What's actually wrong with our team?

[onje_villa]

With the ball on the deck we look good. Unfortunately most of the time it is the air and we look shit.
Basics-how many times yesterday did i see us take a throw in to someone's midriff ,taking three touches to get it under control.
In short, we're playing too frantically.

Our habit of giving the ball away from throw ins has been driving me mad for as long as I can remember, it's just such a stupid way to give up possession. Surely this is something that can be coached into professional players? but it's been happening under about the last 10 managers so what do I know?

Lack of movement, lack of wanting the ball. I agree entirely.

[curiousorange]

I forgot, Ciaran Clark scored a great header at Newcastle this season. But not from a corner.

[Ian.]

Quite simple, we are young, naive and lack experience and confidence. We have taken such a battering our heads have dropped and we need some big characters, leaders if you like and also good intelligent players to help lift us out of this mess.

Yesterday I'm sure Benteke would have buried those chances and the defence would have cleared the ball before the dive happened if there was an ounce of belief in the team.

Our team is so young and is out of it's depth, no coach in the world can do this alone. We need to buy some players now.

We are not crap, there is talent there.

[itbrvilla]

Can someone compile these points into a 15 minute PowerPoint presentation and send it to Lamber and Faulkner.

[Chris Stares]

One other issue that I've noticed in the games we've played since the wheels well-and-truly came off is how ineffective we are out of possession.  When we beat Swansea at Villa Park earlier in the season, the thing that struck me was how we stopped them playing - we were in their faces, we hassled and harried them and hunted them in packs.  In the Spurs, Wigan and even the game on Saturday against Southampton, we always seemed to be half a second too slow to close opposition players down when trying to win back possession.  That's more than enough time for decent players to settle on the ball and pick their next pass.  There doesn't seem to be any co-ordinated effort to press  opposition players in numbers whilst maintaining our overall shape, hence the reason we appear to be all over the shop a lot of the time and decent (or even average) opposition can pull us apart at will.  I think lack of experience across the entire team is mostly to blame for this - there are no wise heads directing traffic thus our kids are running around like headless chickens as a consequence.  I can't believe our lack of concerted pressing is due to a lack of fitness (although mental and physical fatigue could certainly be playing its part).  Our kids are running hard but not playing smart due to the lack of experience and guidance in the team.

[E I Adio]

One other issue that I've noticed in the games we've played since the wheels well-and-truly came off is how ineffective we are out of possession.  When we beat Swansea at Villa Park earlier in the season, the thing that struck me was how we stopped them playing - we were in their faces, we hassled and harried them and hunted them in packs.  In the Spurs, Wigan and even the game on Saturday against Southampton, we always seemed to be half a second too slow to close opposition players down when trying to win back possession.  That's more than enough time for decent players to settle on the ball and pick their next pass.  There doesn't seem to be any co-ordinated effort to press  opposition players in numbers whilst maintaining our overall shape, hence the reason we appear to be all over the shop a lot of the time and decent (or even average) opposition can pull us apart at will.  I think lack of experience across the entire team is mostly to blame for this - there are no wise heads directing traffic thus our kids are running around like headless chickens as a consequence.  I can't believe our lack of concerted pressing is due to a lack of fitness (although mental and physical fatigue could certainly be playing its part).  Our kids are running hard but not playing smart due to the lack of experience and guidance in the team.

I agree with your point, although the lack of closing down on Saturday was really much worse than half-a-second-too-slow. The contrast with Southampton was embarrassing. Whereas they were in our faces the moment they lost the ball, we often laid off them and retreated to the edge of our penalty area before even thinking about putting in a challenge, by which time the momentum was with them and the job was ten times harder.

It's all part of not wanting the ball in case they make a mistake, which is a direct result of not having confidence in themselves. It's the manager's job to give them the confidence that's needed and right now he just isn't managing to do it.

[Chris Stares]

One other issue that I've noticed in the games we've played since the wheels well-and-truly came off is how ineffective we are out of possession.  When we beat Swansea at Villa Park earlier in the season, the thing that struck me was how we stopped them playing - we were in their faces, we hassled and harried them and hunted them in packs.  In the Spurs, Wigan and even the game on Saturday against Southampton, we always seemed to be half a second too slow to close opposition players down when trying to win back possession.  That's more than enough time for decent players to settle on the ball and pick their next pass.  There doesn't seem to be any co-ordinated effort to press  opposition players in numbers whilst maintaining our overall shape, hence the reason we appear to be all over the shop a lot of the time and decent (or even average) opposition can pull us apart at will.  I think lack of experience across the entire team is mostly to blame for this - there are no wise heads directing traffic thus our kids are running around like headless chickens as a consequence.  I can't believe our lack of concerted pressing is due to a lack of fitness (although mental and physical fatigue could certainly be playing its part).  Our kids are running hard but not playing smart due to the lack of experience and guidance in the team.

I agree with your point, although the lack of closing down on Saturday was really much worse than half-a-second-too-slow. The contrast with Southampton was embarrassing. Whereas they were in our faces the moment they lost the ball, we often laid off them and retreated to the edge of our penalty area before even thinking about putting in a challenge, by which time the momentum was with them and the job was ten times harder.

It's all part of not wanting the ball in case they make a mistake, which is a direct result of not having confidence in themselves. It's the manager's job to give them the confidence that's needed and right now he just isn't managing to do it.

100% agree, although the manager has limited ability to influence things once the players take the field which is why a few more older heads bringing a calming influence and direction to proceedings wouldn't go amiss.  I know it's been mentioned many times before, but what strikes me about top teams like Barcelona, with all their so-called superstars, is how hard they work to close down the opposition and win back possession when they lose it.  It's as plain as dogs balls that that facet of our game is woefully lacking at the moment.

[N'ZMAV]

Not one players takes the game by the scruff of the neck.

[Clampy]

N'Zogbia playing anywhere but where's supposed to. Against Southampton, he seemed to be playing down the middle instead of being out wide where he should be. He might be under instruction to do that from Lambert and if he is, then it's a waste of time and it won't work.

[Damo70]

We have too many players who don't have enough Premier League experience in terms of games played. Added to that their individual and collective confidence is shot to pieces. We need to get Bent fit and back in and bring in a midfielder and defender with top flight experience who can talk and organise.

[paul_e]

N'Zogbia playing anywhere but where's supposed to. Against Southampton, he seemed to be playing down the middle instead of being out wide where he should be. He might be under instruction to do that from Lambert and if he is, then it's a waste of time and it won't work.

Wasn't he central for Wigan for the last few months before we signed him?

[Billy Walker]

One other issue that I've noticed in the games we've played since the wheels well-and-truly came off is how ineffective we are out of possession.  When we beat Swansea at Villa Park earlier in the season, the thing that struck me was how we stopped them playing - we were in their faces, we hassled and harried them and hunted them in packs.  In the Spurs, Wigan and even the game on Saturday against Southampton, we always seemed to be half a second too slow to close opposition players down when trying to win back possession.  That's more than enough time for decent players to settle on the ball and pick their next pass.  There doesn't seem to be any co-ordinated effort to press  opposition players in numbers whilst maintaining our overall shape, hence the reason we appear to be all over the shop a lot of the time and decent (or even average) opposition can pull us apart at will.  I think lack of experience across the entire team is mostly to blame for this - there are no wise heads directing traffic thus our kids are running around like headless chickens as a consequence.  I can't believe our lack of concerted pressing is due to a lack of fitness (although mental and physical fatigue could certainly be playing its part).  Our kids are running hard but not playing smart due to the lack of experience and guidance in the team.

I agree with your point, although the lack of closing down on Saturday was really much worse than half-a-second-too-slow. The contrast with Southampton was embarrassing. Whereas they were in our faces the moment they lost the ball, we often laid off them and retreated to the edge of our penalty area before even thinking about putting in a challenge, by which time the momentum was with them and the job was ten times harder.

It's all part of not wanting the ball in case they make a mistake, which is a direct result of not having confidence in themselves. It's the manager's job to give them the confidence that's needed and right now he just isn't managing to do it.

It's also the role of us to keep offering encouragement even if a pass goes astray or a sitter is missed.  Constant encouragement from the Villa Park crowd will give them that extra yard and edge at home.  (By the way, I'm not having a go at our fans here, I think the patience and understanding that's been offered to the manager and the team so far has been brilliant.  We need to keep it going and even raise it a notch or two in the weeks and months ahead.)

[eastie]

One other issue that I've noticed in the games we've played since the wheels well-and-truly came off is how ineffective we are out of possession.  When we beat Swansea at Villa Park earlier in the season, the thing that struck me was how we stopped them playing - we were in their faces, we hassled and harried them and hunted them in packs.  In the Spurs, Wigan and even the game on Saturday against Southampton, we always seemed to be half a second too slow to close opposition players down when trying to win back possession.  That's more than enough time for decent players to settle on the ball and pick their next pass.  There doesn't seem to be any co-ordinated effort to press  opposition players in numbers whilst maintaining our overall shape, hence the reason we appear to be all over the shop a lot of the time and decent (or even average) opposition can pull us apart at will.  I think lack of experience across the entire team is mostly to blame for this - there are no wise heads directing traffic thus our kids are running around like headless chickens as a consequence.  I can't believe our lack of concerted pressing is due to a lack of fitness (although mental and physical fatigue could certainly be playing its part).  Our kids are running hard but not playing smart due to the lack of experience and guidance in the team.

I agree with your point, although the lack of closing down on Saturday was really much worse than half-a-second-too-slow. The contrast with Southampton was embarrassing. Whereas they were in our faces the moment they lost the ball, we often laid off them and retreated to the edge of our penalty area before even thinking about putting in a challenge, by which time the momentum was with them and the job was ten times harder.

It's all part of not wanting the ball in case they make a mistake, which is a direct result of not having confidence in themselves. It's the manager's job to give them the confidence that's needed and right now he just isn't managing to do it.

It's also the role of us to keep offering encouragement even if a pass goes astray or a sitter is missed.  Constant encouragement from the Villa Park crowd will give them that extra yard and edge at home.  (By the way, I'm not having a go at our fans here, I think the patience and understanding that's been offered to the manager and the team so far has been brilliant.  We need to keep it going and even raise it a notch or two in the weeks and months ahead.)

I really admire your enthusiasm billy walker and I like your style but its hard to continually try and get behind players when some of them stroll around looking as if they couldn't care less.

[E I Adio]

One other issue that I've noticed in the games we've played since the wheels well-and-truly came off is how ineffective we are out of possession.  When we beat Swansea at Villa Park earlier in the season, the thing that struck me was how we stopped them playing - we were in their faces, we hassled and harried them and hunted them in packs.  In the Spurs, Wigan and even the game on Saturday against Southampton, we always seemed to be half a second too slow to close opposition players down when trying to win back possession.  That's more than enough time for decent players to settle on the ball and pick their next pass.  There doesn't seem to be any co-ordinated effort to press  opposition players in numbers whilst maintaining our overall shape, hence the reason we appear to be all over the shop a lot of the time and decent (or even average) opposition can pull us apart at will.  I think lack of experience across the entire team is mostly to blame for this - there are no wise heads directing traffic thus our kids are running around like headless chickens as a consequence.  I can't believe our lack of concerted pressing is due to a lack of fitness (although mental and physical fatigue could certainly be playing its part).  Our kids are running hard but not playing smart due to the lack of experience and guidance in the team.

I agree with your point, although the lack of closing down on Saturday was really much worse than half-a-second-too-slow. The contrast with Southampton was embarrassing. Whereas they were in our faces the moment they lost the ball, we often laid off them and retreated to the edge of our penalty area before even thinking about putting in a challenge, by which time the momentum was with them and the job was ten times harder.

It's all part of not wanting the ball in case they make a mistake, which is a direct result of not having confidence in themselves. It's the manager's job to give them the confidence that's needed and right now he just isn't managing to do it.

It's also the role of us to keep offering encouragement even if a pass goes astray or a sitter is missed.  Constant encouragement from the Villa Park crowd will give them that extra yard and edge at home.  (By the way, I'm not having a go at our fans here, I think the patience and understanding that's been offered to the manager and the team so far has been brilliant.  We need to keep it going and even raise it a notch or two in the weeks and months ahead.)

I really admire your enthusiasm billy walker and I like your style but its hard to continually try and get behind players when some of them stroll around looking as if they couldn't care less.

I don't think they couldn't care less. I think they're shitting themselves.

[eastie]

One other issue that I've noticed in the games we've played since the wheels well-and-truly came off is how ineffective we are out of possession.  When we beat Swansea at Villa Park earlier in the season, the thing that struck me was how we stopped them playing - we were in their faces, we hassled and harried them and hunted them in packs.  In the Spurs, Wigan and even the game on Saturday against Southampton, we always seemed to be half a second too slow to close opposition players down when trying to win back possession.  That's more than enough time for decent players to settle on the ball and pick their next pass.  There doesn't seem to be any co-ordinated effort to press  opposition players in numbers whilst maintaining our overall shape, hence the reason we appear to be all over the shop a lot of the time and decent (or even average) opposition can pull us apart at will.  I think lack of experience across the entire team is mostly to blame for this - there are no wise heads directing traffic thus our kids are running around like headless chickens as a consequence.  I can't believe our lack of concerted pressing is due to a lack of fitness (although mental and physical fatigue could certainly be playing its part).  Our kids are running hard but not playing smart due to the lack of experience and guidance in the team.

I agree with your point, although the lack of closing down on Saturday was really much worse than half-a-second-too-slow. The contrast with Southampton was embarrassing. Whereas they were in our faces the moment they lost the ball, we often laid off them and retreated to the edge of our penalty area before even thinking about putting in a challenge, by which time the momentum was with them and the job was ten times harder.

It's all part of not wanting the ball in case they make a mistake, which is a direct result of not having confidence in themselves. It's the manager's job to give them the confidence that's needed and right now he just isn't managing to do it.

It's also the role of us to keep offering encouragement even if a pass goes astray or a sitter is missed.  Constant encouragement from the Villa Park crowd will give them that extra yard and edge at home.  (By the way, I'm not having a go at our fans here, I think the patience and understanding that's been offered to the manager and the team so far has been brilliant.  We need to keep it going and even raise it a notch or two in the weeks and months ahead.)

I really admire your enthusiasm billy walker and I like your style but its hard to continually try and get behind players when some of them stroll around looking as if they couldn't care less.

I don't thin

k they couldn't care less. I think they're shitting themselves.

I'm not thinking of the younger lads but the likes of Ireland and nzogbia.