Dean Smith has already said that we’re going to play every game to win, with the attitude that if the opposition score three goals, we’ll score four.
I’ve never been able to get the basic aim of football out of my head;
To win a game you simply score more goals than the opposition.
And that is the bottom line.
But of course, we all know it’s not quite that simple and there are various ways of winning a game, whether it’s by a war of attrition or just a blatant outclassing or even trying to frustrate the opposition by parking the bus.
And we all know it’s equally easy to lose a game by having the wrong tactics and going all out to score against very good sides who will punish you if you leave yourselves open.
And it’s this latter part that concerns me.
While many of us are licking our lips at the thought of playing Spurs in their nice shiney ground on the first day of our season, how confident would we be of actually getting any kind of result if we go at them?
Not that I’m downbeat before we even play them.
Spurs play nice, fast paced footy and I’m expecting a cracking game, whatever the result.
But that’s for nearer the game, where incidently, I’ve had the editor of a Spurs website contact me, to see if we’re interested in an article offering a preview of the game from their side.
I’ve taken them up on this and they’ve said we can post an article on their site giving our prior thoughts on the game.
I’m interested in that too, but as it stands, I don’t have a clue what to think about how we’ll do against them.
If anyone feels they could offer an opinion and write an article nearer the game, feel free to let me know.
Anyway, going back to the point, I think Dean Smith is approaching things in the right way.
But what worries me, is that I can see cases where if we go all out, we might well get thrashed on more than a few occasions and us fans will become despondent.
Or do you think we will stick with Smith through thick and thin, as long as we see a plan coming together and the team improving?
I know the answers seem immediately obvious, in that “yes, we play entertaining attacking footy, win, lose or draw”.
But I want you to think a little more deeply and consider how you might think if we’ve lost 5,6 or 7 on the trot, we’re in the middle of winter and the squad has been depleted through injuries because we’ve worked them to death and things are looking bleak.
A worst case scenario, I know, but a serious possibility all the same.
I know. It’s far too pessimistic an approach to even consider before we’ve even started the season.
But I’m a realist and want your views on if we’re approaching things in the right way.
Hence the poll.
Just watched McGinn’s second goal – WOW!
I think that’s what a little healthy
Competition for positions does to a decent player.
I was just watching and thinking the same thing, Hitch! For me, the best bit is how he hounded the opposition to win the ball in a dangerous position. Without that bit, all the other skills are redundant. I believe most half-decent players can go around players like he did, but few will or can do the ‘dirty’ work at the beginning. That’s why he’s, potentially, world class.
P.s. piss off, Fergie!
I take it back about the skills. Maradona levels of balance. Not everyone can do that!
I see the ‘McGinn to Manure’ rumours have started again. Apparently even Sir Alex wants to buy him. £50 million – no chance. Try putting a one in front of it!
Eat your heart out Pogba 🙂
Exactly. He’s worth double Pogba, because he’s not a lazy, temperamental prima dona.
another good pre season warm up game. charlton were are good test. we was their last warm up, so they will not have been taking it easy on us. some of the rugby tackles only proves this.also they were further ahead of us in preparations for the upcoming season, yet we strolled to a comfortable win playing some decent stuff, easy on the eye.
what i like most of the smith team he is building. flair he has added. we don’t need to over rely on jack grealish for answers. yes he is a part of the team.but we have others now, who are just as good if not better, another way to look at this is. we have more problems for oppositions to stop or work out. usually they mark jack and this goes along way to stopping us. smith has added good quality all over the place, this will get more out of jack, as he has good players around him on his wave length
feeling very optimistic but i dont want to get carried away. i see loads predicting top 10. i think that we will be thereabouts. but i will be more conservative i will be happy with 10 -15th. you can rest assured smith will be demanding wins and against every team we face.with no excesses. i think thats the right attitude. this is going to be a season we all wont forget and one long overdue good one
I’ve been impressed with the dealings so far and pre season has gone very well. Yesterday was interesting that all the clubs promoted to the premier league played teams promoted to the championship. When you look at the results maybe we need to put things back in perspective. Do any of us expect Norwich or Sheffield United to do well in the premier league? Probably not many of us. Most would agree that they are likely candidates for relegation and that includes us. We do have more financial clout but that won’t mean much unless we establish ourselves this season. I do have concerns that McGinn could be poached because his performances will surely attract bigger clubs and I think he would suit Man Ure, especially if Pogba goes. £50m plus won’t put them off if they do want him and if we were honest with ourselves he would have his head turned if there is any truth in the rumours. Apologies if this is a negative post but I prefer to set my expectations low and hope to be pleasantly surprised.
I noticed that too Holte. I am hoping the upcoming friendly against RB in Germany will be a stiffer test. I don’t think McGinn is going anywhere right now. Much as I rate him, I think Man U will buy a more high profile signing like Dybala.
No, the bookies have Norwich and Sheffield United at odds-on, around 8/13, to go down. After losing their first Premiership game to us, Bournemouth’s odds dropped to 2/5 – but they survived, so the Canaries aren’t yet in the coal mine.
The teams I think are nearer the exit are Burnley (7/4 like Villa) and Brighton at a tempting 2/1. The reason being they have little of quality left, it is all a year older and the new players look below standard. The only bet I have placed for the drop so far is Newcastle at 5/1 with Corals – it is only 2/1 at Hills.
The huge advantage we have now is the owners are so wealthy money for players does not tempt them. they prefer the asset.
Been to a couple of the friendlies and first must give credit to us all as fans, what immense support we have !!
We met a lot of the team after the Charlton game, everyone really welcoming, especially Mings who was mingling with the fans having a chat and taking photos – what a great bloke, none of the superstar attitudes – lets hope the Premiership doesn’t change this.
I personally think we will do ok this season between 10-15th, which is fantastic, expect some terrific results but also the occasional thumping too….
Man U can think they are going to sign McGinn all they like, in perspective the Glazer family are worth 4.5billion, when one of our owners net worth increased by 1.7billion in less than a year – I think some of the bigger clubs are going to get a shock or two UTV….
BTW what did you make of the new away strip? First time I’ve seen it in action. It looks good and it looks a good fit too. It reminded me of one of the old shirts so I had a look on the internet and it was the away strip of the late 80s I was thiking of, the one that had ‘Mita Copiers’ on the front. I’ve still got an old home version of the shirt in one of my drawers somewhere.
Anyway I really liked it. Still claret and blue unlike some of the crazier away strips that we’ve had in the past.
I miss the yellow away strip of 1991-92. Not had a yellow one for a while. That Brazil vibe always goes down well!
Some quotes from Jota –
“I’ve settled very well, I’m very happy to be here. I feel more comfortable with the style of play. Since the manager called I knew I wanted to come here, because I know the way he likes to play football is the way I like, it is similar. I am very happy to work with him.”
“I’m happy to be on the pitch with him (Jack) because I feel we have the same style of football and we can combine. Really for me it is so pleasurable to play with quality players.”
He looks quite comfortable on the ball too. I think he could be a bargain of McGinn proportions.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/11772663/aston-villas-jota-how-premier-league-suits-my-style
Pat – is this the article you took the Jota quotes from. I think this is a good and interesting article and worth a ‘Villan’s’ read.
Preview of the upcoming season for the Villa here in the Guardian –
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/29/premier-league-201920-preview-no-2-aston-villa
They tip us to get 15th spot which would do me.
Read the article earlier but more than a little disappointed as it just seemed to rehash all that has already been said.
It’s unlikely that the media are going to stick their necks out on where any of the promoted teams are going to finish other than in the bottom four or five so, once again, fairly predictable except a sort of throw away comment that 15th is ‘the average of the Guardian writers tips and isn’t necessarily (the article writers) view’. Make of that what you will.
In other marvellous news, Sky reporting that marvellous Marvelous is on his way for a medical – apparently he’s been found safe and well! 🙂
Oh dear. I hope he gets lost on Spaghetti Junction. I haven’t got a good feeling about this one. Can see him spitting his dummy if he’s playing second fiddle to Luiz…want to see a proven PL keeper come in, not the unproven and slightly injured Italian who’s being mentioned at the moment…
Thing is BFR – what can one actually believe. As Bill says I’ll believe it when I see them in a Villa shirt on the OS.
Having said that, I’m with you on the GK. Much has been made of the lack of Prem football experience in the side so a GK with Prem League experience is a must – whether Butland, Heaton or Etheridge.
We will finish top 10, minimum! I expect that the target set internally is 7th. With the quality we have in the squad and the style of play, which is suited to PL football, there is no reason to aim so low. If Heaton or Etheridge were to come in, along with a quality striker, top 10 should be nailed on.
Aim high, hit high! Aim low, hit low! If you tell the squad that they’re aiming for 15th, subconsciously, that says “it’s ok if you lose loads of points, as long as you finish 15th.” No! The message must be “we play to win every game and it’s not OK to drop points.” That’s the mentality that needs to be bred and nurtured if we are to move forward in the next few years! This is a completely fresh start. Start as you mean to go on!
Just been reading an interesting article on the respected blog MOMS. If Marvelous does sign, we will have signed the outfield spine of the Bruges side that won the Belgian League two seasons ago and played in the Champions League last season. Engles, Nakamba and Wesley.
Is this another bit of canny business by Villa?
It’s clear that the club want genuine competition in each position. The players will push each other, and will know that any drop in standard will see them replaced in the team. GK and hopefully another striker and business is complete. Our owners are clearly ambitious, so all is looking good. Now we need the team to gel as soon as possible. Your comment regarding the Bruges spine is interesting as that may help in that regard.