roonst83

Also we have used up our quota for loans for the season after Drinkwater and Reina.

Couldn't agree more with this. I'm so pleased with the way the PL has placed a cap of £30 on tickets for away fans and think that should be the same across the league. With the increase in online streaming of games from companies we need to keep people in stadiums as much as possible and fair pricing is the best way to do that. Overall our prices are substantially better than a lot of Prem teams but it'd be good if the PL could adopt a similar approach for home supporters.

Same here.

He'd be much more suited to Leicester than United. And would probably encourage Leicester to sell Maddison and go big bucks in bringing in Jack.

Couldn’t agree more with this.

Dreading this. Their tails are up and they’re hungry and have Deeney back who loves to bully a defence. We need to be absolutely compact in the middle here and can’t have any players without the fight and desire. You can bet your mortgage on Pearson and Deeney instructing their midfield to kick lumps out of Jack and try rile him up. A month or so ago after seeing how we played at United I would’ve been far more confident. They’ll be confident they can smash us so hope Smith sets us up properly to stay calm and composed on the ball and try score on the break(s). Hourihane has to start and I think Nakampa will be dropped. The middle of the park doesn’t function well enough with both Luiz and Nakampa. Need to go out to win this.

Just needed the win any way we could get it. Norwich played great stuff and closed us down, pressed us all game and have an immense ability to keep the ball from clearances, deflections, or when confined in tight spaces. They won’t know how they didn’t come away with any points today. As I mentioned at the start of the thread I think they’re a much more talented team than Southampton and they showed that today on the ball. We needed to win ugly to have any chance of stopping the rot and our CB pairing did great today. Hause getting loads of plaudits, and rightly so, but for me Konsa stood out all game. Both worked so hard for the team given that our midfield were so vacant and open in the first half. Elmo was solid. They exposed Targett a fair bit but their wing back is class. I was frustrated we couldn’t utilise Targett more going forwards. I don’t think we’re good enough in the middle of the park. No composure, or plan when we get the ball and Luiz and Nakampa almost cancel each other out. We’re missing an on form McGinn in that middle to drive us forward from defence to attack. All we have is Grealish to do that and when he’s stifled there’s nothing. Our wide players aren’t effective enough and Wesley is barely in the game. He harried a fair bit today but it’s another game when we can’t get our main striker into any good positions or make him any kind of a threat. Trying my hardest not to be too negative on the back of a win as there was relief all round with three points but there’s so much that needs fixing. Smith doesn’t know his best midfield and that’s hurting us. Positives were we hung in there and dig in deep. Desire was there but that leadership and spirit of last season isn’t the same (probably because confidence has been shot to bits). Hoped we kick in at one nil up but we couldn’t get going again and you could see Jack’s frustration with the lack of composure from Nakampa (I think) and Targett is not being able to do simple lay offs to relieve some pressure. Grealish rallied us so well and was our shining light again. Conor compliments him well too and the delay and composure on the ball by Grealish is just class, releasing it perfectly for Conor to do what he can. You wouldn’t want anyone but Conor there. Other mention for Heaton who keeps us in every game we win. Need that same quality in the central midfield and we would dominate games. I’m not sure if playing Watford in 48 hours is good or bad for us. Would almost rather we had a week to work on it. We need to make this win count and try hang in there with the teams above us in a bid to hopefully make some signings that galvanise this team and somehow keep us in this division. Performance wasn’t great today but we got more than I expected after that utter shower against Southampton. They showed, along with Watford, how teams around us are capable to get points away against top teams. We need more than crawling over the finish line against a team below us. Points were more important than performance today so it’s a big three points. Need to make it count.

The movement and craft of Cantwell along with how Pukki gets behind the defence and the quality of Aarons and Buendia really worries me. We’re a wounded animal and if Norwich had any sense they’d look at the Leicester game and Saints game and hurt us. Need a reaction. Praying we get one

I believe Norwich have way more talent than Southampton and will pose much more of a threat. Sadly. We lack any plan, any fight or any confidence. Dreading this.

For me, Grealish works best as a “fake wide left” player, and in particular, when Hourihane is in the side. Because Conor can switch with Grealish allowing him to roam free and can’t get doubled up on and can have more of an affect.

My point about Leicester was it was the first game we were well and truly beaten in front of our home supporters and this will have, undeniably, dented confidence in the team. And, as I mentioned in my post, Smith alluded to this in the pre-match press conference. I believe our confidence was shot from that game and yesterday was a hang over from it which will have contributed to the poor result. That’s all I meant. But I do also agree this form has been coming and in previous posts I’ve cited how our Achilles heel has been the fact we, unlike those around us, can’t seem to be able to pick up points against the top teams.

Can we get the old McGinn back please. We miss him desperately

No desire. No fight. No plan and absolutely no confidence. I was always worried about this game but we were completely useless. I struggle to remember a half of football where we passed the ball so poorly than the first half. Everyone’s touch was off and we just sat back and panicked every time we had the ball. Back four did well first half but it was only ever going to be the same onslaught by Sheff Utd in the second half. But we fell apart, and as soon as they scored (again so soon after the re-start) it felt like it was game over. Whole team lacked any belief whatsoever and we had the appearance of a team already beaten and crestfallen. Not good enough. McGinn was invisible again and seriously needs to get better. I wonder if Grealish being left out wide is contributing to McGinn’s poor performances. If you don’t win the midfield then you very rarely ever win the games. And we’re not winning any midfield battles right now. Grealish seems to play much better, as does Targett, when Conor is on the field as that allows Conor to cover the left side whilst jack interchanges with him and can then roam more freely. Thought ElGhazi does what he does every other game and just disappear. We simply don’t have anywhere near of a threat from our attacking three and that hampers us massively. Wesley was isolated today for sure but offers so so little off the ball, I’m just fed up with hearing how the odd flick on or lay off is supposed to be enough to defend him. He isn’t offering enough. He wasn’t the worst out there today but we’re all used to him contributing so little his benchmark for success is so low. Poor games for everyone out there today and I’m not sure what’s happened to Nakampa. The games keep passing him by. Our passing was terrible, particularly in the first half. Lansbury was very poor and completely invisible. Surprised as he’s looked bright in the short spells he’s had. I’d rather play an u23 striker than Kodjia. He offers zero. Always. I think our players are still defeated by that Leicester game, Smith even alluded to it in the pre-match presser. We had zero confidence today and were outfought and out-thought all over the park. Sheff Utd resembled a team that are a firmly established Premier League team. I continue to be impressed by them. Next games over xmas are crucial. We have an inability to stop leaking so many chances and goals, we struggle to ever come from behind to win (have done it only once in 49 games I think) and the pressure is mounting. Smith and his team needs to work very hard to pick this Villa team up. These next games, ahead of a crucial transfer window, will determine how we are shaping up for survival.

I honestly think Wes would be better if we had competition for him. He’s got a guaranteed place in the team and doesn’t ever get subbed so plays every minute of the game. He was playing better when Davis was up his arse and was about to bag himself a starting place. Wes has to do a lot better but also needs to be coached better. His confidence is shattered at the mo which isn’t ideal and shows in each game.

I agree with this. Jota is best served in a game where we’d likely dominate possession, at home and against a team without the quality of Chelsea. He can’t defend at-all and is tremendously weak and one footed. Chelsea will have plenty of the ball so Jota isn’t the right fit. That said, I like the guy and there’s clear talent there but only really in selected games. Had great feet and can pass but he isn’t right for these sorts of games, in my opinion. Plus, he’s not match fit. Guilbert will be a big miss as he brings a real threat down our right. I’d be more hopeful if Tammy wasn’t playing as he can certainly hurt teams. They have some pure class and play with rear fluidity and intensity with the likes of Pulisic and William capable of smashing through teams. But we’re a threat and if we can score first it’ll be interesting. Got nothing to fear and more pressure on Chelsea than us. Listening to Jack’s post United interview he came across as though he has to gee the other players up about our next couple of games and give them belief we can get something. Was slightly concerned with that as I hoped our boys felt that themselves. I could be absolutely wrong in how I read into his words but it came across that way (to myself, at least). We should have confidence in our ability as we’ve given everyone a game so far this season and have nothing to fear. All games in this league are tough but we went through everything to get ourselves promoted so we can play in these games and go at teams with no fear. It’ll be tough and we’ll need a lot of resilience and moments of quality. As I say, pressure is much more on them than ourselves.

All credit goes to the linesman not VAR. VAR couldn't disallow the goal as Mings was clearly on. The ref and the linesman gave the goal and the linesman’s flag was kept down. VAR merely verified the decision. Had VAR not been invented then goal still would’ve stood. Feels a tad harsh to assume the linesman guessed the offside and kept his flag down knowing VAR would likely correct it, as opposed to do what he’s a paid professional at doing and reading the line.

Always felt there would be a chance for us today as United have shown they’re vulnerable when you go at them. Proud of the boys for the performance, everyone working hrs for each other. Can’t fault the boys and the set up and plan was good. Would’ve been interesting to see how the game would’ve panned our if we went in at Ht a goal to the good. Once again Mings makes a huge error leading to their goal. He’s too casual on the able too often and either dallies on the ball too long as we saw today, or he takes his time before passing it which leads to our players being put immediately under pressure. Do love the guy and he’s a great leader for us but I do get very nervous with him on the back on our back line. Made up for his error with his goal. Was convinced it was offside but was the absolute right call. Great finish too. Grealish was once again on top form. We all slowed down second half and didn’t get on the ball enough or keep the ball well enough in the second half. But we did always look like we were trying to take the game to United when we were on the attack. Konsa continues to impress me with his reading of the game and general assured play. Luiz, Guilbert and Targett all did well too. Another quiet game for McGinn. Not sure if he’s not playing well or just being over shadowed by Jack. But he’s certainly not running the midfield like we know he can. But he still played okay. Disappointed to lose Guilbert for Wednesday night as he offers us more than Elmo can, particularly going forwards. Hope ElGhazi’s injury isn’t too bad. Didn’t look good but hoping it’s not too serious. He’s looked lively lately too. Was important that we took some points off one of the “top teams” as everyone around us have shown that they can do so, so I’m hoping this will give us some much needed confidence ahead of some very tough games coming up against other teams riding high. We’re going to need to get points away from home as well as at VP if we’re to stay in this league. Today showed we can. Need more of it. Decent point today, and showed great character to come back from a losing position in front of 76k fans to claim the draw.

This has been the one thing that I've cited as holding us back from progressing up the table and sets us apart form our rivals. The likes of Newcastle (Spurs away), Norwich (City home) Southampton (United home) and Brighton (Spurs home) have shown how they can take big scalps and take points form big teams. We have had plenty of plaudits for playing well against top teams but we haven't been able to cross the finish line and see games out against Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool. We need more resilience, composure and effective game management as and when we find ourselves in winning positions late in games. If we can do that, which I think we're capable of, then that would hopefully bring great confidence and help push us on for other games and give ourselves the best chance of staying in this division. From what I've seen of United they're more vulnerable away from home when a team takes it to them. They've improved with Martial back and their front three are dangerous and they'll likely perform better at home. But so were Liverpool's front three and we kept them at bay for large parts of our game against them. We will need to be at our best across our whole team but we shouldn't fear United at all and if we take it to them they may be vulnerable.

He just isn’t very good.

Can’t see him featuring until Newcastle and that’s assuming he’s ready by then. If he’s only 50/50 then I can see how Smith plays him. He won’t and he probably shouldn’t either to avoid making things worse. He’s essential to our hopes of survival so we need to be sensible with him. Like we were last season.

Staggering that he isn’t made it in. Has created more changes in the Premier League than any other English player, was shortlisted for player of the month for October and yet Southgate doesn’t pick him. It’s just baffling, more so when the likes of Oxlade, Delph and Barkley are ahead of him.

I think smith will want to see how Luiz and Grealish work together in the same team (with Nakampa playing the holding role) against a team other than City, which was hard to fairly critique due to the quality of the opposition. Think we miss with not having Hourihane is his dead ball qualities. I expect to see Luiz over Hourihane on Saturday.

Doesn’t add anything positive for us, unfortunately. We’re much weaker with him in our team.

Absolutely agree with this. Thought we were bringing Konsa on and was gutted to see Kodjia.

Game lacked any real quality or chances from either side but we were well in control having over 70% possession and we’re comfortable throughout. What I’m pleased with is how despite making wholesale changes we still played the same way with the same approach (before Keinan went off injured). The coaching staff mentioned this was their plan to make the whole squad and U23s used to the style of play so they can adapt easily. We couldn’t ever do this before because we never had coaching staff who thought that way. Luiz and Lansbury were great tonight. Luiz controlled the tempo of the game completely. But his mistake for the goal typifies why he’s struggling to secure a starting role, he’s too casual and much in the same way as Mings does, his sloppiness and lack of focus does cost us goals. But he dictated the play and pace of the game tonight without barely breaking sweat. Was against a very inexperienced Wolves team but they still had plenty of talent on there, youth or not. Our two CBSs were at complete ease throughout. Konsa is knocking on the door for a start, looked completely at ease. Premier League is a different level of course but I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen so far. Only player who looked absolutely gash as always was Taylor. He’s utter garbage, which I (and most) knew in the Championship. Useless and kills any kind of decent threat we find ourselves in down the left. So annoyed we persevered with him purely because people felt “he hadn’t done anything wrong”. He is ineffective to us at all times and Targett gives us so much more balance and options and actually crosses the ball into dangerous positions. We also can’t play with Kodjia. As soon as Davis went off (who was playing well enough i thought and was looking a real handful, albeit without being a threat to scoring) we lacked any craft or attacking ideas and that’s because we play to a system that needs a strong target man up top. Kodjia isn’t that atall and we essentially tried to ride the game out for half an hour. Not really a criticism of Kodjia as such (although I don’t rate him atall and find him solely focused on himself, lacking any form of football brain and disjointed us massively) it’s more indicative of us being used to a style of play and being forced into the change stifled us up top. Job done tonight and good to get a win after Saturday and ahead of Liverpool. Positive thing for me is we have a second team that play the same way our first team do and rather than being reserve players of very little ability, a fair few of those players tonight are arguably knocking on the door for a starting place. That’s positive and shows good squad depth. But we’re massively lacking going forwards. El Ghazi and Trezzy aren’t enough of a direct threat and with no Keinan to rival Wesley there’s less completion for Wesley to be fearful of and we have to put up with one good game in every four or so games. We need one or two new strikers in Jan. Would like one of the lower league teams but anyone but City away. No so much for the near guarantee of a loss, more so of how dour every game is at their place with empty seats, disinterested fans and lack of any atmosphere or interest from anyone there at all. Kills the game seeing a half full stadium like they had against Saints.