Unai Emery - our manager

[Mister E]

I think with this 'well-drilled' thing, it's important to remember that Emery is doing essentially the same things in attack and defence: move in sync and control the space. When that backline was operating the other day as if with one mind, you could obviously see the training ground work paying off. The same is true in attack though: our first good move of the game, JJ and Ings combining I believe, was all about practiced movements, adapting to situations, attacking the space.
Which is to say that I don't think there's 'negative' or 'positive' with Emery, at least not in terms of what you practice like a whole style. Just that there are the things you work on, your team's whole relationship to the ball, and different situations you respond to in a game.
It's not that complicated, but it's flexibility like I don't think we've seen in ages: since at least the Doug era ended, we've been either dull and negative (ok, mostly), or a 'positive' soft-touch. Nice to think we can react to games differently now.

Yeah, I see that.
And, it is possible to see how it works with other teams - Bielsa's Leeds tried this approach; Arsenal are doing it now, as Citeh have been.
For it to work, there needs to be a basic and high level of fitness so that the players can create the flexibility and use of space. Also, a basic (and high) level of ball control and passing ability is necessary: that's the bit that may result in some comings and goings in January.

[Drummond]

The Man Utd game was the first in such a long time where we played with very clear and obvious structure. The defensive and midfield lines were disciplined and it was a joy to behold. On Sunday, playing with 6 at the back? I mean I'd never normally be one to advocate for it, but fuck me it worked really well.

Emery is obviously really new and yet in that time, the players have clearly shown they understand their roles, can adapt, and play good football. It's a revelation, and shows that those calling for us to go all out for a top manager and/or who said our players are good enough are right. We may not be about to win the league, but we are sure as hell going the right way.

[Risso]

Emery is obviously really new and yet in that time, the players have clearly shown they understand their roles, can adapt, and play good football. It's a revelation, and shows that those calling for us to go all out for a top manager and/or who said our players are good enough are right. We may not be about to win the league, but we are sure as hell going the right way.

It's promising but still far too early to make any definitive statements. I'm feeling more positive about Villa than I have for a long time, but that's usually when the universe decides to give Villa a good kick in the bollocks! Let's see where we are and how the players are doing at the halfway point in the season, and whether any new players arrive in January.

[paul_e]

The Man Utd game was the first in such a long time where we played with very clear and obvious structure. The defensive and midfield lines were disciplined and it was a joy to behold. On Sunday, playing with 6 at the back? I mean I'd never normally be one to advocate for it, but fuck me it worked really well.

Emery is obviously really new and yet in that time, the players have clearly shown they understand their roles, can adapt, and play good football. It's a revelation, and shows that those calling for us to go all out for a top manager and/or who said our players are good enough are right. We may not be about to win the league, but we are sure as hell going the right way.

I'm not sure i'd say people were right or not but I'd say it was right to suggest that we needed to see how coachable the players are before we rip the squad up. The signs so far are promising but I think we need to look 3-4 months down the line to see how many of the squad can work for us in the mid-long term.

[OCD]

We only went to a 6-4 formation once we had the lead and wanted to go ultra defensive to make sure they couldn't break us down.

[ChicagoLion]

Emery is obviously really new and yet in that time, the players have clearly shown they understand their roles, can adapt, and play good football. It's a revelation, and shows that those calling for us to go all out for a top manager and/or who said our players are good enough are right. We may not be about to win the league, but we are sure as hell going the right way.

It's promising but still far too early to make any definitive statements. I'm feeling more positive about Villa than I have for a long time, but that's usually when the universe decides to give Villa a good kick in the bollocks! Let's see where we are and how the playerss are doing at the halfway point in the season, and whether any new players arrive in January.

Same, I am hopeful but a bit early to get carried away, we saw an uptick after Gerrard arrived which did not last. These players are capable of some excellent performances but have also shown some rank ineptitude.
One huge improvement on the last 2 managers is use of subs and game management.

[Drummond]

Emery is obviously really new and yet in that time, the players have clearly shown they understand their roles, can adapt, and play good football. It's a revelation, and shows that those calling for us to go all out for a top manager and/or who said our players are good enough are right. We may not be about to win the league, but we are sure as hell going the right way.

It's promising but still far too early to make any definitive statements. I'm feeling more positive about Villa than I have for a long time, but that's usually when the universe decides to give Villa a good kick in the bollocks! Let's see where we are and how the playerss are doing at the halfway point in the season, and whether any new players arrive in January.

Same, I am hopeful but a bit early to get carried away, we saw an uptick after Gerrard arrived which did not last. These players are capable of some excellent performances but have also shown some rank ineptitude.
One huge improvement on the last 2 managers is use of subs and game management.

And tactics and strategy.

We did see an upturn briefly when Gerrard took over, but gut feeling is that was players being motivated to do better rather than being trained to be better. There's a difference.

[astonvilla82]

If we don't move up the table in the next few weeks I think we should sack him

[Hookeysmith]

I am really looking forward to see how he plays Diego Carlo and would not bet against him being Captain next season. When fully fit i see him playing more games than Mings

[Chris Smith]

Emery is obviously really new and yet in that time, the players have clearly shown they understand their roles, can adapt, and play good football. It's a revelation, and shows that those calling for us to go all out for a top manager and/or who said our players are good enough are right. We may not be about to win the league, but we are sure as hell going the right way.

It's promising but still far too early to make any definitive statements. I'm feeling more positive about Villa than I have for a long time, but that's usually when the universe decides to give Villa a good kick in the bollocks! Let's see where we are and how the playerss are doing at the halfway point in the season, and whether any new players arrive in January.

Same, I am hopeful but a bit early to get carried away, we saw an uptick after Gerrard arrived which did not last. These players are capable of some excellent performances but have also shown some rank ineptitude.
One huge improvement on the last 2 managers is use of subs and game management.

And tactics and strategy.

We did see an upturn briefly when Gerrard took over, but gut feeling is that was players being motivated to do better rather than being trained to be better. There's a difference.

In hindsight it was probably more down to Beale that Gerrard.

[ChicagoLion]

Emery is obviously really new and yet in that time, the players have clearly shown they understand their roles, can adapt, and play good football. It's a revelation, and shows that those calling for us to go all out for a top manager and/or who said our players are good enough are right. We may not be about to win the league, but we are sure as hell going the right way.

It's promising but still far too early to make any definitive statements. I'm feeling more positive about Villa than I have for a long time, but that's usually when the universe decides to give Villa a good kick in the bollocks! Let's see where we are and how the playerss are doing at the halfway point in the season, and whether any new players arrive in January.

Same, I am hopeful but a bit early to get carried away, we saw an uptick after Gerrard arrived which did not last. These players are capable of some excellent performances but have also shown some rank ineptitude.
One huge improvement on the last 2 managers is use of subs and game management.

And tactics and strategy.

We did see an upturn briefly when Gerrard took over, but gut feeling is that was players being motivated to do better rather than being trained to be better. There's a difference.

That's what I mean by game management.
I am not sure that i trust these players to turn up consistently.
When comparing the records of SG and UE, there is no contest.

[caster troy]

Emery is obviously really new and yet in that time, the players have clearly shown they understand their roles, can adapt, and play good football. It's a revelation, and shows that those calling for us to go all out for a top manager and/or who said our players are good enough are right. We may not be about to win the league, but we are sure as hell going the right way.

It's promising but still far too early to make any definitive statements. I'm feeling more positive about Villa than I have for a long time, but that's usually when the universe decides to give Villa a good kick in the bollocks! Let's see where we are and how the playerss are doing at the halfway point in the season, and whether any new players arrive in January.

Same, I am hopeful but a bit early to get carried away, we saw an uptick after Gerrard arrived which did not last. These players are capable of some excellent performances but have also shown some rank ineptitude.
One huge improvement on the last 2 managers is use of subs and game management.

And tactics and strategy.

We did see an upturn briefly when Gerrard took over, but gut feeling is that was players being motivated to do better rather than being trained to be better. There's a difference.

Looking back now, Gerrard's initial upturn was helped by set piece goals, Nakamba briefly playing like prime Kante and a few easier games. Definitely not as impressive as beating in form sides in the top 6.

I'd forgotten how poor Gerrard was last season. That win at Goodison staring down their fans had followed three defeats and a draw, and was then followed by one point in the next three games. Arguably his peak was the Leeds away win, we followed that up with four straight defeats. To use a cricket analogy, he was clearly a 'flat track bully' whereas Emery has already shown he can get unexpected results against good sides. I think we will see much more consistency from his team.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

We only went to a 6-4 formation once we had the lead and wanted to go ultra defensive to make sure they couldn't break us down.

This.
It's a perfect example of game management deployed by a high quality coach and playrs who have bought into him. As I said to my mate at the time, we could have played for another hour and Brighton wouldn't have broken us down.

[ChicagoLion]

From what I saw of his Villareal team, I do not think we should be too surprised to see his Villa take a pragmatic approach to the game.

[john e]

We only went to a 6-4 formation once we had the lead and wanted to go ultra defensive to make sure they couldn't break us down.

This.
It's a perfect example of game management deployed by a high quality coach and playrs who have bought into him. As I said to my mate at the time, we could have played for another hour and Brighton wouldn't have broken us down.

Depends if you want to defend a lead as soon as you go a goal up or keep going for another goal

one of their players missed a sitter, an open goal header with no pressure from 6 yes out late on, 9 times out of 10 that’s put away normally then we’re coming away with a point because we were to defensive and cautious