Lets move on from that convincing thrashing off our neighbors and start to think about this Villa match. Villa can play good football but are out of form. They have 2 points from their last 4 games and lost their last 2 at home (Spurs and Everton admittedly). I can't help but think if we got out of there with 3 points the season would be really kicking along. So, some questions. 1. Will it be hard to get up after the derby? I think we bust our balls every week and these lovely long breaks should mean we will be fine. 2. Will Villa come at us? I think they will. They will look at us as a good chance to break their run of form. Gives us a counter attacking chance. 3. Do they have the class to dominate us? No. 4. Is Medel fit to play? (please, please, please) I reckon Malky will be eying this one up as a good chance to sneak an away win before we face United and Arsenal. I will take a draw, of course, but this could be a huge result if we can grab a win! And as an extra, that support for Malky at the end of our last win was brilliant!!
I thought Medel just had a cramp, but I heard he may have had a soft muscle injury, so i wasn't sure.
1 No 2 They like to counter attack but will have to come at us as we will have everyone behind the ball - we don't counter attack - no pace 3 Probably not but they have some good players. 4 I think so. Id take a draw. This is a must win game for them and they will be under pressure. Looking forward to it with a few beers.
Hilts. We don't have the pace to counter attack but in effect our long ball is a counter attacking ploy. We basically just hope that three of four times a game we can get a hold of it and create a chance.
Yep that's the tactic. As long as it can get us over the 40 points mark this season then we address the issue next season.
Agree 100%.. May not need 40 this season but that is where we should start. Any worries about January? I don't think we would sell Caulker or Medel. Will we buy?
I think we will buy. I don't want this to happen but I think we will have a different manager. I cant see key players going. Next season we will have difficulty keeping Caulker in particular.
1. We play the same every week, the occasion of a derby didn't really make that much difference to our style. 2. See Hilts reply 3. Will have more possession than they are used to, up to them to make it count, but they need to be able to play two halfs' 4. Not heard anything about him being injured so I would think he is able. A draw would be a very good result, they need a kicking if we get more, but I think we can win this.
I'd settle for the same manager and no more players in January. That would be better than more players and a new manager. Unless we're cut adrift by Jan I can imagine one or two signings in key positions. A LB and a winger maybe. As for Villa, a draw would do, but 4 points from them and Stoke is need with Manure and Arsenal in between. I can't see our first half tactics changing any time soon, keep it tight and look not to concede. In the second half, we may then become more adventurous. We're slowly creating a few more chances but we need a couple players to take on shots from outside the box. If we don't score we may generate a few more corners. Two clean sheets in two games shouldn't be sniffed at, but we need a few more goals.
Keep Benteke quiet and we will do well. A big ask for Caulks and Big Ben but they are up to it. KTC can sort out Agbonlahor . I thought King Gary had cramp only, hope it is nothing more than that.
I checked physioroom.com and the Pitbull must be fine Cardiff 1 A Cornelius Ankle/Foot Injury 24th Nov 13
Anyone remember Agbonlahor's classy finish versus City in the League Cup up there @4 seasons ago? Wish I was going this time; a great old football stadium.
Looking forward to visiting Villa park on saturday, My old shipmate (Birmingham fan) has got us tickets, will be good to meet up with him again. We will be sitting directly behind our fans so it should be ok. I think we have got a chance against them.
Go for the draw and hope for a win - the same as every away game so far this season. Rabbits trapped in the headlights first game at WH, but it's worked at Hull, Fulham and Norwich. 5 points from those three games is a good return - did anyone honestly expect a point at Chelsea? It'll be more of the same, with the long ball used to hopefully catch them out. I think Fraizer might start this one instead of Odem, though bringing him on against a tiring defence for the last half hour could work. Those long balls over the top for him to run down are going to pay dividends before long - hopefully Saturday. I would still like to see Kimbo at some time in the game, though The Don has proved his worth for the starting spot a few times now. Good option to have though.
Yes, if we want to contain first up and take the game to the opposition later Don is a useful man to have around at the start. Its all down to the tactics. I also thought Kimbo would be on earlier on Sunday to give us some variety going forward. Not a bad position though, 3 subs and all internationals again - I know only just in Campbell's case but it still counts.
If you play like you did against us and Caulker keeps Benteke quiet (which he is very capable of doing when at his best) then I could see you coming away with 3 points unfortunately
