Summer transfer, gossip, speculation and the usual butter ollocks thread

[KevinGage]

I think it's a case at Villa that away teams love playing here, their supporters love the day out and consequently we struggle.

One thing MON got right was moving the away fans from behind the goal.

I'd move them to Witton roundabout personally. Or Smolensk.

Especially the Yanited lot.

[KevinGage]

I can't be arsed to check the statistics but I don't feel like there were an exorbitant number of goals from the end of lockdown to the finish of last season? It is just this season, isn't it? Which would suggest statistical anomaly or other factor rather than being able to say for certain that it is because there are no crowds.

The 10 game lockdown was effectively a mini season, with plenty riding on it for the top 9 clubs and the bottom 5/6.  The pressure was on from the outset and there weren't many high scoring games, with most teams playing conservatively (or trying to).

Now, it's a case of new players either finding their way (the majority) or hitting the ground running instantly (us, Everton). Players know there is plenty of time left in the campaign even if they slip up initially. For the better players, there's also the element that they are pacing themselves - with a long season being topped off by the delayed Euros next year.

On top of that, even it does start going pairshaped in matches at the moment, there must be a bit of a feeling that it's a glorified training routine or behind closed doors friendly.  They can hear the manager and coaching staff bellowing on the touchline, but there's no atmosphere from the crowd to tap in to.

[eamonn]

I can't be arsed to check the statistics but I don't feel like there were an exorbitant number of goals from the end of lockdown to the finish of last season? It is just this season, isn't it? Which would suggest statistical anomaly or other factor rather than being able to say for certain that it is because there are no crowds.

Maybe it took them a novelty few weeks before becoming emboldened to attack at will.

[nigel]

I think this shows how far we’ve come when players like King and Benrahma wouldn’t be guaranteed starting places in the team. The Villa revolution is underway ladies and gents. Let’s enjoy the ride.

Indeed, the play-off defeat to Fulham may turn out to be one of our best results.

When we were walking out of Wembley after the game my lad was upset, I said to him ‘Losing that game will be a blessing in disguise’

[sickbeggar]

I think the lack of crowds has played a part. Who its benefited i couldn't tell you. Maybe introverts have benefited, or young players? I know a groan from 30 thousand if you lost the ball obviously had some effect normally.

[Brazilian Villain]

I can't be arsed to check the statistics but I don't feel like there were an exorbitant number of goals from the end of lockdown to the finish of last season? It is just this season, isn't it? Which would suggest statistical anomaly or other factor rather than being able to say for certain that it is because there are no crowds.

I was thinking the same thing today. When the games restarted in June I seem to recall the BBC Live text complaining about the lack of goals.

Listening to a podcast earlier one of the pundits ascribed it to the shortened pre-season and condensed schedule thus far meaning players haven't been doing their defensive drills in training to the same extent. Seemed plausible seeing some of the 'big guns' have had even shorter pre-seasons.

[WilliamStanding]

It’s got nothing to do with drills, it’s purely psychological, the ambience is training ground, some players are excelling at not having any exterior influences.

It’s not rocket science.

With regards the games post lockdown end of season-a large proportion of games had much riding on it and hence close games - start of 2020-21 no risk games = goals galore.

[SoccerHQ]

I think the lack of crowds has played a part. Who its benefited i couldn't tell you. Maybe introverts have benefited, or young players? I know a groan from 30 thousand if you lost the ball obviously had some effect normally.

We're less nervous.

Imagine 40k in for the Arsenal game end of last season. In the end we held out reasonably comfortably. Would've been a tension shredder with everyone nervous from second half onwards.

Even first half of the Liverpool game them getting it back to 2-1 and I'm not sure we'd have just poured forward and got goals 3 and 4 infront of fans. But less external pressure and you can play more freely.

[eamonn]

So what are we saying...that the Villa fans, the one constant of the club, are not really required by the team to encourage and cheer them on anymore ?

Imagine no crowds for two years during which time Ollie becomes a superstar and is sold to Man Citeh. On his last day he thanks us for our virtual support...

[pauliewalnuts]

I always knew deep down it would turn out to be our fault.

[robleflaneur]

Fewer fans must help the forwards to be more relaxed in front of goal.However,what would have been the VP atmosphere been like at 2-0 ? Just as possible that we might have increased our lead with the noise levels threatening to destabilise even further Adrian,Gomez and Alexander-Arnold who were having shockers.
The VP atmosphere in the Benteke inspired demolition of Sunderland was  electric,this could have been a notch or two higher.Would Liverpool have lost their composure earlier ?

[ChicagoLion]

I think teams that had longer seasons maybe being impacted more and are less prepared physically.

[algy]

I think teams that had longer seasons maybe being impacted more and are less prepared physically.

This seems the most likely thing to me. I'd be inclined to say that fatigue seems more plausible than lack of crowds.

[john e]

I think the no crowds probably saved us a hefty fine as I think there would have been another pitch invasion after that demolition job

we are the Kings if the pitch invasion and I don’t think fans would have been able to control themselves after thrashing the reigning league champions and putting 7 past them

[sid1964]

I think no crowds is making it easier for referees- if there would have been 70,000 at Utd on Sunday, there is no way the ref would have sent off that Utd player