Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Wolves as tough as Chelsea for O’Neill
Friday 23rd October 2009, 11:29AM BST.
Villa manager Martin O’Neill will be treating the threat of Wolves in the derby duel just as seriously as Chelsea last week and vows – “we are ready for them.”
The claret and blues are on a high after upsetting Chelsea last weekend, but O’Neill scotched suggestions his players could be caught with their guard down against Mick McCarthy’s 16th-placed side in the early kick-off tomorrow.
O’Neill has warned Wolves his team will be ready for the “hostile” atmosphere that is anticipated at Molineux.
The Villa boss said: “The players have gained a lot of confidence from the Manchester City and Chelsea matches. We will be up for the game. We can still lose the match, but we will be right for the game.
“We’re ready for it. I’ve already said to the players how difficult the game is going to be. I don’t think we’re good enough to treat people lightly – and I don’t think that has been the case in any of the games. It certainly won’t be the case tomorrow.
“There’s enough ingredients there – it’s away from home, it’s a derby and it’s against a side you know will keep going right to the end.
“I’m not sure the atmosphere will be that different from the Birmingham derby – I expect it to be hostile.
“But I’m looking forward to the game as much as you can a derby game – not greatly!”
O’Neill, who will choose from an unchanged squad, also handed winger Ashley Young his total backing by claiming the under-fire Villa wide man would be “comfortable” in the Champions League.
He added: “I watched Champions League football for two successive nights. Ashley would be comfortable on that stage, no question.”
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Mancienne and Zubar at full backs to match them for pace. I would play Keogh as Collins and Dunne will not get near him when the balls on the floor, Castillo and Henry have to start for me to match up against Petrov and Sidwell. Villa overwhelming favourites but a morale boosting win on the cards Wolves 2-1 Villa
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1 i take it playing Keogh is a joke?
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Laughingwolf, you must be doing exactly that…. Having a laugh…
You ‘want’ to play Keogh from the start… WHats the point in playing him when he can run around all he wants, but can’t score!!!
Surely he would be best coming on with 15mins to go to run them ragged then, hopefully with Wolves already winning…
Some comments on here really are rubbish. Open your eyes, we need to score goals to win matches, especially when we can’t keep clean sheets the other end…
Have faith in Mick and the boys… Got a feeling all will come good tomorrow.
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3. In my opinion Keogh has been one of our best players so far this season, Ebanks Blake looks off the pace and Hangalaand couldnt get near him who is better than Collins and Dunne
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Laughingwolf.
I agree, keogh has looked a decent player in the first few games this season… BUT he has never scored goals for us…
His strike rate must be terrible…
FACT- we need to score goals, and ebanks-blake and doyle are goalscorers… You can’t seriously say Keogh to start when those 2 are ready to play…
Personally i’d have a 80% fit ebanks blake (over 50 goals in last 2 season) rather than a 100% keogh…
Whoever does start tomorrow, we need to back them all… Zubar to score!!!
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I’m a firm believer that you play your best team at all times, fitness and form permitting. For me that means starting with SEB and Doyle. If SEB tires then big Chris to change things.
I have to say i’ve waitched Andy K for a while and he is an attacking midfielder and never an out and out striker. He would play at the point of a midfield diamond or just off a lone striker. never be an option as one of a front 2 in a 4-4-2 formation.
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laughingwolf have you been drinking? How many goals has Keogh ever scored?
Yes he run’s about like a headless chicken, but thats about it. We may as well play with 10 men.
Next you will say you ant to see Neil Collins back.
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Wanderingwillo: Keogh scored the winner at Wigan! …which would appear to be 1 more than Ebanks Blake has scored in the Premiership!
You admit he’s ‘looked a decent player’…so really what is the problem. If he can contribute to someone else scoring that’s pretty well as important as him scoring himself.
The issue is not whether Keogh will score, but are we a better side more likely to win with Keogh playing, or not?
Simon :)
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I’m not sure what it is about you Wolves fans, but it seems that there is not much confidence in a few of your players.
I just read 1 thro 5 comments and not only are you arguing amongst yourselves, your calling your own players, what kind of supporters are you?
Listen, I want a Villa win, but I dont expect Wolves just to roll over for us, yet it seems like you fans have already got your tail between your legs. Stop making excuses for something that hasnt happened yet and get behind your team.
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Martin Arthurs: Yes, Keogh up front in a 442 is really the same as a 451. Its not necessarily wrong, what would be wrong is a 451 with Keogh as the lone striker!
Simon :)
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How can keogh be lone striker?? He does not score which is the point, yes he scored against wigan. How many chnaces has he missed since then? Then he cost he 3 points against hull with his missed chances?
But he works hard………… Joke!!
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Simon are you on CRACK???
You have got to be joking right… Keogh scored the winner at Wigan, yeah correct… Neil Collins scored the winner a couple of times last year!!!
The fact is, you can’t play someone who has no end product… Simples!!!
Keogh has been ‘decent’, but no amount of running will change the fact that he won’t score more than 3-4 this year… Ebanks has played 2 games properly this season by the way, not as many as your beloved Keogh!!!
Stay strong to the end.
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Doesn’t matter who the Wolves play in their team – they’ll still lose
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I’d like to see Keogh play…. but not up front!
I’d personally play Keogh on the left of midfield instead of freaking one-trick-pony Halford. Keogh is an approach play creative player. He scores the occasional goal but gets more assists than most of our team.
Jarvis was dropped against Everton for a reason; almost 90 crosses and one assist, not good enough. Keogh was dropped for not scoring goals, it wouldn’t be so important in that role…. and it would be funny as f&<* to watch Beye chasing around after him all day long!
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