Villa Striker Has Fewest Premier League Touches

[markeeeebeeee2005]

Ha ha very true.

[Chris Smith]

If we're going to make a change then it should be Collins, but for me Dunne and Clarke doesn't work (Man City away this season, Newcastle away last are 2 that spring to mind) because they're both left sided and don't appear to function as a pair. Cuellar isn't going to improve the composure on the ball and Collins defensively has been sound for the past two games so there's no obvious justification for it, other than to make a point as Brian suggests. The problem with that is such is the readiness to blame AM for everything he'll be slaughtered for it if Cuellar makes a mistake. (See how to some it s his fault that Bannan and Albrighton under performed at the weekend.)

[Chris Smith]

Clark is very comfortable on the ball. As CDJ says, why, if Collins and Dunne aren't doing what McLeish tells them, is he not even getting a sniff?

I'd assume it's to do with Mcleish career long aversion to using younger players. He always sides with experienced players, and that is just another thing Villa do not need.

Hmm, *scratches head* Herd and Delph at Swansea, Herd, Bannan and Albrighton on Saturday.

[PaulWinch again]

Right ok Collins, Dunne, Heskey, Warnock, Petrov. I'd say he initially grudgingly played Bannan and Albrighton is due to N'Zogbia's indiscretion. Fair enough on Herd.

[pauliewalnuts]

If we're going to make a change then it should be Collins, but for me Dunne and Clarke doesn't work (Man City away this season, Newcastle away last are 2 that spring to mind) because they're both left sided and don't appear to function as a pair. Cuellar isn't going to improve the composure on the ball and Collins defensively has been sound for the past two games so there's no obvious justification for it, other than to make a point as Brian suggests. The problem with that is such is the readiness to blame AM for everything he'll be slaughtered for it if Cuellar makes a mistake. (See how to some it s his fault that Bannan and Albrighton under performed at the weekend.)

That's an odd point on Cuellar, Chris. He shouldn't bring Cuellar in, in case he makes a mistake, and he'll get slaughtered for it?

Is anything ever McLeish's fault? Or even his responsibility?

[KevinGage]

If we're going to make a change then it should be Collins, but for me Dunne and Clarke doesn't work (Man City away this season, Newcastle away last are 2 that spring to mind) because they're both left sided and don't appear to function as a pair.

You may have a point there.

It was only one game (though there might have been others I can't recall)  but Clark and Cuellar looked very composed as a partnership a few years ago v Fulham at home.  I remember it because I was nervous pre kick off.   But  Clark and Cuellar actually looked more secure than Davies and Cuellar.  There was a natural balance to the partnership.

I'd be tempted to go with it again, but perhaps against a more footballling side, rather than the likes of Bolton, Blackburn, Stoke et.c

[brian green]

I think Alex is making the same mistake with the ne'erdowells as Sir Brian did with Stanley Collymore.   He is trying to rationalize things when what they want if they do not stick to orders is a kick up the arse.   To quote the little known line from  the flip side of Ghost Riders In The Sky "don't try to understand 'em, just throw and rope and brand 'em" loud sound of whip cracking.

[Chipsticks]

Not too worried about Bent as minimal touches is part of his game. Gabby's a bit more worrying.

[Chris Smith]

If we're going to make a change then it should be Collins, but for me Dunne and Clarke doesn't work (Man City away this season, Newcastle away last are 2 that spring to mind) because they're both left sided and don't appear to function as a pair. Cuellar isn't going to improve the composure on the ball and Collins defensively has been sound for the past two games so there's no obvious justification for it, other than to make a point as Brian suggests. The problem with that is such is the readiness to blame AM for everything he'll be slaughtered for it if Cuellar makes a mistake. (See how to some it s his fault that Bannan and Albrighton under performed at the weekend.)

That's an odd point on Cuellar, Chris. He shouldn't bring Cuellar in, in case he makes a mistake, and he'll get slaughtered for it?

Is anything ever McLeish's fault? Or even his responsibility?

No, if he thinks it is the right thing to he should do it. My point is that half of the people advocating change will twist it to still stick the knife in if the change isn't immediately a success - the midfield on Saturday being an example.

Obviously I'm not meaning you or any of the more thoughtful posters in that but I'm sure you know what I mean.

[pauliewalnuts]

I was hopeful when he played that midfield on Saturday, but ultimately, he just sent them out to do the same thing - zero ambition.

He'd get cut a lot more slack from people if he got us actually showing a little bit of ambition. I can't speak for anyone else but for me, it's not poor results that worry me, it is the way we go out and play.

I can handle losing if we at least try to win games. That's what we don't seem to be doing.

[Chris Smith]

I was hopeful when he played that midfield on Saturday, but ultimately, he just sent them out to do the same thing - zero ambition.

He'd get cut a lot more slack from people if he got us actually showing a little bit of ambition. I can't speak for anyone else but for me, it's not poor results that worry me, it is the way we go out and play.

I can handle losing if we at least try to win games. That's what we don't seem to be doing.

I think that's the crux of where we differ. If he wanted to play the type of unambitious football you suggest he'd pick players more adept at doing it. He picked a team to press high up the pitch and use the ball. That's what we saw in the second half, we lacked any real quality but we at least tried to play the game in their half.

[mrfuse]

Not too worried about Bent as minimal touches is part of his game. Gabby's a bit more worrying.

Thats the problem really its not bents Minimal touches its what happened with those minimal touches and where they were. If bent touched the ball 3 times and scored with each touch that would do me.
We cant expect Bent to be a Doyle type player, hes one of the best goal scorers in the league and when you have a player like that you need to build the whole team round him you need a system that gets the ball to him in dangerous areas.

So far Ive seen nothing that suggests McLeish is doing this maybe hes waiting for Bent to go so we can swoop in for Zigic and then Colins can boot the ball to his content!

[Chris Smith]

I know from a totally reliable source that he didn't buy Zigic, it was a "gift" from the owners, he wanted to spend the money elsewhere.

[pauliewalnuts]

McLeish himself said that at the meeting with supporters prior to the season.

[Pete3206]

Worried