If I take my positive and negative heads off, I just don’t know how to call this one.
Is it a six pointer or a must win, which can be season defining?
I’m not convinced it’s either really, as it seems to me to be too late for that sort of thinking.
Not that I want to dwell on negatives of any kind, for this game.
So if it’s neither of the above, it has to be about pride and bragging rights, which is exactly how I’m seeing it.
I’ve been browsing through the Villa news, as I always do and one of our fellow Villa supporting sites mentioned that we haven’t actually won at the Baggies’ ground in our last five attempts.
I nearly double checked that fact, but have no reason to doubt it, so didn’t.
Regardless, it surprised me, to say the least, as my recent memories of Villa-Albion encounters are very positive and we seem to have a very good record against them.
But the truth is, it made what immediately seems a tough game, look just a little more difficult.
West Brom aren’t really pulling up any trees, but they’re sat quite comfortably in 13th position in the league.
Their last six Prem games have seen them win 2, draw 3 and lose one.
While we’re on a comparative roll, in that we haven’t lost in four games, albeit two of them were against lesser competition.
Of course, I’m being very selective in saying that, but hey, it sounds good and I like it (the truth is we’ve won 1 in our last 6 in the Prem and I’m glossing over it).
So what are the main points to take from a comparison of the teams?
Albion don’t score many, but at the same time, as is typical of any Pulis team, they don’t concede many either.
While we don’t score many and concede far too much, through mostly stupid mistakes.
Which probably sums up what I’m going to say in conclusion.
In team news, Albion have Saido Berahino as a possible after a stomach bug (isn’t he almost certain to be gone soon?) and Ben Foster is also available after apparently being out all season up to now.
Chris Brunt, Darren Fletcher and Jonas Olsson are all doubts, while James Morrison is out for eight weeks.
It’s interesting to note there, that while I don’t rate any of those players massively, they all strike me as the dependable type, as an outsider.
What I’m trying to say there, I really don’t know; it’s just a thought.
As for us, Gabby seems to have a hip injury (for that, read two hopes of him playing) and Sanchez needs a fitness test.
Hutton, Traore and Amavi are all out, as we no doubt know.
The conclusion then and it’s a pure guess, but I suspect Albion will do the double over us, for the first time in 50 years.
That’s a statistic I find simply amazing and I’d never have thought it in a million years.
While it will strike another new low, I won’t hold it against the Villa, as I have the utmost respect for the Olbion.
They’re our proper local opposition, after all.
I’m going for a 1-1 as the best result, but more realistically, I think we’ll lose 2-1.
But if we could scrape a win, who knows how this season could end up?
This is exactly the sort of game we need to win, if we’re to retain any hope of staying up and as I’m fond of saying, you never know.
And we have been trying more, of late.
No, I’ve changed my mind.
We’ll lose 1-0 after we mess up and fail to break them down.
Like I said, I don’t know.
It’s in the lap of the Gods now.
UTV
I’m just praying for a win.
I have a feeling it will be 1-1, but we need 3 points so badly, we have to just go for it.
Can’t see this being a goal fest 0-0, 1-0, 0-1 but I have a feeling in me water it’s gonna go our way.
Come on you Lions!
Draw written all over this 4-4
Started on the hard stuff early this morning mate!
LOL don’t be silly MATE it ain’t 9am yet.
I’m back looking at the law if averages – we’re due a win at the hawthorns and Baggies (I believe) have won their last three home games but then after 50 years they are due a double over us. OK scrub that line of thinking.
Love to win the game but, sorry guys, can’t see us getting anything from it given that our record against Pullis ain’t that good; 0-2 Albion.
Slightly off topic apparently the deal for the Klinic (sp) is off because we can’t get a work permit and Villa have pulled out of both deals for Sane and Debuchy because they are concentrating on a CB (Vidic?) and a striker – all according to the B’ham Mail.
Do u believe rumours??
We’ll whindup with sodall.
Whindup & Sodhall? I bet they’re French.
😀
Draw 1-1.
Can’t see this one having many goals in it either.
Heart says 1-1.
Head says 2-0 to them…
Honestly think we’ll do well to draw. At least it will stop them doing the double.
I’ll say 1-1
Norwich 2 Liverpool 1 looking good do you think? Not.
Not a bad line up
Richards, Lescott, okore, cisshoko
Bacuna, westwood, gana, gil
Ayew, kozak
Good to see Richards at RB. Veretout unlucky to be benched.
You forgot to say Bunn in goal Darren, that does look a good side.
wtf . another penalty we don’t get . so that’s one last week and now one this week . even talksport said defo penalty .
My lads watching it said def pen tackled from behind, and so say Garth Crooks. Robbed.
I think we’ll sneak this one & just to add the referees a wanker.
I seriously can’t believe the inept crossing from our players!! It’s easy ffs!! Just kick under the ball a bit, lean back a bit job done over the first man! Someone tell Bacuna the thick fuck. Im actually starting to believe he can’t physically put in a good cross ever. Good build up play ruined time and time again. We could easily be winning this. Clear pen as well but win some lose some.
Can’t believe were still so defensive minded this 2nd half. We need 3 points not 1.
Adam; understand your point but also if we were to win our remaining home games then points from away games might make all the difference. I’d love a win but a draw would continue the recent improved form and another clean sheet would be a good boost.
The key is winning our home games – and that’s been our biggest failing for the last five years.
Yeah I see your point too but we won’t win all our remaining home games so when we play a shit team like the baggies we need the 3 points. Not least because it means the teams above us start looking down at us a little.
Why Veretout has been benched for Bacuna is beyond me.
ZZZZZZZZZZZ’s……christ our budgies got more life in it…….2 worse teams EVER.
Hamstring Gestede off
Bill, I’m not watching game – is it as bad as being reported on here? 94th minute scrambled winner would do for me