Just back from the game, and I thought I'd share some early observations as they can sometimes be different from watching it on the box! As highlighted in other posts, Yun was brilliant. The optimist in me is delighted that the manager has realised this. The pessimist wonders why we missed out on a chance to 'blood' him in the Championship for a year, which would surely have improved his game further? Tenacious, great in the tackle, never gives up on anything. Great pace too. Now to work on his final ball. I was worried about Dunne before the game, being up against Benteke. How wrong was I! Likewise, I wanted McCarthy to start instead of Green as I get frustrated by Green's distribution. Green made a stunning hat-rick of saves, and again, I have to put my hands up and say I was wrong there. The combination of Henry and Sandro is really good in midfield. Really stops opponents playing and allows full backs to get forward in confidence, which Yun and Isla can do well. We weren't brilliant. For much of the first half we were actually poor, and sloppy in possession. Villa were even worse, allowing for a rubbish half of football, and enabling us to improve in the second half. Much still to work on. While talking of our opponents, they were absolutely terrible. Looked like they had no confidence and carried no threat all game. The only player who impressed me was Sanchez, who looked classy despite giving the ball away for our second. Really enjoyed singing "That's why your going down" to their fans at 2-0 up as they had been singing it to us at 0-0 in the first 15 minutes. That said, you can only beat what's in front of you, and I thought 'Arry got his tactics spot on. Long-balls to Zamora when Villa were sitting very deep in the first half, allowing Bobby to play knock-ons, switching to 4-5-1 at just the right time, and brining Hoilett on to stretch them. All worked, all deserve credit. Did I already say that I love Yun? A random thought, but wouldn't it be good to sing for Ale again soon? The team looked like they had really learnt from Liverpool. Looked completely alert at every set piece, and slowed play down whenever Villa had a free kick. Looks like they all got a right dressing down on that front and won't forget that lesson any time soon. Charlie has the confidence to go on a run now. Was unlucky not to bag a hat-rick tonight. Vargas can certainly play his part this year. Looks great on the wing, and I think he'll be even better up top when Bobby can't play. I really do think that the team look like they are beginning to settle down and gain some belief. Liverpool will have helped, today even more. Chelsea up next, and that kind of rivalry can fire them up even more. Can't wait! Any of the above wildly inaccurate?
No. Not at all. We played well. Before it is asked, credit where it's due. Harry did well in his team selection. That's two in a row. The next two we have nothing to lose so let's give it a go. I'd rather lose 6-3 and 5-2 than play for two 0-0 draws. Amazing isn't it that we too have found a couple of bargain basement youngsters without having to shop around for the last decade's has-beens. There is talent in the lower leagues and the unfancied International teams. A bit less stargazing and a bit more talent spotting would be very welcome in January.
Spot on with everything there really mate. Yun was brilliant, greens distribution was poor and it seems weird to say, but up until he gave the ball away for our second goal, Sanchez was the best player on the pitch. Other than him Villa were really bad.
Sanchez looks great. If Villa go down I'm sure he'll be hot property and end up at a Tottenham/Everton level club.
spot on although actually i thought villa were quite lively first half, certainly first 20 or so. We were pretty poor but having said that, despite our very sloppy passing, we always looked busy and energetic and after some really woeful displays tempo wise that was great to see. Hopefully they'll be slickness and good footy to follow.
Only comment, I don't believe you acknowledged how great Yun is..... .....only kidding, he was immense. A very fair view of the team, totally agree about Henry and Sandro too.
I'll add Fer to you observations. I thought this was one of his better games for us. intercepted ok - did some nice turns on the ball - can suddenly inject pace - seems he is confidence player. Also Isla is getting better every game... I like him a lot. YUN MOM - amazing...
Due to the injuries of Barton & Mutch they played well together tonight as a solid pair of CDM's, a bit of a Laurel & Hardy pairing, but both lack creativity, although as you indicated, this allowed Yun & Isla to create that spark going forward. Sandro at times, considering he is a $10 million player, seemed quite clumsy in his play (brawn over brain?). In comparison, Henry offering similar skills is a real bargain. The game of football has evolved into a more tactical one. The role of a Central Defensive Midfielder (CDM) has always been one of the most under-rated, under-appreciated and important jobs in football. With more emphasis on the work rate of a player there days, a classy box-to-box midfielder can be the X-factor in any team. Top teams are hunting for midfielders who can tackle, pass fluently, make dashing runs when required and fall back to provide defence the solidity when needed. One of the main attributes that any classy CDM in the world needs to possess is being a well oiled machine. A rock-solid player who can be a pillar for the team as well as be the supply of passes for days and weeks continuously, is definitely an asset to any team. http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/best-defensive-midfielders-in-fifa-14-2
I thought Villa were the better 'team' in the first half, their passing and movement was much better as reflected in the half-time match stats. We just continually gave the ball away as many of us commented (usually at the same time). Whether that was picked up on by Harry it certainly improved in the second half where Villa just looked bereft of ideas. As mentioned, Sandro and Henry look very combative and with a difficult couple of games coming up it'll be interesting to see whether Harry goes for a 4-5-1 on Saturday or tries the 3-5-2 with Isla and Yun wide Keeping Charlie and OBZ upfront. The change in the side after the 2nd goal was amazing, the confidence flowing through the team was so visible and Vargas should have rounded off an amazing sequence of passing with the 3rd goal. Lots of positives and progress is being made...
All good points. Slight worry is Sandro's distribution. He gave the ball away at least three times in the first 10 minutes, resulting in them getting their tails up. Luckily they had nothing in the final third but if he does that over the next couple of games, we'll get hurt. All round decent performance though. A clean sheet too!
Agree, but watching I was also very impressed with Fer. Broke up play well, and always looked forward when in possession. Henry and Sandro were good, but playing two players like them can only work with a Fer type player pushing play on.
I thought Charlie and Green won us the match really, with solid defense in front of Green, but they (and especially Dunne with the lost Benekete) will be very lucky to get an easier game this season. Henry, Sandro and Fer were all good defensively but against that Villa team wouldn't we have kept more ball, had a lot better passing, and dead ball ability with Nico in for one of them? I can only guess he's not 100% fit, but then neither is OBZ. Isla and Vargas are playing better in every game, good to see that. Charlie scoring at this level is good for us, and I don't remember seeing Green play better than that.
Completely disagree that Sandro and Henry is a good combination and think that is heavily linked with your next comment that we were poor and sloppy in possession. Having said that there werent really any other options as Fer cant be trusted in a 2 man centre midfield. This is where we really miss Faurlin. He is great at the defensive side but is capable of making a forward pass as well. Hopefully the 90 mis will do Sandro some good and he will improve his distribution on Saturday. But to balance out the dig at Sandro his awareness to recognise the danger and make a saving tackle to stop an open goal after Green saved from Cleverly was pure class
Both Sandro&Henry were bit shaky during the first twenty minutes or so but then they improved minute by minute...
My only real disagreement with the OP is that we wasted a season not playing Yun last season. IMO, we've lost nearly two years by not playing him from the moment he arrived!
Green made some good saves, but his distribution was very poor, which put us under pressure at times. Villa out-passed us early on, but were toothless and offered no goal threat with Benteke plainly not fit. Great finishing by Austin, and Yun looks like he could be a star. Why has it taken Redknapp so long to get him in the side? Overall a good win and great attitude shown throughout the team. Bring on Chelsea.
Yes, you are right, Green's passing was as bad as those in front of him including Yun and Isla, especially in the first 20 minutes or so. Yun got better as the game went on, Isla for me even more so. But Green's saves, saved the game for us, as Charlie's right foot won it.
