Aston Villa v West Ham United Pre-Match Thread

[SO Villa]

I thought Carroll's performance was the worst of any player at Villa Park last season - he was laughably bad.

[Concrete John]

Plus he will be fired up as hell if it gets over turned.

I hope so.  Andy Carroll fired up = red card waiting to happen.

[Des Little]

If Vlaar's out and Carroll plays, it's going to be tough.  And before you mock, remember our defence conceded two goals in 10 minutes last week against a team without a striker. 

[Rudy Can't Fail]

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.

[PaulWinch again]

5 at the back against West Ham at home? we better not do that.

[Concrete John]

5 at the back against West Ham at home? we better not do that.

Don't get drawn into the notion that the wing backs system is defensive.  It's not.  Whatever formation we play, the attacking intent comes from the tactics deployed within that sytem.

After all, TSM used to set us up with 4 strikers!   

[Shrek]

Last week was ultra defensive.

If we do that tomorrow, I will be upset, as there is no reason for it.

[olaftab]

I really don't care if he plays or not. We have dealt with like of Suarez etc in the last few weeks so Carroll=Donkey.

[ADVILLAFAN]

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.

[PaulWinch again]

5 at the back against West Ham at home? we better not do that.

Don't get drawn into the notion that the wing backs system is defensive.  It's not.  Whatever formation we play, the attacking intent comes from the tactics deployed within that sytem.

After all, TSM used to set us up with 4 strikers!   

When we play three centre backs we tend to go defensive, so it's a symbolic thing with Lambert. There is no need to do that at home against West Ham.

[Ads]

I would like to see Bacuna and Gabby wide around Benteke, but think we may see Bacuna back in at full back.

[PaulWinch again]

I'm hoping we win this game obviously, but I fear the two issues we didn't address in January may be highlighted. We are without our only good centre half(not including Okore) and if West Ham put everyone behind the ball, we might lack the creativity to break them down.

[Concrete John]

5 at the back against West Ham at home? we better not do that.

Don't get drawn into the notion that the wing backs system is defensive.  It's not.  Whatever formation we play, the attacking intent comes from the tactics deployed within that sytem.

After all, TSM used to set us up with 4 strikers!   

When we play three centre backs we tend to go defensive, so it's a symbolic thing with Lambert. There is no need to do that at home against West Ham.

We used it when we won 3-1 at Anfield last season.

I think he deploys it when he wants two central strikers, but still maintaining 3 central midfielders.

[Dribbler]

If Carroll plays i can see Baker trying to flying headbut his elbow in a last ditch tackle on the edge of the box and then going off with concussion around the 20 minute mark.

[PaulWinch again]

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.