So I’ve nailed my colours to the mast and said already, that I don’t think Steven Gerrard is our future.
Well, lets just say that this is the first chance he has to change my mind.
I had got it in my head from somewhere that the Seagulls were in freefall and it just so happens we have the same form over the last six games as Brighton, in one win, two draws and two defeats. Given that we’ve lost to Newcastle and Watford and drawn against Leeds at home, I’d say we probably edge it in having worse form.
Straight to squad news and the only change is that Ezri Konsa is back after suspension. Will he get straight back in?
He probably would for me, but I suspect he won’t.
I don’t expect any changes otherwise and I’m not even sure there will be any change in tactics either.
As for Brighton, Adam Webster (groin) and Enock Mwepu (hamstring) are out. Graham Potter has talked about illness issues and I assume he means covid, but there are no details. On the plus side for them, Lewis Dunk is back from suspension.
I currently have very little faith in our side.
The midfield can be walked through at will with very little resistance. Our attack creates chances, but our finishing is abysmal and our fullbacks are all too often caught out of position, while the defence looks like it will concede every time the opposition looks at it, let alone threatens it seriously.
You’ve probably guessed that I don’t think we’re going to win this one then.
Which means that I think our only hope is a draw.
It’s been a while since I had such a lack of confidence in the Villa, but I’m struggling to even contemplate another loss.
Hence I’m going to predict a 1-1 draw.
Since I struggle to get predictions right, that probably does mean another loss, as I’d be surprised if we scored more than one goal.
I can’t say I’m even looking forward to the game and that’s a first in a long time too.
Come on Stevie/Villa. Prove me wrong.
UTV!
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68 responses to “Brighton – Villa; Another loss? It’s a scary thought”
Five at the back and hit them on the counter?
It’s worth considering to my mind, to shore up our awful defence, but I doubt it’ll happen.
It’s hard to argue against your summation Badger and when you see that we have only lost once to Brighton in the last 13 meetings then ……
And, of course, if a team needs a helping hand we’re always here to supply it.
There’s a new rumour that Villa are open to offers for Konsa – his form of late has not been good – is there a problem between him and Gerrard? Are there wider problems in the dressing room?
Not going to make a prediction and will probably watch the game from behind the sofa 🙂
There are hints that Gerrard has upset the dressing room, definitely. If I recall correctly, McAllister worked under Houllier (and took the reigns when Houllier fell ill) and there were stories back then that he was ‘too much’ for the players. I can’t help thinking the was Targett has been treated has destabilised things; the players will be thinking we could be bombed out at any moment; for strong characters, this serves to galvanise and spur them on to prove to the boss that they’re worth keeping. But for “fannies”, it can have the opposite effect of “why should I bother if he’s going to get rid of me anyway?” Before the January window, everything was fine and Gerrard made a great start, but it’s clear to me that the transfer activity has upset the players.
A side note on Targett – would it not have been a good option to have Digne in a more advanced position and Targett at left back? Big Ron used to do it with Staunton more advanced (for his delivery) and Bryan Small at left back. More recently, I recall Elmo playing the more advanced role, again for his delivery. It makes no sense to me to send players out on loan, reducing options and competition for places. No sense at all.
As for 3 at the back, it looks like Gerrard now finds himself in exactly the same dilemma as Smith was in before he lost his job. This adds more credence to the idea that Smith needed more time, although I maintain the form in 2021 was so bad, he ultimately had to go.
I’m going to stick my neck out and say we will win today, simply because w have to and they need the win more than they do.
* we need the win
So Brighton are in a dip and haven’t beaten us at their ground since 1980! Well it’s a nailed on certainty we will lose.
Let’s face facts. We are a soft touch and have been for a while. Ever since the likes of Jedinak, Whelan, Hutton and Chester left the club, we have replaced them with pansies (to steal Badgers description 👍)
Our midfield is like a wet paper bag and teams go from defence to attack almost at will. It’s probably pointless suggesting an alternative formation but I would go 4-2-3-1 with Cash, Konsa, Mings and Digne as a flat back four (no charging forward wing backs) with McGinn and either Luiz or Sanson behind Coutinho, Ramsey and Buendia with Watkins up front.
I would sacrifice our bombing on fullbacks because they don’t supply much anyway.
Gerrard will no doubt stick with his formation because that’s his philosophy although IMO only Man City and Liverpool are good enough to impose their formation on other teams without the need for changing things up.
I’m not looking forward to today’s game and I’m not expecting anything other than a defeat. ☹️
I definitely think the dressing room isn’t happy. Some players just don’t take constant rollockings very well at all.
I totally agree about McAllister too. I suspect he’s another Keane type and very fiery.
As for Targett, I don’t understand that one at all, as I’ve previously said.
He and Digne are totally different types of full/wingback, as said one’s better attacking and one’s better defending.
It would have made sense to me to keep both so you have an option inter game.
I suspect Targett was basically told he has no part in our future, which is fine, but the trouble is Gerrard’s way of playing has weakened what was a very good defence partly as a result of Targett going.
I know many didn’t rate Targett or Cash for that matter, but they were both very consistent. Cash still is for me and if we replaced him with an even more attacking WB, we’d be even more weakened imo.
It’s Gerrard’s resistance to adapting to what’s happening that will probably be his undoing.
And he seemed to be making very good subs in his early games too.
Something else we need is to seriously up the pace too. Trouble is, I don’t think we will because there’s seemingly a lack of interest amongst the players.
Konsa in for Chambers, Watkins in for Buendia who’s on the bench – is that because he’s not fully fit?
Has a Smithosian ring to it – I will make Watkins and Ings work or – with my conspiracy hat on – SG reacting to instructions from above 🙂
If you listen you’ll hear my hysterical laughter 🙂
Ings and Watkins? After what we’ve seen in recent weeks?
Surely another mid is the way to go?
And the game is delayed because of traffic.
New KO time to follow.
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey, Coutinho, Ings, Watkins.
SUBS: Chambers, Hause, Young, Iroegbunam, Sanson, O’Reilly, Buendia, Bailey, Olsen (gk)
Buendia has looked a threat, to me. And gets back to help out too.
I’m rapidly losing interest and I think many others will be too.
The team coach has just arrived.
In better news, dirty Leeds lost 4-0 to Spurs and they’ve now conceded 20 goals in a month.
BTsport are saying Bielsa’s neck is on the chopping block and they’ve got someone else lined up.
I’m just watching Bielsa’s interview now and he looks resigned to me.
Not going to be good for Villa if team delayed – yet another unwanted disruption.
Although you’d think we travelled down last night – but then perhaps Purslow is trying to save money? 🙂
Yep, it’s a pretty long trip even on a good day.
Not ideal preparation at all.
New KO time of 3.30pm
Just what we need – team are not going to be in best frame of mind!
Ah great.
I’ve seen we’ve got Leeds again on the 10th March.
What chance they sack Bielsa and we face them with a new manager bounce?
Bound to happen Badger
You’ve all made me depressed now, I thought myself dressing room not happy, said there will be players saying f#$k it wont be here next season like Luiz. Just stay up Villa and piss the lot off at the end I say ..
Mings nearly gave it away with a long pass across to Martinez.
Good covering but jeez.
I’m not liking this already.
We give the ball away or just get turned over far too easily.
I see we’re still intent on making life difficult for ourselves by giving the ball away in defence!
Full backs being caught upfield again as well
About to say the same, no creation and no willingness, we will not win this i can see that.
Are we colour blind?
We’re making them look like Real Madrid. Completely awful attacking play. 11 mins before the ball even reached their penalty area.
Yes, Cash shoots for 1-0
Hooray!
I’m gonna post most often if it means we score right after. Cracking goal.
And then Brighton get in behind again, cross and then hit the bar.
It’s all too easy and I just can’t see them not scoring.
Nice work from Ramsey then. He almost made up for his rubbish start.