Match thread Villa v QPR Villa Park 1.1.2019

[Saunders82]

Well the game against Preston went as I feared (me included to be honest) everyone thought with their injuries the points could be in the bag, but to be fair to Preston they had a right go and with the help of the Ref not sending off Johnson who then orchestrated the game, but we came away with a point. That makes the QPR game so important we desperately need 3 points but more injuries have hit us, we have a big squad for just these situations, NOW is the time for them to show their worth, I'm going to stick my neck out and say 1 nil to Villa.

[deadbuzzardalive]

Will be interesting to see what happens with the goalkeeping situation, and whether Elphick comes straight in or not. Whatever happens we need to dig deep for the three points, if we manage to win, things could be suddenly looking very positive for us again, with most of the top six all playing away from home.

[DelboyVilla]

We seem to be missing Jack still even though his form hasn't been tip top yet this season he seems to make us tick over better than we are (also maybe because he occupies at least 2 opposition players all match?)?

A win is crucial to keep us in touch with the promotion pack but I am worried because QPR come to us in form which seems to be the norm for sides visiting us this season. I think Elphick will be straight in as he has been playing regular for Hull and we need to stop leaking goals!

Would be happy with a 1-0!

[Saunders82]

I know Nyland has been up and down so far but his injury is something we could have done without at this point in time, it makes tomorrows game even more of a problem/must win game, we must have killed a robin at some point this year.

[deadbuzzardalive]

Steer's been called back from his loan at Charlton, with him and Elphick now available, whilst not world beaters, we're now arguably stronger than we were, especially as they've both been in good form at their loan clubs, so should be full of confidence.

Can't have any excuses really, QPR have been in good form but only marginally better than us, and we've had tougher fixtures. Can't go four games at Villa Park without a win.

[Saunders82]

Well its matchday, lots of rumours so lets see what the squad is for today, its going to be a tough game.

[DelboyVilla]

Maybe we will see a shake up in the team?

Bring back Albert?

[The Utterer]

Not hopeful at all with the disarray in the squad at the moment. Any win would be a minor miracle in my eyes...Even a draw would keep the flailing promotion hopes a little bit alive but i am not really expecting either sadly.

[Dazzle]

Let’s see what the team is, hopefully Chester makes it and we’re able to pair him & Elphick at CB and perhaps move Bree across to RB to replace elmohamady. Id put Steer straight in over Bunn if Kalinic isn’t available. I wonder if we could bring ElGhazi more centrally to try and fill the Grealish position and put Hourihane back in place of Whelan to give us something more similar to what we doing in our good run? We really need to dig a win out today, somehow.

[Army villain]

Hopefully the rumours are wrong with Tammy wants to move on back to the premiership!!! We should have a better defence, just hope it clicks,and our froward make a impact. UTV.

[deadbuzzardalive]

Steer, Elphick, Bjarnason, Adomah, and Kodjia all come in, Bree replaces Elmohamady at right-back, hope he has good game, needs a run in the side.

[deadbuzzardalive]

This throwing away leads is getting to be a big problem. If we don't win today it will be gutting, especially with the way the other results are going. Smith needs to do something to show that his first six games weren't just new manager bounce.

[Dazzle]

Time to throw the kitchen sink at this game. We’re 2-1 down and need to win this game. Let’s get Davis on to knock their CBs around a bit and offer some physicality up front. Not enough is happening.

[deadbuzzardalive]

This is galling, I really though we had something going with Smith. Seems like we're destined to be rubbish no matter who we sign, who owns us, or who manages us.

[Saunders82]

QPR have upped their workrate, so we need to match them, the ref needs to get to grips with their time wasting

[deadbuzzardalive]

Utterly depressing, I give up. Also Smith has to show something between now and the end of the season, to show he's worthy of staying in the job next season, besides from his first five or so games, we've been no better than we were under Steve Bruce.

I'm not expecting us to finish in the top six now, let alone get promoted, we're just not good enough, constantly not good enough.

[Dazzle]

Utterly depressing, I give up. Also Smith has to show something between now and the end of the season, to show he's worthy of staying in the job next season, besides from his first five or so games, we've been no better than we were under Steve Bruce.

I'm not expecting us to finish in the top six now, let alone get promoted, we're just not good enough, constantly not good enough.

I think you need to calm down and wind it in a bit, it sounds like you’re questioning the manager after a couple of months and having no signings yet, in the midst of an injury crisis. Which I think is somewhat premature.

[Saunders82]

We have no legs in midfield no one tracks their runners from midfield, that gives our poor defence no chance, ENERGY thats what we need, and the ref was shocking gave them the chance to mess about.

[FoxyAV]

We looked like we started not really caring enough. Can we get Green back from loan? Whether Kodjia or Bolasie we don't seem to have anyone on left wing who can actually make sensible (or non-selfish) decisions.

On the plus side I thought Bree looked great. We do need someone other than an attacking midfielder and Whelan in that DM position though.

[deadbuzzardalive]

Yes I am questioning Smith, it is allowed, and quite reasonable... Two wins in eight, no wins in four at Villa Park whilst conceding twelve goals in those four games, throwing away a two goal lead against Leeds, throwing away a lead today, and previously against Stoke and Albion, conceding five goals at home to Forest, another game in which we also threw away a lead at the end, not being able to beat a Preston side that had most of their first team out injured... If you can't question that, then I'm not sure what you can question... Bruce has long gone now, can't keep blaming him.

And I'd hardly call our situation an injury crisis, even with Tuanzebe, and Grealish out, we've still got a very strong selection of players to choose from. Smith has to take some responsibility, we shouldn't be throwing games away to the extent that we have been doing.

I'm not expecting a miracle, if we don't go up we don't go up, that's hardly Smith's fault, but at the same time, I don't think he should have a free pass either, if results and performance continue in the same manner that they have for the past six games, then it just won't be good enough.

[The Utterer]

I actually thought we'd lose today but a draw is still not enough, just wastes another of those rare weeks when we could have closed the gap on those above us but then i think we're clutching at straws in all honesty with talk of promotion this season, losing 3/4 of the spine of the team at Christmas time has truly shafted us.

We are yet again back to the 2 goals a game against which seems to have cursed us ever since we got relegated and there is no sign of it stopping as the defence continues to operate through a revolving door.

If only we could get an unloaned, established and stable back four we'd be flying.

Fingers crossed for the new keeper and Jan signings... Our season truly does rest on them.

[smetro]

Why the hell did whelan come on when we are hunting for the winner ? ...and had 2 strikers on the bench.
Nearly all of smiths substitions seem like for like. 2 wide men off .. 2 wide men on ....dm off....dm on

[DelboyVilla]

Why the hell did whelan come on when we are hunting for the winner ? ...and had 2 strikers on the bench.
Nearly all of smiths substitions seem like for like. 2 wide men off .. 2 wide men on ....dm off....dm on

Not watched the game but those sound like very Spudesaurus Rex subs? How unlucky are we when we get a new manager?

[FoxyAV]

Maybe he thought instead of removing a midfielder to add a striker we were better off putting in some fresh tackling/supply legs (a fresh Whelan is about equal to completely knackered opposition) and trying to feed in some of our attacking players? We were on the front foot after our second goal and it was entirely possible we'd score another and need to protect our goal. He was criticised for putting on a striker in one of the recent matches rather than shore up our lead (which we then lost). Sure, it's the other way round, but against all 15 apparently injured QPR defenders how much use would 5'10" Hogan be anyway if all we're doing is hoofing it forwards hoping another striker might make the difference.

Just hypothesis.

[Dazzle]

You won’t all agree but I would be resting a few players for the FA cup game. I’d also be tempted to play a 4-4-2 as well so that Hogan & Davis can be given a meaningful amount of minutes to work together up front. Kalinic can hopefully come in at GK. I’d give McGinniesta the day off, Chester also. Pair Elphick with Bedeau at CB, hopefully Taylor can slot back into LB, Bree continues at RB. Adomah can get some more minutes on the left, ElGhazi on the right. Central pairing of Lansbury & Hourihane if fit.

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