Aston Villa vs Stoke City Match Thread

[Tuscans]

There's 4 former Villains against us today in Bardsley, Ireland, Sidwell and Crouchy.

I'm not sure I'd have any of them back.

I'm sure I wouldn't

[Monty]

I'm gonna say it:  I like wingers and two up front. 

But...that's what MON did, and it was limited even with unlimited money.

I hope it works well enough for us today, but it's really old-fashioned.

[Toronto Villa]

There's 4 former Villains against us today in Bardsley, Ireland, Sidwell and Crouchy.

I'm not sure I'd have any of them back.

I'm sure I wouldn't

Crouch only. He can still score goals at PL level.

[Tuscans]

I'm gonna say it:  I like wingers and two up front. 

But...that's what MON did, and it was limited even with unlimited money.

I hope it works well enough for us today, but it's really old-fashioned.

Yea limited to 6th place.... ( sad face )

[Jimbo]

It's a messy game.

[Mossie Hennebry]

There's 4 former Villains against us today in Bardsley, Ireland, Sidwell and Crouchy.

I'm not sure I'd have any of them back.

I'm sure I wouldn't

Crouch only. He can still score goals at PL level.

Crouch for me too.

[hilts_coolerking]

But...that's what MON did, and it was limited even with unlimited money.

I hope it works well enough for us today, but it's really old-fashioned.

I know you're right but I can't help it.  Blame Tony Morley.  And Tony Daley.  Even Steve Froggatt.

[Toronto Villa]

I'm gonna say it:  I like wingers and two up front. 

But...that's what MON did, and it was limited even with unlimited money.

I hope it works well enough for us today, but it's really old-fashioned.

MON wasted lots of money elsewhere which takes away from what worked. He also never rotated so what got us into positions couldn't be sustained. You can still play with wingers and a centre forward. Bayern have done ok in recent seasons even if they don't do it so much with Pep there. There's a place for every system providing you have the players and the versatility tactically to go to something else if the initial approach isn't working. That was another of MON's flaws, not having another option once the first was countered.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

We're getting a bit bullied in midfield.

[Monty]

I'm gonna say it:  I like wingers and two up front. 

But...that's what MON did, and it was limited even with unlimited money.

I hope it works well enough for us today, but it's really old-fashioned.

Yea limited to 6th place.... ( sad face )

Spurs and Arsenal were imploding, City weren't anywhere near where they are now. Randy's money should have got us fourth, and it didn't.

But...that's what MON did, and it was limited even with unlimited money.

I hope it works well enough for us today, but it's really old-fashioned.

I know you're right but I can't help it.  Blame Tony Morley.  And Tony Daley.  Even Steve Froggatt.

Ha, fair enough. I have an irrational attachment to a back-three because of Brian Little.

[PeterWithesShin]

Absolutely belting it down with hail. Glad we're in the posh seats!

[ozzjim]

Delph gets caught with the ball far too often in our own half.

[Tuscans]

How can snow make noise on my stream!!!

[Jimbo]

It's hail - hail Sherwood!

[Monty]

I'm gonna say it:  I like wingers and two up front. 

But...that's what MON did, and it was limited even with unlimited money.

I hope it works well enough for us today, but it's really old-fashioned.

MON wasted lots of money elsewhere which takes away from what worked. He also never rotated so what got us into positions couldn't be sustained. You can still play with wingers and a centre forward. Bayern have done ok in recent seasons even if they don't do it so much with Pep there. There's a place for every system providing you have the players and the versatility tactically to go to something else if the initial approach isn't working. That was another of MON's flaws, not having another option once the first was countered.

Wingers and one centre-forward, absolutely, but not two. You leave yourself with too few passing options in midfield and quite open to the counterattack with a wide 4-4-2.