The Plot An Escape From Relegation Thread.....

[kippaxvilla2]

Did Sylla play today?

[ciggiesnbeer]

Did Sylla play today?

Yes, played decently. Probably a hair below Delph in terms of impact but he was decent.

[Monty]

Did Sylla play today?

Yes, played decently. Probably a hair below Delph in terms of impact but he was decent.

I was really impressed with his passing today. We've seen his snappiness in the tackle since his move, but today and against Sunderland he's shown signs of being up-to-speed, and his sharpness of passing is getting much better.

[kippaxvilla2]

Always think we look better with him in the side, think him coming in and Baker in place of Clark at the back have made a massive difference.

[Monty]

Always think we look better with him in the side, think him coming in and Baker in place of Clark at the back have made a massive difference.

I think Clark's and Baker's strengths and weaknesses end up roughly equal: I would say Clark lacks a certain ferocity when man-marking which Baker certainly has no problem with, but his positioning is uncanny where Baker's is ploddingly uncertain, sometimes. Sylla, though, I don't disagree on. We just look better with him there.

[villan from luton]

Fulham and Stoke aren't out of it either.

We need Stoke to go and beat Sunderland to keep them safe so that we remain at least one win ahead of Sunderland with two left.

Even so, I would fancy Sunderland to beat Southampton. To be honest 2 draws would be great for us in the Sunderland games, but they are likely to get 3-4 points.

I agree with you. Every team down in the relegation zone will win every game, even if they are playing against each other

[Irish villain]

Norwich will struggle for another win. Newcastle have to beat QPR. Sunderland losing to Stoke would also be huge.

Ourselves and Wigan might end up playing for a point on the final day yet....

[Percy McCarthy]

Encouraging display from QPR today. Repeat it against Newcastle and they could win.

[villan from luton]

Norwich will struggle for another win. Newcastle have to beat QPR. Sunderland losing to Stoke would also be huge.

Ourselves and Wigan might end up playing for a point on the final day yet....

I think Norwich will beat Baggies, we are not out of it yet by a long way, just like i thought all the long odds on the like of Norwich, Sunderland, Newcastle was a week or so ago, think our odds are big now.Difference is we are a confident team, 4th best over last 8 games. Please let it continue

[brontebilly]

I think it needs saying again, Gabby's winner was absolutely crucial considering Wigan won today. 2 points dropped today could have sunk us despite all the goodwill following the hammering we gave to Sunderland a week ago. We are still far from out of it. We havent beaten a decent side since Liverpool at Xmas so Chelsea will be very strong favourites to come to Villa Park and turn us over. Benitez's sides tend to finish the season strongly but they are bound to be running on empty by the time they play us.

Wigan I reckon need to beat Swansea midweek to keep us looking over our shoulder. Cant see them going to Arsenal and winning and beating us either. Think 39 points is the most they will get.

Sunderland with home games to come v Stoke and Southampton and a positive goal difference seem in a relatively strong position. Yet they are desperately short of quality and no idea where their goals are going to come from. Can see Spurs giving them a hiding on the last day too. Id put them at 39 points but if Stoke can go there and beat them, think they are fucked imo.

Newcastle simply have to beat QPR next weekend. I think they will too. I think its a positive for them to be away from home as SJP could well turn on the players big time if QPR scored first. 41 points for them to finish and limp over the line. They fuck that game up and they will deserve to go down.

Norwich played well yesterday but similar to Sunderland are desperately short on quality. Despite the best efforts of their midfield, did Holt look a threat? I dont think so and Bennett at centre half aint great. I hope they stay up but saw nothing about them yesterday to see where their next win is coming from. Id put them at 39 points too to finish.

Southampton not quite out of it yet but can see them winning one of their last 2 games. Sunderland probably. 42 points.

Cant see Stoke getting beaten at Sunderland. Fulham had a ridiculous result yesterday but have 2 reasonable games to finish with. We wont lose to Wigan if we need a result and could well nick a point against Chelsea.

Impossible to call but Wigan will get out of it if they beat Swansea I reckon. Norwich's worse goal difference over Sunderland could be crucial.

[Villafirst]

One thing not to overlook is the number of games including an energy sapping FA Cup Final Wigan have got. Especially having to play at the Emirates only 3 days after the final. They've already got injuries (Beausejour the latest. I think our forwards will pick them off with their pace and power.

[ozzjim]

One thing not to overlook is the number of games including an energy sapping FA Cup Final Wigan have got. Especially having to play at the Emirates only 3 days after the final. They've already got injuries (Beausejour the latest. I think our forwards will pick them off with their pace and power.

I think they will lose against Arsenal, but essentially if they beat Swansea, they go into the final game knowing that beating us will likely save them. I don't think the amount of games will come into it then.

Like I said, and have been accused of doom mongering which I am not at all, for me if we lose on the final day, there is a very decent chance we will go down looking at the fixtures of the other teams. That result yesterday for Wigan was massive.

[Villafirst]

They do seem to have all the luck with Michu now injured. Who know, Kone and Maloney might get injured! We really need to put everything in against Chelsea to get at least a point. They're not invincible - even the Baggies have beaten them at the Hawthorns - not forgetting QPR's win at the Bridge!

[Malandro]

They do seem to have all the luck with Michu now injured. Who know, Kone and Maloney might get injured! We really need to put everything in against Chelsea to get at least a point. They're not invincible - even the Baggies have beaten them at the Hawthorns - not forgetting QPR's win at the Bridge!

We've got plenty to motivate us as well!

[Matt Collins]

Gabby's goal was absolutely crucial. We're definitely not safe yet. To put it in its simplest terms: if we assume Wigan will beat Swansea, then unless we beat chelsea, every team that could go down will be within three points of us going into the final game, and some are likely to be above us.