders and full backs etc supporting the lone striker better and offering options and late runners, backup etc.

If we can get 2 or 3 (or more) players in and around the box etc then our attacking play/options would look very different.

The issue is that we currently aren't doing that consistently, for whatever reason.

Absolutely this. He was feeding off the ghosts of scraps against Palace