Match Thread Aston Villa vs Everton. Saturday 14th August 12:30 KO

[Steve EFC]

Still think we get top 8. 2 hard games to start the season. Villa been a Bogey team for us in recent years. If DCL been fit we probably had 3-6 points.
Arsenal where bottom last season and should of finished 4th

I admire your optimism and I will love it if your right MrGrumpy!!?

 

[murphy89]

Not too worried by that result or performance. Villa had their strongest team available and I thought they edged it mainly due to the presence of actual strikers on the pitch

If we're persisting with the 3 at the back, we need a focal point up top. We also can't play Gray. He isn't an inside forward and is too selfish to work well with an overlapping full back. Our biggest issue today was that the lack of someone upfront left a huge gap between the forwards and CMs across the pitch that Villa just took control of. The 3 at the back needs two inside forwards playing off someone (Rondon) and I honestly think it needs to be Gordon and McNeil. Now I know neither played well today but I would say Gordon improved with the introduction of Rondon and I would also say it is difficult to judge McNeil due to lack of a striker.

I know there is a clamour to switch to a 4-3-3 from the start but I'm not sure it improves us. The issue for me at the moment is trying to play wingers along with wing backs.

However, I wouldn't mind seeing us switch to 4-3-3 earlier in games when we are behind too. Feels like Frank is making changes far too late.

 

[MrGrumpy]

I admire your optimism and I will love it if your right MrGrumpy!!?

Rest of the league rubbish. We need a striker though

 

[banno]

My MOTM ws Iwobi. We have got (at last) a player playing like he trains, Bonus for us

 

[Eggs]

Rest of the league rubbish. We need a striker though

….Simms scores the rebound off the keeper from Gordon’s shot, I have absolutely no doubt he gets to that before the defender.

He was sent on loan before DCLs injury, but he was always a better option than Rondon.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

@Saint Domingo something needs to happen about this medical department of ours.

 

[Eggs]

@Saint Domingo something needs to happen about this medical department of ours.

….you two should get a room together.

 

[Hellerad]

I’ve had a few drinks and I feel better about today.

Funny how that works.

 

[Houghty19]

At least we're not going to be on first on motd

 

[Hellerad]

At least we're not going to be on first on motd

? we’d have to cure cancer

 

[hktoffee]

Must win game against Nott Forest

Pickford

Patterson Coady Tarkowski Mykolenko

Gana Onana

New scoring forward Iwobi Dele

Guirassy

 

[Sarnia Kevin]

I see the Tom Davies hate squad is out in force today despite him putting in a better midfield performance than Doucoure
From the beginning Ings was nailed on to score, as it is a very bad habit he has.

I went Alex Iwobi as MoM, although Patterson and Holgate were contenders. Obviously trying to use 3 wingers as a strike force is never going to work unless they can force enough corners, and any of them can deliver a decent one, for our big lads to attack. I also think Rondon should have been a starter. We did have several chances and a draw would have been a fair result.

 

[Bebeto]

Must win game against Nott Forest

Pickford

Patterson Coady Tarkowski Mykolenko

Gana Onana

New scoring forward Iwobi Dele

Guirassy

Lampard will continue with the 5 at the back for the foreseeable especially as he now need some results

 

[Ibby]

Poor game

 

[chicoazul]

Freeze! rock! freeze! rock! freeze! rock! freeze! rock!
(Blow!)