Whelan

[stateside]

Gonna have to revise my thoughts about him. Apart from a couple of horrendous passes he was quite outstanding today. Chester and Terry must be comfortable with him in front of them. He and Jedi looked good together when we decided to stick with what we had. Whelan took three bad blows to the face from their thugs and just kept coming back.

A worthy performance. Also Terry, Hutton, Chester and Davis very solid.

[bongosdad]

I've not seen enough games to judge Whelan but I'm glad he's got your approval stateside. I remember people saying we would be to defensive with Jedi and Whelan in the same team but that seems a myth now.

[stateside]

Oh no. We were too defensive with them together, but by then he'd decided to stick with the point.

[bongosdad]

Fair enough but didn't we look a better side when he came on? Ok I know Davis made a difference as well.

[TrianonDave]

Jedi and Davis will start again Preston, they both did well and almost got us the win!
Fair play to Whelen for getting g stuck in for the cause but his passing and control is not good enough I'm afraid. To be honest that said I would bolter the midfield for tge Preston game as they will come at us for 90 mins for sure!
Player to make way, Onomah?

[Exiledvillan]

Sounds good to me mate, think Onomah looked a tad bewildered at the weekend. Think we need a bit of flare on the bench tho, a sprinkling of the U23 lads who played so well last night?

[westcountryvillain]

Onomah looks good when he gets time on the ball, not a player for the blood and thunder derby games, cut a frustrated figure trying to win back possession. Whelan very combative and will undoubtedly earn himself some hero points with the fans but as already stated the passing isn't good enough (leading to Onomah's frustration).

U23's - great to have these options along with Davis, Jedi, Hogan etc. Going to give Brucie some credit for changing things in this game which gave us more balance and we could've nicked it - the noses would have been apoplectic!

[Exiledvillan]

Onomah looks good when he gets time on the ball, not a player for the blood and thunder derby games, cut a frustrated figure trying to win back possession. Whelan very combative and will undoubtedly earn himself some hero points with the fans but as already stated the passing isn't good enough (leading to Onomah's frustration).

U23's - great to have these options along with Davis, Jedi, Hogan etc. Going to give Brucie some credit for changing things in this game which gave us more balance and we could've nicked it - the noses would have been apoplectic!

Agree WCV, the changes by SB changed the game. I like Davis, his hold up play and forceful running are superb, but he lashes at the ball in font of goal as if panicked, no composure. I'd be 50/50 for him starting games in the future. O'Hare at No.10 for me with someone with a brain playing in front of him who can make a run or two. Hogan does that all game but the runs never get spotted, constantly making runs, to no avail. Hogan up front with Jack or O'Hare to play him in or leave Hogan out. Kodj don't pass and Davis is a head down battering ram so Hogan is, as he has been, ineffective.

[afoxy52]

I’d like to see Hogan & O’Hare given the opportunity purely for the reasons stated by Exiled
Re: Grealish & this will bound to ruffle a few feathers on here
imo he can’t run,tackle,doesn’t seem to have enough strength for this league in particular & his temperament is suspect ie his sendings off against Wolves for stamping & Forest for a recklessly late tackle some 60 yards from our goal reducing us to 10 men which arguably cost us the game

UTV

[Exiledvillan]

Ah, you just don’t get it at all do you Foxy? ALL players who have been out for a while, suddenly become world beaters and all of their past sins and inadequacies are forgotten/forgiven ;D .
You are of course correct about ‘our Jack’ but my memory is blinded by the fact that he can spot a forward pass. Which is why if played, I would put him at No.10, where he can hurt the opposition. As opposed to a deeper role where he hurts us.
Your argument against does outweigh my argument for, in the cold light of day. But maybe, just maybe, Jack might step up to what could/should be his last chance to prove himself in a Villa shirt. He can spot a pass, cross a ball and he can shoot from range. That’s 3 positives, two more positives than Hutton, Gabby, Elmo, Whelan and Thor, who whilst give their all, offer nothing else with regards a football brain or skill.

[afoxy52]

Ouch!
I did warn you it would not sit well
But I thought we we’re discussing the options of who will / might play in the so called no,10 role
Neither of the players mentioned play or could play in that position imo
& yes I agree they all could do better both with & without the ball
My point with Grealish is though he looks silky & smooth on the ball it doesn’t disguise the other aspects of his game,yes you may say he hasn’t had enough chances & he’s been out injured but it still doesn’t excuse his performances when he has played in whatever role he’s given,his standout performance so far was the semi final & rightly so,
But I’m still waiting for his follow up
Finally is it right to play him tonight against P.N.E after a couple of run outs in the stiffs,he’s had very little pre season due to England commitments & then got nobled in the friendly
For me I’d go with O’Hare he’s played a lot of football in various competitions this season,had a full pre season & is champing @ the bit,shows tenacity,pace,can cross & play people in
I do hope we’re still friends
UTV

[Exiledvillan]

No Foxy, I’m probably not very good at putting my point across in text/writing. The tone of a post gets lost on these boards as well mate.

The ‘Ah, you just don’t get it at all do you Foxy? ALL players who have been out for a while, suddenly become world beaters and all of their past sins and inadequacies are forgotten/forgiven ;D ‘ (note smilie) bit was my attempt at friendly banter, regarding the lauding, by some fans, of sh1te players who suddenly become Messi overnight when they’re injured or in the bomb squad or sold. E.g. Hutton, Given, Bannan as a prem player, Gabby, Bennett, Baker, Clark, Bacuna, RMC, Kozak etc.

Your analysis of Jack sits very well with me, for me it’s spot on, and I believe that he has had ample opportunities to shine. I also think that he should NOT start at PNE, O’Hara for me at No.10.
My point was, even with his faults or weaknesses, he does add to the final third. Come Saturday (not tonight), if SB plays Jedi AND Whelan in midfield, then Jack could be challenging O’Hara for a place.
The other players that I mentioned imo are weaker than Jack as footballers, but still get regular minutes on the pitch, in all sorts of positions; admittedly not at No.10. Even I don’t know where I was going with this bit.
Onwards & Upwards

[stateside]

Exiled wrote about "putting Jack in the number 10 position where he can hurt the opposition". That's exactly what Foxy was warning us about with his tackle on the Forest player. LOL.

I like the O Hare/Hogan idea. Hopefully Bruce is trying it out in training.

[afoxy52]

Respect to you Exiled
Onwards & Upwards Indeed
Slightly off tack you haven’t reported on your recent VP tour
N.B
Cheeky remark Statesy😉
UTV

[Exiledvillan]

Oh arh, two very senior citizens ganging up on an almost senior citizen.
By that logic you pair of crusties, Kodjia shouldn’t play ever again after his red against Fulham, which DID cost us the game mmmmm
:P :P O:) .

[stateside]

We looked better without Kodj unfortunately