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
2-0 Chelsea – own goal Hutton
Game over.
Shower of shit, I’m switching off BeIn Sports and doing something I enjoy for the rest of the afternoon.
FFS we’re on the road to nowhere
Chelsea smelling blood now. I could see this getting ugly.
Game over. Bad luck follows poor teams so I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. We need to hold it together here as it could get very bad.
Dear Premier League Clubs,
Are you down on your luck? Are you struggling for form? Do you have a forward struggling for goals? Can’t buy a win?
………..then come and play Aston Villa, we’ll roll over and give you a couple of goals to help you out.
It feels like it’s been this way for ever. Absolute bollocks!!!!!!!!!
Let’s face it if we eradicate thelse cockups things don’t look that bad don’t they????
If we eradicate the cock ups we might get a few draws – the problem is we create sweet FA, Sherwoods bought one of the best headers of the ball in the league yet refuses to put crosses in the box. We’ve been unlucky today but with 1 shot on target how will anything ever be any different?
Draws are no good now we already need snookers
He bought one of the best headers of a DIFFERENT league… not the premiership. He’s not proven, and isn’t performing.
Probably because his one strength is voided as we can’t or won’t play to it
It’s every game though and it’s been going on for years regardless whose in charge. I’m beginning to wonder what’s really going on. Guzman made exactly the same cock up as he did v palace. Now is this coincidence, stupidity or something a bit more sinister. All in my opinion of course.
The game is wide open right now – we could use some new legs and pace.
Amavi for Richardson
Now we are playing for Gestede – Ayew off soon.
Ayew off, Traore on.
Taking our 2nd best player behind Grealish today, while leaving the awful Gestede up front. Fantastic.
Coming off he didn’t seem pleased either.
Knowing i was one of your better performers while still playing out of position, wouldn’t be either.
Problem now is our current tactics of playing long balls to Gestede plays right into what Chelsea want – slow things down, set plays, and free kicks. Waste as much time as possible.
As I said earlier – the back line needs to keep their cool. Richards needs to be careful with Costa.
Looks like we’re settling for the 2-0 win never mind Chelsea.
well at least its not a tonking we have some great individual players, but not a team unfortunately
That makes it ok then. Another self inflicted defeat something is seriously wrong at the club and it’s not just the manager IMO.
You’re absolutely right. Different managers, different players over the last 5 seasons and it’s just been getting progressively worse. I’ve said it before, our squad this season is too good to be quite this shit.
Everything smacks of a rot from the top down to the manager – I find myself having some sympathy for the players tonight. Losing away to Chelsea isn’t the type of result that will relegate us but setting up to not get beaten in home games is embarrassing. Sack Sherwood, bring in Rodgers……he’s got to be an improvement.
Rodgers don’t want it wants to have a rest till next season
Who would want it? Curbishley will be dusting off his interview suit.
That’s the question no doubt another full Brit with the personality and tactical ability of a water melon. Fix Lerner can’t be trusted to appoint sherwoodij the first place was horribly wrong any idiot could see that even me
We already need snookers but I honestly can’t see anyone doing better than Lamberk or Mclown. Rodgers and moyes would only just keep us up but they would be no better in the long term. The club is riddled with a smell from top to bottom and the stench is getting worse. I hate to say this but I do hope we go down now Lerner and his henchmen thoroughly deserve it no one can say they weren’t warned. It’s time for fans to now vote with their feet and wallet I know it’s not easy for season ticket holders but the 10-15k casual fans should boycott club until Letner is well and truly gone. If that takes ten years so be it!
I’m past FUCKING caring now wake me up when the season’s over.
Wake up it is over for us!
FFS When I am going to be able to watch MOTD again? Haven’t seen it since the opening game of the season.
I’m not holding my breath about my chances of seeing Villa beat Swansea either never mind So’ton, Spurs, City and Everton. Then home to Watford. They’ll tonk us.
We could end up as record breakers though – what’s the record for the lowest points in a season again?
UTV = Useless Tired Villa
think gestede is a luxury we cant afford at the moment centre forward that’s not scoring or threatening to, every thing that we try is telegraphed traore comes on and all a players stand back and watch instead of close support it looks like poor coaching what do they work on at BMH
Fitness apparently?
He’s still our top scorer
Just to add to the frustration – West Brom won today. We are 7 pts behind them, 4 off Bournemouth who are right above us in the table.
We needed them to win or Sunderland would be above us though draw would be better