AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa pre-match thread

[VillaTim]

I reckon he'll move things around a bit and play Diaby in the Watkins role.

yep quite possible

[AV84]

When Diaby signed it was said he could play anywhere across the front, so it would be good to give that a trial and see if he can.

The same was said for Zaniolo.

If we have to be without Watkins, trying out all other "striker" options before January is probably a good thing.

[VillaTim]

It's with a heavy heart , but i have just benched Watkins in my fantasy team.

[RamboandBruno]

If Watkins is out Emery may start with a front three of Duran with Bailey and Diaby either side.
Tough game this, would be a wounder not to go into the Man City game on the back of a win.

A close 2-0 us (Bailey, McGinn)

Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne
Luiz
Mcginn
Tilemans
Bailey
Duran
Diaby

[Villafirst]

There was always a chance Ollie would pick up an injury. He's carried the attack since August. I said back then that we were too light in numbers upfront. J Philogene-Bidace should've stayed after his promising USA tour, and he was reportedly let go for only Ł5m! We definitely need striker cover in January, along with RB cover.

[VillaTim]

Selling off the kids - Jaden, Archer, A Ramsey, is the one thing I don't like about the Emery era

[RamboandBruno]

Selling off the kids - Jaden, Archer, A Ramsey, is the one thing I don't like about the Emery era

Not one of them would be in the first team or perhaps even on the bench at the moment. I like them all, but none of them are currently at the level of what we have.

[VillaTim]

Selling off the kids - Jaden, Archer, A Ramsey, is the one thing I don't like about the Emery era

Not one of them would be in the first team or perhaps even on the bench at the moment. I like them all, but none of them are currently at the level of what we have.

Yet we have Duran starting games lol. I'd take Archer all day long over him. Ramsey would struggle but Bidace looks good, did in pre season too.

[RamboandBruno]

Selling off the kids - Jaden, Archer, A Ramsey, is the one thing I don't like about the Emery era

Not one of them would be in the first team or perhaps even on the bench at the moment. I like them all, but none of them are currently at the level of what we have.

Yet we have Duran starting games lol. I'd take Archer all day long over him. Ramsey would struggle but Bidace looks good, did in pre season too.

You’ve mentioned Duran several times on several threads, you don’t think much of him. I’m not sure Archer has done anything  to prove he is a better bet.
I like Bidace too, but competing with Diaby and Bailey on his current form, naw.

[ChicagoLion]

Selling off the kids - Jaden, Archer, A Ramsey, is the one thing I don't like about the Emery era

Not one of them would be in the first team or perhaps even on the bench at the moment. I like them all, but none of them are currently at the level of what we have.

Yet we have Duran starting games lol. I'd take Archer all day long over him. Ramsey would struggle but Bidace looks good, did in pre season too.

Agree

[Brend'Watkins]

We have options should Ollie not be fit. I quite like the idea of Diaby playing through the middle.

[PaulWinch again]

Selling off the kids - Jaden, Archer, A Ramsey, is the one thing I don't like about the Emery era

Not one of them would be in the first team or perhaps even on the bench at the moment. I like them all, but none of them are currently at the level of what we have.

Yet we have Duran starting games lol. I'd take Archer all day long over him. Ramsey would struggle but Bidace looks good, did in pre season too.

You’ve mentioned Duran several times on several threads, you don’t think much of him. I’m not sure Archer has done anything  to prove he is a better bet.
I like Bidace too, but competing with Diaby and Bailey on his current form, naw.

Agree.

[VillaTim]

We have options should Ollie not be fit. I quite like the idea of Diaby playing through the middle.

We were told it's one of his USP's when he signed.
Let's try it then

[ChicagoLion]

If Watkins is out Emery may start with a front three of Duran with Bailey and Diaby either side.
Tough game this, would be a wounder not to go into the Man City game on the back of a win.

A close 2-0 us (Bailey, McGinn)

Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne
Luiz
Mcginn
Tilemans
Bailey
Duran
Diaby

We really can not afford to concede the midfield.
So 2 out of the 3 of Diaby, Duran and Bailey.
I think it will be Bailey that misses out.

[Somniloquism]

Selling off the kids - Jaden, Archer, A Ramsey, is the one thing I don't like about the Emery era

Jaden: I've seen mentioned it might have been one Emery did want to keep but the player wanted guaranteed playing time. But he is playing in the Championship against Championship level teams so that is something to be aware of.

Archer: Has had a lot more time on the pitch, yet has only scored the same amount of league goals as Duran, albeit with Championship level players around him.

A Ramsey: Even worse then Archer. Has suffered some injuries but struggling to even get starts in a poor midfield.

So whilst I would have preferred to keep them at the time, it is not like we have suffered with not having them here. And if selling them meant we freed up some FFP space to get other players in the summer AND in January, ultimately losing them has improved the team.