Team shape, tactics and personnel

[Zero7]

1 hour ago, A'Villan said:

I'd agree with it. I think it was a huge pitfall of Smiths to stray from the identity within our approach he had cultivated in the championship and into our return to the PL. 

And the downfall of Paul Lambert too

[VillaChris]

2 hours ago, hippo said:

Where you getting that from ? 

He's not far off. Before last night we'd won 5 of our 10 prem games with similar approach. Could exclude Liverpool game aswell as that was one time we deviated and just played for a 0-0 from kick off.

We're doing o.k. Hopefully we'll finish in top half and in circumstances that's a pretty decent season for me given last summer and then poor run that lead to DS going.

This part of season already a success because we've got Coutinho playing for us. Hopefully that will stay that way as he's the sort that can lead us to top 6 in the future which is long term goal.

People just being unrealistic demanding 7th when we win a game, very rare a team does that when they lose 5 in a row during the season.

We've obtained 17 points from 11 games in prem under Gerrard so far so pretty much same as last season which was deemed a success on the whole. Get 51 points and we should be top 10 this season.

Edited February 10, 2022 by VillaChris

[JAMAICAN-VILLAN]

2 hours ago, Zero7 said:

And the downfall of Paul Lambert too

I was thinking about these things.

It's also made me wonder if Ings was a Smith signing, or a BOARD signing, which he then had to accommodate?

Would put a slight slant on things and possibly a bit unfair if so.

[hippo]

31 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

I was thinking about these things.

It's also made me wonder if Ings was a Smith signing, or a BOARD signing, which he then had to accommodate?

Would put a slight slant on things and possibly a bit unfair if so.

Distinct possibility it was at the very least a board led signing imo.

[nick76]

54 minutes ago, allani said:

Coutinho.  The single most exciting transfer in the last 30 years.  It happened because of one man.  JJ has developed into one of the most exciting English midfield players in about the same period too.  Buendia has also really stepped it up since Gerrard took over.  Unfortunately we're still a couple of key players short of being an excellent team.  But this is the closest we have been for a long, long time.

Biggest moment in the summer for NSWE, Purslow and Gerrard.  A number of times in my life a pivotal moment at Villa happens, whether we take the next step or fall away…I hope this time we take the next step

[Loxstock92]

For anyone interested.

 

 

[PieFacE]

I don't know how I feel about the CMs pushing out wide to assist in the press. It leaves us very open in the middle. It didn't seem so bad when Nakamba was playing so maybe his positioning was better than Luiz's.  When our press works it looks great, but it was all too easy for Leeds to cut through us and beat the press yesterday. 

[nick76]

2 minutes ago, hippo said:

No home win since Dec 5 !

The Coutinho signing is a stroke of genius - especially for the nominal outlay so far.

Buendia has improved massively as has JJ.

Unfortunately a whole load of players have nose dived form wise. If this continues for the remainder of the season - my fear is that Stevie G will embark on a major rebuild. I don't believe that's necessary or in our best interests.

The head coach should be improving players - if whole swathes of previously decent players suddenly start playing like donkeys that's a worry for me.

 

I honestly don’t get why so many of our players under two managers have been so poor all season.  Gerrard hasn’t had long at the club I give him that but most of these players are underperforming all season and i don’t get it.

[MWARLEY2]

I think our defence miss Terrys input. They look as ragged as they did in the first season back. 

[hippo]

9 minutes ago, nick76 said:

I honestly don’t get why so many of our players under two managers have been so poor all season.  Gerrard hasn’t had long at the club I give him that but most of these players are underperforming all season and i don’t get it.

Well look at Stevie Gs first few games (which were good).  We didn't have Ming's charging up the pitch - our full backs first and foremost defended - back to basics.

For some reason since then both FBS play very high up the pitch - and teams are just cruising through us.

There also seems a lack of discipline in the team. 

[MaVilla]

6 minutes ago, MWARLEY2 said:

I think our defence miss Terrys input. They look as ragged as they did in the first season back. 

so you are basically saying our defence is c***.

Which i agree with.

We cant use "we dont have Terry" as the excuse for not having a good defence, all the other clubs seem to get by without him (for better or worse).

The fact is, our CD's are probably overrated, and we dont have a proper DM, thats gonna cause defensive issues.

[Adman]

6 minutes ago, hippo said:

Well look at Stevie Gs first few games (which were good).  We didn't have Ming's charging up the pitch - our full backs first and foremost defended - back to basics.

For some reason since then both FBS play very high up the pitch - and teams are just cruising through us.

There also seems a lack of discipline in the team. 

Agree, we now have real quality in attacking areas, do we need full backs bombing forward leaving our arse out of our trousers? 

[barry'sboots]

2 minutes ago, hippo said:

Exactly. If Stevie G can get in a better player than Ming's - do it.

But I reckon it's change for changes sake.

I don't really think ball playing CBs exist any more (to any great extent) - but if Stevie G can source one ....great.

 

We are looking at fine margins here, I accept that, to move us from a decent team competing for 7th to 13th to one challenging for, say, 4th to 8th. 

I think we have a pretty strong first XI - probably that which started on Wednesday, with some exciting attacking options in reserve.

But if we are going to take the next step, which I am led to believe our owners want to and pdq, then we need to be fairly ruthless and look to upgrade in certain areas.  In order of upgrades, I would say:

1. DCM - we need a player that can do this role and relegate Marv to back up and Dougie to competing for an "8" shirt. Bissouma appears to be the favoured option.
2. Cover at LB - Hickey is the name discussed.
3. A commanding CB - as per discussion above.
4. An upgrade on Bertie - someone more consistent to compete with Emi, Coutinho and Bailey for the two "10"s.
5. Change Ings - whilst he is a good finisher he is more suited to a front two and I want someone who is more mobile and presses better.

Alongside securing Coutinho.

Maybe JPB and Cam and KD, if they continue their impressive loan form, can address 4 & 5?

 

[Chine]

So a few people have said we need new CBs to push onto top 6 , so would you swap Konsa and Mings for the current top 6/8 teams pairings ??

[TRO]

7 hours ago, romavillan said:

Yeah Luiz played his best stuff for us when Gerrard introduced his shape and Nakamba was shoring things up. Nakamba long term injury and it just doesn't look to really be in McGinn's or Luiz's nature to do it, at least with the kind of numbers Leeds were committing forward which is a definite factor. So time for one of the u23s? Iroegbunam?

I might be wrong here....but I always think experience is a critical attribute for CDM...It requires vision, composure and reading of the game, not to mention power, passing ability and a willingness to resist challenges.

Its a kinda midfield general, who can orchestrate the tempo of the game, and dictate.......that usually requires experience.

A Gareth Barry type.

[barry'sboots]

25 minutes ago, TRO said:

I might be wrong here....but I always think experience is a critical attribute for CDM...It requires vision, composure and reading of the game, not to mention power, passing ability and a willingness to resist challenges.

Its a kinda midfield general, who can orchestrate the tempo of the game, and dictate.......that usually requires experience.

A Gareth Barry type.

I seem to remember Leeds playing an academy kid in at "6" (or "4" depending what era you come from) against us at VP last season and he did okay in a 3-0 win??

Always better to have experience I guess but rather have someone who knows how to play the position than an experienced player that doesn't??

Having said that, I think Dougie is fine for most games but Leeds is one where you do need a shield.

Edited February 11, 2022 by barry'sboots

[TRO]

20 minutes ago, barry'sboots said:

I seem to remember Leeds playing an academy kid in at "6" (or "4" depending what era you come from) against us at VP last season and he did okay in a 3-0 win??

Always better to have experience I guess but rather have someone who knows how to play the position than an experienced player that doesn't??

Having said that, I think Dougie is fine for most games but Leeds is one where you do need a shield.

I didn't insinuate it was one or the other.....I was suggesting you need both....that sounds like ANY experienced player.....Defensive midfield should be a well respected position that requires a specialist skill set.

Leeds is a team that will expose any defensive weakness, with their "Murder ball" game....we should know by now.

However.....They have won  5 games out of 22 and lost 9 to date......clearly other teams are better equipped at playing them.

I hope we can identify our shortfalls in playing the likes of Leeds and fix it in the summer.

Edited February 11, 2022 by TRO

[barry'sboots]

9 minutes ago, TRO said:

I didn't insinuate it was one or the other.....I was suggesting you need both....that sounds like ANY experienced player.....Defensive midfield should be a well respected position that requires a specialist skill set.

Leeds is a team that will expose any defensive weakness, with their "Murder ball" game....we should know by now.

However.....They have won  5 games out of 22 and lost 9 to date......clearly other teams are better equipped at playing them.

I hope we can identify our shortfalls in playing the likes of Leeds and fix it in the summer.

I think we did last season.

We went with a similar team (4-3-3 with same midfield) and lost 3-0 at home. We played Marv away, closed them down and won 1-0. I think you have to adapt to play Leeds but adapt in the right way and, as long as you are a better team (which we are) you will beat them 9 times out of ten?

[TRO]

5 minutes ago, barry'sboots said:

I think we did last season.

We went with a similar team (4-3-3 with same midfield) and lost 3-0 at home. We played Marv away, closed them down and won 1-0. I think you have to adapt to play Leeds but adapt in the right way and, as long as you are a better team (which we are) you will beat them 9 times out of ten?

The last 3 homes games have been  2-3.....0-3 and now 3-3.

so I guess we have improved.

but the point is 1) we are still conceding 3 goals to them

                           2) The concede goals are avoidable.

You cannot expect to our gun opponents in this league, in every game....you have to be able to defend a lead.

If most of our players, had of shown the desire, workrate and will of Dan James, we would have won that....Instead, we had to rely on Coutinho and Ramsey to show moments of world class talent to compensate.

[Sulberto21]

2 minutes ago, TRO said:

The last 3 homes games have been  2-3.....0-3 and now 3-3.

so I guess we have improved.

but the point is 1) we are still conceding 3 goals to them

                           2) The concede goals are avoidable.

You cannot expect to our gun opponents in this league, in every game....you have to be able to defend a lead.

If most of our players, had of shown the desire, workrate and will of Dan James, we would have won that....Instead, we had to rely on Coutinho and Ramsey to show moments of world class talent to compensate.

Hopefully Purslow and Lange can get a couple of rooftop snipers in to wipe the bastards out. Like to see that Dan James out jump our defence then.