Sorry if I’m struggling to put much enthusiasm across, but we all know relegation is a foregone conclusion.
Most of us have known for weeks if not months, but it seems that the fact that if Norwich do better than us tomorrow, we’re mathematically 100% down. And hence it seems it’s a reason for supposed news.
That I’ve already hinted we’re much closer to not getting another point this season, as opposed to winning all our remaining games, says it all really, doesn’t it?
And sadly the theme continues, as I see another home loss tomorrow.
I had a conversation with a Man United fan today, where I suggested that we’ll go the rest of the season without a win and his response was to suggest the law of averages says we’ll have to get the odd point.
I asked him if he wanted to bet.
He declined.
The big news on our part is that Gabby has supposedly cried off with some virus.
In fairness, this is actually a valid excuse, as I know a few people who have been hit by a bug in the last couple of days, which has seriously wiped them out for a day, although it improves rapidly.
But I’m not convinced I believe it’s why Gabby won’t be playing.
I think he’s been found out and is now perceived within the club as a trouble-maker.
Eric Black has said he’s performed well in training, but I’m not convinced by that PR either.
I don’t think he’d have been picked anyway. Indeed, I suspect Gabby just doesn’t fancy it, as he knows he’s going to get abuse.
It’s terrible how things have worked out with Gabby, but my opinion says much energy on the board’s part should be spent on getting rid of the bloke.
There’s going to be a cut in his wages, but if we guess it’s going to be around 50% (and that’s a big cut), he’ll still be on around £30k a week. And that’s way too much for a player who, however useful his pace might be in the Championship, moans about having to work hard in training.
The only other speculation is about what team Eric Black will pick and this will prove interesting.
Given that all reports I’ve read and people who actually went to the game have commented/told me, we were an absolute disgrace when it came to effort against Chelsea, you would have to think the manager will change the team up.
There’s no excuse to be had about us being accused of playing a weakened side, as we’ve only won 3 all season.
Hence Black can play who he wants, without any repercussions.
He could put the Under 18s out, if he wanted.
But he won’t do it and I’d expect the same tripe will start, albeit maybe with the odd change.
Which I find worrying, as I’ve hinted before.
I’ve often said that we shouldn’t subject the kids to what’s a toxic atmosphere at VP these days.
But it seems there is a consensus on all the Villa sites I’m reading that anyone who at least tries will not be targeted.
Hence there’s no excuse again.
But if Black still chooses to go with the same old suspects, that’ll be how many managers who seemingly don’t rate the kids as better than the elder eleven?
Can they all be wrong?
As for who turns out for Bournemouth, I don’t really care.
They’ll beat us.
Because they’re Pros, who do what they’re supposed to do and play to win the game.
We’ve lost before we kick off, which makes the new, more fierce Lion on the badge look like a sick joke at the moment.
I’ll go for a 1-2 loss.
Which is a terrible attitude, given that we’re only playing Bournemouth.
But that’s what this season has done to me, I’m afraid.