Pre-Season Friendly Match Thread Compendium

[Matt Collins]

I don't think Westwood is PL quality.

Just got back from Walsall.  We didn't create much, but they created noting at all and their goal was a massive deflection from a free kick after our wall came apart. 

We started with a 4-2-3-1 formation and the keepers had very little to do.  Hutton was solid enough, Richards (who was captain) looked in a different class to almost everyone else on the pitch, Clark had a shaky first half and Amavi also had a few nervy moments (very quick though).

In the midfield, Westwood was his usual self and Gueye looked promising (very mobile and decent on the ball).  Sinclair, Robinson and Bacuna were pretty ineffective (Bacuna in particular had a poor afternoon), and Kozak still looks off the pace.

Any ideas who the 22 and 27 who came on were?  Thought the 22 in midfield looked pretty sharp, if quite similar to Westwood. 



                           

Agree with all of that tom.
Thought young Sellars looked very enterprising in the 15 minutes he had...a bit cocky (in a good way) and shaped a decent shot for himself  (well over the bar, but at least he had a go).
Thought Sinclair was in a couple of really promising positions second half but then bungled or fumbled it.

Who played in the middle of the three in that 4231? I'd assumed 433 w Robinson and Sinclair either side of kozak

[KRS]

Looked to me like it was...

Kozak
Sinclair Robinson Bacuna
Gueye Westwood

...but Sinclair and Robinson pushed up more and were narrower in the second half so may have switched to 433.

[silhillvilla]

Just wondering was Wilkins quite vocal on the side ? Was Tony Parks there today ?

[Dante Lavelli]

Looked to me like it was...

Kozak
Sinclair Robinson Bacuna
Gueye Westwood

...but Sinclair and Robinson pushed up more and were narrower in the second half so may have switched to 433.

There are a few square pegs in round holes there.  Ideally the central guy needs to be able to drop back and complement the midfield, whereas Robinson seems more of a pacy, off the shoulder player.  I think Grealish would be more suited to this role.

Bacuna doesn't seem to suit the more advanced positions, I think he is better when he can see the play ahead of him and joins the attacks from a deeper position.

[OCD]

Interesting to hear about the formation as there is talk that we're trying to get Cambiasso. Given that we already have Westwood and Sanchez, a third optional sitter in front of the defence is more useful if we plan to use something like 4-2-3-1 on a regular basis.

[curlytailavfc]

weird game were in the crap after watching that and why did the villa fans try to break the roof down in the ground also the old bill were utter nobs

[Matt Collins]

Looked to me like it was...

Kozak
Sinclair Robinson Bacuna
Gueye Westwood

...but Sinclair and Robinson pushed up more and were narrower in the second half so may have switched to 433.

There are a few square pegs in round holes there.  Ideally the central guy needs to be able to drop back and complement the midfield, whereas Robinson seems more of a pacy, off the shoulder player.  I think Grealish would be more suited to this role.

Bacuna doesn't seem to suit the more advanced positions, I think he is better when he can see the play ahead of him and joins the attacks from a deeper position.

Yes yes yes yes

Grealish, Gil or nzogbia are the only players who can play no 10

[Matt Collins]

Interesting to hear about the formation as there is talk that we're trying to get Cambiasso. Given that we already have Westwood and Sanchez, a third optional sitter in front of the defence is more useful if we plan to use something like 4-2-3-1 on a regular basis.

Yes I agree. But if we want to play 433 then we need two new central midfielders who can play the energetic box to box roles. Gueye seemed to think that's what we'd be playing.

[OCD]

Has Delph's U-turn changed our thinking since then though?

[tomd2103]

I don't think Westwood is PL quality.

Just got back from Walsall.  We didn't create much, but they created noting at all and their goal was a massive deflection from a free kick after our wall came apart. 

We started with a 4-2-3-1 formation and the keepers had very little to do.  Hutton was solid enough, Richards (who was captain) looked in a different class to almost everyone else on the pitch, Clark had a shaky first half and Amavi also had a few nervy moments (very quick though).

In the midfield, Westwood was his usual self and Gueye looked promising (very mobile and decent on the ball).  Sinclair, Robinson and Bacuna were pretty ineffective (Bacuna in particular had a poor afternoon), and Kozak still looks off the pace.

Any ideas who the 22 and 27 who came on were?  Thought the 22 in midfield looked pretty sharp, if quite similar to Westwood. 



                           

Agree with all of that tom.
Thought young Sellars looked very enterprising in the 15 minutes he had...a bit cocky (in a good way) and shaped a decent shot for himself  (well over the bar, but at least he had a go).
Thought Sinclair was in a couple of really promising positions second half but then bungled or fumbled it.

Who played in the middle of the three in that 4231? I'd assumed 433 w Robinson and Sinclair either side of kozak

Robinson did.  To be fair, he really didn't seem suited to it, but then we do have Grealish, Gil and Cole who all play there.

[tomd2103]

Just wondering was Wilkins quite vocal on the side ? Was Tony Parks there today ?

Wasn't watching the bench closely, but I didn't see Wilkins on the sideline.  I saw Parks shouting instructions a few times.  Also seems we have a new guy taking the warm up and the Alan Wright lookalike is now on the fringes.

[adrenachrome]

Just wondering was Wilkins quite vocal on the side ? Was Tony Parks there today ?

Wasn't watching the bench closely, but I didn't see Wilkins on the sideline.  I saw Parks shouting instructions a few times.  Also seems we have a new guy taking the warm up and the Alan Wright lookalike is now on the fringes.

We need somebody working on the fringes, and also the quiffs. Don't even mention the beards. 

[tomd2103]

I've heard both that Richards was the best player on the pitch and that he was repeatedly out of position. I am worried about his positional play - never been a strong point.

The season starts two weeks today and if we put anything like today's team out I can't see anything but a good shoeing.

Minimum of two genuine quality players in the next week. Ideally four more in the next few weeks.

It might be consistent disappointment but at the moment I've really got a feeling that the start of the season is going to be horrendous.

I too had serious doubts about Richards playing at CB, but seeing him today (albeit against lower level opposition) has eased them a bit.  His leap when he gets up for headers is impressive and I thought his positioning was sound.  It's clear he's not the greatest distributor, but he kept it simple most of the time.  I really thought he looked a class act today and rarely had to get out of 2nd / 3rd gear.

[tomd2103]

Interesting to hear about the formation as there is talk that we're trying to get Cambiasso. Given that we already have Westwood and Sanchez, a third optional sitter in front of the defence is more useful if we plan to use something like 4-2-3-1 on a regular basis.

Cambiasso would be a good foil for Gueye on today's showing and it would also allow Sanchez to come on gradually.  I like Ashley Westwood, but am beginning to think he's not the answer. 

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I've heard both that Richards was the best player on the pitch and that he was repeatedly out of position. I am worried about his positional play - never been a strong point.

The season starts two weeks today and if we put anything like today's team out I can't see anything but a good shoeing.

Minimum of two genuine quality players in the next week. Ideally four more in the next few weeks.

It might be consistent disappointment but at the moment I've really got a feeling that the start of the season is going to be horrendous.

I too had serious doubts about Richards playing at CB, but seeing him today (albeit against lower level opposition) has eased them a bit.  His leap when he gets up for headers is impressive and I thought his positioning was sound.  It's clear he's not the greatest distributor, but he kept it simple most of the time.  I really thought he looked a class act today and rarely had to get out of 2nd / 3rd gear.

Bloody 'ell tom!
Agree again mate!
Richards was the best player on the pitch by miles.
Even when in a difficult situation, he dealt with it, with ease, using brute strength, skill, whatever was needed.
He made two passes that were easily intercepted when he was quite far forward, but other than that he was pretty much faultless.