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Can't see anything other than a comfortable Villa win, unless Potter can perform a miracle.
Our attacking options are weak, and our defensive options are even weaker.
Hard to be optimistic about this. Mainly because of the injuries. If Bowen and Summerville were fit then we could get the win. But the same team against Palace will again struggle to score. I think we are in for a frustrating afternoon.
However it's not looking great with the injuries but potter has had a week to work with what hes got, so maybe a valiant draw. If they give 100,% regardless I'll be pleased with that. I'd rather lose than rush bowen back if he's not ready for this and Chelsea.
Massive Attack" wrote: ↑25 Jan 2025, 18:33
I fear Villas forwards will have a field day if he gets chucked in at the deep end.
I fear they will regardless of who we are able to sling alongside Kilman.
I'm thinking more for Caseys sake than the Team leaking our customary 2 or more.
It’s a risk. But then it’s up to the manager to handle it right, assess if he thinks the player is ready, and if so prepare him appropriately psychologically.
Really might as well. Just tell him there’s no pressure and he’s there to get experience and learn, and if he gets caught out that it’s ok. You’re ready for this son. Look how well Ollie has done.
If he has a bit of a stinker just put an Arm round him and keep his spirits and confidence up.
Him playing will really benefit what potter can do with the rest of the line up.
Yeah Scorch, I’d be up for using the game to give Casey experience at CB. Might get a “baptism of fire” thats always a risk for any player new to Premiership level football. There will be fans and managers who say how it can set someone back in their development especially psychologically but if managed by playing the first half and withdrawing them if it goes a bit pear shaped, its not so bad longer term imo. Even if the youngsters do well its good to withdraw them at 60 mins anyway.
Scarles might start and maybe AWB at CB is an option too because Potter loves 3 at the back. Or its Alvarez or Soucek. Doesnt fix the midfield problem or lack of a forward outlet up front though. The midfield is where we will lose this game tho. Rodgers and other Villa midfielders need to be denied space and time but even with a fully fit squad we dont really have players to press effectively.
Just hope we do not get a pasting and show some decent passing, look like players are playing for the team in a “joined up” way. Cherry on the cake would be to create a few chances and limit Villa like we did first half before FullKrug and esp Summerville had to go off.
Sir Alf" wrote: ↑25 Jan 2025, 17:16
Thing is its bad enough having injuries to 4 forwards and having only 1 available CB but the squad is mediocre or poor and has about 7 or 8 players who are of good enough quality to play at the top end of the division even when everyone is fit.
8 from 25 and so much money wasted. Not just now, for 15 years of Sullivan’s ownership despite not paying for a ground, higher attendances, getting 3 seasons of Euro money.
Sullivan is a clown, a derranged, deluded, insidious fool when it comes to football using the clubs money. A complete and utter failure.
Potter has nothing much to work with other than hoping some youngsters to fill huge gaps in quality. You just cannot see a way to make the players available get anything away at Villa. He cannot play on the proverbial front foot with the slowest midfield in the league, no forward that can run and only 1 CB. It will be 10 behind the ball and hope for a set piece to score if we get any. Keep the goals conceded to 2 or less is about as good as it can get. Yes you get freak results and days in football but who can see anything but defeat and why?
Hard to disagree with a single sentiment of that post. I don’t see what potter is meant to do with what’s available to him. You can’t really even defend and hope for a clean sheet with what he’s going to have to put in defence. Especially if AWB is having to play wingback again because of both Summerville and Bowen out.
I guess Alvarez drops to centre back or it’ll be Coufal and Cresswell with Kilman which will be nothing but a pasting. Alternatively put kudus at rwb and go Alvarez Kilman AWB but that’s even less attacking than we currently have. Theres no solution to solidifying the back line that doesn’t neuter us somewhere else on the park.
kilman
alvarez
cresswell/coufal
AWB
Guido
soucek
soler
emerson/scarles
kudus
paqueta
is probably the best we can do in terms of a line up (unless I’ve missed a suspension?) unless you leave someone out to put LG in or give youth a chance at centre back so Alvarez can play in midfield or you don’t have to play cresswell. TBH I’d be up for that.
Thing is its bad enough having injuries to 4 forwards and having only 1 available CB but the squad is mediocre or poor and has about 7 or 8 players who are of good enough quality to play at the top end of the division even when everyone is fit.
8 from 25 and so much money wasted. Not just now, for 15 years of Sullivan’s ownership despite not paying for a ground, higher attendances, getting 3 seasons of Euro money.
Sullivan is a clown, a derranged, deluded, insidious fool when it comes to football using the clubs money. A complete and utter failure.
Potter has nothing much to work with other than hoping some youngsters to fill huge gaps in quality. You just cannot see a way to make the players available get anything away at Villa. He cannot play on the proverbial front foot with the slowest midfield in the league, no forward that can run and only 1 CB. It will be 10 behind the ball and hope for a set piece to score if we get any. Keep the goals conceded to 2 or less is about as good as it can get. Yes you get freak results and days in football but who can see anything but defeat and why?
It wouldn't surprise me if Bowen plays along with Summerville. Jarrod will maybe last an hour. It's beyond ridiculous a club with the resources of West ham United have so few options. Dwarfs gonna dwarf . Until he pisses off .
Mad Dog" wrote: ↑25 Jan 2025, 10:59
zero strikers.
Ings is available. Only missed 1 game in the League all season long. Should be starting, especially with injuries to Fullkrug and Bowen. No excuses for us to complain of injuries up top when we overlook 1 currently available.
In the presser Potter said Bowen not ready, Todibo healing but not ready and not 100% sure Summerville is ready to return either. I expect the latter to be on the bench. So unfortunately the same availability as for the Palace game.
I expect a defeat being realistic but looking for a performance and those that play showing improvement and us looking like a team that has a plan. I don’t expect tactically that we have much option but put in a low block by sitting deep and looking to counter. A tad like Moyes but with attempts at jumping into a high press from time to time. We will likely make it a hard watch again. Hoping Scarles starts and Orford and The young U21 Casey? CB get decent minutes. I mean our squad is weak and we will start with a makeshift CB ( Alvarez or Soucek). Looking for a tactical innovation from Potter to bring some cheer along with youngsters and better use if the ball in possession even in defeat.
Villa vs West Ham | PL | 25.1.24 | Predictions and Match Thread
