Having just had a glance at our remaining fixtures, you have to say this is probably the most winnable game we have left.
But is it a “must win”?
I personally don’t think it is really.
Not in a sense of league position anyway, as I think we’ve all pretty much come round to thinking that whatever happens now, our chances of survival are zero.
After the tonking against Citeh, the defeat against West Ham, Ayew’s daft sending off and the lack of any new signings, it’s been a thoroughly depressing week.
But at least the thought of a win cheers me up.
That’s all it is though, as I don’t expect us to actually win a game anymore, such is the state of the club.
But there is pride to play for and we have to carry on, in the belief that anything can happen in footy and it’s not over until we’re 100% confirmed relegated.
The trouble is, it’s difficult to see where the win will come from, isn’t it?
Kozak and Gestede are injured, Sinclair is out of form and Gabby is just…..well, Gabby.
So who’s going to score?
I suppose we do carry a threat at set-pieces, but given that our dead ball efforts are generally shocking, I can’t expect anything from there either.
So, given that we only have Gabby and Sinclair fit, I’ve called for Sellars to come in. It’s not an ideal situation for a kid to start in, but given that the team overall has looked so poor, I don’t believe the expectations of him would be very high, so it’s as good a time as any.
Will Garde put him in? I doubt it, but you never know.
And given that I struggle to see us scoring, how do we go about this game?
It’s got to be a 4-5-1, with a 4-3-3 variant, as Norwich will try to rule the midfield with numbers and hit us on the counter; a tactic that works well against us when we push forward.
Which you can accept we will do, seeing as Garde’s come out and said we must win.
Hmm, that’s an interesting comment from the manager, given that I think most of us have been saying we must win for ages.
Can we expect an all out assault then?
A gung ho approach, where if we lose, at least we’ve gone down fighting?
Again, I doubt it.
I’m on record as saying I think Garde is too cautious.
But it’ll be interesting to find out.
Squad news then and does it really matter who’s out?
None of them are a major loss really, but just in case, I’ll name them.
Ayew’s the big one, having been suspended for 3 matches.
As said, Gestede’s out, Kozak is out for a month and Sanchez is still out too.
There are possibly others, but I’m struggling to see who they are, to be honest, as the internet over here is so poor.
As for Norwich, Alex Tettey’s banned for two games, under the totting up procedure.
Gary O’Neil and Robbie Brady are available and Graham Dorrans is apparently sick.
They also have Patrick Bamford available after his loan move.
What price him scoring after we were supposed to be interested in him?
What to think, then?
I can’t see past a dour game, where Garde’s approach will be interesting, but ultimately there will only be the odd goal in it.
And I’m guessing it’ll come from Norwich, after we go forward too much after the usual achieving nothing in the final third and get countered.
That said, the first goal will be very important and if we can get it (doubtful), you just never know.
So 0-0 at best, but more likely 1-0 to Norwich.
Which says it all doesn’t it, when I don’t believe we can beat another struggling side with really poor form, at home?
My god, what have we become?
On a personal note, I don’t think I’ll be able to watch the game.
I’ve reluctantly promised to take the missus to the Saturday night market and trust me, I detest shopping at the best of times.
I don’t know which’ll be worse, a market full of people haggling or watching the Villa struggle.
