West Ham v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Monty]

I agree it'll take time to get that completely sorted, but our inability to keep the ball in the second half was caused a lot by the Werder formation off the ball, which pressed us in key areas in deep midfield. Allardyce's flat 4-4-2s have no record of that type of game plan.

I agree that the crosses and long balls are a concern, but if we keep the ball better - like we did in every other pre-season game - then we'll have fewer to deal with overall. That's the hope, along with high pressing game which wins the ball high up the pitch or forces their defenders into mistakes. I agree that I'd rather be playing West Ham later on in the season, but I don't feel all is lost on the evidence of one game.

[Brend'Watkins]

We might score more goals with Lambert's style of play but as Chris has pointed out we look like conceding far too easy from our defending as highlighted on Saturday's showing. Even with Dunne and Collins at their worst I doubt two of those goals we defended very poorly from would have been scored.

[Monty]

We might score more goals with Lambert's style of play but as Chris has pointed out we look like conceding far too easy from our defending as highlighted on Saturday's showing. Even with Dunne and Collins at their worst I doubt two of those goals we defended very poorly from would have been scored.

This is true, but won't this be more exciting, more likely to be fun? In the short term, we're as unlikely to win the league as we are to be relegated, so if we're just middling around why don't we just enjoy ourselves?

[Brend'Watkins]

We might score more goals with Lambert's style of play but as Chris has pointed out we look like conceding far too easy from our defending as highlighted on Saturday's showing. Even with Dunne and Collins at their worst I doubt two of those goals we defended very poorly from would have been scored.

This is true, but won't this be more exciting, more likely to be fun? In the short term, we're as unlikely to win the league as we are to be relegated, so if we're just middling around why don't we just enjoy ourselves?

I suppose you're right and it's early days but the lack of understanding between Vlarr and Clarke is a concern. 

[PeterWithesShin]

Indeed Monty. I said to a mate yesterday, instead of last season and knowing the odds were it would be 0-0, 0-1, 1-0 or 1-1, it will be 3-2, 3-3, 2-3 and so on. We'll still be inconsistent but it will be a lot more fun to watch.

[supertom]

We might score more goals with Lambert's style of play but as Chris has pointed out we look like conceding far too easy from our defending as highlighted on Saturday's showing. Even with Dunne and Collins at their worst I doubt two of those goals we defended very poorly from would have been scored.

This is true, but won't this be more exciting, more likely to be fun? In the short term, we're as unlikely to win the league as we are to be relegated, so if we're just middling around why don't we just enjoy ourselves?

I suppose you're right and it's early days but the lack of understanding between Vlarr and Clarke is a concern. 

Thankfully neither of them play for us.

[Chris Smith]

We might score more goals with Lambert's style of play but as Chris has pointed out we look like conceding far too easy from our defending as highlighted on Saturday's showing. Even with Dunne and Collins at their worst I doubt two of those goals we defended very poorly from would have been scored.

This is true, but won't this be more exciting, more likely to be fun? In the short term, we're as unlikely to win the league as we are to be relegated, so if we're just middling around why don't we just enjoy ourselves?

That's a different issue though, this is a specific pre match thread for Saturday. I'm looking forward to the season and can happily cope with a few iffy results if it looks like things are going in the right direction.

[Monty]

Indeed Monty. I said to mate yesterday, instead of last season and knowing the odds were it would be 0-0, 0-1, 1-0 or 1-1 like last season, it will be 3-2, 3-3, 2-3 and so on. We'll still be inconsistent but it will be a lot more fun to watch.

I agree. Jorge Valdano made the point: in a 20-team league, only one team can win, so, if everyone has played 'results' football without the results to match, what have they contributed? This is especially true if, like us, you're not in great danger of going down either, so if we middle around playing dull, 'results-oriented' football, than we've bored ourselves and everyone else for no reason. I vote for fun.

Bren, it is a concern, but don't forget as well that this is Clark's first attempt ever at forging such a partnership in his career, so we will almost certainly have to be patient along the way, but if it works out it'll be well, well worth it long-term. In that, Chris, I think we agree.

[lukey27]

Monty, it wasn't tactical astuteness that was our undoing on Saturday but a basic inability to defend crosses and in the second half to keep the ball.

No different to the last two seasons then. It's clearly going to take time but the problems in possession and defensive problems from set plays have haunted us since MON left.

[sendô WHU]

Greetings again Villains. The new football season seems to have snuck up on me with all the excitement with the Olympics.

Two things surprised me with West Ham this summer. Firstly, that we've actually signed a couple of decent looking players - Alou Diarra from Marseille who seems a decent player, Momo Diama from Wigan for nothing, and of course your very own favourite Welshman, the Ginger Pele aka James Collins, who has returned to his east London home. The other thing that surprised me is that we haven't signed any "big name" players, despite a seemingly protracted "saga" chasing a tall white long haired Geordie version of Carlton Cole.

Still, onwards and upwards, and what was a decent standard squad from last year has been supplemented by three decent additions. The loss of Green was a shame, but we've got an experienced replacement in Jussi and a young upcoming 'keeper in Stephen Henderson.

Our squad is probably still light another striker, our only options being the infuriating Cole, the enigmatic but often erratic winger/forward Vaz Te, the unproven in the top flight Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock (the latter of which seems to be unwanted by Allardyce) and the well past his best Piquionne. However we're solid through the middle, and the midfield is strong.

Allardyce of course won't be fooled into any silly footballing ethos type experiments, picking his players to play a system that both works to their strengths and plays on the percentages. It's not always the prettiest to watch but too much of the Premier League is based on not losing at all costs these days that merely staying up is akin to winning the league.

Still, when it worked for us last season particularly in April and May we did produce some great football, far better than the dross we managed under Zola who was supposedly an exponent of the beautiful game.

As for this weekend, well it's anyone's guess as far as I'm concerned. Our pre-season form has been erratic at best, and I've paid very little attention to football all summer. It took me a few moments over the weekend to remember who won the cup last season, and just now I struggled to remember Paul Lambert is now your gaffer.

I'll plump for the draw, even though I've ticked a home win on the poll.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Indeed Monty. I said to mate yesterday, instead of last season and knowing the odds were it would be 0-0, 0-1, 1-0 or 1-1 like last season, it will be 3-2, 3-3, 2-3 and so on. We'll still be inconsistent but it will be a lot more fun to watch.

I agree. Jorge Valdano made the point: in a 20-team league, only one team can win, so, if everyone has played 'results' football without the results to match, what have they contributed? This is especially true if, like us, you're not in great danger of going down either, so if we middle around playing dull, 'results-oriented' football, than we've bored ourselves and everyone else for no reason. I vote for fun.

Not sure what it will do for my nerves but I guess you're right. I mainly hated MON's 'results-orientated' football because despite all the points and those miraculous top 6 finishes, even with all the investment made by Randy Lerner, we'd acheived nothing as a footballing side. Unless you're a poxy little club trying to stay up in your first season in the Premier League, there's no excuse for deliberately playing ugly football.

Hopefully Paul Lambert will have the lads winning and entertaining. The two things are not and never have been exclusive, although since Brian Little you'd almost think they were.

[PeterWithesShin]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2880346,00.html

Brett Holman hopes his "go, go, go" approach puts the skids under opposition defenders this season, starting with West Ham on Saturday.

Holman is relishing pitting his wits against the finest stoppers the Barclays Premier League has to offer, beginning at Upton Park at the weekend.

Holman thinks his attacking instincts, which have been so prevalent in pre-season, will be positive for Villa this term as they look to go on the offensive.

He said: "The non-stop, go-go-go sort of approach has been a positive thing for me.

"I try to do that with short sharp bursts and sprinting and turning and that sort of stuff. Hopefully that can be a big part of my role in the Premier League.

"I've always tried to play in a direct, attacking way, especially with my old club. The way we played was very attacking minded.

"Obviously the main aim is to score goals and we've got some quality players who can play some really good attacking football.

"You have to learn how the players around you play, what type of runs they make and what type of balls they want.

"It has to be the right time of course, but I think when you get the ball, if it's on, then the forward option is the best option."

Holman has been happy with how his first pre-season at Villa has gone and he's thrilled to be in tip-top shape on the eve of the top-flight opener.

He added: "You have to work hard in pre-season and the main thing is to get your fitness virtually at the peak for the first game of the Barclays Premier League.

"So far so good, there's been no injuries for me which has been positive and I feel really fit.

"You always can do more or better in matches and in friendlies you also try things out and maybe things that you wouldn't do in games that count."

[Monty]

Sounds like a nutter. I like very much.

[paul_e]

1-3 win for me, clark from a corner, then 2 bent goals early 2nd half, with them getting 1 on about 75 and leaving us a bit twitchy for the last 15.

I'd play:

Given
Lowton - Vlaar - Clark - Lichaj
Bannan - El Ahmadi - Delph
Ireland - Holman
Bent

Holman playing the 2nd striker role, Ireland a free role to wander and find space.

Width from the full backs and encourage 1 of the central 3 to go out and support the ball on their side, to give an option so, if we are wide, we don't feel obligated to throw it in the box.

In my mind Holman is the key, if he can draw Collins onto the ball (which we all know is his major weakness) We can isolate their other defender 1-on-1 with Bent, odds which, on evidence, Bent will approve of.  Full backs getting forwar and keeping their fullbacks from tucking in will be important too.

[Monty]

I agree with your analysis there Paul. Collins let us down positionally time and time again by getting sucked to the ball - it would be nice to exploit this well-known weakness.