Aston Villa (H) Post Match

[Fredo]

Good win. Sturridge is class, both his goals were great he makes it look effortless.

Terrible defending on first goal for them. Nobody picking up the runners.

I worry we are ruining Can playing him back there. He's not a centre back - why not play Gomez who is?

Second goal was a beast of a header from a great cross. Maybe you need more from the defence, but it was some header.

The reason is simple. He brings an extra body in midfield and can exploit spaces and run forward, especially when we are attacking. I think that system suits us best and hope Rodgers sticks with it. We may be able to have a good balance in a 4-4-2 diamond, but I wouldn't want us to experiment with it at this stage.

[Shaggy]

Lovely link up between the two of them.

Tbf we needed another striker coming in, risk banking on Sturridges fitness - whether Benteke was the right Man is a different discussion.

Well exactly, that's what I mean. That much money on someone who isn't better than Sturridge, and doesn't really fit the way we want to play (IMO). I know it's early and he's a good centre forward in the right team with the right set-up, but I'm not convinced that team is us.

Although tbf I would never have predicted Ings making a strong case for being a regular start. Never in a million years did I expect that but at the moment we have to be going two up front and Ings is one of them.

[RichC]

That's a fair point Nige about not experimenting, Rodgers has gone back to this formation and whilst I'm not a fan tbh chopping to something else in the short term wouldn't be a good idea.

[Daniel 7]

Good win. Sturridge is class, both his goals were great he makes it look effortless.

Terrible defending on first goal for them. Nobody picking up the runners.

I worry we are ruining Can playing him back there. He's not a centre back - why not play Gomez who is?

Second goal was a beast of a header from a great cross. Maybe you need more from the defence, but it was some header.

What is he though? I'd say (other than today) he looks far better with everything in front of him, and when he doesn't have to turn too quickly. Not sure he's good enough to play centre mid either, and he's no full back.

Anyway, good win, which would have been all the more comfortable if we weren't so dodgy at the back, but they've always struggled against massive, rudimentary hippos up front like Gestede.

So, SO good having the best striker in the league back

[Buzzo]

The reason is simple. He brings an extra body in midfield and can exploit spaces and run forward, especially when we are attacking. I think that system suits us best and hope Rodgers sticks with it. We may be able to have a good balance in a 4-4-2 diamond, but I wouldn't want us to experiment with it at this stage.

It might suit the system going forward. But he can't defend.

'The reason is simple'

[DannyMan2006]

Sturridge and Ings look a great pair. Very mobile. Makes you wonder what the **** Brendan was doing spunking £32m on Benteke.

Ings is looking excellent...I've massively underrated him I think.

Lucas was great today too.

He signed Benteke to play 433. Now he's reverted away from it he will look lost in this formation as he cant press and move like Ings, who tbh is an inferior player. But it's not all about ability, particularly in this league.

Modern day football is going more & more towards high intensity and aggression. Ings & Sturridge as a pair offer that. Benteke is great in a formation where you have one up top, but Rodgers just can't make that work.

[Fredo]

Ings has always been a good player. His workrate is fantastic and he has a decent touch. He's not top quality yet, but he is someone who is looking to improve and works for the team, so for me Benteke will have to sit on the bench when he's back.

[DannyMan2006]

Well exactly, that's what I mean. That much money on someone who isn't better than Sturridge, and doesn't really fit the way we want to play (IMO). I know it's early and he's a good centre forward in the right team with the right set-up, but I'm not convinced that team is us.

Although tbf I would never have predicted Ings making a strong case for being a regular start. Never in a million years did I expect that but at the moment we have to be going two up front and Ings is one of them.

Great post

Exactly my thoughts on the Benteke situation. Great player for me, but not someone who suits this style. And Rodgers has shown he can't make any other style work.

[Shaggy]

He signed Benteke to play 433. Now he's reverted away from it he will look lost in this formation as he cant press and move like Ings, who tbh is an inferior player. But it's not all about ability, particularly in this league.

Modern day football is going more & more towards high intensity and aggression. Ings & Sturridge as a pair offer that. Benteke is great in a formation where you have one up top, but Rodgers just can't make that work.

Just another example of Rodgers' muddled thinking.

[RichC]

Well exactly, that's what I mean. That much money on someone who isn't better than Sturridge, and doesn't really fit the way we want to play (IMO). I know it's early and he's a good centre forward in the right team with the right set-up, but I'm not convinced that team is us.

Although tbf I would never have predicted Ings making a strong case for being a regular start. Never in a million years did I expect that but at the moment we have to be going two up front and Ings is one of them.

Ings has really grabbed the chance with both hands and fair play to him.

Benteke is a strange one , he's a good player and would suit the 433 but we didn't bring in the right players to suit a 433 formation. No idea if when he's back to fitness how well he'll suit playing in a 2 up top but as you say Ings should be a starter based on his performances.

[Daniel 7]

He signed Benteke to play 433. Now he's reverted away from it he will look lost in this formation as he cant press and move like Ings, who tbh is an inferior player. But it's not all about ability, particularly in this league.

Modern day football is going more & more towards high intensity and aggression. Ings & Sturridge as a pair offer that. Benteke is great in a formation where you have one up top, but Rodgers just can't make that work.

And Clyne.

I'd say he was also signed to act as another yop class option for Sturridge, given his injury record. That said, it does seem a bit mystifying given how good Ings and Sturridge look together - so mobile and with Ings playing the Suarez lite role, they might have stumbled across something there

[DannyMan2006]

Ings has always been a good player. His workrate is fantastic and he has a decent touch. He's not top quality yet, but he is someone who is looking to improve and works for the team, so for me Benteke will have to sit on the bench when he's back.

I agree, but Rodgers will try and make Benteke work or he's ****ed as he vindicated his signing. I think he's a goner anyway though, thankfully.

Rodgers would've been better off spending £12m or something on Jamie Vardy. Another inferior player but he fits perfectly what Rodgers wants.

[RichC]

This place would have exploded if he'd brought Vardy in.

[DannyMan2006]

And Clyne.

I'd say he was also signed to act as another yop class option for Sturridge, given his injury record. That said, it does seem a bit mystifying given how good Ings and Sturridge look together - so mobile and with Ings playing the Suarez lite role, they might have stumbled across something there

He signs players every summer to work a 433 and then he always changes back. He's nuts. I just used Benteke as he's the easiest example.

[baitman]

ings and coutinho closing down and movement were the essential parts of our win, it stifled villa and prevented them getting into our half as easy as they would have liked.

lucas came on strong towards the end, little interceptions and putting a toe in to win back possession.

dan studge, welcome back my friend. just stay fit you little ****er