Pau Torres

[PaulWinch again]

Gave the ball away time after time.
Weak in the tackle and out muscled for the goal.

Can the myth be busted now ?

It’s not a myth is it? If you’ve watched Villa across Unai’s time his ability has been demonstrated. He’s obviously not been great in recent times, but doesn’t mean his ability is a “myth”.

He is a myth wrapped up in an enigma.
Keep telling everybody that he’s playing on a different level and many will believe.

The reality that I see is that he gives the ball away as much as he makes a successful pass, he has the turning circle of an oil tanker, I could outrun him, he is awful in the air and my nan is stronger in the tackle.

But hey, the enlightened amongst us tell us he is fundamental to the way we play.

What do I know ? Nothing obviously.

Well no, it’s really not that cryptic. It’s fairly self evident he hasn’t been playing great for a while. But it’s also evident from his previous time here he’s an exceptional passer and a good centre-back. Both things can be true.

[villa for life]

Gave the ball away time after time.
Weak in the tackle and out muscled for the goal.

Can the myth be busted now ?

It’s not a myth is it? If you’ve watched Villa across Unai’s time his ability has been demonstrated. He’s obviously not been great in recent times, but doesn’t mean his ability is a “myth”.

He is a myth wrapped up in an enigma.
Keep telling everybody that he’s playing on a different level and many will believe.

The reality that I see is that he gives the ball away as much as he makes a successful pass, he has the turning circle of an oil tanker, I could outrun him, he is awful in the air and my nan is stronger in the tackle.

But hey, the enlightened amongst us tell us he is fundamental to the way we play.

What do I know ? Nothing obviously.

Well no, it’s really not that cryptic. It’s fairly self evident he hasn’t been playing great for a while. But it’s also evident from his previous time here he’s an exceptional passer and a good centre-back. Both things can be true.

I think that’s being extremely generous, but let’s just suppose it is true. Maybe he’s the defensive equivalent of Leon Bailey. Someone who played well for one season.

[aj2k77]

Last season we were abysmal at the back at times, barely kept a clean sheet for large swathes of it and had a horrible run away where we shipped loads. We have the same defence.

[PaulWinch again]

I’m not sure it’s that generous, he started most of the games when we finished 4th. Maybe he is like Bailey, but I suspect it’s more about form and the right combinations.

[brontebilly]

Think mings was better than pau. He did a lot of defending today. Mings was probably our best defender today

Mings was shite, the handful of times Brentford attacked Mings was way out of position. Including their goal. Not his fault, he was never going to work as RCB. The only one of our back 5 to get a pass today was Cash.

I think pau was so bad defensively it made mings job more  difficult.  I simply cannot believe for what the 3rd or 4th season we are going again with this same back four. I mean we have seen how bad thia defence can be.

Last week we kept a clean sheet but there eas moments especially  in 1st half we saw some terrible defending.

Mings left his station at RCB regularly today, that's not Torres fault. I only saw the highlights last week but Mings was awol for their chance at the start and could have done better for the play that led to Konsa's red card too. That's two games against some of the weakest forwards we will play against all season.

As others are saying, we are actually worse in possession if that's even possible.

[RamboandBruno]

Think mings was better than pau. He did a lot of defending today. Mings was probably our best defender today

Mings was shite, the handful of times Brentford attacked Mings was way out of position. Including their goal. Not his fault, he was never going to work as RCB. The only one of our back 5 to get a pass today was Cash.

I think pau was so bad defensively it made mings job more  difficult.  I simply cannot believe for what the 3rd or 4th season we are going again with this same back four. I mean we have seen how bad thia defence can be.

Last week we kept a clean sheet but there eas moments especially  in 1st half we saw some terrible defending.

Mings left his station at RCB regularly today, that's not Torres fault. I only saw the highlights last week but Mings was awol for their chance at the start and could have done better for the play that led to Konsa's red card too. That's two games against some of the weakest forwards we will play against all season.

As others are saying, we are actually worse in possession if that's even possible.

I agree with this.
I do think Torres was integral to us steamrolling teams in the autumn/winter of 2023, I also think he is out of form and has been for a while, but also being a bit of a scapegoat here. Mings was equally bad if not worse yesterday.

At least in the second half Torres was trying to make something happen, pushing the defence forwards by 30 yards to try and back Brentford up. Mings was infuriating, not only being out of position, but nonchalantly strolling around with the ball with 4 mins left before casually launching a 40 yarder to no one. He also casually passed it straight to them late in the second half which should of led to a goal.

The constant critique of Torres is both one eyed and never placed in the context of the performances of those around him.

For the record, I thought, like everyone else Torres was poor yesterday.

[PaulWinch again]

I’d say that’s a fair assessment of both players yesterday.

[Monty]

Yes, Torres had a bad game but pretending Mings had a good one as an extra stick to beat him with is special mental gymnastics.

[VillaTim]

Bottom line though, yet again Torres weak defending cost us the game. Yes we were crap collectively but if you can't win it, don't lose it (bit like last weekend) . Torres poor defending gave them the points .

[Rigadon]

Torres needs a right footed Mings next to him. For all his footballing ability, he’s too slow and not strong enough for the PL. 

[Monty]

'Bottom line though' [repeats actual thing being argued about as if it's a fact]. Another great contribution.

[PaulWinch again]

Yes, Torres had a bad game but pretending Mings had a good one as an extra stick to beat him with is special mental gymnastics.

Yup Ty was poor, particularly bad on the ball. Torres was also bad.

[jwarry]

I some think there is any question they would not have scores that goal of Konsa was playing - though he might have got sent off!

[VillaTim]

Such a poor goal to concede , the sort you'd see on parks pitches up and down the country this morning .

[aj2k77]

Two games in a row we've been done by a ball over the top.