Aston Villa vs West Ham Pre-Match Thread

[Chris Smith]

MacDonald has to play something very different doesn't he? Otherwise it'll look like he's sticking the finger up to Randy and saying that he agrees with MON's selections.

He has to play the best team available, it's no time for silly experiments to pander to chairman or fans. Too many changes and we lose and he makes himself look a complete arse. As reserve team coach he more or less has the team dictated to him depending on who is available for each game, this is new to him.

[SteveN]

I'm waiting to see if Ashley Young will be playing.

[Chris Smith]

I'm waiting to see if Ashley Young will be playing.

Have to admit, Steve, I have worries in that direction myself.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I'm waiting to see if Ashley Young will be playing.

Have to admit, Steve, I have worries in that direction myself.

Why? I've just read somewhere that the General has commented that neither Ashley or Big Brad will be leaving the club.

[Mazrim]

Of course Young will be playing.

[Chris Smith]

I'm waiting to see if Ashley Young will be playing.

Have to admit, Steve, I have worries in that direction myself.

Why? I've just read somewhere that the General has commented that neither Ashley or Big Brad will be leaving the club.

Randy said Milner wouldn't be leaving a few weeks ago.

I don't think they'd be stupid enough to sell him now but I'd be amazed if the thought hadn't crossed their minds as they look to bring down the wage bill with their inability to do deals for any of the others meaning they start to cast the net wider.

[BannedUserIAT]

MacDonald has to play something very different doesn't he? Otherwise it'll look like he's sticking the finger up to Randy and saying that he agrees with MON's selections.

He has to play the best team available, it's no time for silly experiments to pander to chairman or fans. Too many changes and we lose and he makes himself look a complete arse. As reserve team coach he more or less has the team dictated to him depending on who is available for each game, this is new to him.

Dictated to him by whom exactly?

[Chris Smith]

MacDonald has to play something very different doesn't he? Otherwise it'll look like he's sticking the finger up to Randy and saying that he agrees with MON's selections.

He has to play the best team available, it's no time for silly experiments to pander to chairman or fans. Too many changes and we lose and he makes himself look a complete arse. As reserve team coach he more or less has the team dictated to him depending on who is available for each game, this is new to him.

Dictated to him by whom exactly?

If the first team manager needs a player for the weekend then he's not going to let him play for the reserves or if he's got a player coming back from injury he's going to tell him he needs to play him so it is very much at the discretion of the manager . Similarly with the younger players, if they're needed in their age group teams then they're not going to be allowed to play.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I'm waiting to see if Ashley Young will be playing.

Have to admit, Steve, I have worries in that direction myself.

Why? I've just read somewhere that the General has commented that neither Ashley or Big Brad will be leaving the club.

Randy said Milner wouldn't be leaving a few weeks ago.

I don't think they'd be stupid enough to sell him now but I'd be amazed if the thought hadn't crossed their minds as they look to bring down the wage bill with their inability to do deals for any of the others meaning they start to cast the net wider.

As you well know and often point out when the chickens start flapping, the transfer window will only hot up in the last week of August, so the inability to do deals is hardly the correct term to describe the current situation. I expect a few will leave.

As for Ashley, it would be a massive PR disaster to lose him now, something I'm sure the club are well aware of. Ashley has put his new contract talks on hold until the new manager is appointed which is fair enough but I think it's safe to say he'll be playing for us certainly up until January, hopefully for a lot longer.

[Matt Collins]

Kevin Mac plays a fairly attacking game, uses subs and is tactically astute.
Fans of any kind of tactics are in for a treat as we haven't really had any worth mentioning under MON.
But he's not gung-ho and it wont be a massive departure to how we've been playing.
That said, this isnt reserve football so who knows how he sees our first team playing.

I'm particularly looking forward to players moving into space to receive the ball though and perhaps doing the same for throw ins.
If Ireland is settled in by then I think we'll play thusly:

---------------------------Friedel

Young-----------Cuellar---------Dunne----------Warnock

-------------------Petrov---------Reo Coker

----------------------------Ireland

-----------Agbonlahor-------------------------Young

----------------------------Carew

Guzan, Clark, Beye, Downing, Albrighton, Heskey, Delfouneso


That's how I'd play anyway.

I agree. If Gabby isn't fit though, would you play Albrighton or Downing? I think I would probabyl stick with Downing, but tempting to go for Marc.

If Ireland isn't in yet, I'd put Downing in his position.

[Olneythelonely]

Arrrrrghhhhhh! My eyes.

[BannedUserIAT]

MacDonald has to play something very different doesn't he? Otherwise it'll look like he's sticking the finger up to Randy and saying that he agrees with MON's selections.

He has to play the best team available, it's no time for silly experiments to pander to chairman or fans. Too many changes and we lose and he makes himself look a complete arse. As reserve team coach he more or less has the team dictated to him depending on who is available for each game, this is new to him.

Dictated to him by whom exactly?

If the first team manager needs a player for the weekend then he's not going to let him play for the reserves or if he's got a player coming back from injury he's going to tell him he needs to play him so it is very much at the discretion of the manager . Similarly with the younger players, if they're needed in their age group teams then they're not going to be allowed to play.

Sorry, Chris. I read your post as meaning that as our caretaker manager, he'd be having the teamsheet dictated to him. I see your point now.

[Mazrim]

What just happened? I remember starting to read Matt Collin's post and then I woke up with a nosebleed and I can't see.

[Toronto Villa]

It will be very interesting to see the team and formation on Saturday, and guess at how it would have differed had MON still been here. It will also be fascinating to see the body language with the players. How motivated they are. We shit the bed last time out, and with a change of manager imminent, one would hope that some players, if picked will be desperate to make an impression.

I expect a win against West Ham at the best of times, and this is no different.

[jonzy85]

MacDonald has to play something very different doesn't he? Otherwise it'll look like he's sticking the finger up to Randy and saying that he agrees with MON's selections.

Cheers, Maz. Looks a cracking line up. 4-2-3-1 being very flexible and very exciting. Hopefully the lads have had a few run-outs with the Kevin Mac to learn what this "pass" and "move" means. My guess is that many have forgotten!

I wouldnt have thought so at all. It wasnt team selection that Randy and MON disagreed on, it was the way forward financially.