Thor

Some of my takes from the game: - Sancho is a massive upgrade. He didn't exactly thrive this game as it wasn't set up for him, but he never wastes anything and is good at picking the ball up with hit back towards the goal and holding players off. He is fucking phenomenal in the box with his silky feet - absolutely the best we have in that regard. There was a play where he had the WHU defenders on skates in the box. Despite how well we do offensively now - I think there is still games where we struggle when teams sit back deep against us, and he is one of the keys for breaking teams down. - It is nice having options like Neto and Sancho, and Felix available because we aren't as reliant and predictable. Cole was a non factor for most of the game, and he still chipped in and we still won comfortably. - Tired of hearing people saying "Jackson isn't the number 9 we need going forward". This guy is a phenomenal player, and nitpicking when he doesn't score is crazy. Drogba wasn't a prolific scorer either, but its the things he did around that - yet we don't dare sully his name. He is also scoring the important ones to put us ahead, or first goals this season. Even at CP - he missed some chances, but he was self creating out there in the ones he missed. - I get Malo is injured, but we need a makeshift fast unit who can play left and right back so we don't have to see Disasi and Wesley out there, especially against pacey and strong wingers. I don't care what anyone says Adama Traore is the kind of profile you need when you are having issues 1vs1 on those flanks. Get a fucking unit out there who will bully them and not let them have an impact, especially when that is their only good looking avenue to goal in the game. - Tosin makes me more comfortable alongside Colwill... - I know we played on the counter today, but I think our midfield issues at times are simply due to numbers. We rely on less players in midfield to try and win with the numbers we have forward. And we don't have anyone who is super effective at dropping deep and building up play IMO, as our forward players are better at pressing in a defensive sense, then dropping and keeping spaces occupied. I'd love to see a 4-3-3 where Lavia, Caicedo and Enzo are on together in games where we need control.

Enzo's level of play has been subpar, but the fact he patted him on the stomach and said "Go ahead" is some of the most top tier shithousery I've ever heard of. That is brilliant.

Our away jerseys are actually beautiful.

Tosin has been great the last 135 minutes.

If Jackson missed that attempt Nkunku missed we'd have paragraphs on here saying he sucks and shouldn't ever start.

I thought Sancho was dangerous when we had the ball. Just not the type of game where the forwards have much of it.

There are bits to their game that are coming together. Just like us it doesn't happen overnight sometimes. They are making us uncomfortable and controlling the game for the majority. We've just been clinical. Haven't been impressed by us outside of first 15 mins.

Is Lavia available?

Maybe we're the idiots that have the problem with sitting back? Maybe Maresca saw something and told them to chill and hit on the counter?

Lavia needs to come on and bring control to the game.

Yep - he had a runner across goal and one at the penalty spot.

Caceido has been great. Enzo really is the weak link in the midfield.

Yes but the foul was outside as where the contact started. Its not a foul when he falls over - but when the contact was initiated.

It wouldn't have been a penalty regardless. Contact started outside the box. Just because he falls over, doesn't mean shit.

Playing on the counter and being a bit sloppy.

I like Tosin at that CB role...

Jackson is just so horrible because he doesn't score every chance. He is just a shocking number 9. Don't you all agree?

Jackson sucks and he isn't a proper 9. He never scores important ones.

I was told Duran was a donkey here and sucks. And why is he any good if he can’t start for Villa… Yeah. Right.

Neto is fine. A creative outlet that can open the game up. I think that wing becomes Sancho’s as a starting option and Neto to come on late and run at teams. Given the way we play, I’d love to see Sancho, Nkunku and Palmer from left to right. All sitting behind Jackson. Having Noni, Neto, Felix and anyone else is excellent as backups or rotational players there. If Lavia can stay healthy our midfield is looking good. Just need some continuity and understanding of where they’ll all play together. If we’re getting sliced through the middle - maybe play all 3 there and have Jackson sit from up front. Nkunku, Sancho and Palmer won’t be short of creativity.

Shocking call with the double yellow by the ref. You don't book both players there. Ridiculous.

Would have liked to see consistency in performance - but a win is a win. These are the games that you have to win as a big team. I just think for us level of play is more important than playing like dross and escaping with a win. I can't get over how quickly the ball seems to go through us at times. Is it because we play with 2 in the midfield and teams like to stack numbers there against us to overload? Is it a midfield problem or is it a whole team not working in tandem problem - leaving bigger gaps between the lines. Confused because in a vacuum you look at performances of Enzo or Caceido on a game to game basis, and they're actually quite decent to good, but the midfield as a whole seemed disjointed.

Oh okay.

3 games in.

What propaganda? Jackson is far younger, far more physically capable and only a season and a bit into his pro career. You blame Jackson for Palace at 1-1 when he was the one creating those chances for himself, and missed a tough shot on the side that was created from nothing. Not sure what your Jackson hate is about, but 2 goals in 3 games for our young striker.