West Ham vs Aston Villa pre match thread

[Risso]

I don’t think that Kamara is that physical anyway, his game is more about retaining possession and using the ball well. He’s been bullied a few times lately.

[Footy-Vill]

I don’t think that Kamara is that physical anyway, his game is more about retaining possession and using the ball well. He’s been bullied a few times lately.

Exactly!!

[Villa Lew]

If fit I'd bring Dendoncker in for Boubacar, otherwise it would be Chambers, would be great if Carlos got some game time.

[Baldy]

Without Kamara I think they'll dominate us in midfield, 2-1 them.

That's my worry. Fancied us to win this match before he got injured.

Will go for a draw.

View and my understanding of Premier League football.
I personally don't consider the physical issue as much of a factor outside of set plays and even then it's bordering on neglible as we are discussing high end footballers in level of player ability.
So to how I understand football at this level I really don't think the physical issue matters all that much. There are individual struggles, and perhaps Bailey is an instance where people's concerns about psychicality are legitimate in many games.

Request, consider and debate
I'd want to ask for more to demonstrate a better understanding of the level of football we're talking about. These are professional athletes from the Premier League. People seem to be concerned about their own experiences or ideas of size and strength. Look from the elite level perspective. This isn't youth or low level football.
With all due respect, the assertion made about this actual object strikes me as being very British or old school. Although Moyes and Emery employ distinct tactical approaches and philosophies.
Spannish Influence
Our manager is from Spain. The best footballing sides in Guardiola, Arteta and De Zebri are Spannish. That's my opinion.  Emery Villa will also be one of the most attractive teams on the ball and in the league in time.  He is also Spain
The wonderful football success of Spain's national team and individual players never wanted to distinguish themselves by being the most aggressive, but yes competitive,  they were in control with the football.

Not as simple as physicality
Being bullied in the middle of the park is significantly less sophisticated theory and it's more complex. I understand if that's how people want to view the game, but given how the Premier League players' skills and playing styles have developed, I find that to be not only simplistic but also wildly not the case due to fine details at this level.
When it comes to dominating, are you concerned about physical dominance and a hold over our midfilders, as some others have mentioned?
Who has the ball is high key factor yet hardly brought uo in discussion here why so???

Surmise:
Are the people who view this as merely a physical sport the same people aghast at playing it out from the back. I suspect so. It makes sense.

Suggestion:
Might I suggest that Villa will strive to possess the ball for a long time? If so, Villa could have the upper hand due to that.

Fact:
West Ham currently ranks 15th in the league in terms of average home possession (43%).
They come in at number 18 for possession overall.

Villa have 48% possession away from home
It's Emery philosophy to retain the ball maybe we could include the focus here as much as anywhere in regards this dominating!

If a team plays football on the grass, they have more control and therefore physicality becomes less of a concern.

If a team plays its football in the air/clouds, they have less control, then physicality becomes a bigger issue as there is more 'scrapping' and less' finesse'.

Unai prefers the grass.

[Drummond]

Footy, you should create and write a blog. I think that might work really well for you.

[SoccerHQ]

In last 12 months West Ham have played 12 league games on a Sunday after european ties. Won just four of them and two of them have been v us!

I'd take a point. Beat Bournemouth and that puts us nicely in touch with many teams going into the international break even if we're not quite top 10.

[Jon Crofts]

I think we'll have too much for them today. 0-2.

[Ads]

I wish Brum had a train/tube system like the Cockneys.

[wince]

Is footy-Vill a computer algorithm?

[RamboandBruno]

I wish Brum had a train/tube system like the Cockneys.

So do I, its really hard getting round this city without a car.

[Ads]

I wish Brum had a train/tube system like the Cockneys.

So do I, its really hard getting round this city without a car.

Just how easy it is down here to zip about. 7 mins from St Pancras, the tube etc. They've got it spot on.

[dr.chekov]

I wish Brum had a train/tube system like the Cockneys.

So do I, its really hard getting round this city without a car.

Just how easy it is down here to zip about. 7 mins from St Pancras, the tube etc. They've got it spot on.

Trust me, when you live down here and have to use it on a daily basis, it doesn't seem much of a gift.

[Risso]

Oh good, Bailey's starting.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Carlos on the bench.

[Lastfootstamper]

Could one of the usual suspects unembroil themselves from matters elsewhere and start us a match thread?