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!
Very, very poor.
The Cash, Kamara and Asensio setup on the right has produced nothing.
I can only hope we start playing properly in the second half, because we look totally clueless.
If they score next and I suspect they might, it’s game over.
We need an early goal to make a game of it, because we haven’t done so far and Palace easily deserve their lead and probably more.
And watching a slo-mo shows Konsa has not been fouled. It should have been 2-0.
I sort of agree but 1+0. Martinez should be saving that for me, he’s proper off it.
We must have the slowest defenders in the league, not only that no brains in pushing forwards or sending the ball up the pitch . We will not win sod all this season in fact end up 7th at the end of the season . Shit managed team for Wembley. Rodger’s having a good game again in losing ball and doing fuck all in the game . Win this no chance .
Should be 3 or 4 for Palace. Every time we lose possession in their half we are in trouble. Torres looks terrified when put under pressure. Konsa and Cash defensively aren’t at it. The constant backwards and sideways passing doesn’t work against teams like Palace. They aren’t bothered about winning the ball until we get in their half.
I already feel this season is petering out like last season.
Drastic changes needed now. Mings for Torres, Malen for Asensio so Rogers can move to a central role. Maybe Onana for Kamara now he’s on a yellow card.
Pundits creaming over Palace to rub salt in wounds.
They have some quality up front would love mateta he’s brilliant if we fuck up here and don’t finish top 6 that would be disappointing for me come on boys
Looking at the table we need to win our last 4
McGinn great effort, good save.
Then Digne goes close.
Come on Villa!
Penalty. Game over.
Bloody hell, it’s wide!
Still 1-0
What is it with our short passing? It’s terrible.
I’m hating watching this.
Sarr, good goal.
2-0 and it’s thoroughly deserved.
It could be 3 or 4 and I’m actually close to turning the telly off.
Rodger’s again losing the ball and they score. Told you about him
Tbf it was Tielemans!
It’s all over – yet another mistake in the middle of the Park.
Never ever thought we would win this – we’ve been absolute crap.
And our season is collapsing around us.
Will be 4 or 5.
Christ. What a mess…
2-0 and game over. Glasner will have to check his pockets again to see Emery there.
We haven’t learned anything from previous. I hate Palace!
We look scared to death
No way back now
Me too badger is sooo frustrating
In fact it’s beyond shit I’m off to do the garden
These lot really do have the measure of our lot.
Rogers, is he playing today?
Too aften a passenger for me, right offer in the summer I’d be tempted.
Underwhelming.
Now we have a challenge to finish even 7th.
No Europe next year will be a disaster.
All of them look shocking. Rogers, Pau and Kamara in particular . This is a semi final and I can’t understand why we didn’t start Mings.
Me neither.
I also feel Emery has given up already with Bailey and Barkley. No Malen and no Onana
When Emery gets it wrong he really does
And Marteta looks like Mr Motivator with that moustache
Richards looks like Phil Lynot without a guitar 😂
I was going for HighTower from Police Academy or Danny Glover’s Roger Murtaugh from Lethal Weapon. 😆
Either way, he’s a much better finisher than both Rashford and Ollie.
How many times does Rodgers lose the ball aaaaagggg
As commented earlier, too often a passenger.