What can I say that hasn’t already been said, seemingly everywhere else on the net?
Except that the whole scenario and atmosphere is building; so much so, that frankly my ring is twitching severely already.
We all know the difference between promotion or not and the latter doesn’t bear thinking about, as you have to question how we’d manage with another season in the championship.
We face a typical Pulis team that will try to take advantage of set pieces and they seemingly have Traore firing on all cylinders. We know how scary he is when running at you and if he comes back to bite us on the proverbial, I’ll probably be ranting, as I loved the look of him and could see the player in there.
Hopefully Hutton will keep him out of the game, as I suggested last week.
Team news then and Pulis has said he’ll play the same team as last week, so no surprises.
As for us, Taylor is out, as is Tuanzebe.
Johnstone should be available, but will travel seperately to the team bus, as his missus is about to give birth to their child. What will happen if the big event is due a few hours before the game, is another question.
Where will Johnstone’s loyalties lie? The biggest game he’ll have ever played in or sit and watch your first-born arriving?
That might seem a simple question to the younger among you, but I know plenty who would have put the job first when I was younger, particularly when they NEEDED to earn a crust just to pay the bills.
I doubt Johnstone will have that problem, so could probably understand if he doesn’t make the game.
So what to think?
Well, for me, it’s the away result that will decide this semi.
We need to come away with at least a draw ideally.
We might be able to pull a one goal deficit back. But if we were to go into the home leg 2 goals down, I’d really fear for our chances.
I just think that we have enough to see Boro off though, over two legs and the Pulis factor isn’t quite what some seem to make out. Remember the two consecutive cup and league games not so long back?
Yes, all the play-off contenders are scary in their own way, but I have to think we’re capable of beating them all on our day.
It just depends if the team are on it or not, as consistency is not our forte.
I’m going for a 1-1 draw, which would leave me satisfied, but wondering how we break them down at a rocking Villa park.
And it’s the home support that will be a major advantage that none of the others have.
Did I read right that boro still had a couple of thousand tickets left this morning and Pulis was practically begging the fans to turn out?
Surely not and maybe more mind games from Pulis?
I still stand by the fact that the third placed team should go up, as the league is judged over a season.
And a tournament was never part of the original idea.
I despise those that have made it this way, just for the money.
A slight aside, but my Derby mate and I have agreed that if we eventually meet up at Wembley, we’re going together to make a weekend of it, with one of us laughing and the other crying.
Unfortunately, I don’t see Derby having a hope in hell, but I’m off to watch the game as we speak.
Ooh and it seems Derby are 1 up.
Cheers Bill 🙂
And Jerome scored it.
Even though I told my Derby mate earlier that he’s a donkey.
Jerome’s fifth in four games.
And apparently 2 disallowed too (!), according to my Derby mate.
Derby 27% possession?
Dangerous, if true.
Derby doing a great job so far. Have Fulham come unstuck when it matters most?
I doubt it, myself.
They’re dangerous, just when you think you have them sorted.
Next 10 minutes vital. Fulham always score apparently
yep, they’re good at late goals.
1-0 would make it interesting, but I still see fulham as faves here.
Thanks Badger, not got the new post, 84 minutes still 1-0 , don’t mean a thing till the home game for Fulham.
89 minute now, do these games go on agragate score?
I don’t think so.
Extra time and pens, I think?
And away goals don’t count double.
I think.
Curtis davis playing a blinder again.
With Weimann and Jerome, how many Villa links could bite us?
Away goals definitely don’t count double.
1-0 it is.
I seriously doubt that’s enough, but Derby have shown they know how to hold a lead.
Just read that , Davie MOTM for Derby by the look of things 3 shots against Fulhams 13,.
Thank goodness that Taylor out tomorrow. Probably means Bree on bench and won’t play for U23s.
Amen Holte.
Taylor against Traore?
That doesn’t bear thinking about.
I still think Hutton/Traore will make the main difference.
Hutton has to be disciplined.
Or clever, which he can be;-)
Don’t know where your post went Badger, not in junk.
God knows Bill.
Just keep your eye on my comments and I’ll keep you up to date, as best I can
How soon do you think it will be before Hutton clatters Traore?
Depends, Holte.
This is where the experience comes in.
He can’t clatter him from the off and risk a red.
But you can be sure he’ll let him know he’s there, with the threat that he’ll break his leg, if he tries to take the piss.
I’ve always liked Hutton, proper player, even when many slated him.
He’ll prove our biggest single asset against Boro, I’m sure.
Er, not that I condone dirty play.
But I’m sure you know what I mean.
Hard, but fair, is the point.
And Hutton knows how to do it.
Totally agree Badger. Can’t afford to get a yellow card in first 5 minutes. Just let him know he’s there. Traore can have a short fuse and will be fired up to get one over us. A certain Adomah who isn’t getting mentioned could be the one who makes a difference.
Good point re Adomah!
I forgot that.
well i should pat myself on the back i predicted how to beat fulham correctly, derby did exactly like i said to how to beat fulham. only thing derby failed to do which would have led them getting a bigger lead. they needed to keep the ball more second half, they needed to pass the ball side to side and get fulham into chasing down mode more. but they chose to continue to break every time.
i hope fulham turn it around they are so open its unheard off how easy they are to play. everybody has mentioned how great they are with the ball. but nobody sees how open without the ball they are they are so easy to beat if you can withstand their possession. which derby did brilliantly first half. they commit to attack so much fulham they are always open to counter. villa and bor0 would have no trouble in the final. derby would be a far greater challenge. they are not easy to get at. they will sit deep. every chance they get to counter they will hit you with lightening waves.
villa have one major flaw in my eyes that is open to the counter. down the middle of our team. so derby and boro will pose bigger dangers than fulham
if i was pulis i would play villa like derby played fulham. sit deep and allow villa to attack you. but every chance that you get to attack, then pulis will not instruct his team to pass brilliantly around like fulham. he will look to isolate terry and chester against the pace of Traore and that ex forest players who i am not trying to spell this early,
from my memory i remember Traore as a player that had zero defensive capabilities and zero effort in getting back. so pulis wont have him playing wide in mid. he will be up front against our terry and chester or just behind his main striker. with the objective to run at the heart of the villa defence, every chance he get. this is what i would do
i know you all don’t like that utd defender onloan , but he has the attributes to sit on Traore man for man. that would nullify the only real danger boro have from open play. hope to god we turn up tonight. we have nothing to fear if we do
If we play anywhere near out best we should despatch Boro with ease. I also watched the Derby-Fulham game and honestly didn’t see anything to be afraid of. Fulham played pretty football but were light-weight and Derby had neither the quality to make that last telling pass or the fitness to make it through ninety minutes.
However, it being the play-offs, will we be anywhere near our best? To me experience is the key and having players like Terry, Snodgrass, Jedi on the pitch just might just make the difference. I’ve also got the feeling that Grabban might just play a pivotal role in the proceedings.
Prediction is 0-1 to the Villa today followed by a 2-0 win at VP. However, if I’m honest, my bum is squeaking already.
UTV
Why don’t I feel confident? Going to watch the game like the first time the Daleks appeared on Dr. Who – from behind the sofa although this time with a large drink in hand!