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Episode 047 - Aston Villa Cross Over!
21 Plays1 month ago
With another Premier League fixture fast approaching, Craig and Josh sit down to discuss both teams form as well as transfer rumours as we face off against Aston Villa this weekend.
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Transcript
Podcast Introduction and Crossover
00:00:09
Speaker
hello and welcome to the latest episode of daily villa the podcast as part of the global sports podcast network my name is craig burlesaw and i'm delighted to be joined by josh from our friends at the daily west ham for a special crossover episode we're here to look about our recent trip coming to Avila Park.
Team Changes and Recent Match Recap
00:00:30
Speaker
ah So how are you doing today Josh?
00:00:32
Speaker
Yeah, not too bad. it's you know it's It's exciting times. There's also question marks at the moment. Obviously, we've had a few big changes recently, and transfer windows for me always seem to make it a bit more fruity. So we'll we'll see what happens. And ah yeah, lots to talk about in that sense as well. But it's been a bit weird, because we've played you guys recently anyway. And obviously, so I know we we've we've done one before, obviously, towards the start of the season. But yeah, two two games against you in, what's it, like, two weeks? so Yeah, it's ah it's interesting. It is interesting.
00:01:03
Speaker
very interesting and as I say like it's there's a lot happening of as of late uh villa are coming off an underwhelming champions league loss against monaco had two good ah ah performances in the league uh west ham coming off a loss to inform crystal palace both teams have a big list of absentees at the moment um villa are without onana mcginn torres and ross barkley while west ham are missing I'm going to butcher this name, Mavapenasas,
00:01:35
Speaker
i who is suspended, Somerville, Bowen, Tadebo, Fulcrig and obviously the long-term injury in Antonio. Josh, the last time we played ah under Graham Potter's first game in charge and we took a narrow win in the f FA Cup. Despite that loss though, I I felt that you made it very difficult for us.
Impact of Managerial Changes at West Ham
00:02:01
Speaker
We've struggled to break down. How has the team reacted to the change in management?
00:02:07
Speaker
i'm I'm glad you've said that, that it was a pretty close game, because that's my kind of controversial opinion. One of my one of my close mates is my neighbour and villa fan, so it's it's brilliant, all the games recently, all the banter going back and forward, but we watched the game together and I said it was closer than I thought it was, and and that there's one bit in it that's, what kind of way it was now, is the second goal with the a bit of the if there's VAR question marks kind of thing.
00:02:32
Speaker
but even taking that aside, it was a lot closer than I thought it'd be for a first game in with Potter. So I'm very so happy that we're going in the right direction. I think the big thing I've seen in the news recently has been Noble's comments saying about how the big change has been part of his influence purely to make that managerial change and his reasons have been that I think he's struggling with Lopategi's time for the players to connect with him and I think that that's one thing Potter does appreciate in his approachability and that he's doing his best with the relationships of the players first and that's the top priority so for me that's one big problem that's been answered quite quickly with Potter coming in
00:03:11
Speaker
I think our biggest problem with what's gone on recently has been that we've got such a short amount of get up so many games in a short amount of time.
Challenges and Strategies for West Ham
00:03:18
Speaker
You know, we've, I think, looking back, the was you one win to losses in 10 days, since he started, so we've, he's probably only added maybe what three or four sessions with them properly, where not actually playing and actually having there but that that time to train. so um I'm hoping that that's that's the main reason for maybe the not so great results, but the performances I think have been so much better. The only thing I think we're absent on is shots on target so far, but I'm I'm chalking a lot of that up to injuries, which I'm going to learn about for I think the next next bit of time. So don't worry. Yeah, the the biggest takeaway I took home because I didn't get a chance to watch Palace versus West Ham, so you could give us a bit more insight there. But going back to that first game of Villa versus West Ham in the Cup,
00:04:03
Speaker
Grand Potter's first game, I should say. What I was most impressed with was the fact that when you see a Grand Potter team, it's possession-based football, it's good, it's attractive football. But what impressed me the most was how quickly you got you organised in defence. We really struggled to break it down and to to the naked eye it look like a poor fella performance in the first half to be perfectly honest his but yeah when you broke it down it was mainly because are better players like morgan rogers for example was stifled and really couldn't get on the ball for big periods of time is that how you saw the game.
00:04:39
Speaker
Yeah, I definitely think the the starting, the the first half was more, for me, more appealing for me to watch anyway, obviously. But ah so that second half was a bit more, I knew there was going to be more coming because of how well you guys had come out the gates in that second half. I think it It can be a a bit of a toss up between the two. I do think that it was probably a bit, as you say, not not the best performances from you guys in the first half. And that's where we were able to obviously get the bits of chances we can you can get. i think I think our problem was always going to be shots on target anyway. But as you say, I think our problem, I think, with Lopatee has been the defensive structure.
00:05:17
Speaker
ah that and a bit of you know I think getting the right midfield combination has been one of our ah bigger problems as well. So having that sort of rigidity almost is probably one of the best things I think that's happened in the very
Injury Concerns and Season Goals
00:05:30
Speaker
short span. Because as you say, we played, what was it, Friday? It was a it was of Friday, wasn't it? And we had Lopategi sacked on the Wednesday.
00:05:37
Speaker
Graham on the, appointed on the Thursday and I think 2-1 against you guys who are, you know, as you say Premier League and also Champions League, you know, fixtures at the moment, I was quite impressed despite the loss. So it was, it was a step in the right direction, but yeah, Palace was a tricky one, I think, and i'm I'm going to probably chalk a bit of that up to injuries. I don't think we played our best anyway, but that's a, I think that was ah that was a guarantee as it was, but is that Mavropanos, red cards, nevertheless no never helpful with yourselves coming up this weekend. But yeah, I think our trickiest thing, obviously all of our injuries, are look all of them at the top of the pitch. So our problem of having shots on target anyway is already a problem. And then you've got them on top being all absent. It's going to be a bit of an interesting one this week. So I'm very struggling to work out how we're going to shape up for you.
00:06:24
Speaker
Yeah, and for me, it's a case of Villa coming off a disappointing game in Europe. usually What's been the case this season, I hate to use the word usual, but like we're a mainstay in Champions League football, we've been there one year. yeah i mean But like recently, like with our games in Europe, we've always suffered with that continental hangover when we come back sort of thing. But I do think it's going to be slightly different this week because Unai Emery was very disappointed in the way we played in the week, let alone the loss against a team that ideally we thought we'd be picking up points
Champions League Format and Villa's European Struggles
00:07:01
Speaker
against. So I think it could work more in our favour in the league this time because I think we have something to prove. And speaking of like something to prove, um West Ham are currently sitting in 14th place. You're 11 points behind qualifying for European football.
00:07:19
Speaker
ah position that a lot of people, me included, predicted that ah we could we should see West Ham in to recreate like you're you're winning the conference cup, for example. um Obviously, we know you're underachieving based on the previous management. Now that you feel that you've got the right man in charge,
00:07:40
Speaker
What do you think a realistic game is for West Ham this season? It's tricky because at the start of the season, obviously this is really the biggest question of looking optimistic with players we've brought in, new manager, that passion there, a manager who likes possession-based football and and our shots on target have increased over the last few months.
00:08:00
Speaker
but I think optimistically we were looking at, you know, ideally similar to before, you know, between sort of sixth and tenth. To me, tenth is probably looking as the optimistic level at the moment. I'd love to see higher, but I know that we've also got mean you're obviously Mang United and Spurs are also down there who shouldn't be there.
00:08:19
Speaker
So we're going to be fighting some of the people who need that those points too, which is going to be the trickiest part. Someone's going to end up staying down there. I hope it's not us, but um I always hate it when it gets a bit nervy towards the end of the season and we're somewhere down there still. So it's ah yeah, 10th is where i'm I'm seeing as the kind of optimistic would be nice could be better maybe if a few teams up higher have a few wobbles shall we say but that's that's going to be the the bit of a trick for me what about you guys that's that's my biggest question one of my ones i had going into this is obviously Champions League now that's only the foot it's only i forget how the fixtures work for Champions League is that is one of two legs isn't it
00:08:56
Speaker
No, the way the Champions League works now is eight random games. So you get a ride against um i believe it was two play two teams in pot A, two in pot B, two in pot C and two in pot D. And you're guaranteed four home games and four away games. So the I'm actually a massive fan of the way the Champions League has run this year because you you get some of the better games earlier. yeah And now is the case of now we're getting towards the seventh and eighth game of that league. It actually feels like a league now because you're looking at teams like we're looking at Atalanta versus Barcelona and hoping that but Barcelona beat Atlanta so they don't come close to us in the league, even though we won't play Atlanta, you know, Atalanta.
00:09:47
Speaker
Yeah. come So it actually feels more like a league now. So like, for example, West Ham are looking at, say, Man United scores, do you know what I mean? or Or teams in and around their position hoping that they can leapfrog
Squad Depth and Tactical Adjustments
00:10:00
Speaker
them. It actually makes the Champions League a bit more of that. And now, as I say, to league, and we're looking at other scores saying, oh, well, we could still potentially get top eight if such and such does this.
00:10:11
Speaker
yeah And rather than it being that group of four where you always got that throwaway game, to be perfectly honest, there was one team that shouldn't be there. Now it's going to be eliminated pretty early on. And it actually gives a lot of teams a chance to get a Champions League win. There's been so many clubs over the past, but over years that are there every year, like a Swedish club or something like that, that never get that Champions League win. Now they have big advantages of doing that. So for me to win, win the new format.
00:10:39
Speaker
Yeah, it's definitely interesting. I've never been clued in on it fully. I only stay in a part of attention with all of our big games we seem to not have anymore. I miss our conference league nights and even our Europa League ones as well. It's always nice to have them and I do miss them daily because a few seasons ago I think that was some of our more positive times. But yeah, you guys, it's still in it, isn't it? It's still achievable sitting at 9th, isn't it? Yeah, so we're in 9th. So as long as we finish in the top 16, we continue in the Champions League.
00:11:08
Speaker
So the only difference is if you're finishing the top eight, you bypass the next round. right and The one thing that I found out today, believe it or not, is I believe in 16 days we will play six times if we have to play in the next round. oh So it's ah it's going to be a very tiring process on the legs.
00:11:28
Speaker
And it's days like that that could really make your league form suffer. I was going to say, that's my big question is, at what point do you think you'll sacrifice some games in the Premier League to obviously you know keep players fit and keep the ones you know you you need to score the goals you do for the Champions League? It's a tough one because you you obviously, being in the Champions League, you get the financial rewards, you win Champions League games, you get big rewards more so than when you draw and when you lose.
00:11:54
Speaker
But then if you're sacrificing the league, there's no way we get top four. um then like Because already I've been very critical at the fact that we've dropped big points against teams that are in and around that Champions League position. You can't keep losing to Spurs. You can't keep losing to Liverpool. You can't keep dropping points at Ipswich. Stuff like that. If you want game You won Champions League football again next season and it is it is extremely hard to keep that momentum going when you have such a small squad that's been hit with FFP.
Coaching Styles and Performance Analysis
00:12:30
Speaker
um Basically, we're doing the exact same thing that Newcastle did the previous year and then we get a couple of injuries and our squad looks really depleted um just like yourselves at the moment as well with some key injuries to key players.
00:12:44
Speaker
And one of the things that like I was going to bring to there that I feel is going to be West Ham moving forward could be a saving grace if you don't qualify for Europe this season is if you because as I say, I'm a big fan of Graeme Potter. um I feel that if he um can get people to buy into the project when you're not in Europe if you get some good players in the door and you can take advantage of those teams that are like Villa for example are playing on a Wednesday and playing again on a Sunday and vice versa. So you can take advantage and then really make a push for the league and get that European football that you've experienced recently and crave to get there again.
00:13:27
Speaker
Yeah, trump transfers is the thing that it's exciting for us obviously with Potter because we know obviously of the the idea of players that he knows he needs. I think I can't remember if this was true or not. I'd seen it in the news recently about his one of his scouts are in Brighton who's who at Chelsea currently.
00:13:43
Speaker
they're looking in to bring him to the club and obviously to work alongside our our transfer director at the moment so that'll be a bit of an interesting news obviously to have that you know idea of the caliber of players they want that pretty from some more niche areas hopefully that we can still find some great performance from and obviously gives us the advantage of you know getting that apology say if we even don't qualify for Europe um Our trickiest bit I think is going to be keeping our hand on the money a little bit with it because we've spent so much in this window. And I know beforehand we've not been, we we have spent quite a lot. there It's weird because everyone says you've spent loads of money, why aren't you doing so well? I think it's the big thing that everyone looks at us from a wide lens on. ah But I'd seen the other day someone who showed a chart to do with investment long term.
00:14:26
Speaker
And high expenditure now, yes. But if you look at the last 10 seasons or so, the investment back in from the owners and investors has been where we struggled. We actually sit further down the list in total spending because of the investment back in from the club. So it's is's a lot more lower than we think we should be. So um' um'm I'm curious to see where we are. I wish there's a way of me checking. But um yeah, I think we need to look at a few loans in this window. But I want to talk to you about transfers anyway later on. I think that'll be a key bit for ah both of us, especially with some links between us already for this ah this window. It's always quite exciting.
00:14:56
Speaker
Yeah, I wonder what names will come up there. and So for my next question, Josh, i I've obviously mentioned that Potter's a big fan. I did actually want him to get the England job. I thought he would have done a great job there, gone to the points where I think Safegate wouldn't have gone, ah really pushed for it.
00:15:16
Speaker
I've been a big fan of him since Brighton and i I just don't think Chelsea was the right fit for him. a lot I think he needs to have a hand in everything, whether it's bringing the players in and so on. And being basically told what to do at Chelsea, I don't think met well with him. And at the heart of his playing style is this commitment to possession based football. His teams usually try to control matches through like, say, clever build up and positional exchanges.
00:15:45
Speaker
He like focuses on the fluidity and like more so than a rigid formation. um And I feel like this is very similar to Emory, although I feel Emory's style is a bit more patient, a bit more methodical, if you will. um So it should make for a fun game, especially for the neutrals this past weekend. Do you agree with that statement? I do. You're spot on really. I think in terms of the style of play is, I agree with you about firstly with Chelsea, I do think it was the wrong job for any, for any F1 fans listening, I sort of, I would describe it a bit like a sort of red bull seat, where um it's finding the right calibre and finding the right people to match it. And it's always a tough, it's a tough job. I think, you know, you've seen it with Tougal before, Podge, you know, it's is' one of those things, you you look, you look beforehand, and it is is a tricky one. And
00:16:37
Speaker
I don't think it was the right thing really. I think someone like us maybe provides, it might be seen maybe from a wider lens as a sideways move from Brighton with his time there. I think with his stats though, it wasn't as big as everyone made it out to be. I think obviously he has a lot of, you know, he's had a lot of transfer success as well as also, I think everyone was always saying Brighton was that team that creeps on the door to Europe. but would always sort of be around it, but never sort of too much on it. So when you look at the stats for wins, draws and losses, it was quite close considering that I actually said the other day to a few people that I, I wasn't too sure to start with with a potter appointment, because stats wise, it wasn't too much different. Well, you know, as far as he will opportunity, you really the stats aren't sort of
00:17:17
Speaker
Grass always greener in comparison and obviously within we have the fact that we've got Moyes as well as you've moved on and look now he's gone to Everton. So it's definitely interesting. I think in the style of player spot on as well, it is more, as you say, patient and build up. And I think we've seen that with some of the goals we scored recently in the last couple of games is definitely see where there's been some smart plays and then they've come to fruition. and And then we've been fortunate there to get a few, a few goals on, which has been lovely. I just wish I could see so many more.
00:17:46
Speaker
But um I think that's always a thing with every game, isn't it? But yeah, I do agree. Fantastic. How do you feel, like obviously you experienced the loss against Palace. Do you expect any wholesale changes or do you think it's kind of like setting stone with the amount of injuries you've got, who you think will be playing?
00:18:07
Speaker
It's gonna be tough naturally anyway, I think when we play you guys purely as you say So we've got I think the only real fit forwards we've got is if we play Pagata is a pretty much forward Playing him up top and we've got Kuda still which is obviously good news But there's a few rumors I've seen today that Bowen's back in training now I don't know how concrete it is that he's gonna start if he does I probably think you'll get nursed into it, I imagine. But um yeah, I think realistically, that's probably the only two forwards. I've got that a concrete. The only other ones we've got really lying around will be ah lu yammi the million Brazilian we brought in the window.
00:18:42
Speaker
ah the start of the season that hasn't really played too much. So I doubt he'll get a run in maybe only for a few minutes, but I think we'll probably end up playing with two forwards. I think that's the the probably similar to how we shaped up against you got to to Palace before, because despite the performance, it's probably the only solution we've got right now. It's it's not looking particularly too bright for the moment. i think I think we've got early February, end of Feb and March as the expected dates for everyone to return.
00:19:10
Speaker
but even Even then, we might have to look at playing even Sootek even higher than normal. I think that's been the other kind of thing recently. There's been a bit of a shocker where I know Moyza's done it before, playing him further up the pitch. And we have still got all our midfielders, which is quite good. So having him maybe is a bit of like a Fellain-esque player, as we've been saying from previously.
00:19:29
Speaker
of just sitting up there and creeping up for the goals. And it's been quite shocking. I think my, my shocking stat we've been saying about recently is that he's got more goals than Kudos, which is, um, yeah, very shocking considering that nowhere near a rumor for a move, but yeah, there's, there's the question of if he's going to Arsenal or not. a lot So it's, uh, everything's scaring me for this window because all these, all these different things are happening. But yeah, I think we're definitely going to be playing someone from the midfield further up than they normally would and probably sticking out normally wide players a bit close to the center.
Match Predictions and Tactical Weaknesses
00:19:57
Speaker
That's probably the only option we've got to be honest.
00:20:00
Speaker
interested Interesting. ah Thanks very much for that, Joshua, with your thoughts on West Ham. We'll be back after a short message when we'll talk a little bit a bit more about Aston Villa. The Global Sports Podcast Network is changing the face of football podcasts. With dedicated daily content for every Premier League team, women's football, fantasy football and a daily Premier League wrap-up broadcast in five different languages, it's your one-stop shop for your daily football fix. Find GSBM wherever you find your usual podcasts.
00:20:30
Speaker
Hello and welcome back. We've just been speaking to Josh about how we feel West Ham will line up. And now it's time for us to talk about how we expect Villa to line up. Josh, I would expect us to set up in a basically traditional 4-4-2, if you will. Emery sounded as if he was not pleased with Duran ah this past week um in European football, which will be delightful to hear for a West Ham fan, I believe.
00:21:00
Speaker
So, um, and basically on his partnership with Watkins and also Bailey's involvement midweek. So due to that, I would expect us to line up with, uh, back four, um, will be consistent, I believe with Martinez and goal cash at right back. Conza means and Luca Dean across, um, the back four, I've been extremely critical of our defense this, this year. Uh, we.
00:21:26
Speaker
Constantly can't keep clean sheets with bleeding goals and I think our defense is very much like our midfield last year Emory has fixed our midfield even though at the time it felt very disappointing to see Douglas Louise leave But we've seen the likes of Yuri Tiedemann step forward now Ross Barkley really make a name for themselves alongside Oh Nana Kamara McGinn and So i I really hope that we can invest. We've already brought in a right back in the transfer window. We've let Diego Carlos leave for Fennebache officially today. So we really desperately need a centre back. So I think that missing key of the puzzle to actually tie up our defence, I think, is very close in there. But it's not quite there yet. So there's definitely chances for even a team that's struggling to get goals like West Ham to get on the score sheet this week. um
00:22:19
Speaker
in our midfield. We're still without McGinn. i not I'm not 100% sure, but I think he's going to give Bailey one last chance out on the right. I would expect to see Kamara and Tealemans in the middle. um Because McGinn's still out, I expect to see Jacob Ramsey on the left, and then our front line will be led with Morgan Rogers just off the course of Watkins. Based on that formation that you've heard, is there any names that spring out to you as being um the target for West Ham to play against in order to break them down? Is there any is there anyone there you think is a weakness in the Villa team? and it's yeah It's tricky because there's loads to unpack with that. with There's so much there that's ah for me to dive in on because
00:23:09
Speaker
Firstly, Onana, I think, is ah you know an absolutely brilliant player. I think he's one of those where I would have loved him loved him to play for us because it was one of those where no one linked to everyone or linked to a few clubs of similar size and working out where he's going to go. And I i would have loved him for us. He's one of those players that I wish in my career modes straight in the teams. But yeah,
00:23:31
Speaker
I think from what I've seen and heard, defence has been the big question for you guys this year. And Diego Carlos, as you say, what what are your thoughts on that then with obviously the deal there? Ten million, isn't it, with add-ons is what I've seen? Ten millions with add-ons. And I've been a um person who's been very much on the fence with Diego because and the reason I'm on the fence and as our listeners would ah adhere to is the fact that he's very much a big game player.
00:24:01
Speaker
When he played against Harland, Man City, when he played against Arsenal, he was phenomenal. But then there's games when he plays against Fulham, for example, and he disappears, makes those errors that he shouldn't be making. So the inconsistency really got me with that one. So I was happy for him to leave, but I really wanted him to leave in the summer.
00:24:22
Speaker
He's not the youngest player, but he's certainly not passed it by any stretch of the means. So the 10 million plus add-ons I think is a good deal, but it's only a good deal if we bring in a good player in his placement, because at the moment, we have Kanza Mings.
00:24:38
Speaker
And that's about it. Torres is out injured. Torres, I'm a big fan of, but that's three players then that can fit in that, that centre back position. We desperately need one more. We've got Bo Garde, who's a very good player, but still a bit young. Um, did really well, uh, recently playing as a holding mid against Arsenal. Um, but I still don't think it's time for him yet. I think we really need to invest that money well on another centre back. I know, uh, Barde,
00:25:06
Speaker
ah was linked with the club. um ah I don't know that much about him, but I've heard good things. So um hopefully we can get that one across the line. But yeah, the defence is definitely the area where Westam should be looking to exploit and trying to build off that.
00:25:22
Speaker
This is the thing, really, because our defense has been the same. When you say about inconsistency with Carlos, I i think instantly about Mavropanos, because ah we've been saying for the last three months that it's sometimes it's performance of an absolute God. But then equally, there's some times where it's his time to get subbed off. And we know it's, you know, it's someone needs to come on and change it because the inconsistency is is is just so apparent. and And we can't have that all the time. And equally, that's why we end up struggling because We've got Tadidabo now, when he's had an absolutely fantastic couple of games beforehand where he actually would be coming on now, but now we've got no one there. So we're struggling and all. But we're fortunate enough, we've got Emerson and Wambasaka, which have been nice with Emerson settled anyway from a couple of seasons ago. And Wambasaka has come in and hit the ground running fantastically. So full backs wise, it's nice to be sorted. But our center backs have been a bit tricky pairing them up, right? Because Kilman's been OK. He's had a few rough games recently, but on the whole,
00:26:19
Speaker
for the money we paid, he's actually showed quite a good bit of value and promise. But maverick panels obviously has been the one I think where if there's rotation around, it's usually with him. So I mean, if both defenses aren't up to scratch this weekend, it should be a nice opening game with ah a good a good few goals to come in. So that would be nice. But um but yeah, we'll see.
Transfer Strategies and Player Development
00:26:37
Speaker
It's very, very nerve in that sense. But one question I had then obviously with all the recent rumors in the window, John Duran,
00:26:44
Speaker
You said at the moment, Emory is not too happy. And I've seen a lot in the news recently that has made me think. Will any money will he leave what's going on because we tried in the window in the start of the year? 40 million not enough this one 57 million has been rejected and I thought You know what? I just I'm just shocked. I'm surprised he's not he's not so It's not it's not moving faster than what I thought not even with us, but anywhere He's he's quite a good player and he's I know there's a lot of you know contention up top to try and be the one that's starting all the time Yeah, it's a tough one because um
00:27:22
Speaker
It's a case of we've got two strikers and so many clubs, including some of the best clubs in the country, like Arsenal, for example, are desperate for number nine. And we've got two, which separates us from a lot of different teams. And the fact that we can bring Duran on after 60 minutes and have this fresh, energetic, young, very talented striker is what's got us a lot of points this season. Let's let's be frank, it's been honest.
00:27:51
Speaker
um So it's a case of, but how do you keep both of them happy enough in those, those spirits? So it's a case of, I feel that come the summer, we definitely will have to make a decision. But the way it works is I believe Duran just signed a contract to 2030. So we've got him tied up. If anyone wants him, they're going to have to spend big in order to get him out. And at the end of the day, he signed the contract. So he's got to accept that.
00:28:20
Speaker
um I know we've had like player power in the past with many different players in many different clubs But like we hold all the cards for that and now it's a case of Would we who do we want in that position? And I know who know was was not happy this past week like he But here's the thing. I don't know whether he was unhappy at Watkins or Duran or both at the exact same time Because he wanted Watkins to play more out on the left and both of them stayed in the middle. And what ended up happening then, um our attacks were stifled. And like he said that even though we had two strikers on the field, our attacks were worse than when we didn't. And being able to put, because us on the podcast as well have spoke very highly about playing the two of them together.
00:29:08
Speaker
And now it seems that that's going to be very few and far in between after this performance, because Emory was not happy. I've never ever seen him that negative in a press conference before. So hopefully this resonates with the players because I kind of liken it to when your parents don't shout at you, but they go quiet instead. Yeah. You know how much that hurts more than anything. So I feel like him actually going this far as if to show his displeasure, I think.
00:29:38
Speaker
really means that we need to show him a performance this weekend and that can only be win-win for us fellow fans it's good because you it's good to see that obviously from your manager it's nice to see that passion there though and i think that equally with the relationship with the players they they know what they need to do which is always a good thing ah my question then leading on if we're fairly secure on his obviously his contract as you say and you know he's got plans to be there still what would it take as you say clubs got to spend money it's a double hour question because i've realized this differently that i think I think we get it a lot with Rice. But what would you say to Villa fans is he worth in comparison to if someone put the money down, what do you think would be the accepted amount? Because this is where I say as an example, rice Rice for me is 100 million player because of the fact he's English and the fact that he's that player that can do that job. That's why he's worth it for us because he is that best player for us. So that's why it was worth the money. But equally, some people can say,
00:30:32
Speaker
80 million that should easily be concrete deal signed. So where where do you think the two numbers would lie? What would you be like? Okay, it's happened. And what do you think realistically the the money number is that you should be going for? it's It's a very tough question. And I'm going to put this out there and I'm probably going to be stronger by every bill of fun. um Like from here here to Birmingham, to be perfectly honest, but um I would sell Watkins before I sold Ryan. Oh,
00:30:59
Speaker
Yeah. the Honestly, this is, this is what I get because I see Duran, Duran literally just turned 21. That's how, that's how young this kid is. So I feel that if you're going to sell him, you need to have enough money in that kiddie to prove that a striker that could have been here for like 10 plus years. Right. So I feel he can, he's going to be a superstar and here's the thing.
00:31:27
Speaker
Name me another striker in the Premier League right now that like basically Arsenal could buy right and what not even the Premier League in the world right now because there is a shortage of strikers you've got the now it's the case of a bloom to laws being won by a midfielder because there isn't enough good strikers.
00:31:47
Speaker
Yeah, it's it's as simple as that, right? So I don't think for any money, we should be selling Duran if someone comes in for 100 million based on um the fact of PSR and stuff like that, we might have to take it. But like for me,
00:32:04
Speaker
you'd have to pay $100,000, $120,000 for me to contemplate selling Duran. I know in this day and age, $100,000,000 is ridiculous money. We're not in the day and age where Jack Grealish went for $100,000,000 now because teams just can't afford to pay it because for $100,000,000, you'll probably have to sell like, if you're Manchester City, you're going to have to sell six or seven homegrown players if you're Chelsea, you're going to have to sell five hotels.
00:32:32
Speaker
It's just just not going to work, is it? So it's like it's it's very difficult to turn down that big money. I think when you're trying to invest in a club. But honestly, I don't know if there's anyone else we could replace him with at all. So that's an interesting one because the only, obviously we're we're in a striker deficit right now, despite the fact we've got Danny Ings, who I know isn't the man for the job. And that's why he's never mentioned it, even though the fact we've got about 8 million injuries, I'd rather see someone from the midfield play up top than what jings play for 90 minutes.
00:33:02
Speaker
But um um our biggest link that I think has some sort of relevance and some chance of happening is we're looking at Evan Ferguson on loan. I don't think we can afford him, to be honest, if we did it permanently anyway, and if he'd even opt to leave. But ah on a loan basis, based on the game to he's getting at the moment, I think that's not too far from where we're looking. But that's an example of you a young, good player has the as the promise there, similar to, as you say, similar to Duran, where That's probably the only other person I can think of that even is close to fitting that profile of what we're looking for at the moment. And honestly, if you play a lot of football manager, Evan Ferguson is the man to get, that's for sure.
Squad Roles and Second-String Performances
00:33:43
Speaker
I know every single time I've played that game, Evan Ferguson, you sign and you've got basically a future Harland on your hands. but
00:33:51
Speaker
Let's see if in reality works like the game. I don't know. That's it. One other the question I had for you. um Obviously, Martinez is the absolute diamond he is for you guys. But I hear a lot of comments, mostly from my neighbor. But generally anyway, Olsen isn't the man that should be your number two. what I know it might not be an urgent thing at the moment, but this is my thought is, do you think maybe you could do with a bit of an upgrade there, but it might not be a priority right now. That's what my kind of thinking is, but I want to see your take on it.
00:34:23
Speaker
I want to see if we, if we have to play, I don't know where this tradition came in of having to play the second string keeper in cup competitions. I don't know when that started. I feel like when you, when you have the luxury of say like Liverpool, where you can bring Callaha on who's a superb second goal keeper, probably the second, ah probably the best second goal keeper in the world at the moment, in my opinion.
00:34:48
Speaker
that he could just come in and he did he came in when allison was injured and did phenomenal ah that allson is no keller right i think allson is probably probably looking to either move on to one more club or retire to coaching soon i believe um like we have got you from australia as our third string so for me ah if we If we have to play a keeper in the cup competitions now i would play him and give him those minutes to see.
00:35:19
Speaker
Is he capable of being that second string? And like Keller, for example, a young keeper, giving the ah ability to shine and everything like that. And if not, then yes, we do need to get someone in that can be that understudy that's OK with taking um second. like A few years ago, I think he's doing OK again now, but the hail was out without a contract after being at Man United for many years.
00:35:47
Speaker
You can't tell me that Villa couldn't have turned his head and said, listen, be a sec our second keeper. yeah and Like, yes, he made some big high profile mistakes when he was at Man United, but you can't deny that he's a good keeper. It just seems like Man United ruined players. You know that from your right back with Basaka, right? yeah um He's looking great again, like a new release lease of life at West Ham. When Basaka misspoke his name there.
00:36:15
Speaker
But yeah yeah, he's looking again like another good player. It's like, man, you know, it's the graveyard for some of these good players. They come back out and sometimes they find their life. So to answer your question, yeah, Orson isn't the answer for any time Martinez is injured. We we we brick it. We really do. um So we do desperately need a second keeper, but I think Ouchy could be the man.
00:36:39
Speaker
Yeah, it's interesting. I thought I'd ask because even the irony, I know we say defense is the problem. But I looked at the stats just quickly to see what the stats were from our game recently, and the recent one not too long ago. And the lowest performer in the defense was actually your boy Orson. The whole of rest the rest of the defense, green stats, lovely, high high ratings, everything, the 66.5 for obviously, I don't know, we know why because of goals. But um but equally, yeah I thought that was quite, quite an interesting one to hear your take on, I think. And it's funny you say that, but you know, obviously, we've got the second case study with Lingard. So it's a that same thing of, you know, under soccer before, you know, it's been class at the moment, we saw Lingard briefly, trying a bit of a have of a bit of a nice
00:37:21
Speaker
Nice holiday with us. ah very Very well miss him now, but he seems to be doing so so great at the moment with where he's gone. So I think that was probably a mis-decision and all. But as so you say it was a good example with
Closing Remarks and Podcast Promotion
00:37:32
Speaker
them. But yeah, it's very, very interesting this window. I think there's going to be a a few shock things that happen for everyone. But it'll be interesting to see what centre back to you guys can bring in and equally as well. Hopefully we can find someone that can score some goals. So that's going to be the make or break, I think, for us in the ah second half of the season.
00:37:50
Speaker
Fantastic. Well, Josh, I think we're out of time. I've fully enjoyed this conversation. It was great. Hopefully the listeners enjoyed it too. So like I say, that's about it for this episode of the Daily Villa podcast or the Daily West Ham podcast, wherever you're listening. Thank you very much, Josh, for joining us. Be sure to get in touch across all our socials that you can find in our podcast description. This has been the Global Sports Podcast production. Thank you for listening and as always of the Villa.
00:38:21
Speaker
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