As I’m sure anyone who reads this knows, the international events bore me witless until they hit the quarter final stage.
And when we’re playing friendlies, I get wound up even more. Particularly in a season where we have Premier league fixtures that have been cancelled because of Covid, meaning we have managers whinging that their teams are having to play too many games even more quickly than usual.
I didn’t watch today’s game, but apparently it was a bit of an experimental side or setup?
I neither know or care, but why you’d want to be experimenting about anything this late is beyond me.
And it doesn’t matter anyway, because we’ll beat the lesser teams easily and lose to the first decent side we face, just the same as we always do. And when you have a bottler like Southgate in charge, you’ve even less chance.
The fact that Macedonia beat Italy and the Azzurri couldn’t even qualify for the WC speaks volumes.
I’d sack Horseface tomorrow and replace him with anybody that isn’t just an FA mouthpiece, but that isn’t going to happen.
Meanwhile, I’ll do the usual and hold out lots of hope until we meet that aforementioned decent team.
All this in a totally corrupt money-making scam of a tournament that will ruin our domestic season too.
(Note to self: book a holiday first two weeks of December)
Anyway, I’ve been reading the discussion on this site about our player’s winning/losing mentality and I find it fascinating. Couple this with the fact it seems that transfer speculation seems to be going ever more into hyperdrive and it just seems a good time to look at possible ins and outs from a fan’s point of view and not just that of a clickbait site.
Plus, I definitely agree with the principal in that Steven Gerrard will not tolerate players that he doesn’t think have the er, balls for a tough fight.
Then add in that Gerrard had a massive turnover of players at Rangers and I think it’s fair to suggest that we are going to see some major transfer activity in the summer.
Two or three additions?
Not a chance, in my opinion.
Hence I’m going to go through the whole squad and give my view. It’s just for fun and the idea is to try and give something to talk about.
Feel free to chip in and agree/disagree with any points.
Emilio Martinez: A bit of a pointless start here. He’s gold and won’t be going anywhere at any price.
Viljami Sinisalo and Robin Olsen: Backup goalies, the former is the younger and Olsen is the senior. We always seem to be messing around with goalies and I’ve never understood the thinking. If someone can enlighten me here, I’d appreciate it.
Matty Cash: I’m sure I’ve read stories that he might be going, but surely that’s tosh. I know some fans don’t like him, but I think he’s very good. Okay, his crossing isn’t the best, but he has the workrate/input that Gerrard demands as a minimum.
Ezri Konsa: Another who’s supposed to be leaving. I don’t see this for one minute, but Gerrard has been very quick to bring and keep Chambers in instead of him. Could we let him go for a serious amount of money to spend on incomers?
I’d want £30 million at least, because I think he’s quality.
Ashley Young: I think he’ll retire this time. A great servant to the Villa and the game generally, but I’m not sure he has another top level season in him. He’d be quality in the Championship, but I don’t think he’d want that. I’d be happy to be proved wrong.
Sil Swinkels: I have never heard of this kid, so no comment, save to say he won’t be going anywhere yet.
Lucas Digne: Do I need to say anything?
Calum Chambers: Another who we’ve just signed. Gerrard seems happy enough to think he’s at least the equal of Konsa, so he’ll be staying too.
Douglas Luiz: It gets interesting here, because there’s massive conjecture that he might going. I think he’s a very decent player who’s being played out of position. He’s apparently let it be known that he’s not happy and wants out.
I don’t want to see him go, but can see him attracting very good money, which again would add to a big transfer pot. £35 million would see me okay with him going. £25 million, much less so. He’s still young, remember.
John McGinn: Man United want him. Er yes, okay. £70 million or just do one, simple. He is currently Mister Aston Villa and that’s all there is to be said. I don’t think even they would be so daft as to pay that sort of money, even though he’s probably exactly what they need. It’s not that he’s not good enough; more like he’s not a big enough name to appease the money people.
Marvelous Nakamba: A player who it seems is more appreciated by some because he isn’t playing. I rate him and would definitely keep him. He’s been massively missed, without a doubt and I think we’ll keep him, probably as back up to what will surely be one of our biggest signings, in another defensive midfielder in the summer?
Morgan Sanson: From the little any of us have seen, he looks decent. But it’s not enough. I was reading an article this morning about him and his average ratings since he’s been at the club are shocking, as much as we want to think he can come good. I get that he hasn’t had much of a chance, but you have to wonder why that is, given that Dean Smith and Gerrard didn’t/haven’t used him. He apparently wants out and I don’t blame him. It just hasn’t worked and he’s a goner, probably on a loan to a French club, where he will probably do well.
Jacob Ramsey: It’s well known on here that I think he’s miles away just yet. But of course, I do know a very good prospect when I see it and he’s top drawer in that sense. He reminds me of a very young Rooney when he’s driving forward and won’t be going anywhere.
Emiliano Buendia: Ooh, now the attacking mids area where it really does get interesting. We can’t dismiss all of our creative, but lesser all round players. Buendia makes the grade for me. He shows fight and tracks back to help out in defence. My guess is Gerrard very much appreciates what he brings and he’s a keeper.
Carney Chukwuemeka: By most accounts he wants out because he doesn’t think he’s getting enough games. That’s fair enough, but he hasn’t been that good in his last few substitute appearances. It’s a shame, but if he insists on leaving, because of what I reckon is bad advice from his agent, he can clear off, with my blessing. He’s only 18 after all and I don’t want kids who don’t want to be at the club.
Lamare Bogarde: Another 18 yo who hasn’t featured yet. Who knows what’s going to happen with him?
Hayden Lindley: See above.
Tim Iroegbunam: Another 18 yo, but he’s no doubt in the coaches’ sights, as he has made a sub appearance for us already, hence he’s obviously highly rated. Another keeper.
Josh Feeney: A 16 yo. He won’t be going anywhere.
Philippe Coutinho: There’s only one question here. Can we somehow give him the money he’ll want? The only way I can see a deal happening is via a massive lump sum one off payment that we probably won’t get to hear about. Say, a £150k a week, three year contract, combined with a £20 mill lump sum, that we publically say was only £5 million, hence we’ve got a bargain. Everyone’s a winner, particularly the player. I have serious doubts about paying this sort of money, as good as Coutinho is (and he’s easily in my top 10 all time players). As Villa fans we all know big money signings just don’t work for us.
Benjamine Chrisene: Another 18 yo, who will keep trying to prove himself.
Tommi O’Reilly: As above. We seem to have a lot of 18 yo’s.
Ollie Watkins: Is Watkins Gerrard’s cup of tea? I’m really not sure. There’s no doubt to me that Ollie has the workrate and until recently, I was totally convinced he has the desire. But lately, his body language hasn’t seemed right and he suddenly looks like a confidence player. I don’t think for one minute that Gerrard will tolerate this sort of personality. As much as I like Ollie, I could see him going if the price is right. I question who would pay serious money for him though and we’d have to have a top replacement coming in. We missed a trick in not pushing the boat out for Abraham, but that’s how it is.
Bertrand Traore: I don’t believe he’s a Gerrard type player for one minute. Yes, he can do magical stuff with a football. But he offers little in the team’s overall workrate. In a team that can’t match most team’s physicality, we don’t have room for him. Plus I don’t think he’s up to the physicality of our general game anyway. He’s a 100% goner if we get a decent offer.
Leon Bailey: See Traore. It’s pretty much identical.
Danny Ings: A massive waste of money, in my opinion and we’re just trying to justify playing him, it seems to me. Yes, he’s a crafty, clever striker, better than Watkins. But he hasn’t done what matters, in scoring goals. He doesn’t have the workrate for me and even if you might think he does, it’s ineffective. If we get a decent offer, he’s gone. But who would pay the money?
And there we have it.
Except I think Gerrard will be a lot more ruthless, seeing as I can’t see many leaving.
This could be one of the best windows in years. Whether we agree with things remains to be seen.
UTV!
What a crock of shit! Defensive shambles and I think we are missing Luiz who offers some protection to the mistake ridden defending. Is Digne an upgrade on Targett?? Konsa is starting to look like a liability rather than a good prospect. Feel sympathy for Martinez with those idiots in front of him. Going forward we put some nice passing together without the penetration. A massive rebuild in the summer needed I’m afraid.
They’re cutting us open ever time we go forward,we have no answer to their forwards going forward. Sorry but a massive clear out on the cards has to be our thinking. Plus our so called free kick coach as I don see what he adds to the side.
i am beginning to think Coutinho is not worth buying, he is a class player but to inconsistent.
On balance and I did raise this question earlier, I think Buendia offers more than Coutinho to the team as a whole.
£33m plus rumoured wage of £480 per week – sorry, not for me.
My worry is that Gerrard has got Coutinho stars in his eyes
It seems that our player’s have very little ideas in creating spaces in the game, it’s close football pass after pass and we are all out of position on the attack from Wolves. We would make a wonderful walk in football side in the future. I’m at a loss as who we keep and who stays up till now ,I think they should all piss off.
Why on earth Buendia is on the bench and Bailey plays is beyond me. Luiz for Sanson also improved us although the damage was done in the first half. Watkins missing two great chances proved costly too. There are more questions than answers after that embarrassing performance.
Embarrassing yet again and yet another rebuild
Stevie has changed nothing brought 2 superstars in and they both have been average
Fortunately I was unable to watch the game as at a 65th Wedding Anniversary – now that’s special – even the Queen sent them a message!
Looking at the stats, we were the better side, were we not? The stats suggest we were unlucky, without having seen the game.
I thought they suggested a fairly even game BFR
No Hitch, seeing is believing wife was cut open after every attack, stat say 51% in posesion 5 on target them 4 shots on goal 15 us them 8.as for fouls they win hands down twice as many than us. Watkins missed two Younge og draw it should have been.
We. Not the wife had her for 61 years plus 4 courting .i had a card from Her majesty waiting for a visitor pass now. 😂😂
So it’s another complete rebuild?
How many before the owners throw their hands up on horror?
Is there a systemic problem in Villa’s recruitment set up – and if so is Gerrard the man to resolve it?
Don’t always assume stats mean anything. We shot ourselves in the foot TWICE and then Wolves were happy to sit back and counter on us when they could. We came to life when Buendia came on. I’m beginning to think that Coutinho is only productive at home games. SG might be rueful of taking the Villa job because it’s ruining his chances of getting the dream Liverpool move.
More possession, shots, shots on target, and corners suggests we matched them and more. And that’s with playing for only one half? I’m not for a moment saying we were good. But if we’re so shit with those stats, we’re not far away.
There are too many players there who are now stale – signed when we got promoted or before. Peronally, I like what Gerrard said about getting players in who will fix it if the current lot can’t. I would suggest the following are surplus or close to: Young, Mings, Targett, Bailey, Traore, Sanson, Ings, Watkins, Luiz, and I hate to say it, McGinn. A lot of work needed in the summer.
That adds more credence to Bill’s call for the kids. Rather than turnover 8-9 players, get rid of 8-9, sign 3-4 top, top drawer and mix with quality youngsters who are free of charge. The two Ramsays, Chuk, Bidace, and Archer need to be blended with top quality experienced players who will demand high standards and push/drag the youngsters through games – see how that goes. Failing that, Roy Hodgson might be available in the summer.
It ain’t the players IMO it’s the manger who can’t get a tune out of them.
You might be right Big D. But I’m sure he got a tune out of them before Christmas, and when they won 3 on the trot last month. The question is, why the inconsistency? My answer would be average players finish in average league positions. To ‘achieve’ an average league position, you need inconsistent results. Average players are inconsistent; that’s one of the reasons they’re average. Et voila.
If these players don’t like Gerrard, what changed? Because they seemed to like it when he arrived. Is he working them too hard? Pussies. Is he demanding too much? Losers. Is he too honest with them? Snowflakes. Do they know they’re done at Villa? Bottlers.
International, Premier League players, albeit average ones, only playing for half a game and needing a rocket from the manager at half time nearly every game? Pathetic losers. Get some f****** Red Bulls down then half hour before kick-off! Works for Jamie Vardy haring around the pitch like a madman.
They don’t look like happy campers for what ever reason Big Ron. Perhaps those results were new management bounce?
Watkins for example looks divide of all happiness. McGinn looks a shadow of the player he was?
My bet is come the summer Gerrard will clear out and bring tried and trusted as a quick term fix to repair his reputation and so keeping his Liverpool dream alive?And maybe that could be to our long term detriment?
Time will tell.
( You can probably tell I’m not his (SG’s) biggest fan )
Hmmmm. Worrying. On paper, you’d say they’re above average players. IF there’s a problem with the manager-player relationship, Purslow and the owners have got some serious thinking to do. Can they afford to rip it up, and are they willing? The idea was build it up slowly – we should be ‘icing the cake’ this summer, maybe even adding a cherry, not slinging it. I would have reservations about a big clear out, as much as I disagree with the lack of professionalism of not putting in a full shift, regardless of if you ‘like’ the manager. How many United multiple champs ‘liked’ Fergie. That’s why I’m digging out the players in my comments.
We played well in the second half, but the players need to go out after a SG roasting for the first half, which was awful as they often are. Coutinho is a homer – he was at Liverpool. Away games against weak sides may see him perform but not against the top half. Still worth keeping because our home form needed boosting and we can play someone else when away.
Digne going off again unbalances the attack, and Ashley Young is no longer an answer, so recall Targett and show Ash the door. I think I have seen enough of Sanson now to know he does not fit. I don’t think McGinn does now either, though whether he needs to go or he will be better when others arrive is a toss up. His corners are awful and unvaried. Though he works well out of possession his choice and execution of the first pass after he wins the ball is poor. McGinn like Bailey is guilty of shooting when the path to goal is blocked, instead of working a gap. Buendia is definitely an asset, and so is Douglas Luiz when playing further forward.
Bailey does not play with much intelligence. That is curable, but only if he isn’t dim.
Mostly right, but McGinn is gold.
It’s our setup that makes him look poor.
Witness him for Scotland. We’re totally wasting everything that’s good about him.
The rest, you can rip to bits all you want. 🙂
Been saying it for two years, Badger. Nothing changes then. AVFC still badly run. He scored that cracker versus Palace after Gerrard arrived, and then…nothing. WHY?
Played well in the second half?
Must have been watching a different game to me.
Yea Watkins missed a couple of sitters and if that was a pen my aunt’s my uncle!
Wolves were always in control, 2-1 flattered us.