Crewe Alexandra v Aston Villa All-in-one Thread

[richardhubbard]

Enjoyable game tonight , we looked pretty decent

[supertom]

well I definitely think that these matches have shown that Gardner, Carruthers, Burke, Robinson and, after tonight, Donacien need to go out on loan for the season to see how they perform.  Don't think they are up to first team standard at the minute and keeping them at VP playing reserve and under 21 games won't help their development.

I'd agree on all them except Gardner. I don't think he's stood out by any means but we need 3 CM's to cover our first choice 3, so he'd be one of those to cover. With injuries, resting etc, we'll need him. Maybe put him out for the first month or two, but not more than that.

Carruthers may be close to the first team squad. He does need a bit of an attitude adjustment. He reminds me of Craig Bellamy.

I would be a tad worried if Gardner came in as cover, he needs to go out on loan for at least a season to find his feet.

I think this is where it's a shame about his injuries, because he should have had a season out on loan 1-2 years ago. I think it might be what'll mean he never achieves what people hoped he would when he was just making waves in the youths 3-4 years ago.
This is probably his sink or swim season. Putting him on loan would be too little too late IMO. Unless we sign 1 more midfielder we do need him to make up the numbers.

[villan from luton]

How did Donciean do tonight, was impressed with him at Luton?

As a defender, I thought that he was the most commanding of the lot, especially in the air. He certainly staked a claim tonight.

Very reminiscent of a young Ugo Ehiogu. Tall, leggy but has some pace once up to stride, good in the air and strong in the tackle.

He impressed me at right back the other day too. A season too early perhaps but he's impressive, and if comparing to Ugo, he's roughly the age Ugochuku must have been when he made his debut.

Cheers for the comments, I think he was the best defender the other night though in all honesty that wasnt saying much. Got very good pace and seems to have the right attitude.

[OCD]

Don't forget that we don't have a game for 3 weeks and 5 midfielders really should be enough for the first few weeks. So it wouldn't do any harm sending him out on loan for a couple of months.

[supertom]

Don't forget that we don't have a game for 3 weeks and 5 midfielders really should be enough for the first few weeks. So it wouldn't do any harm sending him out on loan for a couple of months.

Good point sir. In all the excitement of getting into a new season I'd forgotten about the pointless early season International bollards. A couple of months at a good championship club would do him good.

I've been impressed with Johnson as well. Sad not to see him today. I hope he gets out on loan too.

[Toronto Villa]

Goals frrom Crewe game

Crewe v Villa goals

[Steve R]

It would be interesting to see Donacien against better opposition. On the evidence of the last two friendlies he has outshone his more experienced colleagues.

Steer looks good enough to be second goalkeeper. He doesn't seem to be that tall by goalkeeping standards but that doesn't seem to stop him coming off his line and mixing it.

Luna looks a better bet at LB than Bennett. I like the way he was given offside on the right hand side of Crewe's penalty are at one point. Our defenders do need to be good - and pacey - the way we play. It's very easy for opposing teams to work a player free on our flanks. I hope Luna startr the season in the team and Okore hits the ground running.

[darren woolley]

Seems a good run out for us well done lads.

[PaulWinch again]

Looked good other than the corner we conceded from. Benteke will match last year, I truly believe he is a top striker.

[villan from luton]

Steve Rose, good to hear the comments re Donacien, he does look a good prospect. Liked the way Luna was bombing down the flank on Tuesday, though we have to make sure that we keep it a bit tight at the back as well. The other night we only had one holding midfielder, firstly Gardner and then Westwood, fear we will be picked off against good teams playing like this if full backs are too far forward

[PaulWinch again]

Steve Rose, good to hear the comments re Donacien, he does look a good prospect. Liked the way Luna was bombing down the flank on Tuesday, though we have to make sure that we keep it a bit tight at the back as well. The other night we only had one holding midfielder, firstly Gardner and then Westwood, fear we will be picked off against good teams playing like this if full backs are too far forward

Sylla will be a defensive player for us.

[Mortimer's Bear]

Just got back, support was first class as always.

[villan from luton]

Steve Rose, good to hear the comments re Donacien, he does look a good prospect. Liked the way Luna was bombing down the flank on Tuesday, though we have to make sure that we keep it a bit tight at the back as well. The other night we only had one holding midfielder, firstly Gardner and then Westwood, fear we will be picked off against good teams playing like this if full backs are too far forward

Sylla will be a defensive player for us.

Alongside Westwood? Delph was by far the bes tplayer on Tuesday and seemingly did well again tonight, where is he going to fit in ?

[Toronto Villa]

The Bacuna goal is excellent. Very little space and almost no back lift in his shot. Very Dalian like finish. We can certainly score all types of goals. It's appearing as though it is going to be another season of outstanding goals.

[villan from luton]

I hope Bacuna can score some goals from midfield, he seems to have a good engine getting up and down the pitch. Think Luna will score from left back as well, my worry is how many we will concede, but love the way Lambert is setting up the team to play good football