Aston Villa vs Southampton pre-match thread

[SashasGrandad]

They've only played two top half sides though and lost them both, but it will be interesting to see how Lambert sets us up.

We should have played them at the start of the season when were 2nd!

[TheTimVilla]

What has Cissokho got to do to get dropped?! His defending is limited and his crossing technique of 'twat it a good'un' has already been rumbled. I'd quite like to see Richardson get a chance there.

When we have such a porous defence, all of them should be under scrutiny.

[Ads]

Why would you drop anybody from a defence that has just kept a clean sheet?

[lordmcgrath5]

1-4

[TheTimVilla]

Ads, because of the six games prior to that. If we're so reluctant to score, we need to address the defence.

[citizenDJ]

What has Cissokho got to do to get dropped?! His defending is limited and his crossing technique of 'twat it a good'un' has already been rumbled. I'd quite like to see Richardson get a chance there.

When we have such a porous defence, all of them should be under scrutiny.

He's definitely dipped a bit over the last few games, but I actually thought he made a decent start with us - I also was surprised at the quality of the crosses he whipped in early on in the season too!

Of course, he's been here a while now, so that, along with his general defensive qualities, appears to have been coached out of him, or at least 'left uncoached' (which I believe is what happens to the team in general, actually).

[mattjpa]

Seeing as the usual wank formation and tactics will see us getting owned how about this:

            Guzan
Cissokho Clark Okore Hutton
      Sanchez  Lowton (Herd/Richardson)
Grealish Westwood  Agbonlahor
             Bent (Weimann)

Potential alternatives in brackets. I really would like to see Darren Bent given a start

That's the sort of line up we reserve for cup games against division 1 or 2 teams, and still lose

Maybe. Its probably no better than what Lambert is putting out, im just desperate to see an upturn in fortunes and really think it needs a drastic shake up. It needs us to think out side of the box and do the unexpected. If Lambert came out and said it hasnt been working so we are going to change it and try something different I think the fans would allow him the time to do so. 

[passitsideways]

May as well play the old W-M then.

[l_mckay]

Too many key players missing for us. 2-0 Southampton win

[NeilH]

Given that I am coming over and have not seen us win at home in 4 seasons now, I fear the kiss of death I bring will once more follow me.

[Villafirst]

1-2. By the time we play on Monday, we could be in the bottom 3 if results go against us.....

[silhillvilla]

Set ourselves up right we can win this game. & therein leith the main problem.
Optimistic head says 1-0 home win , although this could turn nasty if saints turn up in the mood , could easily be 0-4.

[Dr_Fegg]

Would like to see Lamberk put a little faith in Grealish and go for a 4-2-3-1. We don't need that crappy 3 man midfield which doesn't work. Sit Sanchez and one of the other two deep, play Grealish, Zogbia and Gabby ahead, then Weimann or Bent up top. Go for it, try and show a bit of guile. If we're gonna play Gabby, have him facing the opposition defence and tasked with just running at them all day. None of that dropping off to try and link up play, or playing with his back to goal. He's shit at it.
Get him committing players and winning freekicks.

Play Grealish off the front man, let him drift. He's 19 now. We should have no qualms about putting him in a game like this if he's good enough. If he were 16-17 still I could understand the hesitation. Chuck him in.

Would be nice to see something even slightly different and this looks interesting however this is Lambert were talking about :-(

[Dr_Fegg]

Just to offer a slight defence to our defence, defending is supposed to start at the front when we don't have the ball. Look at how England pressed on Tuesday (ok it was only a friendly against a poorer team), surely we could at least try to help out the back four.

Yes they make mistakes but being under pretty much constant pressure from the off with little or no help in front of you means its when, not if, you make a mistake which might result in a goal and more moaning. Remember its fine if a forward misses or screws up.

(and yes I'm an old school centre-half) 

[edgysatsuma89]

Just to offer a slight defence to our defence, defending is supposed to start at the front when we don't have the ball. Look at how England pressed on Tuesday (ok it was only a friendly against a poorer team), surely we could at least try to help out the back four.

Yes they make mistakes but being under pretty much constant pressure from the off with little or no help in front of you means its when, not if, you make a mistake which might result in a goal and more moaning. Remember its fine if a forward misses or screws up.

(and yes I'm an old school centre-half) 

They opposition will get pointed at though, that's almost the same as a tackle.