Aston Villa vs Watford Sir Graham Taylor Memorial Game

[SoccerHQ]

If Hogan can get the ball delivered into the box hard and low he will get 25 goals.  If he gets the ball dropping from the sky with ice on it he will get none

See that's the problem I have. In the modern game forwards who just play the six yard box and wait for crosses are a dying breed especially as very few teams play two upfront now.

You look at the best in the premier league....Alexis, Aguero, Mane, Lukaku etc. All score their taps in but they're not limited to that as they've very dangerous from 30 odd yards out.

I prefer forwards who have unpredictability and can create their own chances. Benteke with us played in a very limited team creating chances when our counter attacking wasn't working but he still hit close to 20 most seasons as his sheer pace and power could open up defences.

Kodjia at this level can certainly do that hence why he was one off 19 when we were so low scoring and defensive last year. I thought for 14m Hogan could at least beat a defender or score a few from outside the box. From his goals at Fulham I certainly thought McCormack would do that but he turned out to be a busted flush.

If I was manager I'd avoid signing anyone upfront who was limited to the penalty area unless it was a plan b supersub (which might have to be Hogan's role in the short term). It just narrows your play so much.

[tomd2103]

I think we are a target man and wide player from top 2 still.  Snodgrass and Crouch into this squad and we would be flying.

Totally agree.  Add those two and a fit Kodjia to the side today and we would be a very different proposition. 

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If Hogan can get the ball delivered into the box hard and low he will get 25 goals.  If he gets the ball dropping from the sky with ice on it he will get none

Ditto for Gabby and all our strikers. The service, especially second half was beyond a joke. It was bad enough they had two, three sometimes four defenders around them without having to watch the ball being hoofed up to them.

Somebody also needs to tell our midfield that the opposition penalty area isn't mined.

[PeterWithesShin]

It's one thing I like about Bjork. At least he gets into the box a fair bit even if his finishing isn't very good.

[Damo70]

I used to like the way Darren Bent 'played the percentages'. Always trying to get ahead of the defence. If he timed his run wrong he was frequently offside. On the occasions he timed it right he was usually clear on goal with just the keeper to beat.

[andyh]

For me, its not just the lack of goals that is the worry.
It's the lack of creativity that is the concern. We just don't look like we can/will create many chances in a game.
From all of the pre season games I have seen, the midfield still does not get forward quick enough, in numbers, to support the strikers.
All the same issues as last year.

Let's hope that changes from next week.

[robbo1874]

Just watched that you are the ref interview with Taylor. The man was such a likeable human being. We are lucky, very lucky as a club, that we were both in the right place at the right time for each other. What a top man he was.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Just watched that you are the ref interview with Taylor. The man was such a likeable human being. We are lucky, very lucky as a club, that we were both in the right place at the right time for each other. What a top man he was.

Well said.

I would add Watford are generally a decent enough club as well. A likeable man who was drawn to likeable clubs.

[brian green]

Going back to Hogan, I agree with everything you say SoccerHQ.  My point is that Hogan needs at least one service player to enable him to be effective.  The harsh truth is that we cannot afford or attract players who have the whole range of goal scoring expertise.  We got lucky with Kodjia but struggle for goals without him.  The days of a team being able to carry a Greaves type putter away of chances created by others are long gone.  I also agree that midfielders getting into scoring positions create the broken play in which players like Hogan thrive.  He is not athletic enough to create space for himself by himself.

I fear that without Kodjia and with our formidable looking defence it is going to be more nick a goal and hang on for the foreseeable future.

[Matt Collins]

Going back to Hogan, I agree with everything you say SoccerHQ.  My point is that Hogan needs at least one service player to enable him to be effective.  The harsh truth is that we cannot afford or attract players who have the whole range of goal scoring expertise.  We got lucky with Kodjia but struggle for goals without him.  The days of a team being able to carry a Greaves type putter away of chances created by others are long gone.  I also agree that midfielders getting into scoring positions create the broken play in which players like Hogan thrive.  He is not athletic enough to create space for himself by himself.

I fear that without Kodjia and with our formidable looking defence it is going to be more nick a goal and hang on for the foreseeable future.

I agree on Hogan. He looks like he needs a partner or lots of creative players behind him that we can play through. He played upfront by himself for Brentford and his running in behind is good but his hold up play looks weak. Although I'd have said the same about Dwight Gayle last year.

I wondered if Bruce might go outright 442, especially if jack is out, and pair hogan and gabby. But it doesn't look like it at the moment. Don't think they've been on the pitch together in pre season?

On another note, Hourihane obviously has quality in this league - I'm hoping it's more than his shooting. He's looked one footed, one paced, weak in the tackle and not great at passing this pre season. It comes to something when Bacuna looks a lot better.

[oldtimernow]

I'm afraid that Lansbury was very disappointing for me.

Not a fast runner, seemed to amble around a lot , doesn't tackle that effectively, he runs toward his opponent too slowly and then doesn't offer a tackle.....so what's the point. Looked a bit like going through the motions.

Bit of a prima donna too when gets tackled

[Clampy]

Enjoyed yesterday but was disappointed with the turn out, he deserved better. Putting it on you tube was a silly idea.

As for game, I  know it's early days but Whelan looks like the kind of player we've missed since we lost Petrov. Gabby has lost some timber but I still think he's past it. Elmo is quite decent in the air for a winger and I like Bjork a lot. The jury is still out on Lansbury though.

[PeterWithe]

Very pleased with Whelan, I've never really noticed him at Stoke but he looks great for this level, he seems to do everything pretty well.

[tomd2103]

Enjoyed yesterday but was disappointed with the turn out, he deserved better. Putting it on you tube was a silly idea.

As for game, I  know it's early days but Whelan looks like the kind of player we've missed since we lost Petrov. Gabby has lost some timber but I still think he's past it. Elmo is quite decent in the air for a winger and I like Bjork a lot. The jury is still out on Lansbury though.

He really has got a good leap.  It was noticeable that every goal kick went in his direction. 

[Matt Collins]

I keep seeing people saying they like Bjork a lot

I don't get it. I like his work rate and movement but he's shown nowt on the ball do us at all so far