It’s with great pleasure that I post an opinion that isn’t mine.
It actually comes from “Hitchens60”, who’s a regular participant on the site.
Remember, if you have an opinion, just drop me a mail and I’m always happy to put it out there;
I read a number of reports and articles on the West Ham game and was surprised to see the level of critical comments from some fans.
‘We were pathetic’ – ‘players showed no fight’ – ‘didn’t chase back’ – ‘static like tailors dummy’s’ ‘would have lost if they hadn’t a man sent off’ – ‘gone backwards and playing Steve Bruce type football (really?-that’s my comment)’ – to quote just a few.
I must have watched a different game although that’s not to say it was a great all round performance! In summary, we were well organised in defence although less impressive going forward.
Not a few fans I spoke to before the game thought we would lose and a draw was generally thought to be an acceptable result so why the sudden dive into negativity? I suspect it arises primarily from the sending off of Masuaka.
There seems to be a view that once a side goes a man short then the other team are guaranteed to win – not in modern football where the use of substitutes and tactics can negate the man advantage particularly with only 20 odd minutes to play. It seems some have quickly forgotten that, had it not been for a travesty of justice, Villa would have earned a 1-1 draw with Palace having played with 10 men for a good part of the second half!
We are only five games into the season with a new and relatively inexperienced team so it seems to me it’s too soon to start over reacting to a single result. Let’s face it we all acknowledged the players would need time to gel and it seemed to me, that this lack of playing time contributed significantly to the loss of shape and control following Masuaka’s dismissal.
However, there are valid questions to be asked about tactics.
Why did we set up 4-3-3 with Jota playing wide on the right? We need to make room in midfield for either Jota (who is a No 10, not a winger), Lansbury or Hourihane thus allowing Grealish to play further up the field rather than continually coming deep and receiving the ball from the centre backs. Given also our acknowledged lack of depth up front, wouldn’t a 4-4-2 system work better with (for example) Trezuget or Davis playing alongside Wesley. It also occurs to me that a 4-4-2 system is, where necessary, more easily adapted to a more defensive system without fundamentally changing the team set up?
Of course I was disappointed that we didn’t manage to secure a win but I didn’t feel the performance warranted the level of subjective criticism levelled at the players by some fans, nor do I think it’s particularly helpful at this stage in the development of the team.
UTV
I agree, Grealish is wasted as an 8 and should be played as a 10, behind Wesley, even if it’s only to get him into the game more.
2 up front is the final option, but I’d save that until playing Grealish much higher up proves to not work.
2 up front (Wesley and Anwar) + Grealish ‘floating’ in the 10. Flexible 3,4,3 formation. I’m gonna keep saying it until someone notices and makes is happen! 🙂
Three at the back with presumably Hause coming in for Taylor and Guilbert making up a four in midfield?
One concern from Monday was the (relative) failure of the full backs to overlap and get good crosses into the box – most of which actually came from McGinn and Grealish who should be making late runs into the box!
My question is, have we got the players to go three at the back without unbalancing the team?
Yes, Hitch. I think the squad is more suited to this, as we’re heavy on defenders. It would get all our best players in. Conor’s left foot is a weapon that should be in the team!
Whatever happens up till January, we must address the problem with Grealish playing more in the final third. What about a 4-2-3-1. Keep the same back 4 with Luiz and Nakamba as DM. In front of them you can have McGinn, Grealish and a pick from Jota, Hourihane and Lansbury. Striker from Wesley, Davis or Kodja. I haven’t mentioned El Ghazi or Trezeguet because they won’t fit in unless current formation is kept.
Facing facts however, Smith is unlikely to change is tried and trusted style so it’s purely for speculation only.
I actually thought a similar system would work. Maybe. 4-1-3-2
Nakamba as defensive mid, Grealish, Louis and mcginn in the 3 and Wesley with either Davis/El Gaz or Kodjia when fit.
I think that’s best we can do now, offers regular Defense and protection with nakamba. It also offers plenty of numbers to attack with and everyone playing in natural positions
Also good ideas! Smith should follow Lampard’s lead and not be afraid of a little flexibility!
According to Deano we’re playing a 4-1-4-1. Shows how much I know!
Maybe so but Jota still shouldn’t be playing out wide.
So Deano’s admitting to sacrificing a forward for a defensive midfielder, basically. No wonder we can’t score for toffee.
It’s interesting that noone has mentioned a 4-1-3-1-1, which is the option I fancy, With Jack just behind the striker, but he can float to make it a 4-1-4-1.
It retains the four at the back and a defensive mid, which is working well for us, yet gives the full backs a chance to get forward.
If the wide play doesn’t work, as it didn’t on Monday, much to my annoyance, you go more down the middle, with a diamond and two up front.
Regardless, I’ve often said it, but Grealish is best played more forward and is wasted when he has to defend, imo.
Just read that, allegedly, we have set aside £20m to buy a ‘new’ (should that read another) striker in January. If true is that an admission that our summer transfer business wasn’t quite right?
Looking at stats – we can equal a club record 10 consecutive away defeats in the top flight (1924 / 25 seasons) with a loss today at Arsenal. We are currently on a run of 17 away games without a win and 13 games against the ‘established’ top six without a win.
Pretty impressive eh?
Bet your house on a Villa win then tomorrow – well maybe not 🙂
*In the PL that is.
At least we can’t be bottom after tomorrow 🙂