We all know there aren’t any easy games in the Championship. Everyone says so and it’s a nice excuse to use when we haven’t done as well in games as we thought.
But while I’ve no doubt the Blackburn game won’t be easy, it’s really a game we ought to win. If we don’t, we’re definitely struggling.
Blackburn are having serious problems.
The fans are protesting against the owners, the team sit 23rd in the league and everything’s doom and gloom.
Sounds just like us not so long back doesn’t it?
Whereas we’re in the middle of a decent run and are somewhat revitalised under Steve Bruce, even if we know we have certain deficiencies.
I’ve had a bit of a concern that we might be experiencing a bit of a new manager bounce, but it’s one that has been waning as games have gone on and three points tomorrow will maybe kill it once and for all.
Which is what we have to do; win. No ifs and no buts, we need three points tomorrow.
While it won’t see us shooting up the table, it’ll dispel my niggle that Bruce has been lucky and demonstrate that we can actually kill teams off.
Blackburn’s defence is supposedly iffy at best and they’ve been conceding late goals recently, but while they do concede quite a few, they’re not the worst in the league. Any decent attack should be able to score against them though and we certainly have the players to do the damage, on paper at least.
Which is another concern; we have all these 20 a season strikers, but they aren’t really firing are they?
Still, I have very pleasant feeling that tomorrow might be a game where we get some real joy and actually score more than two goals. Having just checked, we’ve only scored two goals twice this season (Forest and Reading) and that isn’t really good enough is it?
All that plus I reckon Bruce will see this as a “should win” and go for it.
Blackburn have defenders Tommie Hoban and Derrick Williams out which should hopefully prove to our advantage.
On our side, Jordan Ayew is suspended and Adomah has been struggling because of a “dead” leg, although news is that he’ll probably be okay. Bacuna is looking 50-50 after doing his groin just before the Blues game, but Micah Richards definitely won’t make it.
There’s a plus in that we have Jack Grealish available, which means he’ll probably start in Ayew’s place.
The truth is, if Ayew wasn’t injured I wouldn’t have played him. Why change a team that’s doing ok, after all?
Prediction time then and can I make it two correct on the trot?
I doubt it, but I’m firmly convinced we’ll win this one.
I know I’ve said I think we’ll score more than two, but I’m not going to predict an outlandish scoreline, because sod’s law says I’ll be miles off.
2-0 it is then.
We’ve should win this one, eh?
Oh, I’m bloody working again, so will miss it 🙁
Badger; very fair summation – shouldn’t underestimate BR though because Owen Coyle is a decent manager albeit with a Herculean task.
If we really are going to mount a promotion challenge then tomorrow is a ‘must win’ game and I’m going to be positive and forecast a win. Not sure by how many so I’ll go for 2-1 and wouldn’t be surprised if we go behind!
Steve Bruce still has a lot to sort out – exciting to buy all these strikers but RDM created an unbalanced squad and SB still has to work out how to combine them effectively. Faced with a selection challenge of Adomah, Grealish, McCormack, Kodjia and Gestede – how do you make that work when the mid field looks weak by comparison?
For me – Gollini, Bacuna (Hutton if he’s not fit), Chester, Baker, Amavi, Gardner, Jedinak, Tshibola, Adomah, Kodjia, Grealish
Can’t see how McCormack fits in at this stage unless Adomah isn’t fit but would then change from 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 to 4-3-1-2 but then what do I know!
Your getting close Hitch to the starting XI without any of my Bomb squad, But Hutton or Bacuna still means one included.
Adomah is the key ingredient because he can get to the goal line to the right of goal, and cross from there. Since Albrighton went this has been the major flaw in our attacking and when Hutton drifts upfield to attempt that role, that exposes the gaping hole in defence. So long as Adomah is on the field Gestede and McCormack can be the subs for Kodjia and Grealish for the last quarter.
We have an abundance of attacking left sided players who don’t actually score themselves, so I can’t see a role for Gabby when Grealish and Amavi play.
Problem is we don’t have another right back with de Laet out or can Lydon (sp?) play in that position? The other option is to bring Elphick back in when fit and play either Chester or Baker at RB – hasn’t Chester played RB for Wales?
Not checked for a few hours, but when last I looked, B’Mail had quote from Bruce that Bacuna is definitely ‘out’, while Adomah will be fit.
I also expect us to win tomorrow, although I just hope that the team don’t take it as an ‘easy’ game after the blood’n’guts effort last week, or else they’ll be embarrased.
Assuming we do win, the margin will tell us a bit more whether the ‘Bruce bounce’ is just a temporary thing, or whether they’ve actually started building up the momentum for a realistic challenge on the top 4-6 places.
I fully expect Gabby to play an even bigger part in this match, wouldn’t be surprised if he starts in a straight swap for Ayew. I know many of you won’t like it, but reading Bruce’s comments on him, like, “it’ll be like having a new signing when Gabby’s back” and, “he could be as good has any striker in this league”, it’s pretty obvious he’s a fan.
Fully expect a win too and it’s a strange feeling.
However our defence is coming together nicely and while mid-field is still a problem I think we’ll have far too much up front for Rovers.
Best thing this week is what Gary Gardner said –
“It feels like we can’t lose. I know it’s funny to say that but it’s a good feeling to have. Going into games knowing you’ve got a better chance of winning than losing is good.”
Nuff said.
3-0 to the Villa
For me a must win day, Badger id pack that job up mate, Villa more important to us fans, good call Hitch but he might find a place for Gabby, Ardent your right blood and guts from now on, a win for me 3-1 Villa today.
5-0 VILLA
Giddy mate your birthday over, 5-0 come off it today or you’ll end up like that grif of the Simpson’s I sent you.
😀 can’t even see the the screen lol
was reading other day that Rushian Hepburn-Murphy hasnt signed a contract extension. this must be addressed. i think this guy is decent. he is raw but hes very talented. if they allow him to be poached then that is a total waste. he has been at villa since age 7 /8 and now hes progressed to almost the 1st team they allow him to slip away.
i believe he will be a top player soon,i thought he would break through this year. he could easily score goals in the championship.now that gabby is back murphy will find his chances reduced even further. thou we do lose forwards in january
villa will beat blackburn 2 nil
I somewhat agree Nath, we’ve been mugs in the past on development of tallent and given them away, hope Bruce sees good men and rewards them. Yes a win today is needed. 3-1 Villa.
i agree look how we messed up with albrighton. we need to start developing players. like the old days. we never had so few young talented players, local boys with fire come through. bruce needs to address this, we have the facilities to produce the players. just needs the right methods and a chance of progressing. green and murphy should be close to the 1st team
Bruce is, at least, making very strong positive comments about young Rushian so I suspect the press are making more of the situation than the reality. That’s not say that I disagree with the comments about our past failures with developing new stars through the academy or failing to keep the good ones that come through.
Short memories eh? It was last week Villa avoided a hammering by a team that couldn’t shoot straight. Momentum is the key. I reckon if we score in the 1st 15 mins we will win 4-1, but if it is goalless at HT we will squeak a nervy 1-0.
Is it as bad as it looks on Ceefax……
5 goals to come get in there
Are we just geared up for draws only? Ffs, fuck me they have scord
SHITE
two fluke wins two draws definetly wolves one and now reality bruce
What is your point? Call yourself a Villa supporter! You are my friend are a complete joke. UP THE VILLA!
1-1
GOAL…Villa pen
Get in THERE
Come on Villa
Yes kodjia with pen after Grealish got brought down.