AVFCDAN Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 A lot of criticism of Lambert may be up for debate but if he drops anyone from our defence of the last few games he deserves all the stick he gets. You don't change winning teams imo. Make players earn their place. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCDAN Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Our games with the Baggies are usually close affairs and I expect a close encounter this weekend. This game could go either way - hopefully Cleverley is back, else I can see Lambert bringing in Bacuna and Richardson. Not sure he'll use Grealish -would be nice to see him given a run as I thought he looked decent against Leicester - but I expect Lambert to try and keep it tight and solid so if Grealish is to feature I expect it'll be as a second half sub (depending on how the game is going). Benteke will be up against Lescott which should be a decent battle between the pair and hopefully we can try and keep Berahino quiet. This is a hard one to call and i'm always anxious in derbies -they are seemingly more desperate for the points that us which may (or may not) be an advantage to us, especially if we can grab and early goal. Shame we haven't got Westy for this as seeing how well he was playing against Leicester shoeed how much value he has for us when Benteke is in the team. I think this could be a draw, a win would be unimaginably great - ultimately if we can continue our 5 game unbeaten run then that'll represent a decent spell after such a difficult autumn period for us. Don't think its possible for us to win this game personally, we simply don't win 3 games on the bounce. Having said that i don't think there are any teams in the league bar Leicester who are playing with less confidence at the minute so we should look to take advantage of that. I think the key is in the first goal for this match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosofsaunders Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Guzan Hutton okore Clark cissokho Cleverly Sanchez delph Nzogbia benteke agbonlahor This will be the team I think. Got a sneaky feeling for delph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heid3ster Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 A lot of criticism of Lambert may be up for debate but if he drops anyone from our defence of the last few games he deserves all the stick he gets. You don't change winning teams imo. Make players earn their place. I agree with this. Okore and Clark must start. Delph might go straight back into the first team due to the injury to Westwood but Vlaar should be on the bench. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Richard Posted December 11, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted December 11, 2014 There is no team I would pick that would have Nzogbia in it 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamsonwoodVillan Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Delph probably in out of necessity. I agree Vlaar should start on the bench but given his position as Club Captain, if there's any possibility at all Lambert will put him in. Guzan Hutton Vlaar Okore Cissokho Sanchez Cleverley Delph Weimann Benteke Agbonlahor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodders Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Generally speaking I think Lambert has been pretty good with making players wait to get into the side, can't think of an outstanding example where he's been really unfair on a player so I expect the defence will stay the same. Otherwise if Cleverley is fit, I think he starts with Richardson in the middle too, with Delph on the bench even if he's fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggy_333 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I'm prepared to crash and burn here but how about a return to 3-5-2/5-3-2? Guzan Hutton Okore Vlaar Clark Cissokho Sanchez Cleverley Delph Gabby Benteke That's assuming they're all fit, get Hutton and Cissohko pushing forward as often as possible to provide width. If Delph or Cleverley don't make the game then maybe Richardson or Bacuna could come into contention for a starting place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndJo Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Vlaar will start. Think Okore will be dropped which is just wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heid3ster Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I'm prepared to crash and burn here but how about a return to 3-5-2/5-3-2? Guzan Hutton Okore Vlaar Clark Cissokho Sanchez Cleverley Delph Gabby Benteke That's assuming they're all fit, get Hutton and Cissohko pushing forward as often as possible to provide width. If Delph or Cleverley don't make the game then maybe Richardson or Bacuna could come into contention for a starting place? I think we might see a return to 3 at the back for the Man Utd game, but it seems like overkill vs. West Brom in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dAVe80 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Yeah, to Hell with Villa finishing in 7th place and playing against European sides next year. Too much of a hassle. Playing Thursday nights against the dregs of European football in an endless competition really isn't appealing at all. Also given the budget at the club it would be more games with a small (crap) squad and we would be in serious danger of being relegated if we did qualify. The Europa league is a punishment not a reward. We're never gonna win the league anyway, so who gives a shit really. I realise we're going off topic, but I'd take a decent run in the Europa over mid table mediocrity. I want me some European away days again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJT123 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I would lose a huge amount of respect for Lambert if he drops Okore for Vlaar. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted December 11, 2014 Author Share Posted December 11, 2014 There is no team I would pick that would have Nzogbia in it Pick anyone apart from the Villa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtysanchez Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Vlaar will start. Think Okore will be dropped which is just wrong. Ridiculous if this materialises, the lads are on a roll you can't just drop them it would be completely wrong 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSV Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Agreed. Especially for a player who may be gone next month. Look after our own first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roonst83 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 (edited) Why all the sudden talk of Delph possibly being fit for this one? Last week he had only just returned to non contact training. I can't see him being ready for a derby only a week later. Edited December 11, 2014 by roonst83 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heid3ster Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Why all the sudden talk of Delph possibly being fit for this one? Last week he had only just returned to non contact training. I can't see him being ready for a derby only a week later. From the OS: Fabian Delph and Ron Vlaar could both be in contention for the West Brom derby on Saturday. Delph and Vlaar will be assessed by boss Paul Lambert on Friday after coming through training this week ahead of the Baggies clash. Delph enjoyed his first morning back with the claret and blue boys on Friday of last week and has stepped it up since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condimentalist Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I won't be unhappy with a draw, but I think that we can win, and if you had to push me on it I think we will too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Why all the sudden talk of Delph possibly being fit for this one? Last week he had only just returned to non contact training. I can't see him being ready for a derby only a week later. He's been out for six weeks not six months so it's not like he needs a massive amount of fitness work to get back into the swing of things, just makes sure his arm and balance are o.k. Have Delph on the bench and bring him on for 20 minutes as I'd like him to start v Man. United. Not sure on Vlaar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roonst83 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Why all the sudden talk of Delph possibly being fit for this one? Last week he had only just returned to non contact training. I can't see him being ready for a derby only a week later. From the OS: Fabian Delph and Ron Vlaar could both be in contention for the West Brom derby on Saturday. Delph and Vlaar will be assessed by boss Paul Lambert on Friday after coming through training this week ahead of the Baggies clash. Delph enjoyed his first morning back with the claret and blue boys on Friday of last week and has stepped it up since. Thanks for this. I'd be surprised to see either start but it's good news that they're both returning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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