The key is going to be how much they can get across in training this week.
The key is going to be how much they can get across in training this week.
Doesn't take long to say....'for f**ks sake, concentrate you dozy f**kers'
and stop getting injured in training
Made me laugh.and stop getting injured in training
I imagine the pitch at Bodymoor to be like the scene in Tetminator 2 when the ground freezes and the the T1000's legs just break off.
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Mings
Targett
McGinn
Dougie
Sanson
Bailey
Ings
Watkins
If ings isn't fit, then Buendia to play wide and Ollie up top. Lots of pressing in zones, Dougie more disciplined and the full backs very high.
I just hope he doesn't play it safe and start with Ashley Young anywhere in the team.
I'm going for:
Emi M
Cashy M
Ezri K
Mingie T
Matty T
Johnny M
Dougie L
Marvelessly N
Leon Bailey
Watty K
Emi B
El Ghazi , no way. Will be gone in January.
I'm going for:
Emi M
Cashy M
Ezri K
Mingie T
Matty T
Johnny M
Dougie L
Marvelessly N
Leon Bailey
Watty K
Emi B
It's been reported that Marv has picked up an injury on international duty.
El Ghazi , no way. Will be gone in January.
El Ghazi , no way. Will be gone in January.I'm not so sure. Part of me thinks he's thrive as a left sided 10.
Fuck the south coast London by the sea American Express that'll do nicely fuckers.
Nakamba is Blues. It will be a blessing if we don't have him on the pitch continually giving the ball away. I don't want to see Nakamba, Young or Tuanzebe near the side or McGinn hampered by playing too deep. That would be a good start.So, who plays deep from the current squad?
Nakamba is Blues. It will be a blessing if we don't have him on the pitch continually giving the ball away. I don't want to see Nakamba, Young or Tuanzebe near the side or McGinn hampered by playing too deep. That would be a good start.So, who plays deep from the current squad?
Sanson is a better player than Ramsey for me right now.
Sanson is a better player than Ramsey for me right now.Based on 45 mins vs Chelsea reserves?
Sanson is a better player than Ramsey for me right now.Based on 45 mins vs Chelsea reserves?
Don't get me wrong I hope he comes good, but right now Ramsey deserves the start.
Probably already been mentioned but I saw a tweet about John Gregory being the last Villa manager to win his first game in charge of us? That right? 11 managers ago?
I’m going 2-1 with a late winner
But bearing in mind Sanson has only played 45 mins of senior football for us for in 7 months it's hard to imagine Gerrard chucking him straight in after seeing just a few days traing.Sanson is a better player than Ramsey for me right now.Based on 45 mins vs Chelsea reserves?
Don't get me wrong I hope he comes good, but right now Ramsey deserves the start.
A new manager normally means that what has happened previously goes out of the window and players are judged afresh. Gerrard will, presumably, pick the players based on how he sees them fitting into how he wants the team to play. So it might be Ramsey it might be Samson or it could be that neither start.
Sanson is a better player than Ramsey for me right now.Based on 45 mins vs Chelsea reserves?
Don't get me wrong I hope he comes good, but right now Ramsey deserves the start.
Defeat - Brighton are playing really nice fluid football right now and expecting Gerrard to turn this round overnight is silly.
The result is important but for me, want to see the attitude and effort improve considerably first and foremost. Show some intent. Press hard.
Those signs will help determine how fast he might turn it round.
Sanson is a better player than Ramsey for me right now.Based on 45 mins vs Chelsea reserves?
Don't get me wrong I hope he comes good, but right now Ramsey deserves the start.
Kante is a reserve?
With brand new managerial bouceability and for no other reason whatsoever (better to be lucky than good) our two forwards discover how to play together forming what will be become a lethal and legendary striking partnership. ;D
Us 7 Wakins(3) Them 0
Ings(3)
Nakamba
All the goals are scored mid way through the second half and I go flying to the top of Louzies Guess the Goal table. (Better to be lucky than good). 8)
Sanson is a better player than Ramsey for me right now.Based on 45 mins vs Chelsea reserves?
Don't get me wrong I hope he comes good, but right now Ramsey deserves the start.
Kante is a reserve?
And he embarrassed Saul Niguez, a man hard enough to win leagues as a starter under Simeone. Maybe his problem is, as ever, fitness, but if it isn't it'll take some persuading me that he doesn't deserve some minutes per game.
Depends who is fit. I think we'll have a flurry of substitutions on to about the hour mark through tiredness.
Also a surprise in the lineup.
Heart win, head loss. So a Draw.
Defeat - Brighton are playing really nice fluid football right now and expecting Gerrard to turn this round overnight is silly.Brighton's winless streak is longer than ours.
Which of course means we get Brighton's season back on track. It's the Villa way.Defeat - Brighton are playing really nice fluid football right now and expecting Gerrard to turn this round overnight is silly.Brighton's winless streak is longer than ours.
We’re gonna batter the fuckers
3-0 villa
I would have said it’s a game we’ve got to win under Smith and it’s no different under GerrardWell, there's some excuses. The fact he's only had 1 or 2 training sessions with the majority of the first team woiuld be one of them.
We’re two points off the relegation spots Gerrard has been bought in to get us winning again it starts on Saturday
No excuses
I would have said it’s a game we’ve got to win under Smith and it’s no different under Gerrard
We’re two points off the relegation spots Gerrard has been bought in to get us winning again it starts on Saturday
No excuses
Agreed and in this respect I feel sorry for our new manager.
Purslow has put him in this position, knowing where Villa are. He must be expecting him to hit the ground running and I hope for Villa's sake that is the case. Purslow has made it that there can be no excuses or free hits. UTV!
Is Bailey injured?
Same here, Luiz although in my book a tad overated is the most reliable we have, it just proves that we badly misjudged last trading period. Many say Smith had no role in transfers, if not I would like to know the name of the idiot that made that call, I would like him sacked.It has been stated enough times that the triumvirate including Smith decided transfers.
Their first choice keeper is out apparently.
I have a feeling Tim Iroegbunam might be quite close. Been excellent in the cup games and the PL2.
I still think there's a surprise in store. Wouldn't bet against Archer and or Chukwuemeka getting the nod.Possibly, if so it could be Chuck in midfield and McGinn in one of the forward roles, probably in place of Buendia. I'd be amazed if Archer started.
SG has made it clear his first priority is going to be to tighten up at the back, so I don't think we should be expecting any swashbuckling performances just yet.I reckon that'll be the starting lineup. Archer, JPB, and Chuk all on the bench, with a decent chance of coming on. Formation to look more like
With Luiz out I don't see any other option than starting with Nakamba in midfield, much as I know this will annoy some. Other combinations are likely to just be too lightweight, particulalrly as Bissouma is likely to dominate.
So, with the latest injury news I'd expect:
Martinez
Cash Konsa Mings Targett
McGinn Nakamba Ramsey
Buendia Ings Watkins
I think Watkins gets in over Bailey for his fitness and work rate. But I wouldn't be shocked if Young gets the nod, either at leftback or left in the front 3.
As a new manager, you'd surely want to make some sort of statement about what your selections will look like and why they are better than the previous guy in charge. Otherwise, we may as well of kept him!
Well, and playing 3 at the back, the players not being fit enough and poor substitutions.As a new manager, you'd surely want to make some sort of statement about what your selections will look like and why they are better than the previous guy in charge. Otherwise, we may as well of kept him!I think the interesting thing here is that there isn't anyone that hasn't been picked that the fans have been clamouring to see. It's not like Smith was leaving anyone out or anything, we've just had lots of injury issues.
Well, and playing 3 at the back, the players not being fit enough and poor substitutions.As a new manager, you'd surely want to make some sort of statement about what your selections will look like and why they are better than the previous guy in charge. Otherwise, we may as well of kept him!I think the interesting thing here is that there isn't anyone that hasn't been picked that the fans have been clamouring to see. It's not like Smith was leaving anyone out or anything, we've just had lots of injury issues.
I have absolutely no idea how this is going to go. I have absolutely no idea how Steven Gerrard is going to perform as our manager full stop. Its exciting, weird and scary all at the same time.
I have a feeling Tim Iroegbunam might be quite close. Been excellent in the cup games and the PL2.
He best not ever play Nakamba.SG has made it clear his first priority is going to be to tighten up at the back, so I don't think we should be expecting any swashbuckling performances just yet.I reckon that'll be the starting lineup. Archer, JPB, and Chuk all on the bench, with a decent chance of coming on. Formation to look more like
With Luiz out I don't see any other option than starting with Nakamba in midfield, much as I know this will annoy some. Other combinations are likely to just be too lightweight, particulalrly as Bissouma is likely to dominate.
So, with the latest injury news I'd expect:
Martinez
Cash Konsa Mings Targett
McGinn Nakamba Ramsey
Buendia Ings Watkins
I think Watkins gets in over Bailey for his fitness and work rate. But I wouldn't be shocked if Young gets the nod, either at leftback or left in the front 3.
Martinez
Cash Konsa Mings Targett
McGinn Nakamba Ramsey
Buendia Watkins
Ings
At this rate I wish SG hadn't retired as a player , we could do with him on the field . The midfield is a problem at the moment , lets hope we get someone in Jan .
I think Archer surprised Smith and Shakespeare with how good he was and how determined too (which is pretty crap if they didn't know already). I think it isn't inconceivable that he gets a chance.
I'm sure i saw Nakamba out for 4 weeks with injury?
It will be more how they play than how they line up
"THERE'S ONLY ONE IGREGUBNHMAM
ONE IGROEGegbunham….
THERE'S ONLY ONE TIM"
I have a horrible feeling we are going to be Stev.ie G's claranbluearmee.
Would love to see the start of a new era with Chuk, JPB and Archer involved but something tells me it’ll be a very cautious lineup, maybe Tuanzebe as a holding midfielder, possibly Young in there too. Hope I’m wrong, we need a win with tough games coming up.
I have a horrible feeling we are going to be Stev.ie G's claranbluearmee.
Nailed on, and you can take it to the bank Mr. W.
Given SG's proclivity for 4-2-3-1 he could go :I understand it is
Emi
Cash Konsa Mings Targett
McGinn Nakamba
Buendia Ings Bailey
Watkins
I think we'll win and the fans will make the atmosphere electric.
Can't Axel play DM?
Just have to stick him in there and hope he can stick his foot in and break up some attacks.
Then McGinn (although he'll have to be disciplined not to get forward much) and then one of Ramsey/Carney.
Sticking Young as the DM would really sum up our season wouldn't it so can't believe that's a serious option.
Can't Axel play DM?
Just have to stick him in there and hope he can stick his foot in and break up some attacks.
Then McGinn (although he'll have to be disciplined not to get forward much) and then one of Ramsey/Carney.
Sticking Young as the DM would really sum up our season wouldn't it so can't believe that's a serious option.
I think Axel can play in that position. Good call.
Well, and playing 3 at the back, the players not being fit enough and poor substitutions.As a new manager, you'd surely want to make some sort of statement about what your selections will look like and why they are better than the previous guy in charge. Otherwise, we may as well of kept him!I think the interesting thing here is that there isn't anyone that hasn't been picked that the fans have been clamouring to see. It's not like Smith was leaving anyone out or anything, we've just had lots of injury issues.
That's a different issue. I'm talking about the players. When there's a managerial change, the fans are usually wanting someone different to play. And there's none of that this time.
let's play players in their proper position.
https://www.facebook.com/129445223749711/posts/5365153750178806/I read that earlier. I loved this bit at the end:
https://www.facebook.com/129445223749711/posts/5365153750178806/Brilliant!
Villa Park prepares for Steven Gerrard's dugout debut today. The last fella to mark his Villa management debut with a Premier League win was John Gregory in February 1998, beating Liverpool 2-1.
Here's JG's brilliant description of what it was like walking down the Trinity Road track for the first time as Aston Villa boss.
"My players left the dressing room and headed down the long flight of stairs to the pitch. A few minutes later I had to do the same.
The anticipation of stepping out into the sunny cauldron that was waiting for me in my first appearance as manager had my heart ticking a lot faster than normal.
I was convinced that the Villa faithful would welcome me with a half hearted response.
A polite round of applause maybe. A lot of boos even.
In a poll in the paper I wasn’t even mentioned in the 10 names that had a chance of the job. No, it’ll be loads of abuse. Steel yourself for it, JG.
I stepped from the darkness of that narrow tunnel into the brilliant sunshine of Villa Park at its finest.
The ground crammed full and awash with claret and blue and an explosion of noise and tension.
I started my walk from the tunnel and headed the fifty yards or so to my seat in the dugout. The Villa fans saw me. They started to cheer and applaud. It got louder and louder.
They started to stand up and shout my name. Wow, they like me! I wasn’t expecting this.
You will never be able to comprehend how I felt at that moment. The enormity of that welcome. The acceptance of the Villa faithful.
I might not have been their preferred choice but I am their manager now.
I was now ‘The Chosen One’ and they were giving me their 100 per cent support. That moment will stay with me for a lifetime."
So, a new beginning then.
Not much time for Gerrard to work with the squad. Brighton have had a good start to the season, but haven’t won in 7, and their recent results have been a mixed bag. Decent battling draws with Liverpool and Leicester, but also disappointing draws with Norwich and Newcastle.
I’m going to go for a straightforward 2-0 home win, to get Villa Park bouncing again and Gerard’s reign off to a good start.