23 Apr 2023 08:21:56
As Emery said after the match you can't play well all the time and the positive is that we didn't lose the game which we would have done under Gerrard. A couple of things which stood out from the game for me, firstly we definitely need a back up keeper Olsen isn't good enough and secondly once again our difficulties seemed to be coming down our left, as I have said previously Moreno is great going forward, technically very good, defensively he leaves a lot to be desired at premiership level.
One other thing was the difference between Toney and Watkins, I accept they are different types of striker in that Watkins works hard for the team and since Emery has come in you can't fault his goalscoring record, but Toney is a poacher who comes alive in and around the 18 yard box, for example I don't think Ollie would score the type of goal Toney scored yesterday. You pays your money and takes your choice but I have to say I would like to see Toney in a Villa shirt.
23 Apr 2023 09:28:15
he would be my number1 choice what would he cost 60/80 mil easy lord
23 Apr 2023 09:42:54
I guess that’s probably right, you could and I say could, fund that by selling Watkins because again I couldn’t see Toney and Watkins working as a two so as I say you pays your money and takes your choice Watkins or Toney.
23 Apr 2023 12:26:20
it could work as a 2 watkins could play off toney because toney also has good hold up play
23 Apr 2023 14:59:37
I think the problem on the left is more that Moreno doesn't get the same cover. Buendia tracks back more than Watkins for obvious reasons but JJ is very poor defensively compared to Mcginn on the other side.
We all agree that Olsen isn't good enough for this level, who are we looking at to take that role though?
There were reports of the Argyle keeper, maybe we could get Dubravka or Krul?
23 Apr 2023 19:22:17
I agree re the point you are making that Ramsey isn’t as defensively minded as McGinn for example, but far too often when the ball is played out to the opposition winger on our left Moreno isn’t in the same shot, that’s not Ramsey’s issue, quite often it appears to me that Moreno is ball watching and gets dragged towards the ball rather than tracking his man, up to now it hasn’t cost us but if he doesn’t get better at balancing the need to defend as well as attack it will.
23 Apr 2023 19:35:53
wot about navas from forest if they go dwn still a good gk
23 Apr 2023 22:15:31
No left or right back can stop every cross, I have to agree that maginn gives more cover than Ramsey, and it was after all young that completely missed the ball when he swung his boot at it. Olsen 100% needs to go, I didn’t see the game only the highlights he looks bereft of confidence and the team don’t seem to have confidence when he plays either, Emery should be playing our younger keeper when Martinez is not available. Martinez stops that goal all day long, a draw in there back yard is still not a bad result.
23 Apr 2023 23:15:47
That's the system though, the wide midfielders cover the outside and the full backs cover the penalty area. Young drops off a lot on the other side too.
If we're talking about balls from deep I can barely remember seeing him not catch someone up he's that rapid.
24 Apr 2023 08:16:35
Not talking about balls from deep I’m talking about marking the oppositions winger, Moreno doesn’t get tight enough which is why in the last 3 games at least all our problems have come down that flank.
24 Apr 2023 12:28:59
Our last 6 games we’ve only conceded 2 goals though, it’s the premier league every team concedes opportunities, Emery brought him in for his attacking abilities, we haven’t had anyone on the left with his level of threat since jack left, personally I think he’s playing exactly the way Emery wants him to and Emery expects the midfield to cover him when needed, it’s certainly working thus far, we also have to remember he only cost 12 million and he’s keeping a guy who cost double out of the team, an upgrade is going to cost 40 million plus in my opinion. something I’d like to try out would be 3 CB’s with cash and Moreno on the wings, both full of running and you have the extra cover behind them, kamara DM maginn and Doug a little ahead of them with Buendia behind Watkins
24 Apr 2023 17:00:42
I wouldn’t mind trying 3 centre backs because I think that would suit not only Moreno but Cash also, however if you look at Emery’s history he doesn’t play three at the back so I am not sure we will see that anytime soon.