alexf

I get the whole mentality about not changing a winning team and Howe himself has alluded to this so probably won't. But I just don't see that Shelvey is really contributing that much. He just cannot get around the pitch and would almost be better coming on later to try and help keep the ball towards the end of were winning a game. I think once Bruno gets in the team, that dynamism is going to be apparent to all and will lift us up another level. In the same way Trippier has and ASM does.

We hopefully won't be as open as Leeds. I'd recommend we play a fairly deep line and try to hit on the counter through ASM. If we play end to end against these they will be better than us.

I mean this is part of it people scream at him to pass but often the people he has been passing to can't score to save their lives. So he probably often has a better odds of scoring alone than if he passed. But he'll get condemned when he shoots but doesn't score but praised if he passes but someone else doesn't score. Hopefully he doesn't give a shit about the few dissenting voices and will just do his best for the team and as said before, the more we can surround him with better players, the better he will perform.

I think Coutinho would get the better of Shelvey but stick Bruno on him and he will be a bit tighter and will know him well from the Brazilian national team. That's if he is playing number 10? Not sure if villa are using him as one of the wide forwards or not.

Fair play to him, I was worried all that confidence he has built up lately was going to drop away after that slip. But he had a strong 2nd half and was important in the build up for the 2nd goal.

Gonna be a tough game this one. Hopefully the lads carry some momentum. Pull off another a win and I really don't think we have to look back after that. We'd comfortably stay up.

Seemed like he was carrying an injury most of the season. Or perhaps it was a mental block but the last few games he has stretched his legs and its almost like once he remembers he's actually quick he grows in confidence throughout the game. I was hoping he can turn it around and play that role that Lingard was likely going to take and I think he is a crucial player for the remainder of the season in terms of breaking from midfield and trying to get some goals.

Had a feeling this would happen but glad it did..... We look so much fitter.

I agree. However he was doing that when he came on as he came on for Willock. I just think he will bring more to the team than Shelvey and I believe Willock is the only player we have that can do that most advanced of the 3 role and Joelinton has been pretty consistent in his number 8 role. I appreciate playing the pivot might not be is best position as I haven't seen enough of him but I just think our best 3 midfield would be Willock Bruno Joelinton if we carry on this formation. They all bring something different and I just find Shelveys lack of mobility the biggest concern.

Exactly what we needed. Nothing flashy but just solid left back who is going to allow ASM to use all his energy in attacking. Shame he's out of villa game but he's going to be massive for the rest of the season. Well played lad.

One thing I would say. If we had Wilson and our other players could finish then that should have been a 5 or 6 tonight level of performance. All over the pitch we were dominant. There was a period 2nd half where we just piled the pressure on for a solid 10 minutes and they didn't get out it was just corner after corner. So the only concern or negative is it seems its gonna take a lot of chances for us to get the goals we need. But if they could keep that energy level up and closing down then we look like we'll be a tough team to play against now.

Shelvey has improved lately but this guy looks like he's gonna slot into his position easily. Looked very classy with every touch and his closing down was better than anything we have had all season even in just a few minutes.

He's a level above when he's on it. I wish people could accept the times when things don't come off because you have to understand its the sort of player he is. He's a risk taker and when it clicks it's great and sometime it doesn't come off but atleast he's trying. He's getting better as a player with us and having a decent left back behind him helped loads. Plus players like Bruno feeding him passes 1 on 1 instead of 1 v 4 will prove lucrative.

10/10 performance. Hope the knock he got isn't bad. Seems the type it would take a lot to keep him from playing.

We have to go on and win this. They are there for the taking if we could just take some of these chances. Bruno hopefully gets on before Shelvey gets sent off

I mean how many times has that happened to him in his time here now. His legs literally buckle with fear every time he ever has a chance to score. Like there's a curse on him. Should have had 2 goals in thst half on his own.

Loves sticking it to PSG doesn't he EDIT * just saw the final score

Yeah alot may depend on if Hodgson can get Watford picking up results. Which will make our task infinitely harder.

Gives me Kovacic vibes from Chelsea, which is no bad thing as I think he's a very good player. But seems to have that tenacity in winning the ball and then is comfortable at finding space and finding a team mate. Could be a huge signing and hopefully lifts the performances of those around him also.

Watched some clips of him. He'll instantly be the best left back at the club which more than justifies his signing. Seemed to link up well with Grealish at Villa down that left side. Let's hope he and ASM can get a good understanding going also.

Yeah you can't dump Murphy out. He is finally starting to show glimpses of ability, can cover a number of positions and has pace. Hayden if there is no one else. Injured but also has played like total shit even when he wasn't injured. Contributes nothing.

The funny thing with Wood is as soon as he gets a goal I think people may relax a little more and warm to him. Unfortunately I don't think we are really set up for his style and if anything he will be the distraction/nuisance that will hopefully allow ASM and maybe Willock to pick up a few more goals. Which means he will still be helping the team and making a difference. Early in the season, the concern wasn't really that we couldn't score goals it was we couldn't defend. So we often needed 3 or 4 to win a game which we definitely weren't good enough to do. If we can stop throwing away leads in the final 10 minutes of games we will be ok. Improved fitness levels have as much to do with this as well, because after 70 mins in games our players are visibly fucked. I hope Howe and his staff have been able to improve this in the time they have had so far. The leeds result signifies this, however we still had 3 muscle injuries during the game I believe?

Is Calvert-Lewin fit again now? They have a lot of attacking players that can hurt us, DCL, Richarlison, Van de Beek, Dele Ali, Gray, Townsend (ex-player typical goal reasons) Just hope the newly formed defence is up to the task and they are as shit at the back as they have been recently.

Arteta really wanted rid of him no matter what Just gave away their main goalscorer for last few years and club captain. To be fair, did come across like a bit of a dick. Would have probably taken him here out of desperation just for now but ideally I think most would be wise to steer well clear. Seems to have lost alot of pace aswell which was his main asset.

Agree. However good chance he plays Lascelles and Shelvey Instead of Schar and Willock/Miggy. I really hope it doesn't cost us if he does. Really fear a new manager bounce and a debut Vdb/Dele Ali goal. I'd love a solid defensive display and ASM to wreck havoc where he can and/or nick something from set pieces.