As in the headline, you would think we were the better side today if you looked at the stats.
And it’s about as good as an example of why stats can’t be trusted or relied on.
(Which is exactly why I think moneyball is total bollox too).
So, I don’t do stats at all and go on my opinion from what I witnessed.
Which was utter rubbish.
Where do I start?
As has too often been the case, we started brightly, created a bit (with no penetration whatsoever), looked the more threatening side and then conceded as soon as they had a chance, with some shocking defending, yet again.
I’m sorry, but this pattern of play is all to familiar and as much as I try and give optimistic types of opinions, I can’t get away from thinking we are absolute rubbish as a team.
Is it the players?
Well, Konsa and Mings looked like amateurs today, in my opinion.
You can not go into a game with such a lax attitude that you consistently get caught out so early.
Even if I openly admit to not rating Mings in the slightest, I do rate Konsa.
There’s a problem here, somewhere.
Yet again, our midfield offered nothing.
It is set up to be more defensive than attacking, but the players don’t suit that.
We all know McGinn excels for Scotland when he’s blazing forward, pressuring their defence and trying attempts on goal and is probably the main reason the Scots might qualify for the World Cup.
He’s wasted messing around in our third.
It’s similar with all of them.
Ramsey is crap defensively (although he is nicely learning how to stick the boot in, when needed) because it’s not his game.
Luiz, who I really rate as a midfielder is in a similar position and being ripped to pieces for not being a holding midfielder and I think it’s a bloody shame. He quite rightly is sick of being a scapegoat and wants out. I don’t blame him.
You watch him go elsewhere and be valued at £75 mill in short time, imo.
I don’t have much to say about the game, because frankly I’m not interested. We offered very little. Yet again.
I’ve been sort of called out for saying we’re rubbish, but I’m sorry, we are.
All that mattered today was getting three points. Which I actually thought we would.
But I’m taking a bigger view, where I’m looking at the squad.
I think we have the players to get us into Europe.
Yet, again, we look miles away from that.
I’ve given my thoughts about Gerrard; he isn’t my cup of tea.
And here’s my prediction;
We are going to have a big clearout in the summer.
It’s what Gerrard does.
And we’re going to waste another load of money on big money signings sold at low prices (Ings, Watkins, Traore, half the team) and we buy players at inflated prices again.
Dean Smith practically wasted £90 mill and I can’t see past the same sort of thing happening again.
When, oh when will we get a manager who can actually improve what we have, as opposed to ripping it up all the time?
I’m sick of us continually having to change things and never seeing any signs of trying to build something.
I’m becoming seriously bored with the Vila.
Wolves were poor today, but when you have opponents like us, it’s all to easy.
UTV (but I don’t see it at the moment).
My sentiments Badger, I said to the the wife I’m now at the stage I don’t care anymore. that was a poor show and every player was to blame ,silly silly mistakes and lack of not knowing how to creat opening. Fed up of this week after week ,
It’s an utter load of shite Bill.
And I seriously don’t think it’s the player’s ability.
Yet again, there’s a problem.
Rumours of Sanson being a trouble maker have been posted?????
They don’t look like happy campers for what ever reason and perhaps Gerrard’s early positive results were the result of new management bounce?
Watkins for example looks divide of all happiness. McGinn looks a shadow of the player he was?
My bet is come the summer Gerrard will clear out and bring tried and trusted as a quick term fix to repair his reputation and so keeping his Liverpool dream alive?And maybe that could be to our long term detriment?
Time will tell.
( You can probably tell I’m not his (SG’s) biggest fan )
That’s basically what I’ve said.
I’m not alone in my thinking then.
I think Gerrard hands out the stick.
And these fannies can’t take it.
It’s why we can’t possibly get rid of McGinn. I’d guess he can swallow it or give it back if he thinks you’re wrong.
I’d bet he’s no 1 on the Jock’s teamsheet.
Hmmmm. Worrying. On paper, you’d say they’re above average players. IF there’s a problem with the manager-player relationship, Purslow and the owners have got some serious thinking to do. Can they afford to rip it up, and are they willing? The idea was build it up slowly – we should be ‘icing the cake’ this summer, maybe even adding a cherry, not slinging it. I would have reservations about a big clear out, as much as I disagree with the lack of professionalism of not putting in a full shift, regardless of if you ‘like’ the manager. How many United multiple champs ‘liked’ Fergie. That’s why I’m digging out the players in my comments.
And that, for me is the problem.
We should be adding one or two to improve us.
But it’s not Gerrard’s style.
He tears teams to pieces.
And the two are not compatible.
Who will win this disconnect?
It’s why I don’t rate him. He’s not offerd any sign of improvement.
I honestly hope I’m wrong.
If that’s the case McGinn should be skipper.
Bullseye.
Why isn’t he, is the question?
And for some reason it seems we had to go the PC route, in picking a minority type player, in Mings.
Even though he’s shown HIMSELF to be mentally weak.
I greatly admire our owners, but that was a shocking decision and it’s nothing to do with race, in case anyone dares to accuse me of it!
Agree. Having a big trap doesn’t mean you’re captain material.
Great article Badger and very similar to my views.
I am concerned that SG seems to be openly hostile of his players after less than half a season with them. He seems to be throwing them under the boss. I thought his job was to get the best out of them.
I’m also starting to get a bit cheesed with Purslow. He’s starting to come across as a James Bond villain, always telling us how clever he is. He told us what a deal he did, when he got Sanson for half price – not worked! How he had replaced Grealish with 3 players in one. Yep, Ings, Bailey and Buendia, the first two have not worked yet, and Buendia is not established yet. I reckon that’s about £100m for little return.
Badger, as you say, changing the style of play means GS wants a new team. So far I’ve seen paper talk of GS wanting Coutinho £33m, Stefan de Vrij £30m, Suarez & Darwin Nunez £60m and Bissouma £50m plus wages for all. The first two are near 30 and Suarez is mid 30s. £173m!!!
However, I did watch The Holy Trinity. His guess work had us being able to raise significant funds through selling.
Fringe players:
Targett £14m, El Ghazi £7m, Trezeguet £7m, Davis £2.5m, Wesley £4m
Total: £39m
Squad: Not worked out
Bailey £26m, Traore £17m and Sanson £12m
Total: £55m
Any 3 from the following:
McGinn £25, Luiz £29m, Ings £18m, Watkins £29m, Mings £27, Nakamba £5m, Cash £18m.
Approx £75m
In total £169m from player sales, plus NSWE cash injection.
Therefore, does SG know that he can get these players he wants by selling 12 players from the above. In turn this has emboldened him to call out the players with 8 matches if the season left? He knows he’s staying and they are going!
I don’t think Smith ticked the boxes for slick dick Purselipps mate ( too rough around the edges, no pedigree)and he IMO appears to be totally starstruck with the bin dipper.
Lol
I like that sort of comment.
Do be aware though, that I’m pretty sure I know who you are (previously).
Keep the comments abuse free to others on here and we’ll be fine.
Lol
I’ll be a good boy…. Promise 😁
Gerrard rants about being a one half team but that’s down to him. How many times do we see us being down at half time and put in a decent second half. Today we were 2-0 down against a Wolves team without two of their best players. In fact I have seen Wolves play better than today, but they never really had to work too hard and that’s why we improved second half. Not because of us but because they sat back and hit us on the counter knowing our midfield is non existent.
I am shocked that fans are saying McGinn should be sold. It’s not his fault that Gerrard plays him out of position.
We have lost 16 games this season with only Norwich and Watford losing more. Gerrard has been manager for 9 of those defeats. With Tottenham and Leicester up next, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that go up to 18 defeats and 5 in a row. Remember what happened when Dean Smith lost 5 in a row? Fans said you can’t expect to lose that many and not expect calls to be sacked!
My opinion is that nothing will be gained with another sacking and he deserves an opportunity to have a summer spend and see how things are before the World Cup. Dean Smith was extremely unlucky with injuries and Covid before Purslow brought down the axe to bring his old mate. The one thing he has over a Dean Smith is pulling power when attracting big names. This summer he will certainly have his work cut out.
How is it down to him, Holte (the one half team thing)? When a top professional crosses that white line, if there isn’t enough adrenaline pumping around him to get at least a semi-on, then he shouldn’t be a f****** ‘professsional’ footballer. Unless Gerrard and his coaches are so bad, they actually deflate the players before kick-off. No. These players need to have a serious look at themselves. Do they think they can do better than Aston Villa? Good luck with that. Dicks. Short careers. Wasted.
If McGinn and other are unhappy with their role in the team, Gerrard has given the impression that he listens. Knock on his door and tell him you can play much better if he plays you in a certain way. If he doesn’t, fine, leave. But if he does, and you’re still lethargic shite, do one! But there must be dialogue between players and manager, surely?
One name mate ..
Billy McNeil.
BFR, I do think some players have had their confidence shattered.
DS was a friendly type.
I don’t see Gerrard being that type, do you?
It’s exactly why Gerrard will want a clearout.
No room for fannies.
Which is pretty much all our attacking types.
It’s shocking, imo, as half our team won’t cut it, with this manager’s thinking.
The trouble is, many of us have been saying this for ages.
So what do those who make the decisions see?
It’s this that concerns me.
All we’re interested in is kids who are not (yet again!) proving good enough yet.
Badger, you said they were fannies before Gerrard arrived, so if that’s the case, he’s seen what you’ve seen and isn’t happy – surely, he deserves praise for that? Or do we expect him to hand out cupcakes and rub the players’ knobs when they’re sore? Look at this guys playing record, not just honours, the way he performed as a player at the highest level. CONSISTENTLY. Of course he’s not going to be happy. But why are we hammering him for it, exactly?
Mate pulling ” big names” as little to nothing to do with Dean Smith or Gerrard it’s all down to ££££.
Let’s see how much pulling power Eddie Howe has in the summer?
OK, I’m going to strip this down to the bare bones. You’re a professional footballer. You play for Aston Villa Football Club. Your manager is Steven Gerrard and he’s picked you in the starting 11 to go out and (try to) win a game. You go out and don’t put in a shift for 45 minutes.
F*** O**! Loser. Go play for f****** Small Heath.
I appreciate what you are saying but life ain’t that simple.
Unhappy camp + unhappy working environment + unhappy players =poor results.
I agree with that. But how can you be unhappy when you play for Aston Villa and the standards your manager sets are ‘Steven Gerrard standards’? If the camp really is unhappy and Gerrard really has lost the players, Purslow needs to fire Gerrard. It pains me to say that, because if it’s true, the players are a joke and will never win a damn thing, regardless of who’s their manager.
Perhaps they had a happy working environment under the previous incumbent? Knew what they were and weren’t capable off?
The new lolly comes in and it’s a pain to go to work? ( We’ve all been there)
And another thing those players were bought to play in a certain way, the Smith way.
So you think our glorious leader would appreciate that and maybe run with it until the end of the season when he can bring his own players in and change the style?
Maybe, but surely he has to give the current playing staff the chance to adapt to the style he wants? And those who can/do are keepers? El Ghazi and Targett couldn’t, clearly…
Is Digne that much better?
Not sure. He does play for the World Champs, though. Targett can’t get in the England squad, and he certainly wouldn’t get near the France team. Having said that, I wouldn’t have bombed him out.
D, what was ‘the Smith way’ in the end? He’d switched to five at the back and two up top and nobody know what the F was happening. He’d ripped up the Smith way and it was hopeless. Happy working environment? Losing 5 in a row? Sounds like a bunch of f****** losers to me, mate.
…and by all means, sack Gerrard if he loses the next two. It’s only fair. Although it would confirm that this group of players are LOSERS.
See United’s problems – can it always be the manager? Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho, Solskjaer…no. It’s the players’ attitudes that are the problem.
Good example.
It’s the whole club’s setup.
Which is what worries me re the Villa.
It ain’t right.
BFR, who do you think that applies to?
I’d suggest noone, as I’ve not seen signs of anyone not trying.
It’s more, they don’t have a clue.
It’s as disjointed a team, that is playing way below it’s capabilities as I’ve ever seen.
Take any area you like, set pieces, attacking; particularly defending and any semblance of a plan.
It’s crap mate.
And we need to accept that, as opposed to sucking Gerrard’s proverbial.
I’m sorry, but that’s how i see it.
Hang on, Badger. I thought one of the (main) problems is that the team don’t start trying until after half-time. Surely, that’s not putting in a shift. I’ve heard Dion Dublin talk about this – you’ve got to run around, put your foot in, unsettle the opposition, get the crowd going. Do they do that?
They do have a clue. See first half vs Leeds at home; second half vs United at home; most of the game vs Leeds away; Southampton at home. They HAVE produced what Gerrard wants. And when they have, we’ve loved it. It’s just been sporadic and inconsistent. WHY? Surely, the players have to ask themselves. Because it’s the same ‘crap’ that got Smith the sack. With a ‘nice’ manager, different tactics etc. But it’s the same again. So could it be the players? Losers, perhaps? No balls? I think so…
That’s the thing isn’t it?
Same players, who we universally think are pretty good.
But different manager’s outlooks.
What makes a good team? , needs to be the question.
I don’t know.
And that’s why I don’t get paid £50k a week or whatever, like some do.
It cannot be the players, imo.
We’ve gone too long over paying for what turns out to be crap.
We must have one of the worst records of anyone for buying rubbish and losing money.
I’d guess Everton are similar and look where they are.
We’ve supposedly got past what’s happened for the last 30 years.
Yet I don’t think we have.
We supposedly have some of the best kids in the game.
Where’s the dough coming in to fund our new players?
It’s all hype, yet again, as to now.
And our owners look like they need to pump another half a BILLION in before we even look like challenging.
Do they have the guts for that?
I seriously doubt it.
I’m not liking our outlook.
I’m going to strip this down again, before I check-out.
Message to the players. PUT. A, F******. SHIFT. IN. EVERY. F******. GAME. Your talent will do the rest and you’ll find you win more games than you lose. Heck, you might even win something one day.
I agree.
But there needs to be a plan too.
I don’t think they know what’s required.
That and there’s something wriong with how we start games.
We pressed Wolves to death in the first few mins.
And looked like a bunch of 11 yos when it came to the first chance they had.
And has been repeatedly pointed out for months, we saw players slipping, yet again.
Wtf is that about?
Make the players use small studs instead of slippers!!!!!!
Or get naturally faster players in.
I’m bloody sick of saying that. Does it not get picked up by the club’s stattos who should be saying it’s costing us possession?
Badger that to me was one of the problems, Wrong studs, over watering the pitch to put the away team at a disadvantage first half .I know it’s saying blame the tools ,but it’s done in the game, was we nieve? Also I agree McGinn should be captain, it would bring him back to the player he was, it would also give him the chance to play his game and not out of his comfort zone. Ramsey not all we think he should be doesn’t read a game well enough, we played a different game than Wolves, 1-2 pass didn’t work ,they cut us open with the long ball out to the wings and through the middle. Time to know your opponents we certainly didn’t.
Interesting to see all the comments on here and nearly all agree Gerrard has basically upset the players.
This is the problem with changing the manager all the time when things start to go wrong look at arsenal stuck with the manager when they were struggling now look at them.look at Brentford.
When you bring in a new manager and he plays a different style to previous then it’s obvious that the players are wrong for his style of play.
They should do like what Brentford do and Swansea in the past where a new manager plays basically the same system as the players at his disposal with a few tweaks here and there.
Getting a manager in who plays a different style is obviously going to upset the balance of the team.
Mcginn was brilliant in the first season back playing his natural game you can’t keep putting round pegs in square holes and expect success.
I’m rapidly losing interest in villa for first time in 65years even when in 3rd division I still had hope.
Hope of seeing villa challenge again as gone I’m afraid 😥
I think that as the general idea when they brought Smithy in, to give us an identity and continuity but slick dick Purselipps decided his mate from his Pool days was a better option.
So it looks like it’s Go back to start …, do not pass go…, do not collect ££.
(was)
The problem with football now is lack of patience. Imagine if Ron Saunders had been sacked after finishing 8th twice after previously finishing 4th in our second season back in the top flight. Dean Smith got us promoted in his first season, survived the second season and pushed on to 11th in his third season. A poor start to his fourth season despite all the injuries etc meant fans calling for his head. Five defeats in a row for a club like Villa is unacceptable! Gerrard has to prove himself as a manager in the premier league still. The new manager bounce has gone and the problems he inherited are still the same. Players playing out of position won’t help. McGinn is NOT a DM. Luiz isn’t either but without Nakamba he is our best option yet he was on the bench. Sanson played McGinn’s position and was mostly ineffective and Ramsey struggled although I won’t criticise him after the season he has had. One thing we seriously lack and I have been moaning about it since we got promoted, is the fact we lack leaders on the pitch. Who are the ones who you call upon when going behind in a game? That’s why I feel it’s game over every time we concede the first goal. Gerrard needs quality players in the summer clearly but mostly he needs leaders.
I’ve got a ticket for the match on Saturday. I haven’t been for 2.5 years (Liverpool, last minute Mane winner). Oh dear. I’m starting to regret coughing up £55 for that ticket after seeing Spurs today. People absolutely lauding Kane on social media. Undoubtedly an immense talent, but hasn’t won a damn thing. What odds a Kane hat-rick? I hope I’m wrong. Even the weather is looking dire. :/
They are on fire ( I can see them pipping Arsenal for that 4th spot mainly due to one thing and that one thing being called Conte ( now there’s a manger).
I really can’t see past a proper pasting but hopefully I’m wrong.
Still enjoy your day BFR (-:
Agree on Conte. I’m sure he was mentioned on here when Smith was struggling. Would he have come to the Villa? We’ll never know. But, yes, I would have loved him at VP – proper manager. What I will say is that, like Gerrard, he has excessively high standards, and he’s not afraid to dig them out when they’re poor. Maybe the way he does it is more palatable. Obviously far more experienced and successful a manager than Gerrard though, and a born winner.
I hope for our sake he (SG) is successful at VP but I’ve got to be honest I’m never ever ever going to like the gezzer.
I totally agree Holte. We lack battlers and Gerrard will address this; I’m convinced. He will want strong players first, creativity second.
Big D, you also make a very good point. We were supposed to have a club strategy where we have a consistent style of play, which runs through all levels of the players, from first team to the youngest kids.
Yet the first thing Gerrard did was go from playing wingers to playing narrow.
Is this the new norm, that will be espoused by the club, or is it just that’s what Gerrard has decided and Purslow was talking rubbish?
“Yet the first thing Gerrard did was go from playing wingers to playing narrow.”
I Hope our glorious leader is watching the Palace game.
See that Spurs and Kane have just hit top form in time to play us. 🙂
Indeed.Kane is back on fire now, after looking crap for ages. He’s looking the complete player too 🙁
Matt Cash has signed a new 5 year contract. That’s good, imo.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfer-news-cash-23594400
That’s great news. We needed some after the weekend!
It just showed on Sky that John McGinn is the third most successful tackler this season, with 86 tackles.
And I’ve seen some clowns elsewhere say he’s not good enough.
You have to laugh.
First players I’d keep is John, Cash, Martinez, Courtinho the rest I’d have to think about.
I can’t believe any Villa fan would want him sold Badger. Play him as an attacking midfielder like he is for Scotland and watch him flourish. McGinn and Cash are the type of players / personalities we need. We do need a big clear out with the likes of Traore, El Ghazi, Bailey and Targett being the main ones to offload because they don’t suit Gerrard’s formation.
And they’re not good enough Holte!
Excellent news about Cash – he’s been one of the most consistent performers this season and his delivery in the box (and goals) has improved.
See Crystal Palace are two up against Arsenal within 30 minutes. It has to come down to self belief – we have quality individual players but are we as good a team of players as CP?
We don’t need a wholesale clear out in the summer we need the right two or three jig saw pieces to complete a picture that currently has a couple of pieces from the wrong box that just don’t fit!
Oh well – crap analogy 🙂
Is their Squad so much better than ours?
Or is it the case they simply have have a better manager?
Apart from Fergie the premier league has been dominated by foreign managers. Apart from the disastrous appointment of Garde (remember him?) we have always gone British! I know we had Houllier and Venglos but frankly for different reasons neither worked out. One lesson to learn is avoid buying French! We seem to get all the duds (unless I have missed one) and Digne is probably the latest.
Mate I’d take Patrick Vieira in a heart beat.
Archer scores for Preston again tonight. Cracking finish with his weak foot too, we really need some of that next season. Hopefully he gets some serious minutes for us next season, looks like a rising star.
No chance mate, the bin dipper will too busy playing his geriatric mate Suárez.
“Gerrard has already told Konsa’s representatives that he can leave this summer.”
Looks like Konsa’a out the door.
Oh dear. That’s not good.
I’m honestly shocked by that.
Konsa’s been out of form lately, but I rate him as better than Mings.
I bet we let him go cheap too.
I wonder if it’s something about the mentality that Gerrard doesn’t like?
It’s not like Chambers has been much better than ok, is it?
In fact, I’m not even sure I believe it.
We have Konsa, Mings, Chambers and Hause.
Surely you would let Hause go out of the four if improving the squad is the aim?
I’m fine with that four, unless it’s purely about money and that Gomez story was true (which I doubt it is).
I know we’ve been poor at the back lately, but I think it’s more because of our rubbish midfield that doesn’t help them at all.
If we get rid of Konsa, without some stunning replacement coming in (and that means not Gomez) even more doubt will be set into my mind, I’m afraid.
He’s only 24, with loads of room to improve more!
Here’s the source (wouldn’t like to speculate on the accuracy but they’ve put it out there so there must be some basis to it?)
https://www.birminghamworld.uk/sport/football/aston-villa/aston-villa-backed-to-complete-philippe-coutinho-transfer-as-steven-gerrard-allows-departure-3643229
I can understand this in one way. Comparing Konsa with Mings in possession of the ball in the back line: what can they do with it? Mings can hit a long pass accurately up to Watkins, play it short to the full back or carry the ball to half way and release it to a midfielder. Konsa does not trust himself (with good reason) to hit a long ball up to the right sided forward, his passes to Cash can be poor and are telegraphed so often cut out. You won’t see him running with the ball. Defensively Konsa makes less mistakes than Mings but because of his distribution overall he contributes less.