Aston Villa vs Kit Stealers pre-match thread - Sunday, Oct 31st - 4.30pm

[Legion]

0-2

[levico]

Signs are that the rot is setting in quickly. Doubt if the players are entering into this match with any real optimism let alone us fans.

Braced for a miserable, cold wet evening with an easy win for West Ham.

It’s going to take a while to turn things around.

[wince]

Probably end up with the win won’t we? Tough game but the porn barons are looking to get out if the papers are to be believed. 1-2 prediction

[mrfuse]

It will be a tough game but I want to approach it the way we were a few months ago with confidence.

If we play the formation that suits the players and the team it at least will give us a chance. If we lose playing that then that's fair enough.

If we play the same players and formation that we did against arsenal then I don't have any sympathy for Dean Smith and we will already be at a disadvantage before the game starts.

[Skerra]

Illness for Sanson… yea I believe that Dean!!

[Clampy]

He did say JPB was ill too though.

[Monty]

Why wouldn't Bailey be starting?

[Risso]

Why wouldn't Bailey be starting?

He said they were having to wrap him up in cotton wool and that he was blowing after 45 minutes against Arsenal. Didn't sound like somebody who was going to start, but who knows. I'd rather take the game to them from the start and then take him off after an hour if necessary.

[VinnieChase84]

Why wouldn't Bailey be starting?

He said they were having to wrap him up in cotton wool and that he was blowing after 45 minutes against Arsenal. Didn't sound like somebody who was going to start, but who knows. I'd rather take the game to them from the start and then take him off after an hour if necessary.

THIS. If hes fit enough to play at all then were better starting him and trying to control/get in front of the game. All this smith waiting to change things/subs until games gone cant continue

[VinnieChase84]

We win 2-1. Injury time winner, after we go behind in the game (Watford home win/Konsa vibes)

[brontebilly]

Why wouldn't Bailey be starting?

He said they were having to wrap him up in cotton wool and that he was blowing after 45 minutes against Arsenal. Didn't sound like somebody who was going to start, but who knows. I'd rather take the game to them from the start and then take him off after an hour if necessary.

To be fair he didn't look fully fit v Arsenal but Bailey simply has to start. If Smith hadn't overused 5 at the back I actually wouldn't have been totally against Hause coming in for this one...to match West Ham physically. But after the Arsenal debacle, he simply has to switch back and get more ball players on. A midfield three is an absolute must.

-----------Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett
Ramsey, Luiz, McGinn
Traore/Buendia, Watkins, Bailey

[Footy-Vill]

1-0 villa
            Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Hause
 Buendia  Luiz, McGinn Bailey
        Ings, Watkins

[LeonW]

The performance is almost as important as the result IMO. If the players don’t put up a fight after the wolves debacle and Arsenal, then something is wrong. I’d also quite like to see a return to the good football Smith has served up before. Traore and Bailey out wide in a 4-3-3 please Deano. And if it’s a choice of either Watkins or Ings, it’s Ings for me. Watkins may offer more in his work rate (which may still be debatable, don’t know the data) but in front of goal with a chance to take there's only one winner.

In a 4-3-3 Watkins is so pivotal to make it work. Ings doesn't work the line or provide the outlet to bring others into the game in the same way.

Ings definitely doesn’t harass or offer an outlet as much as Watkins. But if Bailey offers that instead, i’d go with Ings because I think Ings’ link up play (particularly in small spaces) is better than Watkins and his finishing is more reliable. 

[VinnieChase84]

1-0 villa
            Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Hause
 Buendia  Luiz, McGinn Bailey
        Ings, Watkins

That two man midfield would be a disaster against Benrahma, Soucek and Rice

Has to be 3 in midfield and 2 widemen/forwards with one central striker

[achilles]

1-0 villa
            Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Hause
 Buendia  Luiz, McGinn Bailey
        Ings, Watkins

That two man midfield would be a disaster against Benrahma, Soucek and Rice

Has to be 3 in midfield and 2 widemen/forwards with one central striker

Agree, have to drop a striker.

Doesn't make a difference though as West Ham win easily, they have won 3 and drawn 1 of their last 4 away games, too good for us whatever system we deploy!