Clarets v Villa Match Thread

[Commy]

If Rodriguez had been a bit match fitter he would probably have scored those two chances and this board would have been a lot happier.

[Robbie_painter]

I haven't read the rest of the thread, multiple opinions about the game.

We are far too open and the central midfield two aren't mobile enough to cover the vast spaces around them. It was far too easy for Villa to pick out the front two with balls into feet, which in turn they gave us little or no opportunity to do the same.

We need someone to shield the back four and in turn cover us when we turn the ball over up the field.

A busy week ahead but no need to panic, Villa are going to be a solid bet for the top six and have a team which have gelled together since Emery took charge.

Jack Cork

[Terrier]

Not reading through the whole thread so this could have been asked....where is ekdal ?

[gandhisflipflop]

Not read the thread but we were crying out for 3 in midfield today and the glaring need for full backs today showed

[dermotdermot]

Maatsen, Tella and THB are all missed badly and have not been replaced.

[Greekclaret]

Not reading through the whole thread so this could have been asked....where is ekdal ?

Can only assume injured.

The club put out a statement saying only Oba was out but then again they wouldn’t confirm 2 CB’s are injured on the morning of a game.

Don’t think there’s been any mention of him in the presser neither, only Beyer.

[jedi_master]

We weren’t great, it could have been two goals worse than it was, at least…

I think people need some realism about what we are in this league, and today delivered it. We will be battling, gallantly, against relegation. The plus point is we can only get better - our team is not yet completed and they’re still gelling.

Overreactions such as ‘X player isn’t good enough’ are nothing but insane at this point. We’ve played one game at home against a very good side, and lost. I won’t even include the City game in my analysis as that is a total nothing of a game to Burnley in my opinion. Writing off Delcroix, Berge or any of last season is really harsh right now.

My own critical observation/opinion would be that I feel our balance isn’t right. Whatever your thoughts are on Brownhill, we’re missing him or a VERSION of him. We need a box to box player with infectious enthusiasm and a great engine, and arguably that player is there in a 3 man midfield next to Berge and Cullen. That player, and a true left back, are what is needed. I also think we need a bit more experience in the side - heads can drop from young players if overloaded. I’d have started Redmond today ahead of Koleosho. Then again, I’d have subbed Foster for Brownhill too and then he went and scored (Foster has been good this season and I said as such after City, I just felt we should have tried to stiffen the midfield to keep our GD intact).

Anyway - forget this match and let’s see what business we can do.

[Sheedyclaret]

Men against boys mate.

0.69 xG vs 2.44 for Villa

Plucky half chances are just, plucky half chances.

They tore us to pieces on the counter, completely diced out midfield, dragged our defenders all over the place and scored some classic counter attacking goals.

Hardly surprising when there front 2 probably cost more than our starting 11 context needed

[jedi_master]

Not read the thread but we were crying out for 3 in midfield today and the glaring need for full backs today showed

Yep, 100%.

[123EasyasBFC]

Maatsen, Tella and THB are all missed badly and have not been replaced.

You think those 3 would make a difference today, Maatsen would of been caught by cash, tella wouldn’t of got a kick and THB not quick enough

[Granny WeatherWax]

Very naive today by Kompany I thought.

Cullen was often very isolated, with the other 4 midfielders playing very high. Needs 2 of Berge/Brownhill/Ramsey with Cullen in there.

Also way too much change too soon, by playing so many new players the invincibility feeling built up last season is automatically eroded, plus we are having to learn more on the job, and the championship this ain’t.

Set up like we did first half for the rest of the season and we go down quite comfortably.

[123EasyasBFC]

Last season we played one striker whilst dominating games and today we played 2 strikers and left our midfield wide open

[Colburn_Claret]

Just got back to my caravan.
Lyle Foster was outstanding, mom even without the much deserved goal.
Delacroix was quality, certainly a big upgrade at LB, and moved into CB easy as well.
Koleosho looks like early Benson, great on the ball but the passing and shooting rushed.
Amdouni looked lively again, but our midfield and defence ate so poor at finding him.
Villa turned us so many times with quick balls for Watkins or Diaby to chase, and yet in the same situation we were frightened to pull the trigger.

The biggest let down imo was midfield. Josh Cullen is solid but steady, but when you need flair, or a quick ball, he stifles the movement of the front men.
Berge was shocking. I've never seen anyone so tall, so weak in the challenge. Couldn't win the ball, couldn’t protect it when he got it. Early doors for most of the team, but he has to work harder than that.

We lost out to 2nd balls most areas,but especially in the middle of the park.

Still plenty for optimism, but I'm glad we still have a window, that midfield needs bolstering.

[123EasyasBFC]

Berge can’t play in a 2, needs to play in a 3

[Hedontplayforyou]

Berge was abysmal first half.

Whatever VK was trying to do in midfield was way off it. Cullen was left in there alone pretty much all game. Berge pushed right up on the forward line, the counter was imminent and we had no cover , i thought Villa were going to score every time they went forward.

That was extremely unorganised unfortunately and VK can’t be happy with that. Some of the pressing from Al-Dakhil and O’Shea as well was all wrong , just rolled by their man and Villa were in . Disappointing today but lessons to be learned and fast.

We need a left back fast

[CoolClaret]

Berge can’t play in a 2, needs to play in a 3

Painfully obvious.

Any game he’s ever played in ever would show the exact same thing. Sheff U fans say the same thing - he isn’t a midfielder that can sit in and play a disciplined role… he needs the shackles off and a lot less defensive responsibility.

[123EasyasBFC]

Painfully obvious.

Any game he’s ever played in ever would show the exact same thing. Sheff U fans say the same thing - he isn’t a midfielder that can sit in and play a disciplined role… he needs the shackles off and a lot less defensive responsibility.

He had a better second half

[steveb178]

We are not a premier league club and never will be and all the new plastic supporters couldnt manage tescos lol

[jedi_master]

We are not a premier league club and never will be and all the new plastic supporters couldnt manage tescos lol

Get back to Ewood mate, no waiting lists there.

[Colburn_Claret]

Berge can’t play in a 2, needs to play in a 3

You may be right, but I don't care if he's in a midfield 7, I would hope he can fight harder for the ball than today.
If he doesn't prem league midfielders will make a fool of him.

[steveb178]

Get back to Ewood mate, no waiting lists there.

We dont want to get like them but reading/hearing some of our supporters we could be

[123EasyasBFC]

Our midfield was vital last year to how we played and in 2 games so far it’s felt like we are bypassing the midfield

[123EasyasBFC]

Watching the game back, al-dakhil has to take mcginn down for the 3rd goal before he plays the pass, there’s no point pulling his shirt and not taking him down, if he takes him down it’s a free kick on the half way line and we still had the momentum in the game