Aston Villa v West Ham United Pre-Match Thread

[UK Redsox]

I know we used it at Anfield, but that really was a break from the norm. In general when we've played 3 centre halves we've been very defensive. Also it's worth noting, it doesn't work at all if Vlaar doesn't play.

It also doesn't help when the three centre halves stand so close together as they did at Everton. There were five defenders and Baines still had plenty of space down the wing.

[UK Redsox]

I believe Herd is fit so if Vlaar is out wouldn't shock me if we went with 5 at the back again.

Herd v Carroll I'd love to see. Carroll would end up wishing he'd been banned.

I'd play Herd, just so that he could be let loose on Downing.

EDIT - In fact, how about four at the back but with Herd at Right Back and Bacuna pushed forward.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I know we used it at Anfield, but that really was a break from the norm. In general when we've played 3 centre halves we've been very defensive. Also it's worth noting, it doesn't work at all if Vlaar doesn't play.

It also doesn't help when the three centre halves stand so close together as they did at Everton. There were five defenders and Baines still had plenty of space down the wing.

No matter what formation we play, we always offer teams as much space as they want down the wings. Lambert likes us to play narrow.
My major concern is that for three consecutive games we've been beaten by teams playing a quick one-two right through the middle of our defence. I hope that's something we won't see again this season.

[Villafirst]

If Clark and Baker are rubbish again we've got no one to blame but ourselves, it was obvious that we'd need another centre-back as cover, as Vlaar is always getting injured.

Agree, why risk getting dragged back into danger for the sake of say £4-5M for a decent CB? It'll cost Lerner far more than that if we went down - stupid economics.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

No Carroll = no excuses.

2-1: Late Benteke pen and Nzogbia Bacuna free-kick. Who was it that scored a dozy og for the them last year to let 'em back in, Westwood?

I remember shitting myself at the end of that game. Seem to recall they had a last minute header from a corner just go over or Guzan saved (can't remember which). The win that, arguably, kick started the decent run that kept us up wasn't it?

[not3bad]

If Clark and Baker are rubbish again we've got no one to blame but ourselves, it was obvious that we'd need another centre-back as cover, as Vlaar is always getting injured.

Agree, why risk getting dragged back into danger for the sake of say £4-5M for a decent CB? It'll cost Lerner far more than that if we went down - stupid economics.

Didn't even need that if we took one on loan until the end of the season.

[Ads]

No Carroll = no excuses.

2-1: Late Benteke pen and Nzogbia Bacuna free-kick. Who was it that scored a dozy og for the them last year to let 'em back in, Westwood?

I remember shitting myself at the end of that game. Seem to recall they had a last minute header from a corner just go over or Guzan saved (can't remember which). The win that, arguably, kick started the decent run that kept us up wasn't it?

They did yeah. It was the only time they had showed any attacking intent and I am fairly sure they didn't have a meaningful effort on goal either in the entire game, given it was a Westwood own goal.

The Fat Yam-Yam still had the cheek to come out and suggest they were unlucky.

I hope and think we will, nail these twats tomorrow.

[Clampy]

If Clark and Baker are rubbish again we've got no one to blame but ourselves, it was obvious that we'd need another centre-back as cover, as Vlaar is always getting injured.

Agree, why risk getting dragged back into danger for the sake of say £4-5M for a decent CB? It'll cost Lerner far more than that if we went down - stupid economics.

I'd have liked to have seen us bring in another centre half but maybe a decent one for £4-5m wasn't available? Clubs have to want to sell them.

[ADVILLAFAN]

We could have brought a 1-legged defender in and he'd have done a better job than Baker and be less injury prone than Vlaar....

[Boz]

Whether he plays or not makes little difference to be honest. Andy Carroll is shite.

Sorry but that's bollocks.  He's the spearhead of the way West Ham play and for Allerdyce he's very effective.  You only had to see what he did for them last week before he got sent off to know that.

Got to agree. On his day, he's a very good player.

That's the key words, and those are often quite a long way apart, so I hope Saturday's another of his not good days 

[Des Little]

When can we expect the verdict?  Lambert needs to know so he has time tp decide whether to play Baker and Clark OR Clark and Baker... 

[supertom]

Whether he plays or not makes little difference to be honest. Andy Carroll is shite.

Sorry but that's bollocks.  He's the spearhead of the way West Ham play and for Allerdyce he's very effective.  You only had to see what he did for them last week before he got sent off to know that.

Got to agree. On his day, he's a very good player.

That's the key words, and those are often quite a long way apart, so I hope Saturday's another of his not good days 

I'm not sure how he can be a spearhead for them when he's played 4 games this season and is yet to score too. He doesn't worry me in the slightest to be honest because he's never really fit and is average to boot. He didn't play all that much last season either, and his goal record wasn't even 1 in 3.
Bakers one strength I guess is that he's a big lad and fairly decent in the air. If there's one front man I'd actually fancy him to have a good game against, it's Andy Carroll. Typically vastly overrated English player, off the back of 6 good months.

[Surrey Villain]

When can we expect the verdict?  Lambert needs to know so he has time tp decide whether to play Baker and Clark OR Clark and Baker... 

The FA have chickened out over the threat of legal action and are holding another tribunal today to re-examine the case.
Carroll WILL PLAY!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

A decision from the FA is expected later today around 5.30pm.

[Surrey Villain]

A decision from the FA is expected later today around 5.30pm.

Won't they look silly (I was trying to think of a better word) if they backtrack on the decision. It would be saying the panel were inadaequate and leave them open to every decision in the future being challenged. In fact they have already done that by holding a second tribunal.