Matty Cash - signed

[supertom]

I think in Gerrard's system he doesn't get caught out of position, he's supposed to be there.

This is it. But we're missing Nakamba who can cover (or cover at the back if Konsa steps out). Douglas right now is the issue, because he's covering a position he's never really been comfortable with and doesn't have the engine for.

[robleflaneur]

Best full back by a distance last night.Not bad with Yanited fielding a Portugese international ,Dalotand an England regular,Shaw, and a £45m ,Wan Bissaka ,on the bench.

[paul_e]

I think in Gerrard's system he doesn't get caught out of position, he's supposed to be there.

This is it. But we're missing Nakamba who can cover (or cover at the back if Konsa steps out). Douglas right now is the issue, because he's covering a position he's never really been comfortable with and doesn't have the engine for.

No, Luiz isn't supposed to cover Cash, McGinn is. The central one of the 3 is more about them holding their position and covering the centre of the pitch so the centre backs can cover the wide runs without leaving us short of numbers.

[supertom]

I think in Gerrard's system he doesn't get caught out of position, he's supposed to be there.

This is it. But we're missing Nakamba who can cover (or cover at the back if Konsa steps out). Douglas right now is the issue, because he's covering a position he's never really been comfortable with and doesn't have the engine for.

No, Luiz isn't supposed to cover Cash, McGinn is. The central one of the 3 is more about them holding their position and covering the centre of the pitch so the centre backs can cover the wide runs without leaving us short of numbers.

This is what Doug isn't really doing though. But it's not his forte. I think this was a position which was an oversight during our summer window, whilst our focus was too much on replacing what's his name.
In terms of McGinn, obviously one issue many are mentioning is the midfielder giving the ball away too easily. McGinn included, so once he does that in an advanced position, he's not going to be covering Cash either.

[paul_e]

I think in Gerrard's system he doesn't get caught out of position, he's supposed to be there.

This is it. But we're missing Nakamba who can cover (or cover at the back if Konsa steps out). Douglas right now is the issue, because he's covering a position he's never really been comfortable with and doesn't have the engine for.

No, Luiz isn't supposed to cover Cash, McGinn is. The central one of the 3 is more about them holding their position and covering the centre of the pitch so the centre backs can cover the wide runs without leaving us short of numbers.

This is what Doug isn't really doing though. But it's not his forte. I think this was a position which was an oversight during our summer window, whilst our focus was too much on replacing what's his name.
In terms of McGinn, obviously one issue many are mentioning is the midfielder giving the ball away too easily. McGinn included, so once he does that in an advanced position, he's not going to be covering Cash either.

Obviously we'll have to see but Luiz has played really well when given a bit more positional freedom, once you get him to occupy space I think he loses a bit of interest and drifts in and out of the game. As I've said a few times now I want to see him next to op drawer DM because I think he'll prove to be the best of the 4 '8s' in the squad once he feels he has the freedom to express himself.

[Keeno]

I think in Gerrard's system he doesn't get caught out of position, he's supposed to be there.

This is it. But we're missing Nakamba who can cover (or cover at the back if Konsa steps out). Douglas right now is the issue, because he's covering a position he's never really been comfortable with and doesn't have the engine for.

No, Luiz isn't supposed to cover Cash, McGinn is. The central one of the 3 is more about them holding their position and covering the centre of the pitch so the centre backs can cover the wide runs without leaving us short of numbers.

This is what Doug isn't really doing though. But it's not his forte. I think this was a position which was an oversight during our summer window, whilst our focus was too much on replacing what's his name.
In terms of McGinn, obviously one issue many are mentioning is the midfielder giving the ball away too easily. McGinn included, so once he does that in an advanced position, he's not going to be covering Cash either.

Obviously we'll have to see but Luiz has played really well when given a bit more positional freedom, once you get him to occupy space I think he loses a bit of interest and drifts in and out of the game. As I've said a few times now I want to see him next to op drawer DM because I think he'll prove to be the best of the 4 '8s' in the squad once he feels he has the freedom to express himself.

Concur with this. Luiz in the number 8 I would love to see. He's a wonderfully talented passer but where he currently players necessitates him being very risk-averse in how he plays. Think there's a Thiago-type passer in there that we'd unlock if we gave him a little more freedom in front of a true 'destroyer' DM.

[ozzjim]

Agreed on Luiz further forward with insurance behind him. Playing him at 6 stifles the good things about him.

[West Derby Villan]

He's bloody brilliant. Committed, gets up and down, plays clever passes and gets in good positions. He's the most committed tackler we have to boot. I like him a lot. And, more importantly, so does my lad.

Yeah Drummond, couldn’t agree more, his energy levels are incredible

[ozzjim]

I think we all love Cash for his energy and enthusiasm, but he needs competition and resting at times. He started last season and this brilliantly and tailed off, and has started to drop off a bit this season. His biggest weakness is his final ball though, which is massively important under Gerrard. He's going to have to improve that to stay in the side longer term.

A good holding player in the middle stops McGinn getting pulled out of position quite so much and would help solidify the left and right side.

[mrfuse]

I think we all love Cash for his energy and enthusiasm, but he needs competition and resting at times. He started last season and this brilliantly and tailed off, and has started to drop off a bit this season. His biggest weakness is his final ball though, which is massively important under Gerrard. He's going to have to improve that to stay in the side longer term.

A good holding player in the middle stops McGinn getting pulled out of position quite so much and would help solidify the left and right side.

Its strange that his weakness is the final ball being that he was originally a winger, but I completely agree.

I'm not sure we have the balance quite right but its looking promising. Those balls from Cash don't need to particularly pick out a player but need to be flashed into those dangerous areas where the keeper cant come out and defenders have difficulty not conceding.

Perhaps if and when we sign Digne along with him linking up Coutinho Cash may have more space to work in.

[paul_e]

I think we all love Cash for his energy and enthusiasm, but he needs competition and resting at times. He started last season and this brilliantly and tailed off, and has started to drop off a bit this season. His biggest weakness is his final ball though, which is massively important under Gerrard. He's going to have to improve that to stay in the side longer term.

A good holding player in the middle stops McGinn getting pulled out of position quite so much and would help solidify the left and right side.

Its strange that his weakness is the final ball being that he was originally a winger, but I completely agree.

I'm not sure we have the balance quite right but its looking promising. Those balls from Cash don't need to particularly pick out a player but need to be flashed into those dangerous areas where the keeper cant come out and defenders have difficulty not conceding.

Perhaps if and when we sign Digne along with him linking up Coutinho Cash may have more space to work in.

It depends where you're crossing from and the 'state' of play at the time. Flashed crosses like you suggest are a fantastic weapon against a retreating defence and hit from 20-30 yards from goal. They favour strikers because all anyone can do is throw a foot/head at it and hope, you see plenty of either own goals or defenders bottling playing the ball because they're worried about the OG. Once you get level with the box and/or the defenders are facing away from goal you need to start trying to pick players or at least 'zones', throw it in the mixer style crosses just don't work against premier league defences that are set and, sadly, that's the sort of balls Targett and Cash have been putting in for the last 4-5 games.

[ROBBO]

Never understood why proffessional footballers have difficulty crossing the ball, if it is a weakness then focus on it in training, they have that many coaches now surely there is one who could help him with his technique.

[Nii Lamptey]

Never understood why proffessional footballers have difficulty crossing the ball, if it is a weakness then focus on it in training, they have that many coaches now surely there is one who could help him with his technique.

Agreed. Serious question, has a single Cash cross found a Villa head or foot in the box this season? I can't recall a single one. He needs to have Elmo coaching him - That guy pinged in some beauties during his time with us.

[Hookeysmith]

Only one stands out. The one for Archers header against Chelsea in the cup

[Risso]

Only one stands out. The one for Archers header against Chelsea in the cup

Was it Cash who crossed when Targett should have scored, sliding in at Old Trafford?