Aston Villa (A) | PL | Post Match Thread

[Axel Freed]

As some have already said, the starting lineup did not get me an erection. I don't understand why we meet Aston Villa, who have three straight wins, and we don't start with the best 11?

There is no CL this week, only EFL and Swansea away. Why not start this 11 in that game?

This was a tough game and Aston Villa defended really well, got a goal on a corner and they could have got another on their corner setups I think they had good corners, it seems that many teams are really dangerous on that besides us ours really sucks.

You very rarely get innovative corner “routines” that flummox the opposition and allow for a clear chance a la Stonesy’s near post tap in a couple of seasons ago. I think corners are more about attitude, bravery, a desire to get to the ball. Someone like Big Sam coming in as a special set piece coach could instill that desire in the players

 

[waspish]

Mediocre? That’s a bit harsh mate.

We can’t win every single game. There are a small number of injuries to key players that affected today’s performance.

Pep is still learning about the players and squad. He’ll probably learn more from today’s performance.

If (and it’s a massive if) - Marmoush learns to stay onside we dig out a hard earned point and the majority would be content.

I’ll not be judging any new players this early in the season. Too many players before have improved after 6-18 months. Nico G being a good recent example.

We need to dust ourselves off and make sure we beat Bournemouth next week.

It’s the worse thing about social media and forums the knee jerk black and white opinions! There is always a grey area in all teams sports! We lose we shit everyone shit managers shit why didnt he start instead! Madness!

 

[Scottish Cityzen]

So Watkins clean through on goal didn’t happen? The block from one of our defenders to save a certain goal early in the second half didn’t happen? I’m sure there were more. I genuinely don’t think Martinez had a single save to make in the whole game other than Haalands chance in the first half. Which other chances did we miss?

I’m not saying anything about that mate.

For the Watkins clean through chance Donnarumma should have dealt with that easier than he did as the ball was in the box before Watkins reached it.

Of course both teams had chances during the course of the game.

They made numerous blocks in the second half which were as good as saves. And the reason Onana got man of the match.

In my opinion, which is all it is - if we play that same game again we would score a goal more often than not.

 

[Alexia_Ko]

Reijnders is crap, Gonzalez is really crap, Savinho is really really crap, Nunes is really really really crap!

Nico is not crap. He came on and was instantly carded because of the other Nico being awful in the box

 

[deano ou812]

Donna; Khuzanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-N; Rodri, Reinders; Foden; Marmoush, Haaland, Cherki
A fully fit side that has loads of goals in it so we shouldn’t be TOO worried about the current situation. We’ve just got to get them all fit, and then get Pep to pick them. For me that’s as good as any team in the league.

The problem is he’s not going to pick all them as a starting 11

 

[dannyboiblue]

Whats everyone's take on our current performances etc, players not good enough wrong team selections or tactics just dont work anymore?

 

[Blue and true]

5.
Donnarumma
Dias
An on form Gvardiol
Silva, maybe
Haaland

Also Marmoush and Kusanov would be in with a shout

But I agree with the point. Go back to the treble squad - how many of our lot could get on the bench never mint start regularly

That's fair, but there are few certainties. Had I asked the question three years ago, it'd be a different story.

 

[BigJoe#1]

Nunez is just not the quality we need, or even expect these days.... a good Premiership player but not quite food enough, more like Wolves level (IMO and yes I know) same goes for Sav,,,, except he may be closer to my/our expectations.

 

[Dannyblue52]

Genuine question. How many of our players would be starting for Madrid, Bayern, Barca, and PSG? That's before we look at Arsenal and Liverpool. Haaland would start up front for three of the aforementioned European teams. Gigi probably starts for all four.

Beyond that, I'm struggling. And therein lies the problem; we just don't have the same number of world class players that we used to have. And it shows on the pitch.

Absolutely right. Silva, Ya Ya, Aguero , Tevez
, Kompany and DeBryune to name a few. Only Haaland and Donna are in that class. We need a couple more world class players to be back where we were.

 

[Earlyriser]

5.
Donnarumma
Dias
An on form Gvardiol
Silva, maybe
Haaland

Also Marmoush and Kusanov would be in with a shout

But I agree with the point. Go back to the treble squad - how many of our lot could get on the bench never mint start regularly

Dias of 3 years ago... not now

 

[Phil1]

Doku is fit, had great start

Suddenly Pep decided to bench him and change the system in order to force Savinho in the LW

He’s been a bit shit for the last few games though so there’s that. Savinio also being a bit shit doesn’t help as is Bobb being a bit shit since his return and then injuries to other options.
All in all I think you’re still a clueless, gormless, ****.

 

[Fordyboy46]

You were never fucking happy even when we played exciting football so it’s return wouldn’t’ make a lot of difference to your miserable posts.

Yes I was, don't be ridiculous. The days of Merlin, Yaya, Sergio, Sane, Sterling etc was a joy to behold. Then the Kev, Gundo, Mahrez team excellent. Fast forward to this now and it looks a million miles away from where we were, it just isn't exciting to watch

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

Nico g did well. Tried to match them physically

 

[big gaz]

I fear there isn't even going to be a St Beneathus Day.

Never had a fall out with you, but that upset me ;-)

 

[alexmcity]

Donna; Khuzanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-N; Rodri, Reinders; Foden; Marmoush, Haaland, Cherki
A fully fit side that has loads of goals in it so we shouldn’t be TOO worried about the current situation. We’ve just got to get them all fit, and then get Pep to pick them. For me that’s as good as any team in the league.

That may work if you play both Rodri and Gonzalez. Reijnders, Foden and Cherki are weak defensively.

 

[Norbert D]

Doku is fit, had great start

Suddenly Pep decided to bench him and change the system in order to force Savinho in the LW

Linking up with O’Reilly well, Gvardiol and Dias at centre back, Nunes at right back. But, no Pep needs to tinker, it’s what he does best.

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

He’s been a bit shit for the last few games though so there’s that. Savinio also being a bit shit doesn’t help as is Bobb being a bit shit since his return and then injuries to other options.
All in all I think you’re still a clueless, gormless, ****.

Harsh :-)

 

[Blue Hefner]

Whats everyone's take on our current performances etc, players not good enough wrong team selections or tactics just dont work anymore?

A few things. The team selection today was poor but we can’t have this standard of individual performance if we want to be successful

I think Khusanov and Marmoush along with O’Reilly starting will make a difference in the coming weeks

I don’t think it’s the tactics necessarily, it’s the lack of quality of players in the front line

 

[Man-chester copperpot]

18 shots 4 on target which is interesting

Get a load of these on the edge of the penalty area and get the plebs to practice for 8hrs straight tomorrow

 

[bluetonium]

Pretty annoyed as we had more than enough to get points today, but just were not creative enough to get that clear cut chance.

Fair play to villa for their defending, but I still feel that two handed push on gvardiol should have been a penalty. Lucky his face didn't connect with the shoulder of the player he was shoved in to, crap refereeing from an official who was happy to give the advantage and then bring play back 5 seconds later for them, but never for us, and to give Martinez double the 8 seconds at every opportunity (and yes, I was counting, unlike the officials).

Table makes for bloody odd reading currently, but we have an opportunity to deal big blows to Bournemouth and Liverpool coming up. That said, if Arsenal brick it again then they should just retire the team from official competitions.