It’s a funny old game isn’t it?
But that’s exactly what makes it so good, in that the stats don’t suit what actually happened.
This was nothing like the defeat against Norwich and frankly, I thought we battered QPR tonight.
Ok, we didn’t get the win, but I was highly encouraged by what I saw.
We played with massive intent and even if it looked like we were occasionally looking to play sideways or backwards, you knew there was only one way we wanted the ball to go.
We had 70% possession of the game for a long period of the match and while I’ve always said that doesn’t mean anything in itself, I’m seeing it as a seriously big change in the way we’re playing.
Of course, we didn’t get the goal and that’s still a bit of a worry.
But I’m convinced after seeing what I did tonight, that it will come.
We still have major liabilities and certain players just do not suit the system, in my opinion.
But this will change.
I believe we have enough skillful players who can play Dean Smith’s high tempo game.
McGinn is one. He’s a bit reckless at times, but can handle it. My MOTM again, for what it’s worth.
So much energy in one player.
Others include Kodjia, who I know some might disagree with.
Surprisingly, Bjarnason, who was great until contact lens-gate?
Bolasie, Abraham, Grealish and erm, Hutton.
And then we have others, who just can’t.
I see quite a few changes come the winter window.
But in the meantime, while the result was disappointing, I don’t think you can say the players didn’t try and that’s important to me, at least.
There’s been some serious arse kicking after the Norwich game and it showed.
In short, I was pleased with the performance, if not the result.
We’re not going to win them all, but if we take it to lesser sides than QPR, who are on a roll, we’ll win more than we lose.
And jeez, wasn’t it better to watch?
I’m going to the Bolton game, fwiw.
K5, with the kids 🙂
Dean needs to make a statement and that IMO is stripping Chester of the captaincy. He has been absolutely abysmal game in , game out this season. Playing with donkeys like Hutton and Taylor obviously doesnt help but Chesters standards in terms of concentration, desire and leadership this season have been non-existant and that is not acceptable regardless of the circumstances. I’d rather bring someone in from the youth right now because he’s costing us points nearly every week.
There could be a few reasons why Chester has gone from our best player last season to costing us games this season. Not having Terry alongside was always going to have an effect. Switching from right CB to left CB seems to be an issue. The captains armband could be a burden for him, and responsibility to look out for Tuanzebe and also having a dodgy goalkeeper behind you instead of Johnstone last season are all factors. We should have gone for a goalkeeper experienced and proven in English football rather than one who has done well abroad. The English style, particularly the Championship is unlike other leagues. Nyland might turn out to be a decent goalie if he is given time, but right now it’s costing us a chance of promotion this season.
Switching CB roles is beyond many players. I have been watching football for decades but only recently have I noticed good players struggle to make what seems a minor shift in position from right to left CB.
As for the GK, I have always said you build teams from the back and we have taken a giant step backwards since Johnstone. Whereas I knew why Guzan was poor – he had no anticipation – I am not sure about Nyland. Would have to stand behind him which I have never done yet. From the TV it seems the flight of the ball deceives him
Badger in full agreement with your comments. There was an improvement in intensity. I would like to see Bolasie start as he is a dangerous player and adds to our attacking intent. However, if he is to be a super sub all season I question whoever allowed that to be signed off in wages.
Im encouraged and a little worried at the same time. I would have thought it was obvious to Smith as it is to us that Hutton, Elmo and Taylor are struggling. Why hasnt he tried to change it up? Maybe hes just giving them a chance and we will see changes soon i dont know. Annoyingly we have a real talent in Clark on loan at Port Vale who would deff do a better job than Hutton or Taylor. Maybe Smith is just waiting till Jan before ringing the changes.
Early days yet. I’m much happier with the way we are playing. We just need to up the pace moving from back to front, and Grealish needs to spend more time in final third driving at the oppositions penalty area.
Defence is still a concern but that’s something that will only be fixed when Smith can recall loans or get players in in January.
Yes Badger, it was much better to watch. I’m sure the players will enjoy playing this way too.
Better to watch is very subjective. I admit, I’m playing devil’s advocate, but we’re averaging less than a goal a game under Smith. What was it under Bruce? Surely, 3-3 thrillers and last minute winners is ‘better to watch’?
Maybe.
If you can hack the utter gash football in between the goals.
Point taken though.
You do actually need to score and ideally win.
Hopefully it will come.
We scored 6 of our goals in the first two games of the season. After that we have scored 16 goals in 13 games, or 13 in 12 if you take out the 3-3 with Preston. We generally don’t score many. Yours is a fair point though.
I am expecting better to come. We lost the last two games away to in form teams. Whilst I thought Norwich were better than us, QPR weren’t. The players will adapt to Smith’s style and we will improve. We could do with that sooner rather than later. After Bolton we have some tough games.
If you don’t think we are better to watch than under Bruce that’s fine, but I really don’t agree.
Some good points.
It seems Chester is getting the most stick and while I agree, he’s been nothing like the player he was last season, I’m very loathe to criticise him too much.
Perhaps the captain’s armband is a burden to him, but if you were to take it away, who else do you give it to?
Smith has said he wants a different team captain every game, while Chester remains club captain and I think it’s a good idea.
The trouble is, if not Chester, surely it has to be the likes of Hutton, Whelan or Jedinak?
Or do we think any of the younger players seem like leaders?
The GK situation is typical Villa.
We let Johnstone go because we simply couldn’t afford him and a few weeks later we get taken over.
Just our luck 🙁
As for changing up the defence, well, yes Mitch Clark is doing well, but can he make the step up just yet?
I always go back to the argument that asks what if they don’t do too well or cost us points?
Surely he’d be slaughtered the way Nyland is?
I wouldn’t want that and think he’s best left learning his craft at Port Vale, for a while at least.
Whatever, I think Smith will be given a surprising amount of money to spend in January and you can be sure he’ll be looking at the defence.
In the meantime, our best form of defence is attack and we’ll be working on that.
i think nyland is not as bad as most fans would have you believe. he has shown enough in patches to suggest he will be a decent keeper. goalies are different to outfield players, they cant afford a error or two. his errors end up in the net. he is lacking confidence,
in last game the miss placed passes where all over the field and the players who get good rating from fans, like mccgin and axel both gave away loads of misplaced passes. we need to be more forgiving. more they pass forwards the more riskier the pass is, taking the harder route rather than the easy option of sideways,should be encouraged and the accuracy will improve more when confidence increases
ps we are just missing a cutting edge against qpr. beating bolton and getting a few goals doing so will do us a loads of good
I’m trying my very best to give Nyland the benefit of the doubt, as I think a lot of his problems stem from inexperience.
But he does seem to have major problems with commanding the box and it possibly is down to confidence.
I very much agree about us just lacking a cutting edge, but I remember saying I thought we would give someone a hiding last season.
It never happened and this is what Smith needs to change.
It’s so frustrating, as on paper we look capable of loads of goals.
As for Bolton, I hope so, as I’m actually going.
Karl Darlow being mentioned as a replacement. Has worked with Smith before and would be a massive improvement on Nyland. Shocked the jury is still out on him. He’s lost us countless points and looks incompetent at this level. This has a knock on effect on the defence, as do all dodgy keepers. A new number one is a must in January if we’re to kick on.
Badger, we scored 4 several times last season and a 5 against Bristol. By Championship standards, those are ‘hidings.’ Perhaps we have short memories. Last season was a good one, both for goals scored and against. I admit, I wanted Bruce to go (we won’t do the reasons yet again), but Smith and Terry have plenty of work to do just to get us back to at least season’s level. When we went second after comfortably beating Blose, we looked a very accomplished outfit. We just fell short, largely due to Fulham coming out of nowhere like a runaway train and some frustration inconsistency after the Wolves ‘hiding.’
Yes, we’re happy with the new regime in place, but please, let’s not forget the good bits from Bruce’s reign. There were plenty, in my view.
We were nowhere on Boxing Day, after losing to Brentford and also Derby earlier in the month. It was the 7 wins on the trot in January, starting in late December at Boro and culminating with the Blues win, which put us in contention. That should give us hope for this season. It’s been said many times, we need to hang in there and hopefully, a run of wins will come. The sooner the better!
I agree that Bruce did manage to turn us round and play some very good football in some of the games last season. Particularly that period when we stuffed Wolves and a Blues. I felt he deserved to start the season based on the club having a turbulent summer and at the time we needed some stability, at least in the managerial role. However when the new owners came in and we were able to hang onto our better players, I felt that we would comfortably be within top six. This season we only had 2 good 45 minutes of football against Brentford and ironically his last game Preston. Smith won’t implement his style in just a few weeks. We need to be patient and give him a transfer window to address the defence and possibly other positions he can improve us. I don’t think he will tolerate anyone not giving their all and with a bit of luck being a Villa fan, will adopt the Sir Ron 110% approach.