Wigan v Aston Villa: Pre-Match Thread

[UK Redsox]

I thought he had a foot injury? I don't mean to enter a piece of H&V folklore to rival that most famous question, to which the answer was because Fabregas had knobbled him and he was off the pitch receiving treatment, but is Hause injured?

I'm sure that I read/heard somewhere (non-H&V) that he'd arrived with a slight injury

[Toronto Villa]

Fuck sake is Lansbury made of bone China? He’s doubtful again for the weekend so it likely means more Whelan. Just awesome.

[Marlon From Bearwood]

Hause available for Saturday

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Smith has said we've watched videos of the Man City performance against Liverpool, with the effort they put in off the ball and how we are trying to replicate that.

Well that rules out Glenn and Conor for selection.

In fact, it probably leaves a midfield of just McGinn

I think he also mentioned simply how hard both sets of players worked the point being if you want to be good you have to work at it.

One of my few abiding memories from that Godawful FA Cup Final v Arsenal was how hard their players were still chasing us and closing us down even when they were 3 up and wanting more!  Ba*tards!

[footyskillz]

Hause available for Saturday

Do you give them Sundays off?

[eamonn]

Smith has said we've watched videos of the Man City performance against Liverpool, with the effort they put in off the ball and how we are trying to replicate that.

Well that rules out Glenn and Conor for selection.

In fact, it probably leaves a midfield of just McGinn

At least it's not Giving McCann

[wittonwarrior]

Was all set for a proper session but Northern Rail have decided to continue with their Saturday strikes so  its the jam jar to Wigan and a couple of cricketer shandies instead. Watching us sober is something else.

Either we will win easily or a 1-1 draw and we end up on the back foot.

One plus point I wont have that rather long walk to the station to contend  with.

[AV82EC]

Was all set for a proper session but Northern Rail have decided to continue with their Saturday strikes so  its the jam jar to Wigan and a couple of cricketer shandies instead. Watching us sober is something else.

Either we will win easily or a 1-1 draw and we end up on the back foot.

One plus point I wont have that rather long walk to the station to contend  with.

Can’t you go with Virgin?

[Richard E]

Was all set for a proper session but Northern Rail have decided to continue with their Saturday strikes so  its the jam jar to Wigan and a couple of cricketer shandies instead. Watching us sober is something else.

Either we will win easily or a 1-1 draw and we end up on the back foot.

One plus point I wont have that rather long walk to the station to contend  with.

Can’t you go with Virgin?

No, I’m not going. Oh, the train company?

[Risso]

I've cunningly managed to combine taking my 6 year old daughter to her cousin's birthday party in Bolton with this, so will be there.  I love going back to Wigan, along with the IOM it always feels like home.

[Hillbilly]

We’d better win this before me nerves go completely Bobby Chariot.

[brontebilly]

Smith has said we've watched videos of the Man City performance against Liverpool, with the effort they put in off the ball and how we are trying to replicate that.

That's eerily reminiscent of Lamberts trip to Germany and ended up with Guzan passing the ball along the endline in the next game.

We don't have the players to play the high pressing game that he wants to play without the ball. I'd much prefer if Smith started focusing on more of a hybrid approach making the best use of the players he currently has, rather than enforcing an approach that simply won't and isn't working.

[Dr Butler]

might be tough in the opening 20 mins or so, but we should get control after that and win....Wigan 1 - 3 Aston Villa

UTV
The Doc

[john e]

Smith has said we've watched videos of the Man City performance against Liverpool, with the effort they put in off the ball and how we are trying to replicate that.

That's eerily reminiscent of Lamberts trip to Germany and ended up with Guzan passing the ball along the endline in the next game.

We don't have the players to play the high pressing game that he wants to play without the ball. I'd much prefer if Smith started focusing on more of a hybrid approach making the best use of the players he currently has, rather than enforcing an approach that simply won't and isn't working.

maybe not the technical side to it all,
but just being extra fit and pressing giving the opo no time on the ball, anyone can do that if they are fit enough

i always used to think that about Man Utd under Fergie
not only did they have the spending power to buy the best players, but Fergie had them chasing the ball down for 90 minutes as well,
every one of them fitter than any other team and willing to work their nuts off

you don't need to be great to do that, anyone can do it if they are willing and coached that way

[hipkiss92]

Smith has said we've watched videos of the Man City performance against Liverpool, with the effort they put in off the ball and how we are trying to replicate that.

That's eerily reminiscent of Lamberts trip to Germany and ended up with Guzan passing the ball along the endline in the next game.

We don't have the players to play the high pressing game that he wants to play without the ball. I'd much prefer if Smith started focusing on more of a hybrid approach making the best use of the players he currently has, rather than enforcing an approach that simply won't and isn't working.

maybe not the technical side to it all,
but just being extra fit and pressing giving the opo no time on the ball, anyone can do that if they are fit enough

i always used to think that about Man Utd under Fergie
not only did they have the spending power to buy the best players, but Fergie had them chasing the ball down for 90 minutes as well,
every one of them fitter than any other team and willing to work their nuts off

you don't need to be great to do that, anyone can do it if they are willing and coached that way

You can tell Leeds don't really have the players to make their style of play work, as so often the final ball was lacking for them to score, but Bielsa still has them drilled to chase down every single ball.