[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

You could be forgiven, in light of events these last seven days, for thinking that Operation Avoid Villa In The Playoffs has become Operation Avoid The Playoffs Altogether; but in spite of our best efforts to flush our promotion campaign right down the Banks's Bitter, the right result this weekend will see us on the cusp of confirming our spot in the end of season lottery.

Not that it's likely to be easy. Saturday's opposition, Preston, have seen their own playoff hopes take a knock after three defeats on the bounce, but are still capable of dealing another black eye to an Albion side who looked all at sea during the opening twenty minutes at Ashton Gate, to say nothing of the opening ninety at The Den. With the added spice that we're openly talking about pinching their manager, the stage is very much set for them to show up with a performance, not least because Alex Neil may see the game as something akin to a hands-on job interview. It seems an eternity now since the day in 2010 when Graham Dorrans produced the performance of his career - sadly, never replicated thereafter - to overcome North End at the Hawthorns and send Albion marching back towards the Premier League, but if we're to revive our hopes in these dying weeks of the season, someone in our ageing side is going to have to do a Dozza and step up when it counts.

[talkSAFT]

You could be forgiven, in light of events these last seven days, for thinking that Operation Avoid Villa In The Playoffs has become Operation Avoid The Playoffs Altogether; but in spite of our best efforts to flush our promotion campaign right down the Banks's Bitter, the right result this weekend will see us on the cusp of confirming our spot in the end of season lottery.

Not that it's likely to be easy.  Saturday's opposition, Preston, have seen their own playoff hopes take a knock after three defeats on the bounce, but are still capable of dealing another black eye to an Albion side who looked all at sea during the opening twenty minutes at Ashton Gate, to say nothing of the opening ninety at The Den.  With the added spice that we're openly talking about pinching their manager, the stage is very much set for them to show up with a performance, not least because Alex Neil may see the game as something akin to a hands-on job interview.  It seems an eternity now since the day in 2010 when Graham Dorrans produced the performance of his career - sadly, never replicated thereafter - to overcome North End at the Hawthorns and send Albion marching back towards the Premier League, but if we're to revive our hopes in these dying weeks of the season, someone in our ageing side is going to have to do a Dozza and step up when it counts.

Be interesting what mood the crowd are in: "Sack The Board" songs might make Neil think twice! Imagine going to that job interview with a bloke who says "They don't rate me here. I'll probably be gone when you turn up for Work".

(How much have we missed Mulumbu, above, the last 3 seasons!?)

[BaggieSteve]

I would very happily have Graeme Dorrans in our current midfield. In my view, streets ahead of any of those recently selected. I think he had that one skill no one seems to have- creativity

[Blue Baggie]

Taken from another site - but thought some may like it

Losing 0-1 at HT

Teams come out for the 2nd half and Neil has taken off his 2 strikers and his GK and replaced them with the pyshio, PNE tea lady and his cousin. Albion go on to win 5-1 and Neil takes off his coat to reveal a WBA track suit. Scenes and tears follow as neil delivers a Spartan 300 kick to Jimmy Shan.

[themaclad]

Truly odd circumstances tomorrow do not know what to expect, I'll be there match blog tomorrow night

[Baggiebob(BBB)]

Lose this one and we're doomed, doomed I'd say, we are dooooooomed !
Gone for a 2-0 win.

[Salopbaggie]

My tuppenceworth 4-2 to us, 0-1 - 1-1 - 1-2 - 2-2 3-2 4-2, Now where the bookies at.

[betterthanbaird]

5-3-2, the team looks an absolute state. 3-1 Preston.

[WBA-Josh]

Johnstone
Bartley - Dawson - Hegazi
Brunt
Holgate - Livermore - Johansen - Gibbs
Gayle - Rodriguez

[Slick_Footwork]

The joys of 3 at the back again... now where have we seen that before?

Yes, we saw it FAILING week in and week out at the start of the season.

Regardless of today's result, that is nowhere near our best team.

Honestly can't get my head around the amount of people working in football who know absolutely nothing about the game. Shan is so clueless and is making a living out of the game.

Although not half as clueless as the people employing him.

What a joke. Honestly getting worried we might miss out on the playoffs at this rate.