I like watching Postecoglou’s Spurs side. They’re even more gung ho than we are and frankly, it seems the manager doesn’t care. I’ve said a few times that while it’s entertaining, I don’t believe it’s a strategy that will win you anything and you have to be able to defend as well as you attack.
Given that both sides here attack better than they defend, I expect a few goals and a game that could go either way. It’s just a case of which defence proves worse.
Which is a good time to look at squad news and quite aptly, the big point for Spurs is that their apparently best central defender, Micky Van de Ven, is definitely out. Add in that Cristian Romero is also doubtful, their already dodgy defence looks even worse.
Which means that Ange might well go for it even more. Where a player I really rate, in Heung-min Son, who might make it, isn’t fully fit either, having had a hamstring issue. Wilson Odobert is out, with a hamstring injury and Djed Spence will be out because of a groin issue.
Even Timo Werner is looking doubtful.
So Spurs are not really in a good place, although in fairness, I’ve never heard of some of those players.
As for Villa, Ross Barkley is the only player out.
So what to think?
If our defence was even just a bit better they have been, I’d say this should be in the bag and I’d predict a win by a couple of goals.
But it’s awful and quite frankly, I don’t think I like that fact. That’s probably down to the modern game and the way it’s played and also a hint of me having witnessed some stonkingly great Villa defenders over the years.
I see goals; more than 3.
And I think a 2-2 draw looks favourite.
That’s my prediction.
So watch it be a 1-0 game and I guess totally wrongly again.
UTV!
Always like Moreno and a run in a team is doing wonders for him
But we don’t have a problem on the left or at LB.
To not sign a RB when even an idiot like me was screaming for it was a massive mistake. Unforgiveable too, to my mind.
Cash is Gash and the weak link, regardless of who is in front of him.
And that’s coming from someone who was a big supporter of him.
Up to a certain point, which we’re at.
We need a serious upgrade, with him in reserve.
Tried to look at it holistically rather than pick out individual positions – even though one or two players are not at the same level as last season.
Listening carefully to Emery, it seems to me he’s trying to dampen expectation whilst keeping the supporters onside.
The reality is we’ve over achieved massively in two years and with PSR restrictions, the club have to make difficult decisions around their transfer strategy.
I reckon we’ll do petty well in Europe which will bring in additional revenue but I expect us to fall back in the EPL. The upside is if all the EPL teams do well then it’s likely we’ll get a 5th Champions League place which means 8th will qualify for the Conference League.
Personally, I think we’re looking at 6th or 7th this season.
Not negative – just trying to be realistic.
UTV
We have to aim for minimum 4th, Hitch. Talk like that will result in finishing 8th or 9th. Keep expectations high! The league is wide open; City and Arsenal are faltering; this is our chance! Sort the defence out and kick-on! Don’t drop the gears and don’t drop expectations!
Apologies for the repeated post – I thought it hadn’t gone through.
Talk like that will result in finishing 8th or 9th, Hitch! We have to aim for 4th, minimum. The league is wide open; City and Arsenal are faltering; this is our chance! Don’t drop the gears and don’t lower expectations! Sort the defence out and crack on!
Regarding the team, I wonder if bringing Bouba back alongside Tielemans would be a good idea, with Youri playing Dougie’s number 8 role; he’s capable of scoring goals, especially long range, but it’s not happening and I’m not seeing him in the final third. Here’s the ‘kicker’ – to use a stupid on trend phrase: play Onana BEHIND them for extra steel , almost like a 3rd CB, with the specific and simple target of collecting clean sheets. OR, Bouba and Onana shielding with Youri in front of them pulling strings. Ramsey, Morgan and Ollie front 3. We need more from Ramsey, by the way. Not producing like a couple of years ago – where have all the super goals gone? There’s so much more to come from this team. Everyone is underperforming. The need to snap out of it and go for the title; I mean it! It’s there for the taking!
5.45 KO this afternoon lads!!!!
Won’t be able to watch the match – off to see Windies v England at Kensington Oval.
Give them a cheer for me.
23,E. Martínez
22,I. Maatsen
5,T. Mings
3,Diego Carlos
4,E. Konsa
8,Y. Tielemans
44,B. Kamara
7,J. McGinn (c), Captain
27,M. Rogers
31,L. Bailey
11,O. Watkins
Subs
26,L. Bogarde
10,E. Buendía
12,L. Digne
9,J. Durán
14,Pau Torres
18,J. Gauci
24,A. Onana
20,K. Nedeljković
25,R. Olsen
19,J. Philogene
41,J. Ramsey
50,S. Swinkels
We really need a pick me up game, hopefully we can do it here. Just as Ramsay hits good form Kamara comes back playing really well. We are so blessed on the left but thin on the right.
It’s all a bit slow when we are on the attack. A bit of a dilemma for Emery with both CB’s booked. Carlos an unnecessary one for arguing.
Second half we need to make sure we are at it as we tend to be caught out too often early on.
You would expect Torres for Mings and Onana for Kamara around the 60th minute plus Duran for Watkins. I would also swap McGinn for Ramsey to add a bit of running power to link up with Rogers more.
Bailey is looking better tonight.
Tielseman’s passing is poor.
Martinez great save.
Otherwise pedestrian
Pedestrian? The type of pedestrian who has no destination and all the time in the world to get there?
Beyond poor. A special mention for Carlos. Please offload at the earliest opportunity! But everyone is absolutely awful. Awful.
Oh, and we won’t be picking up 3 points this evening. Not on that showing. One point would be extremely lucky.
Not happy.
Half time 0-0. Mings and Kamara really do slow down the snappy play out of defence we had without them. Mings back to normal, booked for a needless wrestle and gave the ball away in a really dangerous position. But in the air in our box he has won everything.
A xxxxing penalty. Mings what were you thinking. Picking the ball up from the goal keeper kicking it to you
WTF happened there??????? Confused reffing????
Nope. Confused Villa. They look like they’ve all been taking tranquillisers. Utter shite. Shite.
Forgot the rules. Been out for a bit 😔
Brain not engaged. Are they all smoking spliffs in the changing room? 😡
I don’t believe what I have just seen.
IDIOTIC
That’s what happens when brains are mush.
When Mings was walking out before kick off, my thoughts were: “it’s a mistake to play Mings.”
We deserve that. Absolutely deserved. Because that moment is a snapshot of what the f*** is wrong with this team recently. Not switched on mentally. Just not there. Disgusted.
And early in the first half I was thinking: we will need two goals to win tonight. Hmm.
I cannot even get angry with that. Totally ridiculous,
Why not, Tom? I’m very angry!
Any level of anger I point towards it would never be enough and I find myself feeling like it to often these days with refs and decision making
Not the ref’s fault, Tom. Mings’ fault.
We have gone to pieces. Didn’t I ****ing say we start second halves shite.
Also this referee might as well be wearing a Bruges shirt.
They need to get angry! They’re f****** comatose! Like they were on Sunday! If I was in the ground, I’d be ejected for going nuts. This is unacceptable. 🤬🤬🤬
We need a goal creater not another CF getting no service. Ramsay on now
STOP CHEWING GUM! 😡
Hey! Keep The Faith!!!! I think we’ll do this for Mings. We’ve stepped up a gear already. We’re battling suddenly.
That was one God awful eff up though!!!!!
We were on the counter and they had 10 men back. We had 2 in support of Bailey on the ball. 0 points tonight.
Well, Leroy looks on better form tonight!!!
😏
Another shite half soaked performance to follow on from Spurs second half. F***ing wake up!
Half soaked? There’s barely a drop of piss on it.
Commentator: “can they move through the gears here, Villa?”
Me: “what f****** gears?!”
And Bouba. Stop stepping on the f****** ball and rolling it before passing. It’s not clever. Just pass the f****** ball! Quickly! 🤬🤬🤬
…to Leroy.
Bum Bum, a couple of weeks ago, you mentioned the spectre of a certain Scouser slinking away. You jinxed it.
Is he back or is that the sound of my door creaking?
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Honestly, this reminds me of the slow, clueless shite we played under that imposter.
They’re taking the piss. What’s going on? Maybe we do better without the squad rotation. Konsa at RB weakens us in attack and defence. Can’t believe we didn’t get a proven RB when it was obvious we needed one.
Watkins goes off. I didn’t know he was playing to be honest.