Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: eamonn on March 01, 2015, 03:11:34 AM

Title: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: eamonn on March 01, 2015, 03:11:34 AM
While the thought of one win, any win, against them, would be welcomed, to gauge people's priorities...another league defeat would leave us clinging on amongst the deadmen while FA Cup glory is what most of us have never seen and crave.

I didn't want to include the option of a league draw, probably the most likely result, as that would have meant too many fence-sitting responses.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: OzVilla on March 01, 2015, 03:16:24 AM
It's a good question. I can't believe I'm saying his as I would have said FA Cup qtr final every time but this season I'd have to say the League game.  How depressing.

Unless we get lucky draws we'll get hammered sooner or later in the Cup anyway.

I'm actually not sure we'll win either though if I'm honest.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Goldie.7 on March 01, 2015, 03:17:03 AM
League win all day long. I've predicted a loss but I really want 3 points.... it's been months.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: The Man With A Stick on March 01, 2015, 04:11:20 AM
League win all day long, we're not going to win the cup with this lot.  One win isn't acceptable though, we demand two.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: VicMackey on March 01, 2015, 05:12:08 AM
3 points on Tuesday please.  I just hope that a win will help us turn the corner - we're dreadful but a bit unlucky too.  On current form we deserve to go down without question.

If we could beat them twice I would be sooooo happy....
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: myf on March 01, 2015, 07:10:24 AM
Two defeats
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: olaftab on March 01, 2015, 07:39:38 AM
Once is not enough!
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: MONCABA on March 01, 2015, 07:57:06 AM
I can't believe I'm saying this but given the choice ill  say the cup. We still have enough points to play for after Tuesday night. I think this is the  best chance of getting to Wembley we've had for a very long time.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Des Little on March 01, 2015, 08:42:42 AM
League for sure. If we go down, it may well take us years to get back. If we get knocked out, well.....erm...we go again next year...
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Bottom Right 89 on March 01, 2015, 08:49:51 AM
FA Cup win more important for me, I'm done with the Premier league and fighting relegation year after year let's have a couple of days out at Wembley and bring the FA Cup home to its rightful owner.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Holte L2 on March 01, 2015, 10:03:44 AM
It's a question I can't answer. I'd take a draw on Tuesday in order to best them on Saturday.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Villa Lew on March 01, 2015, 10:27:43 AM
First game I watched as a Villa fan was the 57 final on TV, when the great Peter McParland became an instant hero to me. 58 years later still waiting for us to win the greatest domestic cup competition in the world again. So I can't believe I would ever say this, but I would have to go for a league win. Only have to look at Wigan, who won the cup 2 years ago, and now facing relegation to football's 3rd tier.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: levico on March 01, 2015, 10:52:54 AM
Why don't we just win both?
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: exigo on March 01, 2015, 10:58:27 AM
As if I needed any more reason to vote for the league win, I've realised this week that I'm on holiday the week of the Cup Final as some idiot has put it at the end of May again.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: JUAN PABLO on March 01, 2015, 11:16:14 AM
League

Thou the gloating in cup would be hard to take especially if they win the damn egg.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Pat McMahon on March 01, 2015, 11:46:38 AM
I can't believe I'm saying this but given the choice ill  say the cup. We still have enough points to play for after Tuesday night. I think this is the  best chance of getting to Wembley we've had for a very long time.

Since Bradford, in fact.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: bill on March 01, 2015, 12:21:20 PM
Depends if we actually went on to win the cup. If we did, then it's the cup for me. I'm an old bunny, trust me, when you're old and grey, you wont be reminiscing about when you took 3 points off the Baggies 30 years ago. But winning the FA Cup, will come up every time. It's what the game is all about. Or should be.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Legion on March 01, 2015, 12:40:53 PM
I want us to beat them twice. If I had to choose just one, I'd (sadly) go for the 3 points at the moment.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: andrew08 on March 01, 2015, 12:49:47 PM
Unfortunately we aren't good enough to beat them even once. A non defeat would be a step in the right direction on Tuesday.

We are 8th weakest side left in the cup so it would be a miricle if we won it from here. We are that bad right now.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: SoccerHQ on March 01, 2015, 12:53:49 PM
Relegation would massively taint a cup win imo.

No problem 17th and cup win.

Don't see us winning either game tbh.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: FranzBiberkopf on March 01, 2015, 12:59:03 PM
Cup.

A draw on Tuesday. A defeat Tuesday and we've had it as far as the league goes.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: FrankyH on March 01, 2015, 12:59:41 PM
3 points for me, if we get them ,I would change it for a cup win Wednesday morning.Is that allowed ?
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: supertom on March 01, 2015, 12:59:47 PM
The Cup. This is the best chance we'll get to win it for years.
If we go down we'll come back to the Prem long before we get a sniff of silverware again.

We'd also still have 10 games remaining to make a difference in the league.

Would I rather win the FA Cup and go down, or finish 17th this season? Get the brasso out, because I'd rather have the cup.

One of Arsenal and Utd (the two favourites) go out this round. In the semi's our biggest potential worry would be Liverpool, and we've got a fair record against them in recent years. We've been marginally better in the cup than the league too, without quite so much pressure. Form doesn't always count in the cup.
Someone will play Bradford or Reading in the Semi. What odds on us being given the chance for revenge against Bradford?

Cup! Cup! Cup!
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Monty on March 01, 2015, 01:02:58 PM
League. Relegation isn't like it was the last time we went down - a year in the second tier now, especially with the new TV money coming in, could set you two decades behind the Premier League teams.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: eamonn on March 01, 2015, 01:06:14 PM
League. Relegation isn't like it was the last time we went down - a year in the second tier now, especially with the new TV money coming in, could set you two decades behind the Premier League teams.

Parachute payments for the win?
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: JUAN PABLO on March 01, 2015, 01:06:32 PM
Of course if we win the league match . I think everyone  will step up their levels with the confidence and probably then win the cup game

Just need a lucky goal even off bentekes ass
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: luke95 on March 01, 2015, 01:12:56 PM
Cup for me.

Were possibly 2 games from winning it if we beat them .

Where as the league well have another 10 games to save us & continue our season after season of nothingness
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Pete3206 on March 01, 2015, 01:30:25 PM
All my life, I've wanted us to win the FA Cup.

But this is the quarter final and winning it still means a possible semi with Man U, Liverpool or Arsenal. Imagine a humbling at Wembley, when we've got all this relegation nonsense going on?

So, I'll say league.

We are however, going to win both matches.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Drummond on March 01, 2015, 02:00:38 PM
Cup obviously. Lose that and we're out. If we lose the other it's not ideal but we've other games to come.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: edgysatsuma89 on March 01, 2015, 02:16:55 PM
All my life, I've wanted us to win the FA Cup.

But this is the quarter final and winning it still means a possible semi with Man U, Liverpool or Arsenal. Imagine a humbling at Wembley, when we've got all this relegation nonsense going on?

So, I'll say league.

We are however, going to win both matches.

This
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: ozzjim on March 01, 2015, 02:23:37 PM
Relegation would massively taint a cup win imo.

No problem 17th and cup win.

Don't see us winning either game tbh.

We will win 1 draw 1. No idea which, but I think we will win Tuesday, as they will have the cup game in their mind.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: pauliewalnuts on March 01, 2015, 02:41:19 PM
I'd definitely take the league win, I'm afraid.

It is just too important not to get relegated.

If the question were about "a season in the championship" then the answer might be different. It isn't, though, there's no guarantee we'd come straight back.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Damo70 on March 01, 2015, 02:44:34 PM
I am a pessimistic optimist who worries. I am concerned about how we will cope with 46 Championship games and a run to the Europa League final.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Drummond on March 01, 2015, 02:45:05 PM
Why the league? So many people are saying it. There's no glory in a few quid.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on March 01, 2015, 02:46:32 PM
When you add in the equation of new owners if we stay up it's a no brainer. Being relegated and knowing the board will give Sherwood time to get us out of there is a very frightening thought.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: KRS on March 01, 2015, 02:56:04 PM
A win in either game would be more than welcome at this stage.

Would an appearance at Wembley be good for our players given the state of things in the league? I suppose it would depend on which way the result went of that game if there was any positive or negative impact on league form.

The flipside to losing the cup game is that we'd never hear the end of it in the history of Midlands football...it would be in the record books and would be pulled out by the gloating inbreds at every opportunity until they crawl back into their holes when the natural balance of football is restored. Do we really want to hand Baggies an appearance at Wembley in an FA Cup Semi Final?

We need to win both, but if we can avoid relegation regardless of the result on Tuesday, then the Cup game has more significance in the grand scheme of things and history of the clubs.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Steve67 on March 01, 2015, 03:17:53 PM
Even if we beat them to claim three points, we have to sustain the momentum and win a few more games. Win both, fuck it!!
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Louzie0 on March 01, 2015, 03:21:47 PM
Even if we beat them to claim three points, we have to sustain the momentum and win a few more games. Win both, fuck it!!
That's the spirit!
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Damo70 on March 01, 2015, 03:47:43 PM
A win in either game would be more than welcome at this stage.

Would an appearance at Wembley be good for our players given the state of things in the league? I suppose it would depend on which way the result went of that game if there was any positive or negative impact on league form.

The flipside to losing the cup game is that we'd never hear the end of it in the history of Midlands football...it would be in the record books and would be pulled out by the gloating inbreds at every opportunity until they crawl back into their holes when the natural balance of football is restored. Do we really want to hand Baggies an appearance at Wembley in an FA Cup Semi Final?

We need to win both, but if we can avoid relegation regardless of the result on Tuesday, then the Cup game has more significance in the grand scheme of things and history of the clubs.



I'm not sure a cup defeat matters any more than a league defeat unless they go on to win the trophy. Especially in our current situation.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: amfy on March 01, 2015, 03:50:09 PM
I'd take the cup match if it came first, but I am worried that losing the league game would send morale so far through the floor that we'd have no chance of winning the cup game anyway (if it isn't there already). So if this is a grounded in reality question, I have to take the league game.

However, on the other hand, If it wasn't for the order we play the games in, I would take the cup every time. Partially because there's still 10 other games to pull the league round, partially because I don't think we'll pull it round in the league anyway, and partially because once I get over the initial shock, I don't really care whether we're in The Premier League or not, or whether we 'come straight back'. I will still be watching Aston Villa play someone else each week, I'm not that bothered whether the other team are Man United or Macclesfield, I'm there to watch my team - and I'd be watching us with a great memory of us winning the FA Cup.


Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Ian. on March 01, 2015, 03:52:48 PM
I'll take the FA Cup game if I had to choose.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Damo70 on March 01, 2015, 04:00:58 PM
I'd take the cup match if it came first, but I am worried that losing the league game would send morale so far through the floor that we'd have no chance of winning the cup game anyway (if it isn't there already). So if this is a grounded in reality question, I have to take the league game.

However, on the other hand, If it wasn't for the order we play the games in, I would take the cup every time. Partially because there's still 10 other games to pull the league round, partially because I don't think we'll pull it round in the league anyway, and partially because once I get over the initial shock, I don't really care whether we're in The Premier League or not, or whether we 'come straight back'. I will still be watching Aston Villa play someone else each week, I'm not that bothered whether the other team are Man United or Macclesfield, I'm there to watch my team - and I'd be watching us with a great memory of us winning the FA Cup.


I like your spirit but you made a big jump there from winning a quarter final to winning the cup. My logic is based on really, really not wanting to go down and also thinking we won't win the cup even if we beat Albion.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: olaftab on March 01, 2015, 04:04:57 PM
If it's once than cup game definitely for me.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: amfy on March 01, 2015, 04:09:31 PM
We're definitely not going to win it if we don't win the quarter final!

This team have turned out some surprising performances against 'big' clubs over the past few years, even when all around it has been shite. (Although less so recently - but it's the same players, and they are showing the odd sign of 'playing' recently)

Our cup performances this season have also been far better than the surrounding shite. (Mostly against worse opposition, but at least we remembered where the goal was)

Teams who are relegation fodder have beaten better teams to win trophies before, which is why we end up having this conversation about winning the cup coming at the cost of relegation, because we think it was somehow that that sent teams like Blues and Wigan down. It wasn't - they went down because they were shite, they stayed down because they were shite, but they still won a cup.

I want to win a cup!
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Nastylee on March 01, 2015, 06:51:41 PM
League. Getting to the semi or even the final will only end in disappointment when we're drawn against a proper team and all we'll have is the consolation of a doomed relegation battle to fall back on.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Richard E on March 01, 2015, 07:03:27 PM
I'll take only beating them 1-0 or 2-0 in the Cup game if it guarantees winning the League game by 5 or 6.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: DeKuip on March 01, 2015, 07:12:59 PM
Without doubt the Cup game for me.

We get another 10 chances in the league, but not in the cup. Losing a cup quarter-final to a local rival is never forgotten.

Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Musicmaan on March 01, 2015, 07:24:15 PM
If we were talking about beating Albion in the final rather than QF, then I'd take the cup win, but we're not - still two more wins to lift the trophy, and all the stats point to us not scoring a goal, never mind beating the inevitable big boys along the way. Even if we made it to the final, if it ends up anything like our Wembley outing in 2000, I think most of us would be wishing we'd taken the three points.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Marlon From Bearwood on March 01, 2015, 07:29:40 PM
Without doubt the Cup game for me.

We get another 10 chances in the league, but not in the cup. Losing a cup quarter-final to a local rival is never forgotten.



This sums it up for me too.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: dcdavecollett on March 01, 2015, 09:52:20 PM
Who honestly thought that Wigan would beat their Big Team opponents in the 2013 final?
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Musicmaan on March 01, 2015, 10:09:10 PM
Taking Wigan as an example, I'd still take the three points...
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: supertom on March 02, 2015, 12:09:20 AM
It might just be the last 5 years grinding the enthusiasm out of me, but I can't see much difference (aside from the extra cash, which we don't really feel the benefit of with Randy lately) between merely existing to hover over the relegation line, or existing in the Championship. We could be mid-table in the Championship and be just as likely to qualify for Europe as we would if we were in the Prem League, which is to say not likely at all and probably most likely via a cup run.

Would being in the Championship hinder our enjoyment? Would a season or two not stepping toe to toe with the "might" of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, City be any less enjoyable? The Premier League is pretty much a split league already. It's like two different leagues. Is there much difference between being one of the 10 pieces of useless, pointless shit in the top flight, or scrapping it out in the Championship? Not really. I don't think that the championship sides are any less meaningless to English football currently than the bottom feeders in the Prem. Lets face it, it's all about the Sky 6, and occasionally the plucky party crashers like Southampton, West Ham, or Everton last season.

Of course the TV money counts for a lot, but under Lerner, would it impact the squad? No. We'd still operate on a shoestring. Would dropping down see us implode financially? I don't think so.

To be absolutely honest, I'm sick of the fucking Premiership. It disgusts me. There's 6 teams shitting on everyone else. You get the occasional side who gatecrashes, but they quickly get knocked down the following season (as Southampton probably will next). The games been ruined. We're just one of 12 teams who's only existence in this league is to make up the numbers, and to be expected to fawn over the sides with the financial clout and glory hunting prick fans. Would it not be potentially enjoyable to just have a go in a competitive, largely even keeled league for a year or two, and perhaps try and build some cohesion?

Bring on Rotherham.

Premier League this. Premier League that. It's a crock of shit. Cup runs are our lot in life now. It'll be our only form of enjoyment and competitiveness (with the current regime). So I want to progress as far as possible.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Gregorys Boy on March 02, 2015, 12:57:47 AM
Has to be a win in the league.  If we leave it much longer then I think we are down.  I think we are one round away from a Cup defeat having that kind of impact.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: PeterWithesShin on March 02, 2015, 03:04:16 AM
From a selfish view, FA Cup. If I was on my death bed in a year i'd take winning the FA Cup over staying up every single time.

Long term for the club though, an 8th straight defeat would be a killer. 3 straight defeats under the new manager. That could really kill us mentally.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Hoppo on March 02, 2015, 04:21:56 AM
That's exactly how I feel Supertom.. Superbly put.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: ozzjim on March 02, 2015, 07:02:46 AM
It might just be the last 5 years grinding the enthusiasm out of me, but I can't see much difference (aside from the extra cash, which we don't really feel the benefit of with Randy lately) between merely existing to hover over the relegation line, or existing in the Championship. We could be mid-table in the Championship and be just as likely to qualify for Europe as we would if we were in the Prem League, which is to say not likely at all and probably most likely via a cup run.

Would being in the Championship hinder our enjoyment? Would a season or two not stepping toe to toe with the "might" of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, City be any less enjoyable? The Premier League is pretty much a split league already. It's like two different leagues. Is there much difference between being one of the 10 pieces of useless, pointless shit in the top flight, or scrapping it out in the Championship? Not really. I don't think that the championship sides are any less meaningless to English football currently than the bottom feeders in the Prem. Lets face it, it's all about the Sky 6, and occasionally the plucky party crashers like Southampton, West Ham, or Everton last season.

Of course the TV money counts for a lot, but under Lerner, would it impact the squad? No. We'd still operate on a shoestring. Would dropping down see us implode financially? I don't think so.

To be absolutely honest, I'm sick of the fucking Premiership. It disgusts me. There's 6 teams shitting on everyone else. You get the occasional side who gatecrashes, but they quickly get knocked down the following season (as Southampton probably will next). The games been ruined. We're just one of 12 teams who's only existence in this league is to make up the numbers, and to be expected to fawn over the sides with the financial clout and glory hunting prick fans. Would it not be potentially enjoyable to just have a go in a competitive, largely even keeled league for a year or two, and perhaps try and build some cohesion?

Bring on Rotherham.

Premier League this. Premier League that. It's a crock of shit. Cup runs are our lot in life now. It'll be our only form of enjoyment and competitiveness (with the current regime). So I want to progress as far as possible.

I realised, as I watched 5 minutes of the league cup final and Terry scored, that I had not watched, and I mean sat and genuinely watched, a premier league game other than Villa in 3 years yesterday, such has my distaste for the way the league has become, and the decisions that are made continuously to keep it that way. I watch highlights, but have found myself recording the football league show, and rarely MOTD. It may well be indicative of the form Villa have been in, but I have just had enough. In a way I am looking forward to it, I will go a lot more, I have already discussed with my wife that I am going to wait until next season to start getting my lad into it now he is finally showing a bit of interest.

So in light of all of that, I would take the cup, but think it will be the league.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: JUAN PABLO on March 02, 2015, 09:28:18 AM
Good post super Tom

Be lovely to go back to the days when every team thought they has the chance of the winning the league on day one




Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: andyh on March 02, 2015, 09:40:32 AM
I totally understand SuperToms post, and agree to a large extent.
But, all those teams in the championship, what are they fighting for ?
The are fighting to get into the Premier league,  that's what they all desperately want.

So, why go down to fight to get back up ? Especially when there is no guarantee that we would.

The set up of the PL is shit, no doubt, but  I don't think any of us hate it so much that we never want to be part of it.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Musicmaan on March 02, 2015, 09:52:09 AM
Good post super Tom

Be lovely to go back to the days when every team thought they has the chance of the winning the league on day one

It's hard to believe that was ever the case now isn't it?!
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: dave.woodhall on March 02, 2015, 10:05:33 AM
I'm not sure I wouldn't mind going down and staying.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Monty on March 02, 2015, 10:07:38 AM
If/when we go down I don't know how much Premier League I'd watch. I'd probably go for more European football, though most leagues are in one-or-two club domination mode at the moment.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on March 02, 2015, 10:09:58 AM
Lose tomorrow night and I've got a feeling that Sherwood's honeymoon period will be over.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: supertom on March 02, 2015, 10:49:26 AM
If/when we go down I don't know how much Premier League I'd watch. I'd probably go for more European football, though most leagues are in one-or-two club domination mode at the moment.
I used to enjoy watching Prem games, even MOTD. But for the last 10 years or so I watch less and less. Now with the exception of occasionally peering over if a game is on TV somewhere, or sitting through matches to get to Villa's "highlights" I just watch Villa (which is, lets face it, painful enough). The vulgar amounts of money in the game have ruined it completely. 15 years ago you only really had to endure Utd and perhaps Arsenal bullying everyone out of their best players and monopolising the top 2 spots. Below that there would be a more genuine battle for top 6 finishes, of which we occasionally joined in.

A mate of mine supports QPR and hasn't enjoyed it under the last couple of chairman and particularly hasn't enjoyed their Premier League stints, entirely based on buying over the hill mercenaries who don't care about the club or at times even try. It might excite Tony Fernandes to sign Rio Ferdinand but it doesn't really excite his fans. My mate preferred the days of bouncing between The Championship and League 1, but doing so with players who gave their all for the club.

Now if they built in place a better plan to come up, stay up and progress it might be different. Same goes for us, if we had a decent plan of progression and could at least be on a keel with the likes of Southampton, and at least threat to upset the Sky 6 equilibrium that would be great. It just won't happen short of Randy getting a good offer (from someone with a brain). You can see the league shape changing in recent times. There's a bottom 12 forming. Largely it equates to money too. If you spend, you're generally in the top 8. If you don't you're generally in the bottom. In that bottom 12 you see 7-8 becoming adrift and always scrapping around the drop line. We've been in that too long and there's no signs we're going to change that, even if we stay up. It's a depressing existence.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Lastfootstamper on March 02, 2015, 10:56:20 AM
I'm not sure I wouldn't mind going down and staying.

Nah, give it a couple of years and you'd be getting all misty-eyed and rose-tinted about the pointlessness. Best bet's stay up and carry on thinking it matters. Look around you at the average age of us in the ground, we'll literally be extinct soon anyway.


Fk me, I'm a cheery bugger this morning.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: DB on March 02, 2015, 11:02:38 AM
I can see some people starting to justify if it would be that bad going down as with each loss it gets closer. It would be a disaster, roll on 3 years when we have been stuck down there like Blues...there is nothing romantic about not playing in the PL. Yes it has it's issues with £££ etc but I would rather be in the train pissing out than running on the platform trying to piss in (yes, I nicked that).

We wont win the cup so 3 points please. Can't see them winning it either.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Lee on March 02, 2015, 11:12:14 AM
Considering our predicament, I'm sorry to say league.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: QBVILLA on March 02, 2015, 11:45:42 AM
Whilst i fully understand the majority saying the league game it's the cup for me. I'm 37, too young to have taken any notice of our early 80s success so all i've seen is two league cup wins. I'd love to see us win the FA cup, highly unlikely I know but at least winning the FA cup is a semi realistic dream. I'll never see us win the league and to be perfectly honest i've become more and more disinterested in the league over the past five or so years.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: RussellC on March 02, 2015, 12:42:59 PM
League, definitely. If I thought we had a genuine chance of wining the cup it'd be a tougher question, but we don't and relegation would be an unmitigated disaster, so it's a no-brainer in my opinion.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: PeterWithesShin on March 02, 2015, 12:52:04 PM
League, definitely. If I thought we had a genuine chance of wining the cup it'd be a tougher question, but we don't and relegation would be an unmitigated disaster, so it's a no-brainer in my opinion.

Like Wigan didn't have a chance of winning it?
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: martin o`who?? on March 02, 2015, 01:54:43 PM
Not fussy, Baseball Bat or Rice Flails, easy pleased.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Tom_Mc9? on March 02, 2015, 02:18:35 PM
Cup.

If we went down a division, we'd play different teams. So what? 'But what about the money?' I don't care - I don't watch Villa for how much money they've got. 'But we'd play worse teams if we went down.' I don't particularly like the teams we play - Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Spurs etc etc. Doesn't make a difference to me. 'It'd be embarrassing to go down.' Yes, but we'd get over it.

Going to Wembley and winning a cup would be the most memorable thing this club has done since 1982.

Cup every time.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: hilts_coolerking on March 02, 2015, 02:20:50 PM
Getting relegated would be disastrous; getting knocked out of the FA Cup would not.  Having said that, we could win both and even if we lost the league game we'd still have 10 games to save ourselves.  But like Monty says relegation could set us back a decade or more.  And if we do go down Lerner will have wasted good will like no-one since Tony Blair; not much of a legacy other than terrible finances, mismanagement at every level and self-interest.

As imperfect as it is, I'd much rather be in the Premier League pissing out than be outside the Premier League pissing in.

League win please.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on March 02, 2015, 02:37:29 PM
Cup please. I can't get up for tomorrow's game but I'll be up on Saturday. If we're only going to beat those rat-eating tatters once, I want to see it.

If we do get relegated, it won't be because of one result against the Clampetts
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: OasisVillain on March 02, 2015, 02:37:39 PM
League win all day for me, I was at Wembley in 2000 and while in one way it would be great to see us in the FA Cup final again, i'd trade that for staying in the top flight
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Chris Smith on March 02, 2015, 02:41:43 PM
Considering our predicament, I'm sorry to say league.


My position too.

I spoke to a Stripey earlier who said the same but then, perversely, said he is going on Saturday but not tomorrow. 
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: RussellC on March 02, 2015, 04:14:58 PM
League, definitely. If I thought we had a genuine chance of wining the cup it'd be a tougher question, but we don't and relegation would be an unmitigated disaster, so it's a no-brainer in my opinion.

Like Wigan didn't have a chance of winning it?

That Wigan side carried a decent attacking threat (they scored 47 goals in the league). They were dangerous from set-pieces (Shaun Maloney for example) and showed some genuine fight towards the end of a season that they started very poorly. I'm afraid they were completely different to this Villa team.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: PeterWithesShin on March 02, 2015, 04:20:49 PM
They were still shit enough to get relegated. And yet still won the FA Cup. I just disagree that we have no chance.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: ADVILLAFAN on March 02, 2015, 04:33:46 PM
Cup, I know it would be disastrous if we go down, but frankly I'll still support us in the lower divisions.

We've never won the Cup in my lifetime (and only just about in my parent's lifetime) and there is an outside chance this year. Beat the Baggies and we could be playing Reading or Bradford in the Semi-Finals and Citeh and Chavski are out.

Will be very depressed on Saturday if we get knocked out of the Cup.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: RussellC on March 02, 2015, 04:44:47 PM
They were still shit enough to get relegated. And yet still won the FA Cup. I just disagree that we have no chance.

This is the most characterless and unintelligent and least creative Villa side I've ever seen. We're in a Cup quarter final because we've had 2 home draws against Championship sides (one of whom made 8 changes) and 1 against the only team lower than us in the Premiership. I find it hard to believe that anyone's really entertaining the chance of us winning the FA Cup, regardless of whether they think we'll stay-up.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: oldhill_avfc on March 02, 2015, 04:50:03 PM
The way I see it there are 2 reasons why you'd want to be in the premiership.

Firstly to win the league and if you can't do that then to at least assemble a decent enough group of players to win cups.

Given our recent form of not quite challenging for the top spot then our reason for existing ought to be to win cups, ideally the FA Cup.

If we don't see the priority as winning a game that would take us a step close to winning our realistic highest honour then what is the point?

I'd also go as far as to say that watching Villa play in the championship next season isn't going to adversely affect my life and how much I enjoy the games.  On the other hand watching us win the FA Cup at Wembley might just be one the of the great days of my Villa supporting life. 

To me that makes it a total no brainer.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: PeterWithesShin on March 02, 2015, 04:51:07 PM
Wigan got to the QF because they beat League 2 Bournemouth (after a replay), non league Macclesfield (by a whopping 1-0) and Championship Huddersfield.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: RussellC on March 02, 2015, 04:53:54 PM
The question though, is which game do you want to win. It is isn't as straight forward as "Win the FA Cup and get relegated or stay up". For me, the depressing reality is that if we lose tomorrow but win on Saturday, we're likely to end-up getting relegated AND lose a cup semi final (or, best case, Final) at Wembley.

No thanks.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: RussellC on March 02, 2015, 05:01:04 PM
Wigan got to the QF because they beat League 2 Bournemouth (after a replay), non league Macclesfield (by a whopping 1-0) and Championship Huddersfield.

And then beat Everton away. Like I said they were a team that carried a decent attacking threat, but just had a poor defence. Teams like that can prosper in knockout competitions. I really, really, really don't rate this Villa side's chances of doing that and I'm very surprised that anyone who's watched them this season does.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: German James on March 02, 2015, 05:01:16 PM
I don't think we're going to avoid relegation whether we win against them in the league or not so, it would have to be beating them in the cup and having something (however unlikely) to look forward to, for me.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: PeterWithesShin on March 02, 2015, 05:12:38 PM
Wigan got to the QF because they beat League 2 Bournemouth (after a replay), non league Macclesfield (by a whopping 1-0) and Championship Huddersfield.

And then beat Everton away. Like I said they were a team that carried a decent attacking threat, but just had a poor defence. Teams like that can prosper in knockout competitions. I really, really, really don't rate this Villa side's chances of doing that and I'm very surprised that anyone who's watched them this season does.

We've already prospered in it by reaching the QF. And my point was that you made it sound like the only reason we are in the QF is because we got lucky draws. Well so did Wigan as they played worse sides than we have. And no one is saying we will definitely win the FA Cup, but it's ridiculous to say we have no chance when we are in the QF and have a home draw against a side we've lost at home to once in 30 years. And that was only because we had a player wrongly sent off.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: supertom on March 03, 2015, 04:03:36 PM
Wigan got to the QF because they beat League 2 Bournemouth (after a replay), non league Macclesfield (by a whopping 1-0) and Championship Huddersfield.

And then beat Everton away. Like I said they were a team that carried a decent attacking threat, but just had a poor defence. Teams like that can prosper in knockout competitions. I really, really, really don't rate this Villa side's chances of doing that and I'm very surprised that anyone who's watched them this season does.

We've already prospered in it by reaching the QF. And my point was that you made it sound like the only reason we are in the QF is because we got lucky draws. Well so did Wigan as they played worse sides than we have. And no one is saying we will definitely win the FA Cup, but it's ridiculous to say we have no chance when we are in the QF and have a home draw against a side we've lost at home to once in 30 years. And that was only because we had a player wrongly sent off.
Indeed. We've got a chance. Get through and essentially we keep our fingers crossed we avoid the winner of Arsenal vs Utd.

Every now and again a lower entity goes all the way in this cup. Portsmouth a few years back, Wigan the other year. Ordinarily it's the usual suspects like Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool etc.
The way the cup has gone so far, this could be one of the anomaly years, so we've definitely got to go all out. Everyone left has a chance. I wouldn't even bet against Bradford at this point given their recent track record.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Drummond on March 03, 2015, 04:32:24 PM
I'm not sure I wouldn't mind going down and staying.

The only downside I see to that is the size of the ground and that it will be half-empty.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Malandro on March 03, 2015, 04:39:52 PM
I'm not sure I wouldn't mind going down and staying.

The only downside I see to that is the size of the ground and that it will be half-empty.

half full man, half full
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: ADVILLAFAN on March 03, 2015, 04:43:58 PM
I'm not sure I wouldn't mind going down and staying.

The only downside I see to that is the size of the ground and that it will be half-empty.

And would half of the grounds be death traps like Burnley's Turf Moor?
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: dave.woodhall on March 03, 2015, 04:46:13 PM
I'm not sure I wouldn't mind going down and staying.

The only downside I see to that is the size of the ground and that it will be half-empty.

And would half of the grounds be death traps like Burnley's Turf Moor?

Hopefully.

And the answer to the original question is

... it wouldn't be enough.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on March 03, 2015, 10:34:53 PM
Just voted. I will take the Cup win now, more important than the 3 points.  ;D
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: supertom on March 03, 2015, 10:39:52 PM
This thread is redundant. We're gonna win both.
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: rob_bridge on March 03, 2015, 10:43:04 PM
To quote from Stephen King's 'IT'

'We beat you once and we will beat you again'
Title: Re: If We Could Only Beat The Baggies Once This Week...
Post by: RussellC on March 04, 2015, 07:52:34 AM
Wigan got to the QF because they beat League 2 Bournemouth (after a replay), non league Macclesfield (by a whopping 1-0) and Championship Huddersfield.

And then beat Everton away. Like I said they were a team that carried a decent attacking threat, but just had a poor defence. Teams like that can prosper in knockout competitions. I really, really, really don't rate this Villa side's chances of doing that and I'm very surprised that anyone who's watched them this season does.

We've already prospered in it by reaching the QF. And my point was that you made it sound like the only reason we are in the QF is because we got lucky draws. Well so did Wigan as they played worse sides than we have. And no one is saying we will definitely win the FA Cup, but it's ridiculous to say we have no chance when we are in the QF and have a home draw against a side we've lost at home to once in 30 years. And that was only because we had a player wrongly sent off.

I take it back. We do have a chance after last night. A puncher's chance, albeit, but now that we're actually throwing a few punches (to coin a 'Sherwoodism') we have more of a chance than I credited us with yesterday.
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