How fortunes change! Having had to postpone a trip on Boxing Day meant that I was able to see the game versus Norwich, but I have to say that as the hour approached I was filled with some apprehension: another defeat and we would really be in it. And we nearly were (in it)!
Well, we managed to get over the line, but somewhat fortuitously, and let's not forget we were playing the team that is now bottom of the league.
And now we've got to the halfway point in the league season, my assessment of the sort of team we have is one that has been living on false confidence - hence the casualness of some of the players on occasion. Villa have flattered to deceive at times, with our insistence that in Mings, Engels, McGinn and Jack we have the essence of a fine - if not great - side. And when we achieved that 5-goal win at Norwich it seemed that champagne was beginning to flow as though we had won a trophy!
The reality has come home to roost - firstly that our midfield is too light, lacks enough sharpness and is often predictable. In Jack, John, Douglas and Marvelous we have players who collectively just do not have enough power nor assertiveness. I am certain now that to play both Douglas and Marvelous on the pitch at the same time is utter folly, but their substitutes - Conor and Henri - are not the complete solution either.
We need more power in midfield for sure, in my opinion, and someone who can help drive the attack in order to give much better support to dear Wesley, who looks alone and forlorn at times.
Until we obtain that power midfielder - if ever we do - we cannot play Luiz and Nakamba on the pitch at the same time, and I have to say of the two Luiz is my favourite to be selected. Though lacking some power, he at least puts himself about a lot more and seems better motivated.
So, I'm reasonably (not perfectly) happy that, when fit, Douglas, Jack and John should be the attacking midfield, or Conor as a left-sided alternative to Douglas.
That leads to who should sit in front of the back four, and I have reached the conclusion that we have a ready answer in Tyrone Mings! He, after all, has shown the propensity for going forward and can certainly pass a ball, and - indeed - provides more power, so with two good conventional centre-backs already in place in Konsa and Hause, why not?
Of course, that is unlikely to happen but, to me, it's an opportunity lost if that approach is not adopted and should solve the lack of power issue in midfield without further expenditure and with the addition of providing a better defensive wall.
One further adjustment: Kodjia or Davis in place of (probably) Trezeguet and then maybe we would have a team that would be hard to handle, allowing the striking pair a chance to develop a hot partnership.
Well, that's my New Year wish-list! But I'm probably on my own on this.
On Saturday we play the team that is next bottom of the league, but they are improving and we play them on their own ground. This match is going to need better commitment and solidity than we have been showing of late - and better shooting too.
Well, I'm holding my breath!
UTV!
Well, we managed to get over the line, but somewhat fortuitously, and let's not forget we were playing the team that is now bottom of the league.
And now we've got to the halfway point in the league season, my assessment of the sort of team we have is one that has been living on false confidence - hence the casualness of some of the players on occasion. Villa have flattered to deceive at times, with our insistence that in Mings, Engels, McGinn and Jack we have the essence of a fine - if not great - side. And when we achieved that 5-goal win at Norwich it seemed that champagne was beginning to flow as though we had won a trophy!
The reality has come home to roost - firstly that our midfield is too light, lacks enough sharpness and is often predictable. In Jack, John, Douglas and Marvelous we have players who collectively just do not have enough power nor assertiveness. I am certain now that to play both Douglas and Marvelous on the pitch at the same time is utter folly, but their substitutes - Conor and Henri - are not the complete solution either.
We need more power in midfield for sure, in my opinion, and someone who can help drive the attack in order to give much better support to dear Wesley, who looks alone and forlorn at times.
Until we obtain that power midfielder - if ever we do - we cannot play Luiz and Nakamba on the pitch at the same time, and I have to say of the two Luiz is my favourite to be selected. Though lacking some power, he at least puts himself about a lot more and seems better motivated.
So, I'm reasonably (not perfectly) happy that, when fit, Douglas, Jack and John should be the attacking midfield, or Conor as a left-sided alternative to Douglas.
That leads to who should sit in front of the back four, and I have reached the conclusion that we have a ready answer in Tyrone Mings! He, after all, has shown the propensity for going forward and can certainly pass a ball, and - indeed - provides more power, so with two good conventional centre-backs already in place in Konsa and Hause, why not?
Of course, that is unlikely to happen but, to me, it's an opportunity lost if that approach is not adopted and should solve the lack of power issue in midfield without further expenditure and with the addition of providing a better defensive wall.
One further adjustment: Kodjia or Davis in place of (probably) Trezeguet and then maybe we would have a team that would be hard to handle, allowing the striking pair a chance to develop a hot partnership.
Well, that's my New Year wish-list! But I'm probably on my own on this.
On Saturday we play the team that is next bottom of the league, but they are improving and we play them on their own ground. This match is going to need better commitment and solidity than we have been showing of late - and better shooting too.
Well, I'm holding my breath!
UTV!
1 comment:
Your selections make sense,JL.
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