We are only a few weeks away from the start of the new season, FFC v AV. How does our fans view this match in particular,me personally I see this as a win for the Villa. Ok there have been some comings and goings within both clubs. My main worry is N`Zegobia,i can see him creating havoc on our right flank, ~ unless, before then we get an established R/full back. Score ( my prediction) 3 - 1 to Villa HOPE NOT
Serious stuff from Villa when they beat Blackburn 1-0 in an Asian tournament. Bent goal, of course. Plenty of energy despite the heat and Warnock especially putting himself about. And all this without N'Zegobia. They face Chelsea in the final at the weekend. But I'll rise to your wind up. I've said for weeks now (might even have been my first post) that out priority was signing fullbacks. And like you - and just about everybody else - I strongly agee we do still need a right back. But Bairdhino won't let us down. In all of the Europa games we have lacked cohesion, support play, and quite a few more hackneyed terms. If you closed your eyes we could have been Blackburn, Wigan, Sunderland, even the Villa of last year. Not the real Fulham in other words. The midfield has been the real cause for this (although I'm sorely tempted to get on my hobby horse and add AJ too). Jol's been tinkering and not had the full contingent to work with. Also I think both he and the players have been overly cautious; ensuring we don't drop an early Euro googly. Predictions? Well ever since my son got his season ticket 7 years ago, he and I have tried to predict the score as we walk through Bishops Park to the game. Neither of us got it right yet. Although, believe it not I was closest with the Juventus game - we got 1 less goal than I expected. My seventh sense came from a bit of deja vu you see, since the club I grew up with as a youngster, Kilmarnock, did exactly the same over Eintracht a huge number of years ago - even down to losing a goal in the first couple of minutes to go further behind. And it rained that night too but we didn't care. But I digress. No, my prediction record is worthless. What I will perceive though, is that our attitude will be very different and you'll be able to have a proper laugh at the end.
I'm not so sure that Bairdinho won't let us down if played against Villa. N'Zogbia seems like precisely the kind of left winger who he struggles against - fast and skillful, and a cut above the average Premier League winger. This is the biggest weakness in our squad now, and I think we do need to sign someone in the next week or so. DR's shout of Alan Hutton or Man City's Onoura look like the best available options to me, but I'm sure that Jol has got a few ideas up his sleeve that I've never heard of. Either way, we need a right back or I share roscafre's concerns. That said, I also agree with Cottager (see how congenial I am this morning?). I think once the league season starts we'll be a different side to the one that is carefully dodging banana skins in the Europa league. At least, that's what I keep telling myself...
Europa League qualifying is like playing pre season friendlies, without the luxury of not caring if you get beat. Hence you need to do all the learning about the squad, assessing and raising fitness, bedding in new signings and youth players whilst ensuring that you win through each round. Cautious? of course he's being cautious.
Tosh. You are quite right of course about the EL being a more serious version than friendlies! Jol is no fool. He's been in a few weeks and needs to asses the reality of what he's inherited. Obviously, I'll be happier with 2 purchases - striker cover and a full-back, but not worried. As to the first match - I do not envisaged any 1-3 turnover by Villa. COYW
For me we will come away with 3 points from this one. I have just watched the Villa against Chelsea and they were fairly average. We have a great home record, have started playing competitive football for some weeks. The fitness of the team looks good. Duff is looking about 5 years younger and AJ and Bobby will cause lots of problems. Demps and Dembele will hopefully be back as well. Strong, fit team with a strong bench as well. That said we will have to some how get past Shay Given somehow, he was superb this afternoon. Anyone heard any talk of a striker gracing our team soon ? Read some nonsense about Cameron Jerome, but cannot see this one happening. COYW
We're in a similar boat to Villa, what with a new manager and all. Only difference is, like froggy says, we've been playing competitive football for weeks so the team will be fitter and closer to form. Jol will've had more time to assess his team too. I think we'll be alright, but I'll be happy with a draw.
Have to agree with Froggy's comment about Duffer - he is one of the guys who seems to be straight into his season - there again I've been a fan of his for a while now.
Quite agree Tosh,lets hope it lasts for another 9 mths, and we can say next April our seasons top player must be one of these 6 ?
