Popular Post TreeVillan Posted June 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted June 24, 2020 2 hours ago, 7392craig said: Apologies for the long post, I haven’t posted in a match thread for a while now, so I’ve a lot to say lol This has the feeling of a must win game, at the very least must not lose. I disagree with Dean that we played well against Chelsea, we were better defensively for the most part, but we were beaten by our inability to get the ball out of our third for more than a couple of passes. You can’t win football matches whilst sustaining that kind of pressure. Also, as a lot of posters have said since the restart, it’s still evident that we’re heavily over reliant on Jack. Teams cut Jack out, and we have no other creative outlet, every good bit of play seems to come through him at some point. Teams are resorting to openly fouling him when he attempts to attack now as well. These fouls are cynical and are clear attempts at stopping play unfairly, more needs to be done about it, but that’s nothing new to any of us. The wingers are still obsolete. We’re not playing a 4-3-3, the wingers are that far back that it’s a 4-5-1. Davis, to his credit has done a great job at attempting to hold up the balls that we’ve largely hoofed his way, but he’s not the answer. I like Davis but I’m not confident in the remaining games that he’ll finish the limited chances we’ll create. That’s not me being negative, even when we’ve played well we haven’t created too many chances. Maybe try him with a partner, Samatta could do with somebody with him, as he looks like he knows where the net is but gets pushed out when he’s isolated. I have no idea as to what formation or line up changes should be made, but something does need to change. Whatever we do, the striker is isolated and the wingers are creating next to nothing. We’ve missed a specialised RB, Konsa is a decent defender but plays like a CB. We need somebody supporting and if Freddy isn’t ready Elmo needs to play to sort that out. That, and Hause needs out. He’s great in the air but seems unable to read the game and his negatives for me, outweigh the positives. On a positive note, Douglas looks to have come back a different player. I think he’s been great the last two games, he looks like he’s showing some of talent we’ve seen but with the confidence he’s been missing. But with him maybe being the answer to our current DM problem? This new Douglas won’t be up creating any chances which is what is sorely needed, which is another headache. We have arguably 5,6 maybe 7 premier league level players, we shouldn’t be conceding the shots/chances/possession that we have been. I knew anything other than a relegation battle our first season up would be anything other than difficult. It was always going to be tough but we’re just too easy to play against, I like what Dean’s trying to do but it’s not working at the minute. On tonight’s game, I’ll admit to having not watched much of Bruce’s Newcastle so I’m not sure what to expect. I know Joelinton managed to finally get a goal the other day so I imagine he’s going to be up for it. I’m hanging my hopes on Smith’s form over Bruce in the past. That away performance to Brentford in particular sticks in my mind. I want to think positive so I’m going for Smith to make an actual formation/player change that isn’t just a variation of what we’ve been doing already, and a 2-1 win with Mings and Samatta scoring. We have some talented individuals but they need to start playing as a team, some in particular need to start fighting more for the team and their place in it. Here’s to tonight being the night. UTV! Anyone able to add paragraphs so I can read please? 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieFacE Posted June 24, 2020 VT Supporter Share Posted June 24, 2020 (edited) My team for today would be... Reina Konsa - Mings - Hause Freddy - Dougie - Conor - Targett Grealish Samatta - Davis Go for the win, **** it, get more bodies up the pitch, we need to start winning games. Edited June 24, 2020 by PieFacE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubberman Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Does really feel like the last chance saloon. I know everyone else around us is also shite, so mathematically survival will be possible, but 3 points would be so, so sweet at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjw63 Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 1 hour ago, sidcow said: Ten years ago I'd have been pulling my hair out with rage/stress. Now? Don't care too much. I'll listen to radio comms and watch occasional games at my sisters, but I'm not bothered what division. Don't get me wrong, I'd like Villa to stay up. But if they don't it's not the end of the world. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zab6359 Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 If there ever was a must win game this season this is it! Lose and I will concede we are definitely down. St James without 50k smelly geordies roaring them on could be ours for the taking! Please turn things around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc456 Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 I could almost take defeat if at the end of the game I thought we really had a go and went out to win the game, I will be disappointed if it is another showing like Sunday 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OxfordVillan Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 I think that a pair of much ostracised players could prove pivotal in this game, ElGhazi and Douglas Luiz. Technically they are both good, and Douglas Luiz has had good form from the opening two games. As long as we aren’t physically done in and we don’t sit as per the Chelsea game, then this game can be won with the more technical players. Steve Bruce will get out thought, no question. Newcastle have Saint-Maximin as their only real weapon and we should have plans for him, he’s their Adama Traore. I don’t think we’ll come under anything like the sustained pressure (brought on by ourselves) that we saw against Chelsea, I’m sure that ElGhazi will find more time and space to work in, as will Douglas Luiz. With Luiz at the base of midfield I feel he could dictate this game, and he’ll hopefully be able to find the likes of ElGhazi and Davis with more space to operate in, as I’m certain we’ll see Grealish singled out for special treatment by a couple of Newcastle players every time he gets the ball. To be honest, Jack probably needs to be instructed to release the ball earlier when he’s in the attacking half, more one and two touch stuff that draws the players in but the balls gone before they foul him. It would help our other attacking players as well, encouraging them to play more of a part. I think opposition teams have gotten used to Grealish holding the ball, and they have plenty of time to foul him. I just think our play could be a bit more snappy if Grealish pops the ball off one/two touch more often. There’d be pockets of space to exploit behind opposition players with Grealish drawing in a couple of defenders every time he gets the ball, just don’t keep settling for the inevitable foul that breaks up play. Don’t know who’s fresh and the likely starting lineup, but I’ll go 2-1 to Villa. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodders0223 Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 He will swap Trezegeut for McGinn. He will bring in Elmo and drop out Hause He will go 4-4-2 narrow with Nakamba and Jack and will go 2 up top. Going two up top, the last act of a man who has run out of ideas. I suspect he has and if the above happens it confirms it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantis Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Didn't we last beat Newcastle at St James Park 15 years ago, during the infamous Dyer/Bowyer fight game? I might be wrong, but I can't think of any grounds that we've played at at least a few times in the league where we have not won there at least once since then. We've beaten City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United, Spurs, Arsenal etc away much more recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidcow Posted June 24, 2020 VT Supporter Share Posted June 24, 2020 On 22/06/2020 at 20:04, Davkaus said: I remember an interview with Gabby years ago where he said he'd not chase the ball unless it seemed worth it because O'Neill wanted his legs fresh so he could still have a burst of pace towards the end of the game. I expect it's also that valuable advice which helped Gabby maintain his excellent fitness levels in the latter part of his career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTed Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 1 hour ago, rjw63 said: Ten years ago I'd have been pulling my hair out with rage/stress. Now? Don't care too much. I'll listen to radio comms and watch occasional games at my sisters, but I'm not bothered what division. Don't get me wrong, I'd like Villa to stay up. But if they don't it's not the end of the world. Think that sentiment is echoed with a lot of people sadly mate. I’ve resigned myself to the fact we’re going down now to be honest. Take a few scalps if possible but we’re not staying up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTed Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 14 minutes ago, Mantis said: Didn't we last beat Newcastle at St James Park 15 years ago, during the infamous Dyer/Bowyer fight game? I might be wrong, but I can't think of any grounds that we've played at at least a few times in the league where we have not won there at least once since then. We've beaten City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United, Spurs, Arsenal etc away much more recently. That was comical. The same match where Steven Taylor took a bullet wasn’t it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WakefieldVillan Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 13 minutes ago, rodders0223 said: 1. He will swap Trezegeut for McGinn. 2. He will bring in Elmo and drop out Hause 3. He will go 4-4-2 narrow with Nakamba and Jack and will go 2 up top. Going two up top, the last act of a man who has run out of ideas. I suspect he has and if the above happens it confirms it. 1. The only way that happens is if Trezeguet comes in for El Ghazi, we stick to a 4-3-3 and (probably) Nakamba comes in for McGinn. If Trezeguet comes in it won't be a like for like swap with McGinn. But I can't see either way Trez starting or McGinn being dropped (despite looking lethargic since his return). 2. Possibly, but I don't think it would be the worst decision in the world. Hause as done OK, Elmo usually does OK. If we stick as a back 4 then it's hardly nonsensical to put a natural right back in at right back. But hopefully Guilbert is fit as he is quicker than Elmo and IMO be better suited to this game. He would also, (again IMO), be better suited as a wing back in a 3-5-2 - Which would probably mean Hause retains his place anyway. 3. Not sure if you are insinuating he will play Nakamba and Grealish as a central midfield pair but I am very confident that wont happen. No way Luiz will not play given he has probably been our best player overall since the return. I think most fans are wanting us to play two up top so again this wouldn't scream out to me as a manager who has run out of ideas, I think majority would be happy that he's mixed it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alreadyexists Posted June 24, 2020 VT Supporter Share Posted June 24, 2020 22 minutes ago, Mantis said: Didn't we last beat Newcastle at St James Park 15 years ago, during the infamous Dyer/Bowyer fight game? I might be wrong, but I can't think of any grounds that we've played at at least a few times in the league where we have not won there at least once since then. We've beaten City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United, Spurs, Arsenal etc away much more recently. I thought maybe Everton but checked and the last time we beat them at Goodison was 2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Factory Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Deano needs to shuffle the pack to try and get some pace into the side for the counter attack. The problem is that we haven't really got much. Maybe start Guilbert and Samatta who both have a bit of pace. Maybe Elmo on the wing. Experimental. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhan_Zhuang Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 McGinn, everyone thought he'd come back and save us. Remember he started the season well and then got found out. Championship player I'm afraid. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyh29 Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Keeper is a tricky one .. Nyland who can save shots but can't catch v Reina who can catch but can't save shots .. but on the basis that Nyland gives me a heart attack every time the ball goes in the area I'd go with Steer Elmo - Hause - Mings - Targett Nakamba McGinn - Luiz Grealish Samatta - Davis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7392craig Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 5 minutes ago, Zhan_Zhuang said: McGinn, everyone thought he'd come back and save us. Remember he started the season well and then got found out. Championship player I'm afraid. I have to disagree, I think when he’s fit and in form there’s not many teams outside the top 4 he’d struggle to get in. Although he does seem to struggle if he’s not at full fitness. Maybe it’s just due to the way he plays, his game has him doing a lot of running and shielding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhan_Zhuang Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 @7392craig yes mate, I hope you are right of course....apologies I'm being a bit defeatist about this return to football. Of course I hope he can return to his earlier season form, I have my doubts though about his speed and fitness levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedge Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 7 minutes ago, Zhan_Zhuang said: McGinn, everyone thought he'd come back and save us. Remember he started the season well and then got found out. Championship player I'm afraid. Yeah, he's played like a man coming back from a broken ankle that's kept him out for months on end, oh wait, he is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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