Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest Post Match Thread

[OzVilla]

Thing is, we're giving ourselves a bit of work to do already. Last season we dropped points in games early on that we should have secured and it set the tempo. Whist I know this season is not last, we're not taking points on offer so we can't afford a dizzy spell later on.

5 points already dropped with late goals. It cannot continue.

[He wears a magic hat]

It's way too early to be getting negative about how the season has panned out so far. For me the positives far out way the negatives. Admittedly the results haven't matched the performances but I firmly believe that if we continue to play the way we are the results will come. Last time we went down after 6 games we slipped to 19th we'd looked absolutely awful then out of nowhere went a a massive unbeaten run. I see no reason with this group of players why we can't do the same

[JJ-AV]

I'm most concerned about the shape and balance. With our signings we've sort of nailed 4-2-3-1 down, I don't like it, and I don't think we've got enough about us to open sides up with that formation. It's a counter-attacking team.

Ayew is inside all the time, McCormack dictates we must play 1 off the front and Grealish isn't an out and out winger.

We'd be better off 4-4-2 with Gestede and Kodjia and Adomah/Bacuna one side. But Ayew and McCormack mean that's gonna be a big call.

[john e]

I think we have been the better team in every game we have played so far this season
Yet still only yielded 6 measly points, it's a massive problem

I know people are saying we are going to thump someone soon, and as sooner we go on our winning run the better, but I'm not convinced we are capable of either just yet

I think we will be pretty inconsistent for a while yet, winning some losing some whilst dominating play, I would take 6 the place right now if offered
I'm not trying to be overly negative I think we have a lot going for us but I don't think it will all come good any time soon

[ozzjim]

When you hit the post as many times as us, while the bobbles the other end go straight to their players to score in matches you have to accept we are not getting the run of the ball to to speak.

[David_Nab]

Points lost due to a lightweight midfield

Especially the second the run wasn't that good it was just piss poor defending by a team overrun with attackers.Really need Tishibola and Jedinek to be fit as Westwood and Gardner ,especially as a midfield 2 isn't good enough

[SoccerHQ]

I'm most concerned about the shape and balance. With our signings we've sort of nailed 4-2-3-1 down, I don't like it, and I don't think we've got enough about us to open sides up with that formation. It's a counter-attacking team.

Ayew is inside all the time, McCormack dictates we must play 1 off the front and Grealish isn't an out and out winger.

We'd be better off 4-4-2 with Gestede and Kodjia and Adomah/Bacuna one side. But Ayew and McCormack mean that's gonna be a big call.

I agree...but would like to go to 4-3-3 instead...although that would mean continuing to play Westwood so perhaps not!

When have we ever looked good playing just two CMs...probably when Milner was here who had phenomenal energy and workrate so it was like an extra body in there.

Can only hope Jedinak and Tshibola will complement each other well. You'd think so given Jedinak is a pure DM and Tshibola has energy so can do the box to box role. 

[Pete3206]

Points lost due to a lightweight midfield

Especially the second the run wasn't that good it was just piss poor defending by a team overrun with attackers.Really need Tishibola and Jedinek to be fit as Westwood and Gardner ,especially as a midfield 2 isn't good enough

Absolutely

[Des Little]

We are playing a dangerous game relying on Jedinak and Tshibola staying fit. They've both been here 5 minutes and have missed games already - in Tshibola's case he missed a large part of last season through injury too. The end result is we are therefore relying on Westwood and Gardner as back up, and in my opinion, they're not good enough.

It's all well and good buying strikers - don't get me wrong, I'm very pleased with our attacking options, but the midfield frailties weren't fully addressed and we are already getting punished for it. That run for their second goal should have been stopped at least twice before it broke to the bloke who scored because we simply didn't have a tackle in us across the middle of the park.

[tomd2103]

Went to the game earlier and agree with a lot of what has been said.  We created a lot of chances, whereas Forest only created two and scored with both.  Like others, I still can't work out why RDM did not bring on Jedinak when we went 2-1 up, as our three in midfield at that point consisted of Westwood, Ayew and Grealish.  I'm pretty happy with the defence and attack, but midfield still remains a concern.  I'm not sure how long we can persist with just two in there as it is leaving us exposed at times.

Have to say that I thought Forest were in the same category as most of the teams we have played so far - organised and hard working, but really short of quality in the final third.  I think that quality in the final third is most noticeable difference between the Championship and the top flight. 

[ROBBO]

Definitely Jedinak at 2-1 up was a no brainer a bad miss by the manager, we have to realise there are a lot of players out there who are playing together for the first time.

[exiled on the wirral!]

Points lost due to a lightweight midfield

Especially the second the run wasn't that good it was just piss poor defending by a team overrun with attackers.Really need Tishibola and Jedinek to be fit as Westwood and Gardner ,especially as a midfield 2 isn't good enough

Absolutely

Points have been lost due to not taking our chances..it's as simple as that.

[Gareth]

It is going to take a while to gel, Kodija for instance has possibly had two training sessions with the squad & it showed that no one really read his runs at all but that will come with time.

Why RDM didn't bring Jedinak on the moment Gestede scored was mystifying - why Gestede was stood on touch line waiting to come on whilst we had a corner was plain bonkers....

Thought the full backs looked way better than they have for a long long time.

Too many attacking players on pitch to my mind, when the ball was with Chester or Elphick it slows to walking pace because they have no one dropping off to give the short pass so they hold it until they have to hit it long, with 3 in centre mid there is a natural pathway from back to front, with 2 who aren't most mobile there is a gap that takes away momentum.

Gardner was ok for me today, he carried the ball forward well and was way more effective than Westwood who yet again contributed nothing.  As a 4th choice centre mid Gardner is fine, the problem is him & Westwood are 3rd & 4th...we are a midfielder light.

McCormack needs to be more aware, too often on his heels when ball passed towards him.

Jack's all round game getting better by the week, the player who when the ball is lost just stands still is hopefully completely on the past now.

Ayew did well, if only he had composure in front of goal.

Think we need those 3 points on Wednesday now more than ever, there are still plenty of games to get in the mix but that habit of winning has to start soon.

[tomd2103]

It is going to take a while to gel, Kodija for instance has possibly had two training sessions with the squad & it showed that no one really read his runs at all but that will come with time.

Why RDM didn't bring Jedinak on the moment Gestede scored was mystifying - why Gestede was stood on touch line waiting to come on whilst we had a corner was plain bonkers....

Thought the full backs looked way better than they have for a long long time.

Too many attacking players on pitch to my mind, when the ball was with Chester or Elphick it slows to walking pace because they have no one dropping off to give the short pass so they hold it until they have to hit it long, with 3 in centre mid there is a natural pathway from back to front, with 2 who aren't most mobile there is a gap that takes away momentum.

Gardner was ok for me today, he carried the ball forward well and was way more effective than Westwood who yet again contributed nothing.  As a 4th choice centre mid Gardner is fine, the problem is him & Westwood are 3rd & 4th...we are a midfielder light.

McCormack needs to be more aware, too often on his heels when ball passed towards him.

Jack's all round game getting better by the week, the player who when the ball is lost just stands still is hopefully completely on the past now.

Ayew did well, if only he had composure in front of goal.

Think we need those 3 points on Wednesday now more than ever, there are still plenty of games to get in the mix but that habit of winning has to start soon.

He scored today, but on the whole, things just aren't happening for McCormack at the moment.  I suppose not playing in pre season has meant he has gone into the season not fully up to speed. 

[django]

http://www.footytube.com/video/aston-villa-vs-nottingham-forest-2-444850

complete 2nd half with a million ad breaks.