Ian Maatsen

[taylorsworkrate]

Brilliant at both ends of the pitch. What a selection headache to have. On performances, it's hard to rationalise dropping either LB.

I wouldn't look at it as "dropping". They are different types of LBs so I'd just be picking based on the oppositions strengths and weaknesses.

Great to have both options.

[coreyfeldman]

That was some performance - I was starting to think Emery wasn't playing him because he wasn't training up to standards but he was perfect tonight. Our competition for places is now right up there in this league

Remember when half people on here were convinced we had a paper thin squad and would pay for it? Anyone think that now?

[tomd2103]

Did well tonight.  Looks a real threat going forward.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Very impressed. Technically he's so gifted. Put a shift in too. What wasn't to like?

[Percy McCarthy]

That was some performance - I was starting to think Emery wasn't playing him because he wasn't training up to standards but he was perfect tonight. Our competition for places is now right up there in this league

Remember when half people on here were convinced we had a paper thin squad and would pay for it? Anyone think that now?

One of a catalogue of howlers by people on here, happily.

“We haven’t replaced Diaby”

“The dreaded Konsa at right-back”

“Carlos is absolutely fucking shit”

“Nobody in their right mind would say we’ve upgraded in midfield”.

I was particularly miffed at the last one, as it was snidely posted just after I posted that if we sign Onana, we’ve upgraded in midfield.

[Aldridge Villa]

That was some performance - I was starting to think Emery wasn't playing him because he wasn't training up to standards but he was perfect tonight. Our competition for places is now right up there in this league

Remember when half people on here were convinced we had a paper thin squad and would pay for it? Anyone think that now?

One of a catalogue of howlers by people on here, happily.

“We haven’t replaced Diaby”

“The dreaded Konsa at right-back”

“Carlos is absolutely fucking shit”

“Nobody in their right mind would say we’ve upgraded in midfield”.

I was particularly miffed at the last one, as it was snidely posted just after I posted that if we sign Onana, we’ve upgraded in midfield.

I was surprised when we let both Barrenechea and IIing Junior go out on loan but squad depth now appears more than ample.

[Demitri_C]

Big question who starts saturday. For me you can't drop maatsen after that performance

Give digne a breather and start him for palace in  carabao

[PaulWinch again]

Digne starts. Maatsen was excellent, but Digne’s overall level has been exceptional.

[paul_e]

I think we need to get away from terms like dropped, with a proper squad there are always going to be good players on the bench, or not even making that. We need to stop thinking along the lines of not starting as being a punishment.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah it’s not dropping in this context.

[Monty]

The small-time days when you have your absolute banker starting 11, including your lone actual quality player, a couple of talented disappointments one or two old stars firmly on the downtown, and about 3 players you're not actually sure are any good but they have to start anyway because the bench is full of kids, New Zealand internationals and the guy who helped get promotion by scoring an unlikely late winner at Blackpool - those days are over.

[darren woolley]

He played well last night.

[DrGonzo]

As with Tielemans last season it's obvious that Unai is content to give players time to adapt to the way he wants to play before giving them their chance.  When they are ready to step in they ARE ready.  An incredibly promising performance.  Digne will start at the weekend and Maatsen in the cup.

[eye digress]

As with Tielemans last season it's obvious that Unai is content to give players time to adapt to the way he wants to play before giving them their chance.  When they are ready to step in they ARE ready.  An incredibly promising performance.  Digne will start at the weekend and Maatsen in the cup.

Agree with this overall, the exception being Onana, who has rarely been benched from the get-go. Will be interesting to see how that develops with Kamara back in the mix.

[eamonn]

Haven't been this giddy about a pair of left backs at the Villa since the heady days of Alan Wright and Najwan Ghrayib.