Aston Villa v. Newcastle United Pre-Match thread

[Villafirst]

There certainly seems to be a growing anxiety among certain fans that things aren’t going to plan. 
I can certainly see it - we finished 11th and the first team looks weaker - although a bit more depth in the squad.  Plus the assistant managers leaving. 
For me the issue is there is all this talk of us becoming an elite club has set a lot of people’s expectations very high - and a year of no progress risks us losing other key players - is this one of those other times in our recent history where we have reached our ceiling.
It worries me that Dean will end up paying for this with his job - and maybe some other people. 
We have clearly come a bit unstuck - I don’t think we were expecting Joe to go - and we’re building around him and I think they are not sure how to do a plan b - bring in too many players and risk time gelling.  I think also they have found it more difficult to secure targets than expected.
I think we’ll still bring in 1 more player - but not sure if it will be one that blows peoples socks off.
Maybe the board are seeing this year as another of stability while they reassess now plan a is gone

It'd be useful if the players could stay fit! Such a poor pre-season for preparation.

[sickbeggar]

If Bailey is out as well...…….well we're just not having much luck currently 

[mj]

We should have too much for them. Season gets started here 2-0, Bailey to be brilliant.

Edit: Bailey out?? What on earth do we do to our players at BH? Buendia to be brilliant in his place.

Please.

[Mister E]

So erm.. What is the formation without Bailey, Bertie and Ollie then?

Bidace and Buendia supporting Ings; Ramsey-Luiz-McGinn behind them.

As VillaFirst says above, the pre-season has been a nightmare both because of players coming back at different times and the poor friendlies outcomes.

[ChicagoLion]

I think the Grealish saga did not help. The camp should have been focused on Watford instead of the circus that surrounded the twat leaving.


 

[itbrvilla]

There certainly seems to be a growing anxiety among certain fans that things aren’t going to plan. 
I can certainly see it - we finished 11th and the first team looks weaker - although a bit more depth in the squad.  Plus the assistant managers leaving. 
For me the issue is there is all this talk of us becoming an elite club has set a lot of people’s expectations very high - and a year of no progress risks us losing other key players - is this one of those other times in our recent history where we have reached our ceiling.
It worries me that Dean will end up paying for this with his job - and maybe some other people. 
We have clearly come a bit unstuck - I don’t think we were expecting Joe to go - and we’re building around him and I think they are not sure how to do a plan b - bring in too many players and risk time gelling.  I think also they have found it more difficult to secure targets than expected.
I think we’ll still bring in 1 more player - but not sure if it will be one that blows peoples socks off.
Maybe the board are seeing this year as another of stability while they reassess now plan a is gone

Nice summary. I bet the target before this was 7 and above for this season. I can't see that happening.

[Villan82]

If Joe had sorted his move earlier we would be in better shape now.

[Footy-Vill]

There certainly seems to be a growing anxiety among certain fans that things aren’t going to plan. 
I can certainly see it - we finished 11th and the first team looks weaker - although a bit more depth in the squad.  Plus the assistant managers leaving. 
For me the issue is there is all this talk of us becoming an elite club has set a lot of people’s expectations very high - and a year of no progress risks us losing other key players - is this one of those other times in our recent history where we have reached our ceiling.
It worries me that Dean will end up paying for this with his job - and maybe some other people. 
We have clearly come a bit unstuck - I don’t think we were expecting Joe to go - and we’re building around him and I think they are not sure how to do a plan b - bring in too many players and risk time gelling.  I think also they have found it more difficult to secure targets than expected.
I think we’ll still bring in 1 more player - but not sure if it will be one that blows peoples socks off.
Maybe the board are seeing this year as another of stability while they reassess now plan a is gone

Spot on
It's been a lot of spin by Purslow along.
No way would we be selling Grealish if our ambitions are so high
And having one of own at the helm Dean Smith to appease us all.
What was the exact plan outside of those Grealish replacements in this window ?
Unfortunately I can see if things went wrong by November Lampard will be in

The talk of we're 18 months behind were Grealish wanted

I think Dean is the right man but now we need more time to integrate this team

[sickbeggar]

Lampard? heh

[ozzjim]

Let's hope the new assistant can help Dean to find a formula without voldemort.

[Drummond]

I think the Grealish saga did not help. The camp should have been focused on Watford instead of the circus that surrounded the twat leaving.

Thanks Dean. Now get it sorted for a win tomorrow please.

[Richard E]

So erm.. What is the formation without Bailey, Bertie and Ollie then?

Emi in goal and then ten of us off here selected at random.

[chrisw1]

If Jack had sorted his move earlier we would be in better shape now.

The club knew he was probably going for a few weeks before he moved.  This isn't down to Grealish, it's down a poor pre-season (bad luck with some injuries and games being called off) and probably missing out on some targets.  As good a player as he is, Ings was clearly a rushed panic buy to appease fans because Jack was moving.

We've known that we were going to have another £100m to play with for a good while now.  We just haven''t played with it.

[Drummond]

So erm.. What is the formation without Bailey, Bertie and Ollie then?

Emi in goal and then ten of us off here selected at random.

I can pass. I'm just not very mobile.

[ChicagoLion]

I think the Grealish saga did not help. The camp should have been focused on Watford instead of the circus that surrounded the twat leaving.

Thanks Dean. Now get it sorted for a win tomorrow please.

Cheers Torvill.