Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Villafirst on September 17, 2013, 08:49:57 PM
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I can't understand KEA playing instead of Sylla. I'm sorry but I just don't rate KEA. Sylla was great in the last few games of last season, the midfield looked far more robust with Sylla playing - he also offers a layer of protection for the defence - shocking tactics against Ben Arfa where cover for Luna was needed. Do you agree?
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Sylla massively improved us last year and should be in the team.
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Messi or heskey?
The answer to the question is surprise surprise sylla :)
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Sort of a choice between eating dog shit and not eating dog shit.
Simply has to be Sylla
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Surprise surprise - Sylla
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I think KEA did okay in pre-season. He warranted starting based on pre-season performances (Sylla missing games with injury didn't help him), but again, early signs of a bit of promise have slipped away. I just think he's a very average player. No pace at all, technically pretty average, no physical presence, he can't tackle. On his game he's quite tidy with the ball, without really being penetrative in any way. I just think he offers very little impact on our midfield. He's quite sloppy at times too and gives the ball away a lot.
Sylla is strong, a great athlete, and he gets about the opposition. He's not bad on the ball either, certainly he improved greatly in the last few weeks last season.
Our midfield has only ever looked balanced when we've had a three of Delph, Westwood and Sylla. Westy is the cultured, considered footballer, the other two make up for his lack of pace and running with their dynamism.
Something about KEA and Westwood together doesn't seem right, and has no balance. It leaves us too slow in midfield and too easily overrun.
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Yes, Sylla is the clear answer here; he should have been in the team as soon as he was healthy.
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Im not really a fan of either to b honest! KEA has had enough time to prove himself and hasnt done enough to warrant a place in the team apart from the odd decent performance away from home. And sylla has hardly pulled up any trees when ive seen him play! He gives us a bit of beef but thats it and can look clumsy with the ball at his feet. If push came to shove i would go KEA but i dont think either of them would get in to any other premier league team! Or most championship teams! Its not good But im afraid its true!
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Someone mentioned on another thread that we don't see either player in training and such like. Which is absolutely valid.
But unless Sylla has been having a complete 'mare in training sessions, or is acting like an arse, it's hard to see how KEA would continue to get a game ahead of him. True, he did have one of his better games against Arsenal. But he's looked largely ineffective for the best part of 12 months.
In contrast, Sylla's arrival mdway through the last campaign coincided with our upturn in form. It's more than just coincidence too, he brings physicality and athleticism to a midfield patrolled by diddy men.
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SYLLA SYLLA SYLLA
HE LOVES TO PLAY FOR VILLA
Ooooooooooooohhhhhr Oooooooooooohhhr
Repeat
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Sylla massively improved us last year and should be in the team.
Reverting to 4-3-3 massively improved us last year and that coincided with Sylla coming into the side.
KEA looked pretty poor, but I'd wager that most of our midfielders (Sylla included) will look pretty mediocre if they don't have the security of two other players around them - which KEA never has until the first couple of games of this season, both of which he looked very good in.
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KEA started the season well and Sylla looked undercooked against Rotherham. I think the decision has been justified up until now but I expect Sylla to get himself in sooner or later. It's good that we have such threads though because it's a sign of getting a squad together. And of course, it's amazing how after a defeat the players who didn't play are suddenly better (I didn't see this point being made after the Arsenal or Chelsea games).
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Reality is, if lambert screws the tactics up again it matters not who plays. System Narrow is flawed.
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On his game he's quite tidy with the ball, without really being penetrative in any way. I just think he offers very little impact on our midfield.
That's KEA for me.
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KEA plays instead of Westwood depending on form, not as well as him. Sylla would be one of the first on the teamsheet for me.
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Sylla. Absolutely no idea why KEA would ever play
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It appears that players not playing when the team has had a couple of bad results become world beaters.
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El-Ahmadi's generally been good this season, based on what I've seen. I'd play both and give Westwood a rest.
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Anyway, fascinating facts I've discovered today:
(i) Sylla plays for Mali
(ii) he made his international debut against Brittany.
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KEA will not make the grade , at 29 he's had his chance.
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Petrov was roughly the same age when many wrote him off. I've not given up on KEA-Ora yet.
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What I want to know is why KEA wasn't good enough to play the second half of last season and he suddenly is now? From what I can see he's actually got worse, yet gets a start? Baffling.
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KEA was absolutely wank v Newcastle.. Absolutely wank.
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Sylla should be in the team, but should we really be singling KEA out? What has Westwood done to keep his place so far?
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Sylla without a doubt. And I am basing that, not on the Newcastle game but on KEA's performances over twelve months compared to Sylla's since January.
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Sylla should be in the team, but should we really be singling KEA out? What has Westwood done to keep his place so far?
Fair comment - Westwood also has been poor.
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I think Sylla will be back in the team on the weekend,hopefully see a few changes
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Sylla should be in the team, but should we really be singling KEA out? What has Westwood done to keep his place so far?
Chuff all, but by benefit of what he did last season, and the fact hes probably the only midfielder we have who can play the role he does, it's very hard to drop him. What's disappointed me most about Westy is he's gone missing. Last half of last season he was almost always an option for someone. He'd always be available for a pass. On the ball he'd rarely give it away and actually try and advance things forward. He looks weirdly short of confidence. It's all side or reverse passes. He gives the ball away more and he's hiding from it on occasion.
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Two very limited players, but what else do we have to choose from, Herd, Bacuna, Gardner? Never mind the defence we are well short of quality in midfield.
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KEA seems to be in the lead for the title of scapegoat for the season.
The issue here is that Westwood and KEA just shouldn't be playing together as it puts too much pressure on Delph to do all the running. Sylla worked because he pressed the ball high up the pitch and allowed Westwood to sit in and Delph to press deeper, KEA isn't pressing the ball so we've got 2 players trying to sit in and it leaves too much space. We need 1 of Sylla, Bacuna, Gardner or Tonev to come in and play the role Sylla did last season when we don't have the ball and provide something going forward when we have it, the 2nd requirement being the reason I wouldn't automatically throw Sylla in.
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It appears that players not playing when the team has had a couple of bad results become world beaters.
There's some truth in this observation, but on the other hand I read plenty of comments from people over the close season who were looking forward to seeing how Sylla would get on this season, so it feels a bit strange that we haven't seen him yet.
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For me Sylla, I thought he made great progress last season and wonder why he appears to have taken a step back in the pecking order.
His strength and surging runs are missed.
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I would have to go for Sylla I just think he offers more than KEA.
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KEA away from home, breaks play down more.
Sylla at home.
Not been impressed with Westwood and Weimann so far
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Sylla is the new NRC he becomes a much better player with every game he doesn't play in
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Sylla for me. Agreed, Sylla's arrival brought our turnaround in form. He's a great athlete, decent on the ball and adds steel to our midfield. He's a must for me.
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Sylla is the new NRC he becomes a much better player with every game he doesn't play in
Our form post January when he signed tends to tell a different story. He was very important in our revival.
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Sylla is the new NRC he becomes a much better player with every game he doesn't play in
I think Sylla is a much better footballer.
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Sylla is better option for me but should we play 4 men midfield with Tonev, Delph, plus 2 from Westwood, Sylla and KEA
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Sylla is the new NRC he becomes a much better player with every game he doesn't play in
Our form post January when he signed tends to tell a different story. He was very important in our revival.
As I said earlier, what makes you so positive that it was Sylla coming in rather than the formation change that made the difference?
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Easy . Sylla . I was suprised KEA is 29 , i thought he was one of the Lambert young potential signings . Oh dear
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Sylla is the new NRC he becomes a much better player with every game he doesn't play in
Our form post January when he signed tends to tell a different story. He was very important in our revival.
As I said earlier, what makes you so positive that it was Sylla coming in rather than the formation change that made the difference?
I would say from the way we played with Sylla. I mean intitally he didn't get put in every week. We switched systems, but in the last couple of months it became evidently clear our best 3 was Westy, Delph and Sylla. Others kind of didn't really offer much when played. I'm thinking of Bannan in particular. Sylla to me looked a very good prospect indeed, particularly in the last few weeks. He was immense against Chelsea in particular. Not just his energy and running, but on the ball too. I've never seen KEA play as well as that so far.
I think had he not been injured in pre-season, Sylla would probably have started the season, but fair enough, KEA took his chance to shine in pre-season. But Prem opposition in competition football is a different prospect than a friendly against Crewe.
Actually that said, Westwood had a pretty average pre-season and it seems to have carried through.
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Sylla is the new NRC he becomes a much better player with every game he doesn't play in
Our form post January when he signed tends to tell a different story. He was very important in our revival.
As I said earlier, what makes you so positive that it was Sylla coming in rather than the formation change that made the difference?
I would say from the way we played with Sylla. I mean intitally he didn't get put in every week. We switched systems, but in the last couple of months it became evidently clear our best 3 was Westy, Delph and Sylla. Others kind of didn't really offer much when played. I'm thinking of Bannan in particular. Sylla to me looked a very good prospect indeed, particularly in the last few weeks. He was immense against Chelsea in particular. Not just his energy and running, but on the ball too. I've never seen KEA play as well as that so far.
I think had he not been injured in pre-season, Sylla would probably have started the season, but fair enough, KEA took his chance to shine in pre-season. But Prem opposition in competition football is a different prospect than a friendly against Crewe.
Actually that said, Westwood had a pretty average pre-season and it seems to have carried through.
The role Sylla played was the important thing, which was screening further up the pitch. When we've played badly under Lambert it has often been when a deep-lying midfielder for the opposition has been given the time and space to dictate the tempo (David Luiz in that game being the best example), Sylla stopped that happening. I think Bacuna will do a similar job in there once he gets up to speed but he has a little more about him in the final 3rd from what I've seen. That way we can have Delph and Sylla competing for the all energy defensive role, Bacuna or hopefully Gardner screening in front and westwood and kea being the anchor dictating the tempo and blocking the space around the edge of the box.
For the time being though Sylla would give us the pressing and work rate slightly in front that was particularly missing on Sat.
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I would say Sylla had a massive impact, because his high energy and physicality helped press the ball and give teams less time to play against us. He also increase the tempo of our midfield, which helped create chances.
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Sylla
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Sylla
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Also, Syllas physical presence can stop us getting somewhat bullied against certain teams. Westwood isn't a physical player. Delph's full of energy but his tackling is always a worry and he's only about 5ft9 too. In addition, Sylla can be useful for defending set pieces too because of his height.
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I think we need a midfield three, and Sylla is more suited as that third man than KEA as he brings something different to the group. KEA is tidy on the ball but I see him as cover/competition/replacement for Westwood, or Delph - sitting fairly centrally, making short passes. He's not comfortable moving into wider areas.
Sylla is more dynamic, athletic, up and down. Disrupts opposing midfields. I'd have him in v Norwich, on the right side of a midfield three, and if not him, Bacuna. Bit of athleticism and pace wouldn't go amiss, doubling up (with Lowton) on Redmond, who'll be a threat on their left wing.
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Both , drop Westwood.
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We need Sylla playing as DM. Thus the question should be KEA or Westwood. On current season's form it has to be KEA.
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If we had KEA and Sylla and dropped Westwood I'd have KEA in DM and Sylla further forward, I think Sylla would be wasted sitting in front of the back 4, the guy has a great engine and can cover a lot of ground so I wouldn't want to see him restricted like that.
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Don't drop Westwwod just yet. But, do play Sylla alongside for a run of games.
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another here for the drop Westwood for Sylla
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Sylla in for KEA.
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If we had KEA and Sylla and dropped Westwood I'd have KEA in DM and Sylla further forward, I think Sylla would be wasted sitting in front of the back 4, the guy has a great engine and can cover a lot of ground so I wouldn't want to see him restricted like that.
This argument would only be valid if we had somebody else capable to occupy the DM role. Westwood is just shambolic defensively and I'm not sure I've seen a DM offer as little as he does off the ball. Besides we already have Delph who covers lots of ground.
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Momo Sissoko on a free please.
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Ahmadi reminds me of Ireland,anonymous but w
ith a better attitude.Has Sylla upset Lambert as he's hardly figured at all?
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KEA out, Sylla in.
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I think Sylla alongside Westwood allows Westwood a bit more time and space, neither of which he has had so far this season which suggests his form has been less impressive than at the end of last season.
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I think Sylla alongside Westwood allows Westwood a bit more time and space
Really? I don't remember Sylla playing that role. He was little more forward and centre right. However I do agree that he made a difference in the last 10 games.
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We certainly need more muscle in the middle. See how easily KEA was brushed aside leading to Ben Arfas goal. KEA tries his hardest to his credit but I just don't see him making it at PL level.
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I think Sylla alongside Westwood allows Westwood a bit more time and space
Really? I don't remember Sylla playing that role. He was little more forward and centre right. However I do agree that he made a difference in the last 10 games.
I think what I was trying to say was Sylla occupies the opposition midfield in a way KEA doesn't. On Saturday Westwood seemed to be denied any time by the Newcastle central midfield as KEA stayed more central meaning there was less ground to make up to close the ball when it found it's way to Westwood. Sylla often pulled wide taking a player with him - I recall seeing Sylla almost on the touchline a various points of games but KEA rarely seems to do this.
Of course I might be talking complete rubbish.
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I would like to see Sylla on Saturday, the midfield 3 that ended the season had really started working well together. I am still unconvinced with KEA.
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KEA's major thing is he's supposed to be tidy in possession, but on Saturday he kept giving it away. I'd like Sylla into the team and I want Bacuna/Gardner putting pressure on Westwood for his place.
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It's Sylla for me. I seriously cannot think of a game at VP where I've seen him play well. He wants too much time on the ball and has no tackling ability. I can't see what he does do to be frank. After reports that he'd played well at Arsenal and Chelsea, I was really hoping he'd come good. He's one of those players that goes missing during a match - in the same way that Steve Sidwell used to do.
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There is no point having KEA and Westwood in the same midfield. It's a waste of options - Sylla should come back.
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KEA creates very little. Sylla all day long.
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From how i read it, Delph and KEA are there to do the pressing and closing down, trying to win the ball back high up the pitch, and Westwood is there to use it.Now on saturday neither did their jobs, but to be fair to KEA, he did against Arse and Chelsk, and when he came on against Lplop.
I'm not sure that Westwood has completed his role to a satisfactory level in any game this year.I'm not sure he is better than GG, or Carruthers tbh, and for me is not performing.I can give or take KEA, for me our midfield should be Delph, Sylla, and a n other, hopefully a new signing in Jan.
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Sylla for me too!
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I think Sylla alongside Westwood allows Westwood a bit more time and space
Really? I don't remember Sylla playing that role. He was little more forward and centre right. However I do agree that he made a difference in the last 10 games.
I think what I was trying to say was Sylla occupies the opposition midfield in a way KEA doesn't. On Saturday Westwood seemed to be denied any time by the Newcastle central midfield as KEA stayed more central meaning there was less ground to make up to close the ball when it found it's way to Westwood. Sylla often pulled wide taking a player with him - I recall seeing Sylla almost on the touchline a various points of games but KEA rarely seems to do this.
Of course I might be talking complete rubbish.
OK your rubbish makes more sense and that's the way I saw Sylla operating last season.
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Sylla for me, more physical than KEA and we need to start being more disruptive when we havnt got the ball, teams are playing around us too much.
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the truth is at home you dont play kea and delph. against newcastle weimann kept coming of the wing to much so we had hardly any width and why o why cant any of our centre backs or full backs just attack the space in front of them. all teams at villa park know we are a counter attacking team so away from home its fine. if we have to revert to 4-4-2 at home then do it.
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I think Sylla has to be put back in on Sat, but maybe take Westwood out as his performances have been a bit under par, maybe even bring in Bacuna as well.
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everyone has their personal favourites,
but is there really anyone out there who has watched the first 4 games of the season and overall thinks Westwood has played better than KEA ?
if so we must be watching different matches,
KEA one poor game and he must be replaced
Westwood 4 poor matches and he must stay
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Westwood hasn't been great but I'm not sure anyone else can play there. Maybe sylla, but it wouldn't help our ball retention
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Westwood hasn't been great but I'm not sure anyone else can play there. Maybe sylla, but it wouldn't help our ball retention
what 4 poor games and a lot of the time anonymous, and you don't think we have any other players that can do that ?
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Personally I'd bring Sylla in but also keep KEA in and take out Weimann as he hasn't turned up this season.
Not sure it will work at Norwich but I think it needs to be done for the two home games as we need to stop going 1 down every single time we play at Villa Park for a start.
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Sylla for me, Just do not rate KEA at all, championship player at best. Surprised GG hasn't featured at all yet not even on the bench, have I missed something regarding him?...not injured again I hope.
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I just don't think GG looks at all ready for premier league football
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I'd like to see Daniel Johnson play a bit more. He impressed me in pre-season. He looks comfortable on the ball, he's got some mobility, hes a tidy passer. He kind of reminds me of Anderson a bit. Not just the barnet but the way he plays. I know Anderson might not be a brilliant player by any stretch, but he's pretty good.
I'm yet to be convinced on Gardner. Largely because hes got no pace and isn't sharp enough on the ball. I'd be worried about playing him in the deeper role, even with Delph and Sylla there to provide the mobility, because he seems a player who's more attack minded anyway. Our midfield looks pretty ropey carrying two slow players as well as it normally results in Delph having to pick up slack if/when we get overrun.
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My only small gripe with Sylla is that it can take him a while to get into games. I do like him a lot though. I thought he was excellent up at Wigan last season but for some reason Lambert took him off.
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KEA has not had the best start to the season, and Sylla does give us a bit more bite and is a good technical player so I think its time to give him a bigger role.
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KEA has not had the best start to the season, and Sylla does give us a bit more bite and is a good technical player so I think its time to give him a bigger role.
3 good displays and one bad constitutes a bad start?
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neither ! id play that Andy Townsend kid in there........ he aint had a sniff for a while, well lose him if were not careful
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Sylla everyday of the week for me. I would also like to see Gary Gardner giving a chance in the midfield alongside Delph and Westwood/Sylla.
I think he has all the attributes but needs a run of games. Look what it has done for Delph in being given those 10 games plus at the end of last season.
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I just don't think GG looks at all ready for premier league football
Well he kind of needs to make that step very soon.
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Gardner has missed so much football and hasn't made the 18 this season, I was surprised Lambert said the other day he wouldn't be sending him out on loan.
I personally would until xmas. Hopefully he can stay fit and be ready to contribute for us in the second half of the season.
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I just don't think GG looks at all ready for premier league football
Well he kind of needs to make that step very soon.
He's had two massive injuries. See Delph and Ramsey. Give the kid a chance. It could be a year before he's ready
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We don't have any very good midfielders. Some are average, the rest are crap.
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We don't have any very good midfielders. Some are average, the rest are crap.
Pretty much this. Even Delph who has being playing very well wouldn't stand out like he does in a decent midfield.
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KEA has not had the best start to the season, and Sylla does give us a bit more bite and is a good technical player so I think its time to give him a bigger role.
3 good displays and one bad constitutes a bad start?
Not sure how you think that wins the argument, clearly I don't think he has had three good displays otherwise I wouldn't have posted what I did. He goes missing in games too much for me, plus Sylla gives us something extra so I think should be playing more than not.
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KEA has not had the best start to the season, and Sylla does give us a bit more bite and is a good technical player so I think its time to give him a bigger role.
3 good displays and one bad constitutes a bad start?
Not sure how you think that wins the argument, clearly I don't think he has had three good displays otherwise I wouldn't have posted what I did. He goes missing in games too much for me, plus Sylla gives us something extra so I think should be playing more than not.
Just don't see how his performances against Arsenal, Chelsea or Rotherham can be criticised. Arsenal was probably his best performance since he has been here, against Chelsea he was our most comfortable player in possession and worked hard off the ball and against Rotherham he was involved in most of our play. Also, I agree about Sylla, I don't any Villa fan disagrees he should be back in the team. I just think there is someone more worthy of being dropped for him then KEA.
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I think what people are saying is that we need to think about who's going to play where. Sylla's biggest strength is his ability to get around the pitch. So if you play him in the central, sitting role, do you lose that and do you also mean that he's the one receiving the ball from the centre backs. Is he good enough to do that and help us keep the ball?
If you play him on the right, who do you play in that central position? KEA was hopeless there. So it has to be Westwood doesn't it?
We could play more of a 4231. And then I can see Delph and sylla sharing the job. But we might see some of the problems above still
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De de, de de, de de de de de de. De de, de de, de de de de de de for me.
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Assuming no change to the formation surely at the moment it should be Delph + Sylla + 1 from Westwood/KEA
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don't mind Sylla playing but still cant see why KEA should be dropped after another good performance today
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KEA did very well today, I'd have Sylla in for Tonev next week.
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don't mind Sylla playing but still cant see why KEA should be dropped after another good performance today
Yep, one of him and Westwood had to drop to the bench as there was no point in having both. However, bringing in Tonev instead of Sylla for Westwood looked pretty good at stages in the first half. Good to see we can make varieties of changes depending on the situation.
And KEA was great today, especially when tackling in midfield.
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It seems synonymous with our Doctor Jeckyl and Doctor Jeckyl home-away performances. Away from VP, a deep-lying "ratter" sat in front of the back four is what we need. At home, we need something more. The reviews of KEA's performances this season appear to back this up; excellent away, verging on pointless at home. So perhaps a case for Sylla at home, and KEA on our travels.
However, as others have mentioned, given that Westwood is struggling to recapture last season's form (albeit still early days), the debate has moved on from simply being one-from-these-two to two-from-three. Personally, I'd like to see Sylla play regularly. I think the upturn in results, and performances, with him in the side at the latter part of last season has to be more than coincidence.
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don't mind Sylla playing but still cant see why KEA should be dropped after another good performance today
Because the argument should never had been 'KEA or Sylla', it should have been KEA or Westwood.
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KEA has played three very good away games imo but obviously the Newcastle performance was poor.
I like how he's always the first central midfield who presses the ball when the opposition has it, that's a strength of his.
What I'd like to see is maybe go back to what we did against Liverpool and have Sylla instead of Bacuna as a wide midfielder, who can tuck in and also support the full back, that would still give us three attack minded players on the pitch but will hopefully mean the opposition are less likely to break and run through us.
I would expect Sylla to start one of our next two especially if Gabby and Benteke are out.
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Everyone was poor against Newcastle, I don't see why that should be hung around one man's neck.
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Everyone was poor against Newcastle, I don't see why that should be hung around one man's neck.
because he's the new scapegoat now that Bannan's left
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Everyone was poor against Newcastle, I don't see why that should be hung around one man's neck.
because he's the new scapegoat now that Bannan's left
No, he isn't just because some people don't rate him as highly as you doesn't mean he's a scapegoat. Besides what do we need a scapegoat for? We've had a promising start to the season.
Back on topic I think Sylla would be better in the centre, just think he is the sort to break up play and then spread the ball around effectively. Delph has a bit more pace and is gaining confidence so I too see him as his partner but maybe floating around more. Westwood looked promising last season, but we need to bring him on slowly. The wide players are yet to be decided depending on form, but I don't really see KEA as a wide man.
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Everyone was poor against Newcastle, I don't see why that should be hung around one man's neck.
because he's the new scapegoat now that Bannan's left
No, he isn't just because some people don't rate him as highly as you doesn't mean he's a scapegoat. Besides what do we need a scapegoat for? We've had a promising start to the season.
Back on topic I think Sylla would be better in the centre, just think he is the sort to break up play and then spread the ball around effectively. Delph has a bit more pace and is gaining confidence so I too see him as his partner but maybe floating around more. Westwood looked promising last season, but we need to bring him on slowly. The wide players are yet to be decided depending on form, but I don't really see KEA as a wide man.
I don't rate him massively highly although I do think he is a capable player and plays well along side Delph
what I would say if a player you don't rate has a good game then you must give them credit which you fail to do,
you said in a post above you don't he's played well in the first 3 games,
well i'm sorry to break it you but for instance against Chelsea in the second half he along side Delph dominated the Chelsea midfield for long periods I think that means he's having a good game against one of the best midfields in the country
same against Arsenal,
but because you don't like him or rate him you say even though he's been one of our better players in the first 3 games that he's not played well, which is a classic case of him being a scapegoat
as soon as he has his first poor game in most other peoples opinion , he's no good and needs to be dropped, even though no player covered themselves in glory, its KEA who gets the chop as far as your concerned, why , because he's your scapegoat for a bad performance
he is exactly a scapegoat type player to fans like you, who as soon as the first bad performance goes in your all over him like a ton of bricks, even denying any good displays that may have gone before like you did above
to be honest if you don't consider he has played well in the 5 out of 6 games so far this season then you either arnt watching the matches, don't know sweet FA about the game or have made your mind up about the player before he starts and nothing that he does will change your opinion of him,
which means he is, as I said a scapegoat
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Everyone was poor against Newcastle, I don't see why that should be hung around one man's neck.
I don't think many were solely blaming KEA, he was poor against Newcastle but so were Weimann, Lowton, Westwood, Luna and so on.
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Well put john e. Anybody who doesn't think he was made a scapegoat by many after the Newcastle game only needs to re-browse the post-match thread.
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Yeah, but KEA's sloppiness in losing the ball when not under any real pressure indirectly lead to Okore's bad knee injury. Sorry, but KEA isn't good enough... SYLLA IN!!
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Yeah, but KEA's sloppiness in losing the ball when not under any real pressure indirectly lead to Okore's bad knee injury. Sorry, but KEA isn't good enough... SYLLA IN!!
The same 'sloppy' KEA that has a better overall pass-success rate then 'pass-master' Westwood so far this season?
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The comments about KEA are similar to those about Bannan from last year other than the lack of the word Hollywood.
Newcastle was a poor performance by the team, no one deserves much credit after that, as I said, we looked like a team who hadn't played for a few weeks and we weren't doing the basics that our play style requires. That's not excuses as some will see it but simply my take on an explanation.
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Every player will have good and bad performances now and again and popular opinion keeps swaying from one game to the next. I think the bigger question is what formations should we be playing home and away? Then we might have a better idea of the team selection. With such a new squad of players this could take a bit of time. For example, I felt Lowton should be under pressure for his place but who predicted Bacuna would look so capable at right back and will he again if picked? Lots of questions not resolved yet really. I trust PL to get it squared away tactically and I try not to think about the 2nd leg Bradford debacle too often.
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Sylla
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Well put john e. Anybody who doesn't think he was made a scapegoat by many after the Newcastle game only needs to re-browse the post-match thread.
Not to drag this out too much, but no because I was commenting about his general game, I never mentioned the Newcastle game, so how can I be making him a scapegoat based on that game, don't try to tell me what I was thinking because you have no idea! And that's for you both!
Right now back on topic lol.
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Well put john e. Anybody who doesn't think he was made a scapegoat by many after the Newcastle game only needs to re-browse the post-match thread.
Not to drag this out too much, but no because I was commenting about his general game, I never mentioned the Newcastle game, so how can I be making him a scapegoat based on that game, don't try to tell me what I was thinking because you have no idea! And that's for you both!
Right now back on topic lol.
bet Dynamo the magician knows what you are thinking though
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I think KEA's been better than we was for most of last season, but I also think Sylla's played better than anything we've seen from KEA in a Villa shirt so far. So for me it's an easy answer, but not necessarily a 'becuase KEA is shit' thought process behind it.
There's also the factor that the midfield of Delph, Westwood and Sylla have good balance to it and we seem to have lost that with KEA in there.
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Think I said this in my earlier post, and also in the blog I wrote before the game, but's all about the balance. KEA suits the role that Westwood plays, which is why he looked so comfortable on Saturday. He could probably also deputise well enough for Delph, alongside Westwood, so we'd have two central m/f players looking to keep the ball. Where KEA is exposed is when he's in with the other two, as we then have three players who all want to occupy the middle. We get narrow and very one dimensional. The midfield is more dynamic, quick and athletic with Sylla or Bacuna in there, to break things up a bit and offer a change of pace. Our most effective three IMO would be two of KEA/FD/AW with one of YS/LB or even (if/when they're up to speed) AT/MA.
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Well put john e. Anybody who doesn't think he was made a scapegoat by many after the Newcastle game only needs to re-browse the post-match thread.
Not to drag this out too much, but no because I was commenting about his general game, I never mentioned the Newcastle game, so how can I be making him a scapegoat based on that game, don't try to tell me what I was thinking because you have no idea! And that's for you both!
Right now back on topic lol.
I wasn't referring to you with that post GB. ;)
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The only reason I can think of for Sylla not starting more often has been our difficult start to the season and Lambert knowing that Sylla is not quite ready yet to take on the role most of us are hoping he will perform.
Hopefully from Nov onwards he will play the role we all hope he can play sitting in front of our back four and we all give him time to learn this role. It was only recently that he was playing in front of about 4000 in the french second division so it will take a season or two for him to adjust
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The only reason I can think of for Sylla not starting more often has been our difficult start to the season and Lambert knowing that Sylla is not quite ready yet to take on the role most of us are hoping he will perform.
Hopefully from Nov onwards he will play the role we all hope he can play sitting in front of our back four and we all give him time to learn this role. It was only recently that he was playing in front of about 4000 in the french second division so it will take a season or two for him to adjust
I know what you're saying, but personally I think you're being too kind to Lambert there.
The question now for me is: Sylla starts, but for KEA or Westwood?
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Sylla and KEA over Westwood.
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Sylla and A.N. Other instead of both Westwood and KEA. We surely have another central midfielder at the club.I'd be happy to put Johnson or Carruthers in there.
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Agreed the answer is kea or Westwood - sylla should start without question.
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Agreed the answer is kea or Westwood - sylla should start without question.
This.
Our central midfielders struggle to trap a ball, so we need to put as much mobility and physical prowess in there as possible. That means Sylla over Westwood and KEA.
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Sylla is the beneficiary of the Carlos Cuellar syndrome it seems........
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I'm not having El Ahmadi.
I'm surprised he's started as many games as he has. He's not a bad player, but he's not incisive with the ball and lightweight in the tackle, and he has a tendency to ball watch when we're defending and loses his man.
We don't look as good with him in the side.
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Sylla is the beneficiary of the Carlos Cuellar syndrome it seems........
Does he intermittently grow a beard ?
Does he keep reptiles as pets ?
Does Martin O'Neill want to sign him ?
Please explain.
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KEA/Westwood + Sylla
Certainly on current form I'd have KEA over Westwood yet I agree that you can't really leave out Sylla, we need him in the team.
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KEA puts in some decent challenges, but he flatters to deceive a lot for me. He doesn't make anywhere near enough impact at home.
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Kea and Westwood are both a bag of shit, would look good in a 1st division side. Neither protect the defense or add anything going forwards. Neither can take a set piece and neither can tackle very well. Both lack pace and physical prescence and neither adds any height to the team.
On the plus side they both are pretty good at passing the ball 5-10 yards sideways.
We needed a midfielder desperately this summer.
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Westwood in fairness looked ok last season but this season he has been very poor - him, Lowton and Weimann have been really disappointing this term.
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Yeah looking ok for part of a terrible season is not what I'm looking for in an Aston Villa midfielder.
I've had it up to here watching us getting out played over and over again. 3 years straight we've been garbage and these type of performances are becoming the norm and accepted just as players who should be nowhere near a Villa first team are having excuses made for them repeatedly.
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We're not garbage, we're just average.
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We're not garbage, we're just average.
Average i'd say is 9th-14th year after year, win as much as you lose, score as many as you concede.
The last 3 years hasn't been like that at all. There are no home bankers anymore, as we don't win many at home and can't string 90 minutes of decent football together. We've somehow evolved into another Wigan fighting relegation repeatedly.
I'm in a bad mood today, must be the weather.
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I think we've improved on last season and have a very reasonable points tally considering we have played Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Spurs. If they were the top five, would you be that shocked?
We have had one shocker of a performance, Newcastle at home, where we ere dreadful. Hull away was a tedious affair, but we kept a clean sheet and took a point. I will never complain at a point away from home.
Come November we will be playing sides in our league, the second tier of clubs; West Ham, Cardiff, West Brom and Sunderland. I fancy at least 8 points from that, which depending on how next Saturday goes, will see us around 20 points roughly a third of the way through.
Well on course for 50 points and that 12-8th finish.
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I think we've improved on last season and have a very reasonable points tally considering we have played Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Spurs. If they were the top five, would you be that shocked?
We have had one shocker of a performance, Newcastle at home, where we ere dreadful. Hull away was a tedious affair, but we kept a clean sheet and took a point. I will never complain at a point away from home.
Come November we will be playing sides in our league, the second tier of clubs; West Ham, Cardiff, West Brom and Sunderland. I fancy at least 8 points from that, which depending on how next Saturday goes, will see us around 20 points roughly a third of the way through.
Well on course for 50 points and that 12-8th finish.
Whilst I agree with pretty much everything you say, I would raise one word of caution as getting the points we have against the getter sides does not automatically mean we'll get more against the sides nearer to us ability wise. Afterall, they'll be viewing games against us as one where they could get a few points, also.
We'll be mid table this season, I reckon. Whether that's upper or lower mid table will depend on how we do against the sort of sides we have in November.
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Sylla without question
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One thing about KEA that bugs me is that his first touch isn't very good. Maybe this is something due to a fallacy that all Dutch players have an exceptional first touch. Maybe one assumes that you can walk up to any Dutchman on the street, give him a can of beans and he could open it with his foot of choice. But KEA, for a Dutch born, Moroccan international doesn't have an adhesive touch by any stretch of the imagination. He doesn't appear to have any standout attribute, either technically or physically. He's fairly tidy on the ball, in as much as he can pass it 5-10 yards sideways. He's also far too laboured on the ball at times. He needs to be sharper with it, but I don't think he's a player that can handle being rushed and in this league, when you're in midfield, you're going to get rushed.
Westwood showed signs last season of being able to pick out a more incisive pass. I don't think he was terrible yesterday (at least in the first half). My major problem with Westy in the last couple of games has been discipline. He seems intent on getting himself sent off. It's a dirty streak he showed no signs of last season and perhaps it's largely frustration that he's playing poorly. But the signs of him kicking on and moving up a level don't appear to be happen. I'm just wondering whether we've already seen his best. Whether there's no more potential in him to get better.
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At the moment, I'd be leaving Westwood out. He was great last season but so far this season he hasn't quite got it back. KEA, Sylla and Delph would be the best three I think, especially away from home.
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At the moment, I'd be leaving Westwood out. He was great last season but so far this season he hasn't quite got it back. KEA, Sylla and Delph would be the best three I think, especially away from home.
Totally agree clampy, away from home I would go with that midfield too.
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If and when Lowton gets back in the side, I wouldn't mind seeing a midfield three of Delph, Bacuna and Sylla. Sylla could play the holding role, which is what he was brought as.
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If and when Lowton gets back in the side, I wouldn't mind seeing a midfield three of Delph, Bacuna and Sylla. Sylla could play the holding role, which is what he was brought as.
I think bacuna stepping into midfield is the best thing at home I would dispense with the 4-3-3 system and give us more width .
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One thing about KEA that bugs me is that his first touch isn't very good. Maybe this is something due to a fallacy that all Dutch players have an exceptional first touch. Maybe one assumes that you can walk up to any Dutchman on the street, give him a can of beans and he could open it with his foot of choice. But KEA, for a Dutch born, Moroccan international doesn't have an adhesive touch by any stretch of the imagination. He doesn't appear to have any standout attribute, either technically or physically. He's fairly tidy on the ball, in as much as he can pass it 5-10 yards sideways. He's also far too laboured on the ball at times. He needs to be sharper with it, but I don't think he's a player that can handle being rushed and in this league, when you're in midfield, you're going to get rushed.
Westwood showed signs last season of being able to pick out a more incisive pass. I don't think he was terrible yesterday (at least in the first half). My major problem with Westy in the last couple of games has been discipline. He seems intent on getting himself sent off. It's a dirty streak he showed no signs of last season and perhaps it's largely frustration that he's playing poorly. But the signs of him kicking on and moving up a level don't appear to be happen. I'm just wondering whether we've already seen his best. Whether there's no more potential in him to get better.
Agree with all that
I just think KEA is rubbish. Full stop.
With westy there is a player there, based on last season. I think he will come good. The aggressive streak is annoying when it goes wrong, conversely, if he wasn't doing it, he would attract criticism anyway. He cant win, but just needs to be a bit more controlled
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I cannot believe KEA was subbed yesterday ahead of Westwood.
KEA hasn't been great by any means, but he at least gets about the park. Bar two bookings, I cannot think of a single contribution Westwood has made in the past two games.
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If and when Lowton gets back in the side, I wouldn't mind seeing a midfield three of Delph, Bacuna and Sylla. Sylla could play the holding role, which is what he was brought as.
I think bacuna stepping into midfield is the best thing at home I would dispense with the 4-3-3 system and give us more width .
My suggestion would still be 4-3-3, eastie. Something like:-
Guzan
Lowton - Vlaar - Clark - Luna
Bacune - Sylla - Delph
Weimann - Benteke - Gabby
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Sylla is a much better option than KEA. Shame Gards ain't fit otherwise he'd be ideal in a midfield three with Delph & Sylla OR Westwood.
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I wouldn't stick with the 3 up front at home john, either 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 - neither gabby or Weimann are natural widemen and it's not working when we need to take the game to teams - maybe tonev and bacuna could provide width or try Kozak alongside benteke but clearly we need to switch things at home .
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The solution to our home problems is a proper number 10, which we don't really have in the squad. Changing formations won't really solve it, in my option. I'd certainly try to stay away from 4-4-2 for fear of being over run in midfield.
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The solution to our home problems is a proper number 10, which we don't really have in the squad. Changing formations won't really solve it, in my option. I'd certainly try to stay away from 4-4-2 for fear of being over run in midfield.
For want of the number 10, I'd like to see us playing with a couple of wide players. I'd be tempted to play Albrighton. The other option would be to play Gabby tighter on the left flank. When he's in field he loses the ball too often because his touch is poor. Bacuna on the right side could also work well. He's full over energy, works the flank well. The qualities not always great, but a little like Milner he does his duties both ends of the field and keeps on running all game.
But we need to start making more use of the width of the pitch. We don't have the ability to try and open teams through the middle.
I'd play a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1(wide). I think if you play Bacuna on the right and Sylla and Delph as the middle 2, in a 4-4-2 it can work because there's enough energy to cover the ground and make sure we don't get totally overrun in the middle.
I'd then play Weimann or perhaps Helenius (if ready) off Benteke.
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I think we should have given Albrighton more of a run when he came back a few games ago. He looked lively in the cup game.
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Bacuna is our best RB, and played well there again yday, why weaken another position, to strengthen somewhere else.
At home, i would try Tonev, with Weimann playing in centre, behind CB, with Sylla and Delph, away from home i would play KEA, Delph and Sylla.
I really like Sylla, and think he will become a very good player, but him and Delph don't offer much of a goal threat, nor does Westwood, thats why i think i would play Weimann there.His industry, and attacking tendencies means we might offer more of a goal threat.
Lets give Tonev a few games, and have a look at him.
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Westwood in fairness looked ok last season but this season he has been very poor - him, Lowton and Weimann have been really disappointing this term.
I bet they're picking up twice the money they were last season.
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The solution to our home problems is a proper number 10, which we don't really have in the squad.
Isn't that where you'd look to Helenius or Tonev? - if either are good enough!
For me it would look like this:
Guzan
Lowton / Herd Vlaar Clark Luna (although after yesterday, I'd almost be looking at Bennett again)
Westwood
Bacuna Sylla Delph
Helenius
Benteke
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The solution to our home problems is a proper number 10, which we don't really have in the squad.
Isn't that where you'd look to Helenius or Tonev? - if either are good enough!
For me it would look like this:
Guzan
Lowton / Herd Vlaar Clark Luna (although after yesterday, I'd almost be looking at Bennett again)
Westwood
Bacuna Sylla Delph
Helenius
Benteke
I like the look of that.
Also, on Luna, I thought he coped really well with Townsend for the first half. He started getting shredded by the end (and it got a bit ugly) bit it looked to me like his legs had gone more than anything. I wouldn't drop him quite yet.
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Tonev and Helenius are long term projects clearly.
We need someone in January who's creative and can actually come into the first 11 and make an instant impact not in 2016.
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Sylla.
KEA was abysmal yesterday.
Sylla improved last season with games. He needs to play more and I think he'd be as effective as he was by last May.
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I like the effort that KEA puts in closing people down, but his first touch, more often than not, is absolutely terrible. I lost count of the number of times the ball was played into him (simple pass to feet, throw in, etc.) only to see it bounce off his knee/knob/chest and go straight to a Spuds player. It was one of the major reasons we kept surrendering possession too cheaply. I think Sylla must've pissed on PL's chips not to be getting a game at the moment - the stats show that when he's played, we've won more points than we've lost. For me, Sylla all the way.
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When is Gardner Gary back? I want him to kick this lot's arses and start pwning opposing midfields alongside our Fabian.
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I still don't get why we are making it a straight choice between KEA and Sylla. KEA is playing as the most advanced midfielder, a role Sylla wouldn't be able to perform. A better question would be who our strongest midfield three is? Sylla, Delph and KEA for me.
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I would like to see Delph as an attacking midfielder, he has the skill to draw a foul iaround the box.
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Sylla is the beneficiary of the Carlos Cuellar syndrome it seems........
Does he intermittently grow a beard ?
Does he keep reptiles as pets ?
Does Martin O'Neill want to sign him ?
Please explain.
I believe brontebilly is referring to the strange phenomenon whereby the less a player actually plays, the better he becomes in the imaginations of the supporters.
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I believe brontebilly is referring to the strange phenomenon whereby the less a player actually plays, the better he becomes in the imaginations of the supporters.
Salifou being another of these.