hanxamillion Posted August 4, 2013 Share Posted August 4, 2013 My feelings of optimism are gathering momentum each time I see further progress from our pre- season warm up matches. Would it be a bit premature to start comparing our present front three with some illustrious names from the past. Given that last season our front three Netted 47 in total Agbonlahor (12) Benteke (23) Weimann (12) if we can build on that and get some from around the rest of the team we could well be going places this year. We seem to be a little under the radar for the media too given our struggles and heavy defeats from last year. I bet Dicanio will remember his visit to Villa Park. How does the potential of these compare to some from yesteryear ? Going back to the late 70's Deehan, Little and Gray or early 80's Withe , Morley and Shaw ? We have some back up too with Helenius, Bowrey, Carruthers and Greilish Bring it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feidhlim Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Our backup worries me None of the players mentioned are ready for the premier league (you missed Tonev and N'Zogbia, the latter I don't rate) Perhaps for the last 10 or 15 mins they would be OK, but certainly not for 90 mins every week. So if either CB, GA or AW get injured, I suspect we may struggle a little Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulver Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 the only thing that worries me is the fear Lambert will try more of a front 4 and leave the midfield woefully exposed like he did last season (before he learnt his lesson) you can't, well we can't with our defence afford to play just two midfielders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abdulaziz1 Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 the only thing that worries me is the fear Lambert will try more of a front 4 and leave the midfield woefully exposed like he did last season (before he learnt his lesson) you can't, well we can't with our defence afford to play just two midfielders. Yeah .. This ! + I'm afraid he'd play Gabby or Tonev in the middle .. which I think they must play wide .. While Andi could do in the middle or Helenius if needed .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevangrealish Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I'm so confused. With the budget we have nowadays this a class strikeforce we have. Wheres all the positivity gone from VT ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 the only thing that worries me is the fear Lambert will try more of a front 4 and leave the midfield woefully exposed like he did last season (before he learnt his lesson) you can't, well we can't with our defence afford to play just two midfielders. In which case your gripe will be with the manager rather than the personnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biskitt Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 the only thing that worries me is the fear Lambert will try more of a front 4 and leave the midfield woefully exposed like he did last season (before he learnt his lesson) you can't, well we can't with our defence afford to play just two midfielders. Quite refreshing to have a manager who our main worry is that he's too attacking, compared to "he who shall not be named" lining us up with 2 right backs isn't it ? For me, 4-3-3 is the best formation in the majority of the games with the players we have and especially against the better teams in the league where we cant afford to have just 2 midfielders ( as Utd away showed ). 4-2-3-1 to be brought out when we are chasing a game or against the weaker teams perhaps ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyPowers Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Yeah I love the three up front, even if we play utter shit they will still create enough chances to win most games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanxamillion Posted August 5, 2013 Author Share Posted August 5, 2013 Our backup worries me None of the players mentioned are ready for the premier league (you missed Tonev and N'Zogbia, the latter I don't rate) Perhaps for the last 10 or 15 mins they would be OK, but certainly not for 90 mins every week. So if either CB, GA or AW get injured, I suspect we may struggle a little I realize that the top of the league is a more difficult situation than it was 30 odd years ago but then our back up was David Geddis alone up top. Tonev is an attacking midfielder although he might be called on for forward duties if injuries force it to happen. Nzogbia is not in the plans at present so omitted him from the scenario. Anyhow we have plenty of attacking midfielders that could support a forward two if required. Since Delph and Sylla established there places either side of Westwood the goals against improved considerably. With forward minded wide defenders who can support the midfield and attack we have a great shape and fluidity. AW and Gabby have the energy to track back when needed and give us some width when the midfield pushes forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBM Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 i wouldnt see a problem with playing gabby centrally with tonev and andi either side were fortunate to have good selections for both central and wide attacking play now, youthful and energetic, no more dead donkeys benteke, helenius, bowery and even gabby for centre andi, tonev, albrighton, nzogbia, drennan and gabby again for wide places Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted August 5, 2013 Moderator Share Posted August 5, 2013 These three are a threat to anyone, Benteke is massively strong, quick and can score all sorts of goals - you want to put two men on him. Gabby is strong, quick and direct - he's a handful for a right back and you want to get some help over to cover him - Weimann is everywhere at once, he's quick enough and he never gives you a break. Between them, they must make life very difficult for a defence, no one will be looking forward to facing these three this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanxamillion Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 I can really see some great goal - fests coming this season, with a stronger defense and better options in midfield hopefully we will shore up the goals against column. The forward threat this year compares well with the classes of '77 and '80. I love the lack of media attention too which will i'm sure adds more gravity to some of the back page headlines the'll begrudgingly have to produce. I think the spurs match would be my preferred choice for a landslide result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risso Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 The last time we had three players up front as good as those was when we had Yorke, Milosevic and Collymore. Unfortunately, Little wasn't that good at making the three of them work together, and combined with Collymore's problems, it was an absolute disaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciggiesnbeer Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 the only thing that worries me is the fear Lambert will try more of a front 4 and leave the midfield woefully exposed like he did last season (before he learnt his lesson) you can't, well we can't with our defence afford to play just two midfielders. It would not surprise me at all if lambert played 4-2-4 for a few games next season. Madness. Beautiful, glorious madness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_John_10 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Not many better attacking line ups in the league IMO. If all 3 stay injury free we should score a good amount of goals. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 yeah outside the top 6 teams I dont think their is a better attack in the league and when they gelled at end of season they showed their class and quality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feidhlim Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Our backup worries me None of the players mentioned are ready for the premier league (you missed Tonev and N'Zogbia, the latter I don't rate) Perhaps for the last 10 or 15 mins they would be OK, but certainly not for 90 mins every week. So if either CB, GA or AW get injured, I suspect we may struggle a little I realize that the top of the league is a more difficult situation than it was 30 odd years ago but then our back up was David Geddis alone up top. Tonev is an attacking midfielder although he might be called on for forward duties if injuries force it to happen. Nzogbia is not in the plans at present so omitted him from the scenario. Anyhow we have plenty of attacking midfielders that could support a forward two if required. Since Delph and Sylla established there places either side of Westwood the goals against improved considerably. With forward minded wide defenders who can support the midfield and attack we have a great shape and fluidity. AW and Gabby have the energy to track back when needed and give us some width when the midfield pushes forward. I'm not sure if you're agreeing or disagreeing! To summarise - I don't think our backup players are good enough (yet). If one of the three lads get injured, I know we have players who can come in, I just don't think they are up to the standards required. I'm sure lots of people will disagree and I hope I'm wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulver Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 the only thing that worries me is the fear Lambert will try more of a front 4 and leave the midfield woefully exposed like he did last season (before he learnt his lesson) you can't, well we can't with our defence afford to play just two midfielders. It would not surprise me at all if lambert played 4-2-4 for a few games next season. Madness. Beautiful, glorious madness. Until you take a battering ala Chelsea, Spuds, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 yeah outside the top 6 teams I dont think their is a better attack in the league and when they gelled at end of season they showed their class and quality Absolutely. I'd question whether we don't nip into that top 6 ahead of a Suarez-less Liverpool, a Rooney-less United and especially a Bale-less Tottenham or indeed the current Arsenal set up. We are very, very good up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 the only thing that worries me is the fear Lambert will try more of a front 4 and leave the midfield woefully exposed like he did last season (before he learnt his lesson) you can't, well we can't with our defence afford to play just two midfielders. It would not surprise me at all if lambert played 4-2-4 for a few games next season. Madness. Beautiful, glorious madness. Until you take a battering ala Chelsea, Spuds, In neither of those games did we play 4 up front. 3 at the back wasn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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