Dean Smith has already said that we’re going to play every game to win, with the attitude that if the opposition score three goals, we’ll score four.
I’ve never been able to get the basic aim of football out of my head;
To win a game you simply score more goals than the opposition.
And that is the bottom line.
But of course, we all know it’s not quite that simple and there are various ways of winning a game, whether it’s by a war of attrition or just a blatant outclassing or even trying to frustrate the opposition by parking the bus.
And we all know it’s equally easy to lose a game by having the wrong tactics and going all out to score against very good sides who will punish you if you leave yourselves open.
And it’s this latter part that concerns me.
While many of us are licking our lips at the thought of playing Spurs in their nice shiney ground on the first day of our season, how confident would we be of actually getting any kind of result if we go at them?
Not that I’m downbeat before we even play them.
Spurs play nice, fast paced footy and I’m expecting a cracking game, whatever the result.
But that’s for nearer the game, where incidently, I’ve had the editor of a Spurs website contact me, to see if we’re interested in an article offering a preview of the game from their side.
I’ve taken them up on this and they’ve said we can post an article on their site giving our prior thoughts on the game.
I’m interested in that too, but as it stands, I don’t have a clue what to think about how we’ll do against them.
If anyone feels they could offer an opinion and write an article nearer the game, feel free to let me know.
Anyway, going back to the point, I think Dean Smith is approaching things in the right way.
But what worries me, is that I can see cases where if we go all out, we might well get thrashed on more than a few occasions and us fans will become despondent.
Or do you think we will stick with Smith through thick and thin, as long as we see a plan coming together and the team improving?
I know the answers seem immediately obvious, in that “yes, we play entertaining attacking footy, win, lose or draw”.
But I want you to think a little more deeply and consider how you might think if we’ve lost 5,6 or 7 on the trot, we’re in the middle of winter and the squad has been depleted through injuries because we’ve worked them to death and things are looking bleak.
A worst case scenario, I know, but a serious possibility all the same.
I know. It’s far too pessimistic an approach to even consider before we’ve even started the season.
But I’m a realist and want your views on if we’re approaching things in the right way.
Hence the poll.
Douglas Luiz announced subject to work permit (which is odd – given that it’s been rumbling on that was the hold up). Great signing – really great.
After watching the game to me, this was the one area in the field that I felt we were clearly lacking. If we’ve got a baller here, who can not only protect the back 4 (who again looked too casual for me) and spray passes forward then this is a very exciting signing for me.
Phew! As they’ve announced it officially I can’t see there being any real problems with the work permit.
Welcome to VP Douglas. Hope he plays on Saturday.
This won’t go down at all well with Sam Allardyce.
According to Big Sam we should have only signed three players so I assume he would have given new contracts to all those thirty something fringe players that we released or, perhaps we should have gone with a first team squad of 15?
I get that signing so many new players is a risk (as per our relegation season) but I would prefer the risk associated with the business we have done rather than the risks from a strategy as suggested by Allardyce.
Well worth watching Douglas Luiz’s interview –
https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2019/07/25/club-tv-douglas-luiz
He sees himself as a leader and why not? He was captain of the Brazil U 23s who just won a tournament and he was named as player of the tournament. He seems very grounded and mature for his age.
Can’t help feeling that we might have got a real bargain there.
I seems like one of Smith’s criteria is leadership qualities. He said as much when he joined the club. Great stuff! A team full of leaders is like the title winning Arsenal of old, while the opposite is the powderpuff modern Arsenal. The results speak for themselves. So, young, technically talented, leaders, and hungry for success. That makes for some team. Now Smith and his team have to mould them and build that all important camaraderie. If this happens, we have to be aiming to win our league and finish 7th!
Marvelous Nakamba I personally hope we don’t sign for the same reason previously mentioned, that he could be a trouble maker if he doesn’t get his way.
Douglas Luiz certainly has the credentials to fit in with our current remit of young hungry players who should increase in value. My only concern is that Citeh can activate that clause the moment he looks class! Consolation that they will have to pay more than we paid for him.
Where does this leave Hourihane and Lansbury? Fringe players possibly who play cup games which will be harsh IMO. Lansbury has been on fire in pre season so far and deserves an opportunity. It’s possible that Bjarnasson and Lansbury could be sold before season starts.
Next two signings need to be a goalie and a forward. Offload either Hogan or Kodja and either Kalinic or Nyland and loan out the likes of O’Hare and Hepburn Murphy as long as it’s a minimum of championship football. Anything less would be pointless if we want to escalate them to first team.
It’s definitely the busiest transfer activity I can remember for Villa and still plenty more to happen before we kick off at Spurs! Poor Sam!
Agree about Nakama. Would rather keep Thor as back up to Luiz.
So Luiz is in the bag?
That’s the kid from Man City, yes?
If so that seems a great signing, as Pep rates him highly (if he hasn’t been cute and stitched us up).
I’ll have to look at the details of that deal, but the word was Blue Manc have a buy-back clause?
As for Marvellous, agreed, I don’t want an agitator down the Villa.
Unless he’s been told by us to push for a move.
I don’t believe for one minute we’d do that, hence he will not be coming, imo.
Oh, as for Allardyce, I actually think he’s right.
But only if you have the quality base to push on from.
As biased as I am, it’s plainly obvious that the overall quality of the squad was way too low to survive in the Prem and 3 players wouldn’t have been anywhere near enough.
If we can just survive this season, that’s when I would expect small numbers of serious quality to be added, year on year.
I’ve had quite a few conversations with other prem club’s fans over the last few days and the question is always “how do you think you’ll do?”
And the consensus answer is “just survive” on both sides.
As it happens, the Spurs fan boasted about us playing at a big ground (who didn’t know if it was home or away, although he does attend; go figure) and fully expects to whup our arse, because he’s abnormally confident about how they’ll do this season.
“It’s just like us to score 5 with 20 to go and then concede 6” was his quote, when I told him our aim is “you score 3, we’ll score 4”.
He totally conceded that anything might happen in the first game of the season.
It is indeed, a funny old game.
Which I suppose, is why we love it.
The Telegraph reports that – ‘Aston Villa are on the verge of making their 11th summer signing with the £11 million capture of Marvelous Nakamba, after completing a deal for Douglas Luiz.’
They’ve been pretty spot on so far so does this mean we’ve virtually bought an entire team? Still a goalie to go though.
I hope this isn’t the bad apple that spoils it all.
I’m a little concerned that we have bought another team in players, how many players are going to get games and by all accounts one player is known to be a rebble and worried over what’s going on in the dressing room. I see players knocking on the managers door for games. I trust Dean to act on any discontent that pops up!! It might be the backroom team are thinking of making a few quid in January.
I’d guess that players will be rotated. If we’re to survive in the Prem we need a good squad not just a good first eleven. I’d also guess that there’s some redundancy there and players who don’t hack it will be gotten rid of in the January window.
Like most of you I’d guess that I’m quite surprised by all the activity. However, we just have to trust that Dean, Jesus and Christian know what they’re doing.
Guys, I really don’t see any problem. The players need to know that to keep their place in the team, they need to perform, because there is at least one more player available in their position. Add to that the inevitable injuries and suspensions, plus, hopefully, two cup runs, and everybody will contribute!
On a far more practical point, clubs need to register a 25 man squad. What you don’t want is a good first 11 and another 14 making up the numbers. The successful teams always have two 11s that are interchangeable. The United of ’99 a particular example.
Personally, I like the old fashioned method of as long as you’re doing your job, you keep the shirt. That way, everyone knows where they stand. The ‘reserves’ then wait for their chance, which will come, and when it comes, they keep if if they produce and they become first choice. Exceptions, of course, for certain players: Grealish and McGinn and anyone else who becomes indispensable through their performances. Having said that, rotation is also necessary when two games in a week are played, so again, it makes sense to have two equally strong players in each position…
A strong squad is what is needed for success!
UTV
Don’t forget it’s Charlton v Villa at 3 pm on You Tube –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZQlUZ2Imwc
I’m wondering if Luiz will play and also if we’ll start to get a glimmer of Dean’s first eleven for the Spurs game.
Looking forward to it.
Appears that Wesley has picked up a knock and no Kodjia (should we read anything into that?). Striker options look a bit thin – we do need another quality strike option.
Can’t watch the game again! as in the very rainy Lake District!
Hitch, agree about strikers. Want me to give you some updates as the match goes on?
That would be great – thanks Pat
Over 3,000 Villa fans there and they’re making lots of noise…
Foul on Jack outside the box. Conor goes close with the free kick.
Poor backpass and Jack might have scored. Good block by the defender
Bad tackle on Jack. He’s down and getting some treatment….but he’s okay it seems
Stream down…well it wouldn’t be AVFC TV without a few outages now would it?
How’s Trezeguet looking?
Okay but it’s El Ghazi who’s looking the sharpest up front
Winning 1-0! Would be great to see the goal but it’s Villa TV
just tp prove it twitter says he’s just scored 0-1
Stream now back on with a minute to go. I’ll have to wait until later to see the goal I suppose.
Comfortable so far from what I’ve seen, especially at the back
Jack ran through the middle and great pass onto El Ghazi who put in near corner….
Just seen it. Nice little through ball from Jack and very well taken by El Ghazi