Matthew Lowton

[Gompedyret]

Both of them (remember to switch to HD!):

[eastie]

Paul Lambert on Matt Lowton.



Paul Lambert has tipped Matt Lowton to come back strong after being left out of the side for the win at Norwich.

Boss Lambert revealed that Lowton wasn't injured at Carrow Road but was on the sidelines due to a slight dip in form.

Lowton was a revelation in the previous campaign, as he cemented himself as first-choice right-back in a season where he was a virtual ever-present.

Lambert thinks this consistently high form means you notice more keenly when he's not hitting those heights.

But the Villa boss thinks it's only a matter of time before he's back to his very best.

He said: "I have spoken to Matty.

"His level of performance for last year was extremely high. When you come off it a bit, it's probably more noticeable.

"I can't fault Matty. He played 40-odd games and he was extremely high in his consistency levels.

"It won't do him any harm as a young lad to be taken out of the firing line.

"But he will come back strong. If he plays against Tottenham, I know exactly what I'll get from him."

Lambert was very impressed with his replacement at Carrow Road - Leandro Bacuna .

Bacuna had probably his best game in claret and blue as he kept tricky Nathan Redmond quiet throughout the 90 minutes.

Bacuna has previously played as a right winger too - and Lambert likes his versatility.

He added: "He can play in a few roles which is great.

"He did excellently on Saturday against a little lad who has been going rally well for Norwich.I don't think he went by his once.

"The thing with Leo is he's really quick. He's a young guy, just here, but I am delighted with him."

[Mister E]

I can see both Lowton and Bacuna playing on the right side tonight; interchanging where necessary positionally.

[fredm]

Didn't exactly set the world on fire last night.  The one thing that exasperates me about him is how far he moves into the centre of the field.  Often he is roughly in line with the penalty spot.  Then if the opposition move the ball quickly out to their left wing who is in acres of space, he has all that ground to make up and cannot close him down quickly meaning his opponent has a clear run at him.

[saunders_heroes]

Didn't exactly set the world on fire last night.  The one thing that exasperates me about him is how far he moves into the centre of the field.  Often he is roughly in line with the penalty spot.  Then if the opposition move the ball quickly out to their left wing who is in acres of space, he has all that ground to make up and cannot close him down quickly meaning his opponent has a clear run at him.

The main problem I've had with Lowton since he join is his appalling positional play. He constantly finds himself out of position and has cost us a number of goals. He's not good enough.

[Ads]

I agree that his positional play so far this season has been very poor. I am not sure what has happened to him, as he really developed last season and was absolutely excellent at times.

[supertom]

I just think it's loss of form. He's young, and you'll always get that. He was pretty poor over Dec-Jan last season (as was almost everyone). I think he'll come good again. The way we set out, our fullbacks will leave a lot of gaps. If we've got decent cover from midfield, which we don't, we'll be okay. Likewise the lack of a really decent CB harms us too. Quality centerhalves can cover for fullbacks deficiencies. Defensive prowess isn't a pre-requisite of the modern day fully.

[Mister E]

I agree that his positional play so far this season has been very poor. I am not sure what has happened to him, as he really developed last season and was absolutely excellent at times.

FB positioning is also a function of the way they work with their CBs and their wide MF players.
I agree that the goals conceded against Newcastle (first goal) and Liverpool down our right were worrying.

I struggled with Lowton's poistioning in the early part of last season - he didn't seem to track his man very well and we conceded on his far post a few times.

[wozwebs]

Anyone mentioned Lowton's face after the Man City win? He's smiling and looking happy with his fellow subs etc. then Lambert pats him on the shoulder and his face turns stone cold. Can't be happy with being dropped of course. Bacuna looking good so hard to see him getting back in

[eamonn]

He would do well to remember Lambert got him to this level.

Karim seems to be good buddies with him. Thought he was going to snog the face off him after his goal, such was his rush to get to the bench and one man only.

[olaftab]

Anyone mentioned Lowton's face after the Man City win? He's smiling and looking happy with his fellow subs etc. then Lambert pats him on the shoulder and his face turns stone cold. Can't be happy with being dropped of course. Bacuna looking good so hard to see him getting back in

Lambert pats him on the shoulder and says "you could have been part of that lad"!

[ROBBO]

Good, for too long players have been able to coast because there was no-one else to replace them, Bacuna should be a warning to all of them that the player waiting his chance could see you out of the side for a long time.

[brontebilly]

he will get his chance again. His habit of getting caught under crosses to the backpost last season was infuriating. Needs to work on that and his positioning as everyone has alluded to. very good player with the ball though.

[kippaxvilla2]

He is like a number of our defensive options, he is great going forward but simply put is not a good defender.

[ozzjim]

I think he will come back stronger. He was excellent at times last season, and it is brilliant to actually be able to field other options.