Aston Villa at home Saturday 1st Nov 8pm

[BigChief]

Why? We won't have hardly any of the ball away to city.

Why? I can't see Pep keeping the ball much against us with his current squad. He'll be looking for quick breaks and Haaland scoring.

[peterbread]

Much better performance. Quicker passing, improved pressing from the front and better work rate. I do think Villa didn't cause many problems where as other teams can penetrate us easily. Slot needed that win though.

I think one of the reason those issues didn’t come up today was that setup was more like last seasons. The three in midfield and not all out attack. There was always one back in midfield if not two both fullbacks made runs at the right time but played in a more controlled manner. That should also help against teams that go long more often as there will be players to win the second balls more often.

I could see Wirtz doing much better playing in one of the wide roles with freedom in this setup. Players weren’t congested all trying to attack and the little link up in and around the area was much better which is the area you’d want Wirtz to play in.

[Slinky Skills]

I think one of the reason those issues didn’t come up today was that setup was more like last seasons. The three in midfield and not all out attack. There was always one back in midfield if not two both fullbacks made runs at the right time but played in a more controlled manner. That should also help against teams that go long more often as there will be players to win the second balls more often.



I could see Wirtz doing much better playing in one of the wide roles with freedom in this setup. Players weren’t congested all trying to attack and the little link up in and around the area was much better which is the area you’d want Wirtz to play in.

[fidget]

Just got back - Was that refereeing display as bad as I thought it was?

[Norbs]

Worse

[Buzzo]

Just got back - Was that refereeing display as bad as I thought it was?

It wasn’t great. I think because we were winning it wasn’t getting too much attention.

Seemed to fall for a lot of diving as per.

[Mr Pink]

Get in Hugo.

Think you meant “Get in, Hugo”

[Kenneth]

Anyway, thank **** we won, it feels good.

[Friend of Moises]

Did I watch a different game to everyone? I thought it was another abject performance where it ended up needing a deflection and a keeper's mistake to get us a win.

We had no real goal threat - 4 on target all game. Our midfield still didn't use the ball well enough, Salah again was inconsistent (sloppy, lazy and greedy most of the game), loads of times Villa cut through our entire team and Ekitike & Gakpo were beyond predictable.

Yes, it was a bit better but let's not pretend we are back. We are still a bit of a mess and tactically weak. I still don't know what our game plan is - it's not evident.

Also, why did Slot only make 1 sub when we have Real and City coming up and comfortable at 2-0. Surely Chiesa's work rate to get the ball higher up the pitch would have been a consideration.

[Norbs]

Did I watch a different game to everyone? I thought it was another abject performance where it ended up needing a deflection and a keeper's mistake to get us a win.

We had no real goal threat - 4 on target all game. Our midfield still didn't use the ball well enough, Salah again was inconsistent (sloppy, lazy and greedy most of the game), loads of times Villa cut through our entire team and Ekitike & Gakpo were beyond predictable.

Yes, it was a bit better but let's not pretend we are back. We are still a bit of a mess and tactically weak. I still don't know what our game plan is - it's not evident.

Also, why did Slot only make 1 sub when we have Real and City coming up and comfortable at 2-0. Surely Chiesa's work rate to get the ball higher up the pitch would have been a consideration.

Interesting analysis and proof that goals can perhaps mask some of the criticism. You don't mention pressing, that was one clear improvement that we made and it limited them

[Kenneth]

We've had quite a few games like that where the result was all about which chances went in and which didn't, plenty of lower quality chances for both sides. Law of averages says we'll win some like that. Defensively we looked decent but I agree our build up an attacking play still doesn't look coherent enough.

[baitman]

Although there was pressing, it was very inconsistent.

[BG1973]

They also played no long balls. Bizarrely.

But we won and looked more aggressive which is a start.

[Sus]

They also played no long balls. Bizarrely.

But we won and looked more aggressive which is a start.

This was interesting for me - maybe they don't play that way under Emery but thought they might have used it a bit more to bypass our press

They definitely have the athletes to compete and win second balls (Watkins, Rogers)

[Norbs]

This was interesting for me - maybe they don't play that way under Emery but thought they might have used it a bit more to bypass our press

They definitely have the athletes to compete and win second balls (Watkins, Rogers)

I didnt watch intently enough but I think it was our front 3 putting their defence under pressure which stopped them making those passes. Salah was making an effort to for sure