The Villa play like England when we should play like Germany

[Salsa Party Animal]

A Scottish coach educated in German football

[Surrey Villain]

Paul Lambert is a German coach.

I hope he has a Mercedes engine!

[ktvillan]

One of the things about the Spanish is they are very comfortable on the ball.  They don't seem to feel the need to offload the ball straight away, even if they receive it in a tight situation with an opponent breathing down their neck.   They will often comfortably shield it for a couple of touches and either draw the foul, or wait for a decent out ball, which is usually quick to arrive because of their constant movement.  If an opponent is not near them they often draw the opponent a little first before offloading, creating more space for the players around them.  Even when English players try to play a passing game you will often see it pinged around like it's a live hand grenade, even if no-one is near them.  There's little attempt to draw the opponent or shield it, it's just "oh fuck, get rid".  Barry is one of the few English players who does look calm and comfortable in possession even at international level, probably because it's easy to shield when you have an arse that can block out the sun.

[Legion]

Excellent analysis.

[lordmcgrath5]

Excellent analysis.

Let's wait and see how Lambert gets us playing. As long as it's a different style from last season, that would be a start.

[SHEPS]

I always thought that watching the Villa was like watching Ireland... all over the place for the first 20 minutes and can't defend in the last 10... 

And, no I don't know why Milly was taken off last night against Italy either...

Because he was crap?  Not as crap as Young (utterly utterly shite), but crap nonetheless.  He looked lethargic and very low on confidence.  Certainly not the player he once was at Villa.  That's what happens when your sitting on your arse for a season.  One that form I don't want him anywhere near VP again.