Steven Gerrard

[IrishVilla10]

22 minutes ago, Tom13 said:

I'm not sure Scotland's playing style is one we'd want to be copying. I'm biased towards players with high levels of technical skill though as that's the style I enjoy watching the most. Love McGinn just not convinced by him at this level, but I don't think we'll ever agree on that

Me either. I suppose we’ll see soon enough anyway

[AvfcRigo82]

49 minutes ago, romavillan said:

What the **** are you smoking? Can I have some? This current group hasn't looked likely of hitting that form any time soon. If Gerrard gets them immediately to get 14/15 points out of that run him and his team are going to be incredible. Can't see it myself, our best eleven haven't been able to play together for two games on the trot yet this season, so if manages to get them to all gel together in a week Gerrard's a genius.

Great response.

Irrelevance of what I'm smoking, It didn't look likely under Smith, Correct!

It's fascinating what a new manager bounce can do for a team though.

New coaching team, new ideas etc.

Time will tell.

48 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said:

I worry for Gerrard a bit on this basis - more than fifteen points is essentially losing to Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City (possibly the three best club sides in the world today) and then winning at least five of the other six games and not losing any of them. If he does that he's an absolute genius.

I think if people are expecting us to get fifteen points from the those games, then Gerrard might find himself under unnecessary pressure by Christmas.

I don't think that by us not getting approx 14/18pts it would put any pressure on Gerrard, it would just highlight the work that still needs to be done.

Maybe the word 'Expect' was the wrong choice of word.

I wouldn't be suprised to see us get that tally of points if we hit the ground running from the off, however, as stated, I don't think it's unrealistic either. There are some winnable games there.

47 minutes ago, KentVillan said:

I think as @romavillansays, this is very optimistic. Doable, but as a minimum expectation? That would need some serious issues resolving in record quick time.

I don't think there are deep issues as some may suspect.

The old coach and his team have now gone and replaced with a new coach and his team.

I wouldn't be suprised to see us 'turn a corner' now and start climbing back up the table.

35 minutes ago, IrishVilla10 said:

I think that’s very unrealistic. 18 points from those games you would have to beat, Brighton, palace, Leicester, Burnley, Norwich and Leeds. Of course you can get a result against anyone but we’re miles off Liverpool city and Chelsea. With the form we’ve been in and the terrible performances to expect that so soon is setting yourself up for disappointment 

I disagree.

I don't think we will get anything from the games against Man City, Liverpool or Chelsea, but never say never.

If we don't achieve the 14/18 pts that I have mentioned then it won't be the end of the world and nor will I be dissapointed.

 

Just to put some minds at ease, I think it's possible that the below lot of fixtures could potentially see a realistic points return of 14/18pts.

Before the poor run of form under Smith many fans/posters would have fancied us to get something from these games.

1 hour ago, OutByEaster? said:

Our fixtures before Christmas are:

• Brighton (h)    Winnable
• Crystal Palace (a) Winnable
• Man City (h)    Loss
• Leicester (h)  Draw
• Liverpool (a)  Loss
• Norwich (a)   Win
• Burnley (h)    Win
• Chelsea (h)   Loss
• Leeds (a)       Win

Hope that gives a better idea of my crazy thinking.

As for some of the critical responses...

What do you all think/suggest/expect is a realstic return from these run of games...??  I'm interested to know.

 

 

Edited November 12, 2021 by AvfcRigo82

[allani]

1 minute ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

I don't think we will get anything from the games against Man City, Liverpool or Chelsea, but never say never.

I have a feeling that SG will have us right up for those matches and that we will beat one of them.  I think we'll give the others a surprise and I am expecting at least one VAR decision to cost us (not really that big a prediction that one!!!).  Can you imagine the reaction in the dressing room if we beat Liverpool???  I mean it would blow the roof off the place.

[dont_do_it_doug.]

10-12 points would be outstanding from the first 9 considering the shambles they're walking into. 

[nick76]

10 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said:

I'm not saying that they didn't have the feelers out, I'm sure the club have the feelers out all the time and I'm sure they'd have had a quiet chat with Gerrard on a couple of occasions - but I think if we'd beaten Southampton, Smith would still be here. 

I don't think they found Gerrard was interested so they moved Smith on - I think they keep an eye on people in case they find themselves in a situation where they need someone - that's a subtle but important difference.

 

I wouldnt rule this out quite so easily, there may have been more factors obviously but I wouldnt rule this out.  That's not me being harsh on Smith just a reality that sometimes in business things happen quickly, people change minds or make decisions and then things happen quickly.  Of course this may not have been the case but I've seen similar things in my professional life from business deals to people changes that it's not always the obvious like a defeat that can be the catalyst for change, sometimes it opportunity.

[AvfcRigo82]

1 minute ago, allani said:

I have a feeling that SG will have us right up for those matches and that we will beat one of them. 

Can you imagine the reaction in the dressing room if we beat Liverpool???  I mean it would blow the roof off the place.

Absolutely.

He's not came here to just steady the ship and avoid relegation, which is what I think is the mindset of a few posters - outside of those that want him to fail.

Stevie G will suprise quite a few people with how well he gets us playing, imo.

[OutByEaster?]

2 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

What do you all think/suggest/expect is a realstic return from these run of games...??  I'm interested to know.

As said before, for me it's eight to ten points.

I'm interested - if it were to be eight to ten points, what would your mood be?

That's for me the thing - mood - to an extent, the immediate success of Steven Gerrard isn't entirely based on his results, it's based on his results against our individual expectations on them - expectation at the football club is a peculiar thing right now, I'm not sure anyone quite knows what we should be aiming at, or how good or bad a team we are - so to an extent, it's the fanbases decision on our expectation that will decide whether the initial part of the Gerrard era is a success.

With him replacing a manager that had a bond with the fanbase, he could do with a good start to win over the doubters - but balancing and understanding what that "good" is, is really difficult right now - I think that has the potential to create an issue for him.

For me, if we were to get nine points out of that run, I'm not going to push to criticise the manager for that set of results - but I have a feeling that nine points from those nine games in the cold winter evenings in December when we're losing at home to Chelsea at Christmas could lead to a slightly undeserved pressure on a manager that won't have a chance to fix things until the window opens.

 

[KentVillan]

2 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

I don't think there are deep issues as some may suspect.

I don't think a new coach is going to sort out the following before January:

• Left back
• Lack of cover at RB, GK, DM, and arguably CB
• The DM situation (although I rate Douglas Luiz, and think he's coming back at an opportune time for Gerrard)

The other stuff - Watkins's form, Bailey's form, how we use Buendia, how we integrate the youth, minor injuries, lack of fight/fitness/compactness from the front 6, etc etc, I agree Gerrard can start to turn around immediately.

But I'm 99% sure opposition teams will carry on trying to overload Targett, and I think he has a fitness issue (that has become a confidence issue) that won't resolve overnight.

[OutByEaster?]

2 minutes ago, nick76 said:

I wouldnt rule this out quite so easily, there may have been more factors obviously but I wouldnt rule this out.  That's not me being harsh on Smith just a reality that sometimes in business things happen quickly, people change minds or make decisions and then things happen quickly.  Of course this may not have been the case but I've seen similar things in my professional life from business deals to people changes that it's not always the obvious like a defeat that can be the catalyst for change, sometimes it opportunity.

I'd be surprised if they weren't constantly in touch with the agents of five or six managers at any given time, just keeping a watchful eye in case opportunity arises - but I also think the focus is on supporting the one you've got. I don't think this was a 'planned improvement' I think it was the enforced necessity to put an existing contingency into place.

Could be wrong on that though!

 

[allani]

1 minute ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

10-12 points would be outstanding from the first 9 considering the shambles they're walking into. 

I think 10 would be good.  12 would be a really impressive start.  More than 12 and I think a top 10 finish becomes possible especially if SG is given some money to spend in January.  For all our faults I really do think we are only one excellent signing and a good signing away from being a pretty good team.  If we can get the midfield to control the ball and the opposition it will (a) take a load of pressure off our defenders and (b) allow us to start playing to Emi B and Bailey's strengths which should mean that Ings/Ollie start receiving the ball in the right place and with a bit more space themselves.  Tough to recruit in January but if we can get some good results in December then maybe the SG name (plus a decent wedge of cash from our owners) will help us to convince a quality player to sign.  Not sure that there will be too many clubs out spending money so we might be able to swing something.

[AvfcRigo82]

1 minute ago, OutByEaster? said:

As said before, for me it's eight to ten points.

I'm interested - if it were to be eight to ten points, what would your mood be?

I think if we only seen that return then it's not the end of the world nor would it be a concern OBE.

I think in terms of the manner in how we played in those games would also say alot.

Giving the games a right good go would be a good thing. If we put in a solid display but just narrowly missing out on getting anything from some of those games, it would still show signs of improvement imo.

[dont_do_it_doug.]

1 minute ago, allani said:

I think 10 would be good.  12 would be a really impressive start.  More than 12 and I think a top 10 finish becomes possible especially if SG is given some money to spend in January.  For all our faults I really do think we are only one excellent signing and a good signing away from being a pretty good team.  If we can get the midfield to control the ball and the opposition it will (a) take a load of pressure off our defenders and (b) allow us to start playing to Emi B and Bailey's strengths which should mean that Ings/Ollie start receiving the ball in the right place and with a bit more space themselves.  Tough to recruit in January but if we can get some good results in December then maybe the SG name (plus a decent wedge of cash from our owners) will help us to convince a quality player to sign.  Not sure that there will be too many clubs out spending money so we might be able to swing something.

I agree with most of this. The problem is those first two fixtures are going to come along fast and after that it becomes very difficult for a while. If you asked Gerrard, I bet they'd rather flip them. 

Under normal circumstances we'd want 15 points from those fixtures, and that should be the average They're targeting once his team are settled in. 

[allani]

6 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said:

As said before, for me it's eight to ten points.

I'm interested - if it were to be eight to ten points, what would your mood be?

That's for me the thing - mood - to an extent, the immediate success of Steven Gerrard isn't entirely based on his results, it's based on his results against our individual expectations on them - expectation at the football club is a peculiar thing right now, I'm not sure anyone quite knows what we should be aiming at, or how good or bad a team we are - so to an extent, it's the fanbases decision on our expectation that will decide whether the initial part of the Gerrard era is a success.

With him replacing a manager that had a bond with the fanbase, he could do with a good start to win over the doubters - but balancing and understanding what that "good" is, is really difficult right now - I think that has the potential to create an issue for him.

For me, if we were to get nine points out of that run, I'm not going to push to criticise the manager for that set of results - but I have a feeling that nine points from those nine games in the cold winter evenings in December when we're losing at home to Chelsea at Christmas could lead to a slightly undeserved pressure on a manager that won't have a chance to fix things until the window opens.

 

I think performance is the key thing.  I mean if you look at the matches we have lost in 2021 - there aren't that many where we have been unlucky or given it a really good go.  I think if we are really in matches and competing then 8 points might not be too bad.  If we look as lacklustre as we have in a couple of recent matches then that is different. 

[AvfcRigo82]

9 minutes ago, KentVillan said:

I don't think a new coach is going to sort out the following before January:

• Left back
• Lack of cover at RB, GK, DM, and arguably CB
• The DM situation (although I rate Douglas Luiz, and think he's coming back at an opportune time for Gerrard)

The other stuff - Watkins's form, Bailey's form, how we use Buendia, how we integrate the youth, minor injuries, lack of fight/fitness/compactness from the front 6, etc etc, I agree Gerrard can start to turn around immediately.

I agree. It's probably impossible to sort out those first 3 points that you raise.

I also agree that 'The other stuff' that you mention can be sorted and I think within a few games we will start to see improvements from those players in those areas.

[Vive_La_Villa]

31 minutes ago, Johnnyp said:

Interesting. Didn’t think he thought as deep, just a faulty perception you’d have of people.

I think a lot of people have this faulty perception. He will change a lot of opinions of him. I’m sure of it.

[TheEgo]

On 11/11/2021 at 15:53, Eastie said:

Glasgow reporter saying a clean sweep of staff comiNg with mcallister and Beale plus Rangers' Technical Coach, Tom Culshaw and Head of Performance, Jordan Milsom will also make up Gerrard's backroom at Villa.

culshaw also set piece specialist 

This info by me in the next manager thread went under the radar!! unread ITK haha!!

[Made In Aston]

18 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

10-12 points would be outstanding from the first 9 considering the shambles they're walking into. 

I agree 12 pts would be a respectable return, but I don't think the team is a shambles. It's the same defence which conceded the third fewest goals last year and  kept 15 clean sheets. With a bit of organisation and a formation which brings the best out of our key players we will be back to last season's levels in no time. 

Edited November 12, 2021 by Made In Aston

[dont_do_it_doug.]

Just now, Made In Aston said:

I agree 12 pts works be a respectable return, but I don't think the team is a shambles. It's the same defence which conceded the third fewest goals last year and 15 clean sheets. With a bit of organisation and a formation which brings the best out of our key players e will be back to last season's levels in no time. 

Oh, I am not knocking their ability as footballers. But the last few weeks have been so bad, it's hard to see how there will be a quick turnaround. Maybe it's a lot simpler than I believe. 

[Davkaus]

Quote

culshaw also set piece specialist 

Not another one

[OutByEaster?]

I guess much of this comes down to how people consider the squad that Gerrard inherits.

For me, it has strengths and flaws, the strengths give us an opportunity against anyone on any given day, the flaws mean we're not capable of a top half finish at the moment. 

In my opinion, a completed squad that can compete for Europe, one that can get 15 points from those nine games, needs two or three central midfielders, a back up keeper, a back up left back and a back up right back - and those back ups need to be able to come into the side and be able to perform. That's six players to add to what we have - as we look to improve we'll also need to replace some that are already here - there's a lot of work to be done in it.

This squad doesn't get fifteen points out of those games no matter who manages it - I hope that people don't have an expectation on Gerrard that he can make a complete side with the pieces he's got to play with - that's the danger for him.