could we get relegated?

[Ads]

I think the difference yesterday in the second half was the midfield not sitting as deep, with Delph, Ireland getting in front of Gabby and also pressing the opposition a lot further up.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Villa only playing for 1 half is a long term thing, I often say to my Dad 'I hope this is our bad half'

It is indeed. During the four years of MON we only ever turned up for one half per game. I also think it's part of the over reaction on here, yesterday was the first time I think we turned up second half, normally it's us falling apart second half and that's what fans remember more.

I look forward (read 'dream') to us putting in a good, solid 90 minutes. I really can't remember the last time we did it.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I doubt it but ask me again when we play someone decent

[Chris Jameson]

Are you aware Preston is in Lancashire not Yorkshire?!

cant even talk about my club now then forget it

Haven't seen the Yorkshire Post today but as far as I know we haven't invaded Preston.

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

The real Preston...

[ASHTONVILLA]

Could we - yes

Will we - I doubt it.

I can see us being in the relegation mix like last season, and leaving it late to get out of it. But I can't see us dropping unless we have two of Bent, Given, and Gabby injured for a long time.

[richard moore]

Yes, we could, with the wrong players getting injured and relying too much on the kids as we did for that very rocky patch last season, Man Utd at home excepted. However, I think it is perhaps more accurate to say we could finish bottom six without getting relegated. That, for me, is more of a possibility. What we are going to see is a lot of 'dog eat dog' results this season as the league is so mediocre and evenly matched below what eventually will turn out be Spurs, Arsenal or Liverpool. We are already seeing lots of teams like QPR, Stoke and Sunderland getting good results one week and disappointing ones the next....

However, in short, I think it likely there will be three worse teams than us

[supertom]

It's not impossible sadly, but doubtful. In all honesty I don't think we're in any danger of finishing top 6 or bottom 6. We're gonna be somewhere between a distance from above us 7th and a comfortable 14th. I think we're gonna be straight down the middle average. We'll get somewhere between 45-55 points, a bit more if we're lucky.

Injuries might mount and put us in the shit, but there's too many godawful sides below us to worry about going down IMHO. Keep Bent and Gabby fit and the backline for starters, and then get the midfield right. When we do that we may get better performances and a bit more consistency and goals. However our squad is such that any hope of pushing for Europe in the league is very slim indeed. January will show just how much ambition we have. I do think Randy's given up the ghost now.

[Fergal]

No, we have one of the strongest defences outside the top 4 and in Gabby and Bent two of the best strikers. Get the midfield balance right and we'll be upper mid table.

Really?  Why do I shit myself every time we have to defend a set piece then?

[UsualSuspect]

No, we have one of the strongest defences outside the top 4 and in Gabby and Bent two of the best strikers. Get the midfield balance right and we'll be upper mid table.

Really?  Why do I shit myself every time we have to defend a set piece then?

I tend to agree

Man City will be our first big test as we couldn't have had an easier 7 opening games

[itbrvilla]

No, we have one of the strongest defences outside the top 4 and in Gabby and Bent two of the best strikers. Get the midfield balance right and we'll be upper mid table.

Really?  Why do I shit myself every time we have to defend a set piece then?

Also they give away far to many pointless silly fouls around our box !

[Phil from the upper holte]

How many free kicks were given around the egde of our box? I don't have an exact count but I think it was about 30,000

[Chris Smith]

No, we have one of the strongest defences outside the top 4 and in Gabby and Bent two of the best strikers. Get the midfield balance right and we'll be upper mid table.

Really?  Why do I shit myself every time we have to defend a set piece then?

IBS?

We've been good on set pieces all season, your incontinence would appear unfounded.

[nick harper]

We give away far too many free kicks - players need to stay on their feet.. Collins does that far too much as do Warnock and Delph. Albrighton's tackling is laughable.

Better sides than QPR would have taken advantage yesterday. Six bookings was about right and we could easily have been down to 10 men.

[ozzjim]

No, we have one of the strongest defences outside the top 4 and in Gabby and Bent two of the best strikers. Get the midfield balance right and we'll be upper mid table.

Really?  Why do I shit myself every time we have to defend a set piece then?

IBS?

We've been good on set pieces all season, your incontinence would appear unfounded.

Our defending is very seat of your pants though you have to admit Chris, it is not defended through controlling a game, or keeping the opposition at arms length. We are under the cosh much of the game.