Aston Villa 2-1 Leeds United - Match Debate

[Irish Ian]

As for our defensive woes previously in the PL...

Some of my thoughts on main differences in the two seasons in the Prem.

Season One.
1. Opposition unfamiliarity with our approach. Full pressing, high energy man to man chaos. We ran them off their feet, even in defeat.
2. Fit players familiar to the system wedded to Bamford, Harrison and Raph playing out of their skins. A settled side. Yes we were handed a good few hidings but we were a handful for everyone. They all hated playing us becuase we made them run all day.
It was far from perfect but we were winning games and had some luck along the way.

Season 2.
Opposition now have a seasons worth of data on Leeds. How beat man to man.? Run as much as them. Higher skilled players will win that battle. How to beat the press.? Ball carrying centre backs playing into the Kalvin Phillips sized hole left in the middle of the pitch.
Injury crisis for whatever reason it existed. A lack of squad depth.
That added up to the calamity.

So imo not a systemic defensive crisis like this one.

We cant ne hoping to score 3 times to win a game.

[A Tourist]

We could sit back like Dyche-era Burnley and still concede tons. Every system requires its players to execute. Doesnt matter if you cant tackle or put in a clearance. Think the 3rd Fulham goal: everyone back, in position and not a soul can touch em. Lost a point on that bs. Can hear the hispanohablantes yelling ole.

[SG90]

I must be reading them wrong, they are simply average imo!

How many PL clubs would be interested is signing any of them, I doubt even the clubs below us would even consider offering them a contract.

Exactly. Except for Gnonto, I can't see any other clubs wanting them.

[SG90]

We are potentially a better side than Villa but they now have 8 more points than us! How is that possible. The Villa faithful seem to like Dick Emery but based on that game I don’t see a massive improvement. But guess what their defence (and ours) got them 3 points. XG fairness rating of under 50% sums it up

Because their players are more experienced and clinical than ours. When we're relying on teenagers to save us, it shows we've got recruitment all wrong.

[SG90]

Interestingly we have more points than this time last season. So the forum myth that we were magnificent last season doesn't add up.

[BGwhite]

Is that the absolute best version of itself. The best it can be. Our defence I mean. Absolutely not. It needs a proper coach. I still wonder if it’s significant what he did at the end. Bringing Firpo on & moving Wobba to CB

For me Firpo shouldn't be anywhere near , he's had enough opportunities to make LB his own but he's not good enough. Pascal has shown he is proficient at LB and certainly better than Firpo. Not saying Pascal is a world-beater but he's the best we have atm. Wober at CB is probably where he's going to fit in but he's useful as a LB.
We were very very unlucky last night. Their keeper in world class form, couple of the line, refused pens. Another day we could've had 3-4 BUT the problem is that with our current defensive situation we need a minimum of 3 goals to win a game and I suspect it'll be the same against Cardiff.

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[weasel]

playing against a Villa team who fell about at will, wasted time & cheated throughout the whole game, only for them to be gifted a goal by Marcelo, one of his most ludicrous decisions I shall never accept. No other coach would have instructed that action.

I would suggest our current coaches instructions amount to the same as we gift goals to opposition every game.

Pontus would make little difference to or defence in terms of the way we concede goals as when we are ripped apart our 2 centrebacks are simply outnumbered. He might help us be better some set pieces though.

[weasel]

You are spot on Barlow, we both stand in the kop & see the shambles unfold before our very eyes, us attendees know the score standing there on tenterhooks, waiting for the next fiasco.

Ah yes I forgot none of us who don't see the game at the pitch are entitled to have a point of view.

[BGwhite]

Our attacking players must be so piss off with are defense. We can score but we leak goals consistently. I feel sorry for Gnonto he gives his all ever game and the supporters look to him to change the game and he's only eighteen a lot of pressure for a youngster, he's a world beater in the making.

Someone Marsch didn't rate as ready for the PL .He's quickly become our leader up front but he just needs to control his temperament as he is now on the radar.

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[Cjay]

For anyone who thinks any play down the wide areas is Marsch adapting

It isn't

He is obsessed with the Red Bull style, the old Red Bull style.

[andrewjohnsmith]

So have 3 back then, or 4 considering how s**t we are at defending. That was only the 3rd minute after all. It was significant after that in attack when we had the opportunity we weren’t always exactly flooding the box. And then a couple more of our corners it nearly happened again. There’s a pattern

I was yelling at the TV on that break. We were always one man short. Inexcusable.

[CHAPELALLMAN]

But Bert had the shite defenders playing out of their skins from the get go in the Championship right until all the injuries ffs that led to the thrashings.

Just leave it ffs.

I don't compare Championship football with PL football anymore than I would compare GP2 with F1....

F1 and the PL are top tier sport, the Championship and GP2 are second tier sport. Simples.

[Boo Radley]

Ah yes I forgot none of us who don't see the game at the pitch are entitled to have a point of view.

Agree weasel, not the kind of comment we get from others attending games on this forum.

[Kennyb41]

I don't compare Championship football with PL football anymore than I would compare GP2 with F1....

F1 and the PL are top tier sport, the Championship and GP2 are second tier sport. Simples.

I hope you don't mind but i'll treat that with the contempt it deserves.

No need.

[1corvus1]

Someone Marsch didn't rate as ready for the PL .He's quickly become our leader up front but he just needs to control his temperament as he is now on the radar.

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[Scoobychief]

Intake it you are referring to gnonto I agree vulture are circling.. f**king Chelsea buying players like panini cards for f**k sake twats

[1964white]