[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!?)