Walsall vs Aston Villa Pre-season friendly

[ciggiesnbeer]

I apologise for the Alan Hutton/Proclaimers song. First chant I've ever started, he seemed to enjoy it.

Which song? Didn't come through the stream. He seemed very happy overall today.

Proclaimers 500 miles song - the "da da da" bit after the chorus.  Insert Alan Hutton instead of the "da da da"!!

Oh thats excellent. I am afraid I had jack woodward parked too close to the mic when it was going on.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I apologise for the Alan Hutton/Proclaimers song. First chant I've ever started, he seemed to enjoy it.

Which song? Didn't come through the stream. He seemed very happy overall today.

Proclaimers 500 miles song - the "da da da" bit after the chorus.  Insert Alan Hutton instead of the "da da da"!!

Bastard! Just made me listen to it to see what this "da da da" is all about. Good work, Olney. Did he really kiss the badge tonight?

[Brend'Watkins]

I don't know what it is with our midfield with the main focus being on, as soon as you get it look to pass the ball back. That tactic defending a goal lead against Stoke might have merit, but against Walsall? We looked solid in defence despite Baler's timing in the tackle. Midfield, Delph apart, is below average standard. Up front, for all the effort that lot don't look to have too many goals in them. 

Vlaar was a few seats away from where I was. He looked focused or maybe bored.

[Olneythelonely]

I apologise for the Alan Hutton/Proclaimers song. First chant I've ever started, he seemed to enjoy it.

Which song? Didn't come through the stream. He seemed very happy overall today.

Proclaimers 500 miles song - the "da da da" bit after the chorus.  Insert Alan Hutton instead of the "da da da"!!

Bastard! Just made me listen to it to see what this "da da da" is all about. Good work, Olney. Did he really kiss the badge tonight?

I didn't see any badge kissing but he applauded the fans at half time whilst walking back to the tunnel.

[PaulTheVillan]

Delph looked the fittest of all the players by far last night.

Lowton & CNZ linked up well down the right.

I thought Weimann & Gabby were awful.

Hutton was OK coming forward, didn't think much of his defending.

Okore likes a pass back to Guzan.

Richardson looked OK, nothing spectacular, think he'll be better than Luna/Bennett.

Baker and Clark, nothing need to be said here.

[PaulTheVillan]

Hutton didn't kiss the badge, he wiped his nose on his shirt.

[PeterWithe]

I thought Baker loked pretty solid, not that they offered much in attack.

Their ginger midfielder was pretty impressive, one to keep an eye on.

[Matt Collins]

I thought Okore passed it well. Baker was ok but made a typically rash challenge that almost let them in. In really hoping vlaar is there to replace him v stoke

Delph - especially in the second half - was on a different level to anyone else on the pitch. As frustrating as it is, that midfield three is our best bet at the moment. It's just a question of how we fit around them. Play 433 and we lack width, play 532 and we lack attacking threat unless the forwards are in top form

The big let downs were the forwards. N'zogbia ran into a lot of blind alleys but was still our biggest threat by some distance. I thought gabby was poor though he did have some threat. Weimann was anonymous. As much as I'd like more creativity and muscle in midfield, this is our biggest problem in the short term.

A loan signing for a proper centre forward is a no brainer for me. Bent isn't the answer. We haven't got anyone in the squad who's been effective at centre forward within the last three years. We don't tend to keep clean sheets. We need to get some points on the board in our first three games. This is an absolute priority.

Wenger has said that Sanogo and Campbell aren't for loaning but I wonder if they could be tempted with a two month deal? Otherwise I'd even take someone like hooper from Norwich. Can't really think of anyone else domestic.

[walsall villain]

I thought Okore passed it well. Baker was ok but made a typically rash challenge that almost let them in. In really hoping vlaar is there to replace him v stoke

Delph - especially in the second half - was on a different level to anyone else on the pitch. As frustrating as it is, that midfield three is our best bet at the moment. It's just a question of how we fit around them. Play 433 and we lack width, play 532 and we lack attacking threat unless the forwards are in top form

The big let downs were the forwards. N'zogbia ran into a lot of blind alleys but was still our biggest threat by some distance. I thought gabby was poor though he did have some threat. Weimann was anonymous. As much as I'd like more creativity and muscle in midfield, this is our biggest problem in the short term.

A loan signing for a proper centre forward is a no brainer for me. Bent isn't the answer. We haven't got anyone in the squad who's been effective at centre forward within the last three years. We don't tend to keep clean sheets. We need to get some points on the board in our first three games. This is an absolute priority.

Wenger has said that Sanogo and Campbell aren't for loaning but I wonder if they could be tempted with a two month deal? Otherwise I'd even take someone like hooper from Norwich. Can't really think of anyone else domestic.

That's exactly how I see it too. Surely lambert and co know we can't go with what we have up front until Kozak and Benteke are fit. Loans appear the likely solution.

[Damo70]

I thought Hutton had a good half and Grealish looked good when he came on. Okore looks far more composed than Baker or Clark. Delph was very good. But I can't argue with what people are saying about Gabby and Weimann. Unless Paul Lambert is confident of a rejuvenated Bent a short term loan signing up front looks needed. I was amused by the half time chant in the bar of "It's one way M'lord".

[Matt Collins]

I don't think bent has shown enough to give any such confidence. Even when he was on form he couldn't play that number nine role

[Tuco Salamanca]

That's exactly how I see it too. Surely lambert and co know we can't go with what we have up front until Kozak and Benteke are fit. Loans appear the likely solution.

Samaras is available on a free 

[supertom]

I think we should have been getting Robinson in on the action every game in pre-season. He might have proved useful in the opening stages of the season and perhaps offered something unexpected for the opposition.
The lack of striking options is frightening at the moment. Gabby can't seem to be arsed. Weimann is a poor player truth be told, and though Bent may well chip in with a couple of goals, he's not a player you want starting week in, week out at this stage.

[Damo70]

I think Bent is a player that needs to start if there is any point having him at the club because I always believe he struggles to make an impact on games as a sub. Whereas Gabby possibly would be a decent impact sub. I'm not sure about Weimann at the moment. I like him but he needs to start performing.

[paul_e]

A short loan for a striker would be ok, signing another striker would be a massive error.  Kozak and Benteke will be back before long, and striker we get in is just keeping the spot warm for them.