Relegation Watch

[tomd2103]

Tony Pulis looked right up for getting a result against QPR.  Whatever we say about Stoke, they have a strict game(?) plan and stick to it, getting results, and being very very difficult to play.  While they may have out performed us for possession at VP, I dont think wiping the ball dry for throw ins or setting up free kicks should count.  I will be cheering them taking three points from QPR, but not as much as us taking three points from Jellyface whos week has just gone from bad to worse. Mwah hah hah hah hah

He's got a bit of history with Mark Hughes and Mark Bowen hasn't he?  If I recall correctly, he's had a few run-ins on the touchline with the pair of them and I get the impression that there is no love lost between them.  Pulis comes across as a man who doesn't forget that kind of thing and who definitely bears grudges, so I'm sure he will be relishing the opportunity of playing a role in sending QPR down.

[Concrete John]

Mind you, for a weekend that was all but ideal for us, my mood about the Villa remains depressingly low.

I think feelings and opinions about our safety, or lack thereof, can be separated from those relating to the manager and direction of the club.

[Damo70]

Although I did tip us for a point on Saturday, in general I am pessimistic enough about our ability to finish this debate by actually winning a match that I, like most others have studied over and over again everyone elses' points, goal difference and remaining fixtures. I think Wigan will stay up, Blackburn are surely down and a Spurs win at Bolton on Wednesday would do us a huge favour. It has to be pointed out that with one very unfortunate exception Bolton haven't actually been winning games recently.What would worry me is if Bolton win that game. Also I do think QPR will beat Stoke if you look at Rangers' home record and Stoke's away record. The nightmare scenario for me is Bolton doing well in their last three games and QPR beating Stoke and then going to play a Man City side who have already blown the title.

[Merv]

Mind you, for a weekend that was all but ideal for us, my mood about the Villa remains depressingly low.

I think feelings and opinions about our safety, or lack thereof, can be separated from those relating to the manager and direction of the club.

Good for you, John. Is that you telling me how you feel, or how I should feel?

If I'm looking at the weekend's results, I'd reflect we've come out of the other side 'winning', even if we've done very little ourselves to profit. But the weekend has done little to lift my spirits or optimism, or overall enjoyment of following Villa. Maybe the current relegation battle and our performances can be viewed as separate to the direction of the club, maybe not. I'm struggling to do that. We'll stay up, but I won't be clenching my fists in joy at how we've achieved it.

[damon loves JT]

I actually think we have more chance of beating a team like Spurs. if it were some old crap from the foot of the division, we'd probably panic and throw it away.

[UK Redsox]

I actually think we have more chance of beating a team like Spurs. if it were some old crap from the foot of the division, we'd probably panic and throw it away.

1-0 - O.G. by Agent Walker

[Concrete John]

Mind you, for a weekend that was all but ideal for us, my mood about the Villa remains depressingly low.

I think feelings and opinions about our safety, or lack thereof, can be separated from those relating to the manager and direction of the club.

Good for you, John. Is that you telling me how you feel, or how I should feel?

If I'm looking at the weekend's results, I'd reflect we've come out of the other side 'winning', even if we've done very little ourselves to profit. But the weekend has done little to lift my spirits or optimism, or overall enjoyment of following Villa. Maybe the current relegation battle and our performances can be viewed as separate to the direction of the club, maybe not. I'm struggling to do that. We'll stay up, but I won't be clenching my fists in joy at how we've achieved it.

Telling you how I view it.

They'll be no sense of triumph, or vindication for the manager, if/when we stay up, but rather a "We were lucky - let's not need to be luck next time!"

[tomd2103]

Although I did tip us for a point on Saturday, in general I am pessimistic enough about our ability to finish this debate by actually winning a match that I, like most others have studied over and over again everyone elses' points, goal difference and remaining fixtures. I think Wigan will stay up, Blackburn are surely down and a Spurs win at Bolton on Wednesday would do us a huge favour. It has to be pointed out that with one very unfortunate exception Bolton haven't actually been winning games recently.What would worry me is if Bolton win that game. Also I do think QPR will beat Stoke if you look at Rangers' home record and Stoke's away record. The nightmare scenario for me is Bolton doing well in their last three games and QPR beating Stoke and then going to play a Man City side who have already blown the title.

I have to say that I think QPR are the poorest team I have seen at Villa Park this season (apart from Villa that is!!).  Yes they have a bit of a threat with Cisse and Zamora, but as we saw yesterday they are absolutely woeful at the back.  Can't really see them getting anything at Man City, even if City have nothing to play for and I can also see Stooke getting something out of the game down there.

[Villafirst]

Although I did tip us for a point on Saturday, in general I am pessimistic enough about our ability to finish this debate by actually winning a match that I, like most others have studied over and over again everyone elses' points, goal difference and remaining fixtures. I think Wigan will stay up, Blackburn are surely down and a Spurs win at Bolton on Wednesday would do us a huge favour. It has to be pointed out that with one very unfortunate exception Bolton haven't actually been winning games recently.What would worry me is if Bolton win that game. Also I do think QPR will beat Stoke if you look at Rangers' home record and Stoke's away record. The nightmare scenario for me is Bolton doing well in their last three games and QPR beating Stoke and then going to play a Man City side who have already blown the title.

I have to say that I think QPR are the poorest team I have seen at Villa Park this season (apart from Villa that is!!).  Yes they have a bit of a threat with Cisse and Zamora, but as we saw yesterday they are absolutely woeful at the back.  Can't really see them getting anything at Man City, even if City have nothing to play for and I can also see Stooke getting something out of the game down there.

Agree, they were abysmal at Chelsea yesterday, I just can't see how they'll get anything at Man City other than a battering. I just pray City beat United tonight and they go into the last game needing a win to secure the title! I not giving up this Sunday's game against Spurs, after all, QPR have beaten them recently. If we do go down now we deserve it for the table doesn't lie over 38 matches.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'm not relaxing until we are mathematically safe.

I remember when West Ham had no chance of staying up as they had to play at champions Manure on the last day and win.

The difference here was that Man U were already champions and had their flip flops on.  When QPR go to Man City ont he last day, I doubt they would already be crowned.

Freak or unexpected results happen all the time though.

Who would have thought that Chelsea down to 10 men, losing 2-1 and with only something stupid like 20% possession would knock Barcelona out?

Who thought Fulham would stay up a few years ago when they were 2-0 down with 20 mins to go at Citeh in the 36th game of the season. Fulham had to win all their remaining games to have any chance of staying up.

Did anyone really think Sheff Utd would go down when we beat them 3-0 in that match that seems a lifetime ago.

Maybe Citeh will have won the title by then, maybe they'll be out of it. Or maybe they will still be in with a chance but bottle it. I just think we need to be wary of writing that game off as a nailed on Citeh win.

[Concrete John]

I'm not relaxing until we are mathematically safe.

I remember when West Ham had no chance of staying up as they had to play at champions Manure on the last day and win.

The difference here was that Man U were already champions and had their flip flops on.  When QPR go to Man City ont he last day, I doubt they would already be crowned.

Freak or unexpected results happen all the time though.

Who would have thought that Chelsea down to 10 men, losing 2-1 and with only something stupid like 20% possession would knock Barcelona out?

Who thought Fulham would stay up a few years ago when they were 2-0 down with 20 mins to go at Citeh in the 36th game of the season. Fulham had to win all their remaining games to have any chance of staying up.

Did anyone really think Sheff Utd would go down when we beat them 3-0 in that match that seems a lifetime ago.

Maybe Citeh will have won the title by then, maybe they'll be out of it. Or maybe they will still be in with a chance but bottle it. I just think we need to be wary of writing that game off as a nailed on Citeh win.

They do, yet people are writing off our our chances of beating either Spurs or Norwich and putting the whole issue to bed once and for all!

[RossLeach]

Anyone else hoping for angry Harry to crush Bolton on Weds and then Woy's big hurrah and a WBA thrashing of Bolton on Sunday, but fearing that the FA may have just given6pts to Bolton?

[Villafirst]

I'm not relaxing until we are mathematically safe.

I remember when West Ham had no chance of staying up as they had to play at champions Manure on the last day and win.

The difference here was that Man U were already champions and had their flip flops on.  When QPR go to Man City ont he last day, I doubt they would already be crowned.

Freak or unexpected results happen all the time though.

Who would have thought that Chelsea down to 10 men, losing 2-1 and with only something stupid like 20% possession would knock Barcelona out?

Who thought Fulham would stay up a few years ago when they were 2-0 down with 20 mins to go at Citeh in the 36th game of the season. Fulham had to win all their remaining games to have any chance of staying up.

Did anyone really think Sheff Utd would go down when we beat them 3-0 in that match that seems a lifetime ago.

Maybe Citeh will have won the title by then, maybe they'll be out of it. Or maybe they will still be in with a chance but bottle it. I just think we need to be wary of writing that game off as a nailed on Citeh win.

I can see where you're coming from on this, but I watched the whole 90 minutes of the Chelsea and QPR match yesterday and QPR were worse than us! They were shocking! This isn't good for any Villa fans health at the moment! Do you remember the last game a Norwich in the 94/95 season? We were in probably a worse position then, fortunately we got a point and Newcastle beat West Ham and we stayed up by 3 points although in those days it was 42 matches.

[Damo70]

Anyone else hoping for angry Harry to crush Bolton on Weds and then Woy's big hurrah and a WBA thrashing of Bolton on Sunday, but fearing that the FA may have just given6pts to Bolton?

Or alternatively to that last line, someone who might just have been arrogant enough to believe he was nailed on for the England job because all his mates in the press told him so  may start concentrating on his actual job again.

[PeterWithesShin]

They do, yet people are writing off our our chances of beating either Spurs or Norwich and putting the whole issue to bed once and for all!

I'm not writing them off but given our league record so far in 2012 I have to be honest and say i'm not overly confident of us winning either of them.