Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Smirker on September 27, 2023, 10:27:34 PM
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Saturday, 12:30pm kick off.
Time to move on and forget what happened tonight.
This game is huge now.
FTF 8)
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Thanks.
0-2.
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I'm deeply concerned about getting humped in this one. I think we need to shift things, play an extra central midfielder to even have a chance of competing with them in the middle.
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We'll probably win because we're ace in the league and we're their bogey team.
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I'd be happy enough with a 1-1 draw. Either way, at least 4 points from the next 2 please, with a fairly winnable run of games after the international break plus Moreno, DC and JJ back.
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I think we've been a bogey team recently for Everton too.
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2-2
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Am I on Villatalk?
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Somebody modify the thread title please, that's a disgrace.
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Somebody modify the thread title please, that's a disgrace.
Agreed. Stop it!
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OK. Will do.
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Better?
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Suit yourself
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We need a statement result from this game. We haven't beaten a top side yet. Admittedly Liverpool are the only one we've played so far.
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Better?
Can't read the last word now because of the pin on the index. You might need to unsticky it.
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Haha. Smirker mate, I love you, but urgh, that thread title 😂
Maybe I'm just grumpy because I woke up at 5 and have a full day of trying to motivate miserable little shits.
Nah, it's because Villa were rubbish
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Aston' Villa 3 Brighton and Hove Albion 1.
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4 nil Villa
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Smirker your thread title suggests we are on a forum of illiterate 8 year-olds, dearie me!
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Does it? How?
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It wasn't me :(
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So far this year, whenever we have come up against anybody decent we have crumbled.
Brighton are pretty decent.
Cant see anything other than more crumbling...
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0-4
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There won't be any crumbling. I am once again confident of a win.
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Us 3 Them 1
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There are goals in this for them..... just hope we grab a couple too!
2-2
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Doubt we’ll score 3 as that would mean we would probably have to cross the half way line on that number of occasions!
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3-1 Brighton
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2-3
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Lunchtime kick off; they’ll come out of the traps faster, whilst we’ll start slowly. They’ll take the lead and we’ll be forced to chase which will be game over for us. We’ll draw this one at best, unfortunately.
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We are not playing well. Brighton are also below last seasons form.
We do need the win to get back on track.
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Does it? How?
I have received a warning. For "inappropriate activity". Really? It would be useful to know which activity is deemed inappropriate if I am to avoid "further action". That would be a common courtesy.
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4-4
4-0 up at HT.
Martinez off injured at HT.
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We’d better win after sacrificing the cup game.
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I don’t like Brighton. I don’t know exactly why.
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I don’t like Brighton. I don’t know exactly why.
They are quite good, which is annoying because 3 points are very welcome if we are to maintain our momentum.
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2 home games in 4 days against teams who class us as their bogey team. The first didn't go well. I can see a draw here 1-1.
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I don’t like Brighton. I don’t know exactly why.
No, me neither.
My main gripe is that they have one Japanese player, and this makes them flavour of the month here with every Tom, Dick and Harry.
I like Mitoma. He's a decent player, but the way they babble on here, it's like he's the second coming of Maradona
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Got no issues with Brighton. Not a scab 6 outfit, seem to be well run. Good luck to them.
Got a feeling they will give us the runaround on Saturday too.
1-3.
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Got no issues with Brighton. Not a scab 6 outfit, seem to be well run. Good luck to them.
Got a feeling they will give us the runaround on Saturday too.
1-3.
Betting wankers, they can get fucked.
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I'm taking my young nephew for his first PL game. He leans towards Wolves and Liverpool, so I could really do with a decent performance in this one.
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I'm taking my young nephew for his first PL game. He leans towards Wolves and Liverpool, so I could really do with a decent performance in this one.
He'd be well at home at Molineux then.
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So far this year, whenever we have come up against anybody decent we have crumbled.
Brighton are pretty decent.
Cant see anything other than more crumbling...
I still think Liverpool are the only decent side we've played so far this season. All our other games I've expected us to get something.
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Tricky. Brighton definitely not the usual cannon fodder. 0-2.
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Tricky. Brighton definitely not the usual cannon fodder. 0-2.
They are for us. 3-1.
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1-3 to Brighton - they are a very good side.
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Brighton are also below last seasons form.
They’ve won 5 of their opening 6 league games so far this season and have 2 points more than after the first 6 games of last season.
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I fear this one. Brighton are a very good team. They play with speed which is something we actually lack.
Really not confident on this one. Hope I am wrong. I'd take à draw.
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Our awful Cup form doesn't appear to spill into the League so I expect a different approach and obviously, a stronger line up. Injuries are still a major factor for me and if our outstanding home sequence is to come to and end it's just this sort of game where it will happen. A poor atmosphere due to the early KO, trepidation after Weds, disgruntlement at the off field rubbish all lead me to a rather negative prediction.
1-3
Oh, and if the bloke on the mic does that "Holte Enders In The Sky" thing that he did last night I may be the first person to pass away through excessive cringing.
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Brighton are excellent, and anyone saying they're below last season's form clearly hasn't seen them play yet this season. They've beaten both Man Utd and Newcastle already this season.
I think they'll be our closest rivals in the race for top 6 this season, so although a win would be great, losing three points to them at home would be awful. I'm hoping for an Emery masterclass, with some sort of tweak that gives us the advantage, because having seen the way both teams play so far this season, you'd give them the slight edge right now. Prove me wrong Villa, please.
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It's very difficult to predict what sort of performance we're going to get on Saturday. It's at home and we usually do well against Brighton, but they're in better form than us, and I think the home record in the league is in danger of coming to an end. 2-0 Brighton, we've just got too iffy a defence and too many players a bit out of sorts.
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If as I suspect Brighton come and dominate possession we’re probably in a better position to win than if like Everton they come with a mid block and squeeze space. I’m not hopeful as we’re effectively playing without our whole left side which was so effective for us last season (Mings/Moreno/Ramsey/Buendia) and it’s massively affecting how we play and Unai hasn’t quite found the answer yet. Hopeful for a win, probably a draw.
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I really don't care about this just another League game. I would rather we had fielded full strength team last night and progressed in the cup then rested players if need be against Brighton.
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What's this rubbish in the title? Can't we just keep it simple?
"prediction and general chat about things"
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It's only a title.
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In my opinion, thread titles are best kept concise and informative. Appending 'thread' is generally superfluous, as is telling people it is for 'chat'. I mean, we know, it is a forum for chatting.
But yes, it is nothing compared to the suffering in the world.
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It's only a title.
Why do you...?
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On reflection, I think my general dislike for Brighton is probably related to the endless fawning over them despite them only finishing 1 place higher than us last season. They’re decent, but they finished 6th. Not 1st or even to 4. Yes, their transfer set up is excellent (at the moment) and yes they punch above their weight. But they’re ‘only’ decent, and we should be going into the game with confidence, not trepidation.
That said I’ll be less confident on Saturday morning as is always the case!
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Emery has said that JJ’s latest injury is a very little one so obviously we’re not going to see him in the team until at least January. Also, Moreno is not ready to play so out for another few weeks. His return then I expect around the 2026/27 season. Apologies but I’m trying to help out with Villa speak to reality.
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Emery has said that JJ’s latest injury is a very little one so obviously we’re not going to see him in the team until at least January. Also, Moreno is not ready to play so out for another few weeks. His return then I expect around the 2026/27 season. Apologies but I’m trying to help out with Villa speak to reality.
I did wonder when McGinn was playing there last night did it mean a long spell out for Moreno again. If you were confident he'd be back next week you'd just play Digne again, wouldn't you? Knowing he can have a rest while Moreno starts a few games.
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Who knows with injuries but unlikely Moreno and Ramsey will be available which leaves our left flank in bother. Might be time to try a similar setup like we did v Burnley if Carlos is available to start and Cash pushed on a bit. Might catch them on the hop. I want Diaby pushed up practically next to Watkins and see if likes of Dunk really want to leave loads of space in behind for him to target. Everytime we think Brighton could be too much for us we invariably beat them so here's hoping.
--------Martinez
Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne
-----Kamara, Luiz
Cash------------McGinn
---Diaby, Watkins
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The difference now is we have a coach capable of coming up with a plan to win games. Brighton do the basics very well by passing the ball quickly and moving. You can bet on it that they’ll try and expose our high line as everyone else has so maybe Emery will have to come up with a master plan just as he did against Newcastle last season. McGinn is vital and if he plays well we have a good chance.
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Who knows with injuries but unlikely Moreno and Ramsey will be available which leaves our left flank in bother. Might be time to try a similar setup like we did v Burnley if Carlos is available to start and Cash pushed on a bit. Might catch them on the hop. I want Diaby pushed up practically next to Watkins and see if likes of Dunk really want to leave loads of space in behind for him to target. Everytime we think Brighton could be too much for us we invariably beat them so here's hoping.
--------Martinez
Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne
-----Kamara, Luiz
Cash------------McGinn
---Diaby, Watkins
An incredibly narrow team that will Give It Away more than the first mainstream hit single by everyone's favourite Californian funk-rock band.
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Emery has said that JJ’s latest injury is a very little one so obviously we’re not going to see him in the team until at least January. Also, Moreno is not ready to play so out for another few weeks. His return then I expect around the 2026/27 season. Apologies but I’m trying to help out with Villa speak to reality.
I did wonder when McGinn was playing there last night did it mean a long spell out for Moreno again. If you were confident he'd be back next week you'd just play Digne again, wouldn't you? Knowing he can have a rest while Moreno starts a few games.
After watching McGinn play at left back Alex has suffered further injuries. This time to his eyes that have been bleeding all night.
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Who knows with injuries but unlikely Moreno and Ramsey will be available which leaves our left flank in bother. Might be time to try a similar setup like we did v Burnley if Carlos is available to start and Cash pushed on a bit. Might catch them on the hop. I want Diaby pushed up practically next to Watkins and see if likes of Dunk really want to leave loads of space in behind for him to target. Everytime we think Brighton could be too much for us we invariably beat them so here's hoping.
--------Martinez
Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne
-----Kamara, Luiz
Cash------------McGinn
---Diaby, Watkins
Cash playing there has been wildly hit and miss. Spurs away to help see out the game, Burnley away this year, it worked. Wolves at home last year, Liverpool away this year, it really failed. I would avoid experimenting with this again with a team as good as Brighton.
I also think it might be too risky playing carlos there after a few weeks out. Saying all that I dont really have any idea other than Digne in defence and McGinn in midfield
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This is probably the best test of where we now, more so than Newcastle and Liverpool games.
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A draw would do, keeping up a good league points haul after 7 games, considering 3 finished above us last season and 1 usually does.
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1-3. Not sure about our defence and not sure we're functioning as well as we can going forwards right now.
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A draw would do, keeping up a good league points haul after 7 games, considering 3 finished above us last season and 1 usually does.
If we're serious about improving our finish on last year then yeah, we need to be taking points off the teams likely to be around us come May. It's probably too early to be talking 6 pointers but stopping Brighton from getting 3 would be a good result, I think. At home we should probably be pushing for more than that, but given our up and down performances this season, and the results against teams that finished above us, I'm not sure I have faith.
2-2 I'm saying. All goals before the 60 minute mark and neither team makes much effort after that.
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Who knows with injuries but unlikely Moreno and Ramsey will be available which leaves our left flank in bother. Might be time to try a similar setup like we did v Burnley if Carlos is available to start and Cash pushed on a bit. Might catch them on the hop. I want Diaby pushed up practically next to Watkins and see if likes of Dunk really want to leave loads of space in behind for him to target. Everytime we think Brighton could be too much for us we invariably beat them so here's hoping.
--------Martinez
Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne
-----Kamara, Luiz
Cash------------McGinn
---Diaby, Watkins
Cash playing there has been wildly hit and miss. Spurs away to help see out the game, Burnley away this year, it worked. Wolves at home last year, Liverpool away this year, it really failed. I would avoid experimenting with this again with a team as good as Brighton.
I also think it might be too risky playing carlos there after a few weeks out. Saying all that I dont really have any idea other than Digne in defence and McGinn in midfield
To be fair to Cash, that game v Wolves he didn't have a clue what he was supposed to be doing. Emery changed it at half time at least. The Liverpool game, that tactic went once Carlos got injured maybe 20 mins in. It's not a setup I like, would much prefer McGinn on right where he did so well last season not on left. But all I know is we simply can't try Tielemans out on the left side of midfield again. Digne needs some bit of graft in front of him and we don't have any other option but McGinn. It's more of a 5-3-2 out of possession.
Given that Ramsey got injured during the summer for England, again it's ridiculous that have no real option in the squad to replace him in that role. Same for McGinn on opposite side.
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A draw would do, keeping up a good league points haul after 7 games, considering 3 finished above us last season and 1 usually does.
After last night I'd bite your hand off for a draw but come Saturday lunchtime I'll want all 3 points. Have a horrible feeling Brighton will turn up and we'll continue with our confused state. A 0-2 defeat is all I can see right now. As mentioned elsewhere a return to well drilled and organised would be highly welcome.
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We did the double over them last season with a couple of 2-1s and I'm predicting the same score again this time
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Lunchtime kick off; they’ll come out of the traps faster, whilst we’ll start slowly. They’ll take the lead and we’ll be forced to chase which will be game over for us. We’ll draw this one at best, unfortunately.
I hate the early kick-offs on a Saturday, and I suspect this may well be how it pans out.
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hard one to predict , just no idea how Villa are going to play anymore
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Thought you predicted 0-4 Brighton.
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One of my now rare visits coincides with a train strike. Cheers Aslef.
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Lunchtime kick off; they’ll come out of the traps faster, whilst we’ll start slowly. They’ll take the lead and we’ll be forced to chase which will be game over for us. We’ll draw this one at best, unfortunately.
I hate the early kick-offs on a Saturday, and I suspect this may well be how it pans out.
The Newcastle home game last season was an early kick-off.
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Away win…they’re better
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Lunchtime kick off; they’ll come out of the traps faster, whilst we’ll start slowly. They’ll take the lead and we’ll be forced to chase which will be game over for us. We’ll draw this one at best, unfortunately.
I hate the early kick-offs on a Saturday, and I suspect this may well be how it pans out.
The Newcastle home game last season was an early kick-off.
That was last season.
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Brighton are excellent, and anyone saying they're below last season's form clearly hasn't seen them play yet this season. They've beaten both Man Utd and Newcastle already this season.
I think they'll be our closest rivals in the race for top 6 this season, so although a win would be great, losing three points to them at home would be awful. I'm hoping for an Emery masterclass, with some sort of tweak that gives us the advantage, because having seen the way both teams play so far this season, you'd give them the slight edge right now. Prove me wrong Villa, please.
They are very good, I'd say the slight edge is a chasm the way we have been playing this season, with the players we have missing.
Dismissing their owners as "betting wankers" is so naive.
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They finished a point above us last season, despite ours only starting in November and they're currently 3 above us now. Chasm? OK.
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Another game where we need a bounce back. Will be difficult and we’ll need to be right at it.
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Don’t think we’ve drawn under Emery at home have we? Law of averages say it has to happen some time, I think it’ll be 2-2, but I’ll go for a sneaky 2-1 (Watkins, Diaby).
Given Carlos didn’t get any minutes on Wednesday I doubt he’ll start, Emery has more or less said Moreno is out for another few weeks and Ramsey might miss this one. Given all of that, I’d go with:
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne
Kamara
Luiz
Mcginn
Zaniolo
Diaby
Watkins
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We did the double over them last season with a couple of 2-1s and I'm predicting the same score again this time
Think we've done the double double over them, winning the last 4 League meetings (and scoring 2 each time).
No doubt that they play some excellent football at the moment. Hoping for 7 points from our next 3 matches, but our defence scares me a bit.
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I like Brighton and hope they continue to do well, obviously with the exception of 2 games a season. I’m thinking 1-1, two evenly matched sides trying to break into the “big 6” domination.
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I always have this thought that Brighton will go the way of Southampton from 2013 ish. They can't keep losing their good managers and players and getting it right. Not for a club of their size.
Having said that, they are now right in a golden era and good luck to them. Tomorrows game will be a good one I think. 1-1.
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Brighton are excellent, and anyone saying they're below last season's form clearly hasn't seen them play yet this season. They've beaten both Man Utd and Newcastle already this season.
I think they'll be our closest rivals in the race for top 6 this season, so although a win would be great, losing three points to them at home would be awful. I'm hoping for an Emery masterclass, with some sort of tweak that gives us the advantage, because having seen the way both teams play so far this season, you'd give them the slight edge right now. Prove me wrong Villa, please.
They are very good, I'd say the slight edge is a chasm the way we have been playing this season, with the players we have missing.
Dismissing their owners as "betting wankers" is so naive.
How's he not a 'betting wanker', formerly banned poster?
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I can see us winning 2-1.
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Brighton are excellent, and anyone saying they're below last season's form clearly hasn't seen them play yet this season. They've beaten both Man Utd and Newcastle already this season.
I think they'll be our closest rivals in the race for top 6 this season, so although a win would be great, losing three points to them at home would be awful. I'm hoping for an Emery masterclass, with some sort of tweak that gives us the advantage, because having seen the way both teams play so far this season, you'd give them the slight edge right now. Prove me wrong Villa, please.
They are very good, I'd say the slight edge is a chasm the way we have been playing this season, with the players we have missing.
Dismissing their owners as "betting wankers" is so naive.
How's he not a 'betting wanker', formerly banned poster?
How is the truth naive? the hell does 'naive' mean here?
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I can see us winning 2-1.
Too right Daz, I think it's only me and you so far predicting a win. You'd think we were relegation fodder playing Man City, not a team we've beaten the last 4 times we've met.
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I can see us winning 2-1.
Too right Daz, I think it's only me and you so far predicting a win. You'd think we were relegation fodder playing Man City, not a team we've beaten the last 4 times we've met.
Partly why I think they'll win though, reckon they owe us one, this home form thing has to end sometime...I mean, we're Aston Villa! The good stuff never lasts forever.
I also just look at our form and their form to be honest though. We've got issues with players not yet integrated, others underperforming, and a few really big injuries. They look excellent, really together, coherent, in good form - and we've looked shit as all hell against the good teams this year.
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Away with your sensible reasoning lad, this is no time for that.
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You're right, I'm very ashamed.
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Our home form thing has ended already.
Anyway, I reckon we'll win just because that's how the season has gone. When we're optimistic we get a rude awakening, when we're pessimistic we get a pleasant surprise.
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As good as they supposedly are they still managed to get beaten by Chelsea during the week so they're not the 2nd coming or anything like it. Emery will have them ready for this in the same way as this fixture last season when some were fearing the worst.
2-1
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I'd say we've had fairly similar starts to the year in terms of results - they've got an extra win, got tonked by West Ham at home but had a very good performance against Newcastle. Then they've played a lot of the poorer teams we have coming up over the next 4-5 weeks, beating them comfortably (as we have v Everton, Burnley etc.).
They also lost on their first game out in Europe, and just got dumped out the Carabao too by mid table PL opposition (lol)... Wonder if their fans have had a similar reaction to the general feeling on our side of the fence over the last few days, I'd guess probably not?
Putting the doom and gloom aside which has been a bit over the top IMO, with our first XI at a full VP, this will be a good game and I fancy us to replicate how we played last year. Under Emery we have always bounced back well after a loss - I'd also expect this game to have taken the majority of the planning resources this week given we'll both be vying for the same spot in the table come end of the season. I think we'll be on it, with something to prove.
They are a good side too, and I think both teams will score. 1-1 or 2-1 us.
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4-2 to Villa
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As good as they supposedly are they still managed to get beaten by Chelsea during the week so they're not the 2nd coming or anything like it. Emery will have them ready for this in the same way as this fixture last season when some were fearing the worst.
2-1
Ramsey was really the difference that day. They looked really good going forward and our defence was better back then.
I hope we can find a way to win this but taking 9 points from Palace (h), Chelsea (a) and Brighton (h) would be better than we could have hoped for. I think they're due something from this unfortunately.
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Brighton are excellent, and anyone saying they're below last season's form clearly hasn't seen them play yet this season. They've beaten both Man Utd and Newcastle already this season.
I think they'll be our closest rivals in the race for top 6 this season, so although a win would be great, losing three points to them at home would be awful. I'm hoping for an Emery masterclass, with some sort of tweak that gives us the advantage, because having seen the way both teams play so far this season, you'd give them the slight edge right now. Prove me wrong Villa, please.
They are very good, I'd say the slight edge is a chasm the way we have been playing this season, with the players we have missing.
Dismissing their owners as "betting wankers" is so naive.
How's he not a 'betting wanker', formerly banned poster?
How is the truth naive? the hell does 'naive' mean here?
It means to show a lack of experience, wisdom or judgement. HTH.
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Ok hun x
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I'd say they're playing much better football than we are this season. It might only be 3 points difference but on the eye test they look like a better team to me. With their passing ability and the likes of Mitoma I fear for our high line tomorrow.
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The high line is a major concern this season.
I think it’s why against the better sides we’ve conceded a lot because they are putting their chances away. Maybe it’s the midfield not pressing enough or keeping the ball but whatever it is something needs to improve if we are to beat the better teams.
I’m sure Emery see’s this and hopefully tomorrow we’ll address it. I don’t think Brighton will sit back and that may just be a good thing. I’m going for a 3-2 Villa win as I can’t either side keeping a clean sheet. Watkins with 2 and Diaby the other.
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I think it's more that we're better at pressing the crapper teams. Don't recall us getting close to caught-out with the high-line against anyone but Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea this season - and thanks to Emi, we kept the latter out.
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We played deep against Burnley.
I'm sure Palace had a few one on ones and we were caught out for their goal.
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Haven’t had one for a long time 0:0
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It’s always easier to win the midfield battle against the sides that aren’t as good as us. It’s more of a battle against the better teams and giving them an out ball over the top has caught us out many times this season.
As Emery showed against Burnley, we can adapt and change and sit deeper. Maybe that’s a tactic he will employ tomorrow.
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Brighton are excellent, and anyone saying they're below last season's form clearly hasn't seen them play yet this season. They've beaten both Man Utd and Newcastle already this season.
I think they'll be our closest rivals in the race for top 6 this season, so although a win would be great, losing three points to them at home would be awful. I'm hoping for an Emery masterclass, with some sort of tweak that gives us the advantage, because having seen the way both teams play so far this season, you'd give them the slight edge right now. Prove me wrong Villa, please.
They are very good, I'd say the slight edge is a chasm the way we have been playing this season, with the players we have missing.
Dismissing their owners as "betting wankers" is so naive.
How's he not a 'betting wanker', formerly banned poster?
How is the truth naive? the hell does 'naive' mean here?
It means to show a lack of experience, wisdom or judgement. HTH.
If words had simple synonymous definitions there'd be no need for them. They exist because they each carry with them a penumbra of hidden suggestions, significations, hints and innuendos. They call them 'semantic fields' in linguistics.
In this instance, 'naive' doesn't just suggest lack of judgement. It carries with it the sense of being tricked, taken advantage of. In what way are we being taken advantage of by describing Brighton's owner as a 'betting wanker'?
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Brighton are excellent, and anyone saying they're below last season's form clearly hasn't seen them play yet this season. They've beaten both Man Utd and Newcastle already this season.
I think they'll be our closest rivals in the race for top 6 this season, so although a win would be great, losing three points to them at home would be awful. I'm hoping for an Emery masterclass, with some sort of tweak that gives us the advantage, because having seen the way both teams play so far this season, you'd give them the slight edge right now. Prove me wrong Villa, please.
They are very good, I'd say the slight edge is a chasm the way we have been playing this season, with the players we have missing.
Dismissing their owners as "betting wankers" is so naive.
How's he not a 'betting wanker', formerly banned poster?
How is the truth naive? the hell does 'naive' mean here?
It means to show a lack of experience, wisdom or judgement. HTH.
If words had simple synonymous definitions there'd be no need for them. They exist because they each carry with them a penumbra of hidden suggestions, significations, hints and innuendos. They call them 'semantic fields' in linguistics.
In this instance, 'naive' doesn't just suggest lack of judgement. It carries with it the sense of being tricked, taken advantage of. In what way are we being taken advantage of by describing Brighton's owner as a 'betting wanker'?
This must be the most ironic post ever posted on the internet.
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Brighton are excellent, and anyone saying they're below last season's form clearly hasn't seen them play yet this season. They've beaten both Man Utd and Newcastle already this season.
I think they'll be our closest rivals in the race for top 6 this season, so although a win would be great, losing three points to them at home would be awful. I'm hoping for an Emery masterclass, with some sort of tweak that gives us the advantage, because having seen the way both teams play so far this season, you'd give them the slight edge right now. Prove me wrong Villa, please.
They are very good, I'd say the slight edge is a chasm the way we have been playing this season, with the players we have missing.
Dismissing their owners as "betting wankers" is so naive.
How's he not a 'betting wanker', formerly banned poster?
How is the truth naive? the hell does 'naive' mean here?
It means to show a lack of experience, wisdom or judgement. HTH.
If words had simple synonymous definitions there'd be no need for them. They exist because they each carry with them a penumbra of hidden suggestions, significations, hints and innuendos. They call them 'semantic fields' in linguistics.
In this instance, 'naive' doesn't just suggest lack of judgement. It carries with it the sense of being tricked, taken advantage of. In what way are we being taken advantage of by describing Brighton's owner as a 'betting wanker'?
This must be the most ironic post ever posted on the internet.
Is this some meta-joke about commonly misused words?
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The irony!
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The irony!
Tell me about it, they go through a shirt and trousers every day and have no concept of a bloody hanger. I'm at me wits end.
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Milner, Gross, and Llalana out for them tomorrow. Not sure that makes much difference. Ferguson is back after, I think, only playing about 5 minutes since, and including, the International break.
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Gross is out as he's still trying to find Lisandro Martinez after sending him to the shops at Old Trafford.
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Our boss speaks:
The Presser: Emery's views on facing Brighton & Hove Albion
By Aston Villa FC
Roberto De Zerbi brings his Brighton & Hove Albion side to Villa Park on Saturday.
And ahead of Aston Villa's latest Premier League clash, head coach Unai Emery spoke to the media at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Here's what he had to say...
On Brighton's qualities...
“We respect every team, player, coach and club, and Brighton has a very, very good team, club, coach and players. The style they are playing now is really impressive.
“They are feeling confident, keeping ball possession, taking up good positions on the pitch and each player is playing with high quality, confidence and skill.
“They are changing players but the style is not changing. They are imposing their idea against every team – even when they lost against AEK Athens and West Ham, they were imposing their idea. Even when they lost against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, they were imposing their idea and style.
“I really appreciate a lot how they are playing. It’s something different in football that they are showing. For me and for us, it’s a big challenge tomorrow how we can face them.”
On Roberto De Zerbi…
“I always followed him when he was in Italy with Benevento, when he was in Sassuolo and when he was in Shakhtar Donetsk. We were analysing some matches when he was in Italy with Sassuolo and he was working very well.
“Now, he is in Brighton and doing more and more. He is taking a step ahead and improving their style. His work is really impressive.”
On Villa Park…
“Villa Park is special, and I want to feel it. I want to keep the same spirit and energy we have at home and that we feel with our supporters.
“Everybody has to help us and support us to try and do another special moment in Villa Park. We are really connecting with them.
“The key for tomorrow is to try and be strong with everybody and to feel our supporters behind us for 90 minutes. And then try to play with personality, to play 100% focused on our gameplan and be very demanding of ourselves, individually and collectively.
“We want to be consistent at home like we have been doing.”
On the gameplan for Saturday…
“We will try to impose our idea, our style. We are feeling better when we have ball possession and we are keeping it. We are feeling better when we can organise our pressing against the opponent, collectively and individually.
“Tomorrow, we have to adapt and maybe it will be different. We have to prepare the match analysing them and trying to play with personality and impose our style.
“We must run tomorrow more than them, we must win duels more than them, we must be more organised than them, we must take each one with the responsibility facing them being a winner.
“That is the key for tomorrow.”
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I agree we need to be demanding.
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They seem to be a club Emery knows how to beat. That's the hope I am clinging to.
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689 returns and players tickets available now for tomorrow.
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689 returns and players tickets available now for tomorrow.
At a guess I’d say the rail strike could be responsible for some of the returns.
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I would have come up from this from London were it not for the trains.
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Yep. The train strikes always seem to happen when we play at home. So I'll be sauntering along to my local London pub for this one in order to avoid the 2 hour 45 minute drive (and that's only when the traffic starts moving).
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Milner, Gross, and Llalana out for them tomorrow. Not sure that makes much difference. Ferguson is back after, I think, only playing about 5 minutes since, and including, the International break.
Gross is a very effective player for them so hopefully it will make a difference.
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Playing a high line with Mitoma’s pace is probably not a very good idea. Same with the continuous passing around at the back for about 5 minutes at a time and then get closed down and opportunity given to our opponents.
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As much as I'd like to see us continue the streak against this lot, I fear we have too many out of form/injured to make it an even contest. Brighton will snatch the points in an entertaining game.
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We don't need to be singing "Every week we follow..." like we have been doing. We need to impose some new songs, in our way but different, please.
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Brighton lose football games too.
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We don't need to be singing "Every week we follow..." like we have been doing. We need to impose some new songs, in our way but different, please.
its fkin awful.
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It's such a dull song. And it's not even like it's uniquely ours either
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It's such a dull song. And it's not even like it's uniquely ours either
God, I absolutely hate it.
The regularity of it as well, every sixty fucking seconds, it's such a boring dirge, and entirely unoriginal.
And it IS NOT "allez, allez", as mentioned before.
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We don't need to be singing "Every week we follow..." like we have been doing. We need to impose some new songs, in our way but different, please.
Every week, together with our supporters, raising our level, being consistent.
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We don't need to be singing "Every week we follow..." like we have been doing. We need to impose some new songs, in our way but different, please.
Every week, together with our supporters, raising our level, being consistent.
We’re demanding near and far.
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Every week we sing it, this bloody awful song.
It makes us all sound like a bunch of dim morons.
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We even passed out from the back, making spaces to expoooooiiiiiiiiiit
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General chat ?
So which film do people prefer ? Brighton Rock or Quadrophenia ?
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I'm looking forward to hearing the new songs from H&Vers at Villa Park tomorrow.
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I'm deeply concerned about getting humped in this one. I think we need to shift things, play an extra central midfielder to even have a chance of competing with them in the middle.
They function incredibly well all over the park but ultimately their midfield isn't individually as strong as last season with no Caciedo or Macalister. I'd fancy Luiz to sit on Gilmour and stop dictating. De Zerbi has been rotating a fair bit in the other positions, Milner started the season as hybrid RB and Dahoud's started a few recently.
Brighton will really look to hurt us wide. I think it will be a first start for Ansu Fati and with Mitoma the other side and also Estupnian charging down the left it's going to be a very long afternoon for our full backs if we don't get midfielders across quickly when out of possession. Interesting where Konsa plays as might be a start move to have him at RB with Carlos fit again.
Ramsey will be big miss if he's unavailable. Final day of last season was his best ever game for us, immense.
I think it will be a high scoring draw tomorrow. Think there's next to no chance of keeping a clean sheet but we've proven we can score two goals regularly v them down the years and Ollie has a pretty good record so you feel he'll go on a little streak now.
It's interesting the bookies have priced Brighton at 5/4 for this. Do those punters who are clearly piling in realise they have a woeful record v us? Their style, which works against most prem teams, never seems effective v us.
More worried about West Ham game in a few weeks tbh.
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Lunchtime kick off; they’ll come out of the traps faster, whilst we’ll start slowly. They’ll take the lead and we’ll be forced to chase which will be game over for us. We’ll draw this one at best, unfortunately.
I don't know. Under Emery our general modus operandi has been to start home games on front foot and more often than not score in first 10-15 minutes.
Newcastle was classic example, Ollie should've scored after 30 seconds, we scored about 10 minutes later and wiped the floor with them. Even the Arsenal game which was a loss we scored after 5 minutes.
They'll be a response after Wednesday I'm sure so up to the crowd to realise that and respond aswell which is always tricky with early Saturday starts. Nothing wrong with the atmosphere in that Newcastle game though.
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I'm looking forward to hearing the new songs from H&Vers at Villa Park tomorrow.
It's going to be ace, a bare-chested CL in front of the Holte with his megaphone leading the chants, all to a pulsating beat driven by LeeB on his drum. Pretty miffed I won't be there to hear them. :(
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I'm looking forward to hearing the new songs from H&Vers at Villa Park tomorrow.
It's going to be ace, a bare-chested CL in front of the Holte with his megaphone leading the chants, all to a pulsating beat driven by LeeB on his drum. Pretty miffed I won't be there to hear them. :(
Who else knows the words to The bells are ringing?
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I hate the early kick-offs on a Saturday, and I suspect this may well be how it pans out.
The Newcastle home game last season was an early kick-off.
Seeing in the new millennium in Rio was great too, but I still mostly hate New Year's Eve.
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Are the trains on strike tomorrow?
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General chat ?
So which film do people prefer ? Brighton Rock or Quadrophenia ?
Brighton Rock.
Quad is not a “mod” film. The music by The Who is prog.
It may be about Mod style, but that’s it.
The only “Mod” music is the background tunes in cafes and dance clubs.
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The Who were never Mods. The High Numbers were, but they only lasted a very short time and when they became The Who, they never really followed the whole Mod thing. Never seen Brighton Rock. Will look out for it.
Hopefully, Brighton don't rock tomorrow.
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The Who were never Mods. The High Numbers were, but they only lasted a very short time and when they became The Who, they never really followed the whole Mod thing. Never seen Brighton Rock. Will look out for it.
Hopefully, Brighton don't rock tomorrow.
Brighton Rock is harsh!!!
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Are the trains on strike tomorrow?
No. The people who drive them are.
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The Who were never Mods. The High Numbers were, but they only lasted a very short time and when they became The Who, they never really followed the whole Mod thing. Never seen Brighton Rock. Will look out for it.
Hopefully, Brighton don't rock tomorrow.
Here by the Holte End stand, nothing ever goes as planned......Can you see Unai Emery, can ya, can ya ? Can you see Unai Emery, can ya, can ya ? ......Can you see Emery ree ree ree ree.....
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The Who were never Mods. The High Numbers were, but they only lasted a very short time and when they became The Who, they never really followed the whole Mod thing. Never seen Brighton Rock. Will look out for it.
Hopefully, Brighton don't rock tomorrow.
I’d say they were until “Sell Out”. From Tommy onwards they changed. But that wasn’t unusual- the Small Faces were on the same trajectory.
Anyway, my fave Brighton film is Mona Lisa even though it only the end that’s in Brighton. It coincides with when I lived there so I guess it’s because that’s how I remember it looking. Also Bob Hoskins, who is generally a good thing.
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Keep Mitoma quiet, which is very difficult, and we'll win.
Heart says 2-1 us, head says 2-2 or 3-3
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Just leaving. I think Brighton may be too strong for us today and will break the Villa curse we have over them. We just have too many injuries to build on last season.
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We will need to be right at it if we want to win this. We can’t be lethargic or passive.
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If we score first I don't think we'll lose, if we concede first then 1-2 or 1-3.
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In league this season when we’ve played good sides we’ve been smashed. I think it’s really important we win today to demonstrate we can compete with the top performing sides this season.
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I’m not sure at all, I have no idea. If we are able to put our strongest side out, with exception of Mings, Buendia and Moreno, we just need to have everyone on song. If we have a one or two off form we’ll lose.
It’s a bit frustrating as I remember that optimism I had from around February onwards when I thought we could beat anyone. Then I remember that sinking feeling from before November when I thought anyone can beat us.
I really miss seeing Mings in that line up.
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In league this season when we’ve played good sides we’ve been smashed. I think it’s really important we win today to demonstrate we can compete with the top performing sides this season.
We've had a couple of easy wins at bottom sides, a couple of really poor defeats by top teams, a late come from behind win against mid table, a late win away from home, and now its time for competent win against top team. Then all we'll need is surprise loss to bottom team aiming for last minute relegation escape.
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Not sure how to call this one. We normally bounce back well after a defeat so let's hope that's the case.
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We’re due a draw and this will be one. 1-1.
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Think Donk may get a game today
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Think Donk may get a game today
I’d hope not. I don’t mind him but he was poor (along with many others) in midweek and I think Brighton would run around him.
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Didn't Brighton make 7 or so changes and piss on Man Utd? We make a couple and look a rabble.
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Based on today's match pack graphic we're playing 3 Watkins and 3 Diabys. Bound to score at least one.
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Think Donk may get a game today
I’d hope not. I don’t mind him but he was poor (along with many others) in midweek and I think Brighton would run around him.
I seriously hope not.
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Think Donk may get a game today
I’d hope not. I don’t mind him but he was poor (along with many others) in midweek and I think Brighton would run around him.
I seriously hope not.
Zero chance of this after Wednesday
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We're their our manyoo. We'll win.
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In league this season when we’ve played good sides we’ve been smashed. I think it’s really important we win today to demonstrate we can compete with the top performing sides this season.
Absolutely this. We need to put down a marker.
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It really depends on how many goals we gift them.
I’m not confident.
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It really depends on how many goals we gift them.
I’m not confident.
7-9 to them.
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Desmond.
Still trying to wake up while I'm waiting for the no 11 bus.
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BT Sport blowing smoke up the arse of that Terrace View thing
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And now they’re playing higher or lower with a load of old shite players we had and how few goals they scored. Lovely
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BT Sport blowing smoke up the arse of that Terrace View thing
I don't think I've ever had smoke blown up my arse. Is it worth trying?