Hail to the chief!

[Jamturk]

I don't especially understand that. For me the sub to make at that point was Ade for Defoe, to give us an outlet to relieve pressure.

Disagree, Siggy was tiring and Defoe was a big threat in behind as Reading were pressing high up at the time. We were not keeping the ball well enough so the Hudd sub made complete sense. Also if you swap striker for striker it takes away the 442 option if needed.

 

[Jamturk]

A good performance against the worst team in the league doesnt mean much. I'll reserve judgement till after the Man U game.

Why are you looking for judgement?

We will win lose and draw for the rest of the season, thats football.

 

[dontcallme]

That's the sort of performance that I hope for from an AVB side.

We pressed well and looked very comfortable on the ball. We worked hard but played with confidence and as a team on the ball.

For the system to work we need the wingers to play as inside forwards at times and score goals.

Not going to get over-excited as it's just one game but very happy with the performance and result today.

 

[ackie]

Let's be honest! Its a great win but it is Reading! We're expected to win! Let's not get too excited. Granted let's be happy with the win but let's wait till we meet better opponents!

 

[Harry_Snatch]

I don't especially understand that. For me the sub to make at that point was Ade for Defoe, to give us an outlet to relieve pressure.

I think that is a clear difference between HR and AVB. HR would certainly have made that sub for that reason. AVB seems to be more interested in whether hoofing it to a big is statistically relieving the pressure or just kicking the ball away and giving the oppositions more possessions and with that more chances to score. Ade is better at holding it up for sure but is the tactic itself really all that rational when you look at the facts?
I don't have the stats to answer the question but would be interested to know.


Haven't seen the game but Sandro, Dembele and Siggy does sound good. Seems that 4-2-3-1 is plan A with Dempsey taking Lennon or Bales spot and playing 4-3-3 is plan B.

 

[PrettyColors]

A good performance against the worst team in the league doesnt mean much. I'll reserve judgement till after the Man U game.

haha, knew this comment was coming.

Some people man...

 

[JAYSTAR]

Impressed today with AVBs management style...

• Reminded Bale and Lennon that there are replacements on the bench in the form of Dempsey and Townsend - important to push our slightly arrogant or lazy players to keep working hard, so well done!
• Didn't buckle to pressure to put Lloris in after hardly any practice with the team and Friedel's good form - well done again.
• Kept Defoe in, due to form and Ade's lack of fitness (not really any alternative) - right decision.
• Played Sandro and Dembele together and has given Siggy back some self-belief - well done again!

Only issues will be Walker's over confidence and need to stay focussed (let the goal scorer in last minute) and when to bring in Lloris.
Personally I'd like to see Dempsey in the hole behind Defoe or Ade at some point with Sandro and Dembele bossing the centre:

Lloris
Walker Kaboul Verts BAE
Sandro Dembele
Dempsey (or Siggy)
Lennon (or Dempsey) Bale
Defoe (or Ade)

Could be a good season! Keep going AVB and ignore the shortsighted 'supporters' who can't wait to moan about something..

 

[mk_spur]

Avb's blue and white army .....

 

[StartingPrice]

Impressed today with AVBs management style...

• Reminded Bale and Lennon that there are replacements on the bench in the form of Dempsey and Townsend - important to push our slightly arrogant or lazy players to keep working hard, so well done!
• Didn't buckle to pressure to put Lloris in after hardly any practice with the team and Friedel's good form - well done again.
• Kept Defoe in, due to form and Ade's lack of fitness (not really any alternative) - right decision.
• Played Sandro and Dembele together and has given Siggy back some self-belief - well done again!

Only issues will be Walker's over confidence and need to stay focussed (let the goal scorer in last minute) and when to bring in Lloris.

Personally I'd like to see Dempsey in the hole behind Defoe or Ade at some point with Sandro and Dembele bossing the centre:

Lloris
Walker Kaboul Verts BAE
Sandro Dembele
Dempsey (or Siggy)
Lennon (or Dempsey) Bale
Defoe (or Ade)

Could be a good season! Keep going AVB and ignore the shortsighted 'supporters' who can't wait to moan about something..

Not sure how JD would feel about that (might do him some good to get some of his old medicine, however ).

 

[chiversandgilzean]

Impt to win of course and some good stuff played. I thought we played better at Newcastle and home to WBA, at least for the first hour or so of each. The only bad note was Norwich, otherwise there has been lots to like, as well as stuff to work on obviously.

 

[JAYSTAR]

Not sure how JD would feel about that (might do him some good to get some of his old medicine, however ).

So predictable....! Anyway, Dempsey could be a better version of VDV I reckon, which is the kind of player we need with this formation. Be interesting to see how he handles being moved around or if AVB just plays him out wide.. Lennon was better than I expected today though so that was good. And Dembele and Sandro are both top quality. The main positive is that even JD was emphasizing 'working for the team' and any good manager will only succeed if he can keep all the egos in check (Ferguson, Mourinho, Guardiola) etc.. so AVB looks to have started well.. just hope he doesn't feel the need to keep Lloris on the bench too long.

 

[SugarRay]

Something I "enjoyed" was seeing us look solid defending set pieces. Sure, we gave away a few silly freekicks around our box today but almost certain we won everything when the ball was tossed in.

Verts gave a complete performance. Strong, dominant in the air, cool under pressure and purred like a wolverine when he had the ball at his feet!!!

 

[StartingPrice]

1) So predictable....!
2) Anyway, Dempsey could be a better version of VDV I reckon, which is the kind of player we need with this formation. Be interesting to see how he handles being moved around or if AVB just plays him out wide.. Lennon was better than I expected today though so that was good. And Dembele and Sandro are both top quality. The main positive is that even JD was emphasizing 'working for the team' and any good manager will only succeed if he can keep all the egos in check (Ferguson, Mourinho, Guardiola) etc.. so AVB looks to have started well..
3) just hope he doesn't feel the need to keep Lloris on the bench too long.

1) ?QUE?

2) Heretic...burnify him!

3) Hope he starts in Europa.

 

[Spurger King]

Some seem to want Adebayor to play every game week in and week out until he runs out of steam or gets injured. What happens then? A deflated and underused Defoe is expected to step in, whilst knowking full well that he'll be back on the bench as soon as Adebayor is fit again.

AVB is playing the squad game. Years of seeing Harry run the same group of players into the ground have caused a lot of us (myself included) to get stuck in the mindset of playing the best team all the time. AVB has been clever about his use of Defoe, and I think it will pay off over the course of the season.

I think he's earning the respect of players like Friedel, Gallas, Naughton, Defoe, and Lennon. I suspect that this will have a positve effect on the new additions to the squad as well.

 

[StartingPrice]

Some seem to want Adebayor to play every game week in and week out until he runs out of steam or gets injured. What happens then? A deflated and underused Defoe is expected to step in, whilst knowking full well that he'll be back on the bench as soon as Adebayor is fit again.

AVB is playing the squad game. Years of seeing Harry run the same group of players into the ground have caused a lot of us (myself included) to get stuck in the mindset of playing the best team all the time. AVB has been clever about his use of Defoe, and I think it will pay off over the course of the season.

I think he's earning the respect of players like Friedel, Gallas, Naughton, Defoe, and Lennon. I suspect that this will have a positve effect on the new additions to the squad as well.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

I think that is a clear difference between HR and AVB. HR would certainly have made that sub for that reason. AVB seems to be more interested in whether hoofing it to a big is statistically relieving the pressure or just kicking the ball away and giving the oppositions more possessions and with that more chances to score. Ade is better at holding it up for sure but is the tactic itself really all that rational when you look at the facts?
I don't have the stats to answer the question but would be interested to know.


Haven't seen the game but Sandro, Dembele and Siggy does sound good. Seems that 4-2-3-1 is plan A with Dempsey taking Lennon or Bales spot and playing 4-3-3 is plan B.

It was more a standard 4-3-3 today - though he was the most advanced of the midfield trio, Siggy was quite a way behind the front 3. And Dembele was ahead of Sandro, not next to him.

 

[Mister Jez]

I thought it was an excellent performance, the only blemish was the goal at the end. I'm confident if Levy sticks with him we could go places.

Sorry, If Levy sticks with him. almost seems you are waiting for him to fail, or is it me being over sensitive - sorry......

 

[Berglad]

AVB celebration gifs please!

The commentators referring to his "histrionics" was pretty silly, but his reaction to the third goal was...intense.

 

[Spurger King]

AVB celebration gifs please!

The commentators referring to his "histrionics" was pretty silly, but his reaction to the third goal was...intense.

I loved it.

 

[EJWTartanSpur]

Some seem to want Adebayor to play every game week in and week out until he runs out of steam or gets injured. What happens then? A deflated and underused Defoe is expected to step in, whilst knowking full well that he'll be back on the bench as soon as Adebayor is fit again.

AVB is playing the squad game. Years of seeing Harry run the same group of players into the ground have caused a lot of us (myself included) to get stuck in the mindset of playing the best team all the time. AVB has been clever about his use of Defoe, and I think it will pay off over the course of the season.

I think he's earning the respect of players like Friedel, Gallas, Naughton, Defoe, and Lennon. I suspect that this will have a positve effect on the new additions to the squad as well.

Agree with this whole heartedly. Ade can bubble away on the stove for a little longer whilst AVB gives Defoe starts and builds up his confidence and form. I'm convinced this little run for Defoe is at least partly based on AVB doing what he thinks will be good for JD psychologically, for the rest of the season. Ade will be brought in and will start a lot of games, by that point AVB will be using rotation and keeping both strikers happy if he works it out right. With four competitions to play we have a lot of games.

Your point about the others such as Gallas, Freidel et al, is one I hadn't thought of, and an interesting one at that.