This is going to be a pretty quick article with a couple of thoughts on todays game
Both teams come into the game on poor runs; Villa one win in five and Wolves one in four and off the back of a poor result at Anfield whereas Villa played really well at West Ham without any reward.
Villa should have benefitted from the rest occasioned by last weeks postponed game – particularly for the players that have been on international duty. Barkley is still sidelined by his hammy but is reported to be running again so may be back for the next game. I haven’t seen any news on Davis but, if fit, I expect to see him on the subs bench.
Wolves are without their main strike threat and are not known for being prolific in front of goal. Their strength has been in defence but there maybe concerns here as well with Nuno having recently switched from a three at the back to a four over the last three games – will they revert to their tried and trusted formation today?
Whatever there may be an opportunity to exploit an uncertainty here.
Villa might count themselves unlucky not to have come away from West Ham without at least a draw but having said that we have to be more clinical in front of goal – we had more than enough chances to win the game. Trezeguet is the principal culprit having failed to find the net in 22 attempts this season (more than any other player) and often not even managing to hit the target. Having said that, he makes intelligent runs and gets himself into goal scoring positions and puts in a real shift for the team. It looks as if he’s trying too hard and just needs a bit of luck in front of goal to restore his confidence – so I’m sure the goals will come.
We also have to stop conceding soft goals and making silly mistakes at the back and we need to concentrate from the whistle not five minutes later; this is an unwelcome throwback to last season pre lockdown! West Ham had just two attempts on target and scored two very preventable goals. I see Smith made reference to this in his recent press conference and that he has reminded the team they need to be hard to beat which was the mantra post Project Restart.
So to today’s game which is hard to call. They beat us twice last season and we generally have a poor record against them over recent seasons, particularly at Molineaux where they’ve won the last three.
I’m not particularly good when it comes to predicting results but I’m going to stick with my recent post and go for a draw; even if only because the odds suggest one is now due!
Just heard, R. I P Gerard you was part of our Great club.
Sad news. RIP Gerard Houllier.
So… Do we think Jack has messed up his chances of making the England squad next year? After the year he has been having this just throws him under the bus. Why does he do it to himself? If he cut out the off pitch nonsense and stopped the odd theatrical dive he would be adored by most instead he just drives opinion all the time and its so frustrating. I really hope this is the last learning curve he needs.
He’s a young man who would be out partying with his mates all the time if he wasn’t a footballer. Football gives him fame and more money than he can spend, plus lots of free time.
It’s a recipe for disaster really. It’s why so many go off the rails. I just hope he enjoys his football enough to keep close enough to the straight and narrow and doesn’t ruin his career.
Can you imagine having that ability though? Awesome.
Our Jack is a typical Jack the lad, if I look back at my youth the things I did I’d say I’m no different. I drove a car at 14 because my father was drunk, I got a motor bike and used it without a licence till I fell off. He’s still finding his way in life till a young lady gets hold of him to carm him down, in our time now it’s high profile news to papers to bring him down ,he will learn and look back and feel the same as I did and do , it’s LIFE in today’s world. Im not proud of what i did but think you silly sod Bill.
Totally agree Bill. The difference is you weren’t an icon then – it’s only now you’ve achieved celebrity status when you have the years of experience to deal with it 🙂
I feel it’s incredibly difficult for successful, high profile, young people to live up to the pedestal they’re put on in this age of 24hours news coverage and the intrusive aspect of social media. That’s not to say I condone JG’s irresponsible behaviour more that I understand, as you so clearly describe, the rashness of youth – exacerbated by the amounts of money they earn and those who would ‘claim’ to be their friends.
As someone who has owned a number of very fast and powerful cars I understand the intoxication they produce and, even now, at my advanced years I have to resist the temptation to get the lead boot out, feel the acceleration and luxuriate in the wonderful sound of a highly tuned engine …. Oops!
It’s a chapter in his life he needs to learn from and move on otherwise he will throw away what promises to be a great career in football – with people like Dean Smith around him, I’m sure he will.
Not a good look, the first incident smacks of being fairly drunk and unable to estimate and coordinate, the second is just carelessness and naive to think that there are always cameras and unmarked cars ready to pounce. The 82k doke would have paid a driver for 2 years … he’ll absolutely need one now. Wonder what the club fine will be for bringing down the name of the club ….
https://twitter.com/skynews/status/1338895344411635713?s=21
Jack gets no sympathy from me. He isn’t a kid anymore. He is 25 years old and should have already learned from his previous escapades. If he wants to become an England regular he needs to grow up. There are only a few players who get into the spotlight for the wrong reasons and Jack is one of them. The vast majority act like professionals and only appear in the headlines for playing football.