Match Thread Aston Villa vs Everton. Saturday 14th August 12:30 KO

[Steve EFC]

As with the first game, signs of good stuff in some areas but absolutely barren of goal threat. Onana changed that, but we can't rely on a midfielder to score enough goals for us to stay up or have any kind of decent season. If we don't get some striker in, brace yourselves for the season ahead.

Good:
Patterson, both defensively and offensively
Onana, instantly improved us despite a shakey introduction
Iwobi, the only real source of delivery and passes forward
Tarkowski, very solid
Coady, also solid
Holgate, surprisingly did well but I think switched off for the 2nd

Bad:
Gray, Gordon, McNeil - These three cannot score a goal between them and struggled to hold the ball. They are deeply concerning me. Could sell them all and we wouldn't miss them. To say they need to improve would be a huge understatement.
Doucoure, horror show. Very, very poor.
Rondon, he just can't cut it. Its no surprise but he shouldn't still be here.

Fair assessment in my opinion, however I do think Holgate could have done more for the first goal too.

 

[Curtis]

Until onana came on we didn't look capable of scoring a goal

 

[Frenk]

Why not, he's been literally that for about 6 months now

6 months? That's recent. And racking them up acknowledges precisely that. So?

 

[Toffe3m4n]

The new assured defence has now conceded 3 preventable goals.

In fairness it was our central midfield who were poor for all 3 really, particularly the two that Doucoure could've done better to deal with..

 

[banno]

As long as we get Gana/Camara then the midfield should be sorted. Defence sorted/midfield sorted then get the attck sorted (I mean proper attacking player) then we have a chance of moving up into a comfortable position

 

[Frenk]

1 was a penalty conceded by a midfielder, one was an unsaveable finish for context

I still feel more comfortable with this defence over last seasons.

 

[Stan Lee Park]

We have now lost two games, largely through our appalling transfer strategy, which apparently omitted the need to buy a striker.

 

[banno]

In fairness it was our central midfield who were poor for all 3 really, particularly the two that Doucoure could've done better to deal with..

100% correct. Defence did a decent job against Chelsea and Villa..............midfield not so

 

[blue in oxford]

Why? We are looking at those players and a number of forwards. The transfer market is still open.

cant defend even with the newbies cody tarq so slow

 

[banno]

We have now lost two games, largely through our appalling transfer strategy, which apparently omitted the need to buy a striker.

 

[Baggzio]

Next 2 games are massive now. Should at least have Gana in by Forest, hopefully the forward too. If not Rondon can definitely and should start. If I were Lampard I’d take Forest and Brentford as the opportunity to build the confidence, get Onana on the ball and comfortable, make sure of clean sheets for the back 3 and hopefully allow the new forward to get any of those nerves or teething problems out of his system in a new team.

Get them fit and ready for the derby the week after. This 3 week stretch should be treated as one process for this team. Honestly though if we start building and get our targets in I couldn’t really care less about how the results go, if 0 points after 5 games gets us in a better position to end up with 50+ points then I’d take it. No point trying to grind out results this early in the season, build a team and build confidence and we’ll be far better off in the long run.

 

[banno]

cant defend even with the newbies cody tarq so slow

Behave.....without them I see a cricket score

 

[PhilRegan]

1 was a penalty conceded by a midfielder, one was an unsaveable finish for context

The ings one you mean ? , all the CB and doucoure are in a straight line and pickford is covering the same side of his goal leaving a gaping hole.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Now the dust has settled.... Like last week that for me. We could easily have 4 points on board but the bigger picture must be looked at. A fully fit squad and we will be ok. DCL would be sitting on at least 2 goals by now if not missing.

Onana looks a player and defensively we won't concede anywhere near the amount of last year. Patterson and Mykolenko are solid and will only get better.

Think Lampard got his team wrong, needed a focal point much earlier be it Rondon or Dele. The front 3 just too weak physically, Gordon tried his hardest and showed flashes, Gray was poor and McNeill needs to believe in himself much more, he showed have blasted that ball instead of passing, similar situation to his Kiev goal.

We just need to get at least 4 points from the Forest and Leeds game before the Derby.

 

[PhilRegan]

In fairness it was our central midfield who were poor for all 3 really, particularly the two that Doucoure could've done better to deal with..

They were poor aswell I agree