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.
Hopefully we will be able to view the second half in its entire…….crash! 😒
Hopefully my “normal” streams will be OK in the Prem…lol
Jota and Green on. Looked like a handball for a pen but you never get those in friendlies
Green 2-0 well worked goal
3-0 John McGinn. Too powerful for the goalie. Stepping up several gears now
Guilbert on too and came close with along shot
Konsa lunges in – penalty. Bit silly and unnecessary
The rashness of youth
3-1 Steer went the right way but it was too high for him.
I think that JT might want a word with Konsa after the game…
Hogan, Lansbury and Targett now on
Hause instead of Engels is a bit surprising. Two left footers at CB.
Charlton should have scored. Villa gone down a gear now
Jeez! It’s off again…
Commentator curse again when just apologising if we missed first goal
Back again still 1-3
Great goal by McGinn. Brilliant footwork and a narrow angle. Terrific!
McGinn awesome!
Solly coming off to applause. Bet he’s glad that it’s Villa who’s playing at his testimonial.
1-4! A good performance and hopefully no injuries. Certainly a number of players pushing for a place when the season starts with Luiz and Wesley notably missing today adding more strength in depth.
Thanks guys
1-4 final score.
So what have we learned so far?
Players who are nailed on for the Spurs game (in no order) – John, Jack, Tyrone, El Ghazi, Jota. Guilbert and Wesley.
So might the team against Spurs look something like this?
Steer (or new Goalie)
Guilbert
Engels
Mings
Targett
Hourihane
McGinn
Jack
El Ghazi
Jota
Wesley
If Luiz proves himself he might take Conor’s place but for the first game I think this might be quite a strong team, an attacking one too. Spurs never look that good when teams take it to them. To quote Corporal Jones “They don’t like it up ’em, Mr. Mainwaring.”
Looks interesting Pat and would leave us with a strong bench as well.
The respected MOMS blog has suggested that the reports regarding a new GK are a red herring and that it will be between Kalinic and Steer.
We will see.
Still no sign of Marvellous, then?
Marvelous 🙂
Don’t want to get carried away. Yes we have played lesser opposition than prem teams in pre season but one thing you cannot take away from Deano and the boys at Villa is that there is an understanding of how we play, I’ve not seen any disconnection with any two players that have been at our club more than a week. It’s quick, it’s fluid, it’s direct, it’s quality and to date, it’s F###ing unbelievable to watch compared to the last 4,5,6 good knows how many years!