As of last night we looked woeful in the back. Remember Maresca said we'd be giving up goals with the new high formation. But oh my gosh we didn't expect our back line look like a dam bursting at the seams. We got beat twice by long balls that made our defense look really, really slow. Remember last season when Villa tried that high tactic and got hammered. That's the way we looked last night. That's been a consistent occurrence for all our games to date and we had netter fi that or we'll look like last year's Villa. PL teams aren't stupid and when they evaluate film they'll be very aware of our weakness.
Nice points Darren and Craige about the final friendly and perhaps going with your 2nd best line up with James banned for 3 matches. I do think Cucerella gets the start on the left personally but nice problem to have.
I don’t see KDH as a starter and with the long term injuries back there isn’t a fight for left wing where we have 4 players with Murdryk being 4th choice in my book.
I still see Palmer out right myself but possibly he could play anywhere.
Sterling could yet finally shine under the new manager but defensively we look very frail in preseason.
So it’s with bated breath to see how the season starts.
Thanks, Luke as always. By and large I can’t disagree with anything you post. I guess my only comment would be that with James out for the first three league games perhaps we should be switching Gusto and playing Cucu against Inter Milan.
The only other thought/comment is how good our bench looks in comparison to 12 months ago. Hopefully they’ll be one or two additions in the intervening period as well that will only make us stronger.
I just think at this point in pre season Lavia is slightly ahead of Enzo in that deep lying role and realistically I don’t see Enzo as able to flourish in an advanced 8 role, he has the capability but I prefer him deeper personally
As of last night we looked woeful in the back. Remember Maresca said we'd be giving up goals with the new high formation. But oh my gosh we didn't expect our back line look like a dam bursting at the seams. We got beat twice by long balls that made our defense look really, really slow. Remember last season when Villa tried that high tactic and got hammered. That's the way we looked last night. That's been a consistent occurrence for all our games to date and we had netter fi that or we'll look like last year's Villa. PL teams aren't stupid and when they evaluate film they'll be very aware of our weakness.
Thanks Luke..
Nice points Darren and Craige about the final friendly and perhaps going with your 2nd best line up with James banned for 3 matches. I do think Cucerella gets the start on the left personally but nice problem to have.
I don’t see KDH as a starter and with the long term injuries back there isn’t a fight for left wing where we have 4 players with Murdryk being 4th choice in my book.
I still see Palmer out right myself but possibly he could play anywhere.
Sterling could yet finally shine under the new manager but defensively we look very frail in preseason.
So it’s with bated breath to see how the season starts.
Thanks, Luke as always. By and large I can’t disagree with anything you post. I guess my only comment would be that with James out for the first three league games perhaps we should be switching Gusto and playing Cucu against Inter Milan.
The only other thought/comment is how good our bench looks in comparison to 12 months ago. Hopefully they’ll be one or two additions in the intervening period as well that will only make us stronger.
Can't see Reece James starting v Inter Luke.
He has a 3 match ban, so I fully expect Gusto to start at RB.
Then Reece to play both games v Servette/ Braga.
Other than that, probably our best team atm.
Let's hope they know how to play the system required!
Think I fully agree with that lineup, the only (unrealistic) change I’d make would be Tyrique George for Sterling, but that’s obvs not gonna happen
Can see him starting KDH for the first few matches till others get more used to the system.
No Enzo F in your selections , another hmmmm for today.
Think you could be right about KDH and wouldn’t be against that
I just think at this point in pre season Lavia is slightly ahead of Enzo in that deep lying role and realistically I don’t see Enzo as able to flourish in an advanced 8 role, he has the capability but I prefer him deeper personally