Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Hookeysmith on August 31, 2016, 08:22:45 PM
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I was a doubters about Dr Tony and his claims of wealth and support. I doubted he could pick a backroom team that had the nous and drive to make the changes needed, especially culling the crap. I doubted the investment (although like last year I don't know much about some of the players) but I can at least see the reasoning behind the purchases
My only remaining doubt?
Manager and coaches ability to get this team to win this league.
There can be no complaints from RDM if failure to return this season is not achieved.
Over to you Robbie
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I was a doubters about Dr Tony and his claims of wealth and support.
Without wanting to sound like a Moaning Minnie, let's wait and see what happens to the club's finances at the end of the season (or financial year) so we see where the money has come from.
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Let's not worry about where its coming from - promotion is the only target, then the obscene wealth of the Premier will swamp any deficit. Don't forget, Dr X wants world domination! Gonna be a ride and a half!
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We have not heard a single whiff about salaries or deals only fees. Transfers have gone mental this year and I think he was adamant he wanted to support the Manager. I am sure we may have paid over the odds on a few players but I doubt we have ridiculous wages that could cripple us.
The Hernandez deal breakdown shows he will not be fucked over by greedy players and agents
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I was a doubters about Dr Tony and his claims of wealth and support.
Without wanting to sound like a Moaning Minnie, let's wait and see what happens to the club's finances at the end of the season (or financial year) so we see where the money has come from.
Or... just enjoy ourselves. We don't get much chance. I'm going to look forward to seeing how well our new Galacticos do and, if it all goes tits up, I'll worry about it at the time.
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For me this is the squad we should of bought to try and keep us in the league last season.
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Would this team have beaten any of the Villa teams over the last five years. Probably.
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On reflection, I think it has been a very good transfer window and as others have said, it is the type of window we have needed for some time now. If we can avoid the kind of bad luck we have had with injuries over the past few seasons then I think we should be in good shape.
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After years of austerity, the last few months have been like a breath of fresh air.
You cannot question the intent of the owner or the management team.
They said they want promotion this year, they are certainly giving RDM the backing and the tools to have a bloody good go at it.
I love the fact we are acting like a big club again.
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I was a doubters about Dr Tony and his claims of wealth and support.
Without wanting to sound like a Moaning Minnie, let's wait and see what happens to the club's finances at the end of the season (or financial year) so we see where the money has come from.
Quite. There are only a limited number of options.
He's throwing the cash in as extra equity as Lerner did with some of his investment.
He's loaning the cash to the club from Recon at nominal interest.
He's borrowing the cash from a third party at commercial rates.
As we saw, even with options 1 and 2 there'll be a pain threshold at some point, unless he's got access to Abramovich / Mansour type cash.
The less said about option the better, although interest rates will never be lower than they currently are.
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We should have plenty now. Dr Tony has done his bit, the squad and management need to do their bit.
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I was a doubters about Dr Tony and his claims of wealth and support.
Without wanting to sound like a Moaning Minnie, let's wait and see what happens to the club's finances at the end of the season (or financial year) so we see where the money has come from.
Quite. There are only a limited number of options.
He's throwing the cash in as extra equity as Lerner did with some of his investment.
He's loaning the cash to the club from Recon at nominal interest.
He's borrowing the cash from a third party at commercial rates.
As we saw, even with options 1 and 2 there'll be a pain threshold at some point, unless he's got access to Abramovich / Mansour type cash.
The less said about option the better, although interest rates will never be lower than they currently are.
the third option is the problem one,
so let's wait and see and hope the dr is really putting his money where his mouth is
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After years of austerity, the last few months have been like a breath of fresh air.
You cannot question the intent of the owner or the management team.
They said they want promotion this year, they are certainly giving RDM the backing and the tools to have a bloody good go at it.
I love the fact we are acting like a big club again.
This :)
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Didn't think it was possible but Dr Tony has delivered in spades!
I honestly believe that Villa now has one of the 6 best teams in the championship.
That doesn't mean that we will perform as such yet, the Bristol game showed us that.
Bench is still weak and we still got players who will fold at the slightest adversity.
There is hope though!
Prediction: The support at Villa Park will instill a winning mentality in this team as the season progress. Eventually they even manage to win away games.
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So with everyone fit, I reckon we're looking at:
Gollini
De Laet Elphick Chester Cissokho
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Ayew
Kodjia
Subs: Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Westwood, Grealish, Gestede
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The chairman has supported the manager to the hilt. Wouldn't have believed it three months ago that we would of shifted some much dead wood out and brought so much experience and talent into the club. Now RDM, the players and us, the fans, have to get us up.
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I was a doubters about Dr Tony and his claims of wealth and support.
Without wanting to sound like a Moaning Minnie, let's wait and see what happens to the club's finances at the end of the season (or financial year) so we see where the money has come from.
I can understand the caution but for now I want to be a fan rather than an analyst and just enjoy the ride. If it goes tits up then I will deal with it but so far our Tone has been as good as his word.
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We lost on Saturday but I've enjoyed this season so far and with the signings we've made I honestly think this could be a very very successful season now.
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Couple of back to back wins and an away win will do us the world of good
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I was a doubters about Dr Tony and his claims of wealth and support.
Without wanting to sound like a Moaning Minnie, let's wait and see what happens to the club's finances at the end of the season (or financial year) so we see where the money has come from.
Quite. There are only a limited number of options.
He's throwing the cash in as extra equity as Lerner did with some of his investment.
He's loaning the cash to the club from Recon at nominal interest.
He's borrowing the cash from a third party at commercial rates.
As we saw, even with options 1 and 2 there'll be a pain threshold at some point, unless he's got access to Abramovich / Mansour type cash.
The less said about option the better, although interest rates will never be lower than they currently are.
option 4 is that he actually has the money and he's making an investment in his new business. It is possible that he's not some shyster that has to borrow or leverage himself to the hilt. At the end of the day it appears he will have spent some 130-140m on buying the club and investing in player/staff etc. If he 's done it in a way that compromises the club then he's taken a lot of people along for the ride, starting with Hollis.
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I was a doubters about Dr Tony and his claims of wealth and support.
Without wanting to sound like a Moaning Minnie, let's wait and see what happens to the club's finances at the end of the season (or financial year) so we see where the money has come from.
Quite. There are only a limited number of options.
He's throwing the cash in as extra equity as Lerner did with some of his investment.
He's loaning the cash to the club from Recon at nominal interest.
He's borrowing the cash from a third party at commercial rates.
As we saw, even with options 1 and 2 there'll be a pain threshold at some point, unless he's got access to Abramovich / Mansour type cash.
The less said about option the better, although interest rates will never be lower than they currently are.
option 4 is that he actually has the money and he's making an investment in his new business.
That's the same as option one.
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Dr Tony and his team have team have done exceptionally well, but we should not forget they inherited a squad which was rotten at the core. The reconstruction required is massive.
Back to the Prem in 2 years is the reasonable goal in my opinion.
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Well RDM has a nice headache now when selecting our attacking lineup. Competition for places much...
McCormack
Kodja
Adomah
Grealish
Ayew
Gestede
...we were lacking pace up front but we could now pose a frightening and daunting prospect for most Championship defences.
We're still lightweight in middle but we've still been dominating games in the first half, and we should be quite rightly out of sight by half time...theres no excuses for not putting those chances away now.
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I was a doubters about Dr Tony and his claims of wealth and support.
Without wanting to sound like a Moaning Minnie, let's wait and see what happens to the club's finances at the end of the season (or financial year) so we see where the money has come from.
Quite. There are only a limited number of options.
He's throwing the cash in as extra equity as Lerner did with some of his investment.
He's loaning the cash to the club from Recon at nominal interest.
He's borrowing the cash from a third party at commercial rates.
As we saw, even with options 1 and 2 there'll be a pain threshold at some point, unless he's got access to Abramovich / Mansour type cash.
The less said about option the better, although interest rates will never be lower than they currently are.
option 4 is that he actually has the money and he's making an investment in his new business.
That's the same as option one.
I hope and want to believe it is this. I think he has done well and seems to be trying to build the club back up.
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With Steve Round in as Tech Director as well, we have a lot of football knowledge and experience around. We should do pretty damn well when it all beds in.
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Lest we forget, we also managed to shake off Samuelson.
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So with everyone fit, I reckon we're looking at:
Gollini
De Laet Elphick Chester Cissokho
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Ayew
Kodjia
Subs: Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Westwood, Grealish, Gestede
We've got options and will need to rotate. I'd definitely have grealish in and let ayew / adomah compete for the other place, based on form to date. I'd start ayew v forest
I'd also play bacuna at right back. And I think Westwood will need to play in some games as - despite the consensus - he offers much better forward passing than the other two.
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Dr Tony and his team have team have done exceptionally well, but we should not forget they inherited a squad which was rotten at the core. The reconstruction required is massive.
Back to the Prem in 2 years is the reasonable goal in my opinion.
I agree. After everything that's gone on, two season's is a fair enough timescale.
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The squad isn't perfect but it's definitely better than all but Newcastle's. That means RDM has three key jobs I think
- sort the defending out: the defensive unit, the keeper, team shape, resilience under pressure
- sort the mentality out: a combination of form leading to more confidence and leadership
- find the right attacking blend
I've seen some say our attack has been dis functional this season. I don't agree at all. It's lacked width and pace, but the main problem has been finishing chances. We've created loads of them. He's got a great set of options now (heading threat, pace in behind, craft, set pieces, dribbling ability). Part of the challenge will be whittling down the options so that we can be robust enough. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the best blend we find means one of the supposed big hitters having to sit out. Money's on ayew at the moment, but it could be grealish or McCormack.
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It looks very promising so far. However, the parachute payments were meant to be around 40m pounds, so with the sales of players Tony hasn't actually spent any extra money yet. This isn't a criticism as I don't think the club could have done any more, but what the long-term investment in the club will be is yet to be seen.
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So with everyone fit, I reckon we're looking at:
Gollini
De Laet Elphick Chester Cissokho
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Ayew
Kodjia
Subs: Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Westwood, Grealish, Gestede
Personally I'd swap Cissokho for Amavi and play Jack wide left instead of Ayew.
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It looks very promising so far. However, the parachute payments were meant to be around 40m pounds, so with the sales of players Tony hasn't actually spent any extra money yet. This isn't a criticism as I don't think the club could have done any more, but what the long-term investment in the club will be is yet to be seen.
Leaves room for investment in January if needed surely?
Agree with a lot of others that we still look light in midfield
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My point, although not put over very well reading it back, is would RDM be expecting the sack if we are not promoted?
We could not have asked any more from the owner - open in communication, did what he said he would and delivered on almost every player RDM flagged up whilst putting a decent infrastructure in place and getting rid of a load of shits.
It is clear Dr Tony is not messing about so how long do you think RDM will get before the pressure on him becomes too great?
October?
Jan?
End of season?
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My point, although not put over very well reading it back, is would RDM be expecting the sack if we are not promoted?
We could not have asked any more from the owner - open in communication, did what he said he would and delivered on almost every player RDM flagged up whilst putting a decent infrastructure in place and getting rid of a load of shits.
It is clear Dr Tony is not messing about so how long do you think RDM will get before the pressure on him becomes too great?
October?
Jan?
End of season?
Unless we're well off the pace, I think he'll get the whole season. I'd give him the two years that he's signed for personally though
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So with everyone fit, I reckon we're looking at:
Gollini
De Laet Elphick Chester Cissokho
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Ayew
Kodjia
Subs: Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Westwood, Grealish, Gestede
Personally I'd swap Cissokho for Amavi and play Jack wide left instead of Ayew.
Agree and I'd put Bacuna in at right back instead of De Laet, at least for now anyway.
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So with everyone fit, I reckon we're looking at:
Gollini
De Laet Elphick Chester Cissokho
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Ayew
Kodjia
Subs: Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Westwood, Grealish, Gestede
tasty line up there, I'd just swap Ayew for Grealish.
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So with everyone fit, I reckon we're looking at:
Gollini
De Laet Elphick Chester Cissokho
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Ayew
Kodjia
Subs: Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Westwood, Grealish, Gestede
We've got options and will need to rotate. I'd definitely have grealish in and let ayew / adomah compete for the other place, based on form to date. I'd start ayew v forest
I'd also play bacuna at right back. And I think Westwood will need to play in some games as - despite the consensus - he offers much better forward passing than the other two.
Some? This is Westwood we're talking about, the Westwood that gets into every Villa team. Even when he's not picked he will still be out there doing his thing.
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Dr Tony and his team have team have done exceptionally well, but we should not forget they inherited a squad which was rotten at the core. The reconstruction required is massive.
Back to the Prem in 2 years is the reasonable goal in my opinion.
that's my view as well, but when you look at the players in and see that we could effectively field a whole new starting Xl from last season if the manager chooses too, I think automatic promotion appears to be achievable. Top six and playoff heartache minimum now, I reckon this season. Hopefully straight up, but if not this season, then next, without a doubt.
Tone's obviously targeting bouncing straight back up. You look at our squad now and you'd have to think we've got the players to finish first or second. If they gel quick, I reckon we can do it. If it takes time and we have to bring in a few more in Jan, it won't be the end of the world.
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That keeper still worries me though
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So with everyone fit, I reckon we're looking at:
Gollini
De Laet Elphick Chester Cissokho
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Ayew
Kodjia
Subs: Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Westwood, Grealish, Gestede
We've got options and will need to rotate. I'd definitely have grealish in and let ayew / adomah compete for the other place, based on form to date. I'd start ayew v forest
I'd also play bacuna at right back. And I think Westwood will need to play in some games as - despite the consensus - he offers much better forward passing than the other two.
Some? This is Westwood we're talking about, the Westwood that gets into every Villa team. Even when he's not picked he will still be out there doing his thing.
Cor, imagine Westwood "ghosting" here there and everywhere , just like Martin Peters, except he would be pointing rather than heading or shooting.Perhaps the Doctor could develop a cloaking device that would enable him to be a 12th player on the pitch....pointing the way forward(assuming he knows which way that is)
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Well RDM has a nice headache now when selecting our attacking lineup. Competition for places much...
McCormack
Kodja
Adomah
Grealish
Ayew
Gestede
...we were lacking pace up front but we could now pose a frightening and daunting prospect for most Championship defences.
We're still lightweight in middle but we've still been dominating games in the first half, and we should be quite rightly out of sight by half time...theres no excuses for not putting those chances away now.
You forgot someone.....
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So what's everyone's starting 11 like ?
I looked at it and midfirldcentre is my concern. I mean I think I want 3 in middle sometimes rather than 2.
I also feel if midfield is still struggling by winter winter window bring in a few middle players
The only excuses are the fact this is a team to gel as rdm said
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I'm really happy with our signings I'm feeling better about the season with what we have done in this transfer window.
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Dr Tony and his team have team have done exceptionally well, but we should not forget they inherited a squad which was rotten at the core. The reconstruction required is massive.
Back to the Prem in 2 years is the reasonable goal in my opinion.
I kind of agree - the new owners have kept to their word and done a good job so far, loads of new players with the relevant experience and ability at this level, and shifting a lot of deadwood and wasters out. But they have to become a team and that could take time. There is very little continuity (except it seems for the tendency to fall apart at the first setback) from last season which is a good thing in many ways but starting from scratch is never easy. I also think we are still light in midfield, central defence and keeper. It would not surprise me massively to see us miss out this season if we get unlucky with injuries, but we should at least be there or thereabouts.
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Happy with the players we've brought in, although I must confess to knowing little about them.
The big challenge will be changing the culture of expectation and entitlement at this club to one of desire. We'll only get back to the Premier League because it's where we really want to be, rather than where we feel we should be.
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Very happy so far, it seems like we've got the players to help get us out of this league ( and got rid of most of the shit-stains that put us here in the first place). Must be a strange feeling for the new players though, knowing that if we ever do get promoted most of them won't be coming up with us.
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This thread and the 'window poll' thread are very similar so we're getting a lot of the same comments, which is why I'm repeating some of mine here. Maybe they could be amalgamated. As I said elsewhere, business has been incisive, directed and bold, even though some of the players are not exactly household names. But as Bristol City showed, the important thing is to get a team playing as a team, no matter who you have playing. Dr Tony has done his bit. Now it's over to RDM and SC to meld and mould and get them playing together. I'm fairly optimistic and looking forward to Forest. But as someone said on the other thread, it won't be easy as there's a fair amount of fire power in some of our opposition and we're already 8 points off top.
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Absolutely no excuses anymore.
A new manager, coaching team, and new squad cannot blame from hereon in, any losses on the mindset of those that have left and the few dregs left behind. No hiding place.
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The difference is the know how.
McCormack and Kodjia know what it is to score 20 goals.
Elpick, Jedinak, De Laet, Chester, Adomah all know what it is like to get promoted and in cases, win titles.
Three of them were club captains. That is a sea change from player who may well be capable of doing a job, but take time ti adapt to a country or league, while their confidence is being diminished.
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With Steve Round in as Tech Director as well, we have a lot of football knowledge and experience around. We should do pretty damn well when it all beds in.
Indeed. The task now is to bed it in as quickly as possible so we don't have as much ground to make up.
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No complaints from me on signings. He's exceeded my expectations if not my imagination.
Remaining concerns:
- goalkeeper. Want to give him a fair crack of the whip but how many points do we drop?
- The Bristol City syndrome. Thought we'd purged this but it was very evident. We don't take our chances, they get a goal back and we fold miserably.
- in the short term, Cissoko injury maybe a problem with Amavi still looking off the pace a little.
- Ayew, bad attitude, not a team player, very wasteful.
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With Steve Round in as Tech Director as well, we have a lot of football knowledge and experience around. We should do pretty damn well when it all beds in.
Indeed. The task now is to bed it in as quickly as possible so we don't have as much ground to make up.
Yes, we now need to go on a good run and quickly. We can't get to October about 10 points or more adrift of the top 2 or 3, and say 'its' ok we've got time and a couple of wins can send you up the table' as by October the top few tend to stay put.
So looking at the next 6 games, we need to be getting at least 14 points
Nott'm Forest (H)
Brentford (H)
Ipswich (A)
Newcastle (H)
Barnsley (A)
Preston (A)
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4 wins and draws shouldn't be beyond us.
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With Steve Round in as Tech Director as well, we have a lot of football knowledge and experience around. We should do pretty damn well when it all beds in.
Indeed. The task now is to bed it in as quickly as possible so we don't have as much ground to make up.
Yes, we now need to go on a good run and quickly. We can't get to October about 10 points or more adrift of the top 2 or 3, and say 'its' ok we've got time and a couple of wins can send you up the table' as by October the top few tend to stay put.
So looking at the next 6 games, we need to be getting at least 14 points
Nott'm Forest (H)
Brentford (H)
Ipswich (A)
Newcastle (H)
Barnsley (A)
Preston (A)
The most important thing right now is to get a win; regardless of performance. We also need to ensure no more 2nd half collapses.
It may, however, take a few games to get everything ticking over so expect some continuing glitches.
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The difference is the know how.
McCormack and Kodjia know what it is to score 20 goals.
Elpick, Jedinak, De Laet, Chester, Adomah all know what it is like to get promoted and in cases, win titles.
Three of them were club captains. That is a sea change from player who may well be capable of doing a job, but take time ti adapt to a country or league, while their confidence is being diminished.
Add to that a manager and his Assistant who both know all about promotion and we're pretty much as strong as we could be. I really don't think Xia is expecting promotion to take two seasons and neither should we. Once we start winning a few games and climb the table the expectation will increase and we have a squad that can deal with it.
I really feel this season is going to be memorable but this time for all the right reasons.
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So with everyone fit, I reckon we're looking at:
Gollini
De Laet Elphick Chester Cissokho
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Ayew
Kodjia
Subs: Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Westwood, Grealish, Gestede
Personally I'd swap Cissokho for Amavi and play Jack wide left instead of Ayew.
Agree and I'd put Bacuna in at right back instead of De Laet, at least for now anyway.
I agree with Clampy's amended team, but Ayew is really too good to be on the bench - a nice problem to have for a change and a great option to switch with any of the 3 attacking mids.
Gollini
Bacuna Elphick Chester Amavi
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Grealish
Kodjia
I also think there will be times when we need to play 3 in the middle and despite the general dislike of him here I think Westwood will play an important role for us this season.
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4 wins and draws shouldn't be beyond us.
when was the last time we did that?
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If promotion come along, great, but I could cope with a season of adjustment and restoring the tarnished reputation, followed by a season of smashing teams for fun, winning the league by April and breaking the 100 point mark. That's the sort of promotion that gives a club momentum.
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I hope we go 4411 now we've got Adomah. I don't like 4231 at all with McCormack, Ayew and Grealish, it's overkill and tends to become rigid because of the gaps between the 2 and the 3.
Means Ayew dropping to the bench though.
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I hope we go 4411 now we've got Adomah. I don't like 4231 at all with McCormack, Ayew and Grealish, it's overkill and tends to become rigid because of the gaps between the 2 and the 3.
Means Ayew dropping to the bench though.
Aren't they minor variations on the same shape? Or do you mean the wide midfielders should play more conservatively - we adomah and someone on the left for ayew and grealish?
I've not seen enough full games to know, but I had the impression ayew was tracking back pretty thoroughly. And it was bacuna playing there v Bristol which is probably the league game we were most over run in midfield in?
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So with everyone fit, I reckon we're looking at:
Gollini
De Laet Elphick Chester Cissokho
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Ayew
Kodjia
Subs: Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Westwood, Grealish, Gestede
Personally I'd swap Cissokho for Amavi and play Jack wide left instead of Ayew.
Agree and I'd put Bacuna in at right back instead of De Laet, at least for now anyway.
I agree with Clampy's amended team, but Ayew is really too good to be on the bench - a nice problem to have for a change and a great option to switch with any of the 3 attacking mids.
Gollini
Bacuna Elphick Chester Amavi
Jedinak Tshibola
Adomah McCormack Grealish
Kodjia
I also think there will be times when we need to play 3 in the middle and despite the general dislike of him here I think Westwood will play an important role for us this season.
I said this a while back to someone. Playing three in midfield, maybe Gardner further forward might be an idea away from home.
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I agree w 3 in midfield - tho not Gardner, Westwood - at least for some games. Would help to avoid us being overrun
Don't think McCormack gets in that team though
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I hope we go 4411 now we've got Adomah. I don't like 4231 at all with McCormack, Ayew and Grealish, it's overkill and tends to become rigid because of the gaps between the 2 and the 3.
Means Ayew dropping to the bench though.
Aren't they minor variations on the same shape? Or do you mean the wide midfielders should play more conservatively - we adomah and someone on the left for ayew and grealish?
I've not seen enough full games to know, but I had the impression ayew was tracking back pretty thoroughly. And it was bacuna playing there v Bristol which is probably the league game we were most over run in midfield in?
I agree with JJ a bit...I too think the formation has a look of just shoe horning attacking players in for the sake of it because let's be honest Jack and Ayew are much better inside and central than out wide. It looks a bit lopsided to me.
Personally I'd like us to go back to playing 4-3-3 but I struggle to fit McCormack in then (bit like Warnock was saying).
Something like
Tshibola Jedinak
Grealish
Adomah Kodjia Ayew
I'd be happy with.
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I do wonder whether they thought somebody would come in with a really high bid for Ayew that the Club and player couldn't turn down. Alternatively, are we going to see RDM fully utilize his bench during the course of the game e.g. a bit like Ranieri did with Okazaki to counter our performances of two contrasting 45's.
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Is it next Sunday yet? :)
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I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.
*grumpy face*
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I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.
*grumpy face*
I'm kind of glad though, in the sense that I hope the extra week allows a lot of the new boys who aren't away with their countries to bed in and we don't see a repeat of Bristol City. Deferred gratification
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I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.
*grumpy face*
I'm kind of glad though, in the sense that I hope the extra week allows a lot of the new boys who aren't away with their countries to bed in and we don't see a repeat of Bristol City. Deferred gratification
no for sure. They'll get a chance to work together. Hopefully they'll come steaming out of the blocks next week and get a much needed win.
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I'll reserve my opinions until I've seen this team play several games as I still have concerns about every position.
I've not been impressed by anyone so far this season who we've brought in but I know it will take time. I'd love to see this team click and win promotion and I really want to buy in to the excitement but after last season I can't ......yet anyway.
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Would you prefer Gabby leading the line by any chance...you know, that amazing skilful and dedicated striker that gave us his all for the last few seasons and scored countless numbers of goals whilst impressing with his creativity and vision to provide assists. Who would you have him playing alongside with...or may be he's that good that he could play up front on his own and guide us back to the PL.
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Would you prefer Gabby leading the line by any chance...you know, that amazing skilful and dedicated striker that gave us his all for the last few seasons and scored countless numbers of goals whilst impressing with his creativity and vision to provide assists. Who would you have him playing alongside with...or may be he's that good that he could play up front on his own and guide us back to the PL.
Oh because I refuse to join in like one of the sheep and write "I hate Gabby" Baaaaa
My reasons are;
The keeper looks like a liability, maybe he's been unlucky.
De laet has never struck me a being good, maybe he'll improve.
Chester did well in the Euros however I want to see him week in week out before I believe the hype.
Elphick shouts a lot but is he good enough?that 2nd half against BC has given me doubts.
Tish? Injury prone player? Looks like it's going to be a while before we see him regularly enough to know if he's a good player.
Mile Jedinack is my bet for this seasons scape goat. He's not going to get quicker.
Mac, I'm hoping that it's just his fitteness but although he looks good in flashes he needs to do more.
The two latest signings we haven't seen play for Villa yet and although I have high hopes for both until they do I can't comment.
Just because I refuse to hate Gabby doesn't mean I think he should be in the team, I want our best 11 player's on the pitch which I doubt he is but I don't blame him for everything that's bad at VP.
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Would you prefer Gabby leading the line by any chance...you know, that amazing skilful and dedicated striker that gave us his all for the last few seasons and scored countless numbers of goals whilst impressing with his creativity and vision to provide assists. Who would you have him playing alongside with...or may be he's that good that he could play up front on his own and guide us back to the PL.
Oh because I refuse to join in like one of the sheep and write "I hate Gabby" Baaaaa
You might want to reconsider your tone I you're planning on staying here with us long term.
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I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.
*grumpy face*
I'm kind of glad though, in the sense that I hope the extra week allows a lot of the new boys who aren't away with their countries to bed in and we don't see a repeat of Bristol City. Deferred gratification
no for sure. They'll get a chance to work together. Hopefully they'll come steaming out of the blocks next week and get a much needed win.
Villa coming steaming out the blocks... bloody hell, when did that last happen. Come out steaming, yes.
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I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.
*grumpy face*
I'm kind of glad though, in the sense that I hope the extra week allows a lot of the new boys who aren't away with their countries to bed in and we don't see a repeat of Bristol City. Deferred gratification
no for sure. They'll get a chance to work together. Hopefully they'll come steaming out of the blocks next week and get a much needed win.
Villa coming steaming out the blocks... bloody hell, when did that last happen. Come out steaming, yes.
Hear hear
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Our hands were tied at Derby away, with Tish injured and Jedinak's work visa not coming through on time.
Ayew operating largely as a central midfielder is not something I would have given much thought to prior to that, but he did well that afternoon. He was our biggest attacking threat, yet still had the engine late in the game to be getting back and making vital blocks and interceptions near his own penalty area. Almost Milner-like at times.
Workrate has never been a huge issue for him, so maybe it's something to look at again in the future. Jedinak and Tish sitting with Ayew slightly more advanced. There would be pace and physicality in that midfield.
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I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.
*grumpy face*
I'm kind of glad though, in the sense that I hope the extra week allows a lot of the new boys who aren't away with their countries to bed in and we don't see a repeat of Bristol City. Deferred gratification
no for sure. They'll get a chance to work together. Hopefully they'll come steaming out of the blocks next week and get a much needed win.
Villa coming steaming out the blocks... bloody hell, when did that last happen. Come out steaming, yes.
Yes that's the spirit. Derby we were good overall, Huddersfield and Bristol City we should have been miles ahead before either team scored. How about looking forward and not back?
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The biggest issue going forward will be for RDM to get the balance right and if he persists with more attacking players, (Ayew, Jack)in positions of responsibility regarding the balance of the midfield, that I can see being over run to often for my liking.
Keep our forward options open, on the pitch and off the bench when required, but stiffen the midfield, in this division it is vital.
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The biggest issue going forward will be for RDM to get the balance right and if he persists with more attacking players, (Ayew, Jack)in positions of responsibility regarding the balance of the midfield, that I can see being over run to often for my liking.
Keep our forward options open, on the pitch and off the bench when required, but stiffen the midfield, in this division it is vital.
totally agree
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Agreed too. It may be that Tish and Jedi can do that, though I have my doubts
Otherwise we may have to sacrifice one of the attacking four for more of a solid type. Or be more prepared to change shape from the bench
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Agreed too. It may be that Tish and Jedi can do that, though I have my doubts
Otherwise we may have to sacrifice one of the attacking four for more of a solid type. Or be more prepared to change shape from the bench
And who would that be?
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I agree we're a bit short. But it could be bacuna on right side midfield. Or Westwood and Tish alongside Jedinak in a 433 or diamond. Or it could be Amavi left side midfield.
But none ideal I agree
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I really hate their not being a game this weekend, on the back of some exciting new players coming in and on the back of a poor result. It would be nice to address it today but we have to wait until next Sunday.
*grumpy face*
I'm kind of glad though, in the sense that I hope the extra week allows a lot of the new boys who aren't away with their countries to bed in and we don't see a repeat of Bristol City. Deferred gratification
no for sure. They'll get a chance to work together. Hopefully they'll come steaming out of the blocks next week and get a much needed win.
Villa coming steaming out the blocks... bloody hell, when did that last happen. Come out steaming, yes.
Yes that's the spirit. Derby we were good overall, Huddersfield and Bristol City we should have been miles ahead before either team scored. How about looking forward and not back?
Because I am by nature a miserable old get and because Villa has drained any tiny optimism I allowed myself. I don't know if you ever read a book called 'Man Utd ruined my life', written (when they were rubbish) by a lifelong City fan. He recalls a fan who used to go to every match and get really agitated if City scored first and say 'oh no, that'll really annoy them'. I can identify with that feeling.