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+----- Thread: WBA vs Villa - Match Thread (/showthread.php?tid=964)
WBA vs Villa - Match Thread - Ska'dForLife-WBA - 10-12-2014
And so, after weeks of dullness and discontent, Alan Irvine beats a faltering path to the hurdle which he'll either clear at a sprint, or which will bring him crashing down.
There's not much more to say than that. If you're going to do a Don Howe on us, Alan, it behoves you to at least follow his example when it comes to dealing with the local sea-life. Our complaints about tactics will be cheerfully put on hold this Saturday provided you can get those three points. It's that simple, Mr Irvine. Beat. The. Villa.
![[Image: 2uolvnq.jpg]](http://s18.postimg.org/azg13xnbd/2uolvnq.jpg)
If you can't catch the live event, highlights will be available on Sky Humdrum +1.
It seems like the worst possible time for a derby game, but paradoxically, it might actually be the best. Weeks of paint-drying performances and results of dubious merit have combined to leave Alan Irvine in a position which verges on untenable, at least where many fans are concerned. Even though he continues to enjoy the vocal support of the players, and the sword of Damocles (or Jeremycles, as the case may be) remains firmly suspended for now, defeat to local rivals could prove a point of no return. The pressure is on to win at all costs.
Can we respond to that pressure? It's been suggested that the Hull match last weekend was a turning point (though admittedly it felt more like a stomach-turning point to me); we kept a clean sheet for the first time in over a month, and some of our possession play was, if not dazzling, then at least more competent than it's previously been, while Joleon Lescott was a titanic figure with the captain's armband. However, the problem of being toothless in attack still loomed large. The fact is, if Irvine can't find someone capable of putting the ball in the net this Saturday, Christmas cheer is going to be in short supply.
Villa are on a high following back-to-back wins, and will no doubt fancy themselves to put us to the sword. We have to dig in and find a way to stop them. No slow capitulation this time. No shooting ourselves in the foot. I want eleven players on that pitch prepared to fight tooth and claw for a result.
Classic Match
In case there's any doubt, lads, THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT.
RE: WBA vs Villa - Match Thread - aries22 - 10-12-2014
The thought of five home defeats before Christmas hardly bears thinking about. It's just a matter of time now before JP wakes up and telephones Tony Pulis.
RE: WBA vs Villa - Match Thread - wba_1996 - 10-12-2014
A draw would be worse than a loss here, you can't sack your manager after a draw..... can you?
Obviously the best case scenario would be him picking the XI that I want, that every one of the 20,000+ Albion fans who will be there Saturday wants, and we get the win. But he has sucked any hope of seeing the likes of Varela and Gamboa starting games, just like he has sucked the life out of our traditional attacking, exciting football.
Predictions: Same line up as the Hull game with Berahino in for Vic, 1-1, and another depressing week to be an Albion fan knowing nothing will change for the trip to Loftus Road
RE: WBA vs Villa - Match Thread - BBB - 10-12-2014
(10-12-2014, 19:48)aries22 Wrote: The thought of five home defeats before Christmas hardly bears thinking about. It's just a matter of time now before JP wakes up and telephones Tony Pulis.
Aries, good to see you are back.
So what makes you think Pulis will want the job, even had he'd been offered it? http://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/images/icons/smile.png
Bloody hell, how do you work these image things? Its worse than predicting our results!
RE: WBA vs Villa - Match Thread - WBA-Josh - 10-12-2014
Foster
Wisdom-McAuley-Lescott-Pocognoli
Mulumbu-Gardner
Dorrans-Sessegnon-Varela
Anichebe
Myhill
Dawson
Gamboa
Morrison
Blanco
Berahino
Ideye
If we lose and lose badly, I think Peace will tie the noose and kick the chair because AI's position could become completely untenable. It could end up similar to when we beat Wolves 5-1 and McCarthy's position became untenable.
Given that it is a derby, previous form and results go out of the window so anything could happen. Hopefully the players can be seriously motivated to not only beat the Villa but also give the supporters something to be happy about.
It is always a high scoring game so I'm thinking 3-2 to us.
BBB, to insert a smiley, click Preview Post by the Post Reply button and it will take you to the page where all the smilies are.
Talking of smilies, Stairs and Ska'd, is there going to be any festive smilies this year like there was last Christmas on New 606?
RE: WBA vs Villa - Match Thread - Tom_Wba - 10-12-2014
I don't think i've ever been as downbeat for a derby as i am for Saturday i'm really not looking foward to it at all, Irvine with his negative tactics kills atmospheres before a ball has even been kicked i don't think the game will be helped either by Lambert...Sorry to say this but i can't see how we'll win this unless Irvine does something drastic like have a go!. Head says Villa 1-0
RE: WBA vs Villa - Match Thread - tidy - 10-12-2014
Nobody, so far, have Villa down for a win on our predictions...
Must be some reverse phycology or group mental positive thinking going on.
RE: WBA vs Villa - Match Thread - Tom_Wba - 10-12-2014
(10-12-2014, 22:00)tidy Wrote: Nobody, so far, have Villa down for a win on our predictions...I haven't done mine yet!
Must be some reverse phycology or group mental positive thinking going on.
RE: WBA vs Villa - Match Thread - betterthanbaird - 10-12-2014
Just have a bad feeling we'll lose.
RE: WBA vs Villa - Match Thread - Beefy 1965 - 10-12-2014
I haven't done my predictions yet,
But I'm hoping for any result other than a draw ............
For obvious reasons