Walsall Friendly: Match Thread

[Ads]

I'm no fan either John, but credit where it's due.

[hilts_coolerking]

Yep, he did quite well in a pre-season friendly against 4th tier opposition.  I'm being facetious because he contributed to a very good hour or so from us but it has to be put into perspective.

[OCD]

What struck me with what I saw was just how quickly we were moving the ball around. Very impressive.

[PeterWithe]

May have missed it but have heard a fair bit about most new signings playing but how did Engels come across on debut ?

He’d have been close to my MOM. Very tidy with the ball, negated the threat of their big man in the air and carried possession forward well.

Thought we did very well, albeit against weak opposition.

Full backs both got forward well, Jota and Jack had a fine understanding. Wes looked ok.

[tomd2103]

May have missed it but have heard a fair bit about most new signings playing but how did Engels come across on debut ?

Hard to tell as Walsall didn't pose much of a threat, but he did the basics well, looked pretty comfortable on the ball and seemed comfortable alongside Mings.

[paul_e]

I didn't think Angela was a passenger tonight, I actually thought he looked pretty good.

I think he’s been basically rubbish since we bought him and obviously injured for longish periods too
so I’m not a fan of him at all and if we could move him on that would be great

However having said all that anyone saying he wasn’t any good tonight knows jack shit about football and just plods on with their set agenda because he was the best I’ve seen him

still want him gone but like you thought he was pretty decent tonight

As i said earlier, he played much better than we've seen before but he still has a little flurry of activity and then thinks his bit is done and stops. It wasn't as blatant today so I hope he's being coached to get more involved but it was still there, particularly when we'd got our 3rd and were coasting a bit.

[LeeB]

May have missed it but have heard a fair bit about most new signings playing but how did Engels come across on debut ?

Hard to tell as Walsall didn't pose much of a threat, but he did the basics well, looked pretty comfortable on the ball and seemed comfortable alongside Mings.

I'd give him top Marx.

[Mister E]

Without a doubt pick of the new bunch was Jota.  He and Jack have already got a great understanding. And talking of Jack, just simply a class above everybody else on the park

Honestly didn't think Jota was that impressive as he gave the ball away quite a bit and can't really see him starting.  Think the back four will be the first choice come the start of the season and thought the full-backs looked more comfortable going forwards than our other options in those positions.  Thought Guilbert started a bit shakily, but visibly grew in confidence as the game went on.  Thought Wesley was pretty decent tonight and held the ball up well.

Looked like a team coming together tonight.  Desperately need a defensive midfielder as Hourihane isn't going to cut it there in the top flight.  Need a step up in opposition to get us ready for the start of the season. 

Agree with all that, Tom; particularly about Jota: he's good, but a little loose with the ball.
Ange played better than I remember him, and he and Hourihane (and possibly Green) will get game time this season, if the squad stays largely as it is, because of injuries and fatigue.

[Brassneck]

Without a doubt pick of the new bunch was Jota.  He and Jack have already got a great understanding. And talking of Jack, just simply a class above everybody else on the park

Honestly didn't think Jota was that impressive as he gave the ball away quite a bit and can't really see him starting.  Think the back four will be the first choice come the start of the season and thought the full-backs looked more comfortable going forwards than our other options in those positions.  Thought Guilbert started a bit shakily, but visibly grew in confidence as the game went on.  Thought Wesley was pretty decent tonight and held the ball up well.

Looked like a team coming together tonight.  Desperately need a defensive midfielder as Hourihane isn't going to cut it there in the top flight.  Need a step up in opposition to get us ready for the start of the season. 

Agree with all that, Tom; particularly about Jota: he's good, but a little loose with the ball.
Ange played better than I remember him, and he and Hourihane (and possibly Green) will get game time this season, if the squad stays largely as it is, because of injuries and fatigue.

As we speak, it’s likely that one of Lansbury/BB would make our 18.  Not ideal and by the close of the window, I hope that isn’t the case.  Moving into the season, we need more than 18 and for that reason, I would be happy to keep one of them, preferably Lansbury.

I don’t think Green has what it takes for the PL and needs to go out on loan with a view to a permanent move somewhere.  I’m looking forward to seeing a few offloaded over the next 2 weeks.

[Clampy]

I'd personally keep Green in the squad. We may need him if we pick up any injuries and besides, he may improve his game with better players around him. Same for the Russian.

[Brassneck]

I'd personally keep Green in the squad. We may need him if we pick up any injuries and besides, he may improve his game with better players around him. Same for the Russian.

More than happy to keep Rushian in the squad, he reminds me a bit of Dwight gale the way he backs in and gives defenders problems in aerial challenges.  He’s pretty nifty on the floor as well.

For me, I’ve seen nothing from green over the past couple of seasons to suggest he can step up. His loan at Portsmouth hardly set the world on fire either.  I think with the players we have and the possibility of another wide player joining, Green won’t make the 18.  He certainly needs to go out on loan and personally, I’d accept a sensible offer for him.  I say this reluctantly because he loves the club and loves it here but for both parties, a move would probably be best all round.

[chrisw1]

I didn't think Angela was a passenger tonight, I actually thought he looked pretty good.

I think he’s been basically rubbish since we bought him and obviously injured for longish periods too
so I’m not a fan of him at all and if we could move him on that would be great

However having said all that anyone saying he wasn’t any good tonight knows jack shit about football and just plods on with their set agenda because he was the best I’ve seen him

still want him gone but like you thought he was pretty decent tonight

I agree John.  He's always had a decent pass but he's never shown any consistency or more importantly the desire and attitude to do well.  I still doubt he's got it in him to turn his Villa career round, but certainly he looked decent last night.

[Dazvillain]

Did hogan come on or is he part deal with cash for Maupay  ?

[KRS]

Ignoring the actual scoreline and quality of the opposition, these games are important for the team to gel with all the new players. They all seem to be settling well, creating partnerships and it’s encouraging to see Guilbert, Jota and Wes involved in the goals. It’s still early days but the signs are promising and there’s a lot more hard work to be done before we see the full potential of this developing group of players.

[KRS]

Did hogan come on or is he part deal with cash for Maupay  ?

He came on with all the others on 70 minutes and had a goal disallowed for offside.