Pre-match thread: Rapid Vienna v Aston Villa

[RussellC]

Well, he certainly interviews well, I'll give him that.

The more I look at that list of players, the more convinced I am that Downing will be playing centre-mid tomorrow, with Bannan on the left.

[Beijing Villan]

Much as though I was a little surprised by the squad the more I look at it the more I think it demonstrates real managerial guts and excellent man management skills. Here's a few reasons why:

1.   MON played favourites which saw players like NRC and Davies being frozen out. KM is showing that this is not the case anymore and is giving players a chance to play for their place. And he is doing it in a match that is important. Getting a run out in the third round of the League Cup does not fool anyone, it's not a real chance to show what you can do. Essentially he is saying that he is prepared to put his potential job on the line for them. If they don't deliver, he may not get the nod - "You wanted a chance, I'm giving you a chance. I'm giving you a fair crack at the whip boys, I believe in you, don't let me down" type of stuff. This is a gutsy move and shows real leadership.

2.  Squad mix - seasoned pros and youngish pups. This also shows that the first team places are up for grabs. You play well, you'll make the team.

3.  Tactical variety - one of the biggest moans last season was how predictable we were as a team. Most opposing managers could name our usual starting eleven then work out our tactics and how to shut us down (two men on Ashley and so forth). Opposing managers will now be less sure. Look at the teams posted on this thread so far, even we aren't sure what formation or personnel we will play. I'm sure that KM does though and that he has already briefed the team.

4.  Lessons learnt from Saturday - flowing football can work for us but we had a few defensive lapses. Can these players adapt and play the same kind of exciting and effective football, this is something KM wants to see so he is putting it to the test. Defensively can Davies step up to be the player that he can be - remember how well he played at times when alongside Laursen? Can Davies act as a mentor to Clark? How good is Clark when Dunne is not alongside him ?

5.  Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj etc - he has coached and watched these guys for a number of years, KM and Sid know them better than anyone. He is demonstrating his faith in them - again a great show of man management ability.

6.  The so called unwanted six - take Beye as an example. Signed for us and played well in his first game if I recall. I'm sure he did not want to spend last season sitting on his arse barely getting a sniff. Now he is given a chance to play and either move up the pecking order or showcase his ability to other clubs. If he plays well then that's great, if he increases in value and gets bought then that also could be a positive in terms of our wage bill. If he plays like a muppet (which I don't expect will happen) then KM has confirmation of what to do with him and can move on to the next player situation.

Last season - same players, same tactics, moan moan moan by many of us on here (myself included on occasion).
This season - breath of fresh air, no favourites, everything up for grabs, exciting play (caveat - based on one game!), players being given chances and motivation.

I'm really warming to KM. He has done a great job with the academy and he talks sense in interviews. No big ego, open-minded and willing to experiment. He's clearly not one to play things safe, he's willing to take sensible gambles and to put his neck on the line for his players and his team.

[The Man With A Stick]

At first glance, it's a disappointing squad.
But then, when they played for MON, what exactly were they playing for? Some of the names on that team-sheet would never have gotten much of a chance under O'Neill.

Some of those players are virtually playing to save their Villa careers.  I can see us getting a win tonight now.

[VillaZogmariner]

I think he will probably go for a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation and look to play on the break.

-------------------Guzan----------------
---Beye---Davies---Clark---Lichaj---
------------NRC---Warnock-----------
---Albrighton---Bannan---Downing--
-------------------Heskey-----------------

That is the line up I think we'll see.

However, if he does go 4-4-2 I think we'll see Warnock drop to Left Back, Downing into Centre Mid and Wieman play up front with Heskey.

[SteveN]

Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio.  He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.

[Chris Smith]

This is the best game to rest players in. If needed we can play a stronger side for the home leg.

[VillaZogmariner]

Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio.  He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.

Another dig maybe?

[BannedUserIAT]

Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio.  He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.

Meeooww!

[Chris Smith]

Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio.  He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.

Another dig maybe?

Do you think so? I don't think MacDonald is the sort to indulge in petty digs, seemed to me more sort of "in my day they were known as fringe players".

If it was then he'd go down in my estimation particularly after calling MON an "outstanding manager" on Saturday.

[Mister E]

I heard the comment and my 'take' on it was that whereas they had been almost diascarded as "fringe" under the old regime he prefers to refer to them all as a "squad". Classic psychology to bring togetherness during a crisis.

Apologies if mentioned before, but I heard an interesting quote from KM on the radio.  He referred to squad players and said something along the lines of - or fringe players as they were previously called.

Another dig maybe?

Do you think so? I don't think MacDonald is the sort to indulge in petty digs, seemed to me more sort of "in my day they were known as fringe players".

If it was then he'd go down in my estimation particularly after calling MON an "outstanding manager" on Saturday.

[JJ-AV]

I'm pleased with the squad, shame Sidwell isn't fit though.

I'd go -

---------------Guzan
Lichaj - Davies - Clark - Beye
-----------NRC - Warnock
Albrighton---Downing----Delfouneso
----------------Heskey

[toplad4u]

Sidwell injured???

Just wondering if Sidwell is injuryed nothing on PhysioRoom about it. Also when the squad was annnounced there was no mention of him being left behind there again gabby cuellar and collins weren't mention either. http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2126757,00.html

[Greg N'Ash]

1-0 rapid

[Mazrim]

I'm going for a 2-1 win.

[placeforparks]

last year's tie should have been put to bed at villa park in the first hour, but we were sloppy.

looking forward to seeing some hungry villa players tonight who want to prove a point. slender 2-1 villa win to bring back to villa park.