Dominic Solanke

[braineclipse]

Are people starting to see what I've spoken about in this thread? We create no chances for him. Has he had a shot on goal in his last 2 or 3 appearances?

I'm consistently predictable but I just don't rate our wide players, they create nothing of real quality, not particularly good at link play. I just don't see these guys as being good enough to achieve what we supposedly want this season.

Maybe Odobert and Moore can be future answers but im not believing honestly.

Agreed that we've created very little for him in the last 2-3 games.

I also agree that our wide players aren't doing enough, in part because they themselves aren't getting the service they need (Palace game and second half vs Brighton in particular).

I do think we miss Odobert a bit, looked promising before his injury.

We do struggle for creativity wide with Johnson and Werner as our available wide options along with 17 year old Moore. No doubt. Both Werner and Johnson need to be set up rather specifically (each in different ways) to be effective.

 

[Muttley]

Agreed that we've created very little for him in the last 2-3 games.

I also agree that our wide players aren't doing enough, in part because they themselves aren't getting the service they need (Palace game and second half vs Brighton in particular).

I do think we miss Odobert a bit, looked promising before his injury.

We do struggle for creativity wide with Johnson and Werner as our available wide options along with 17 year old Moore. No doubt. Both Werner and Johnson need to be set up rather specifically (each in different ways) to be effective.

Your view is totally supported by the Whoscored chalk board. Moore had 26 touches in about 68 mins of playing time. Johnson had 31 touches in the 103 minutes he was on that pitch. Werner had 18 touches from the bench, after replacing Moore. So 75 touches from 2 positions across the entire match.

It definitely implies they aren't getting service, and they are not doing enough themselves to be on the ball.

Solanke was up against 3 centre halves and still managed 43 touches. This was the sort of game I used to talk about when Kane would have about 25 touches.

 

[braineclipse]

Your view is totally supported by the Whoscored chalk board. Moore had 26 touches in about 68 mins of playing time. Johnson had 31 touches in the 103 minutes he was on that pitch. Werner had 18 touches from the bench, after replacing Moore. So 75 touches from 2 positions across the entire match.

It definitely implies they aren't getting service, and they are not doing enough themselves to be on the ball.

Solanke was up against 3 centre halves and still managed 43 touches. This was the sort of game I used to talk about when Kane would have about 25 touches.

Palace game was the kind of game that should have been perfect for Johnson had we been able to play through their press and release him. Moore too tough I'm hesitant to expect too much from him at this point, but had he been setup in "psedo counter attacking" situations after breaking their press I think he would have done really well.

West Ham was a very different game. But another one where we didn't create much for Solanke to put in. But for different reasons.

 

[Bishop]

Your view is totally supported by the Whoscored chalk board. Moore had 26 touches in about 68 mins of playing time. Johnson had 31 touches in the 103 minutes he was on that pitch. Werner had 18 touches from the bench, after replacing Moore. So 75 touches from 2 positions across the entire match.

It definitely implies they aren't getting service, and they are not doing enough themselves to be on the ball.

Solanke was up against 3 centre halves and still managed 43 touches. This was the sort of game I used to talk about when Kane would have about 25 touches.

Those numbers are typical for Johnson, he rarely touches the ball more than 30 odd times a game (even in his recent scoring period), Son this season starting on the left has been better but still quite poor participation numbers. I think it's a bit of issue when we are largely a slower, more intricate passing side the wide players not really getting involved isn't the way for that system to work imo.

 

[parklane1]

He run himself into the ground last night, never stopped working and trying to create space for his tearmates.

 

[SteveAWOL]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1851832286930497828

 

[SteveAWOL]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853105134743523489

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853105218046808440

 

[markysimmo]

His fitness and workrate is absolutely incredible
I really like him playing striker for us, superb player

 

[Muttley]

His fitness and workrate is absolutely incredible
I really like him playing striker for us, superb player

Makes you wonder what other personality and tactical matches Lange is targeting for the next couple of transfer windows.

I think that has been Villa's strength recently. It's a club that doesn't have superstars. Everyone seems to be pulling in the same direction and working hard for their manager. I doubt today's result will knock them too much with the collective character they have.

We seem to be getting there with this as well, and newbies like Solanke are spot on.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Makes you wonder what other personality and tactical matches Lange is targeting for the next couple of transfer windows.

I think that has been Villa's strength recently. It's a club that doesn't have superstars. Everyone seems to be pulling in the same direction and working hard for their manager. I doubt today's result will knock them too much with the collective character they have.

We seem to be getting there with this as well, and newbies like Solanke are spot on.

I’d rest him for Thursday though
This week is gonna be tough will all the injuries we have and we cannot afford to lose or risk Big Dom

 

[Bishop]

3 shots across his previous 6 games apparently. 7 shots in this game alone and 2 goals.

It's clear we need to continue feeding him.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

3 shots across his previous 6 games apparently. 7 shots in this game alone and 2 goals.

It's clear we need to continue feeding him.

Helps that we played the ball in front of him

 

[glasgowspur]

Makes you wonder what other personality and tactical matches Lange is targeting for the next couple of transfer windows.

I think that has been Villa's strength recently. It's a club that doesn't have superstars. Everyone seems to be pulling in the same direction and working hard for their manager. I doubt today's result will knock them too much with the collective character they have.

We seem to be getting there with this as well, and newbies like Solanke are spot on.

His history is what intrigued me.
On ability I was unconvinced, but not being able to hold down places at Chelsea and Liverpool this was his last big chance.
He's came in with a fantastic mentality and did everything we could ask of him.
Any success he gets here will be well deserved and so, so sweet.

 

[parklane1]

3 shots across his previous 6 games apparently. 7 shots in this game alone and 2 goals.

It's clear we need to continue feeding him.

I do agree with you, but in the last couple of games he has shown that he is willing to make chances for himself as well.

 

[RunTMC]

I was really impressed with the speed at which he sorted out and adjusted his feet for his second.

Needs a rest midweek after the shifts he’s put in last couple of games. Maybe Son or Lankshear to start upfront.

 

[braineclipse]

Delighted to see him get a couple of goals. Sure as hell deserves it. Absolutely tremendous effort once again and playing really well.

3 shots across his previous 6 games apparently. 7 shots in this game alone and 2 goals.

It's clear we need to continue feeding him.

For sure we need to keep feeding him. We agree that we have some issues with creativity wide. But I maintain that it's still fairly early in this season, his first season here. Let's see how we do in the coming weeks and months.

 

[Robbo]

Brilliant game! I take full credit for his two goals + assist, after I subbed him out of my fantasy team before this round.

I also sold Johnson.

Basically this game would've ended with a 0-1 loss if it wasn't for me.

You're welcome.

 

[nelto]

Remember thinking what a beast he is when these two jumped on him at the same time and he didn't flinch. Held them up like toddlers.

 

[Muttley]

His history is what intrigued me.
On ability I was unconvinced, but not being able to hold down places at Chelsea and Liverpool this was his last big chance.
He's came in with a fantastic mentality and did everything we could ask of him.
Any success he gets here will be well deserved and so, so sweet.

Yep, even though I was with you, as soon as these guys pull on our shirt you just have to get behind them. Sometimes, being wrong feels absolutely great.

I found it very hard to get behind Kane towards the end of his tenure with Spurs. He didn't pull on that shirt or cross that white line with anything near what we're seeing from Solanke. I don't want to bring that debate up again, but have always thought that Ange needs a Solanke more than he needs a Kane. He doesn't accommodate the team tactics so much around individual players. He expects players to align into his team strategy. Every one has to carry their own physical burden in his teams and not expect others to carry water for them. Solanke is doing more than that. He's been in beast mode recently physically. He never stops the unselfish running and will happily buffet into any centre half on teh off-chance that one of his team mates will gain an advantage.

I think Bedford said it earlier, but it's very important he stays fit. He might needs to sit one or two out to keep him this fresh.

 

[Raziel]

Yep, even though I was with you, as soon as these guys pull on our shirt you just have to get behind them. Sometimes, being wrong feels absolutely great.

I found it very hard to get behind Kane towards the end of his tenure with Spurs. He didn't pull on that shirt or cross that white line with anything near what we're seeing from Solanke. I don't want to bring that debate up again, but have always thought that Ange needs a Solanke more than he needs a Kane. He doesn't accommodate the team tactics so much around individual players. He expects players to align into his team strategy. Every one has to carry their own physical burden in his teams and not expect others to carry water for them. Solanke is doing more than that. He's been in beast mode recently physically. He never stops the unselfish running and will happily buffet into any centre half on teh off-chance that one of his team mates will gain an advantage.

I think Bedford said it earlier, but it's very important he stays fit. He might needs to sit one or two out to keep him this fresh.

Kane would score bag loads in this version of the team and is a truly elite striker, but his time for us has gone

Solanke is probably better suited to the system, our press from the front must be awful to play against and the physicality of both Solanke and Deki in that front area is something no defender is going to look forward to.

Personally I think he's worked his ass off for us, but the timing/partnership stuff has been slightly off. Villa game was the first time I saw a cross come in (not first goal) where he and Johnson had chosen different runs, one deeper, one more middle of box. Really important as I think we have seen a few crosses (can think from Werner) where both missed the position for a tap in.

Really funny Ange said in pre-match that he absolutely thinks Solanke will score for us, and then you get that ...