Scoring goals

[john2710]

Irrespective of what selections Lambert makes, we are entirely predictable in the way we set up.
No width, no support for the front man, a midfield that never moves ahead of the ball & a complete reluctance to take a shot.

In all honesty, I don't trust Lambert to know how to change things.

A period where we didn't keep losing key players to injury might help too.

[SamTheMouse]

What's a 'goal'?

[Mister E]

Having just watched Arse on MOTD, I was struck by how they represent almost everything that we're not: their flowing, dynamic football wherein each player seems always to be looking to make an instant impact on the game, are interchangeable and have something a little different in their skillset.
Compared with us: our players are static, slow in build-up, lacking in an overall footballing philosophy and seemingly limited in perspective.
It's a bit frightening, really; certainly despairing.

[curiousorange]

I'm not really bothered about Arsenal being the antithesis of Villa - they have better players, an intelligent manager and don't seem to be scared of a football. What bothers me is that the Arsenal I grew up knowing - lucky, one-nil, arms permanently raised for offside - is ancient history. There's no reason to really hate Arsenal now apart from the sense of entitlement being a member of the Big 4 fosters. Wenger went in and changed a nasty, cynical side into a team that plays beautiful football. They should score far more than they do, but what pisses me off when I watch Arsenal is how much pleasure those fans must get just seeing them mount an attack. I bet half the chancers who have season tickets at the Emirates don't realise how fortunate they are.

[peter w]

I didn't think Lowton did that badly against QPR. Yes his crossing wasn't great but he needs a lot more games to get match ready. All the crossing was poor so I'll leave Lowton alone. But, he got into the right areas, was always looking to link play and  venture forward and he defended well. I'd play him against Tottenham.

[Mister E]

I'm not really bothered about Arsenal being the antithesis of Villa - they have better players, an intelligent manager and don't seem to be scared of a football. What bothers me is that the Arsenal I grew up knowing - lucky, one-nil, arms permanently raised for offside - is ancient history. There's no reason to really hate Arsenal now apart from the sense of entitlement being a member of the Big 4 fosters. Wenger went in and changed a nasty, cynical side into a team that plays beautiful football. They should score far more than they do, but what pisses me off when I watch Arsenal is how much pleasure those fans must get just seeing them mount an attack. I bet half the chancers who have season tickets at the Emirates don't realise how fortunate they are.

No, but they exemplify the type of game we should be playing and aren't. Regardless of player-quality, if we were playing more dynamically and with greater purpose we'd be enjoying the games and doing ok.

[Tuscans]

Lambert keeps on going on about we have to put the chances away....we don't create enough....it's really that easy.

[Rudy65]

I have serious doubts about Jack Grealish.   I think he is not ready.   Over the past few seasons we have set young players back by throwing them into shit or bust games without proper help and support around them.   Look at the kicking he got against Hull.   If we had had a Teale or a Taylor or a Mellberg in that team the first Hull player to crunch Grealish would have paid the price.   Who is going to offer him that kind of protection today, Cleverley? Westwood? Bacuna? As if.

Rather him than the midfield three we have today. Id rather play Grealish through the middle not out wide

[aj2k77]

Scored more than 1 only 3 times in 26 games. Worse before it gets better.

[HolteEnder96]

why not give bent and benteke a chance together up front?

[supertom]

why not give bent and benteke a chance together up front?

With Tekkers out for three games, I think we should give Bent a chance to stake a claim. Stick Weimann up by him to do the donkey work and leave him ready to do some poaching.

When Benteke comes back, hopefully fitter and more ready to go, then who knows. I certainly think if there's one player who could get the best out of Bent, it would be Benteke. He used to have a field day playing with Kenwyne Jones. CB can all that Jones did and a truckload more of course.

Bent is looking more and more like a busted flush but just for the sake of freshening things up and shaking us about a bit, I'd like us to give him one more chance now. He's no good coming from the bench. Better to start him and take him off after 60-70 minutes.

[Drummond]

Stop playing hoofball. Play the ball to Benteke's feet. Play with greater width. Use the whole width of the pitch going forward. Take on defenders by running hard for the by line then smacking it hard and low across the face of the goal. Cut out passing the ball two yards on the central edge of the box. I have no problem with lateral passing to retain possession, just when you do go forward go at pace and with strength.
Non tactically, everybody goes on the scales twice a week. No bone or tendon snapping ferocity at BH, train like track athletes to become lean, quick and go the full 90 minutes flat out. Too many of our players are both mentally and physically flabby - Cole, Bent, Gabby -  flabby players usually end up on the side with a 0 on the score sheet.

Precisely.

And stop using Weimann and Gabby to cross the thing and get them on the end of the crosses.

[paul_e]

As we saw on Sunday, getting Weimann in the box will help, regardless of anything else that happened his goal was one hell of a good finish.

[Meanwood Villa]

Scored more than 1 only 3 times in 26 games. Worse before it gets better.

Hull twice and Norwich? That is really damning.

[mattjpa]

My Albyun mates are currently pissing themselves at our expense with an internet photo-fact stating the official website has had to cancel the October goal of the month competition because we didnt score one. I cant be arsed to check whether its true but I currently have no comeback. I feel like ive had my pants pulled down in front of the whole class.....