While we await a Saints showdown with perhaps no small amount of trepidation, Garde has continued speaking rather plainly, if circumspectly, about Aston Villa’s deficiencies in the wake of the Watford defeat.

Of greatest interest to me was a simple statement of fact that’s been clear to supporters but never publicly articulated by a Villa manager: We need to be more aggressively defending around our box, winning balls, disrupting, and not continually backing off. Which is pretty much the very aspect of our defense that precedes the following phase, which I’ve dubbed Keystone Cops defending.

You could look at this lack of aggressiveness in two ways…either an abundance of caution or a lack of confidence. You could also just say that they’re not good enough. But if we’re afraid of giving away free kicks, then it probably is consistent with being afraid of not winning the challenge. Which in turn means you’re thinking too much, not reacting quickly and instinctively, and not anticipating but reacting. Even if the players are physically quick, agile and strong enough, one wrong step is all it takes to get yourself in trouble. So you try to avoid the wrong step. If you’re not good enough, then the fear is omnipresent and you won’t get it right regardless because you’re rightly scared that you won’t be able to do anything about the threat.

We see it weekly. The opposition threads passes between our defenders with regularity. Even long balls that find a forward dead in the middle of our two CBs, creating danger from nothing. Villa letting players ghost around the perimeter, focused on the ball, losing track of backside runners, and in so doing, either encouraging a shot or a killer pass.

Then it’s all hands backward into the box, and the ensuing mad scrambles where the ball can go anywhere…and generally does.

Villa? We see those passes routinely cut out. We see our forwards routinely muscled off those long balls, or cut off and being forced to try and hold it up. We see opponents just knocking the ball upfield or into touch. We saw them standing Benteke up, giving him no room to handle comfortably. And when he tried to make that separation, he was often the one called for the foul.

We’ve also seen it further up the pitch, where fullbacks are content to run with a winger instead of taking him out, only to get turned inside out and allow the runner to penetrate or find a cross, low or high, to a forgotten runner given too much space to get onto the header, or slide in from midfield to take the cutback on the floor and sweep it in.

When Sherwood was rather vaguely proclaiming that Villa should play with freedom and express themselves, this, to me, is what he was trying to get across. Don’t think, don’t fear, just do.

Or was that Yoda?

Anyway, I think Garde is spot on here. The trick is whether the players can defend more aggressively, and if they can, coaxing the fear out of them so they do it.

Part of eliminating that fear is getting players to run with and cover the other options so that a given player can commit and trust that someone else is there to pick up the pieces if they don’t succeed. The trust that others are reading the situation the same way and working themselves into position to cover that aggressiveness. Best is to make sure you do it outside the box, rather than letting the attacker gain the box. A free kick so close in is much more difficult to convert than a penalty. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about giving up a penalty and hesitating as a result.

When you see a cross coming in, for example, you have to simply assume someone is going to come and attack it, and that they’re going to come in over you if you’re following the flight and positioning yourself but not leaping to make sure you get a head on it or at least put the attacker off. When you see a wide player pushing deep toward the line, you have to assume a runner is anticipating the almost inevitable cutback pass. And the wide defender has to press close and hard enough to deny such thrusts and passes and force the opponent to recycle the ball.

I think Garde is at least seeing the right things. Villa’s defenders might not be brilliant, but they could at least play smarter and more cohesively, and certainly more aggressively. They need to think of the box as their home and the opponents as intruders to be harried and denied at all costs if they aren’t dispatched further away. Which, to be honest, needs to happen as well.

Defensively, Villa need to trust what’s being emphasized in training, and trust that their partners are picking up the same lessons and playing their part of the situation accordingly. They each have to step up and be accountable, take responsibility and say, “You’re not coming through here in one piece.” Or, “You’re not going to be the one to latch onto that pass when my teammate has closed the door on the player with the ball.” Think like an attacker. Where’s the pass? Where’s the threat? Attack the ball, get there first or at least at the same time.

It’s not rocket surgery. It’s getting stuck in and refusing to concede. Can Garde make this happen? I certainly hope so. This may well be what Villa’s diminishing chances of survival depend on.

Comments 134

  1. Great article JC thanks.

    I’ve played centre half on many occasions and as you say hesitation is the killer, and thats our problem, real time decision making. The thing I most dislike about our defence is not one of them seems read the game proficiently including Richards. As a defender you need to be in control of your Area, see what’s about to happen before it does and snuff it out. In fact what you really need to do is make those things happen to your advantage, turn your man the way you want him to go, channel him into a team mates path or out wide.

    Easily said I suppose when the opposition is so fast but you only have to look at McGrath’s technique in controlling his man to know a man with no knees rarely got done for pace and when he decided the ball was his it was his.

    I think Amavi’s pace in recovering has been sorely missed too, if your going to defend in the manner we do you had better be quick. On that note its a shame Iloris isn’t deemed fit because from the little I’ve seen he is lightening quick.

  2. John – you have made some very astute observations about our defence. The bottom line is that our players are not good enough at this level – all of our current back five have a mistake in them and at this level you get punished for your mistakes. Just look at the comedy display against Watford and Everton – I’m still seething at the three goals that we conceded against Watford – it’s was shambolic.

    Remy Garde has been working on shape and possession. The first half display was encouraging – we should have been three up at half time. Garde must have looked at the basic errors the defence made and thought to himself these players are useless.

    That is the problem with Villa at the moment and as the snake Delph identified this week – we don’t have enough quality in the squad. We don’t have an identity. We don’t have a style of play. And we don’t do anything well. It really is a mess.

    Southampton will be a real challenge. They have better players than Villa and we are the perfect team to play to bounce back after a heavy defeat.

    We need to be bold against Southampton. I would start with Traore – we need pace on the break.

  3. Good read John, strange how our various managers/coaches never told the players about those basics.
    I really do fear for us tomorrow, i wasn’t joking when i said 8-10 could be a possibility.
    I expect to see Kinsella start, Richardsons confidence must be shot, possibly moving forward into MF where his lack of pace isn’t exploited. Not exactly loaded with options are we ? Bright Future.

  4. I think although Garde is drilling the team as a unit the back four is to easy to get at on the break. Against City we sat tight and threatened rarely and stayed solid which worked ok .
    As the team moves up the pitch we become too spread out with not enough up top to press their defence ( as Leicester do ), a quick ball over the top or in behind Richardson is enough to cause panic so the defence stay back on the whole. As you said John the problems are not solely with the defence, another quick busy forward to close down would help ( Weimann type) I wonder if Robinson could fulfil that role.

    Already garde knows we need more pace to hit teams and to keep them sat back so Adama has to get games as does Gabby if fit and fast. Gabby may well be a hit in this style of play if only to make teams hesitant.

  5. Mark after the meet up l said to steamer ” did he notice the back of Mark’s head? ” as it’s the same as SWW ‘s , did you play for the same subuteo team as him ? . )))

  6. Its nice the manager recognises this and he has my support.

    But you wont turn hutton, richardson guzan, clarke into good players. They will always have a basic mistake in them and cost you the game.

  7. St75 – if you flicked my head you would break your finger, regularly had blokes breaking their noses on it and I wasnt even trying to nut them. Anyhow how could you and steamer see anything you couldn’t find the bar or your wallets

  8. Excellent and informative leader John . It’s a heart sinking moment for any villa fan when you see the panic when a ball goes into the bid and they’re out of position . I noticed a fair bit of ball watching – and not only are the defence to blame , the midfield offer no protection in front of them and go missing too. Jack Grealish has come in for criticism for hanging Richsfdson out to dry against Evrrton . I am hopeful that with better coaching from Remi, that the back four will make up for their mediocrity by being super organised and more aware . As Mark said , for all PMCG knee problems his talent was being in the right place by reading the game to perfection .

    I would also agree that yet again we are fearful of making a mistake . It’s tough when your playing at 20th and there maybe a feeling of ‘better to back off than to be scapegoat for conceding a penalty ”

    But what is also so irritating is the way we are knocked off the ball without the fight to win it back . You see players in other teams who are so annoyed at being dispossed that they will lose blood to get the ball back and often do . Take Deigo Costa , despicable if your on the opposing team for his cheating and play acting but he won’t give up . Our MF players look too lightweight and whilst Shrrwood said ‘go and express yourselves ‘ it seems like they took that to mean go off on a jolly and do what you enjoy or attacking and don’t worry about defending and supporting your team makes . The position we are in needs hard workers and a few nasty players . the likes of Gil, Grealish and co just aren’t physically dominant enough .

    I hear Remi has cancelled Christmas party . If this means less distractions and less boozing so be it . We are the unfittest in the league according to official stats and we have important fixtures . Let’s get the points and then celebrate .

    I am weirdly confident for tomorrow. Saints leaked 6 goals . Koenig will be focus sing on stopping those defensive gaps – so if I was Remi I would be liking to push through them in a different way to Livrrpool to take them by surmised. Easy isn’t it ( irony )

    Hope the steamers have a fantastic time watching ST 75 beautiful daughter Jessie play Cinderella in the pantomime – I hope the ugly sisters get you st75 just to hear your reaction. 🙂 xx

  9. With Saints shipping 6 goals in the week and our 7 in two games – looks like it could be a double figures goal scoring game tomorrow . Better than a boring 0-0 I suppose .

  10. Greetings Lifers!

    I refuse to dwell too much on our missed opportunity this season nor the threat of relegation. Just living in the moment! It appears that ayew has emerged as our/garde’s villa talisman! He does seem up for it. Would be nice if Adama, Sinclair or even gabby would catch fire and start providing him with some tasty deliveries; reminds me of an Indian takeaway the way I said that yum!

    Bring on the saints you loathsome Villans!

    UTV

  11. Sorry, much as i’m hoping for a win/point i just can’t see any way we’re not going to be smashed today.
    Possibly –
    Guzan
    Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Kinsella
    Traore, Veretout., Gil, Sanchez, Richardson.
    Ayew.
    Vivre Remi Poulet pomme frittes.

  12. Stoke 2-0 up vs Man City after 20mins, 2 great goals….take note Villa, anything is possible.

    Interesting that Garde said Kozak is not good enough yet to make the squad. How bad is the lad in training!

    I’d give the young CB a game, I think Doncian, alongside Okare.

    As for Clark not being good – he played amazing for Ireland. He just needs the right partner and that is not Richards

  13. Villa md- isn’t donecian on loan and injured to boot I think.

    I can see us going with adama and Gabby if fit stay solid and hit them on the break. Last season Koeman sussed tim out he won’t have that luxury with Garde so I’m expecting them to target the leftback as thats our weakness, it will just depend how garde sets us up. I still think there is something in this for us as Southampton haven’t played well recently whether they are good or not.

    City getting stuffed and delphs still on the bench with a raft of injuries to citys side, Winker

  14. VillaMD,
    Been a fan of Clarks for years but how many chances does he need ? too many stupid bookings too, perhaps the slower pace of international footy suits him where he doesn’t have to make so many quick decisions. Still better than Lescott and Okore though, perhaps as a temporary LB. I’d get Baker back in January.

  15. Apparently Wilkins is divulging the secrets on BeIN sport and its definitely not complimentary to Fox, Reilly and the Jeerman, in fact it shows the club up as a joke, nothing new there then.

  16. Its –
    Guzan
    Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Bacuna.
    Gana, Sanchez, Veretout.
    Sinclair, Gestede, Ayew.
    Subs – Bunn, Aggy, Richardson, Ilory, Wastewood, Traore, Gil.

  17. Steamer- I’ve read he’s saying the signing of players was taken away from Tim after he had signed a few so other than Richards who are Tims players???

    Bacuna at left back brave, I think its a 433 sinclair and Ayew either side of gestede gabby on the bench with adama and Ilori.

  18. Gestede for certain, Lescott and the only others that TS mentioned in any detail were Ilori and Traore. I Think Wilkins and TS are passing the buck because the players they were going to sign were tripe with no sell on value and the wages would have bankrupted the club. We’d have signed all Spuds reserves to go with the third layer Arsenal admin, some ambition.

  19. Steamer – good point on Clark.

    Seems like the best lineup he could start. I hope Sinclair gets his act together. I’m glad Gil is dropped, he was awful vs Watford.

    We could get a hammering or maybe a scrappy 0-1 win

  20. Steamer- brave is diplomatic talk for OMG. It makes my shit itch when he blabs his mouth but wont say which players were Tims, afraid of the comparisons that would come. I was very very wrong about Wilkins I thought he would be good for the club.

  21. OMG – the defending is appalling. I have been marking notes and after 11 minutes there has already been 10 defensive errors.

    This is embarrassing – we should be 3 down already.

    What the fuck does this team do on the training ground?

  22. its time to sack all our coaches that have been here before garde,if no keeper,right back in reserves no point having them,watch hutton when we attacking to far forward when we defending to far forward,and why is bacuna having to play left back surely normal full back should go over

  23. Good point James Kinsella has been back up for 2 years he’ll have grey beard before he plays. Hutton just gets worse I think he will be replaced next match, a liability.
    That said we are 1up and the lucks going our way. Adama would cause havoc but not disciplined enough in a tight game.

  24. we definetly have the luck so far today, the next 15-20 mins is very important , these fookers need to keep marking their men, and get another breakaway goal. but the next 15 mins Southampton will come out flying again like the beginning of the first half

  25. Monsieur King,
    Agreed on gestede/Kozak debate. Rudy a freakish athlete in the air with two left feet. Kozak is one of those blokes u think would trip over his own legs climbing a flight of stairs but u throw at football at his feet in a high pressure situation and he subconsciously slots it in the corner as if he were out waking the dog on a lazy Sunday morning in the Yorkshire dales. Would you Esther have 5 spectacular thudded bullet headers or 10-12 scrambled side footers?
    This Ayew is done athlete and he is very committed to the cause! Our new talisman!

  26. we still have the luck, saints should have scored – hutton blocks it!

    now they are making changes , we must concentrate,
    we need to keep the shape , stick to the plan, saints heads will start to drop

  27. Some players might have emerged today: leacott, veretout, ayew! Let’s hope so! Perhaps Richards can slot in at wingback! That’s a positive outcome due to results going out way!

    Holiday fixtures are very winnable and of course will decide our fate!
    UTV

  28. i guess we are getting more efficient , as that’s what remi been talking alot about since watford, still waaaay too many sloppy mistakes, and that could so easily been no points, but a point is a point , should have been 3, when ayew was one on one, then they went and scored

  29. I don’t agree about the subs, the bench wasn’t exactly brimming with options for the players injured. could of brought Gil or adama on but in a tight game a bit risky, Bakuna going off made other changes difficult otherwise we could of put Adama/Gabby on for gestede and catch them out.
    All said and done it was a fighting point and won’t do us any harm.

    I honestly think Richards should replace mutton, leave okore and Lescott in there and use clark or Ilori out left.

  30. glad to get point but still too many problems
    guzan gives me jitters every time ball played back to his feet,then his kicking my stream bit slow would show guzan kicking ball out and next soton attacking,saves shots going wide gives away corners poor keeper
    hutton as i mentioned earlier to quick to attack leaves all side field for soton to attack,early on sanchez played ball across to where hutton should been no 5/10 yards further forward out of position again looked like sanchez gave ball away.when going forward gets in way of attackers can t cross the ball at all,and always a stupid tackle in him
    sanchez couple poor passes today again and awful marking for goal
    rudi one of sherwoods buys shows would be ok for last 10mins but thats it.if kozak is not better than him time to retire sorry or are villa looking for insurance payout on kozak
    subs
    westwood hate him as player couldnt even ram down my throat missed sitter
    richardson same as above apart from missing sitter has to be a better young player at club sorry
    gabby made as many touches lol as whole half v spurs

    manager sorry subs awful why not give traore run out would been good for counter attack,gil putting on westwood ahead doesn t look good for him,and why not throw ilor on for sanchez if fit enough for bench definitly fit enough for injury time
    a lot work to do

  31. Much better from Villa – some nice periods of play and they ran their socks off . A massive point in terms of confidence for the players and in view of Sajnts bring a well organised and decent team , they did well .

  32. Hello All!
    Must have been a lot of crossed fingers for that one. But, yes, they showed more tenacity.
    Remembering last year’s hiding, it is a good result.
    Six points from safety.

  33. James the injuries dictated the subs, and Gil and adama not disciplined enough in a game like that when we are under the kosh. I’ll take the point and the fact we started to look like we want to play for each other.

    Tim would of got nothing as I’m sure he wasn’t told he would buy all players but would get to choose from a list supplied and as Steamer said his buys were not better than theirs IMO.

  34. Scum fan Deeney got the headlines last week for scoring against Villa, wonder if Villa fan Lolley will get similar headlines for scoring against the vermin, oh no he hasn’t been in clink has he?

  35. markk
    sorry westwood is crap option at any time as showed with miss
    agree on richardson but have to be a better option with young lads
    why would sherwood sign up to something and then be changed,but i agree with others think all french/spanish signings look good compared to lescott,bunn,rudi andspuds rejects sherwood wanted

  36. James – Even if he did it makes him look worse as his choices are not as good bar Richards. I trust Garde and I’m sure he had his reasons, fare enough you don’t like those players mate.

  37. Sherwood, if he were manager do we lose that match sure would!

    If leacott can carry on like that the idea of Richards and Llori at wingback is tantalizing! Hmm…

    Ffin chelski have to botch things up gifting 3 points to Bournemouth! How did they ever sell Lukaku and how is Jose still in a job!

    Arsenal to win the league and they’re up next!
    Remi of course will be well up for that one!

    I hope Kozak will get a serious look given rudi injury!

    Also Adama does need to start getting 20 per!

    UTV

  38. A point is better, although for large periods of the game we looked atrocious , our goal came at a time we should have been 3 or 4 down. The problem is we already need more than draws, we need wins, The Cherries winning at Chelsea shows the other sides really aren’t going to lie down and let us climb easily out of trouble. I’m not sold on Garde, and as we all know the wankers running this club have killed any hope we have.
    Echo Steamers sentiment, nice to see Joe Lolley score away at the Vermin in a 2-0 win, big Villa fan ( even if his mom is a nose), but unlike Deeney he is not scum

  39. Im at a loss with why people choose to see the negative in games. Yes we could of been 3-4 down but not should, thats down to defending and poor finishing or lack of, all part of the game, we deserved a point. I thought their goal came against the run of play then injuries played there part. But for a few last ditch tackles by them we may have got 3 ourselves. A point at southampton is a plus gutted not to get 3 but the tide will turn if we get a win which after the srse game is likely. They may even get a point there who knows they have half a team out.

  40. Oh Villa. They make my blood boil.

    I really thought luck was going to be on our side after they missed a hatful in the first half, and then in the second we got in blocks. I then came on a DM who never scored a prem goal before to tap one in. Muppets

    It’s so hard watching us play football. It all seems so hard work. Defending is all over the shop. Attacking is very rare, and hard work when we do

    Remi needs to change this so cautious formation. We won’t stay up with it. If we try and defend for 90 mins we will concede so many gaols. If we don’t attack, we won’t win games.

    He needs to change formation. Play like Atletico madrid. 442, but a narrow one without traditional wingers.

    Veretout—Gana-???—-Gil/Jack

    Remy and Ashley Cole have been linked for Jan. Yes please. We need a keepe and CM as well. Sanchez gives simple passes to the opposition .

    We ned to beat Newcastle. If not, we are down

  41. Frem- Yes I was thinking about 442 with vertout and Gueye in the middle. Sinclair on one side but who goes right? Adama not reliable but would be handful, gil been poor there last 2 games he played, Nzogbia or gabby a possibility I suppose. Could go Ayew out left Sinclair right? its a lot to sort out. Would want to keep Ayew central though if poss.

    I thought Gestede for all his poor control gave us a platform and kept their CH’s busy, if he’s injured maybe Kosak up top at last but probably scabby and Ayew up top sinclair and ???out wide.

    haven’t mentioned Grealish as we are so weak down the left.

  42. kozak not going to be involved garde said he is no better than our front men,he must look awful in training.
    i would go 4411
    richards okore lescott clark
    bacuna gana sanchez traore/sinclair
    vertout
    ayew
    tell clark to defend let whoever in front of him attack
    back to yesterday its a miracle we got point when you think we finnished with
    guzan hutton richardsonlescott ok yesterday westwood and gabby on field

  43. Mark- Sinclair shouldn’t play. Another god awful footballer we have at the club. He was hiding yesterday. Ran away from the ball every time. When he got it he was even worse than Gabby. Fans we screaming at him, most wanted him subbed.

    We need to play out best footballers. Gil, Jack and Adama are 3 of those. We can’t get away with playing all 3 but they need to be involved

    Maybe Adama can play up front alongside Ayew. Veretout on the left or right, then Gil or Jack on the other side, Gana and Gardner CM

  44. Thing is Frem he is more disciplined than the others, his strength is getting on the defences shoulder so not his natural role but fair enough. If the team was more confident we could be more expansive but while we are shaky its to much of a risk against better sides. I’m expecting to see Adama at home but maybe not to start against Arsenal.

    I like the idea of Gardner and giving vertout the play making forward running role.

  45. Interesting takes on the game…I had to hang some paintings yesterday morning for a show, so I missed the match. Which was probably why we managed to get a point.

    I did have a chance to check, saw 0-1 at halftime, couldn’t believe it. Had some mimosas following the installation, then felt too good to check the final result until much later. I’m sure it was the mimosas, but I was feeling we were going to snatch it, 2-1.

    Oh well. I know a point isn’t enough, but it’s better than none. That might be the one that keeps us up! I do know I’ll take a draw instead of a 6-1 beat down.

    I’ll watch the replay, and get a review up with my astonishing insights this evening (GMT) for a fresh thread.

  46. One thought.

    I’m seeing that some think Rémi’s being too ‘negative’. The counterpoint, though, is that the other candidates would likely have employed the same tactics. We’ve heard Garde say that if you’re not going to win, don’t lose, and we’re seeing that pragmatism employed.

    While I know we can’t get enough points from drawing every game, he’s got to get something going in the right direction, and not losing is the very first agenda item in trying to build some degree of confidence.

  47. Indeed, much easier to watch knowing the result, Mark. And instead of kicking every ball with them or hiding behind the couch (which I actually did, too, watching the John Pertwee-era Doctor).

    Funny player, Sanchez.

    When he’s playing well, he’s very good. He just seems to forget where he is or what he’s doing at two or three moments in a match. Perhaps it’s still adjusting to ever-present danger in the PL. Perhaps he’s too confident, becoming almost lackadaisical, or just expects players to be more in tune with what he’s thinking. Dunno. But for now, he’s the only true DM we have, I think.

    Like everyone, I’d love to see Gardner make his mark. Since I’ve barely seen him play, though, it’s hard for me to say much. I’m guessing that while he probably has the brain and talent, Garde seems to be erring on the side of a much more experienced player with more time in the side.

    As you say, January is interesting. Given the needs elsewhere, I’m curious to see if he wants to spend money on a DM.

  48. sanchez is like our centre halfs always pulled out of position covering our full backs,if you watch hutton always in wrong place not bad luck early on sanchez played ball out to where hutton should been but no 10 yards further forward and that was us under pressure

  49. JC- I know there is talk of cole but I think Cissoko will come in giving reme chance to spend elsewhere. Maybe a CH would be better or maybe senderos will come back in. Reme must be thinking put Richards right back by now after seeing Okore. Its all right seeing players in training but a match shows the real player. Clark and Richards exclusion may give him food for thought. On Dm it will be a cambiassa type if he gets anyone, someone to hold it together and therefore give more freedom.

    This article shows you Remi believes that team spirit is more important than talent in a relegation struggle he’s no mug.

    http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/garde-delighted-big-point#:tIG1j6XKPy-fYA

  50. James…

    Indeed. Vlaar came in for a lot of criticism during his spell. He’s a very good defender, when fit, as he showed in the WC. You don’t anchor a back three for Netherlands in a World Cup if you’re not any good. But he got pulled all over the shop as well.

    I really think we could pick two fullbacks from any other side in the PL (probably the championship, too) and it would be a clear upgrade.

  51. I don’t think a change of formation is going to help us to be honest
    I think the major problem is the sheer lack of quality both defensivly and attacking
    ayew and veritoot looked bright and i think along with amavi we have some lovely prospects there

    However we need better for now players in this group – the linked cole and joel campbell would begin to address our main issues for being such a poor side right now

  52. frem
    sinclair a funny one earlier on in season scored a few knack right place at right time,yesterday spent most tracking back ,thats why think when rudi was been changed traore would been good choice up front with ayew,gil on for sinclair in middle field two willing runners to feed,ilor for bacuna if ilor fit enough for bench fit enough for 20 mins
    we need to get two wide players in midfield if remi wants to persist with rudi some body to cross high for rudi to attack,waste of time plying him elsewise.

  53. Runtingz- I think it wouldn’t be so bad if the defence was solid, Sanchez is more or less a CH. that in turn doesn’t help our attacking threat. Jan is going to be interesting to say the least but we need those few wins this month.

  54. can’t say i agree mark — 6 points and a couple weeks off xmas smacks of a shockingly poor side

    there are some good bits dotted around but mostly not good enough

    agree we need to scramble some points up until the window opens – then the key is to get some quality in that will make a real difference

  55. Newcastle looking far more solid and organised, this afternoon. The one time we need the scouters to do us a favour and they don’t turn up.
    It’s not gonna be easy up there in a couple of weeks

  56. I don’t believe Remi when he talks down Kozak, its not his style, plus, Gabby makes the squad, somethings amiss, probably an appearance related payment to Lazio or similar, but no-one would ignore Kozak with the crepe forwards we have.

  57. we havent done great so far against the stugglers
    all struggling side are showing signs of improvement including shock wins against bigger sides
    i just don;t think we can dig ourselves out without very good additions
    its all hope with zero expectation for me

  58. Mark
    We have taken 15 games to get 6 points lol and whilst we have achieved this those around us have more than doubled our total. It’s gonna take a severe shift of fortune for us to survive

  59. Can’t see us beating Newcastle now

    We deserve this for not trying to win games. Remi bought in Westwood for Gestede yesterday. We won’t try to beat Arsenal either, and Newcastle will be the same. Bloody 451 with no intent on attacking. Adama, Gil and Jack won’t play either.

    I hate football sometimes. Managers kill the great game being scared to attack and play football

  60. Arsenal and every match now becomes massive, we are cut adrift needing to double our points total just to catch those above us. It is down to years of under investment and poor buys, 2-0 to the bar codes. Lose the next two and we are gone

  61. frem
    beat me too it about rudi for westwood ,his miss hurting more now newcastle 2 up

    steamer
    think your right about kozak must be money involved for lazio,anyone puts 6 touches gabby ahead of him??

  62. Exactly why reme not going gung ho we would be hammered so he’s trying to build confidence get through to Jan and plug holes. Liverpool suffered for playing high tempo in the week they looked leggy. good thing is steves staying at Newcastle a bit longer

  63. frem i have some sympathy for garde

    he has to try and find a balance between firstly being solid and being an attackingb threat
    almost impossible with the balance and qaulity of our current sqaud

    grealish , gil and adama are all fine prospects but none have showed the balance of play to be picked week in and out

  64. Runtingz spot on, what do you think we need to get this team playing? I’m thinking a plane crash and collect the insurance but barring that, A decent forward DM CH LB and RB

  65. We haven’t got a decent starting 11 in our squad, the odd player shows a bit, but otherwise collectively and individually we have been awful. Too many players who can’t competently perform the role for which they are paid. Basic errors and lack of composure, guile, ability and fight. We don’t have the basics of a decent side, our spine is weak, we lack a genuine threat up front and are a shambles at the back. In my eyes we have been relegated for weeks, even if we manage to complete the greatest escape of all time, it will be no different next season. RIP AVFC

  66. Mark
    The Amavi injury is a blow, especially given the calibre of his replacements! However our problems go far deeper than a LB being injured, even when he was playing we were still shipping goals and losing games with regularity. We have wasted the transfer window and bought far too many players who simply aren’t good enough for this level or league, my worry is a lot of them aren’t good enough for the championship either, which is a different prospect altogether.

  67. Most worrying thing is Nothing has changed under Garde

    I thought he’d come in with new clever ideas, but he hasn’t

    Defending is worse. Attack is just as clueless.

    Adama still won’t be played. Gil and Jack were played out of position at Everton

    Footballing management can’t be that hard.

  68. It definitely seems to be the case that Garde is trying to work with what he’s got and get any kind of result. If you’re short on striking options, how wide open do you want to get? Simply more goals to chase. No matter what he does, or how well we play, we are not a side that’s going to score for fun anytime soon. Keep to the opponent to 0 and 1, you’ve always got a good chance. We need each and every single point.

  69. I also think the reason we haven’t seen instant, dramatic improvement is because we essentially wasted those early 10 games where everyone was supposed to get bedded in.

  70. Morning everyone
    I totally agree John – Villa are starting their season and every other team has bedded in as our first 10 games were wasted. Remi hasn’t had long enough to make a silk purse out of what was at times , a sows ear .

    If we leave ourselves open in an attempt to be high scoring then I think that couid kill us off completely so agree with his cautious approach , for now .

    Watching MOTD again , we still have players who come to a stop when they’ve lost the ball and stand still ! For all his good points , Ayew was another one guilty of this on Saturday . Dispossessed then stands still , complaining meanwhile the ball has gone up the other end . We lack urgency – this is not the practice this is for real! This has to improve or we will fail because we are not up for the fight as a team mentality

    For me Rudy was disappointing Sayurday – heavy / no touch and just wasn’t making the right runs or getting into positions . But I put this down to him not being played enough – I’m sure he wasn’t like this when he scored 30 goals last season so it’s down to the same challenge .
    We’ve wasted our formative games when new players to the prem should have been bedding in . Starting at this stage of the season is going to be hard for players like Rudi who I know can do better but maybe lack of confidence and unfamiliarity is holding him back . Why wasn’t he used from the start , after all , he was chosen by Sherwood as he was at pains to point out that he’d personally watched him for months . I have sympathy for Rudy .

    It was also regrettable that Auew went for goal instead of passing to Rudy when he was unmarked in prime position on Saturday . This is what Remi is calling ‘collectivism’ over ‘ individualism ‘ .

    And for all Hutton’s errors , he actually saved the point for us on Saturday by that brilliant block .

    Finally , I am not too disheartened by the toons pulling away . I said at the start that Newcastle have good players capable of mid table Finnish . . They also have a history of making slow starts . They seem to need 15 games before they get into first gear . For me they were never in contention . I am looking to Bournmouth (because of injuries) Sunderland , Norwich . As the old cliche goes , a Manager is as good as his players and we’ve just got to hope that ours are ranked 17 th in that sense . We still have a chance !
    St 75x hope you’re enjoying the pantomime xx

  71. Agree with Jenny and John about the first ten games, also its amazing that you can start a season lacking fitness. It would have helped if TS had actually made some sort of effort too instead of sulking like some pathetic little kid who had his sweets taken off him. I really believe that his petulance has put us in a position which will inevitably result in our relegation this season, the Bournemouth and Newk results must have gutted the few staff members who actually give a monkeys. I can’t forgive the rissoles who were singing Sherwoods name at Palace, they really are beyond thick.

  72. In complete agreement with the assessment, the season started with Remi’s arrival and we have 2 points more than we would have had under TS given his attitude.

    Strange substitution re Gestede, while level we were still creating chances, a bit too protectionist at the wrong time but have to trust Garde seen something within Southampton’s game that he needed to close by bringing Westwood on.

    We may temporarily not be relying on Bournemouth/Newcastle this week but we can rely on Swansea, Sunderland and Norwich, and Bournemouth will drop points throughout the season.

    We do need to start picking up wins but we may have to wait another weekend and be overjoyed with a point v Arsenal.

    UTV

  73. I think we need to understand that the likes of westy and gabby are senior highly paid players at the club and even though we know there not good enough the kids are going to struggle in our current position and aint the answer right now

    our squad is really poor and we need a few men that can come in a show our youngsters how its done out there

    can’t say i am confident for the next two games and if we lose them both it’s pretty nailed on to be bye bye premier lge

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