Premier Lg EPL Matchday 18, 19 & 20 - On Optus Sport

[Loonerty]

Oh so it's a knee jerk

 

[Topkent]

Look at how ManU stormed back against us. They were quick, decisive, aggressive, and created far more chances in the game, hence reeled us in and went ahead.

We wouldve lost vs Brentford if it wasnt for their send off. We were dawdling with the ball up until then, lucky to get that brilliant late header by Watkins, and lucky that late header by Zaniola vs SU too. But it also shows if they play with more urgency thru the guts of the game, instead of leaving it late, we couldve scored such goals sooner and won games 3-1 instead of drawing 2-2 or 1-1.

Thats my main frustration. They just dawdle too much, be a little more aggressive, direct, instead of waiting for the opposition to make mistakes.

At half time of that game you were equal top of the league, not sure ripping it up and starting again makes any sense at all

 

[exe ex machina]

At half time of that game you were equal top of the league, not sure ripping it up and starting again makes any sense at all

I didnt say rip anything up, but add something to the current state. Either buy another forward to make that push for the title, and/or have a more direct approach in the attacking third.

 

[Topkent]

I didnt say rip anything up, but add something to the current state. Either buy another forward to make that push for the title, and/or have a more direct approach in the attacking third.

Yeah change the way you play which had you briefly first is nuts.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

And yeah, I don't know exactly who they could target to buy, but I do still think they need another forward. Either an AM to service Watkins better with a mentality to be more direct/quicker....or, another Striker (playing 2) so that they can compliment each other, put the CBs in more of a bother, free up one or the other.

Woods certainly had a good game recently.

Utd game was Villa’s eighth game this month and probably not used to it so not surprising they looked tired second half. I assume you’re talking about recent games lack of scoring ..they played Sheff Utd who employed a low block and Brentford as well. Not always easy to break down. Before that they beat City and Arsenal four days apart and kept clean sheet in both ..so really tough to criticise their lack of scoring

 

[samFFC]

No it isn't. Only Man City have scored more goals in the league this season.

Villa are the second highest scoring team in the league I just don't get it lol

I agree with your broader points, but Villa’s attack has certainly been less potent coming out of the City /Arsenal games.

Didn’t score against Brentford til after the red, only 1 against Sheffield.

But I see more as just regression to the mean, getting the job done with less excitement, and they will be fine.

 

[exe ex machina]

Utd game was Villa’s eighth game this month and probably not used to it so not surprising they looked tired second half. I assume you’re talking about recent games lack of scoring ..they played Sheff Utd who employed a low block and Brentford as well. Not always easy to break down. Before that they beat City and Arsenal four days apart and kept clean sheet in both ..so really tough to criticise their lack of scoring

Everyone in the PL has a tough schedule given the amount of fixtures across multiple formats. It isn't an excuse, but it is a fair point as top teams have and will meet stiff opposition from lower clubs. Tottenham, Villa, Newcastle, ManC, etc, have all seen such recent losses or draws. It happens every season.

I don't think I'm flat out wrong in saying Villa recently have had a tendency to play to not lose, to dawdle too much, relying on set pieces and could be more industrious/direct, especially in general play. If they acquired another forward or playmaking AM thats only going to help that aspect, not hinder it.

Watkins has been kept quiet the last bunch of games, as well as not being serviced sooner, compared to earlier in the season.

Making adjustments is not ripping up something. You have to keep adapting as other clubs figure ways to strategize against you

 

[SM]

Everyone in the PL has a tough schedule given the amount of fixtures across multiple formats. It isn't an excuse, but it is a fair point as top teams have and will meet stiff opposition from lower clubs. Tottenham, Villa, Newcastle, ManC, etc, have all seen such recent losses or draws. It happens every season.

I don't think I'm flat out wrong in saying Villa recently have had a tendency to play to not lose, to dawdle too much, relying on set pieces and could be more industrious/direct, especially in general play. If they acquired another forward or playmaking AM thats only going to help that aspect, not hinder it.

Watkins has been kept quiet the last bunch of games, as well as not being serviced sooner, compared to earlier in the season.

Making adjustments is not ripping up something. You have to keep adapting as other clubs figure ways to strategize against you

Changing your entire structure is ripping it up though, and is what adding a second striker would do.

 

[exe ex machina]

It'll be interesting to see what Villa do then at the transfer window. If they acquire a forward or not

I also look at my other team, Stuttgart. When Guirassy was out they got Undav, but now theyre playing them both in order to be more attacking. Stuttgart didnt rip up what they were doing that saw them get into the top 4, theyre still playing the same way but are more industrious now due to that.

 

[Topkent]

It'll be interesting to see what Villa do then at the transfer window. If they acquire a forward or not

I also look at my other team, Stuttgart. When Guirassy was out they got Undav, but now theyre playing them both in order to be more attacking. Stuttgart didnt rip up what they were doing that saw them get into the top 4, theyre still playing the same way but are more industrious now due to that.

Just to be clear, you wanna change the way you're playing because your so unhappy with being the second highest scoring team in the league, and so unhappy with the 3rd best striker in the league since your manager took over you wanna move him out of position?

 

[Bradesmaen]

I dunno if you're just being different for the sake of it but since Emery took over Watkins is the third highest premier league scorer behind Haaland and Salah and has more than 10 assists aswell. Clearly one of the best in the league and a better finisher than Jesus

He's not one of the best finishers in the league, he's in the Nunez category, slightly better. He could score a huge amount but his technical ability with his feet is on the level with DCL. Also I did mention he was streaky. Under Emery he went through a real good patch and then for 6 games couldnt buy a goal (despite having numerous chances)

 

[exe ex machina]

Just to be clear, you wanna change the way you're playing because your so unhappy with being the second highest scoring team in the league, and so unhappy with the 3rd best striker in the league since your manager took over you wanna move him out of position?

What is clear is you seem to be a black or white type. It's either something or the complete opposite. No inbetween or leeway. Fair enough.

What I started off with created that impression. I could've started off better. Just saying Villa has struggled of late -- too slow/cautious in attack, waiting instead of creating, general play, playing not to lose once they hit the top 4 but were more adventurous that got them there in the first place. The solution might be to just open things up a little more like before, and/or acquire another forward to help, adding another piece to aid that process in the attacking third

I look forward to seeing what they do in the transfer window therefore because if they do do that, then it confirms they feel the same way....doing what needs to be done with the pieces they have to crack the top 4, knowing they need another attacking piece to make a real push.

 

[SM]

What is clear is you seem to be a black or white type. It's either something or the complete opposite. No inbetween or leeway. Fair enough.

What I started off with created that impression. I could've started off better. Just saying Villa has struggled of late -- too slow/cautious in attack, waiting instead of creating, general play, playing not to lose once they hit the top 4 but were more adventurous that got them there in the first place. The solution might be to just open things up a little more like before, and/or acquire another forward to help, adding another piece to aid that process in the attacking third

I look forward to seeing what they do in the transfer window therefore because if they do do that, then it confirms they feel the same way....doing what needs to be done with the pieces they have to crack the top 4, knowing they need another attacking piece to make a real push.

Hold up, you started by saying that Watkins should become an attacking midfielder, then you switched to saying you should get another striker to play up top with him, now you're saying if they sign any attacking players it vindicates your view that they aren't being attacking enough. Could it not just mean.. I dunno.. that they feel they need more depth?

 

[SC_Power]

Ok, let’s hope for a full throttle attacking game Brighton v Spurs.

Wasn’t aware that Tottenham have had injury and suspension issues, media should really do a better job at keeping us informed.

 

[RPCB]

Vicario‘s start to the match means the next 6 pages will be Allison vs Vicario all over again.

 

[omgfridge]

Vicario‘s start to the match means the next 6 pages will be Allison vs Vicario all over again.

Don't really care to compare but **** he's good, is genuinely saving us points and blushes with our CBless defence.

As I was writing this, Brighton score but eh point still stands.

 

[omgfridge]

Jeez thats poor marking.

 

[RPCB]

Don't really care to compare but * he's good, is genuinely saving us points and blushes with our CBless defence.

As I was writing this, Brighton score but eh point still stands.

He’s very good. Spurs found a real gem.

 

[RPCB]

Why would you do that?

Spurs have been destroyed by injuries, so Kulu just adds to it by given away that penalty. And now it’s 2-0.

 

[DBAH0]

Best penalty given away all season that.

 

[SC_Power]

Vicario‘s start to the match means the next 6 pages will be Allison vs Vicario all over again.

No need for it, Vicario continues to impress as a superb shot-stopper, and if Liverpool were in the market for a keeper then he’d be near top of the list.

 

[SC_Power]

Hadn’t seen the “game mode” telecast style which is an option for the Arsenal v West Ham match.
Taken a couple of minutes to get used to the sliding camera but I kinda like it.

 

[DBAH0]

SOUCEKKKKKKK

 

[hawkman]

Arteta rant incoming

 

[SC_Power]

Looks 99% sure out of play, but not 100%.

Linesperson call stands, Moyesball leads 1-0