Villa's style of play

[onje_villa]

I hope he can actually acknowledge that our passing is largely poor. Sometimes I worry just how much Lambert thinks we need to improve in certain areas. We've got a hell of a lot of work to do to move forward. If there's one thing that Lambo has let himself down with, it's identifying and rectifying problems in good time. Be it within a game (getting murdered by Ben Arfa), or over the course of a many games (inability to keep the ball efficiently. Too narrow. One way of playing effectively).

If he doesn't start rectifying problems then we're gonna go nowhere, and he's going to get fired. Less talk more action.

As for the long ball thing. Well stats back it up. Watching games does too. He says we don't hit and hope, but it's exactly what we do start doing when we're chasing a game. Particularly at Villa park. This is why our possession of the football must improve. That will require a switch of system at home as well as better footballers to come in during January.

This is exactly how I feel. It's all very well Lambert constantly repeating how we try to play the right way but he's in denial frankly. W've done incredibly well in some away games over the past 12 months but these have not been based on technique but rather endeavour and pace.

Our possession stat is statistically the worst in the league and our technique is on the whole very poor when compared with the rest of the league.

Spot on Tom, less talk, more action please Paul.

EDIT: Reading that back I feel it's perhaps unduly harsh. We do look a different side with Benteke, Gabby and Andi in it. Perhaps the 0-4 vs Spurs is fresher in the mind. I do feel that overall technique needs to be improved on massively and the balance in midfields needs addressing.

[villan from luton]

I certainly do not see us as a long ball team, far from it tbh. As for Lambert talking the talk like MON did, the slight difference is MON had a lot of money to back his ideas up. We are a young team but have to move on from this, they have some experience now and must kick on. There are a few who have not started well, lets hope they come back to form and we will improve on last season.

[steffo]

Lambert relies on his fullbacks to supply the crosses to supply the big strikers. The problem lies at home is that the opposition will push on the full backs stopping them from driving forward. By discarding poor full backs and going (in our situation) to 3-5-2 having wing backs. Lowton is no Walker (Spurs) as Luna is no Cole (Chelsea).

Full backs are there to stop attackers not provide ammuntion for strikers. Wingers do that, however Lambert is a believer of narrow play a la TSM.

Sadly lots of us called for the Frenchman's head, but we went into games with 4 defenders, 4 midfielders of which 2 were wingers, and 2 or 1/1 upfront.

Frenchman knew that if we got the ball wide. Bent would score. Simple.

Go back to January 3 seasons ago when we signed Bent. We had hope we could beat Man City. Tomorrow, we hope it won't be too painful.

[dave.woodhall]

Lambert relies on his fullbacks to supply the crosses to supply the big strikers. The problem lies at home is that the opposition will push on the full backs stopping them from driving forward. By discarding poor full backs and going (in our situation) to 3-5-2 having wing backs. Lowton is no Walker (Spurs) as Luna is no Cole (Chelsea).

Full backs are there to stop attackers not provide ammuntion for strikers. Wingers do that, however Lambert is a believer of narrow play a la TSM.

Sadly lots of us called for the Frenchman's head, but we went into games with 4 defenders, 4 midfielders of which 2 were wingers, and 2 or 1/1 upfront.

Frenchman knew that if we got the ball wide. Bent would score. Simple.

Go back to January 3 seasons ago when we signed Bent. We had hope we could beat Man City. Tomorrow, we hope it won't be too painful.

I agree with a lot of what you're saying but Manchester City are the last team to compare yourselves to for proof of how you've regressed in the past three years.

[ChicagoLion]

Not a long ball team? Hardly a possession based passing team though. We occasionally do play some good stuff but we have too many players that give up the ball far too easily. We are guilty of the hopeful pass too often when we should make certain of possession. Whatch how often Citeh give the ball away tomorrow.

[Virgil Caine]

Could anyone tell me how many games in the EPL have passed since one of the recognised Villa midfielders last scored a goal? I have a thought that it was probably Holman at QPR.

[supertom]

I worry about Dortmund being the model we aspire to. I mean it's all well and good and they're a great example to follow. At our best, we play their sort of game, which is high tempo, quick countering. But we don't have the technical ability to keep the ball as well as they can when they need to slow things down a bit.
But that's the problem. The culture of player development in Germany is far different. Whilst Dortmund have largely brought through their own young players over a long stretch of time now, they're bringing through players who are technically gifted. It allows them to play the way they do. I'd also guess that from the under 11's through to the senior team, they play virtually the same way. I'm guessing and I'm sure someone can confirm or deny that.
Our problem is, because young players don't get brought up as well here, they're not as good. If you took 10 young English players and 10 young German players. You'd be lucky if 2-3 of the English players even stood out.

Now we're buying our young players from overseas. And also, for as much as Lambert is blooding young players, he's not necessarily blooding too many of what he has at his disposal at the club. Honestly, Bowery? I'd have Fonz over him any day of the week.

We do actually have a few kids coming through who seem to have bit of skill and/or technical ability. I'm thinking of Johnson, Grealish and Carruthers, Robinson likewise looks a potentially exciting player. We've signed Bacuna, Kozak and Tonev for example. They all have their strengths, but their technique is questionnable. Almost to the point you wonder why we couldn't find similar players in this country. Helenius does seem to have a good touch, but on the flipside, whether he's physically able to handle the pace and physicality of the Prem is another matter.

If we really do aspire to be a possession based side and want to keep the ball well, then Lambert has to start signing players with better technique. Players who can dribble comfortably with the ball, control it well, pass it well.

[sirlordbaltimore]

Could anyone tell me how many games in the EPL have passed since one of the recognised Villa midfielders last scored a goal? I have a thought that it was probably Holman at QPR.

I can't tell you exactly, but a recent radio phone in a few weeks ago claimed it was 100 collective appearances from our current midfield staff since one of them scored in the Premiership. So by now that's got to be over 110 appearances at least

A truly shocking but unsurprising stat when you watch us play.

I can't imagine there's another team in the whole 4 leagues that could match that record.

[Matt Collins]

Delph will score within the next four games I think. But I agree it's a weak spot for a number of reasons

[PaulWinch again]

Charlie Nicholas just said we're definitely not a long ball team, for once I agree with him.

[supertom]

Delph will score within the next four games I think. But I agree it's a weak spot for a number of reasons

I fancy Delphy to chip in. He's looked more adventurous over the last 20 odd games. He's been close a few times this season too. He's capable of it, as proven at Leeds.
Other than that, I'm not sure who. Albrighton has the ability. His goal record in Houlliers season (and assists) was pretty good. He's good at ghosting in at the far past. But lack someone like Young or even Downing to pick him out might be problematic. He had a particularly good understanding with Stewarse Downing.

[dave.woodhall]

I honestly believe that Delph is a goal away from becoming a great midfielder.

[adrenachrome]

I honestly believe that Delph is a goal away from becoming a great midfielder.

He is already great.

[walsall villain]

His control of the ball is much better than his "second touch is a tackle" days. Great engine, like Sylla

[dave.woodhall]

I honestly believe that Delph is a goal away from becoming a great midfielder.

He is already great.

He's good. Ten goals a season will make him great.