I’ve been looking to post something about the game for a couple of days at least, but I’m not really sure what to say or to think, to be honest.
We all know how big the game is and you don’t need me to tell you that.
But the thing is, this one particularly is as it could prove season-defining (didn’t I say the same last week?) because we could do with another win to firmly establish the good momentum we’ve created.
I firmly believe that if we can beat our neighbours tomorrow, we can go on a really strong run which would very soon have us pushing for the automatic promotion places. My reasoning is that we all know we have a very good squad, even if you factor in it’s weaknesses; it’s just about getting the belief into the players.
And if Bruce can drag the win out of the team tomorrow, there is simply no other team in this league to fear.
Couple us going on a decent run with Bruce being able to strengthen in a little over two months and well, the world’s our lobster isn’t it?
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
My big fear is we have every chance of losing tomorrow, which of course none of us want to see.
And if that were to happen, I worry that it might set us back.
So I’m going to come clean in that as much as over the years I’d back us to win nine times out of ten, so things are a lot closer between the two clubs now. Which means I’d happily settle for a draw.
Think about it. While obviously it’s not as good as a win, so at least the scum don’t get the bragging rights and our fragile players have no reason for whatever poor mentality to set back in.
So quite simply, the requirement is that we don’t lose.
But the good news is while I’ve been worrying about losing and having to suffer all the noses I know giving me grief, I actually think we will win this. Or more accurately, we can.
I had a chat with a long time nose friend at work on Wednesday and he was somewhat concerned with how slow their defence is.
We had a bit of a laugh when I told him ours was probably slower, but I was highly encouraged because we have the players who can exploit that.
He also expressed concern about the attack and said he’d play some young kid they have, who isn’t getting a game, up front. Okay our defence isn’t brilliant, but it’s looked better with Chester and Baker in the middle. They should be capable of nullifying a poor attack.
And then there’s form. We’re on a very nice little run, thank you, while Blues lost to Forest and Burton recently.
Just as a Villa win was looking incredibly unlikely just a couple of weeks back (imagine us going into this with RDM still in charge?), so it’s a really bad time for Blues to hit a bad patch of form.
Interestingly, my friend’s biggest question was if I thought Gabby would be getting a game. They really do fear him.
My answer was that he had better well bloody not do! And that there was more chance of me plaiting snot.
Team news then and I couldn’t give a stuff who’ve they’ve got playing. It’s the derby isn’t it, where they could put the second string out and you know you’re going to be in a game.
Because beating the Villa is all they care about. It’s their FA cup and Premier league title all rolled into one.
As for us, I don’t think anything has changed.
Elphick and Richards are both still out, but Adomah is now fully fit.
The team?
Well, to my mind it picks itself (unless you’re RDM) and Adomah, who looked very lively last time out comes in for Gestede.
Otherwise it’s the same as against Fulham (who interestingly spanked Huddersfield 5-0 today).
Nothing clever there, it’s just common sense isn’t it?
So now the tricky part and the prediction.
I’m minded to say we’ll win this, but I don’t want to tempt fate, because at the back of my mind, I know it’s the Villa, where things haven’t gone well, for so long, which has left me upset so many times.
How sad is that, where I’m scared to predict we’ll win? I think the team’s fragility must have rubbed off on me.
So even though it seems Villa are the bookie’s favourites, I’m going to hedge my bet.
And go for a 1-1 draw.
Which will leave me open to utter elation if we win and a bit less disappointment if we lose.
Gestede coming on.
For Westwood.
Right choice.
Gestede on Westwood off – Stevie wants to win this game
Amavi, wtf?
5 mins extra.
My arsehole’s twitching now.
Gabby cut under his eye.
Bloose got a right thug coming on now.Robinson. Looks like he should be doing a 15 yr stretch…
lol.
Yes, an old hand.
Wiggins stretchered off for Blues.
Just a knee-to -knee contact.
Gabby lucky to not get booked there, imo.
Needless clip, but I guess he’s fired up.
Rubbish performance. Kodga is a wimp bottled it all through the game. Still can’t hold onto a lead
But never lost either.
Whereas we would have done before.
Give over! Not a bad game. A difficult contest. We’re getting there!
I’ll settle with a point moved up 2 places
Fair result???
Yes rode our luck but we get a point. Would have settled for this result before the game.
Nice to see some resilience from our team. MOTM definitely Jedinak
Yep, I’ll have that!
Some serious anti-football from us today. We really are lacking a midfield and Kodjia couldn’t do a thing right up front. Should have pulled him off for gestede earlier on.
On a positive though, Back 4 played well, although Hutton is a time bomb. Keeper has been solid again.
Oh well another point.
Anyone know why Tish didn’t start. Kodja can’t handle a physical game like this neither can adomah. Kodja trying to be fancy all the time that’s fine when your 3.0 up with 5 mins left but in a game like this
SB still unbeaten. 8 out of 12 points now what would we have given for that just before the Wolves game?
No supply from the midfield at all. Brucie mistake playing Westwood. Ah well, at least we never caved like other games.
True but still feels like a defeat to me they battered us second half and with a decent striker would of beat us
OohAh – lighten up mate you’re giving me a headache.
OK we weren’t at our best but we got stuck in and IMHO we were worth a point – no shame in that. What price we would have lost that game before Bruce took over?
At last we are starting to see why RDM bought Jedinak – right at the heart of the defence and also a word for Baker who didn’t put a foot wrong.
Might be a blessing in disguise losing Ayew for the Blackburn game. To me we seemed more balanced after he went off and McCormack took up a more central role just behind the strikers. I won’t be too upset if Ayew toddles off in January and we strengthen midfield.
And OohAh your criticism of Kodjia is unfounded as for most of the game he was playing on his own with little support and two or three defenders on him.
Happy with a point – the problem continues to be the poor start which puts pressure on us winning points quickly to catch up the top of the league. UTV
True but yet another game we couldn’t hold onto a lead. Every time their ch breathed on Kodja he went down like a sack of spuds. Anyone no why Tish did t syart
@Oohaah
Yes we were a bit lucky but isn’t it about time? For God knows how long we’ve not had the rub of the green and I’m not going to complain if SB turns out to be a lucky manager as well as a good one.
Certainly played with passion and 100% commitment from every player. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that
True just passed of we blew a lead yet again
Thought we were rubbish today, that was as bad as the Wolves game, hot potato football, no fluency, no guile, no idea.
Kodija is really starting to annoy me, he’s as greedy as they come and he and McCormack clearly do not like each other, it appears it may have to be one or the other and not both in the same team.
Not sure why Westwood gets picked over Tshibola, or Gardner for that matter, goal aside he was quite woeful today.
If we play like that every game we’ll be lucky to pick up many more wins this season.
I’ve yet to see us really outplay anybody this season.
Kodja was a pussy yesterday he spent more time on the floor than standing up. Disgraceful attitude imo