Dean Smith - Confirmed

[ChicagoLion]

I think we have been sussed out and teams know how to limit our attacking threat. It is not being helped by having 2 players that offer very little without the ball.

[Toronto Villa]

He's got to use the squad more. The first 11 look knackered and have done for weeks now.

If he doesn't shake it up I can see us going on a pretty dreadful run soon.

Agreed. But then he will point to the running stats provided by his sports science teams and tell us none of the players are fatigued. Just use your eyes Dean.

[brontebilly]

I wonder could we consider something like this v Leicester with Jack given a free role. I think McGinns best position is in off the right


Luiz, Sanson
McGinn, Grealish, Ramsey
----------Watkins

[AV82EC]

I wonder could we consider something like this v Leicester with Jack given a free role. I think McGinns best position is in off the right


Luiz, Sanson
McGinn, Grealish, Ramsey
----------Watkins

Very narrow with not huge width, lot of emphasis on the full backs to get forward. However I like the idea as Brendan master tactician Rogers will no doubt try and flood the midfield to dominate possession.

[Mister E]

I wonder could we consider something like this v Leicester with Jack given a free role. I think McGinns best position is in off the right

Luiz, Sanson
McGinn, Grealish, Ramsey
----------Watkins

Personally, I like that. I'm not sure Dean will.

[ChicagoLion]

r

I wonder could we consider something like this v Leicester with Jack given a free role. I think McGinns best position is in off the right


Luiz, Sanson
McGinn, Grealish, Ramsey
----------Watkins

Very narrow with not huge width, lot of emphasis on the full backs to get forward. However I like the idea as Brendan master tactician Rogers will no doubt try and flood the midfield to dominate possession.

It’s the system we are using now 4 2 3 1

[Ads]

Id go with a diamond to try and wrestle more possession and feed Jack quicker.

Dougie at 6
Samson and Ramsey as high energy 8s
Jack floating at 10

Traore playing off Ollie. I think that's how Leicester will line up against us to try and strangle possession.

[Ian.]

Id go with a diamond to try and wrestle more possession and feed Jack quicker.

Dougie at 6
Samson and Ramsey as high energy 8s
Jack floating at 10

Traore playing off Ollie. I think that's how Leicester will line up against us to try and strangle possession.

That’s an excellent looking side Ads. With Jack, Ollie and Traore we can create, with Ramsey, Sanson and Doug you’d hope the midfield would not get overrun.

[eamonn]

And the width? Asking a lot of Elmo if he has to come in.

[paul_e]

I'd go the other way, push Grealish and Traore right up and bring Watkins a little deeper with a flat 3 in midfield. give the centre backs no one to mark and pin the fullbacks deep.

[Risso]

I'd go the other way, push Grealish and Traore right up and bring Watkins a little deeper with a flat 3 in midfield. give the centre backs no one to mark and pin the fullbacks deep.

I was thinking the same. I don't think that Smith is suddenly going to have such a radical departure from his usual formation, as to switch to a diamond. If Cash is out, I think it'll be Trez instead of Traore on the right though.

If Hause was fit a 5-3-2 like this might be interesting:

            Konsa Mings Hause
Trez McGinn Luiz Sanson Targett
              Grealish Watkins


You'd then be able to make meaningful attacking subs with Barkley and Traore coming on to stretch teams later on.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Thank fuck we've 36 points on the board as since Smith won manager of the month we have looked well short of ideas .....

[villa for life]

Smith still very much learning his trade. Can the likes of Grealish, Martinez and more importantly, Villa wait for him.

[Villan82]

Not using the squad is biting us now. Not sure letting Freddie go on loan was a smart move.

We had a great opportunity this season to skip a couple of steps on the way to the top 6. Still can, of course, but we have not been playing well.

[Steve67]

Stop picking out of form players.  We are not getting relegated, bring Sanson and Ramsay in for Luiz and Barkley.  Get in to the players as they look unmotivated again just recently.