Very fortunate to sneak a point yesterday with the second half performance extremely worrying. Wolves should have won that game by 2 or 3 in the end but certain players really do concern me. Firstly Cissokho, this guy seems to keep getting selected but he is truly awful in every aspect, Amavi MUST now start as our first team left back. Secondly Jedinak, i think all of us thought he was a fantastic signing but from what i have seen he maybe should retire. I cant believe how sluggish and slow the guy is even at this level. He has zero energy to offer and needs to sort his fitness out. What really worries me is the defensive problems going into the reading game. Baker will come in but is prone to howlers at any time and Hutton or Bacuna at right back i would rather not talk about its that bad. Bruce has a huge job on his hands over the next week with 2 huge games, just hope the fans keep the faith as in time he will get it right . We all know in football though managers these days dont get that time !!
posted on 17/10/16
Yep we were fortunate, but we were due one; we've had several games where we were unfortunate not to score more. The fact that we didn't lose was as much down to Wolves inability to hit the target as fortune; they outplayed us in midfield, but they don't have a lot of quality up front. We actually hit the target more times (3) than they did (2), and Gollini didn't have a lot to do, and what he did he did well. (By the way, a similar post to this on the "other" thread was deleted by the creator; Wolves fans don't like the truth!). So, overall I'm not feeling at all guilty at the result.
The only thing I'd disagree with about Jedinak is that I never thought he was a good signing; he was part of a Palace team which performed poorly last season, and it was pretty obvious that he couldn't play more than a half then. Reckon RDM failed to recognise that the Championship is now as demanding as the PL, and signing ageing players who can no longer cut it in the PL was not a good idea.
Our defence isn't the greatest, but strangely I'm not too worried about that; there are only 7 teams who have conceded less goals than us, 13 in 12 games. It's the same as last year, the inability to score goals, which is holding us back. The big problem in both cases I think is the midfield, doesn't protect the defence, doesn't press enough and doesn't attack well enough.
Bruce has a problem, but I think he'll get us back on track, given time. He has options for Reading he didn't have against Wolves. I've a strange feeling we will win
posted on 17/10/16
hello all villa people, especially paddy and andy grays
posted on 17/10/16
Well one game in and we actually looked worse under Bruce than under Di Matteo, but we must give him time as he has pedigree in this league and one thing we really need is continuity.
Completely agree about Cissokho, Amavi is the future and has fantastic potential, he may make the odd howler but already he is a better all round player than Cissokho. Absolutely needs to play. I personally was happy with Richards playing even if others weren't, took some bottle to play him and while he looks off the pace due to lack of game time he is definitely our best natural right back. Jedinak also looks extremely disappointing, I really thought he's be a good acquisition for at least a season but he was signed five years too late. Looks way off the pace and doesn't offer protection to our vulnerable back four. However, he has to play due to lack of options (Westwood and Gardner are also not good enough and lack his experience).
I feel we have three areas that desperately need addressing in January. First, we need a goalkeeper, Gollini may be good enough in future but is too experienced for right now and we need a goalkeeper who is commanding. I'd go for someone like Vorm on loan. Second, a centre back. I think Chester is solid enough (at least he always has been for Wales alongside good players like Davies and Williams) but Elphick doesn't inspire good leadership. He did well at Bournemouth where expectations were lower, but at Villa we need a bigger character. I really don't know who, but it is an area that needs addressing. Then central midfield is a serious weakness, with Westwood, Gardner and Jedinak not up to it and too slow. Tshibola looks a talent but needs someone good alongside him. Going forward I think we have good enough players at this level, but for some reason none of them are scoring enough. It doesn't help when you're being pegged back in your own half for much of the game against Wolves, who we really should be dominating and beating.
Unfortunately, the Championship is not easy and contains teams who have a lot of decent players. Realistically, we should have too much for a lot of teams but we seem to getting outplayed by teams we should be beating even at home. The only game we absolutely dominated was at home to Forrest, which says it all. Most other games have been pretty close in terms of chances and at home to Wolves and Newcastle we were dominated for significant parts of the game. We really must improve and I hope Bruce can turn it around quickly.
posted on 18/10/16
I'd stick with Gollini.He made a couple of brilliant saves against Wolves, kept us in the match, and didn't put a foot wrong. He may make the odd mistake, but is much better than Guzan, and looks to have a very good future. He'll get there by us playing him. Don't play him and he'll be out of the door, another talent gone.
posted on 18/10/16
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posted on 18/10/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator