Villa Arsenal Post Match

[itmustbe_it is!]

Just watched last nights MOTD and Steven Warnock's analysis was very good - Buendia and Coutinho playing too close together and no-one making runs in behind, forcing the interminable "pass it around the back 4 again"

[Ads]

The narrow 10s were doing my nut. But I'll chalk up yesterday to the fact we are peak midtable.

Watkins, McGinn and Luiz are at their level and all 3 require upgrade in the summer if we're going to kick on. They can be excellent, they can be woeful. We need consistency in that midfield and up front.

Ramsey lacks it owing to age and I think a bit of fatigue at the moment. But that midfield is infuriating at times.

[john2710]

We made life very easy for them, especially in the first half. Watkins, Buendia & Coutinho have no pace, allowing Arsenal defenders to push up to the halfway line. This condensed the game & left no room to get out from the back. Once Bailey came on Arsenal dropped 10 yards leaving us room to play & things improved a bit.

Anyway, did anyone stay for the trophy presentation to Arsenal?

[dicedlam]

We have a major problem with Watkins as he just cannot hold the ball up, so the midfield never commit forward as they know the ball will be coming back very soon!

This is a very good point. Watkins offers nothing.

Watkins is horribly off form but we can't really drop him as the only replacement would be Ings.

Would much prefer to give Ings a run of games in the same formation than Watkins. Ings is a much more intelligent player and makes runs where he can be picked out. Watkins offers nothing other than chasing down defenders when we are out of possession.

We need better if we are to retain the services of PC. I doubt he will hang around a club whose goal threat is less than 20 goals a season between them.
 

[Clampy]

A quick mention for the ref yesterday. He was bloody awful. Booked Mings for winning the ball and got worse as the game went on.

[Pete3206]

Didn't lay a glove on them in 90 minutes. Atrocious performance.

[Chris Smith]

I said over a pre-matchpint that I didn’t expect much from the game, it seems the players felt the same. We hardly layer a glove on them until the last 15 minutes. I like Watkins but he was poor again yesterday, my 6 year old grandson has got a better first touch. His failure to hold the ball up completely undermined the game plan. Arsenal are a much improved side but I can’t help thinking we made them look a better than they are.

[McGraths Dry Cleaning]

My oldest couldn't come as he was playing his own match so took one of his younger brothers for his first game. He's not into football but enjoyed it much more than he thought he would. He told his brother 'I didn't hate it'. One of our poorest performances this season.

[WarszaVillan]

I said over a pre-matchpint that I didn’t expect much from the game, it seems the players felt the same. We hardly layer a glove on them until the last 15 minutes. I like Watkins but he was poor again yesterday, my 6 year old grandson has got a better first touch. His failure to hold the ball up completely undermined the game plan. Arsenal are a much improved side but I can’t help thinking we made them look a better than they are.

Ive always liked Watkins but i'm tiring of these type of performances. If he can't consistently control the ball and bring others into play, as a main striker should, then he should be replaced.

[Beard82]

This team of players is under performing to their abilities

On what evidence?

I think the squad is strong if unbalanced.  If most of the core players were to leave it would be to clubs that finish above or around us I would think. 

The defence has been very good for long periods.  We have two proven goal scorers who have played for England. 

Midfield is too similar but all good players - and we have the likes of Troare and Bailey who have done well in top leagues

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I said over a pre-matchpint that I didn’t expect much from the game, it seems the players felt the same. We hardly layer a glove on them until the last 15 minutes. I like Watkins but he was poor again yesterday, my 6 year old grandson has got a better first touch. His failure to hold the ball up completely undermined the game plan. Arsenal are a much improved side but I can’t help thinking we made them look a better than they are.

Ive always liked Watkins but i'm tiring of these type of performances. If he can't consistently control the ball and bring others into play, as a main striker should, then he should be replaced.

I looked up at the clock yesterday when Ollie made his first positive contribution.
67 minutes.
FFS!

[AlexAlexCropley]

Watching the goal again the lack of closing down on Saka was shocking.McGinn especially.Also aided by I think by Luiz turning his body out of the way of the shot.

[Clampy]

Watching the goal again the lack of closing down on Saka was shocking.McGinn especially.Also aided by I think by Luiz turning his body out of the way of the shot.

I think Ramsey made an half arsed attempt to clear it too but all in all, it was shocking defending.

[nick harper]

Villa Park is still a nice place to come for away teams and fans. 5 wins in 14 home games tells the ongoing story since we came back up. Arsenal won't have had a more comfortable away game all season.

The lack of intensity and aggressive closing down was infuriating given Arsenal are renowned for losing their composure under pressure.

[Drummond]

An opposition ex player was on the radio yesterday saying that Villa Park was one of the top grounds, pitches, fanbase and atmospheres going. He said that it made players get up for the game and want to do well. I still think that's the case, and we suffer for it.