So we meet again very soon after we spanked Manchester Utd on Sunday.
Sorry, that sentence just fills me with delight and I was just repeating it to myself.
It’s just such a rarity and I’m making the most of it.
I think the headline simply explains what I’m thinking about this game.
For quite a few years now, Man U have basically taken the proverbial out of this competition.
In fact they’re the club that I blame for totally debasing what was a very nice pot to have in the trophy cupboard, with their playing totally inferior sides.
I’m a strong believer in playing every game to win, so it makes me happy that now Utd have no chance of winning the league and probably litlle chance of winning the FA cup, because there are a few superior sides, they probably have to approach this competition with a view that it provides a reasonably fast route to domestic siverware.
Of course, they’re still in the Europa cup, but will that alone be enough for such a big club?
I suspect not, as I’m sure there are many who would expect them to be challenging for the league and the European cup.
So, I expect Utd to go pretty strong in trying to beat us.
Unai Emery too, loves a cup and will also be going flat out, I’d expect.
Come to think of it, seeing as we have the World cup coming up shortly, no club really needs to rest players now does it?
Squad news and Leander Dendoncker and Jan Bednarek are cup-tied. Coutinho is out with a thigh injury and Diego Carlos is still a long termer.
Anthony Martial should get minutes, if maybe not the start and Jadon Sancho and Antony are both doubtful.
So I see a strong side then and with it, shock, horror, I actually think we might win this.
I was listening to radio WM on my drive home from work and I’m not sure who it was, but he said he can’t trust a side that that can win 4-1, lose 4-0 and then win 3-1. It’s a matter of consistency really and the same chap said he’d like to see if we we’re still performing a while after play resumes, when any new manager bouce has totally worn off.
It’s a point I totally agree with.
I expect to see a couple of younger plays feature, but this will no doubt depend on how we’re doing.
I haven’t heard if Archer is fit or not, but I’d particularly like to see him feature, as while I don’t think he’s the only answer to anything, he looks like one who really could benefit from more than just a couple of minutes here and there. Of course, I’m not alone in thinking that.
So here we go then, a prediction.
I’m going 2-1, but a win on penalties would feel very satisfactory and probably have me gloating even more.
UTV!
COYL!
Tough one to call Badger – can we really go 4 games unbeaten against ManU?
It’s really down to whether Emery can find some consistency in such a short time but I reckon, whatever happens, we’ll see a well thought out game strategy and lots of endeavour.
A score draw and a win on penalties would do for me.
On a slightly different note ‘Big Daddy Dendonker’ (not my invention but very funny) is in the Belgian squad for the WC so congratulations to him – well deserved – and a big thank you to Southgate for not selecting any of our players for the England squad.
Completely off topic – what a stunning win by England in the SF of the T20 WC that put India firmly back in the box.
Happy times.
MON’s Book – now I was as angry as any Villa fan when he left us in the lurch and I will always hold him, at least, partially responsible (along with Lerner) for our slide into the Championship and financial meltdown.
However, in his book he appears to apologise to Villa fans for his actions and claims he has come regret them. I’m inclined to believe him. It also seems that Lerner went back on his word regarding Milner which led to MON’s angry reaction.
Haven’t we just seen the same with Sawiris’ angry reaction to Luiz being sent off at Fulham – a straw that broke the camel’s back?
Quite a few changes
Olsen, Young, Chambers, Konsa, Augustinsson, Luiz, Kamara, Ramsey, McGinn, Ings, Watkins.
Make of that what you will – don’t think we’ve ever seen a line up to resemble that.
Bailey, Archer, Nakamba & Buendia available off the sub’s bench (among others).
It’ll be interesting…
4-3-1-2
Masterstroke or big mistake?
What ever the result an obvious act of genius…
Lose – he knows who’s shite and who’s not.
Win – Well happy days.
It’s a win win for Unai mate.
Awful passing by both sides.
This is going to penalties.
Anybody out there – I’m on my fifth rum & coke and it’s only 3.30pm here 🙂
While I can understand Badger’s argument, there is another side to this coin.
Utd have plenty of players named in their respective WC squads, and I can’t see many players in that position wanting to get a knock (or worse) for the League Cup.
On top of that, I’d expect Utd haven’t given up all hope of making the top-4 or at least top-6 this season (however unlikely), and they’ve got Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, which I’d suspect is more of a priority.
While they’ll certainly want revenge for the last game, our lot can afford to be physical. As long as we don’t fold in the first 15-20 minutes, we should have a decent chance.
Ha, I called that team totally wrong then.
That surely has to be about just getting to look at players and options.
4-3-1-2? I’m not to sure what to make of that, but no doubt it will be very fluid.
Let’s hope it’s not a mistake Hitch.
At least Archer is available and on the bench.
Olsen, Young, Konsa, Chambers, Augustinsson, Douglas Luiz, Kamara, McGinn, Ramsey, Watkins, Ings.
Subs: Martinez, Cash, Mings, Sanson, Buendia, Nakamba, Digne, Bailey, Archer.
I’ve only just realised it’s at Old Trafford.
Shows how much I take notice of this competition, as much as I still like it.
I’d take it.
I bet Slabhead gets a knock tonight…
Not a good start, imo.
Olsen looks awful and the team looks disjointed in it’s play, with poor, rushed choices in passing.
Hopefully they’ll settle down.
Utd look terrible but this is by and large their 1st team.
I thinknthere will be 5 subs half time to suprise Utd.
Agreed, Utd don’t look very good, but we’re decidedly worse, imo.
I can’t see them not scoring before HT.
I loathe McTominey. A talentless thug. Even Utd fans know he’s shite.
Well u were wrong there Badger. Was there absingle proper shot on goal 1st half???
A quid on Emery putting out a different team half time????? If that is the plan, our boys should have shredded a few more ankles…
Jesus that was a tough watch.
I don’t recall one single decent passage of play.
Utter shite! Quite entertaining how bad it is!! How the Mighty Utd have fallen. I dont think Ten Hag is the one to lift them back up.
This reminds of Ali v Foreman.
Hope it has the same outcome 🤞
If United players want rid of their manager they seem to have learnt a bit from the Villa playbook. Ours is an experimental formation but that is their first team. Anyone noticed how many more offsides their are without VAR. We might nick this.
Make of that what you will.
Sky laughing as well as to how poor this game is.
Our performance, by accident or design?
I don’t think you could possibly plan to be that bad, lol.
I was going to say we’ve stifled them, but there’s been nothing to stifle.
Running to get in behind, but consistently getting it wrong.
I wonder how long it’ll stay like that?
If they score, I suspect I might actually turn the tele off.
Having found a stream – ESPN Live in English as well – keeping my powder dry!
Thought United were lucky to only get one yellow card!
Off to find the rum bottle for the second half!
If VAR was involved we’d be 7 down by now. I’ll never forget that BetFred tweet after VAR stopping play for over 5 minutes when we played at OT last year…🤣
I don’t see these players performing for TH at all.
Watkins, yes!!!
Now we’re probably talking a different game.
Well that didn’t last long!
We are truly fucking useless 🙁
1-1
19 seconds after our goal.
That’s so, so, poor.
Yes!
No!