Aston Villa vs Manchester City Post-Keeping the Score Down Thread

[oishiiniku]

Leeds rely very heavily on their wingers to spring a lot of their attacks, but in Harrison and Raphinha they have players who carry a consistent threat and are constantly looking to take on the full-backs they're up against. Trez, El Ghazi and Traore aren't able to beat their man (and often don't try) and if our full-backs don't overlap (or can't get up the pitch quick enough to support) then we look so blunt in attack. So many times in recent games I've seen Martinez claim the ball, look for someone to start a quick counter, and then not bother. None of the wide players - Jack aside - show for the ball in those situations (or I guess it's not part of the tactics).
With Jack fit and playing and a winger of high quality on the other side Villa offer much more attacking threat. Then we need a proper defensive midfielder who can also distribute the ball, a PROPER number 10 (not zombie Ross Barkley or tries-hard-bless-him John McGinn) such as Buendia, or Pereira from West Brom and then Dougie and McGinn can fight it out for the 8 position.

[Risso]

Leeds rely very heavily on their wingers to spring a lot of their attacks, but in Harrison and Raphinha they have players who carry a consistent threat and are constantly looking to take on the full-backs they're up against. Trez, El Ghazi and Traore aren't able to beat their man (and often don't try) and if our full-backs don't overlap (or can't get up the pitch quick enough to support) then we look so blunt in attack. So many times in recent games I've seen Martinez claim the ball, look for someone to start a quick counter, and then not bother. None of the wide players - Jack aside - show for the ball in those situations (or I guess it's not part of the tactics).
With Jack fit and playing and a winger of high quality on the other side Villa offer much more attacking threat. Then we need a proper defensive midfielder who can also distribute the ball, a PROPER number 10 (not zombie Ross Barkley or tries-hard-bless-him John McGinn) such as Buendia, or Pereira from West Brom and then Dougie and McGinn can fight it out for the 8 position.

Great post. I said something the other day about how Martinez doesn't launch quick attacks any more, we just don't have anybody showing for the ball, so he resorts to long punts up field, which we mostly don't retain possession from.

[aj2k77]

Buendia or Pereira wouldn't be good enough to break the top 6/8.

[Risso]

Buendia or Pereira wouldn't be good enough to break the top 6/8.

Not on their own, no. As part of a strategy of upgrading 3-4 players, perhaps.

[oishiiniku]

Buendia or Pereira wouldn't be good enough to break the top 6/8.

Possibly not, but I think they fit our transfer model (both relatively young at 24, potential for higher resale value if we develop them further) and if they are playing with the likes of Grealish and Watkins their key numbers would shoot up as well, I think. Pereira has got 8 goals and 5 assists in his first season in the Premier League in a team that's struggled for most of it. Like I say, if he were playing with a higher calibre of player, there's every chance he could do even better.

I just don't see us signing a 40-50 million attacking midfielder yet - although I'd be happily proved wrong! - so I reckon players in the 15-30 mil bracket are what we are looking at.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The comparison between how the two managers reacted to the red cards was interesting, albeit only based on what I could see from the TV footage.

Guardiola put his head in his hands when Stones caught Ramsey, then ranted and raved outside of his technical area when the card was given. I don’t think Smith reacted at all.

Guardiola then charged down the touch line when Cash caught Foden, whilst Smith just conferred with his coaching team.

I also don’t understand why the pundits on MOTD were suggesting that the Stones red card was harsh. Of the two challenges, it was this one that had endangered the opponent. Cash was stupid, but players don’t get injured from that type of challenge. Whereas Ramsey could have had ligament damage.

If Mings had taken out Foden in the same way Stones took out Ramsey I'm sure Guardiola would have a change of heart.

[dcdavecollett]

Strange title for the thread, though I suppose when you are taking on one of the best teams on the planet, with more or less their best 11 out, and playing with an injury-hit side yourself, restricting them to three shots on target strikes me as quite an achievement. See last season for the comparison.

Hope Deano gives Cash a bollocking and three quarters for the sending-off, as that effectively cost us the game.