N'Zogbia

[paul_e]

sometimes it is simple a case of maturity, or a run of games in a preferred position, or faith shown by the manager. N'Zogbia was bought by TSM, and it still surprises me that he didn't know how to get the best out of him. His best position or how he could be most effective. Lambert has found that, and along with other factors and Benteke being one them he is now having his most consistent spell for us. We all know what he can do, we haven't seen it enough. If what we are seeing is the arrival of N'Zogbia then he will do his part in trying to keep us up. We just have to hope those behind do their part.

I doubt Lambert still knows his best eleven let alone N'Zog's most effective position in that eleven.

That's not really a slight at Lambert 'cos I don't know our best eleven either but I've known for some time that N'Zog is more effective playing just behind the front one or two.

I think he's very close on a few players, but doesn't have the overall quality in the squad to account for the numerous errors we make. I think a few players are cemented like in goal, Lowton, Vlaar, Westwood, N'Zogbia and Benteke. You put the right pieces around them, a strong CB, a solid CM, a much better LB as examples, all of a sudden we are that much better. N'Zogbia is being given a lot more freedom to play out wide, or in the middle and he's developing a better mentality overall because of it.

I've long thought that our best 'shape' is benteke with a fluid 3 behind him, ahead of a flat 4 at the back and 2 proper midfielders (as in good going forward and back).  Nzogbia, Gabby, Weimann and hopefully Dawkins, Albrighton and Bannan can form a good 3 between them if we can get them confident and on form.  We really need Bowery to step up as a viable alternative to Benteke and/or Bent to start to fit into that shape and our attacking side will be fine.

[Toronto Villa]

sometimes it is simple a case of maturity, or a run of games in a preferred position, or faith shown by the manager. N'Zogbia was bought by TSM, and it still surprises me that he didn't know how to get the best out of him. His best position or how he could be most effective. Lambert has found that, and along with other factors and Benteke being one them he is now having his most consistent spell for us. We all know what he can do, we haven't seen it enough. If what we are seeing is the arrival of N'Zogbia then he will do his part in trying to keep us up. We just have to hope those behind do their part.

I doubt Lambert still knows his best eleven let alone N'Zog's most effective position in that eleven.

That's not really a slight at Lambert 'cos I don't know our best eleven either but I've known for some time that N'Zog is more effective playing just behind the front one or two.

I think he's very close on a few players, but doesn't have the overall quality in the squad to account for the numerous errors we make. I think a few players are cemented like in goal, Lowton, Vlaar, Westwood, N'Zogbia and Benteke. You put the right pieces around them, a strong CB, a solid CM, a much better LB as examples, all of a sudden we are that much better. N'Zogbia is being given a lot more freedom to play out wide, or in the middle and he's developing a better mentality overall because of it.

I think Weimann is more or less a sure starter too.  As to his best position, he's a striker, but he reminds me of Wayne Rooney (bear with me) in the way that you can put him anywhere in front of the defenders and while he might not be particularly effective you can be sure that he'll work his bollocks off

I like Weimann but I think he's being played because there isn't someone better who is actually an attacking midfielder. It's why we overrun in midfield because he's trying to be a forward when there's really only room for one main striker. This is going to sound a little stupid, but if he's not scoring then he's not doing a whole lot else that helps the team. In a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 where we actually play two forwards I think he'd work really well with Benteke, but we don;t have guns in the middle or at the back to do that, yet. Weimman is only a dead cert starter for me once the midfield and defence are sorted.

[Dante Lavelli]

It's amazing to think that a forward line of (a mix of) Benteke, Gabby, Nzogbia and Weimann is embroiled in a relegation battle.  Not to mention Bent coming off the bench.

[Legion]

Bizarre, isn't it?

[paul_e]

It's amazing to think that a forward line of (a mix of) Benteke, Gabby, Nzogbia and Weimann is embroiled in a relegation battle.  Not to mention Bent coming off the bench.

Agreed, we've got as good a set of forwards as anyone outside Manchester (and chelsea I guess but with Torres still not the player htey thought they were getting that's debateable) but for some reasonfor months we couldn't get the balance right and just didn't score enough and then, once things started to work up front, our defense and midfield went missing for a month or 2 and completely undermined any improvements.  I think that's why a lot of people on here think we're not far away from being a good side, once we get the defensive side right we've got the firepower to give anyone a game.

[Summers]

Not many teams in our position are literally two players away from rocketing up the league. It's frustrating but what we do have is good enough to survive this season and press on.

[Concrete John]

What's bizarre is that we didn't do anything about it in Jan.  A couple of loan/short term signings wouldn't have effected the wagebill all that much and the rewards would have been more than worth it.

[paul_e]

Not many teams in our position are literally two players away from rocketing up the league. It's frustrating but what we do have is good enough to survive this season and press on.

This is why our inaction in January was so strange.

[Irish villain]

Bizarre, isn't it?

As I have said, all through my time supporting villa we have (generally) been among the very best defensively and lacked a certain cutting edge up front.

Now, the reverse is the case. We finally have a formidable attack but are crap in defence.

[SoccerHQ]

N'zogbia is better centrally.

Out wide his crossing is nothing special and in any case he cuts inside and runs into 3 players and loses the ball.

Centrally he's got more space to work with.

[Mister E]

We're two players short of being a very good side - an authoritative MF and a commanding CB.

[Legion]

We're two players short of being a very good side - an authoritative MF and a commanding CB.

Yes, a situation which should (could?) have been sorted in January.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

N`zogbia is now feeling part of the team with Benteke speaking French and now Sylla. Having Baker as LB made the defence look a lot more solid and better from corners and free kicks. Really think things are going to turn for us ........

[Dante Lavelli]

I worry about the centre of midfield still.  I like both Westwood and Delph but I would prefer an extra body in there.  Nzogbia and Weimann/gabby could play off Benteke and I do not think we'd loose too much from an attacking perspective as Delph would have more licence to get forward knowing westwood and [insert player here] were coving his run.

[Ad@m]

Charles N'Zogbia in modern footballer more interested in money than playing shocker...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35129566

I can't quite decide who was the biggest waste of money - N'Zog or Ireland...