Things can only get better - Aston Vila thread

[TKIZ!]

I know it's only Carling Cup but could we use this as a springboard for an improvement in the season?

[hisroyalgingerness]

I think so, because for one we could unleash our line up of:

----------------Bogdan--------------
Boyata - Cahill - Wheater - Alonso
Eagles Muamba M.Davies Kakuta
----------------Tuncay--------------
-----------------Ngog---------------

And out of the 6 or 7 changes in there, I think 4 or 5 have a genuine case to be starting against Arsenal

[TKIZ!]

I think so, because for one we could unleash our line up of:

----------------Bogdan--------------
Boyata - Cahill - Wheater - Alonso
Eagles Muamba M.Davies Kakuta
----------------Tuncay--------------
-----------------Ngog---------------

And out of the 6 or 7 changes in there, I think 4 or 5 have a genuine case to be starting against Arsenal

Agreed HRG, this has to b seen as a test bed for a new lineup. Has Alonso not broken his metatarsal?

[hisroyalgingerness]

Actually, he has. I instead propose we wheel out the tealady

[TKIZ!]

Better than Robbo in my opinion

[BWFC_Insane]

Agree with HRG though isn't Holden pencilled in to start this game? By god we need him back!

[TKIZ!]

He's supposed to be playing this one as a fitness test, I think with Holden in the tea we may have a different proposition. Reo-Coker and Holden I think would make an excellent partnership in the middle.

[seanworth]

Alonso will be out till mid october I think.

[Armchair Wanderer]

How about...

----------------Bogdan--------------
Riley - Cahill - Wheater - Boyata
Eagles - NRC - Holden - Kakuta/Petrov
----------------Tuncay--------------
-----------------Ngog---------------

Riley looks like he's the kind of fullback to run down the flank and whip balls in, while Eagles provides some cover.
Boyata is rock solid at the back in my opinion so he can be behind Petrov or Kakuta who will probably not cover much.
Holden is back I think!? NRC and Holden would be interesting.
Forwards... let's see it please!

[TKIZ!]

I was thinking maybe a Colin Todd stylee 3-5-2

Jussi
Riley Cahill Boyata

Petrov Reo-Coker Muamba Holden Kakuta

Tuncay N'Gog

[William the White]

He's supposed to be playing this one as a fitness test, I think with Holden in the tea we may have a different proposition. Reo-Coker and Holden I think would make an excellent partnership in the middle.

Absolutely! A nice, busy engine room! We've managed just two victories since Holden was injured. And Reo-Coker is the only player to emerge with credit in the last three games.

[hisroyalgingerness]

If you think last year Fab and Stu were two of the top tacklers in the league - currently we have neither in there. I def think NRC and Stu would be a good partnership. I just think it leaves us slightly limited in terms of passing range, which is fine as long as the team is set up to keep moving and for someone to keep popping out to offer a pass.

[officer_dibble]

Is gardner dead?
drop shithouses davies robbo and knight is the answer
and pray for stu

[a1]

dont wanna play this for villa but people are seriously not dropping petrov enough,

jussi
steinsson zat cahill robinson
coker muamba holden pratley tuncay
ngog

top 8 here we come.

maybe shove the kalk in for coker, carnt remember if nigel can play wing but he seems kinda bobbins anyways so shove the kalk in instead.

do that and top 7.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Suddenly a much bigger game psychologically than it was before the Norridge defeat.

Would be very tempted to give NRC a rest ahead of bigger challenges; he'll want to play against the team that turfed him out, but tough, this isn't about him. Muamba in as his replacement, alongside Pratley, with Eagles wide right.

Maybe, if not cup tied by loan arrangement, time for Kakuta to press him claim wide left. But in front of whom? When's Ricketts back? Where's Gardner? Is it time to throw Blakeman in, especially behind the lightweight Kakuta?

Wheater must start, and wear a dayglo sign above his head asking WTF he's done to upset Coyle. Might be useful to partner him with Boyata, to see how the kid does in the middle. Is Steinsson fit? If not, see how Riley does against Premier(ish) opposition.

Bogdan in nets, obvs.

Up top's intriguing. Tuncay should play in his preferred position behind the striker, but which one? Could be Ngog in a dress rehearsal, but I'd also be tempted to play Klasnic. Irksome dive and dodgy card aside, it's his fault he's about to have three games on the sidelines – let him apologise by firing us into the next round, with Ngog given the last half-hour to stretch his legs and (if Tuncay's up to 90 minutes) cement the partnership which might be the future.

So, injuries permitting:
Bogdan; Steinsson, Wheater, Boyata, Blakeman; Muamba, Pratley; Eagles, Tuncay, Kakuta; Klasnic.

[BWFC_Insane]

Suddenly a much bigger game psychologically than it was before the Norridge defeat.

Would be very tempted to give NRC a rest ahead of bigger challenges; he'll want to play against the team that turfed him out, but tough, this isn't about him. Muamba in as his replacement, alongside Pratley, with Eagles wide right.

Maybe, if not cup tied by loan arrangement, time for Kakuta to press him claim wide left. But in front of whom? When's Ricketts back? Where's Gardner? Is it time to throw Blakeman in, especially behind the lightweight Kakuta?

Wheater must start, and wear a dayglo sign above his head asking WTF he's done to upset Coyle. Might be useful to partner him with Boyata, to see how the kid does in the middle. Is Steinsson fit? If not, see how Riley does against Premier(ish) opposition.

Bogdan in nets, obvs.

Up top's intriguing. Tuncay should play in his preferred position behind the striker, but which one? Could be Ngog in a dress rehearsal, but I'd also be tempted to play Klasnic. Irksome dive and dodgy card aside, it's his fault he's about to have three games on the sidelines – let him apologise by firing us into the next round, with Ngog given the last half-hour to stretch his legs and (if Tuncay's up to 90 minutes) cement the partnership which might be the future.

So, injuries permitting:
Bogdan; Steinsson, Wheater, Boyata, Blakeman; Muamba, Pratley; Eagles, Tuncay, Kakuta; Klasnic.

Its already been confirmed that Holden will start at Villa.

http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1 ... 68,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

City don't want Boyata cup tied, and Chelsea are yet to decide on whether Kakuta can play.

[TANGODANCER]

As far as confidence goes, it's a big one. Villa are no duckeggs and early goals against have been destroying us lately. Not a game for a reserve side because if we lose the fans will be up in arms. Get a strong side out and take the rest as it comes.

[Wandering Willy]

Suddenly a much bigger game psychologically than it was before the Norridge defeat.

Indeed it is.

As you allude to in your post this is an opportunity for a dress rehearsal for the league game on Saturday. As such changes need to be made but not reserve players.

At the back Boyota is out, so as you say Steinsson if fit, starts. It's possible that Wheater will be brought in for Knight but only is that's the intention for the weekend. Like to see Holden in with NRC if the latter's legs can hold up - he looked knackered on Saturday.

Up top, it's a simple choice for me. Ngog starts with Tuncay. I see more value in giving that pairing time to play together as it's likely that's the best option we have going forward. I'd prefer to give these 2 a dry run rather than start them together for the first time in a league game.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Thanks for those team tips, Willy/BWFCi. Just a note though, nowhere in Coyle's quotes or the piece round it does it say Holden will start.

"Since I've been at the club, I have tinkered with things when it comes around to the cup matches for a couple of reasons. It gives the lads on the bench an opportunity for some match time at a very high level and, within that, it is up to them to show that they are ready to force themselves into the team for Arsenal on Saturday. That has got to be the motivation for them.

"So, there will certainly be a number of changes but we are still going to Villa Park with a view to winning the game and progressing in the Carling Cup. The changes we will make will not mean fielding an understrength side - the eleven that will play will be very strong, such is the competition for places in the squad.

"Stuart has obviously been out for a long time and this game gives him the opportunity to play against Premier League opponents. We all concede that we look a better team when he plays and agree that he was one of the top midfielders in the Barclays Premier League last season, but I don't want to place any extra burden on him.

"He has played two parts of a reserve game - against Fulham and Rochdale - and then he got through the full 90 minutes against Arsenal last week. There is no doubt he is getting stronger day by day and tomorrow we will get a really good idea of where his fitness levels are at."

I can see the reason for "changes need to be made but not reserve players" but it's a balance with overstretching the incumbents. NRC is a must-play this weekend and deserves a break; best playing Muamba alongside ring-rusty Holden, although I'd like to see Mooey back in the side this weekend and the USAviour won't last the 90, so we might need a couple of in-game changes in there. Meanwhile Robinson has (I think) played every league minute this season and will frankly face another chasing at Arsenal this weekend; not sure a midweek exertion will help – so I'd play Blakeman, with Petrov if no Kakuta. It's a blow that Boyata's ineligible, which probably means Wheater/Knight again as against Macclesfield.

[thebish]

"Stuart has obviously been out for a long time and this game gives him the opportunity to play against Premier League opponents. We all concede that we look a better team when he plays and agree that he was one of the top midfielders in the Barclays Premier League last season, but I don't want to place any extra burden on him.

House!