Dean Smith commented that he wasn’t concerned over our failure to convert 27 shots into a single goal on Thursday night and said ‘My concern is when you’re not getting chances’
I beg to differ – for a one off game OK – but the failure to hit a barn door over a number of games now has resulted in the loss of at least five if not more points.
The telling stat is that only 25% of our shots were on target whereas 67% of Burnley’s required a save from Martinez – in real numbers 7 to 4 on target. West Ham beat us because they converted the only two chances they had in the whole game!
A number of those misses came from so called big chances. El Ghazi (8 shots) seems to have inherited Trezeguet’s wild shooting of late, although he was unlucky with the free kick, brilliantly saved by Pope and Hause hit the post when perhaps he should have scored.
It’s the ability to clinically finish that matters not the number of pot shots taken, so did Smith miss a trick when he brought on Davis for Traore?
As has been pointed out, many of our big chances came down our left side where El Ghazi and Grealish linked well yet Smith chose to play Davis wide right. Watkins has played left side for Brentford on many occasions so why not take off El Ghazi move Watkins to the left and play Davis down the middle – and do it earlier?
Positives were the overall performance missing three players that would normally start in defensive positions. Elmo rarely lets us down and Hause was commanding in the air.
So onto the Baggies tomorrow night and the reappearance of ‘Big Sam’ – desperation or a smart move? He’s never yet relegated a team from the top division but this might just be his biggest challenge. Albion will be missing Periera who is suspended and they have a number of injuries, particularly up front but come away from a draw at Citeh and have an 8 game unbeaten home run against the Villa.
Cash and Luis will be back strengthening the side and there’s a chance that Barkley will be fit as well. Hopefully, Konsa will have recovered but if not Hause has demonstrated he’s a worthy replacement. I would like to see Davis start up front with Watkins playing on the left hand side with Grealish continuing in the number ten role but I can’t see Smith being so adventurous.
Albion, like Burnley, do not offer a big threat up front and so expect Allardyce to have them organised defensively and seek to nick a goal on the break.
I should go for a Villa win here (and really we should win) but its a local derby and with the potential of ‘new manager bounce’ I’m going for a draw.
Finally… Paqueta
Comments
71 responses to “Barn Doors, Missed Tricks and a Throw of the ‘Dyce’”
F***ing VAR
I’ve got a horrible feeling
Honestly how on earth is that offside??? Defenders arm keeps Watkins on, that always cat he’s the strikers out, why not defenders???
Brilliant finish by Traore
Yes!!!!!!!!
Is it 3?????
Penalty to Villa
Three nil!!! Awesome!!!!
3-0 El Ghazi
First win over Baggies at The Hawthorns for 12 – yes 12 – years!
Great start to Christmas – now, if we can skin Palace…..
Final word – great performance by El Ghazi – so pleased for him.
only disappointment tonight was that offside decision. watkins needs a goal badly and that was a brilliant move and a finish from watkins was the cream on that move and it was ruled out by var and for me he was dead level.
el ghazi finished another with a cool stroke penalty, but mr cool was traore he finished off a nice counter. watkins went to over lap and that created space for traore who showed el ghazi how to stay calm in that situation. he passed the ball into the corner jonstone anticipated the pass to watkins and was caught in statue mode
great performance from us and we are growing into a decent side. players like traore needed time to bed in and he is now showing his worth his best showing of the season and he also covers his fullback.
Traore looks a very good buy but, and I’m not being critical here, he has a history of being a first season sensation and then not reproducing it. If Smith et al can keep him playing like he did tonight we have one serious player on our books.
he defiantly has got a very good left foot and a good football brain he tracks back working hard. he just needs to acclimatise back to premiership, find his position in the team and i reckon he will be a good player for us
Oooooooo… It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!!!!
Well done again lads. You’re putting a smile on our faces, and playing with smiles too!!!
Celebrate by all means, but not too much Christmas Pudding!!!! Palace next!!!
Merry Christmas you lot of ugly mother freaking Villains!!!! God bless us all, and here’s to a better 2021!
btw the expert ex referee BT had in studio says hause tackle could have been a red and keown and barry both agreed it could have been a red. i agree but hause challenge was late and he was in control the livingston was out of control lunge so not same but hause should have not made the challenge wba just reduced to 10 the refs always love to equal up things and hause gave them a chance to do that .
right iam off merry christmas gvuys dont drink too much
Woo hooo great win UTV merry Christmas everyone
Whats the matter with you all, im watching it again!! yes your right Hourse should have had a red and questionable the sending off, Big Stan has a massive job with Albion hope he manages to do it. Christmas will never be the same to me as it’s been 12 months since my lad. It’s put a smile on my face and just enjoyed the match. You know what? We will be in the euro next year I feel itt in my water. 😂
Did anyone see a incident with Jack being floored after the match, someone remarked about it. To be honest I never seen anything of that nature.
Where did you hear that Bill?
Not seen anything Bill.
I think Grealish is quite a ‘dramatist’ when fouled but I think it’s part of his nature rather than anything sinister. Some people, like I do, can overreact in the heat of the moment. Something like ‘wearing your heart on your sleeve’!
Having said that, he needs to try and curb the dramatic reaction as it will only lead to a dislike of him as a player. He does get fouled a lot because of his ability to shield the ball and move it quickly. Defenders get frustrated but winding them up is counter productive,
Or am I talking through my arse?
I’ve chased the web and its not news anywhere, I think it’s some younge school kid with nothing better to do or a bluenose taking the piss. I’ve enjoyed watching the match for the fourth time and pleased with Targett, El-Garzi, Triore input making of a good team . Chelsea just scored.
Bill, where are you watching the reruns. MoTD2 showed about 10 seconds of the game!
Really pleased that Villa are, at last, bringing back the smiles for you.
Sorry Hitch, I’ve got Bt sports plus a box that gives me world sports. I tape the match then seen the full re-run on bt next day on their channel.midday, that box I can never miss a game.
Ah – OK thanks.
Don’t have Bt Sport – already have too many streaming subscriptions!
Burnley beat Wolves 2-1. As I said, Burnley are slow starters and I’m convinced they will be OK come the end of the season. That may be partly influenced by my admiration of Dyche as a manager.
It puts our result against them in a little more context.
Yes we had the chances and should probably have won but, imho, they are better than the teams around them at the bottom of the table.
Well it’s Christmas eve and time for Me to wish you all a Merry Christmas, have to say had my jab yesterday against that Virus lets hope it works. I hear we will have the lads back for Palace match even Konsa . Keep the faith.
Good to hear you have had the vaccine Bill.
Merry Christmas to you and everyone on here! UTV
ho ho ho bill good to hear you had your shot against covid 🙂 wish you and your family a merry xmas and good health for 2021 and beyond
Still can’t post Hitch / Badger. Every post I sent is awaiting moderation!