Lush Vlad

We are not good against low blocks, are we? Seem to lack any vision or quickness of thought on the ball.

I’m sure we will see consistency applied across the season with these then…… It did seem harsh. But the fact you can still appeal after the VAR officials have looked at all the angles and replays and then cleared the ref’s decision. It just shows the whole VAR process up yet again. Also, on that basis. Schar’s red should have been overturned as there is clear evidence of that egg Brereton leaning his head in first and initiating the contact. VAR is unfit for purpose.

Yeah. Think it will be that. Based on I think 1, possibly 2 bits of pre-season I saw and what I have seen so far in the league. I think I’d prefer Kelly at CB moving forward. Small sample size, mind

Do the yellows count in cups still? Thought that changed years ago. Probably be Kelly at left back and Krafth CB. But I’d like to see Kelly and Schar as a pairing at some point.

That's what I mean. Anderson did not drop in and start marking the CF at times against Spurs. Joelinton did.

Didn't he just drop into left back out of possession? I'm sure there was more to it than that. But I don't remember him dropping in as a third centre back and marking their centre forward, as well.

I think it was Nagelsmann who called him a machine and was referring to his physicality. But also referenced how he is really tactically aware. I'm sure Howe has mentioned this, too. Certainly looks difficult that. Especially against such an elite side. Knowing when to press, when to drop, when to switch from defender back to midfielder when possession is regained. All of the triggers and areas on the pitch to remember. The players he is supposed to man mark when they are such a fluid team. I'm sure this happens on a much more complex level in the modern game. But it was still cool to see and it's great that we have such versatile players.

Repeating myself here. But I’ll say it again as the Sheff Wed game has been brought up, again. Sheff Wed were up at the top of League One, not League Two. They would have had a Championship level budget and huge in comparison to Wimbledon. I think they still had a few decent players, too. It was also away. I don’t think a lot of the changes we made to the XI were very good, from memory. As Ronaldo says, Isak was returning off a long lay-off and was only ever playing a half. Didn’t a years past it Ritchie and the lesser spotted Manquillo both start? I think we could still field a very good team with 8-9 changes. Loads of them would be first team regulars from the last season or two and/or players that are pushing for starts currently and have been starting league games this season, already. Not sure I agree with people suggesting Sanusi, Harrison, Alex Murphy etc get a game from the off. Plus I would go with a strong bench. But I think wholesale changes will be made and I’m not against that.

He cost £20m 3-4 years ago as a relative unknown in comparison to now. But he’s only worth £30-40m in today’s market, despite the fact he’s massively improved as a player, now plays for England and fees have gone up considerably in that time. Sounds a bit off, to me.

Didn’t he go for £20m 3-4 years ago? Back when he wasn’t particularly well known? Had 3 more seasons of regular premier league football since and has become a regular in the England squad. Transfer fees have gone through the roof and all. Even if no fucker can afford them these days because of PSR. It genuinely feels like people are still looking at transfer fees through the lense of 5-10 years ago. Or whatever the saying is.

Just on that last paragraph. It would be like saying imagine if Wilson stayed fit (years ago now, mind). Imagine if Bruno was really quick and a bit more powerful. Imagine if Big Joe had world class quality on the ball. They wouldn’t be playing for us as they’d be the next rung up ability wise and would be playing for a truly elite level team.

Yeah. It is kind of harsh when you consider the slip and it didn’t seem like excessive force. But the amount of times he could have been sent off for all his snide behaviour and constant moaning at the ref. I can’t say I have much sympathy.

They really shouldn’t have Neville on Man U games and Carragher on Liverpool games. It’s so irritating. Neville is just sat there moaning on like a sulky fan and saying how bad Man U have been at every opportunity. Loads of thinly veiled, ridiculous insults aimed at the players. Worse than a Sunday League team, worst he has ever seen them under Ten Hag, etc etc. Perhaps not this bad. But they look terrible most weeks since Ten Hag took over. But I’m sure it’s all the players’ fault every week…..

That is class from Slippy VdV. Parting of the red sea, mind. None of them fancied trying to tackle him.

Deserved. Morsy could have had 3-4 yellows but he is actually pretty good in that deep role, minus some of the brain dead fouls. Gets on the ball a lot and happy to have it under pressure. Davis the left back always impresses. As does Delap.

Superb from Delap. Not sure Villa fans will be too pleased with Carlos’ defending, mind.

I wonder if Howe and our scouts only rate him because of the Euros? Not a chance he is worth £70m. But I think he is a very good player and he will end up at a top club, if not here. I’d be more than happy with us signing him and I do not only think he is decent because of the Euros. Granted he had a shocker in the 4-0 up here. But that’s one game. The fact that he seems to be more suited to playing on the left is a minor concern.

They were up the top end of League One and at home and were knocking on the door to get back into the Champ. These are in League Two and have a shoestring budget probably even compared to Sheff Wed, I would have thought. We are playing at home and a lot of the players I’ve listed have been first team regulars over the last season or two. It’s not like people in here are suggesting we play the stiffs or rotating when we don’t have any depth. We have a decent enough bit of squad depth for a change currently and no injury crisis. So it would be good to see some players we may need down the line. Get some minutes and match fitness.

We could make 8-9 changes and still play a pretty strong looking team. Without meaning to sound arrogant. Especially when you consider the level of opposition. We‘ll ignore the Cambridge game…… Dubravka Tino Schar/Krafth Kelly Hall Longstaff Willock Joelinton/Tonali Murphy Osula Almiron

Yeah. Agree. Considering I was at Villa when we went down the first time and all but confirmed the second time. ST used to be in L7 next to the away fans and they really did hate us for a while. I suppose I should have a problem with them. But I like Emery. Most of their players seem likeable enough (bar Mings and Martinez) and they are a good watch for the neutral.

Villa really do get opened up at the back A LOT. But they seem to score for fun or find ways to keep it out. Defensive mistakes aside. Ipswich need to be a lot more clinical if they want to stay up.

Lovely cross in and decent movement from Watkins. But that is some criminal defending.

Yep. Looks a horrendous error on first viewing and perhaps it is still a bit rash to dive in like that 1v1. But the replay shows he gets the ball and then Grealish is fortunate with it deflecting right back into his path. Unlucky as well as a bit too aggressive in that situation.

One is Puma and one is Adidas? Would feel a bit weird I would have thought. Always slightly different sizes, shape and weight.

They really need to review the 5-10 yellow card limits for bans, IMO. They get dished out a lot these days. This season seems particularly stringent. I just checked and there are 4 players who already have 4 yellows. 12 on 3.