The above is a clip from today’s press conference and even though it doesn’t mention the game,
I found it interesting because I wanted to gauge how confident and upbeat Sherwood sounded.
Now I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a man who is under massive pressure and knows his days are numbered.
His brashness and charm are non-existent and although he’s doing his best to try and convince us otherwise, I’m not persuaded he believes we’ll stay up this season.
Of course, you might think differently, but it doesn’t look good for tomorrow.
With that particular clip, it’s easy to be downbeat.
Looking at our current form, it’s even easier. The plain fact is we’re bottom of the current form league, we are the only team that haven’t got a single point in the last four games and we have one out of our last six games.
Chelsea’s form is surprisingly not much better, but they’ve still won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
Even more surprising is the fact that they’ve only won one of their last four games at home.
And that’s where I see a glimmer of hope.
Now I don’t profess to know what’s going on at Chelsea, but I’ve seen talk that Mourinho has lost the dressing room, while at the same time I’ve read that their fans expect their side to give someone a right tonking.
It just makes things all the more scary, doesn’t it?
Especially when we all know that if we’re facing a team down on it’s luck and totally out of form, we can always trust the Villa to change things for them.
If anyone is going to get a tonking, it’s going to be the Villa, right?
After all, I’ve seen some of us saying it.
Hmm.
Squads then and the main story for Chelsea is that Branislav Ivanovic is injured.
The good news for Chelsea fans is that they feel he’s been by far the weakest link in their side.
The bad news for us is that they have four possible replacements;
“I have four solutions: I have Azpilicueta, I have the adaptation of Zouma or Ramires and I have Ola Aina, an 18-year-old who has never played a Premier League game but he’s a boy with lots of potential. He’s also an option. It depends on matches, opponents, the moment, but we have solutions.”
How the other half live eh?
Never mind them though and the Villa news is that the squad is fit, apart from Okore and Clark.
Traore’s ready, as is Gil and Grealish is match fit(!).
Even Charles N’Zogbia is training with the squad and there’s actually talk that he might get some game time. If that happens, then I’ll be calling for Sherwood’s head (unless he has a blinder, of course, which he won’t).
Clark’s a pretty big miss, as he would have been nice to have on the bench or even take the place of Lescott, but that apart, there are no major excuses for Tim Sherwood to use on the squad fitness front.
Tactics then and the truth is I don’t have a clue as to how Sherwood will approach this.
Logic says that we should sit back and try to hit Chelsea on the counter.
They’re a clever side who have plenty of weapons to pierce our flimsy defence, so perhaps the solution is to go totally defensive and put 10 men behind the ball?
After the showing against Stoke, I don’t see this, although in fairness, it’s also another reasonable option, again given our poor defence.
We have the pace to hurt them, that’s undeniable, so maybe we should go all out for the jugular?
That’s very risky and if it doesn’t work, that’s where we might indeed get a pasting.
But then, it’s how Sherwood likes to play the game.
Indeed, that’s my instinctive approach too; go for them from the off. Play with pace, pass the ball quickly, get in their faces and get an early goal.
We’re going to get thrashed anyway, aren’t we?
Only it just isn’t going to happen is it?
Because we’re far too lacklustre for too much of the game.
And if we only decide to play for the odd 20 minutes or so, like we have done lately, we’re going to get beaten.
Unless Sherwood can somehow get the players up for the game.
He’s told us how good he is, so now he needs to prove it.
No more experimenting; it’ll be pounced on by us fans and the press, who are smelling blood.
We’re going to get beaten, so it doesn’t really matter how we approach the game tactically, in my opinion.
It’s more about how we perform; If we’re beginning to show some shape and understanding as a team. And if we have a plan and stick with it, even if it fails.
Sherwood’s on a hiding to nothing for this game, as the law of averages says we should lose anyway.
Expect the screws to tighten on Sherwood come tomorrow evening then.
Except I’m not so sure.
I’m going to really stick my neck on the block and say we can win this.
I know, it’s daft. But I just have a feeling.
2-1 to the Villa
Wow – Richardson, Lescott, Richards, Hutton. That is a terrible backline for us, experienced sure but no legs and will be completely overrun by Chelsea’s pace. If we are not down 2 by halftime I will be surprised.
Hopefully we’ll be 5 down at half-time!
Wow, Richardson…….just wow.
Richardson isn’t better than Amavi but he did show up the last time he played. I’m more upset about Lescott; no pace and usually caught out of position.
Hutton’s decision making… Clueless.
Similar to Sherwoods team selections, tactics and subs then.
Well, you’re not wrong.
According to the commentator’s, we should be playing with fear against them or something, seeing they keep mentioning it. We might be near the bottom, but so are Chelsea. So why fear them?
First 15 minutes and I have to say, completely different look to Villa from what I’ve seen. Closing down, good forward passing and confidence so far.
Really taking the game to Chelsea in this 1st 15.
We are looking good…
Well it shows what a semi balanced side can do – not playing 3 DM and wonder why we don’t have any creativity – Grealish and Gil are linking up play well and we seem to be playing more as a unit today. The question is how long can they keep it up?
Costa is such a bastard. That back line needs to keep their cool.
Your giving me hope lads, wish I could see the game. Come on the villa.
So close from Geatede.
We should be 1-0 up now.
Gana, Grealish, Gil and Ayew look excellent all working together, they should start every game.
Guzan and Lescott… Just… wtf
Lescott had plenty of space and he didn’t control it – a bit harsh on Guzan.
Blaming both. Lescott needs to control that but Guzan’s gotta see that Lescott’s going to be under pressure. He is literally the last person on this team I’d ever want to have the ball under pressure, bar Richardson.
A gift from Cuzan, what a Wally.
1-0 Chelsea
GUZAN YOU STUPID STUPID PRICK!!!!! ????????
Shit
Here we go fucking guzan yet again Andrew
I agreed it was partly Guzan’s fault, but Lescott has to take a lot of blame for that too. Easy ball to control, but he screwed it up.
How on earth is a low volley blasted at you an easy call to control. As poor as Lescotts been that is Completely Guzans fault. All that hard work wasted!!!
Sorry but the blame really lies with Lescott – he had the space and time and didn’t control it.
We can’t go long to Gestede every single time.
Funny thing is, we’re not even playing to his strengths today. I don’t remember seeing even a decent cross into him. We’re trying to play football and Gestede’s never going to work with that. He’s just pointless. Put Ayew up front, bring on Traore as Grealish is doing really well in dropping back when needed so we wouldn’t be hurting our midfield and I think we can get something.
Quite agree – other than defensive duties Gestede hasn’t offered much. Traore tearing down the lines could really hurt Chelsea and Ayew seems way more threatening with the ball at his feet.
Bollox. The ball was played back to guzan and guzan whipped it to Lescott at 100mph with the ball at waist height.
Guzans fault 100%.
Now who’s being forgiving…
Completely agree, I’ve no idea how anyone who’s seen it can think any different
He’s making Vlaar look a world beater!!!
It’s got to be deliberate happens every week sick of it. Guan and lescott should be dropped end of
So Bunn comes in? You really trust him?
He must be shit then
The pundits watching the game haven’t even mentioned lescott in that goal it’s our dozy FUCKING keepers fault.
They did a number of times saying he should have handled it better and controlled the ball.
Can’t speak for your pundits
Very true.
100% guzans fault Giddy. You can’t whip it at waist height to your last defender at 100mph with the defender facing his own goal and 2 players bearing down on him.
Another f’in stupid Yank at Villa. 1 is enough.
And now dirty Costa is throwing himself on the floor in the penalty area without being touched.
VILLAfan maybe he should of controlled the ball with his bollox then??
Crooks a Dublin, both saying Cuzans blunder, he rolled the ball out and some player nipped in. Cuzan has no judgement on distribution what so ever, in kicking a and rolling out balls.
Villa playing well and nearly score and then,,,a mistake from Guzan.
Getting deja vu all over again.
FFS Don’t play Guzan against the top clubs he always falls apart.
Tell Tim to turn off the lights on his way out
* Sorry tell Tim to turn the lights OFF on his way out
Deadwood will walk tonight. He looks a broken man.
Handing the opposition the points yet again.
How do we have a chance at all if we are giving the opposition free goals like this all the damn time.
Worst part – I think we thoroughly deserve to be level with Chelsea now at half time or even a goal up, Chelsea have offered little threat so far.
FFS, why do I do this to myself every Saturday afternoon. The desperados are being cracked open early, as usual.
If this scenario was a one off you could forgive it – but we always let ourselves down.
I expect us to come out and go for it again. Tim has nothing to lose even though his keeper and centre half have managed to let him down today – team was doing well.
VILLAfan your into your tequila eh?! Fairplay GET IT DOWN YER MATE ENJOY 😀
Yep, I need an extra strength beer these days when watching Villa.
I’ll be moving to the JD soon though if we gift them anymore.
That’s what VILLA do to you MATE I’m presently on surgical spirits atm the aftershave was finished.
wow.
Chelsea are seriously the most fortunate team I’ve watched.
Can’t wait to see how many blame Guzan for that one.
No Hutton
Just seen Guzan goal on vine definitely his fault and Lescott not much bettef