Arsenal 3 Villa 1 post match thread

[paul_e]

Let's not be silly about Smith's position. Life as a manager is obviously impossible, and anyone who looks halfway like they know what they're doing at the top of the game - from Deano to Rafa to Tuchel - is obviously not a moron.

That said, this formation is done now. Good in certain situations, but three defeats in a row against direct rivals doesn't lie.

I think the fact he blamed the players and said the formation is fine is worrying though, I was pissed but still thinking "lets see in december" when the game ended, his interview pissed me off. All he needed to say was that he got the tactics wrong in the first half to show he saw what went wrong.

[TonyD]

Let's not be silly about Smith's position. Life as a manager is obviously impossible, and anyone who looks halfway like they know what they're doing at the top of the game - from Deano to Rafa to Tuchel - is obviously not a moron.

That said, this formation is done now. Good in certain situations, but three defeats in a row against direct rivals doesn't lie.

He should not have started with his formation.  Might not have made his  life impossible. 

[charlatan]

Martinez 6.5
Targett 4.5
Tuanzebe 5
Konsa 5
Mings 5.5
Cash 5
Luiz 6
McGinn 5
Targett 4.5
Buendia 5.5
Ings 6
Watkins 5.5

Subs
Bailey 7
Ramsey 7

So desperate to scapegoat Targett you've listed him twice! 😄

It isn't healthy the way you get an obsession with certain players.

Could be worse. At least he got the same mark.

[Richard]

 Luckily was out tonight. 9 games in. Only Norwich have lost more than our 5. We have conceded 3 goals in 4 of those games. I thank Dean for 3 years of getting us to where we are but we are stagnating now. I'd like to see if the owners really are ambitious enough to entice a big name manager to VP. If Everton can get the likes of Ancelotti and Benitez I don't see why we can't.

[Toronto Villa]

Let's not be silly about Smith's position. Life as a manager is obviously impossible, and anyone who looks halfway like they know what they're doing at the top of the game - from Deano to Rafa to Tuchel - is obviously not a moron.

That said, this formation is done now. Good in certain situations, but three defeats in a row against direct rivals doesn't lie.

I think the fact he blamed the players and said the formation is fine is worrying though, I was pissed but still thinking "lets see in december" when the game ended, his interview pissed me off. All he needed to say was that he got the tactics wrong in the first half to show he saw what went wrong.

He never, ever looks in the mirror. He is very quick to shift responsibility to the players. Not the first time he’s done it. Even if he said that we have to look at everything it turn this around it would be better than as usual “it ain’t me it’s them”

[Des Little]

Just home. Garbage. I do hope that’s the last we see of five at the back, however judging by Dean’s comments I have a bad feeling it won’t be. Modern football is awash with statistics and tonight’s first v second half numbers should tell him all he needs to know. Let’s hope he takes it on board.

Massive game next Sunday.

[VinnieChase84]

Luckily was out tonight. 9 games in. Only Norwich have lost more than our 5. We have conceded 3 goals in 4 of those games. I thank Dean for 3 years of getting us to where we are but we are stagnating now. I'd like to see if the owners really are ambitious enough to entice a big name manager to VP. If Everton can get the likes of Ancelotti and Benitez I don't see why we can't.

Where I am at also

[Small Rodent]

I think the players played to bury 3-5-2 once and for all. It was clear most of them weren’t happy.

Nice thought, but why not then just adjust the formation on the pitch and give the finger to the manager? It was doable.

Players, no matter what they earn, have been taught from their youth to be pliant servants to the ‘gaffer’.

[CT Villan]

Only saw the first half and that was enough...shockingly bad.

Though they were all crap, special mention for Mings, Watkins and McGinn. They were especially proficient in lowering the bar. The minute Mings sliced a simple clearance early on I knew this would be more like the Wolves debacle than previous victories at the Emirates.

[robbo1874]

Arsenal were quicker, sharper and forced us into making mistakes with our passing. Only saw it from 1-0 with about 10 mins to go til half time. Thought the penalty was harsh even after a couple replays, but when I saw it again at the end I thought it was probably a penalty. Deano had a point when he said the ref should’ve blown straight after, but could you really see that happening at a full Emirates?

[David_Nab]

It's not tactic's but yet he changed them at half time ...

If tactics don't matter why do the staff have a flip book of tactics then talk to subs about before they come on ..

No it's not tactics because that would mean Smith taking ownership of that fh shit show instead he threw the players under the bus ...

[Nev]

I'm glad it wasn't me then. I went to bed fuming after the 3rd, I'd had a few so woke up thinking I'd over reacted but I didn't, it was that bad.

I hate to say it but Smith looks like he's slowly sacking himself here, I don't want him to go but unless he turns it 'round over the next couple of games he'll be under tremendous pressure.
I can see defeat on Halloween and a huge Bonfire Night match at Southampton that may decide his future.

[nick harper]

I thought Mings was a bit lucky that Lacazette didn't make more out of that elbow early on too, gave him a nice clip.

Not in the slightest, Mings had his arms up before Lacazette got off the ground, the little twat jumped into his arm and then threw himself over like he'd been snipered. Bought the penalty as well, the one thing I agree with Smith on from the post match was that the penalty was soft and the whistle should've gone as soon as it was saved (given it was awarded after the ref had blown for halftime). going in 1-0 down would've massively flattered us but it was a very cheap goal.

I thought we kicked off again after the second goal and then he blew for half time.

[Bad English]

Smith even managed to get the Tarquins singing in the library with that shambles.

[Big Ming]

Didn't bother with the second half.

Hear we were better but then, it would have been impossible to be worse.

If he can't set up at least a competent side with the riches at his disposal he should move over for someone who can.