It’s pre-season time and some fans argue that pre-season results matter, and some argue that they don’t. I’m going to investigate this topic and look both sides of the argument and see if I can make a conclusion. I will quickly admit that I believe that pre-season results don’t completely matter, however if there is a trend of a certain result I do in fact worry. For example, Aston Villa have tied all their 4 games so far. I worry about our defence, Lambert has been playing with a strengthened defence and I haven’t been impressed. However, you could argue that injuries have played a bit and also playing infront of the defence was a in-experienced, young midfield. What ever it is, I think it’s agreed that Lambert has to work on the defence. I’m not worried about our attack, I know it strong. We currently have many injuries and our only fit forward for the game against Luton appears to be Burke. Anyway back to the main topic.
Pre-season games don’t matter!
The main point of pre-season games is to gain fitness, try new formations, gel new signings into the team and pair up different players together. And as a result, the result doesn’t really matter. If a team wins, great, that means that certain pairs did work. Additionally, if a team losses all their pre-season games it’s not certain that they will fail in the Premier League and vice-versa. I remember in 2008, Tottenham had won all of their pre-season games. However in the league they struggled under Jaunde Ramos. Spurs only managed 2 points from their opening 8 games.
Pre-seaon games matter!
If we can’t beat lower opposition what makes us think we can beat Premier League teams? That’s a way to look at it. But results can also help the manager understand when a team needs new signings and when it doesn’t. For example if a team can only win 1-0 or draw’s 0-0. It’s clear that the manager should bring in a new forward or creative midfielder, same goes with defence if a team concedes a lot of goals. Pre-season games can also show how good youth player’s can be. If they perform heroics in a game, they will more likely be promoted.
Obviously some of these arguments are bogus; but it does raise a point. Does Aston Villa’s results matter so far? I would’ve liked to see at least one victory. I do understand that we have injuries but I think our team is strong enough, no matter who plays to pull off a win. But overall, I think our pre-season game against Malaga will be most important game because that game will give us the most information about a possible staring 11 and style of play. Right now fitness is key and also understanding how our new signings play and gel into our side.
Image Courtesy of Viagago
I think that the most relevant point is how close to the start of the season are you .
The German matches were purely for fitness, and giving 22 players plus, a run out.
The Malaga game will be a chance to see what is likely to be Lambert’s opening line-up, but I have never gauged our likely prospects for a season from friendlies, be it beating Juve in the Peace Cup, or losing to Basingstoke.
Player fitness and team coaching should show against Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle, , they are the only results that matter in the next few weeks.
i agree 100%.
It upsets me 2 read silly over reactions 2 the results of friendlies ~ its a no win situation, u win with a cricket score or u draw 2 a inferior side but which is closer 2 their match fitness than u are. u get same reaction of half empty glasses again
these new signings will take different amount of matches 2 get 2 grips of the way the game is played ere ~ this season will see us much better and we will get results against the so~called big teams spurs excluded (they av never been bigger than us) . so don’t panic 🙂
man u have lost 2 out of 3. Certain for the drop !!
Pre-Season literally means fuck all in terms of our season in the PL next season. It couldnt mean any fuck all less, literally useless. We could beat Barcalona 16-0 and lose to Macclesfield Town 8-1 and it wouldn’t hava great deal of influence on our season. Fitness it the lesson
I wonder what oohahs comment will be tonite when we keep a clean sheet will be?? “Well it was only against a team from the conference” is my guess. Any advances on that?
yep for me friendly results mean nothing, it is just a chance to observe and try new things I mean Christ sometimes these games involve rotating 20 players in one game! you just cant compare a friendly to a competitive encounter.
I do imagine the game against Malaga will see Lamberts preferred starting line up(injuries aside)and we should see something to gauge how we stand at the minute.
that said I will not shit a brick even if we were to get well beat.
For me, the Malaga match matters. With our opening games coming a week later, we need to settle the first choice team, we need our attack to score two or more (difficult with so many injured at the moment), they need to gain the confidence they had at the end of last season. And we need to get our defence sorted!!!!! Apart from that, friendlies mean nothing.
Anyone know where I can watch tonights game?
Kenilworth Road.
wheeey
Claret and blue nice one. 🙂
not quite that easy for some of us claret and blue and lewis123
Sorry, markdrapernumber8, didn’t mean anything by it. 🙂
We conceded a goal cue the villa bashing idiots!
1-0 Luton. Shaw 26 mins. Benteke is playing.
You can’t tell me we shouldn’t be worried about shipping goals every match and especially against low league teams. It’s beyond a joke. Come on PL, get it sorted, ffs.
I agree that they dont really matter. They are great for giving the younger and fringe players a chance to shine,
However given our shite defensive record last year, I was hoping PL would take the chance to let his planned backline have a real chance to play together. We cant be going to Arsenal on the first game of the season with a defence unsure of how to play together. So far, that hasnt really happened.
2-0 Luton, we’re relegated next season 100% Lamberk ain’t got a clue. He should have played Okore injured.
Agree md8 really worried now. I know it’s only a friendly but would still be nice to keep a clean sheet for once. Lambert dosnt seem to know what he’s doing in that area!
Leaving the joking and the TJ over suicidal posts..
It is worrying we are conceding goals.. Only Okore to come in really and he has missed virtually all pre season and hasn’t played in the prem with our back line..
Also seems Gabby Helenuis Tonev have been injured too..
Need a couple if games coming to play our strongest line up..
Liverpool are in Thailand ,man u in Indonesia playing in front of thousands of people making millions where are we ,getting beat by fuckin luton and playing second rate German teams for fuck sake.
Little 8. Liverpool and Man U are two of the biggest names in world football.. We sadly aren’t..
We blew out chance to create foundations after 81.. Didn’t have the vision unfortunately 🙁
At least wev shown a bit of vision giving the new baby a villa kit. We have a global opportunity here where we can manipulate the media to keep mentioning that PW is a villa fan and that we sent him a kit. I notched on the by this am the villa connection was mentioned a couple of times on the report. That’s probably more mentions than on motd for the whole season!
Good Morning my good friend & how are you today.Noticed when i got back late last night from Adinkerke in Belgium we are both being mentioned in dispatches.
Mate am still having a slight problem with the site am not getting alerts to my e-mail address on new posts & blogs could you look into this for me thanks.
Fair enough LIONHEART just a bit pissed about the result UTV.
Little8. I’m disappointed too.
Do think its only a pre season game so not suicidal.
But still worried a back four of Lowton Vlaar Clake Luna c
… conceded another goal.
LH defence has not been improved at all IMO and that back four hardly inspires confidence. Definitely need another CH and rb cover and possibly left bk as I’m not sure Luna will be better than Bennett though I will judge when he’s played a dozen or so games.
Ok friendly maybe but we have to see some sort of spark somewhere for a glimpse of the match. I guns rock the boat abit in saying this but i do question guzan at times and wish he could just do that little bit more. IM not worried yet but going into the new season we will need to see a clear win.
What? Like farting a claret and blue rainbow?…….finding a cure for cancer perhaps?……saving every man, every woman, every child the mighty Guzan??
Was arguably the best all round keeper in the league last season, in the top 3 without question, so I’m very unsure what you mean by that Tom.
His distribution could improve and be more consistant, sure and everyone hopes players improve year on year…..goes without saying…..but what exactly do you mean?
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