Villa – Sheff Utd; Tough game, this

Some of you might have figured out that I’m the granddad that was mentioned in the replies a while back.
So, yes, we’re making a bit of a family occasion of it and we’re going tonight. Even the missus is coming with us.

For some daft reason, the twins wanted to go in the Witton end North stand. I can’t say I’m keen, as I much prefer the back of the Holte, but there you go, it’ll make a change.

Straight into squad news and the big one is that Grealish won’t be playing, as much as he might want to and thinks he’s ready. Andre Green is training, but I suspect it’s probably too early for him too.
And Lansbury is still miles away, by the sound of it.

Hands up, a little dicky bird has told me the team for today. Whether it ends up being true, is something else, but here it is;

Kalinic
Taylor
Hutton
Elphick
Mings
Hourihane
McGinn
El Ghazi
Kodjia
Abraham
and finally, Jedinak.

Which is probably about what we’d expect, I guess, although you might have thought that Carroll might start.
I’m guessing he’ll be on the bench.

Utd have no problems and any changes will probably just be shuffling the squad.

Sheffield will be well up for this game, as if they win, they’ll go top of the league.
Which demonstrates what a tough proposition this is.

Given that Sheffield play nice football, this should be an entertaining game whatever the result, but I have to be honest and say that I’m not massively confident, especially after our previous meeting.
You never know though. We have weapons that can hurt them and hopefully our defence won’t be so vulnerable.

I’m going for a 1-1 draw, but it’s more in hope than expectation.


Comments

110 responses to “Villa – Sheff Utd; Tough game, this”

  1. Holte66 avatar

    4-3 anyone

  2. Holte66 avatar

    What just happened

  3. 3-3 f*** me pink

    1. Texas Johnny avatar
      Texas Johnny

      On this result – I might just!

    2. Big Fat Ron avatar
      Big Fat Ron

      LOL

  4. Sidforever avatar
    Sidforever

    Looks like I must eat my words!

    If only there second goal was disallowed! If only two penalties should have been given to us.

    We were robbed!!!!!!!

    1. I agree, 99.99% of referees would have disallowed their second goal, very bad refereeing but what a come back!

      Hoping it gives the team some heart going forward.

      UTV

  5. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    Well f**k me – how the hell did we do that?

    Just shows that you should keep supporting to the end of the game – my misfortune to miss a hell of a fight back.

  6. I don’t f”‘;king believe it how the hell did we do that, just shows how determination can do.

  7. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    Whatever one thinks of the overall performance you can’t criticise the team for not having heart and for keeping going to the end of the game.

    Maybe this will be a turning point although I still think we are a long way short of being promotion material.

  8. Hitch, I bet Badger a nervous rock.

    1. Hitchens60 avatar
      Hitchens60

      Hope he didn’t leave early Bill 🙂

  9. Reck you dickhead

    1. Hitchens60 avatar
      Hitchens60

      Or even wreck 🙂 but I knew what you meant 🙂

      1. Blame it onto the booze I’ve had tonight Hitch.wreck wreck wreck by God he’s got it.

  10. Holte66 avatar

    Football is a strange game. For 70 minutes they were in total control and we score what I thought would be a consolation goal and then United become nervous wrecks! One thing about the championship is that it is much more entertaining than the premier league.

    1. Hitchens60 avatar
      Hitchens60

      And the general consensus is that their second goal was allowed to stand through more appalling refereeing. If that had been disallowed at 1-0 we might have gone on to win?

      No one can say we’ve been ‘lucky’ this season – quite the opposite in my view.

  11. Just hope that Badger stayed until the end!

    Really pleased that Green scored the winner too. Let’s kick on.

  12. Holte66 avatar

    I will hold my hands up and admit Whelan did make a positive impact. Glad for Green too after an iffy few crosses. I actually think Elphick and Mings did okay but were let down by full backs especially Taylor who I don’t think prevented one cross.

  13. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    How many Teds are there??? Why are there three different avatars???

    1. Badger123 avatar
      Badger123

      He went into moderation because he changed his login details.
      If the details haven’t been used before, it’s automatic and I have to approve the post, which I have now done.
      I doubt there is anything underhand and he was just trying to get on.

      Even regulars get caught out on this and it’s a pain.

      But if I let any first time poster comment freely, it’d just be open to all sorts of idiots; mainly noses.

      1. Big Fat Ron avatar
        Big Fat Ron

        Good to know! 👍

  14. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    Ted?

  15. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    Win the next two and second is still on! 😉

  16. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    Anyone think Mings will move to left back when Chester is back?

    1. Holte66 avatar

      We could put a mannequin at LB and it would have better opta stats

    2. Badger123 avatar
      Badger123

      Yes, BFR.
      I said exactly that to my SIL this afternoon.
      Taylor is an absolute liability, imo.
      He offers nothing at all, in attack or defence.

  17. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    How about a cardboard cut out of Alan Wright?

  18. OriginalLondonLion avatar
    OriginalLondonLion

    The Fat Lady is demanding an improved contract. Her current deal doesn’t compensate for singing twice AND changing the tune.

    1. Hitchens60 avatar
      Hitchens60

      🙂 🙂

  19. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    Fair play to Whelan. He made a difference, no doubt.

  20. Sidforever avatar
    Sidforever

    First time I’ve scene Mings play. I liked what I saw. Did we have an option to buy?

    1. Badger123 avatar
      Badger123

      Yes, as long as we outbid any other offers.

    2. Taylor isnt great dont get me wrong but the poor lad had a clueless kodja half tracking to help him out who had no idea who to press and what space to move into .

      1. Badger123 avatar
        Badger123

        Yep, agreed, Kodjia doesn’t help.
        But I struggle to remember many times Taylor cuts a cross out.
        That’s down to him alone and I’m sorry, JB, but I just think he’s awful and will bet that Mings takes his place.
        It’s the best way for us to get Chester back in when he’s ready, imo.

        To be fair, from what I saw, I don’t think anyone knew who to press and what space to move into.
        And even if they did, it didn’t seem like they were willing, which is inexcusable.

        Yet, as soon as we score, we start to batter them.

        Is it a confidence problem, especially at VP?

        It seems like it.
        And if they can’t hack it, they need to go.

        1. I think its a case of time Badger and for Smith to get in players he wants and an offseason to work on it. Many of those players dont look like they’ve played a high press before. Watch abraham move, then mcginn goes as he should and knows what to do – then watch as mcginn continually looks around as a pass is made to effectively say – where the F is the next person pressing! Feel sorry for him at times.

          Taylor will be dropped and mings to left back for sure but watch kodja in front of him. Will still vause mings a huge issue. If i was taylor i wouldnt have a clue who and when to close down!