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Author Topic: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012  (Read 220564 times)

Offline villan from luton

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #735 on: August 05, 2012, 11:28:07 PM »
Technically, we were pretty good yesterday. Physically, we faded second half. As long as we can play like the first half and keep it going for the whole of the second, I think we can be optimistic.

Was that the first time in this pre-season that our players have played the whole game? I imagine the first half is a better gauge of where we're at. We've got another couple of weeks to get fitness levels up to the point that we can play like that for a whole game.

Totally agree, it is all about getting physically right for opening game of the season. Read the Forest manager O'Driscoll saying the subs made the difference and that PL had decided to give the majority of his lads 90 mins to boost fitness levels.

Offline tomd2103

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #736 on: August 05, 2012, 11:31:16 PM »
We wont get too much for Makoun. Reckon he could have been an asset with Lambert in charge.
I still think he's a really good player and hope we can sort his permit out.

Agree with that Luke, but I think it has all gone too far and I think we need to move him on.  Would be interesting to hear what the player himself thinks and if he really wants to come back.  If we could get anywhere in the region of £3m for him, I'd be very tempted to sell.

Offline Matt Collins

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #737 on: August 06, 2012, 12:37:12 AM »
Somebody behind me said 'Welcome to Aston Villa, Charles N'Zogbia' and he  was right - it was the best shift he'd yet put in. However, he needs to learn he can't walk the ball into the net. Three or four times he could have smacked it and it would have flown in past Camp.

My own opinion is that we can do with a snappy, combative player whose only job is to break up play. If we're going to go for the nice little passes, we need a Plan B for when the passes aren't accurate. One of the reasons for our tiredness was because we spent too long chasing for the ball back, our front players included. Give somebody the job of regaining it in midfield or watch as the shortcomings of the defence are exposed as they constantly were under McLeish.

Again, agree on both points Curious.  I thought N'Zogbia showed glimpses of real quality yesterday, yet there was still the moments of frustration.  I thought we were on for a very early goal of the season candidate when he went on that run in the first half, but again instead of shooting he took too many touches.  Let's hope he can build on that performance yesterday, as he does possess undoubted quality.

I also agree that we are missing that ball winner in midfield.  Personally, I think we could do with someone just sitting in front of the defence who as you say, can win the ball back when we lose it.  I think the saga with Makoun has gone too far now, so maybe we could sell him and use the proceeds to bring in that type of player.

Completely agree from what I saw, on both counts.

Don't agree that CNZ was useless as some said. I thought he looked a real threat and played people in more intelligently than at times. Still needs to improve quite a bit there. If he can, he may be very well suited to they striker role

Offline tomd2103

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #738 on: August 06, 2012, 01:03:19 AM »
Somebody behind me said 'Welcome to Aston Villa, Charles N'Zogbia' and he  was right - it was the best shift he'd yet put in. However, he needs to learn he can't walk the ball into the net. Three or four times he could have smacked it and it would have flown in past Camp.

My own opinion is that we can do with a snappy, combative player whose only job is to break up play. If we're going to go for the nice little passes, we need a Plan B for when the passes aren't accurate. One of the reasons for our tiredness was because we spent too long chasing for the ball back, our front players included. Give somebody the job of regaining it in midfield or watch as the shortcomings of the defence are exposed as they constantly were under McLeish.

Again, agree on both points Curious.  I thought N'Zogbia showed glimpses of real quality yesterday, yet there was still the moments of frustration.  I thought we were on for a very early goal of the season candidate when he went on that run in the first half, but again instead of shooting he took too many touches.  Let's hope he can build on that performance yesterday, as he does possess undoubted quality.

I also agree that we are missing that ball winner in midfield.  Personally, I think we could do with someone just sitting in front of the defence who as you say, can win the ball back when we lose it.  I think the saga with Makoun has gone too far now, so maybe we could sell him and use the proceeds to bring in that type of player.

Completely agree from what I saw, on both counts.

Don't agree that CNZ was useless as some said. I thought he looked a real threat and played people in more intelligently than at times. Still needs to improve quite a bit there. If he can, he may be very well suited to they striker role

Agree Matt and I also thought he provided us with width at times which was important as we were narrow in midfield.  He comes across as a confidence player and hopefully a run of decent games will help in that department.  Like you, I can see him being a threat in that position.

Offline Steve R

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #739 on: August 06, 2012, 01:34:28 AM »
I still think the issue with Makoun is whether or not he wants to be here, i.e. has he really settled, does he have a taste for PL football.

If so, he will either complement or compete with El Ahmadi. He is not the type of player to screen the back four.  We don't truly have one of those with the passing ability that PL's philosphy requires.

The one possible exception is Clark - but I suspect he is pencilled in for development as a centre back. Herd has the competitive edge, but nothing more than gut feeling tells me that PL doesn't rate him too highly.

I suspect Bannan is there as the best current compromise. Maybe this is the position, along with left back, that will see reinforcement before the end of August.


Offline Mister E

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #740 on: August 06, 2012, 07:09:52 PM »
Somebody behind me said 'Welcome to Aston Villa, Charles N'Zogbia' and he  was right - it was the best shift he'd yet put in. However, he needs to learn he can't walk the ball into the net. Three or four times he could have smacked it and it would have flown in past Camp.

My own opinion is that we can do with a snappy, combative player whose only job is to break up play. If we're going to go for the nice little passes, we need a Plan B for when the passes aren't accurate. One of the reasons for our tiredness was because we spent too long chasing for the ball back, our front players included. Give somebody the job of regaining it in midfield or watch as the shortcomings of the defence are exposed as they constantly were under McLeish.

Again, agree on both points Curious.  I thought N'Zogbia showed glimpses of real quality yesterday, yet there was still the moments of frustration.  I thought we were on for a very early goal of the season candidate when he went on that run in the first half, but again instead of shooting he took too many touches.  Let's hope he can build on that performance yesterday, as he does possess undoubted quality.

I also agree that we are missing that ball winner in midfield.  Personally, I think we could do with someone just sitting in front of the defence who as you say, can win the ball back when we lose it.  I think the saga with Makoun has gone too far now, so maybe we could sell him and use the proceeds to bring in that type of player.
I'm yet to be convinced that Charles really has got the attitude - if he can show it, fantastic; he'll be an asset.
Re the sitting MF player - isn't that the role that Herd should be playing? I would like to see him and KEA playing alongside BB, with Holman and Ireland in front and one up top. That way, I think we can have the flair to attack buit the solidity to defend effectively.


Online Richard

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #741 on: August 06, 2012, 08:08:07 PM »
I am pretty sure PL will play a different line up depending on who and where we are playing. I agree with having an extra body like Herd for the tougher looking games but then switching to 3 men off the striker against the Wigans of the world, or an out and out two up front. I think he will also switch things around quickly in games where things are not going to plan.

Offline tomd2103

  • Member
  • Posts: 15418
Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #742 on: August 06, 2012, 08:18:18 PM »
Somebody behind me said 'Welcome to Aston Villa, Charles N'Zogbia' and he  was right - it was the best shift he'd yet put in. However, he needs to learn he can't walk the ball into the net. Three or four times he could have smacked it and it would have flown in past Camp.

My own opinion is that we can do with a snappy, combative player whose only job is to break up play. If we're going to go for the nice little passes, we need a Plan B for when the passes aren't accurate. One of the reasons for our tiredness was because we spent too long chasing for the ball back, our front players included. Give somebody the job of regaining it in midfield or watch as the shortcomings of the defence are exposed as they constantly were under McLeish.

Again, agree on both points Curious.  I thought N'Zogbia showed glimpses of real quality yesterday, yet there was still the moments of frustration.  I thought we were on for a very early goal of the season candidate when he went on that run in the first half, but again instead of shooting he took too many touches.  Let's hope he can build on that performance yesterday, as he does possess undoubted quality.

I also agree that we are missing that ball winner in midfield.  Personally, I think we could do with someone just sitting in front of the defence who as you say, can win the ball back when we lose it.  I think the saga with Makoun has gone too far now, so maybe we could sell him and use the proceeds to bring in that type of player.
I'm yet to be convinced that Charles really has got the attitude - if he can show it, fantastic; he'll be an asset.
Re the sitting MF player - isn't that the role that Herd should be playing? I would like to see him and KEA playing alongside BB, with Holman and Ireland in front and one up top. That way, I think we can have the flair to attack buit the solidity to defend effectively.

Having seen the way have played so far in pre-season, I'm not sure Herd has the quality on the ball to play the role that PL is expecting of the defensive midfielder.  On Saturday, Bannan was getting the ball off Guzan and the defenders and picking out passes.  I'm not sure that Herd is good enough on the ball to do that.

Offline Matt Collins

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #743 on: August 06, 2012, 09:20:14 PM »
I agree about Herd. Never been convinced he has the technical or tactical quality needed. Plus he looked awful in midfield in America which I don't imagine will have impressed lambert

Offline Chris Jameson

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #744 on: August 07, 2012, 04:54:06 PM »
Huddersfield Town are playing Barca B tomorrow evening which I was taking my son to. My brother has been doing some work with Huddersfield and has just called round to let my son know that Huddersfield have arranged with Barcelona for him to be Barca's mascot tomorrow evening! His face was a picture, he did say he was going to wear his Villa shirt but changed his mind!

Online London Villan

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #745 on: August 07, 2012, 04:57:46 PM »
With the amount of the ball fullbacks get these days I wonder of Banna

Offline supertommykN'iba

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #746 on: August 08, 2012, 02:50:44 PM »
Not sure if it's been mentioned anywhere but just a warning to anyone planning on going to Evesham tomorrow... Don't. Cancelled presumably due to this competition in Manchester the kids are in.

Offline Mister E

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #747 on: August 08, 2012, 05:30:48 PM »
With the amount of the ball fullbacks get these days I wonder of Banna
Did you fall alseep or something?!

Online London Villan

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #748 on: August 08, 2012, 09:40:07 PM »
It felt like it at times last season!

My musings were about using Bannan as a fullback, seeing how important they are on the ball these days... then the phone rang and I...

Offline Matt Collins

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Re: Pre-Season Friendlies 2012
« Reply #749 on: August 08, 2012, 10:02:08 PM »
Bannan as a full back. Back to the drawing board I reckon there mate!

 


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