Tough game for Villa last evening & being only 2 down are arguably still in with a shout. Hopefully they’ll rest a few on Sat for Tuesday’s return leg & now we’ve binned Juric & are relegated, maybe we’ll be able to get something from this game. Ps. I start every game with a fair amount of ridiculous blind optimism (even throughout this season, so definitely don’t think my positive view holds any credence).
Blind optimism has carried me through deacdes of misery supporting Saints. Nice one. I love Aston Villa fans. They do blind optimism and gallows humour in spades. Could be some interesting pre and post match banter. During our better days I confessed to a Villa fan on the train home that I feared we were in danger of slipping into mid-Table mediocrity. He looked at me and said he dreamed of mid-table mediocrity! Saints will win with a performance that will be so good it will totally piss us off!
I'm with you on the positive attitude for each and every game based on hope rather than expectation often flying in the face of probability.
Happy clappers we were derided as but this that I posted back in 2023 C&P from another forum sums up my optimistic approach to footy and life in general. "It's better looking on the bright side of life than being constantly mired in doom and gloom. I may be a 'happy clapper' but please don't worry, I'm pretty certain my ailment is not contagious and if you are not a happy clapper, it's unlikely you will ever catch the disease. In case you are still worried about catching happy clappy syndrome, here are some of the symptoms and signs you may want to watch out for. A happy clapper is someone that Is more likely to cheer the team than boo them. Stay away from them and look out for people who don't smile much. You will be safe around them. A happy clapper might refrain from making nasty and cutting comments about the management and the players both on this forum and at the match. Idiots that they are! A happy clapper may sometimes be guilty over being 'over optimistic' and has an expectation that things will work out for us. Simply naïve eh? A happy clapper might be constructively critical when the team has not played well. Sod the diplomacy, let em have both barrels. A happy clapper has a tendency to be more patient with the team - the players and the management. Tut tut and shame on them. My second confession is that, whilst I think I am a happy clapper, I sometimes come into short periods of remission - times when I feel annoyed and frustrated and I feel like calling the centre forward a blinking idiot when he misses from two yards and I feel frustrated with a certain midfielder (the crab) because of his negative sideway passes. When i am suffering from happy clapper syndrome, its funny but i regard these sideways passes as positive because they keep possession."
Chances are we’ll get beaten quite comfortably. Their second string are still much better than us at full strength. Think it comes more down to mentality though. If Villa have half an eye or more on PSG, and think beating us is a formality…well they might be right, but it gives us a chance to pick up a result.
Might be going to this one - first visit in ages. Two matches in one week (went to Exeter vs Wigan game on Tuesday)
I'm going to this game, with my brother, who hasn't been to watch Saints in years. My partner, who has no interest in football, said "I thought you liked your brother?"
Dave Merrington on commentary for Solent tomortow. Imagine he’s got a few thoughts to share about this season!
Other distractions? They're 2 points behind Chelsea & Newcastle who are 4th & 5th and 1 behind City in 6th!!! I'd say that may concentrate their minds a bit And they're on a better run of form than all 3 of those teams Expecting a loss, hoping for more COYS
For the first time this season I might not bother tomorrow. Looks a beautiful day so might have a day out with nipper instead.
Just got back from Spain. Wtf is going on with the weather here!? Everything is tits up. An omen for tomorrow?
Sutton's prediction: 1 - 2 Simon Rusk is in charge of Saints now Ivan Juric has been sacked, and they are not going to just lie down at home, but Villa could make a few changes and still get over the line. Rapper Yizzy, who supports Arsenal 's prediction: 0 - 2 The PSG tie is definitely going to be Villa's focus but Southampton are really struggling.
