Coffee_Johnny Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 52 minutes ago, Andy84 said: Villa are a good side but fancy us at home, we’ll win this If we do, it’ll be hard fought and a well earned victory. They are a good side. I don’t see us losing, but a draw seems most likely. That said, if we win (even by the odd scrappy goal) it would be a fantastic marker for the season ahead. Beating as many of the likely top six at home will make all the difference to where we finish in the top 8. Can’t see lower than than, personally. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffee_Johnny Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 1 hour ago, The College Dropout said: I always assumed most managers give their strongest team (or atleast the one most likely to start together) a runout near the end of pre season. We don’t seem to have done that. Surprises me too. That said, maybe they’ve had some consistent time playing together in training, not the same as live games, but maybe he/they think that is enough. Assuming, of course, he knows his starting 11. personally I would have loved to see more of Tonali and Bruno working things out together; really important if they are going to play as fluidly, in terms of interchangeable positions, as I suspect they will. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STM Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 We've only signed 2 players and one of them, Barnes, is incredibly unlikely to start. If the rest don't have a decent chemistry after last season, I'm not sure one friendly is going to change things. Howe is keeping his cards close to his chest for 2 reasons: 1. It motivates the players 2. It gives Villa something to think about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gleebals Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 2 hours ago, STM said: We've only signed 2 players and one of them, Barnes, is incredibly unlikely to start. If the rest don't have a decent chemistry after last season, I'm not sure one friendly is going to change things. Howe is keeping his cards close to his chest for 2 reasons: 1. It motivates the players 2. It gives Villa something to think about. This Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Howe did the same last season as well, never played a full strength side in pre season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 7 minutes ago, Nobody said: Howe did the same last season as well, never played a full strength side in pre season Didn't we have one or two behind closed doors games as well. Hartlepool rings a bell. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 1 minute ago, madras said: Didn't we have one or two behind closed doors games as well. Hartlepool rings a bell. Might be right actually, but not in the 'main' friendlies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nepharite Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 17 minutes ago, Nobody said: Howe did the same last season as well, never played a full strength side in pre season Craig Hope made a good point about Eddie playing "units" rather than full-strength sides. He speculated that Gordon, Isak & Miggy who played yesterday are the most likely front 3 vs Villa. A midfield 3 of Bruno, Longstaff and Joelinton will be the starting midfield next week. It seems plausible to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzaschicken Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 2 hours ago, Nepharite said: Craig Hope made a good point about Eddie playing "units" rather than full-strength sides. He speculated that Gordon, Isak & Miggy who played yesterday are the most likely front 3 vs Villa. A midfield 3 of Bruno, Longstaff and Joelinton will be the starting midfield next week. It seems plausible to me. I think he will ease the new signings in like he did with Bruno etc. Keeps team harmony good. I expect this team: Pope Trippier bots schar targett Longs Bruno Joel Might isak gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzza Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 After today I think it will be: Pope Trips schar bot burn Longst bruno. Joe Miggy. Isak. Gord (?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Barnes over Gordon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
relámpago blanco Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Is Schar fit? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzza Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 6 minutes ago, relámpago blanco said: Is Schar fit? Lascelles looked very average today. Would rather move dan b into the middle and target on the left if schar isn't ready Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54 Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Barnes looked good today, but Gordon has looked good over the whole of pre-season, so would start Gordon next week. Oh to have options.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Some tough choices for Howe to make after today Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
relámpago blanco Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 3 minutes ago, buzza said: Lascelles looked very average today. Would rather move dan b into the middle and target on the left if schar isn't ready Alex Murphy looked solid. I'm not sure Botman and Burn works well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
relámpago blanco Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Though Schar will be fit anyway. He always is. He'll have to be executed before he misses a game through injury under Eddie. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STM Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Schar will play. He just loves making a fuss. Gordon will get the nod but Barnes is one hell of a sub. It's that RCM slot that's interesting. I'm now swaying towards Tonali. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 I would start Tonali but I would understand if he didn’t. Ultimately he’s the answer but I guess there’s no rush. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lish007 Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Gordon will get the nod but Barnes will come on for 30 mins if we are chasing the game. Nice options to have!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 1 minute ago, Lish007 said: Gordon will get the nod but Barnes will come on for 30 mins if we are chasing the game. Nice options to have!! Theres a good chance he'd come on regardless, we will sub at least 3 of our forward 6. It's how we maintain our intensity Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bimpy474 Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 (edited) Midfield 3 on performances should be Bruno, Joel and Miley or Anderson. Obviously Miley won't get the nod, so between Tonali and Longstaff and Anderson. Reckon Anderson as a surprise-ish pick to make up the three. Edited August 6, 2023 by Bimpy474 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gleebals Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 As soneone rightly said to me, we are now a club that has 40m players on the bench. How far we have come!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Magpie Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 (edited) I'd be surprised if Tonali starts, I think he needs more time to adjust to the pace and system. Much like Bruno was given at the start of his journey. Also feel it takes Longstaff a bit to get into the swing, at times today he was very sloppy and a bit off the pace similar to how he lloked when he came back last season, was that following an injury too? I'd go with Anderson but not 100% certain with him staying more right of centre, that said Joelinton can interchange with him easily enough. In Eddie we trust 'cos I know fuck all really. Edited August 6, 2023 by Irish Magpie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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