Barcodes-1 Aston Villa -1 Post Match Thread

[Allan C]

We should have bought another forward in January. When Watkins is struggling we have nothing else in reserve, and for 75% of the time El Ghazi, Traore and Trezeguet are utter shite.

No point in getting in a decent backup striker if Smith won't rotate his squad. Watkins has played every minute this season, it's obscene really.

Maybe the lack of rotation is due to Dean not been too keen on the options. I'm pretty sure if our options were of a much higher quality we would see plenty of rotation.

Yes I totally agree with this. A prime example is Watkins who clearly needs a rest

[Allan C]

I wonder how it affects team morale to have these undroppable, unsubable players like McGinn when the likes of Trez, AEG and Traore (bad as they sometimes are) go in knowing there's a fair chance that they'll be hooked.

Not a dig at DS, who is the right man for the job, just an idle thought.

I imagine there's huge respect in dressing room for likes of McGinn so don't think it would be personal issue. All managers have their favourites but yeah the world wouldn't end if McGinn was on the bench for a game or two whether that's in October or March.

Interesting seeing West Ham have had Bowen on bench for last couple of games. Generally done well for them but get the feeling if we'd signed him in last year he's another we'd have been playing every single minute of every game. Smart move by Moyes to keep him fresh just in case Antonio's hamstring goes again in the run in.

Tonight was ideal game for targetman striker to hold it up a bit better. We really struggle getting up the pitch when Jack isn't around so we simply need a decent one at least as a squad option next season.

Whilst I agree with you on this, who would you replace McGinn with???

[Allan C]

Coutinho from Barca and Ings from Southampton in the summer please. Both very much available and within budget would give us the options we need. At times this season (last night included) we’ve lacked creativity and an alternative to Ollie.

I don't think we'd be after somebody like Ings as good as he can be. He's 29 in the summer, and for what Southampton would want for him there has to be better value elsewhere.

That’s the gamble though, Ings may well make the difference for two seasons and see us progressing into top four positions. Would that be worth the money long term?? He may not but then a “better value” player from Brentford etc may not be either

[N'ZMAV]

This isn't a dig - what is Ramsey good at? what's the main part of his game? I don't watch the u23's etc

[Sexual Ealing]

This isn't a dig - what is Ramsey good at? what's the main part of his game? I don't watch the u23's etc

I haven't seen much from him. That could be me being thick, but he seems miles away to me.

[Sexual Ealing]

I agree we are crying out for full on wingers who get the ball and their first thought is to destroy his marker. It's an area where I think they will be looking to improve on in the summer.

Yes but I think the problem is that these days they are all told to cut in rather head for the line or goal. This slows down everything and defender can face the ball coming in  instead of facing the goal. I am sure this tactic is tried because it worked to a point but there is nothing like totally destroying a defence than full on runs from forwards.

I was just going to post something similar.

I noticed on several occasions McGinn and Traore almost bumping into each other with their desire to get it back onto their left foot and when both "wingers" (they arent really but best word i can find) cut in it makes the defences job a doddle.

The full back know whats coming so arent looking to defend wide and the centre halfs know itll just get congested and easier.

As a "radical" idea why not play Tarore on the left and make him use his left to be more destructive. I think he might run at them a little more if its always on his best side. If nothing else defenders will have 2 things to worry about.

Although ive no idea who to play down the RH side....

and some of the goals weve scored this year is when weve got to the byline and cut it back into the middle

See also our wingers, when in dangerous situations, laying it off to the fullback to then put in an unlikely cross for a comparatively diminutive Watkins to challenge a couple of brick shithouse centre halves for when a shot at goal was an option. Drives me mad.

[Neil Hawkes]

With Matty Cash in the team, that last cross does not even get made, he would have closed the man down. Also Traore will also improve with Matty Cash back, Elmo does not have the legs anymore.
When (if ever), Wes is back, I would hope to see a front three of Ollie, Wes & Jack.
Traore will be an impact sub if the front three above are not working out.
AEG & Trez will probably be upgraded in the Summer, hopefully as a priority.
Sanson will be good when he is up to speed, he is not that far off the pace now.
When Sanson is playing better, then McGinn will improve instead of providing cover everywhere, which is impacting his game.
Dougie is off the boil, hopefully will return to form soon.
Defence is sorted, provided all fit, need cover for all the back four.
All above based on the last few games & especially last night.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Having slept on it, I can only compare last night to when the pubs will finally reopen and that much awaited hand pulled pint of nectar pours down your throat and you realise it's from the slops bucket.

[The Edge]

With Matty Cash in the team, that last cross does not even get made, he would have closed the man down. Also Traore will also improve with Matty Cash back, Elmo does not have the legs anymore.
When (if ever), Wes is back, I would hope to see a front three of Ollie, Wes & Jack.
Traore will be an impact sub if the front three above are not working out.
AEG & Trez will probably be upgraded in the Summer, hopefully as a priority.
Sanson will be good when he is up to speed, he is not that far off the pace now.
When Sanson is playing better, then McGinn will improve instead of providing cover everywhere, which is impacting his game.
Dougie is off the boil, hopefully will return to form soon.
Defence is sorted, provided all fit, need cover for all the back four.
All above based on the last few games & especially last night.

That's a good assessment and pretty much how I see things. We weren't utter garbage or utter shite or any of those things that were bandied around last night. We weren't great but any away point is hard earned in the Premier league. We're missing a couple of our top players and it's affecting us badly but things will improve. There's areas where obvious improvement is needed and I'm confident they will be sorted.  We have so much to thank the owners for and as fans we need to hold our nerve, enjoy the ride and look forward to the future with a great deal of optimism. Rome wasn't built in a day.

[ROBBO]

Throughout the season we have played well against the better teams and fell over against the bottom sides. This hasn't happed over the last few games its happened all year. We do seem to lose desire against weaker teams, whether its them packing their defence and our inabiblity to break them down not sure. Against Newcastle, for the first fifteen minutes we dominated without creating scoring chances, they got more confident as the game progessed seeing we were just as poor as themselves. The momentum has definately gone, the players look tired and not playing with any confidence.

[Allan C]

This isn't a dig - what is Ramsey good at? what's the main part of his game? I don't watch the u23's etc

I haven't seen much from him. That could be me being thick, but he seems miles away to me.

He’s only in there because of injuries and loss of form of others. His introduction was going well coming on from the bench. He’ll be fine next season

[Hookeysmith]

Its not just us that blows hot and cold. Everton are being just as inconsistent after a great start. Southampton were on top of the league at one point and liverpool have gone to pieces.

We experienced mass recruitment our first year here, that nearly caught us out, but 2 years on  now we have the nucleus of a pretty decent top half premiership team. It is this close season where the recruitment team will really earn thier money getting better players in to the first team.

Instead of 100 million on 6/7 players we need that type of spend on 3.

I hope Barclay is not one of them but it is that sort of pedigree that is needed

[olaftab]

Didn't realise Barkley had signed for Newcastle, though admittedly he was pretty poor for them too.

<<like>>

[Ian.]

Didn't realise Barkley had signed for Newcastle, though admittedly he was pretty poor for them too.

<<like>>

That’s so naughty, I nearly spat my coffee out!

[steamer]

Its not just us that blows hot and cold. Everton are being just as inconsistent after a great start. Southampton were on top of the league at one point and liverpool have gone to pieces.

We experienced mass recruitment our first year here, that nearly caught us out, but 2 years on  now we have the nucleus of a pretty decent top half premiership team. It is this close season where the recruitment team will really earn thier money getting better players in to the first team.

Instead of 100 million on 6/7 players we need that type of spend on 3.

I hope Barclay is not one of them but it is that sort of pedigree that is needed

spot on