Fulham v Aston Villa Post Match Thread

[auntiesledd]

I suppose today’s game shows how much we depend on Jack.

And Mings......SJM......Heaton.....     

[Ads]

Similarly highlights that Guilbert is our only player with genuine pace outside of Mings.

[GarTomas]

I think Jota has some value, and clearly has some talent on the ball, but he can't deliver in the formation we play or in the position he's being asked to play.  Last season, when we were having more of the ball and the challenge was breaking down a team in the final third, he's exactly the sort of player you could look to bring off the bench, and with a decent bit of possession in the final third he is likely to spot a pass and create something.  But the simple fact is, the way we're playing this season, he simply doesn't add anything.  He's not quick enough to play as one of the front three in a 4-3-3 and not mobile enough to play in the middle three when we spend most of our time defending.


I can see why we brought him in, but given how the season has panned out, I'm not sure he should be near the 11. It's not his fault, he was bought to play a role we thought we'd need but ultimately don't at the moment.

The more I think about the more I believe the Jota deal for Gardner was done when we believed we’d still be in the Championship this year.

[Villafirst]

I thought DS in his post-match comments seemed not too bothered with the teams performance yesterday. I thought he'd be really angry with such an inept showing. The team massively let down 3,500 travelling supporters. Too many players don't give a toss.

[frank black]

Deleted

[RichardBatchelor]

Similarly highlights that Guilbert is our only player with genuine pace outside of Mings.

Would add Grealish to that list, he’s quick. Certainly skinned Burnley’s right back the other day. Guess he has so many other qualities pace goes unnoticed.

[brontebilly]

I think Jota has some value, and clearly has some talent on the ball, but he can't deliver in the formation we play or in the position he's being asked to play.  Last season, when we were having more of the ball and the challenge was breaking down a team in the final third, he's exactly the sort of player you could look to bring off the bench, and with a decent bit of possession in the final third he is likely to spot a pass and create something.  But the simple fact is, the way we're playing this season, he simply doesn't add anything.  He's not quick enough to play as one of the front three in a 4-3-3 and not mobile enough to play in the middle three when we spend most of our time defending.


I can see why we brought him in, but given how the season has panned out, I'm not sure he should be near the 11. It's not his fault, he was bought to play a role we thought we'd need but ultimately don't at the moment.

The more I think about the more I believe the Jota deal for Gardner was done when we believed we’d still be in the Championship this year.

It was a very lazy signing from Smith. He obviously rated him from his Brentford days but the step up at Jota's age was always going to be a struggle. Has absolutely no chance of making it on the right wing.

[Clampy]

I do like Jota but he's definitely not a wide player. I wonder if he was bought in as back up to Grealish?

[Clampy]

Did anyone else think the ref was a bit naff yesterday? The two bookings for Nakamba and Taylor were unnecessary.

[Risso]

I do like Jota but he's definitely not a wide player. I wonder if he was bought in as back up to Grealish?

Maybe, but he's as far removed from Grealish's ability as it's possible to be.  He's like a pound shop Carles Gil.

[Sexual Ealing]

I think Jota has some value, and clearly has some talent on the ball, but he can't deliver in the formation we play or in the position he's being asked to play.  Last season, when we were having more of the ball and the challenge was breaking down a team in the final third, he's exactly the sort of player you could look to bring off the bench, and with a decent bit of possession in the final third he is likely to spot a pass and create something.  But the simple fact is, the way we're playing this season, he simply doesn't add anything.  He's not quick enough to play as one of the front three in a 4-3-3 and not mobile enough to play in the middle three when we spend most of our time defending.


I can see why we brought him in, but given how the season has panned out, I'm not sure he should be near the 11. It's not his fault, he was bought to play a role we thought we'd need but ultimately don't at the moment.

The more I think about the more I believe the Jota deal for Gardner was done when we believed we’d still be in the Championship this year.

It was a very lazy signing from Smith. He obviously rated him from his Brentford days but the step up at Jota's age was always going to be a struggle. Has absolutely no chance of making it on the right wing.

One in the eye for those who say people get more right wing as they get older.

[Rico]

I'm so desperate for us to win the FA cup, especially after out last two horror shows in the final. It's the competition I want Villa to win more than anything. But I'm struggling to remember a time when we have had such a bad run of injuries to our first team. Or maybe the injuries just highlight how weak our squad is, so maybe the team that was sent out yesterday was under instructions to go through the motions and try not to pick up any more injuries (trying to be generous here), especially with the tough games that we have coming up. I'm willing to accept yesterday's result when considering the bigger picture of remaining in the Premier League and the League Cup semi-final, but what is very disappointing is reverting back to 43. Not our finest hour.

[Chris Smith]

All those criticising the selection yesterday would have been similarly annoyed had we gone full strength and Grealish, for instance, had picked up a long term injury. Smith’s job is also about squad management and priorities and given events at Burnley his hand was forced. For the long term prospects of the club the league has to come first.

[Sexual Ealing]

True point.

[Villa Lew]

Since we first played in the FA Cup in 1879 our record is now

First 41 years 6 times we've won the Cup last 100 years once.

As Sven would say 'first 41 years good last 100 years not so good'