In line with my usual negativity, I’m seriously concerned that when I commented a few days back that we might be facing a bad 10 days, where we get kicked out of the Champions League, suffer a massive blow in trying to qualify for this season’s CL and get knocked out of the FA cup, it’s all coming to fruition.
We seriously need to change the momentum and the truth is I can’t think of a worse team to be facing at this moment.
I was originally pleased to draw Palace, as league placings says we’re better than them, but the reality is we have a shocking record against them,
Palace are on a high, while we’re not. That said, I still actually believe that we can beat Palace.
Emery seems to be quite relaxed about the game and in his comments he basically told reporters to enjoy things.
I can guarantee I won’t be enjoying anything tomorrow, unless we’re winning by at least 2 goals, but I did find his comments encouraging. And he’s right. It’s about the game, that’s supposed to be enjoyed.
So we’re going to go for it then, if I’m reading those comments correctly and that’s exactly what I believe we should do. And if we try and sit back, I’m going to have the hump.
Squad news and the only omission is Disasi, who is cup-tied after featuring for Chelsea earlier in the season. Not that he’s looked brilliant lately, but he would at least he’s fresh legs, particularly if we need to sub Cash, who I see having another torrid time.
Palace are also in pretty good shape, with only Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad both long term injuries.
I’m not going into our shocking record against them, suffice to say it’s been poor this season too and it concerns me because they seemingly have the measure of us. Eze and Mateta are both powerful players who can produce great football and super goals and I’m sure they’re going to give our defence a real problem, which concerns me even more. Never mind attackers, it’s the defence that needs sorting in the summer, because that’s overwhemingly where our problems lie most of the time, in my opinion. Only Brighton have conceded more than us in the top 10 teams and it’s not as though we’re particularly prolific goalscorers to make up for it either.
Playing at Wembley suits us in attacking sense, because it gives us space to run into and we all know we can be devastating at times, when we do attack but the trouble is it means we’re likely to leave plenty of space to run into as well. I think this game calls for Mings, who is our best player at chasing back with maybe Maatsen too, as he’s pretty nippy. The trouble is, I don’t think much of him as a defender, personally and his strength is more in going forward. I read a comment that said Digne tends to be preferred for this fixture and that’s okay, as I prefer his defending. The right back position is one I’m haven’t been happy with for years and I think I prefer not to think about it.
Prediction time and I see goals.
I’m going to go for 2-2, as 90 mins has a draw written all over it.
Unfortunately, I see my fear of this being a terrible 10 days coming to fruition, as I said. I think we’re going to lose in extra time, which will sum up the Villa totally.
Come on Unai, pull it out the bag for us and get that cup final we’re all longing for
UTV!
Come on lads, we can do it!
I’m in your camp 100% Badger – particularly the concern that our whole season could come to a shuddering halt with nothing tangible to show for it.
Lee Westwood (with Sutton – BBC) predicts 2-2 at full time with our bench making the difference in ET so he calls in 3-2 Villa; Sutton calls it 2-1 Villa whereas Sky go 2-1 Palace.
Glasner is a canny operator and has had the advantage over Emery tactically irrespective of which squad has the more depth. Palace have real match winners on their day and maybe it’s pieces of magic that will sway the game.
I’m not at all confident and worry that if we go one down and over attack we’ll suffer another humiliating defeat by Palace.
I think it will be a typical Emery plan – try and control the game for 60 minutes then open up later. Villa will certainly get more of the ball as Palace will sit on a medium / low block and depend on counter attacks.
Sorry guys, I’m forecasting a Palace win.
You must have a duff copy of the Radio Times Hitch. Sutton goes 3-2 to Villa (after extra time) and Lee Westwood goes 3-1 Villa. Its really messy reporting and I had to read it a few times.
We have made Palace look good by playing badly. One win in their last six against our one defeat to a lucky Man City. Man City thumped them 5-2 a couple of weeks ago. The second half against PSG, when Unai told them to start shooting has woken us up. We stopped depending on walking the ball in and started giving defences another option to defend. We win in normal time.
Yeah – you’re right Gerry – I posted from memory. Should have known better at my age 🙂
Disappointed that Everton didn’t get something from Stamford Bridge. It’s a strong chance we will finish 7th. I assume that would be conference league unless we won FA Cup. It’s so important that we end our Palace hoodoo.
We had a poor record against Newcastle and absolutely battered them. No reason we can’t beat Palace. Just need our A game.
Will we bring that? Not long until we find out but I’m optimistic.
UTV
Don’t know whether it’s an error but the line up / subs posted on the OS there’s no Rashford!
Still no team announced for Villa but Ollie starts
No Rashford in the squad!
I did post that Villa were being coy about team news on the OS – it’s not a good start when we lose one of our potential match winners and Palace have all theirs.
Even less confident now.
Rashford out injured – seems to be the story of our season!
really Torres instead of Mings
no Rashford on the bench
Anthony Taylor as ref
and playing our bogey team
not optomistic boys
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Asensio, Rogers and Watkins
TGV – didn’t realise Taylor was ref – the omens are stacking up against us – also surprised Torres starts ahead of Mings.
Craig Pawson on VAR
It just gets worse 🙂
That’s a fairly solid line-up. I’d guess we’re going to play a bit more attacking if we’re playing Torres? Emery must know Pau doesn’t defend that well and he definitely seems to bother Martinez.
I would have preferred Maatsen and Mings to Digne and Torres. We have to trust in Emery who knows more than me for sure.
Pity that Rashford is injured. I wonder if it was in the last game or in training.
I don’t feel confident and I worry they could win comfortably. My prediction is 2-0 to Palace.
We could get hammered Holte
Hooky’s totally agree with your view. Concerned about Torres lack of pace. Whereas, I feel Digne no longer pushes forward and looks to pass back or sideways when in space. Worried about this game. I hope my feelings are wrong.
Ye thought ty would start he’s done nothing wrong think we will win 2-1
I’d be inclined to think Rashford was asked about his intentions at Villa, it would be like Unai to prefer a player the chance of Wembley game than someone who not part of the club in the future. Might be wrong I’m always am .
Ref is shite ye we should beat these loadsof big game experience now so should have enough
Our defence is utter, utter shit!
0-1
And Pau Torres is at fault!
Quelle surprise!
Torres is a shite defender. It should be 2-0 after Konsa caught faffing around. It’s going to script when our walking football is done in. It could be a cricket score now we have to attack.