I hope we stick with this midfield structure from the last few games. Just think we’re a better proposition with a true midfield three. The 4-2-3-1 is so much softer in transition.
Still needs a proper sitter in the middle but we won’t find that until next season. Hopefully, a playmaker with some passing range. I think we’d be a really interesting team then with KDH in the left channel, whichever of the three youngsters on the right, and hopefully some new fullbacks to round it out.
David Moyes
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blueToffee
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Re: David Moyes
It's mid January, and not even a thought to a relegation battle this season. I know that might be a low bar for some, but after the last few seasons it's such a nice feeling that we get to look up the table.
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Cereal Killer
- Posts: 3105
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Sir Stealth
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Re: David Moyes
Always that nagging fear that once Keane is back we are seeing O’Brien back at right back an Patto benched
Hopefully Moyes has learned his lesson with this one now though
Hopefully Moyes has learned his lesson with this one now though
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Toddacelli
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Re: David Moyes
He’s a definitely a level above the managers we’ve had since he left (bar Ancelotti) and he’s great for now. There will come a time when it is right to be more ambitious, when he starts hitting his ceiling. But for now, enjoying the league position a great deal, but the football not so much. It’s not Dycheball but it’s not often nice football either.
Re: David Moyes
The Times today
Moreover, since Moyes returned to the club last year, they arrived at Villa Park having won nine of their past 19 Premier League away games; it took 65 matches, under three managers, to win the previous nine.
Moreover, since Moyes returned to the club last year, they arrived at Villa Park having won nine of their past 19 Premier League away games; it took 65 matches, under three managers, to win the previous nine.
Re: David Moyes
Really really hope he’s learnt by now. It usually takes a couple of tries before he acknowledge that the thing he was forced to do was right from the beginning. Hope Forest and now Villa count as a couple this time…Sir Stealth wrote: ↑Mon Jan 19, 2026 7:20 am Always that nagging fear that once Keane is back we are seeing O’Brien back at right back an Patto benched
Hopefully Moyes has learned his lesson with this one now though
I am one of the more critical of Moyes but he has done a great job dragging us out of the relegation zone and looking up the table instead. He is after all 62 and has shown that he is trying to adapt to and implement (to some extent) different styles of football during his career.
But I do believe he has or soon will reach his ceiling with us again. He has some traits he never will let go of. I was one of the first ones to want him gone the first time around. Still don’t think he was the right choice this time either but he probably was what we deserved and needed.
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Bluebridge
- Posts: 2056
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Re: David Moyes
Same here, but he was DEFINITELY what we needed.Nicco wrote: ↑Mon Jan 19, 2026 7:58 am Really really hope he’s learnt by now. It usually takes a couple of tries before he acknowledge that the thing he was forced to do was right from the beginning. Hope Forest and now Villa count as a couple this time…
I am one of the more critical of Moyes but he has done a great job dragging us out of the relegation zone and looking up the table instead. He is after all 62 and has shown that he is trying to adapt to and implement (to some extent) different styles of football during his career.
But I do believe he has or soon will reach his ceiling with us again. He has some traits he never will let go of. I was one of the first ones to want him gone the first time around. Still don’t think he was the right choice this time either but he probably was what we deserved and needed.
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MmmBlueBranthwaite
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Re: David Moyes
Lot of talk about moving him on for a more progressive manager but it frustratingly needn't be this way.
With his experience he should be able to stop himself reverting to type all the time and if he can't he needs someone stronger than Alan Irvine beside him to offer an alternate view.
A lot of what he does is solid and dependable. He just needs to lighten up the dour outlook and remove the safety first shackles in his latter years so we can hopefully take the next step with him.
With his experience he should be able to stop himself reverting to type all the time and if he can't he needs someone stronger than Alan Irvine beside him to offer an alternate view.
A lot of what he does is solid and dependable. He just needs to lighten up the dour outlook and remove the safety first shackles in his latter years so we can hopefully take the next step with him.
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sam of the south
- Posts: 2422
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Re: David Moyes
Yeah, his away record against the old top 4 and new top 6 is still awful.
He's doing well under still fairly difficult circumstances but without injuries and suspensions etc he'd still have JOB at RB and Keane in the middle etc. I think he needs to stick with JOB in the middle, is that still no goals conceded with him and Tarks together? Keane's been decent this season but we still look more solid with Tarks and JOB there and a proper right back playing. Patterson, Rohl and Armstrong etc are only playing because of the injuries and suspensions, so it's not like he's made some radical tactical change, as usual changes have been forced as opposed to him trying something different.
He's doing well under still fairly difficult circumstances but without injuries and suspensions etc he'd still have JOB at RB and Keane in the middle etc. I think he needs to stick with JOB in the middle, is that still no goals conceded with him and Tarks together? Keane's been decent this season but we still look more solid with Tarks and JOB there and a proper right back playing. Patterson, Rohl and Armstrong etc are only playing because of the injuries and suspensions, so it's not like he's made some radical tactical change, as usual changes have been forced as opposed to him trying something different.