Well, at least it’s how it seems to me.
I don’t see it like that, but it is indeed nice to get one over the enemy, isn’t it?
I believe we’ve only given the noses around 2,000 tickets and I have to admit that’s a paltry amount. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s a tit-for-tat thing, but my best memories of the Brum derby were when the away fans got massive support and the singing was pretty equal on both sides, creating a superb atmosphere.
I suppose this is exactly what the powers that be want to get away from and they’d prefer what American football does, where fans make a day of it, with their Camper vans and barbecues and all that rubbish.
Not for me. Bring back that raw hatred and let those who want a punch up carry on. Just control it, which I’m sure they could.
Okay, that’s not realistic in today’s world, but I’m sure you know what I mean.
Even something as precious as THE local derby is becoming more sterile, year by year, in my opinion.
Whatever, what do we know?
Well, I don’t give a toss about them, apart from the fact that they’re having a poor season after foolishly sacking Rowett and appointing Zola.
What a laugh that’s provided, as every man and even his dog knew that was a bad decision.
As for us, obviously the main news is that Kodjia is out because of his red card last week.
Which leaves us with the problem of who’s going to get the goals?
Chester seems the only alternative, from a set piece and I have to admit that’s a very poor state of affairs.
Can Hogan get one? It’d be about time right on cue if he did.
The good (?) news is Gabby has worked his proverbials off this week and has actually been coming in early for training. Which means Steve Bruce intends to include him in the squad.
Hmm, I’m really not sure I’d bother. Where was he when we needed him?
That said, he does have a decent record against the blues, so I guess that’s what Bruce is thinking.
Maybe the last 10 minutes then, where he’ll run around like a headless chicken and score… nothing.
I looked at his record lately and I have to be honest, I don’t even see why I’m talking about him. There’s a fair chance I’ve scored as many goals as him for the Villa in the last couple of seasons, which says it all.
Otherwise, my lack of time to check, tells me not much has changed on our part.
Which means Bruce will play his strongest side, with no kids, as he’ll want to win this, just to prove to the more dense amongst us that he really isn’t a bluenose.
So what to predict?
Well, I’d like to win this one, obviously, but as I’ve already said, I don’t believe it’s in our interests overall for them to be relegated.
And you have to add in that melted welly face factor, that is Harry Redknapp.
He hates us and we’re not keen on him.
It’s hard to call, but I’m struggling to see where the goals will come from on either side.
They’re crap and we don’t score many, kodjia aside.
This has 0-0 or 1-0 written all over it.
I can live with either.
But they simply can’t be allowed to win.
Come on you LIONS!