Villa – Fulham; Can we make it back to back wins?

It’s sod’s law isn’t it?
No disrespect to Fulham, but this is a fixture that’s never really excited me, as it’s always looked drawish (is there such a word?).
And if you’d asked me the result before the Reading game, that’s quite simply what I’d have gone for; a draw.

But given the last minute Reading win, this game now has a lot more about it, where we might get the first back to back wins in a lot longer than I care to think about.

Why sod’s law?
Well, seeing as I thought this would be a nothing game, I agreed last week to get up to my proverbials in work this weekend.
Which means I won’t even get to listen to it, let alone watch it.

To be honest, I don’t really know what to say about the team that should be played, but I’d have no problem with the side that started against Reading, Cissokho apart. Amavi should start and I believe will, seeing as we’re at home.

Steve Bruce has quickly realised that the midfield is poor and went with a five. I can’t see that changing.
But while I thought the manager was just rolling the dice, so I suspect he’s close to knowing his best eleven.
Yep, already.
Why?
Because I believe he doesn’t give a toss about egos and what players cost. He’s simply going back to basics.
Which is what makes the difference for me.

I can’t even update on injuries much, but it seems Elphick and Richards might both be out for up to three weeks.
I simply don’t know what to think about that, apart from what the hell? Two similar calf injuries on the same day?

While I appreciate you might think my starting line-up is a bit negative, think about the players we can throw on when the opposition are starting to tire.
It’s a frightening thought for any opposing Championship manager, I’d say.
And one that creates competition amongst the squad, especially up front, something RDM didn’t seem to have a clue about.

So pure guesswork it is then and I think we’ll win this one.

Villa 2-1

80 Comments

Page 2 of 2 1 2
  1. Ardent Villain
    Ardent Villain October 22, 2016 at 5:26 pm . Reply

    Won away.
    Won back-to-back.
    7 points out of 9 in just over a week.

    This is the Villa ???

    Whatever he’s doing, keep doing it – especially next week!!

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath October 22, 2016 at 5:32 pm . Reply

      Finally we have learnt the very basics of football. If you can’t win a game don’t lose it. Winning ugly is still better than not winning at all. And more importantly how to win games 1.0 that is a huge art in itself. Bruce will get us into top 6 I’m convinced. Forget next weeks game win lose or draw it dosnt matter as it’s the big picture of finishing top six that counts.

      1. pat57
        pat57 October 22, 2016 at 5:41 pm . Reply

        OMG! I just liked a post by Oohahh!

        Is the world coming to an end….
        …or hopefully just our run of bad luck.

        I have a feeling that we might nick a draw next week but at least we’re in with a chance whereas a few weeks back I think we’d have gotten stuffed.

        Anyway hope has been restored and we can all enjoy a Saturday night for the first time in yonks.

        UTV

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath October 22, 2016 at 5:55 pm . Reply

          Ha ha first time for everything

          1. giddyvillan
            giddyvillan October 22, 2016 at 5:57 pm . Reply

            You must of been on the cooking sherry 😀

          2. pat57
            pat57 October 22, 2016 at 6:07 pm . Reply

            Giddy I will be very shortly 🙂

          3. giddyvillan
            giddyvillan October 22, 2016 at 6:15 pm . Reply

            Get it down yer mate I’ve been on it since breakfast stuff the liver 😀

          4. nath
            nath October 23, 2016 at 12:11 pm . Reply

            oooohahaha
            you are a far better, positive poster, than the grumpy old man poster, which annoyed loads and often. but even when grumpy and annoying you do know your stuff. papering over the cracks i will take with me where ever i go lol

            brilliant results 🙂 finally we can all go about of businesses with pride again 🙂 steve bruce for knighthood

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath October 23, 2016 at 12:59 pm . Reply

              Thanks Nath I would class myself as realistic rather than negative. I just say the things that most fans don’t wish to hear as everybody wants to believe in the club no matter what but sometimes a dose of the truth and some realism is needed. Iv always said I will be positive when there is something to be positive about. I knew RDM was not the right man I think we all knew deep down he wasn’t.
              However, I think with Bruce we finally have a manager that knows what he is doing and more important very streetwise in this division. The fact he has managed a lot of clubs and mainly been successful is good as he has made his mistakes elsewhere. Also he has never been given the chance of managing a club as big as ours with some money to spend and because of that I can see him taking us forward in the prem.
              I think he will do a similar job as Graham Taylor did then unfortunately for us will get the most crappiest job in football the England job which will no doubt turn him into a national joke and ruin him!!.

      2. badger123
        badger123 October 23, 2016 at 12:30 am . Reply

        You do make me laugh Ooah,
        You’ll be the first one to turn when we lose a couple of games.
        And I WILL make a thing about pointing it out.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath October 23, 2016 at 1:38 am . Reply

          How dare you Badger let me see if my bed sheet is ready though just in case lol 😄

          1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
            OohAhPaulMcGrath October 23, 2016 at 1:40 am . Reply

            Though joking apart I’m fully behind Bruce I think he is potentially be the best thing to happen to us for a long time. I can see him getting us promoted and typically getting England job. Exactly what Taylor did it’s deja vu

  2. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum October 22, 2016 at 5:58 pm . Reply

    Looking forward to Match Of The Day tonight. … erm, or rather the Championship Show on Ch5 !…

    1. Ardent Villain
      Ardent Villain October 22, 2016 at 6:11 pm . Reply

      Honestly I’ve forgotten what it feels like to not have to avoid any mention or sight of a league match on a Saturday night.

      Seems like years since I could look forward to any weekend ‘highlights’ show on the telly.

      1. Bum Bum
        Bum Bum October 22, 2016 at 7:10 pm . Reply

        Yep. Having to call the shots come 9pm…if I’m allowed! Really looking forward to it too. Sort of enjoying the Championship, just a shame the entire point is to get out of it…It’s a strange world we live in. Imagine regional leagues and the the winners get to play a small knock out competition…much more fun 🙂

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath October 22, 2016 at 7:51 pm . Reply

          I think I enjoy this league more than the prem. It’s a much fairer league and we can beat anyone and anyone can beat us. In a way being promoted first time might not be the best thing as this team would struggle in prem unless we spent the best part of a £60-80m that’s how far away we are at the moment.

          1. Ardent Villain
            Ardent Villain October 22, 2016 at 8:07 pm . Reply

            It’s how I remember ALL the divisions being, back in the 70’s and 80’s – before Sky {&co} created that aberration the “Premiership”: on their day almost any team was capable of beating almost any other team.

            There wasn’t the automatic assumption that the same 5 or 6 clubs would dominate every season, the only question being the final order in they’d finish.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath October 23, 2016 at 1:35 am . Reply

              Very true that’s why I wish the top 5 clubs sodded of to their super duper global league and left the proper football to the real football teams and fans

          2. Ardent Villain
            Ardent Villain October 22, 2016 at 8:09 pm . Reply

            *which…they’d finish!

          3. bws
            bws October 23, 2016 at 1:02 pm . Reply

            Ardent the reason for that was prior to 81 (or maybe 80) all teams shared the gate receipts 50/50 hence the more level playing field and in the true spirit and intent William McGregor had envisaged on the creation of the football league.
            One thing that I find embarrassing is Villa (or rather Deadly) where instrumental in pushing for the formation of the Premier League, flying in the face of everything the club stood for and the principles on which it was founded (imo).

        2. OriginalLondonLion
          OriginalLondonLion October 23, 2016 at 12:08 am . Reply

          Unfortunately the Ch5 Highlights show is to MOTD what the Chris Evans Top Gear was to the real thing. Even the camera-work from VP seems worse than last season. I guess there are less cameras or worse ones because all the viewpoints have not altered. But they got the goal well enough, a superb waist high volley from Kodjia

  3. marvin
    marvin October 22, 2016 at 7:35 pm . Reply

    Wow, what a difference a week makes.

  4. Podge
    Podge October 22, 2016 at 8:22 pm . Reply

    Off topic from today’s game I just looked on the official website for tickets for the Brighton away game.

    They gave us an initial allocation of 2700 and then increased that by 500. They have all sold out.

    Given that this game is live on sky, on a Friday night, I find it incredible.

    It makes me proud to be a Villa fan.

    1. Hitchens60
      Hitchens60 October 22, 2016 at 8:56 pm . Reply

      Makes one proud to support this great club. The future is ours – have no doubt.

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath October 23, 2016 at 1:36 am . Reply

      Probably cuz it’s a good place to go for weekend and near London

  5. Podge
    Podge October 22, 2016 at 8:51 pm . Reply

    Kodija song.

    “Rhythm is a dancer, Kodjia is the answer, He will score from anywhere.”

    Love it.

  6. Dave.C
    Dave.C October 22, 2016 at 10:00 pm . Reply

    Two of the Talk sport guys reporting from the Arsenal game today said that Adama was great, and a real handful for the Arse defence. I’m sure there’s a great player in him, shame we’re going to miss out though.

    1. pat57
      pat57 October 22, 2016 at 10:06 pm . Reply

      Also heard Collymore on 606 say that Boro fans shouldn’t get carried away as at best he’ll only be an impact sub.

      Tend to agree.

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath October 23, 2016 at 1:37 am . Reply

      I forgo all about him. Yes definitely had pace and skill put not sure about fitness and consistency.

  7. bws
    bws October 23, 2016 at 12:52 pm . Reply

    What a difference a week makes last week in the bottom three (if only for an hour or so), now six points off a play off place, onwards and upwards!

  8. Hitchens 60
    Hitchens 60 October 23, 2016 at 4:58 pm . Reply

    Complete joke – Luis six studs straight into Fellani’s knee and he gets a yellow and therefore no respective action. Grealish a stupid little kick, worth a yellow at worst, no action by the ref and he gets a three match retrospective ban – no consistency and no justice.

    1. giddyvillan
      giddyvillan October 23, 2016 at 5:22 pm . Reply

      The FA might just take another look at it like they did with Jack there’s no hiding nowadays.

      1. Hitchens 60
        Hitchens 60 October 23, 2016 at 8:16 pm . Reply

        Giddy, thought they could only do that if the ref has taken no action (against the offending player) because Luiz was booked I’m pretty sure they can’t review the refs decision. We shall see

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath October 23, 2016 at 7:06 pm . Reply

      He might get punished retrospectively tomorrow

    3. bws
      bws October 23, 2016 at 9:12 pm . Reply

      How terrible poor little Fellenius Elbowius being on the of a bit of what he dishes out, f##king horrendous, I won’t sleep tonight!

  9. Dave.C
    Dave.C October 23, 2016 at 5:35 pm . Reply

    The pundits on match of the day were drooling over Adama’s performance versus Arsenal last night, didn’t watch it myself but apparently Danny Murphy said he couldn’t believe that Villa let him go. I really do believe we dropped one almighty bollock in swapping him for Adomah.

  10. VillaAwayInDiv3
    VillaAwayInDiv3 October 23, 2016 at 6:48 pm . Reply

    He did the same run for us in his first appearance….but at least we got a goal out of it.
    We seem to ruin a lot of potential good un’s but so do other clubs…e.g. Pogba at Man Utd 1st time around.

    Will be interesting what punishment the Spurs bloke gets for the elbow to the face…Grealish 3 matches …Spurs bloke 10…ha ha.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath October 23, 2016 at 7:08 pm . Reply

      I don’t he’s a flash in the pan. Great in flashes but won’t be consistent enough. Let’s put it this way why did Barca let him go if he is that good. Also I think he wanted to leave so couldn’t keep him anyway

  11. Morgan Villa
    Morgan Villa October 23, 2016 at 9:36 pm . Reply

    A couple of things about the championship, a friend of mine has an ST at Forest. he says the league is ugly in terms of football, no two halves are the same, if someone dominated one half they wont the other. it is more tactical than any other league.

    On another note two wins in a row, got a good feeling about Bruce

  12. Benno
    Benno October 24, 2016 at 3:55 am . Reply

    Very happy with Bruce so far. Seems to be picking up on the things that Di Matteo wasn’t. No doubt we have had some luck…but a lot of it can be put down to changes made by Brucey.

    A big thing for me is bolstering the midfield. 4-4-2 just wasn’t working. We needed an extra man in there. I hope Gardner can keep up these performances although we definitely need to bring in another midfielder in January. The lad from Barnsley would be great.

    Also having Amavi back in is so much better. Cissokho is rubbish. Shame about De Laet, but again maybe another RB can be brought in Jan…unless Lyden can maybe do a job in there. I don’t trust Hutton!

Post Comment