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.

 

[ShaunMCFC]

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

I’d prefer half 4 on Sunday so it doesn’t wreck my full weekend

 

[kaz7]

I’d prefer half 4 on Sunday so it doesn’t wreck my full weekend

We would have all afternoon and evening to get pissed up though then do the same on sunday

 

[kaz7]

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

i just hope the couple of days rest and hopefully some defenders back will help

Pep will keep trying till he can sort it , as long as the players are trying too, those who arent can fuck the hell off

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

i just hope the couple of days rest and hopefully some defenders back will help

Pep will keep trying till he can sort it , as long as the players are trying too, those who arent can fuck the hell off

Spot on Kaz

Those not putting a shift in training shouldn’t play

Doesn’t matter who even if kids have to play

 

[ancoats]

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.

I think the manager should have said forget them breaking our lines and just go out and enjoy yourself and don't fear losing, When form is a struggle last thing you need is the fear of losing. But what we are watching is the manager hoping the transfer window opens this weekend so he can fix a problem called Rodri missing from his system.

Pep does not have a plan B or a system he is happy with, it has been crying out for a system change instead of playing somebody in that role who is not good enough to play the holding midfield role,

We are a complicated setup and use players who are inverted wingbacks and splitting the centre-backs so Rodri can pick up the ball deep or take the ball off the keeper, I do wonder why Pep never changes the setup and uses the false 9 and pack the midfield and bench Haaland

 

[citeh94]

Tbh, after Ederson’ performance in the derby I think a new keeper is critical, but stick with Ortega for now. Need Akanji back desperately, would start Kovacic over De Bruyne for this one.

 

[Mancityphilfo2000]

Tbh, after Ederson’ performance in the derby I think a new keeper is critical, but stick with Ortega for now. Need Akanji back desperately, would start Kovacic over De Bruyne for this one.

Wudnt play kdb , walker, gundog we can't carry anyone at this time.

 

[citeh94]

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.

Like that team tbh, think we need 4centere half’s to keep Villa out, dunno will Akanji be fit tho think that attack is good.

 

[kaz7]

Tbh, after Ederson’ performance in the derby I think a new keeper is critical, but stick with Ortega for now. Need Akanji back desperately, would start Kovacic over De Bruyne for this one.

Eddie is not the problem , no manager changes keeper like pep has been doing recently , the defenders we have at the moment cant recieve the ball so he has to go longer and it doesnt suit us , stefan would be no different , eddie has made some good saves this season and pep should not keep dropping him

 

[David White]

With the way we’re playing, we’ve not got much of a chance. Villa aren’t great but they’ll be licking their lips at this. Southampton would be licking their lips if they were playing us this weekend too.

With us still having unfit players and injuries and our heads are on the floor, he needs to do something radical. Take the handbrake off, don’t force them to play in such a rigid way with absolutely no room for error and let them just have a go. They’re petrified to lose the ball. We need to defend deeper because again it’s a team with pace that will waltz through us at will. Time to let some of the young lads have a run about.

Sadly, it’ll be the same players employing the same tactics in the same formation and we’ll get beat 4 nil. I hope I’m wrong.