[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

If push comes to shove, most of us would probably wish ourselves a dozen years younger. Whether it's the chance to right past wrongs, to wander a little way down the path not taken, or just the opportunity to not hear the bathroom scales creak so much in the morning, a twelve-year jaunt through the space-time continuum would be a fascinating voyage. With that in mind, I can only applaud Albion's current initiative to transport us all back to 2007 and relive in full technicolour the last time we participated in a Football League playoff: a rickety assortment of shiftless mercenaries and indifferent journeymen with one eye on the exit, facing a local rival over two legs with a trip to Wembley at stake. Plus this time we get to do it without that "umbrella-ella-ella" song annoying the nuts off us every five minutes, which is the biggest mercy we're likely to get in the coming week.

Alas, the similarities to 2007 end at the dugout, as our last playoff outing was overseen by an actual manager with actual tactics, which is a privilege that the Albion board have deemed surplus to requirements on this auspicious occasion. A lot therefore hinges on our Macchiavellian masterplan of lulling the opposition into a false sense of security by pretending to be a set of clueless, talent-starved dunderheads; the first stage of which was executed with admirable aplomb at Derby last Sunday, where the players succeeded in delivering the most accomplished display of muppetry it's been my pleasure to see since Michael Caine was visited by three suspiciously rubbery ghosts on Christmas night.

But will it be enough? Well, while Mark Jenkins has been putting into action the manoeuvre that will hereafter be referred to as Operation F**kwit, Aston Villa have been steadily going about the novel business of winning football matches: ten in twelve, to be precise, with a blip only at season's end against two top sides. Whether that blip means that the bubble's finally burst, I suspect we'll have to wait and find out. We have two of the division's best scorers at our disposal, and we've taken four points off Villa so far this season, but they'll be out for revenge this time round, and you can guarantee that mistakes will be punished.

Here's hoping we've got enough. But if we do, then it'll be in spite of the decisions made by the club this year, not because of them; and that's a problem that will have to be faced up to sooner rather than later.

[silverbaggie]

Couldn't agree more; well said Ska'd.

It's definitely s**t or bust against the Vile.

Any chance that our erstwhile Chairman might favour us with his presence. I personally doubt it as he continues to imitate Lord Lucan.

Personally I fear the worst and losing to our neighbours will be the inevitable end of our up and down season.

At least it might encourage the pursuit of a half decent Manager ready for next season.

Or should I not even now live in hope?

[BaggieSteve]

If push comes to shove, most of us would probably wish ourselves a dozen years younger.  Whether it's the chance to right past wrongs, to wander a little way down the path not taken, or just the opportunity to not hear the bathroom scales creak so much in the morning, a twelve-year jaunt through the space-time continuum would be a fascinating voyage.  With that in mind, I can only applaud Albion's current initiative to transport us all back to 2007 and relive in full technicolour the last time we participated in a Football League playoff: a rickety assortment of shiftless mercenaries and indifferent journeymen with one eye on the exit, facing a local rival over two legs with a trip to Wembley at stake.  Plus this time we get to do it without that "umbrella-ella-ella" song annoying the nuts off us every five minutes, which is the biggest mercy we're likely to get in the coming week.

Alas, the similarities to 2007 end at the dugout, as our last playoff outing was overseen by an actual manager with actual tactics, which is a privilege that the Albion board have deemed surplus to requirements on this auspicious occasion.  A lot therefore hinges on our Macchiavellian masterplan of lulling the opposition into a false sense of security by pretending to be a set of clueless, talent-starved dunderheads; the first stage of which was executed with admirable aplomb at Derby last Sunday, where the players succeeded in delivering the most accomplished display of muppetry it's been my pleasure to see since Michael Caine was visited by three suspiciously rubbery ghosts on Christmas night.

But will it be enough?  Well, while Mark Jenkins has been putting into action the manoeuvre that will hereafter be referred to as Operation F**kwit, Aston Villa have been steadily going about the novel business of winning football matches: ten in twelve, to be precise, with a blip only at season's end against two top sides.  Whether that blip means that the bubble's finally burst, I suspect we'll have to wait and find out.  We have two of the division's best scorers at our disposal, and we've taken four points off Villa so far this season, but they'll be out for revenge this time round, and you can guarantee that mistakes will be punished.

Here's hoping we've got enough.  But if we do, then it'll be in spite of the decisions made by the club this year, not because of them; and that's a problem that will have to be faced up to sooner rather than later.

Lovely description of 2007 and also our present situation, Ska'ad, couldn't fault a word of it. You're absolutely right about the present state of our coaching provision compared to Mowbray in 2007. I honestly fear the worst against the Villa; I have an unpleasant feeling that, come the end of May, our previous claim to be "Pride of the Midlands", based upon being the sole WM presence in the Premier League will be turned on its head and we'll be watching the Wolves and Villa play it out with the big boys next season whilst we reflect on a wasted season of parachute money and the chance to play Luton and Barnsley in 2020.

[Onetruebaggie]

The countdown has begun, the first of 2 eagerly awaited matches is upon us and like those above, I don't feel a large amount of optimism! I'm stuck between thinking Villa will beat us over 2 legs, which is as bad as it gets, if we do make it through against Leeds or Derby, we've lost to both of them already this season, so that isn't confidence inspiring either.
If by hell or high water we are victorious come 27th May, I am dreading going back up because if our seasons track record stands next year, it will be a swift exit from the greed league and trudging every other week to the shrine for mere morsels isn't appetising! I actually don't know what to think and feel right now, we are where I expected us to be, in the play offs at best, happy to be there, but $hitting bricks at the prospect of exit to the Vile. On the other hand, Saturday dependent, I am excited about a full house under the lights at the Hawthorns, effectively half time on our home patch only 90 mins away from Wembley.
This is exactly what we Albion fans signed up for, the rollercoaster that is the Baggies, come Tuesday, I will scream my tits off until the final whistle to get behind the boys along with the masses and pray to the football gods that miracles do exist. I wont lie I'm cacking myself but strangely excited about the next week in equal measures!!!

COYB

[WBA-Josh]

I’d like to see us go back to basics for Villa. Scrap 3 centre backs and go with 4-2-3-1 in the first leg. This will match us up against Villa’s 4-3-3/4-1-4-1.

Johnstone
Holgate - Dawson - Hegazi - Gibbs
Livermore - Johansen
Phillips - Harper - Rodriguez
Gayle

[TheFunkyJoker]

I’d like to see us go back to basics for Villa. Scrap 3 centre backs and go with 4-2-3-1 in the first leg. This will match us up against Villa’s 4-3-3/4-1-4-1.

Johnstone
Holgate - Dawson - Hegazi - Gibbs
Livermore - Johansen
Phillips - Harper - Rodriguez
Gayle

Not sure how I feel having Harper as an attacking midfielder. Personally I would have something more along the lines of a 424.

Johnstone
Holgate - Dawson - Hegazi - Gibbs
Livermore - Johansen
Phillips - Gayle - J. Rod - Montero/Murphy

Can also be fluid with this set up as 1 of Gayle or Rod can drop back to Attacking Midfielder for a 4231, or we could even drop back to a 442 when defending.

[drewks]

I’d like to see us go back to basics for Villa. Scrap 3 centre backs and go with 4-2-3-1 in the first leg. This will match us up against Villa’s 4-3-3/4-1-4-1.

Johnstone
Holgate - Dawson - Hegazi - Gibbs
Livermore - Johansen
Phillips - Harper - Rodriguez
Gayle

Why our board continually overlook Josh is, frankly, lunacy and totally beyond me.

Like a lot of us, mixed feelings about even whether or not it would be a good thing to go up. A massive rebuild is due wherever we find ourselves next season.
One step at a time though - we've got to want to win these next 2 (then heroically fail in the final maybe?).
Sadly, can't see it though.

[BaggieSteve]

Based upon recent form, I think Brunty should be starting although I accept this would not us increase the amount of pace in the midfield

[Beefy 1965]

The reason the board overlook Josh is because he's ugly,
Now can we stop the love in with Josh ... Thanks

No matter how we play the players just don't look bothered, this has 3-0 to Villa written all over it and game over I'm afraid after one leg

By the way if this line from Skad doesn't sum up our season nothing will.
Well put Skad

"Alas, the similarities to 2007 end at the dugout, as our last playoff outing was overseen by an actual manager with actual tactics, which is a privilege that the Albion board have deemed surplus to requirements on this auspicious occasion. "

[Stairs]

Utterly brilliant Ska’d. It sums the whole situation perfectly.

If by some miracle we get to the final, let alone promotion, those muppets in senior positions will claim it as a master plan. But the football world will
Know the truth.

Dereliction of duty.