Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Tuscans on October 08, 2012, 10:51:01 AM

Title: The next 4 games....
Post by: Tuscans on October 08, 2012, 10:51:01 AM
...Fulham away - Sat 20th Oct, Norwich home - Sat 27th Oct, Swindon away - Tue 30th Oct, Sunderland away - 3rd Nov.

I think 5 much needed pts and a cup win from them. If we don't start picking up more points away then the next 3 league games in November ( Man.Utd, Man.City, Arsenal ) could push us quite easily in the bottom 3...somewhere I don't want to be with Christmas coming round the corner.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: danlanza on October 08, 2012, 10:53:24 AM
5 points would be good,6 would be more of a relief and Swindon in the cup will not be easy.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: N'ZMAV on October 08, 2012, 11:22:02 AM
Win all games.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: not3bad on October 08, 2012, 11:32:34 AM
We've got to approach each game in a positive manner, give 110%, let the ball do the work, use the spare man and make the sun shine in the six yard box.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Lambert and Payne on October 08, 2012, 12:08:48 PM
Draw with Fulham, win at Norwich and lose to S'land. Swindon won't be easy, but we'll win
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: myf on October 08, 2012, 12:12:29 PM
Think we'll struggle to reach 15 points before Xmas.  Need to get some midfield quality in in January window and hopefully the young squad will start to gel together to deliver a much improved 2013.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 08, 2012, 12:13:50 PM
Fulham win
Norwich win
PubeheadsS'land draw
Swindon win
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: eastie on October 08, 2012, 12:20:31 PM
Fulham lose, Norwich win, swindon win, Sunderland draw
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: danlanza on October 08, 2012, 12:30:31 PM
Sticking neck out but i think we will win all four of them.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: DrGonzo on October 08, 2012, 12:46:16 PM
If we get a good result against Fulham then I can see us taking all four as wins.  I can't see Norwich coming to us and getting anything, with 2 wins on the bounce we could tear Swindon a new one and then it's grudge time.  A lot depends on Fulham they are such an inconsistent team but it would be a good win.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Concrete John on October 08, 2012, 12:59:39 PM
If we get a good result against Fulham then I can see us taking all four as wins.  I can't see Norwich coming to us and getting anything, with 2 wins on the bounce we could tear Swindon a new one and then it's grudge time.  A lot depends on Fulham they are such an inconsistent team but it would be a good win.

Yep - I'm a big believer in momentum in football and what a win does to the confidence and performance in the next game.

As it goes, I think a draw at Fulham, beat Norwich, win at Swindon and then probably a draw again at Sunderland.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: nick harper on October 08, 2012, 01:26:00 PM
If we get a good result against Fulham then I can see us taking all four as wins.  I can't see Norwich coming to us and getting anything, with 2 wins on the bounce we could tear Swindon a new one and then it's grudge time.  A lot depends on Fulham they are such an inconsistent team but it would be a good win.

Not at home they're not. Until last week against Man City, they'd won something like 10 of the last 11. That is a tough game as they all seem to be to us these days.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 08, 2012, 01:39:44 PM
I'd quite happily lose to Swindon if it meant a minimum of 5 points in the league matches. However I think we will win that and will probably get 4 points. Win against Norwich, draw at Pubehead's lot and a loss at Fulham. This must be the first season ever that I couldn't give a flying f**k about the cups. But then it isn't that unusual for teams who are struggling to go on good cup runs.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Ads on October 08, 2012, 01:45:22 PM
I agree with the 5 points minimum. Pick up that and beat our rivals and club of equal stature Swindon, and we're set up quite nicely for a mediocre season, with a nice chance of getting to Wemberly. 

Win your home and draw your away is the recipe for success in the league. We have to beat Norwich, while points at Fulham (wouldn’t be a massive shock all things considered) and up at Sunderland are where I see it happening.

Bent, Gabby and CNZ as a front three are integral for this in my opinion. Herd is also important. Its all about perception, but I just feel the midfield if stronger with him in it.

Roll on January and hopefully one or two quality singings.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 08, 2012, 01:51:14 PM
I think we need to win at least two of the league games and that should be an attainable target.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Ads on October 08, 2012, 01:55:14 PM
Fulham are a good side at home, but its a place where I always think we'll get a result, probably because its a small and firendly ground.

We can get a point, I am sure of it. First goal is going to be key.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Rip Van We Go Again on October 08, 2012, 01:58:44 PM
Fulham - Lose
Norwich - Win
Swindon - Win
Sunderland - Lose, O'Neill will have them up for that one as if it's their European cup final.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 08, 2012, 02:01:56 PM
Fulham D
Norwich W
Swindon W
MartinONeillsSunderland D
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: ADVILLAFAN on October 08, 2012, 02:11:21 PM
Think we'll get 4-5 points from the league games and we should beat Swindon.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Damo70 on October 08, 2012, 03:01:20 PM
We should win the Norwich and Swindon games and I think we can get at least a draw at Fuilham and Sunderland. In fact if we can take the lead at Sunderland the crowd will turn on them.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Boz on October 08, 2012, 03:24:48 PM
Four points I think, Fulham draw, Norwich win and unfortunately, lose at Sunderland.

In the cup, I think it will be tough, especially if they score first, but we'll win in extra time again.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: silhillvilla on October 08, 2012, 03:45:39 PM
What we must not do is get into the habit of losing & feeling sorry for ourselves. Fulham away is a tough one, they are solid at home & berbatov will be back, I think we'll lose that one. Beat Norwich and Swindon & draw up North.
So 4 points.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: not3bad on October 08, 2012, 03:56:47 PM
In DOL's first season it was progress in the league cup that triggered our recovery.  Hopefully that will happen again.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Legion on October 08, 2012, 07:44:36 PM
Fulham D
Norwich D
Swindon W
Judaswanker'sSunderland W
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Rigadon on October 08, 2012, 07:57:24 PM
Must win at least one and not lose more than 1. 
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 08, 2012, 08:19:30 PM
In DOL's first season it was progress in the league cup that triggered our recovery.  Hopefully that will happen again.
More often then not though a cup run is a hinderence to league form. Especially a struggling team as the players use the cup as an escape from their league form. Need I mention Small Heath...?
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: olaftab on October 08, 2012, 08:53:16 PM
4wins no worries.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: JUAN PABLO on October 08, 2012, 08:53:39 PM
fulham draw
norwich win   *please*
swindon   win
Pube head fc      lose   
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: eamonn on October 08, 2012, 09:47:48 PM
Sunderland are shit. Really. Take Fletcher out and they have very little as an attacking threat. Their form in 2012 is nearly as bad as ours, I don't think it will be long before the natives get a bit restless with Marty McFly.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 08, 2012, 10:32:26 PM
Really Eamonn? Sessegnon (o.k he's been shite this seasons), Adam Johnson and McClean. Larsson is also a decent player but I note MON has now shifted him into central midfield although I doubt Man. City will come calling with a 20m bid anytime soon like with Milner.

I usually think we can get something at Sunderland but no doubt MON will have them like dogs on heat given how much the wally will want to beat us.

I expect 4 points from the next two though, anything less than 3 points against Norwich and the run up to Xmas is going to be very difficult viewing indeed.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: eamonn on October 08, 2012, 11:14:50 PM
I was thinking of Sessegnon and Larsson, both of whom I rate, when posting (had forgotten about Johnson). They are good players. And McLean is raw but has undoubted potential (think he's been over-hyped here in Ireland though) but whatever way MON has them set-up, in the games I've seen them this season and the back-end of last, it's like us at our worst at home under him when we'd struggle to break down lesser teams and end up drawing again.
Away from home, it's the same hit them on the break tactic that we had under him but they don't have the pace and power of Gabby/Milner/Young.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 08, 2012, 11:20:18 PM
Yeah all that' true, they've become very similar to us by the usual way he's built up the squad (he's playing Gardner at RB again).

I think they'll probably sneak into top 10 which says as much for the "quality" below the top 7 as their defence is pretty solid.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on October 09, 2012, 12:06:56 AM
1 pt. A draw with Norwich. Lose the other two league games.

probably beat Swindon but that doesnt really matter.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: bilsim on October 09, 2012, 12:28:53 AM
I think it's going to be very topsy turvey and for that reason, very difficult to predict. After the Swansea and Mercenary City games, there's been a feeling that we're on the right path. Compare that with the Southampton or Spurs games, and suddenly it's doom and gloom. The fact is that over the next few months Lambert will begin to get a much better idea of what is needed and what will work for us. I can honestly say that no set of results from these games would particularly surprise me, with the youth and inexperience we have I'd be surprised if we don't have a few more real disappointments along the way.
That being said, I also think with the drive and continuing progression that is being made in our football, this fear that November will be make or break is unfounded. I'm confident that we can get at least four points from the two Manc clubs and Arsenal. One thing to be sure of is that we'll go out to win and put in an effort we can be proud of.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Richard Richard on October 09, 2012, 12:38:27 AM


probably beat Swindon but that doesnt really matter.
Apart from it being the most important game of the 4.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 01:35:59 AM


probably beat Swindon but that doesnt really matter.
Apart from it being the most important game of the 4.
So the league cup is more important then EPL safety?
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Richard Richard on October 09, 2012, 02:18:56 AM


probably beat Swindon but that doesnt really matter.
Apart from it being the most important game of the 4.
So the league cup is more important then EPL safety?
We only get one chance to win this match, we've got 33 more chances to get premier league points.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 02:41:49 AM
We only get one chance to win this match, we've got 33 more chances to get premier league points.
Not as clear cut as that though. Sometimes a team can never recover from a bad run as their confidence is too low. I think the Norwich game is must win and if we were to lose it then it could really destroy our season. To be clear, I'd love nothing more then a good cup run. But I wouldn't place any particular importance on it this season.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: robbo1874 on October 09, 2012, 08:55:03 AM
Really can't see how anybody could call these next four games so far in advance, except maybe beating Swindon. We just don't know what to expect. Probably a fair bet we'll lose to fulham. Norwich? Fuck knows. Sunderland? Fuck knows.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: PaulTheVillan on October 09, 2012, 09:00:34 AM
2 draws 1 win 1 defeat
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Dave Cooper please on October 09, 2012, 10:08:45 AM


probably beat Swindon but that doesnt really matter.
Apart from it being the most important game of the 4.
So the league cup is more important then EPL safety?

Yep, I'd love a trophy, wouldn't you?
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: supertom on October 09, 2012, 10:18:38 AM
Norwich at home is an absolute must win. Because the other two (prem games) aren't easy. I'd take a point from each right now. Lost against Norwich and after 10 games we could well have 1 win. That's staring down the barrel lads.

For all that things have improved in some areas, we're no better, if not worse, than during Houlliers time. We kept the ball well enough then but like now, the midfield wasn't right and we didn't create anything. And back then we still had Downing (woopty do) and Young.

Randy may have to have a Bentesque desperation splurge in Jan to keep us up. Hopefully we've got the money for that. If we could get a quality midfielder in, it could make all the difference. We're losing games primarily because our midfield isn't nearly good enough. Too much pressure on defence, too little creativity going forward and very imbalanced. If we could get Milner (yes I said it, and yes, it aint happening I know) I'd cartwheel with joy.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: supertom on October 09, 2012, 10:21:06 AM


probably beat Swindon but that doesnt really matter.
Apart from it being the most important game of the 4.
So the league cup is more important then EPL safety?
We only get one chance to win this match, we've got 33 more chances to get premier league points.

I'd take 6 point from those 3 games over a cup win in all honesty. I think if we're come out with less than 5 points, we're really in trouble. Even if we get 5 points, we'd be on 10 points after 10 games. Which is shite and still relegation form.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Risso on October 09, 2012, 10:28:15 AM


probably beat Swindon but that doesnt really matter.
Apart from it being the most important game of the 4.
So the league cup is more important then EPL safety?

Yep, I'd love a trophy, wouldn't you?

Not if it meant doing a Blues and getting relegated in the same season.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: silhillvilla on October 09, 2012, 10:38:27 AM
Ok -
fulham (a) 0-2 defeat, fulham are solid at home and berbatov will be back for this one
norwich (h) 3-2 win, a pulsating end to end game with Wreckless defending at both ends
swindon (a) 2-0 win, the cup is a red herring for us but we'll win this
Sunderland (a) 1-4 defeat, Southampton repeat with fletcher bullying Clark and Vlaar
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Stu on October 09, 2012, 10:51:18 AM
Someone made a great point on here last season that it looked like the younger players were just happy to be playing, and I still think that's the case. As soon as a goal flies in against them, they crumble (although to be fair, they had a go against Spurs for 10 mins). I know it takes time to change to a completely new way of playing, but the club never replaced the quality players that were sold and it's starting to take it's toll, even more so than last season. I'm not sure we have the calibre of player to stay in the league if I'm honest.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: not3bad on October 09, 2012, 10:52:54 AM
Sunderland (a) 1-4 defeat, Southampton repeat with fletcher bullying Clark and Vlaar

4 goals?  For Sunderland?  After they'd managed something like 5 shots in 5 games recently?  Where they sit back and try to hit people on the break at home?
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: l_mckay on October 09, 2012, 12:00:10 PM
Think we will loose down at Fulham,beat Norwich and Swindon (just) and get a draw up at sunderland
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: darren woolley on October 09, 2012, 12:15:13 PM
I reckon we will draw with Fulham get three points against Norwich beat Swindon and lose to Sunderland.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 01:19:06 PM


probably beat Swindon but that doesnt really matter.
Apart from it being the most important game of the 4.
So the league cup is more important then EPL safety?

Yep, I'd love a trophy, wouldn't you?

Not if it meant doing a Blues and getting relegated in the same season.
Was just about to give the same reply. Infact, I think if we won a trophy and got relagated that would piss me off more then if we went down winning zilch. Because it would be like we were good enough to win a trophy and not good enough to stay in the division. You'd almost feel that the team saved their best form for the cup rather then the league.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 09, 2012, 04:12:16 PM


probably beat Swindon but that doesnt really matter.
Apart from it being the most important game of the 4.
So the league cup is more important then EPL safety?
We only get one chance to win this match, we've got 33 more chances to get premier league points.

We'll have no problems staying up if we play 40 league games while everyone else plays 38.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 04:32:02 PM
We'll have no problems staying up if we play 40 league games while everyone else plays 38.
Especially if the two extra games are ruled as wins by default...by virtue of having no opposition.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: itbrvilla on October 09, 2012, 04:36:39 PM
Sunderland (a) 1-4 defeat, Southampton repeat with fletcher bullying Clark and Vlaar

4 goals?  For Sunderland?  After they'd managed something like 5 shots in 5 games recently?  Where they sit back and try to hit people on the break at home?
I'm sure they're looking forward to playing us as most teams probably are.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 09, 2012, 04:40:03 PM
We'll have no problems staying up if we play 40 league games while everyone else plays 38.
Especially if the two extra games are ruled as wins by default...by virtue of having no opposition.

Good job McLeish isn't still here, we'd have ended up drawing them both.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 04:52:01 PM
We'll have no problems staying up if we play 40 league games while everyone else plays 38.
Especially if the two extra games are ruled as wins by default...by virtue of having no opposition.

Good job McLeish isn't still here, we'd have ended up drawing them both.
This. :D
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Monty on October 09, 2012, 04:59:51 PM
I think we'll win all of them. Or at least we could win all of them.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 09, 2012, 07:59:40 PM


probably beat Swindon but that doesnt really matter.
Apart from it being the most important game of the 4.
So the league cup is more important then EPL safety?

Yep, I'd love a trophy, wouldn't you?

Not if it meant doing a Blues and getting relegated in the same season.

Which happens, on average, about once every thirty years. Winning a trophy is far more likely to give the whole club a boost.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 08:21:51 PM
Which happens, on average, about once every thirty years. Winning a trophy is far more likely to give the whole club a boost.
I didn't realise beating Swindon means we will win the cup. It actually is not that uncommon for struggling teams to go on good cup runs.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 09, 2012, 08:25:34 PM
Which happens, on average, about once every thirty years. Winning a trophy is far more likely to give the whole club a boost.
I didn't realise beating Swindon means we will win the cup. It actually is not that uncommon for struggling teams to go on good cup runs.

And it's a lot rarer for them to then get relegated from the EPL, whatever that is, which is what I was commenting on.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Dave Cooper please on October 09, 2012, 09:08:22 PM
If we lose the next league game we still have 30 more to get ourselves up the league.
If we lose against Swindon we are out of the League Cup, no coming back from that.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 09:37:55 PM
If we lose the next league game we still have 30 more to get ourselves up the league.
If we lose against Swindon we are out of the League Cup, no coming back from that.
But we will still have another chance in the league cup next year regardless. If we are relegated in the league then we are not in it next year.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 09, 2012, 09:39:14 PM
Here's some revolutionary thinking. We could have a cup run and stay up.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Richard Richard on October 09, 2012, 09:43:32 PM
If we lose the next league game we still have 30 more to get ourselves up the league.
If we lose against Swindon we are out of the League Cup, no coming back from that.
But we will still have another chance in the league cup next year regardless. If we are relegated in the league then we are not in it next year.
This premier league or nothing attitude is depressing. Fuck you Sky!
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: paulcomben on October 09, 2012, 09:52:00 PM
Which of you is failing to understand that the best we are funded for is mid table mediocrity and maybe an odd cup run that never ends in a trophy? Bless your youthful naivety. Staying in the PL is all that sub squillionaire owners care about. Realistically, sadly.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 10:21:51 PM
Here's some revolutionary thinking. We could have a cup run and stay up.
Indeed. This whole debate arose from which of the next 4 games are most important. I maintain that it is the Norwich game some others seem to think it is the Swindon game. Obviously I'd like nothing more then to win both. I am not one of those that agrees with the view that the cups are a distraction but at the same time, I will always place more importance on the league.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: The Left Side on October 09, 2012, 10:23:19 PM
5 points would be good for me, but if we can stay undefeated even better and a cup win.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Chipsticks on October 09, 2012, 10:29:09 PM
Here's some revolutionary thinking. We could have a cup run and stay up.
Indeed. This whole debate arose from which of the next 4 games are most important. I maintain that it is the Norwich game some others seem to think it is the Swindon game. Obviously I'd like nothing more then to win both. I am not one of those that agrees with the view that the cups are a distraction but at the same time, I will always place more importance on the league.

You have the most imaginative username ;)

In all seriousness, you're right and I agree with you. Cups should be second place to survival.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Dave Cooper please on October 09, 2012, 10:41:19 PM
If we lose the next league game we still have 30 more to get ourselves up the league.
If we lose against Swindon we are out of the League Cup, no coming back from that.
But we will still have another chance in the league cup next year regardless. If we are relegated in the league then we are not in it next year.

We will still be in another league. There really is life below the...err...EPL...you know.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 10:43:06 PM
You have the most imaginative username ;)
Creativity was never my strong point.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 10:51:39 PM
If we lose the next league game we still have 30 more to get ourselves up the league.
If we lose against Swindon we are out of the League Cup, no coming back from that.
But we will still have another chance in the league cup next year regardless. If we are relegated in the league then we are not in it next year.

We will still be in another league. There really is life below the...err...EPL...you know.
I'm 22 and therefore of the Sky generation. :) Non-PL football is unimaginable to me!!! Seriously though, with the money involved in the TV deals it is pretty vital to stay in the division.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: The Left Side on October 09, 2012, 10:53:58 PM
You have the most imaginative username ;)
Creativity was never my strong point.


I like it I wish I had thought of it
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: peter w on October 09, 2012, 11:02:15 PM
The Premiership is the priority. as the league always has been and always should be. So, winning those games is far more important than the Swindon game. However, I still want to win the Cup, any Cup, but not as a trade off for being relegated. Not that I'm suggesting that we will be.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Dave Cooper please on October 09, 2012, 11:03:13 PM
I'm 22 and therefore of the Sky generation. :) Non-PL football is unimaginable to me!!! Seriously though, with the money involved in the TV deals it is pretty vital to stay in the division.

Is it?
Can you not see yourself being able to support your club in another division?
They are your club, you will follow them wherever and whatever surely?
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: peter w on October 09, 2012, 11:07:19 PM
I'm 22 and therefore of the Sky generation. :) Non-PL football is unimaginable to me!!! Seriously though, with the money involved in the TV deals it is pretty vital to stay in the division.

Is it?
Can you not see yourself being able to support your club in another division?
They are your club, you will follow them wherever and whatever surely?

That's not the point though. Most of us have seen Villa in a lower division and had great times taking over smaller grounds and seeing us winning. But, do you really think I'd trade a Cup win for a spell in The Championship? No ta.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 11:19:38 PM
You have the most imaginative username ;)
Creativity was never my strong point.


I like it I wish I had thought of it
Well it was only the second choice. My original choice was 'The Left Side' but it seems somebody else got there first. Grrr...;)
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 09, 2012, 11:26:48 PM
I can only think of small heath and Norwich as clubs who won a trophy and were relegated in the same season. Is there anyone else?
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 11:36:40 PM
I'm 22 and therefore of the Sky generation. :) Non-PL football is unimaginable to me!!! Seriously though, with the money involved in the TV deals it is pretty vital to stay in the division.

Is it?
Can you not see yourself being able to support your club in another division?
They are your club, you will follow them wherever and whatever surely?
I didn't actually say that. My point was originally that I value our league status ahead of some cup run. I don't want us to be relagated. That doesn't mean I won't support us if we are relagated.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 11:41:10 PM
I'm 22 and therefore of the Sky generation. :) Non-PL football is unimaginable to me!!! Seriously though, with the money involved in the TV deals it is pretty vital to stay in the division.

Is it?
Can you not see yourself being able to support your club in another division?
They are your club, you will follow them wherever and whatever surely?

That's not the point though. Most of us have seen Villa in a lower division and had great times taking over smaller grounds and seeing us winning. But, do you really think I'd trade a Cup win for a spell in The Championship? No ta.
My sentiments exactly sir.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 09, 2012, 11:43:08 PM
I wonder if the trophy was the FA Cup if more would accept relegation. I'd be tempted as I want to see us complete the set before I die.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 09, 2012, 11:53:11 PM
I wonder if the trophy was the FA Cup if more would accept relegation. I'd be tempted as I want to see us complete the set before I die.
I wouldn't even accept the Champions League if it meant relegation. Thats just me though.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 09, 2012, 11:54:10 PM
I wonder if the trophy was the FA Cup if more would accept relegation. I'd be tempted as I want to see us complete the set before I die.
I wouldn't even accept the Champions League if it meant relegation. Thats just me though.

Meh, i've seen us win that. The FA Cup though ......
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: peter w on October 10, 2012, 12:02:18 AM
I wonder if the trophy was the FA Cup if more would accept relegation. I'd be tempted as I want to see us complete the set before I die.

I did think about that as I was typing. I wasn't sure so I just ignored it.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Richard Richard on October 10, 2012, 01:09:00 AM
I've never seen us win anything and I've never seen us relegated so if it was a straight choice between winning a cup or staying up then I personally would choose the cup every time, I want to see our honours list with something post 2000 in it.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Legion on October 10, 2012, 06:58:49 AM
I can only think of small heath and Norwich as clubs who won a trophy and were relegated in the same season. Is there anyone else?

Middlesbrough?
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Matt Collins on October 10, 2012, 07:07:05 AM
Fulham D
Norwich W
Swindon W
MartinONeillsSunderland D

I agree with this, although in some respects it's wildly optimistic given our results so far! We don't seem to lose at fulham very often. We do really need to beat Norwich. And Sunderland have drawn the majority of their games this season and are about as entertaining as we became under MON.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Dave Cooper please on October 10, 2012, 11:02:12 AM
I wonder if the trophy was the FA Cup if more would accept relegation. I'd be tempted as I want to see us complete the set before I die.
I wouldn't even accept the Champions League if it meant relegation. Thats just me though.

I'd take anything even if we got relegated, silverware is what it's all about isn't it?
The Premier League is not the be all and end all of football, especially if, as we are, you are one of the fourteen or so "other" clubs with absolutely fuck all chance of actually winning the bloody thing in my lifetime without the input of a multi gazillionnaire.
 Watching Villa in a lower division wouldn't bother me one little bit once the annoyance of relegation went away.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 10, 2012, 11:19:38 AM
Quote
Middlesbrough?

Don't think so.

Boro lost in both the FA Cup final and the League Cup final in the same season that they were relegated.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: mal on October 10, 2012, 12:13:32 PM
Quote
Middlesbrough?

Don't think so.

Boro lost in both the FA Cup final and the League Cup final in the same season that they were relegated.

Five teams have been hapless enough to go down having appeared in both the League Cup and FA Cup finals. Chelsea (1915, re-elected to the top division after the war without having to kick a ball in the second tier), Manchester City (1926), Leicester (1969), Brighton (1983) and Middlesbrough (1997).
The only English clubs to win a cup and get relegated in the same year are Norwich (who won the League Cup in 1985 and then went down, taking finalists Sunderland with them) and Reading, who were relegated after winning the Simod Cup in 1988 and  you-know-who.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 10, 2012, 12:19:46 PM

Five teams have been hapless enough to go down having appeared in both the League Cup and FA Cup finals. Chelsea (1915, re-elected to the top division after the war without having to kick a ball in the second tier), Manchester City (1926), Leicester (1969), Brighton (1983) and Middlesbrough (1997).



I think you mean League Cup OR FA Cup final.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Lambert and Payne on October 10, 2012, 12:27:02 PM
If we lose the next league game we still have 30 more to get ourselves up the league.
If we lose against Swindon we are out of the League Cup, no coming back from that.
But we will still have another chance in the league cup next year regardless. If we are relegated in the league then we are not in it next year.

We will still be in another league. There really is life below the...err...EPL...you know.
I'm 22 and therefore of the Sky generation. :) Non-PL football is unimaginable to me!!! Seriously though, with the money involved in the TV deals it is pretty vital to stay in the division.

I'm 20 and sky gen. I'd take a cup and relegation. I've never seen my boys walk those steps and lift a trophy, that really does hurt

I'd happily take 16th and a carling cup win. I'd take relegation with an FA Cup win
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: JJ-AV on October 10, 2012, 12:31:45 PM
As proud as I am about our history (even though the best of it was 7-8 years before I was born), you're ultimately only as good as you are currently.

I'm sure I'd enjoy the Villa just as much if we were in League 2, but I still believe that every day we're working towards being the best.

Last season was depressing, to the point that I wished I didn't care. As was DOL's last season and GT2.

I wouldn't trade a Cup win for a season like that sending us down... But at the time under MON I'd have preferred to have finished 5th (or 6th!) and won the League Cup than got 4th.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: ajmant on October 10, 2012, 01:09:18 PM
These people who would take relegation and a Cup win are seriously in need of help. I assume they believe Villa's return to the top flight would be routine? Just ask the fans of Sheffield Wed, Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, to name just a few, how easy it is to regain your top flight status.

So for me, I couldnt give a fart about Swindon in the Cup this season. This year is all about hanging onto our Premier League status. If we fall, I think it's a long way back. So as a result, Villa will no doubt lose all 3 league games and win the cup game!!!!
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 10, 2012, 01:11:18 PM
These people who would take relegation and a Cup win are seriously in need of help. I assume they believe Villa's return to the top flight would be routine? Just ask the fans of Sheffield Wed, Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, to name just a few, how easy it is to regain your top flight status.

So for me, I couldnt give a fart about Swindon in the Cup this season. This year is all about hanging onto our Premier League status. If we fall, I think it's a long way back. So as a result, Villa will no doubt lose all 3 league games and win the cup game!!!!

It's no dafter than the regular assumption that winning a cup and relegation is an either/or. We're not going down, let's aim to win every match.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: ajmant on October 10, 2012, 01:15:19 PM
Agreed Dave, it should never be an either or an or. I hope we win all 4 like I hope we win every game that Aston Villa play.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 10, 2012, 01:45:02 PM
I wouldn't trade a Cup win for a season like that sending us down... But at the time under MON I'd have preferred to have finished 5th (or 6th!) and won the League Cup than got 4th.
That is pretty much my view on it. I'm not sure I'd trade a League Cup for the top 4 as I would love to see us play in the CL at least once. Probably would accept the FA Cup or Europa League for it though. But in general, relegation is the red line for me. I'd even have another season like the last if it meant a trophy. But never relegation, even for multiple trophies it would be too big a price to pay. Also, this may sound a bit small time and sad but I'm proud of our ever-present PL record.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: silhillvilla on October 10, 2012, 01:49:20 PM
I'm not sure CL football is for me. We'd see fewer Saturday 3pm games and ticket prices would rocket. All that for a competition we'd have virtually no chance of winning or even getting to the latter stages of.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 10, 2012, 01:54:06 PM
Agreed Dave, it should never be an either or an or. I hope we win all 4 like I hope we win every game that Aston Villa play.
As do we all. The original point was which of our next 4 games is most important. I'd take a minimum of 5 points in the PL games if that meant losing to Swindon. But it is hypothetical of course and I obviously want us to win all 4 games if possible.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 10, 2012, 02:07:58 PM
I'm not sure CL football is for me. We'd see fewer Saturday 3pm games and ticket prices would rocket. All that for a competition we'd have virtually no chance of winning or even getting to the latter stages of.
To make the top 4 you have to be a very good team. Therefore if we were to make the CL we would have every chance of making the latter stages. As all English clubs usually do.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 10, 2012, 05:07:20 PM
If we are not going to invest the stupid amounts of money to become a CL place regular then I'd rather we invested wisely enough to be the best of the rest and try and win both domestic cups every season. The only shit part of all of that is the dreadful Europa League which I'd sooner opt out of every season.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 10, 2012, 05:16:17 PM
The only shit part of all of that is the dreadful Europa League which I'd sooner opt out of every season.
Rather win the Europa League then the League Cup. It also gives you access to the Super Cup.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: tomd2103 on October 10, 2012, 06:51:55 PM
Whereas I subscribe to the old adage of "taking it one game at a time", we have a similar run of games to the next three league games at the end of November and into early December.  After the Man Utd, Man City and Arsenal run of games we have Reading (H), QPR (A) and Stoke (H) which should give us the opportunity to pick up some more points.  I might be being a little optimistic, but I don't think Man Utd and Arsenal at home should be written off as definite losses just yet.     
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 10, 2012, 09:29:09 PM
I'm not sure CL football is for me. We'd see fewer Saturday 3pm games and ticket prices would rocket. All that for a competition we'd have virtually no chance of winning or even getting to the latter stages of.
To make the top 4 you have to be a very good team. Therefore if we were to make the CL we would have every chance of making the latter stages. As all English clubs usually do.

Eventually.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: olaftab on October 10, 2012, 09:49:43 PM
If we lose the next league game we still have 30 more to get ourselves up the league.
If we lose against Swindon we are out of the League Cup, no coming back from that.
Well said that man.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: eamonn on October 11, 2012, 12:42:23 AM
If we are not going to invest the stupid amounts of money to become a CL place regular then I'd rather we invested wisely enough to be the best of the rest and try and win both domestic cups every season. The only shit part of all of that is the dreadful Europa League which I'd sooner opt out of every season.

I think Villas-Boas is right with his point that if you talk something down enough it becomes worthless like English teams generally do with the Europa. I was living in Madrid when Atletico won it a couple of years ago with Aguero and Forlan up front (before winning it again the season just gone largely thanks to the brilliant Falcao) and it was great to see the fans taking it serious all the way through to the final.
The Fulham fans had a great time that season following their team campaign that year losing to Atleti in the final but beating the likes of Juventus along the way.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Aston Villa on October 11, 2012, 12:52:22 AM
If we are not going to invest the stupid amounts of money to become a CL place regular then I'd rather we invested wisely enough to be the best of the rest and try and win both domestic cups every season. The only shit part of all of that is the dreadful Europa League which I'd sooner opt out of every season.

I think Villas-Boas is right with his point that if you talk something down enough it becomes worthless like English teams generally do with the Europa. I was living in Madrid when Atletico won it a couple of years ago with Aguero and Forlan up front (before winning it again the season just gone largely thanks to the brilliant Falcao) and it was great to see the fans taking it serious all the way through to the final.
The Fulham fans had a great time that season following their team campaign that year losing to Atleti in the final but beating the likes of Juventus along the way.
I think it means something lots of Villans too. Remember how pissed most of us were when MON basically surrendered to CSKA Moscow by fielding a B team? I would say the reaction to that was no less then when Houllier did the same in the FA Cup. I respect AVB's approach to the competition and hope that becomes the norm.
Title: Re: The next 4 games....
Post by: Richard Richard on October 11, 2012, 12:59:44 AM
If we are not going to invest the stupid amounts of money to become a CL place regular then I'd rather we invested wisely enough to be the best of the rest and try and win both domestic cups every season. The only shit part of all of that is the dreadful Europa League which I'd sooner opt out of every season.

I think Villas-Boas is right with his point that if you talk something down enough it becomes worthless like English teams generally do with the Europa. I was living in Madrid when Atletico won it a couple of years ago with Aguero and Forlan up front (before winning it again the season just gone largely thanks to the brilliant Falcao) and it was great to see the fans taking it serious all the way through to the final.
The Fulham fans had a great time that season following their team campaign that year losing to Atleti in the final but beating the likes of Juventus along the way.
I think it means something lots of Villans too. Remember how pissed most of us were when MON basically surrendered to CSKA Moscow by fielding a B team? I would say the reaction to that was no less then when Houllier did the same in the FA Cup. I respect AVB's approach to the competition and hope that becomes the norm.
Aaaaaagh the roar when Collymore scored against Atletico Madrid, if only Hendrie could have put his chance in a few minutes later, the stadium would have exploded.
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