Aston Villa (A) - Sat 21st Dec, 12:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[chaddblue]

___________________Ortega___________

Nunes_______Dias__________Gvardiol____Wilson

__________________Kovacic_______________

____________Kevin_______Foden_______

Doku_____________Haaland__________Savio

That defence has humiliation written all over it

 

[chickaroon]

Every game at the moment looks like we can and will lose and it's ok with everybody at the club because we all know the reason, Rodri's injury ? it's even got to the point where we will be fine come the transfer window and we can bring in somebody and everything will be back on track

Ok 4 titles in a row and 6 from 7 seasons gives everybody a free pass this season or it seems that way
But Should the club be allowed to be in a mess because of one player having a long-term injury

I know there are other injuries and problems with burnout, but looking at the starting lineup at the derby should we be in such a mess and clueless, There is nothing ? No pressing, No movement, No hunger, No desire, No closing down, No tackles, Question is does Pep have control or the power to rip them a new arsehole in the dressing room

Villa will fancy it and they know they have beaten us when we were doing good and winning every week

I said the other week we have 4 Premier League games before the transfer window opens and the opportunity to bring in some new faces to give everybody a lift and help sort out the mess and hope for a good 2nd half of the season.
But 1 game down 3 to play and no more points in the bank to stop the fall from grace we could be 10th or lower and dare I say it United above us,

It is time to roll up your sleeves show some fight and earn the 3 points that we so badly need
No more we have injuries ? that starting 11 and bench against United should have been enough to win the derby.

In fact United was so poor I thought they waved the white flag themselves and wanted the game over before we fucked up and handed it them on a plate

I agree with most of what you are saying. However, on Sunday there were two sacred teams playing each other. The lack of pressing is because we were to afraid of them breaking our lines. You are correct that the team on the pitch was more than good enough to beat united but their heads were telling them that they couldn't lose. When you play with fear you play slower, careful football that is impossible to win with. I am hoping with no game midweek they can get their heads in the right place.

 

[PragueBlue]

The lack of pressing is because we were to afraid of them breaking our lines.

I suspect the lack of pressing is more due to the fact that we simply cannot maintain a sustained press with KDB, Gundogan and Haaland playing. They just don't have the legs for it.

 

[kaz7]

Is it wrong to be pleased it is the early game so we can get it over with ?

 

[Dr Jacoby]

___________________Ortega___________

Nunes_______Dias__________Gvardiol____Wilson

__________________Kovacic_______________

____________Kevin_______Foden_______

Doku_____________Haaland__________Savio

We’d concede at least 5 with that defence.

 

[kaz7]

___________________Ortega___________

Nunes_______Dias__________Gvardiol____Wilson

__________________Kovacic_______________

____________Kevin_______Foden_______

Doku_____________Haaland__________Savio

Does anyone bite at this anymore?

 

[PragueBlue]

Hopefully will be something like:

Ortega

Akanji Stones Dias Gvardiol

Kovacic

Foden Grealish

Bernardo Haaland Doku

Probably the most solid defence we have right now if they are all fit. Front 6 can all press and retain the ball fairly well. Bit short on creativity but I think to focus on being a bit more solid first.

Keep KDB, Gundogan and Savinho for a bit more spark if needed later on.

 

[chickaroon]

I suspect the lack of pressing is more due to the fact that we simply cannot maintain a sustained press with KDB, Gundogan and Haaland playing. They just don't have the legs for it.

Another reason yes. No one presses the back line anymore or the keeper. We have three youngster up front. Doku, Haaland and Foden. They don't work hard enough.

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

Yeah let’s drop Harland and play Foden or Savinho up top, they scored none in the league so far!
Please remind me how many crosses into the box and/or through balls given to Harland on Sunday

He needs dropping, 1.) he's not able to do anything due to the way teams play against us or the service he gets.
2.) he needs a rest, if he gets injured we are truly fucked

 

[half & half derby scarf]

Is it wrong to be pleased it is the early game so we can get it over with ?

Starting to feel that way but there's a strange curiosity about what Pep will do.