useless Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Notice after a win hardly anyone posts in this thread, but if we lose, even if in general the form has been good, all the usual suspects come back talking about Ward getting the sack, for some reason some just completely ignore the good results, and only want to react when we lose, we've got Man Utd away next weekend, a game we're more likely to lose than win, and if we do lose can guarantee this thread will be full of posts again talking about Ward getting the sack, despite the fact our form has been good since the big defeat to Chelsea, in that time over six games, which is more than half the season so far, we're fourth in the form guide, and that won't change after tomorrows games if results go as expected. I rewatched the Leicester game (and am even more convinced of how well we played, we were utterly dominant and had them pegged back in their final third for most of the game, they only had a few isolated chances, one of which wouldn't have stood, and another two that came in the same passage of play, I think what was most pleasing about our attack is that when it was breaking down for the most part it was because they were having to defend well to stop up us, whereas in previous games on many occassions our attacks have been breaking down owing ot poor play from us at the crucial moment, last night we looked much more like the team we did last season, went back to basics in many ways, but that also allowed us to play much better football at times than we've been playing, it's beyond me how anyone can be negative about that game, maybe we could have and should have scored more, but have to make allowances for the fact that Leitzig made some brilliant saves, it's what she has become renowned for) and the commentaor was saying how our attackers have been struggling for goals and assists compared to last season, and I agree with that I've said as much myself, but we only have three less goals now than we did after the same amount of games last season, and that's with Hanson having been unavailable for three games and Dali being out for five games, also we're only on four points less than we were after eleven games last season Funny thing is we're only six points off Man Utd, if they lose their next two games we will be just three points off them, I'm not expecting us to beat Man Utd, but I think it's important to stay calm if we do lose, after that we've got some games where hopefully we can pick up a decent haul of points, we need to start showing better consistency, and that we can take points off the likes of Liverpool and Spurs. At least today's result with Arsenal beating Everton went our way, it means that we can't drop any lower the seventh this weekend 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Before Man Utd we play Sunderland in the Conti Cup, they will probably be tougher than previous games in the competition if they put out a strong team, but I think we only need a point to qualify, and even if we were to lose I think we would have a good chance of qualifying as one of the two best second placed teams, as such would be nice to see a few youngsters get a chance, McLoughlin not available, so that could open up a space, I suspect Mullett will get another start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishywashy Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 On 19/01/2024 at 23:13, useless said: After the game today Carla was asked about lack of clinical edge in the final third, and she said we've just brought in someone to help with that, I'm presuming she means a specialist goal scoring coach, I did notice a guy in the pictures from training in the week that I didn't recognize, maybe that was the new coach, hopefully makes a difference. To be fair I thought we were actually quite unlucky in front of goal today, Leitzig made some top saves as she does most games, she will probably end up at a 'top four club' or one of the top teams in Europe before long Had a look and the person who's come in is Scott Chickelday as an Attacking Coach. Interestingly, he's worked with Ollie Watkins: he's posted a few videos of shooting routines with him on Twitter during the 22/23 off-season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 He's the guy I saw in the training pictures, looking on his instagram looks like he's been working with Ollie Watkins this season, as well as Harvy Elliott, also been working a number of academy players and players from the women's game If anything I thought our shooting on Friday was much improved on what it had been, at least we forcing their keeper into good saves, and narrowly missed on other occassions, their defenders put in some good blocks as well, nine times out of ten that game would have been over before Leicester had their late chances, still room for improvement, but in previous games we've been much much worse in front of goal, like inexplicably bad, because we know these players can do better in front of goal as they showed last season I thought I saw another coach I hadn't seen before giving instructions to Jordan Nobbs when she came on, wasn't Tisdale I don't think, it actually looked like Sam Rose, but can't be him returned, as he's now Oxford United's first team manager 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 (edited) Other results didn't go too bad for us, Arsenal beat Everton so we stay seventh, Man City thrash Liverpool 5-1, so the gap between us and them stays at six points, Spurs beat West Ham to move six points ahead of us, but that was expected, I was never worried about relegation one bit, the twelve points we already have would have been enough to see us survive in each of the last six season's, even if we just match our points total from the first half fo the season in the second half of the season it will be our second best league season ever, and I'm sure we will do better than, but those that are Bristol City and West Ham defeats man we stay seven points clear of those two, despite defeat today West Ham have made what looks like some decent signings in January, so they might have much better second half to the season, going to be really tough for Bristol City to survive I think. Carla Ward was at Chelsea today for their game against Man Utd, hopefully there to sort out a player or two for us Edit: seems she was there for some gala dinner for Emma Hayes In third tier Alice Kietley on dual registration at Forest from us, scored for them in their 2-1 win against Newcaslte, it was Newcastle's first defeat of the season Edited January 22 by useless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marka Ragnos Posted January 22 VT Supporter Share Posted January 22 On 20/01/2024 at 21:21, useless said: He's the guy I saw in the training pictures, looking on his instagram looks like he's been working with Ollie Watkins this season, as well as Harvy Elliott, also been working a number of academy players and players from the women's game If anything I thought our shooting on Friday was much improved on what it had been, at least we forcing their keeper into good saves, and narrowly missed on other occassions, their defenders put in some good blocks as well, nine times out of ten that game would have been over before Leicester had their late chances, still room for improvement, but in previous games we've been much much worse in front of goal, like inexplicably bad, because we know these players can do better in front of goal as they showed last season I thought I saw another coach I hadn't seen before giving instructions to Jordan Nobbs when she came on, wasn't Tisdale I don't think, it actually looked like Sam Rose, but can't be him returned, as he's now Oxford United's first team manager Yes, we looked dominant and buzzing with good energy. Leicester aren't a bad team at all and tried hard, and we were handling them. Daly is an absolute pest for defenses, able to make something out of nothing and just everywhere, involved in everything. I was impressed also with Lehmann and Leon keeping up the pressure wide and getting some balls in the box. Hope they build on this important, stabilising win. They needed this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 They hadn't actually been in bad form in the league, they were fourth in the form guide since heavy Chelsea defeat, but needed a reaction to the dismal Everton Cup performance, just a shame the next WSL game is away to Man Utd, but if we play like we did against Leicester and Brighton for the remaining eleven games then should have a better second half to the season, and maybe even give ourselves a chance of sneaking top six. Important week coming up off the pitch as really could do with a couple of signings 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Playing Sunderland in the final group of the League Cup, need a point after 90 minutes to qualify for the knockout stages, 7:30 kick-off, live on VillaTV Leat, Mayling, Patten, Corsie, Pacheco, Blindkilde,Nobbs, Lehmann, Salmon, Magill, Mullett Subs: Van Domselaar, Sallaway, Maritz, MacPhail, Staniforth, Dali, Leon, Daly Looks like 442, with Nobbs and Blindkilde the two central midfieders, and one of Magill or Salmon playing out wide, very attack minded, four forwards, and two attacking midfielders, although I presume one of Nobbs or Blindkilde will have to play a more reserved role, that both Patten and Corsie start makes me think we must have a central defender lined up, otherwise I'm not sure it would make sense to risk them both in this game, being as they are our only two fit central defenders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 It's on Sunderland's youtube for anyone that wants to watch but doesn't have a VillaTV subscription Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattVillaPortsmouth Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Going to plan so far, 3 up - 1 well worked finish, 1 well taken goal and 1 straight off the training ground. Really want to see Mullett get a goal and play the 90, Laura B really running the show and all 4 wide players doing well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitvilla Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 So far women are head and shoulders better than Sunderland: Faster Stronger More physical More skillful Tactically more astute Better drilled But apart from that not much in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishywashy Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 (edited) Maritz is on the bench, but has already played in the Conti Cup for Arsenal this season. Oops. Edited January 24 by wishywashy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanoiVillan Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Great job all round, 5-0 win then get DQ'd immediately after? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farlz Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Good one Villa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejoker Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Amateur hour it seems… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Arsenal didn't start the season in the Conti Cup because they were in the Champions League, maybe there are different rules because of that. Gregory isn't involved tonight because she's cup tied, so surely if they checked about her they would have checked about Maritz too. Otherwise the points from tonight will probably be awarded to Sunderland, and then will have to see if we qualify as one of the best two runners up. Will be such a shame if it costs us a great win tonight, and a place in the quarter-finals 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WallisFrizz Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Bit embarrassing if we’ve messed up. Surely the player herself should highlight it also. Can only hope we’ve checked and there’s a loophole otherwise a complete f**k up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 As it stands Man Utd and Spurs if they beat Southampton tomorrow, which they probably will do, will qualify as the best two runners up, but if we get tonight's win taken from us and the points awarded to Sunderland, then we would then finsh as one of the two best runners up, essentially knocking Man Utd out of the competition, again if Spurs win tomorrow, so in a bizzare way, it could actually work out well for us Then again Man Utd might say we played Martiz on purpose with the above in mind to eliminate a strong competitor, so will argue for disqualification Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WallisFrizz Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 1 minute ago, useless said: As it stands Man Utd and Spurs if they beat Southampton tomorrow, which they probably will do, will qualify as the best two runners up, but if we get tonight's win taken from us and the points awarded to Sunderland, then we would then finsh as one of the two best runners up, essentially knocking Man Utd out of the competition, again if Spurs win tomorrow, so in a bizzare way, it could actually work out well for us Then again Man Utd might say we played Martiz on purpose with the above in mind to eliminate a strong competitor, so will argue for disqualification Do you think we did it deliberately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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