Aston Villa vs West Ham United | FA Cup 3rd Round | 10.1.25 | Predictions & Match Thread

[stubbo-admin]

Match Centre:

Odds:

West Ham: 18/5

Draw: 7/2

Aston Villa: 7/10


Pre-Match Press Conference:

Official Press Conference (starts at min 12.00)


Pre Match Preview: 

Hammers Chat


Watch-along:

TBA


Streams:


Sport HD 


(With all live streams be mindful they can carry viruses etc.  Don't click on any ads and use a VPN).

  

[Alfs]

Thought Potter did OK with limited resources but shows what a huge job there is ahead. We lost to an understrengh Villa team who played crap 

 

 

We were under-strength too, in case you hadn't noticed. And even more so in the second half.

[stubbo]

Was a good effort. Scarles looked comfortable as left back and that first half was as good as we have played all season.

Switching to a back 5 cost us though. Should have brought on Soler or Guilherme. Instead we invited pressure and crumbled.

Fabianski, Ings, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek and both the CB’s are simply not good enough. Add to that 3 crocked strikers and we are in trouble if we don’t make a couple of key signings in January.

 

Switching? We played back 5 from the start. Was classic Potter....Wan Bissaka played right side centre back, Summerville played right wing back, Scarles left wing back, and a box midfield with a striker?

Trouble was we lost the players to make the system work...but wlthe setup didn't change....just the players in the setup.

That’s not how I saw it. Although Summerville tracked back a few times to make good tackles he was advanced on the flank and our best attacker.

Once Coufal came on we had a flat 5 and suddenly looked ragged and were always one man less going forward.

If you watch this video, it was exactly how he setup today, all be it with slightly different personnel.



Per the video Wan Bissaka was as described. Kudus and Paqueta and Fullkrug were as described. Mavro played as per Todibo in the video. The central 3 split wide when we had the ball at the back as described. Summerville played the right wing back, playing high. Scarles on the left side. Alvarez and Soucek the deep pivot of the box.  

[Sir Alf]

Mex I think you make a fair point that the Coufal sub arguably made things worse as he went in as a 3rd CB.  Not sure you needed to include the Graham "32% win ratio" Potter bit though. That kinda looks like  you have a bit of bias?

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

The 5k or so fellow  left backs in support of young Ollie Scarles in the first half is what WHU is all about. 

[Come On You Irons]

Why should Potter get a pass because it was his first game?

He chose to manage the game tonight. He chose the low block Moyes-ball tactics of the second half and he chose to do nothing to address the situation when Villa got on top of us and it was obvious that it was only a matter of time before they breeched us and our low block, surrender monkey tactics.

Potter himself admitted we sat too deep second half. Yet apparently supporters are not allowed to criticise him for that because he in his honeymoon period. What absolute nonsense.

Seems some of our loser fans don't care that we are out of the FA Cup again after blowing a lead. It's this blasé attitude that has held the club back for so long and allowed boards to take the piss and not get us to where our potential as a club should be, which is a regular top ten side seriously competing for the domestic cups (see Newcastle).

Potter needs to convince he is the man to take us to the next level. Especially given his win ratio as a top flight manager is a lowly 32%, which is abysmal after 169 games quite frankly.

[Mex Martillo]

Was a good effort. Scarles looked comfortable as left back and that first half was as good as we have played all season.

Switching to a back 5 cost us though. Should have brought on Soler or Guilherme. Instead we invited pressure and crumbled.

Fabianski, Ings, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek and both the CB’s are simply not good enough. Add to that 3 crocked strikers and we are in trouble if we don’t make a couple of key signings in January.

 

Switching? We played back 5 from the start. Was classic Potter....Wan Bissaka played right side centre back, Summerville played right wing back, Scarles left wing back, and a box midfield with a striker?

Trouble was we lost the players to make the system work...but wlthe setup didn't change....just the players in the setup.

That’s not how I saw it. Although Summerville tracked back a few times to make good tackles he was advanced on the flank and our best attacker.

Once Coufal came on we had a flat 5 and suddenly looked ragged and were always one man less going forward.

 

 

I saw a back 4 at the start as well. Midfield was Alvarez and Soucek DMs and Summerville, Kudus and Paquet attacking. Kudus was actually quite central. We all but stopped attacking when we went to a back 5 and took Summerville off. Yes that really brought the pressure on and eventually we conceded.. twice...

[stubbo]

Was a good effort. Scarles looked comfortable as left back and that first half was as good as we have played all season.

Switching to a back 5 cost us though. Should have brought on Soler or Guilherme. Instead we invited pressure and crumbled.

Fabianski, Ings, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek and both the CB’s are simply not good enough. Add to that 3 crocked strikers and we are in trouble if we don’t make a couple of key signings in January.

 

Switching? We played back 5 from the start. Was classic Potter....Wan Bissaka played right side centre back, Summerville played right wing back, Scarles left wing back, and a box midfield with a striker?

Trouble was we lost the players to make the system work...but wlthe setup didn't change....just the players in the setup.

That’s not how I saw it. Although Summerville tracked back a few times to make good tackles he was advanced on the flank and our best attacker.

Once Coufal came on we had a flat 5 and suddenly looked ragged and were always one man less going forward.

I agree that was the outcome...but you only had to look at the team shape, the back 3 line up with Wan Bissaka dropping in, and to know Potters history for using wide players like Summerville at wingback to know and see we started -3-4-3 with a box midfield (2 CDM, 2 AM). It was clear as day, and classic Potter team structure. It's how he sets teams up. At Brighton is was Solly March and Trossard at wing back, and today it was Summerville and Scarles.

All he then did was run out of personnel to make it work. When Summerville got injured the toss up was Guilherme to play wingback, or Coufal with one of him or Wan Bissaka to go to right wing back.

Trouble was it weakened us in two areas and he'd likely have been better leaving Wan Bissaka at right centre back and sticking Coufal at RWB.

[Mex Martillo]

 

Thank fuck someone else saw going to a back 5 and trying to defend 0-1 screwed the game up. What a bunch of apologetic star struck by the new manager cunts. Don't get me wrong I am happy we have Potter and it was agood show, but don't try and hide it, he make a mistake. I 100% agree I think no back 5 and bringing on Soler and /  or Guilherme would have won the game hopefully Potter will learn.

 

At least someone else sees sense.

Potter had us too deep second half (which he admitted in his post match interview). It simply invited pressure and we couldn't live with Villa after they woke up.

We then had a go in the last 10 minutes after we went behind.

In fact, this was classic Moyes-ball tactics in evidence tonight.

Graham "32% win ratio" Potter will have to go some to convince he has what it takes to manage us to the next level.

 

sense? he's as thick as you

 

 

Oh here we go, down to name calling. Well done Miike for going straight to abuse and not adding to the debate. 

[twoleftfeet]

I can live with the result but what depresses me most is the “ fans “ on here who play football manager in their bedrooms and think they know more than an actual manager.

You don’t, you know very little.

opinions are fine but to write a manager off after 3 days is a new low even for this site.

Sad times.

[Jaan Kenbrovin]

Was a good effort. Scarles looked comfortable as left back and that first half was as good as we have played all season.

Switching to a back 5 cost us though. Should have brought on Soler or Guilherme. Instead we invited pressure and crumbled.

Fabianski, Ings, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek and both the CB’s are simply not good enough. Add to that 3 crocked strikers and we are in trouble if we don’t make a couple of key signings in January.

 

Switching? We played back 5 from the start. Was classic Potter....Wan Bissaka played right side centre back, Summerville played right wing back, Scarles left wing back, and a box midfield with a striker?

Trouble was we lost the players to make the system work...but wlthe setup didn't change....just the players in the setup.

That’s not how I saw it. Although Summerville tracked back a few times to make good tackles he was advanced on the flank and our best attacker.

Once Coufal came on we had a flat 5 and suddenly looked ragged and were always one man less going forward.

[southbankbornnbred]

Yeah, we saw both sides of West Ham tonight: the enormous potential, and the current mess that needs unpicking first.

The disjointed management, leadership and spending of the past two years has left a mess. We are a team with no definable shape or style. We have an ageing, slow, injury prone and, in key positions, poor squad. But we also have some real talent (Bowen, Kudus, Jimmy, Paqueta when he turns up, AWB etc).

We also have some kids, like Scarles, who I really think could be good Premier League players for years if we manage them right.

Its a mess, but you can see where we need to head.

[smartypants]

Really enjoyed the first 20 mins or so, but the writing was in the wall when fulkrug went off and I new onana was going to score, real shame the game turned like it did at half time, we had nothing in the locker until the last 5 mins.
I have to say Villas support is probably one of the most cringy I have ever come across, absolutely dreadful. And the upper tier of that stand is a death trap 

[Mex Martillo]

Was a good effort. Scarles looked comfortable as left back and that first half was as good as we have played all season.

Switching to a back 5 cost us though. Should have brought on Soler or Guilherme. Instead we invited pressure and crumbled.

Fabianski, Ings, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek and both the CB’s are simply not good enough. Add to that 3 crocked strikers and we are in trouble if we don’t make a couple of key signings in January.

 

Thank fuck someone else saw going to a back 5 and trying to defend 0-1 screwed the game up. What a bunch of apologetic star struck by the new manager cunts. Don't get me wrong I am happy we have Potter and it was agood show, but don't try and hide it, he make a mistake. I 100% agree I think no back 5 and bringing on Soler and /  or Guilherme would have won the game hopefully Potter will learn.

 

you religiously backed that negative jock bastard for years, yet are already throwing a tantrum about a bloke why has been in the job less than 48 hours?

 

 

I got tired at the end like most. Moyes did well though, we should give him that. Why is it not allowed to critise a new manager on his first match, when he clearly made a mistake? Yes, forgivable in the circumstances, but there it is and it should not be ignored. Tantrum, fucking arse.

[Sir Alf]

Part of our problem is that we dont have many effective offensive players to bring on.  The young Brazilian Guilherme was our only option aside from Ings? 

[RootsRadical]

"Thank fuck someone else saw going to a back 5 and trying to defend 0-1 screwed the game up. What a bunch of apologetic star struck by the new manager cunts. Don't get me wrong I am happy we have Potter and it was agood show, but don't try and hide it, he make a mistake"

Except he didn't change anything, just the players not the system.

[Sir Alf]

One thing I did learn is that Kudus is an average passer of the ball and struggles to pass accurately at speed. He is very good with a bit of time and space and hit a wonderful cross ball at the end to old man Cresswell but equally gave a few shocking shorter passes in tight situations. One where he could of played AWB I think in on goal but it went behind him and another misplaced pass like the one that led to City’s fourth last weekend.  

And we are really missing Bowen. Not sure we have anyone who can score now?  
 

[Takashi Miike]

Was a good effort. Scarles looked comfortable as left back and that first half was as good as we have played all season.

Switching to a back 5 cost us though. Should have brought on Soler or Guilherme. Instead we invited pressure and crumbled.

Fabianski, Ings, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek and both the CB’s are simply not good enough. Add to that 3 crocked strikers and we are in trouble if we don’t make a couple of key signings in January.

 

Thank fuck someone else saw going to a back 5 and trying to defend 0-1 screwed the game up. What a bunch of apologetic star struck by the new manager cunts. Don't get me wrong I am happy we have Potter and it was agood show, but don't try and hide it, he make a mistake. I 100% agree I think no back 5 and bringing on Soler and /  or Guilherme would have won the game hopefully Potter will learn.

 

At least someone else sees sense.

Potter had us too deep second half (which he admitted in his post match interview). It simply invited pressure and we couldn't live with Villa after they woke up.

We then had a go in the last 10 minutes after we went behind.

In fact, this was classic Moyes-ball tactics in evidence tonight.

Graham "32% win ratio" Potter will have to go some to convince he has what it takes to manage us to the next level.

 

 

sense? he's as thick as you

[Mex Martillo]

Potter saying we played too deep and will have to fix that.

 

 

Good
​​More offensive players on the pitch would also help.

[Takashi Miike]

Was a good effort. Scarles looked comfortable as left back and that first half was as good as we have played all season.

Switching to a back 5 cost us though. Should have brought on Soler or Guilherme. Instead we invited pressure and crumbled.

Fabianski, Ings, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek and both the CB’s are simply not good enough. Add to that 3 crocked strikers and we are in trouble if we don’t make a couple of key signings in January.

 

Thank fuck someone else saw going to a back 5 and trying to defend 0-1 screwed the game up. What a bunch of apologetic star struck by the new manager cunts. Don't get me wrong I am happy we have Potter and it was agood show, but don't try and hide it, he make a mistake. I 100% agree I think no back 5 and bringing on Soler and /  or Guilherme would have won the game hopefully Potter will learn.

 

 

you religiously backed that negative jock bastard for years, yet are already throwing a tantrum about a bloke why has been in the job less than 48 hours?

[Come On You Irons]

Was a good effort. Scarles looked comfortable as left back and that first half was as good as we have played all season.

Switching to a back 5 cost us though. Should have brought on Soler or Guilherme. Instead we invited pressure and crumbled.

Fabianski, Ings, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek and both the CB’s are simply not good enough. Add to that 3 crocked strikers and we are in trouble if we don’t make a couple of key signings in January.

 

Thank fuck someone else saw going to a back 5 and trying to defend 0-1 screwed the game up. What a bunch of apologetic star struck by the new manager cunts. Don't get me wrong I am happy we have Potter and it was agood show, but don't try and hide it, he make a mistake. I 100% agree I think no back 5 and bringing on Soler and /  or Guilherme would have won the game hopefully Potter will learn.

 

 

At least someone else sees sense.

Potter had us too deep second half (which he admitted in his post match interview). It simply invited pressure and we couldn't live with Villa after they woke up.

We then had a go in the last 10 minutes after we went behind.

In fact, this was classic Moyes-ball tactics in evidence tonight.

Graham "32% win ratio" Potter will have to go some to convince he has what it takes to manage us to the next level.

[ragingbull]

Potter saying we played too deep and will have to fix that.

[Ron Eff]

A bit of context required. Potter has had one training session. Despite that, we had far better shape, we pressed much more, and in an organised manner, and we looked more of a threat - in the first half at least. All done during one day training and a day travelling to Birmingham. 

We then lost Fullkrug and Summerville, and are already without our best player and captain. 

And to top it off, we effectively got beaten because of a corner that was nothing like a corner.

Given all of that, I’d say the signs are good. He even gave a youth player a start who was clear MoM. Looking forward to Tuesday. 

[twoleftfeet]

Was a good effort. Scarles looked comfortable as left back and that first half was as good as we have played all season.

Switching to a back 5 cost us though. Should have brought on Soler or Guilherme. Instead we invited pressure and crumbled.

Fabianski, Ings, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek and both the CB’s are simply not good enough. Add to that 3 crocked strikers and we are in trouble if we don’t make a couple of key signings in January.

 

Thank fuck someone else saw going to a back 5 and trying to defend 0-1 screwed the game up. What a bunch of apologetic star struck by the new manager cunts. Don't get me wrong I am happy we have Potter and it was agood show, but don't try and hide it, he make a mistake. I 100% agree I think no back 5 and bringing on Soler and /  or Guilherme would have won the game hopefully Potter will learn.

 

 

I genuinely despair of our “ fans “, it’s lucky none of you were around when Lyall first took over.

[zico]

I think unless we can get pace in the midfield and centre backs I can understand playing deeper like we did tonight. It's when gaps appear the lack of pace shows. Even with the deep set defence though first half we did nick the ball and counter attacked with purpose and that move when Summerville and Kudus closing down and counter attacking was excellent. You could give this squad of players to the best manager in the world and they would have to try and bring players in thanks to the car crash recruitment in the summer. Maybe give a few more of the youngsters a go or get a loan or two in. Problem we have is no one is going to take the likes of Ings off us with the wage he is on.

[Mex Martillo]

Was a good effort. Scarles looked comfortable as left back and that first half was as good as we have played all season.

Switching to a back 5 cost us though. Should have brought on Soler or Guilherme. Instead we invited pressure and crumbled.

Fabianski, Ings, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek and both the CB’s are simply not good enough. Add to that 3 crocked strikers and we are in trouble if we don’t make a couple of key signings in January.

 

 

Thank fuck someone else saw going to a back 5 and trying to defend 0-1 screwed the game up. What a bunch of apologetic star struck by the new manager cunts. Don't get me wrong I am happy we have Potter and it was agood show, but don't try and hide it, he make a mistake. I 100% agree I think no back 5 and bringing on Soler and /  or Guilherme would have won the game hopefully Potter will learn.