One thing I noticed this morning while studying the table once again (Prem as opposed to coffee) is that West Brom have lost more games than we have. As they cannot climb any more places in the league I just wonder if they could be a bit more vulnerable than their position suggests. God I hope so, not sure I can take much of this and I wish the games were tonight and not Sunday. Will the old ticker last?
The old tickers have to last THURNBY, you wouldn´t want to miss another year in the Premier League would you? But seriously, despite their Houdini-like qualities, I can´t for the life of me see Wigan being able to amass more than 3 more pts ( win v Villa) so the pressure is still all on them. Honestly, if they get themselves out of it this year, then we will have to take our hats off to them.
I really do think injuries and fitness are starting to weaken their starting line up. In the past they always pulled the spirit from somewhere (can we learn from this?) but did they always have to face the extra games and fixture congestion?
So hard to predict this one! If its the WBA that came to St Marys with a very well thought out game plan, then your in trouble. But, if its the WBA that looked lethargic & a bit tactically clueless against Wigan, then you will be fine.
Bit of an odd one - we have a so-so record against the Baggies and have lost our last two home games against them as I recall (0-1 last year 1-2 the time before that) so we'd hope to do better than that and need to obviously. I recall the season we were relegated to L1 and our last home game that season was against Reading - we lost 0-2 and Shane Long scored both the Reading goals - he's now a Baggie so I hope that's not an omen..... I reckon a tight 1-1 draw and that will suit us as I can't see a weakened Wigan getting anything at the Emirates in a game the Gunners need to win.
I also think a draw will be enough, but a win would see us safe if Villa lose to Chelski on Saturday (in that both Wigan and Villa would not be able to reach 41 points). Wouldn't that be wonderful! Also, going back to the OP, the point about fewer losses is one that seems to be overlooked by those complaining about the lack of wins lately. I'd like more wins, but I hate losing as well.
I've always felt that WBA have been bit of a bogey side for us and out of the last 12 times we've played them at home, we've lost 5, drawn 4 and won 3. Hopefully we'll get at least a draw as I think another point will be enough.
