Gerrard In or Out?

[Clark W Griswold]

It was the Konsa from his first season, before lockdown, where I wasn't in the slightest bit convinced and felt he was too lightweight to be effective.

I thought he was pretty good in that first season considering his age and lack of PL experience, a star in the making. At this point though i'm wondering whether i was a bit hasty with my optimism.

[AV82EC]

It was the Konsa from his first season, before lockdown, where I wasn't in the slightest bit convinced and felt he was too lightweight to be effective.

I thought he was pretty good in that first season considering his age and lack of PL experience, a star in the making. At this point though i'm wondering whether i was a bit hasty with my optimism.

On Saturdays showing I think you may have been. He’s out of form currently and I’m struggling to see why he was bought back into the team over Chambers who’d been rock solid in the 3 wins.

[kippaxvilla2]

If I look at Palace for example last Monday night against Arse and compare their in your face attitude from the off to our half arsed floaty let them play nonsense, whos fault is that?  My biggest issue with him is his lack of a plan b and also my biggest concern with him is they aren't giving it their all for him.  How do you explain the complete abject surrender in halves and sometimes whole matches.  I maintain that he is more of a Hoddle 'why aren't this lot as good as me' type Manager - that just doesn't fly these days.  Although it should if the players are anywhere near ambitious.  And maybe that is the other problem.  For far too long now Villa has been a cushy number.

[Clark W Griswold]

Yeah, i said after the Leeds game that Chambers should keep his place even if Konsa is fit again. Chambers has done pretty well in the games he's had so far.

[Risso]

He needs to ditch either Watkins or Ings. Put Buendia back in, and concentrating on creating the ten+ chances that either of our misfiring strikers seem to need to score one goal.

[paul_e]

If I look at Palace for example last Monday night against Arse and compare their in your face attitude from the off to our half arsed floaty let them play nonsense, whos fault is that?  My biggest issue with him is his lack of a plan b and also my biggest concern with him is they aren't giving it their all for him.  How do you explain the complete abject surrender in halves and sometimes whole matches.  I maintain that he is more of a Hoddle 'why aren't this lot as good as me' type Manager - that just doesn't fly these days.  Although it should if the players are anywhere near ambitious.  And maybe that is the other problem.  For far too long now Villa has been a cushy number.

I don't think the bold bit is fair. I've seen no evidence that Gerrard has that attitude. However I do think he's tried to push the players more than they were used to, some (like Ramsey and Cash) have responded well and really pushed on, a few others, who were already in poor form, have just not been able to kick on. I don't think there are any players who are worse now than when he arrived though.

[Clark W Griswold]

He needs to ditch either Watkins or Ings. Put Buendia back in, and concentrating on creating the ten+ chances that either of our misfiring strikers seem to need to score one goal.

I slightly prefer the one behind and 2 up front, especially with Coutinho there as he can be a bit more central, have a free role almost and i think Watkins and Ings, as much as they've not looked a good pairing, are good players that will click eventually. That said, what i'm really hoping is that they'll be competing with each other next season to be first choice with a new expensive star striker. Buendia would be suited to where Coutinho has been playing in that formation if we can't get him permanently but again it would be nice to think that we'll sign an alternative to compete with Buendia for that slot if unable to get Coutinho.

[Neil Hawkes]

The first half was a good performance that the result somewhat overshadowed. Cumulatively we're not doing very well.

Given the thread title, it's not just about Saturday for me but I get your point.

I think I've said before, when trying to argue Smith, or various other managers 'in' that any team can get stuffed, we did it to Liverpool last season. However, right now we're looking like we are shot. I'm sure we won't go down, but 15th doesn't look impossible on current form.

I'd say one of the arguments in favour of Gerrard, is what has happened with Arteta at Arsenal. Disjointed and lacklustre at first and then really coming in to form. He had no experience as a mangmager either.

Well noted with thanks.

[brontebilly]

It was the Konsa from his first season, before lockdown, where I wasn't in the slightest bit convinced and felt he was too lightweight to be effective.

I thought he was pretty good in that first season considering his age and lack of PL experience, a star in the making. At this point though i'm wondering whether i was a bit hasty with my optimism.

On Saturdays showing I think you may have been. He’s out of form currently and I’m struggling to see why he was bought back into the team over Chambers who’d been rock solid in the 3 wins.

Chambers was shite v West Ham hence lost his spot.

[BC Villain]

If I look at Palace for example last Monday night against Arse and compare their in your face attitude from the off to our half arsed floaty let them play nonsense, whos fault is that?  My biggest issue with him is his lack of a plan b and also my biggest concern with him is they aren't giving it their all for him.  How do you explain the complete abject surrender in halves and sometimes whole matches.  I maintain that he is more of a Hoddle 'why aren't this lot as good as me' type Manager - that just doesn't fly these days.  Although it should if the players are anywhere near ambitious.  And maybe that is the other problem.  For far too long now Villa has been a cushy number.

Plus Palace have pretty much got the same team they had under Hodgson.  Vieira has improved that team by coaching and working with the players he's inherited - Gerrard meanwhile is prattling on about spending more money.

[RamboandBruno]

He needs to ditch either Watkins or Ings. Put Buendia back in, and concentrating on creating the ten+ chances that either of our misfiring strikers seem to need to score one goal.

This is one amongst many dilemmas though. Your right in that Ings and Watkins has hardly ever worked, Southampton at home and Leeds away aside. However, as much as i also would like to see Beundia in the side, him being in their seems to negate the influence of Coutinhio, maybe taking up too much of his natural space. I wonder if Coutinhio cutting in off the left and Beundia off the right with one central striker (choose whichever misfiring one you want), would offer something. Mcginn/Sanson and Ramsey could sit in the middle of the park with Nakamba covering the back 4. Clutching at straws no doubt.

[Risso]

Plus Palace have pretty much got the same team they had under Hodgson.  Vieira has improved that team by coaching and working with the players he's inherited - Gerrard meanwhile is prattling on about spending more money.

Apart from the excellent Conor Gallagher on loan from Chelsea and the £60m+ they spent on Olise, Edouard, Guehi and Andersen, yes pretty much exactly the same team as Hodgson.

[Beard82]

He needs to ditch either Watkins or Ings. Put Buendia back in, and concentrating on creating the ten+ chances that either of our misfiring strikers seem to need to score one goal.

This is one amongst many dilemmas though. Your right in that Ings and Watkins has hardly ever worked, Southampton at home and Leeds away aside. However, as much as i also would like to see Beundia in the side, him being in their seems to negate the influence of Coutinhio, maybe taking up too much of his natural space. I wonder if Coutinhio cutting in off the left and Beundia off the right with one central striker (choose whichever misfiring one you want), would offer something. Mcginn/Sanson and Ramsey could sit in the middle of the park with Nakamba covering the back 4. Clutching at straws no doubt.

This is what I would like to see - I think Emi2 played most of his football at Norwich on the right - and I think it would suit him as he would have a little more space, without taking it from Coutinhio.  Think that could also ensure there is space for Ramsey surging forward

[brontebilly]

He needs to ditch either Watkins or Ings. Put Buendia back in, and concentrating on creating the ten+ chances that either of our misfiring strikers seem to need to score one goal.

This is one amongst many dilemmas though. Your right in that Ings and Watkins has hardly ever worked, Southampton at home and Leeds away aside. However, as much as i also would like to see Beundia in the side, him being in their seems to negate the influence of Coutinhio, maybe taking up too much of his natural space. I wonder if Coutinhio cutting in off the left and Beundia off the right with one central striker (choose whichever misfiring one you want), would offer something. Mcginn/Sanson and Ramsey could sit in the middle of the park with Nakamba covering the back 4. Clutching at straws no doubt.

This is what I would like to see - I think Emi2 played most of his football at Norwich on the right - and I think it would suit him as he would have a little more space, without taking it from Coutinhio.  Think that could also ensure there is space for Ramsey surging forward

Buendia didn't impress at all when he played there earlier in the season. Looked very one paced.

[Dave P]

It was the Konsa from his first season, before lockdown, where I wasn't in the slightest bit convinced and felt he was too lightweight to be effective.

I thought he was pretty good in that first season considering his age and lack of PL experience, a star in the making. At this point though i'm wondering whether i was a bit hasty with my optimism.

On Saturdays showing I think you may have been. He’s out of form currently and I’m struggling to see why he was bought back into the team over Chambers who’d been rock solid in the 3 wins.

Chambers was shite v West Ham hence lost his spot.

Yet Konsa has been shite since and kept his.