Who's left in the Battle

[barrysleftfoot]

 The Llop game could be key to us.If we don't lose that, then i can see us getting a result at Stoke, and beating Sland, and finishing half way.

 If we lose, the Soke and Sland will be more difficult.

[chrisw1]

I see Lawro in the Mirror is still tipping us to go down with Reading & QPR. With Wigan staying clear of the drop despite being 3 points behind us.

Evidently Sunderland, Southampton et-al have nothing to worry about.

Well heaven forbid he'd ever actually give something some thought before it emanates from his head.
"Shit, I've gotta get that article emailed off in five minutes! Where's that league table? Right, bottom two, they'll do, Wigan's goal difference is better than Villa's, bound to win their game in hand, so let's have them in there too.
And......send.
Phew, almost didn't get paid there!"

It's easy to knock Lawro, but it's a valid opinion and could quite easily bear true.  Just because it doesn't fit with some new found optimism here, I could certainly see Wigan finishing above us - they are masters at escaping.  Whether anyone else is a better bet to get dragged down other than us, well that is speculative.  Hopefully he'll be proved wrong, but mocking him for a perfectly plausible prediction is tempting fate I think.  Anybody would think we're already safe!

I hold my hands up. I've not read the article, and my original retort was mainly based on my own opinions of his rather lazy contributions to Saturday nights' telly. A little hypocritical of me, thinking about it.
I shall endeavour to read it anon.
I may be back.

Right, read it.
With in-depth analysis like "their results this season have proven you cannot rely on Aston Villa at all", I'm sticking with what I said. Seeing how the majority of his piece is a contribution to the media's bi-monthly, tongue-clucking, beard-stroking debate over what's to be done with referees, it seems purely tacked on to the end, and I venture that, as such, it was given very little, if any, thought and consideration. I just think that as a paid "expert", he could do a little homework once in a while.

Agreed that it doesn't alter the fact that we're still in it, maybe not up to our necks anymore, but at least waist-deep.

It's a prediction.  One which may well come true.  One which, on balance, I personally think is still likely to come true.  I just don't see how making a credible prediction can be 'lazy,' even if it wasn't supported with the detailed analysis you would like to see. 

[Ads]

Its a prediction based on clichés and a vacuum of knowledge.

The man is genuinely lazy, but at least he was being lazy on somebody else’s Dime for once and not the licence fee payers.

[Pat McMahon]

I am still very concerned about relegation.

We have some momentum for the first time this season and have to maintain it. I reckon there will be plenty more twists and turns in this struggle.

[N'ZMAV]

I'll be concerned until it is totally impossible. Maybe I'm just a negative bastard?

[PaulWinch again]

I'm still concerned, but I'm filled with a lot more hope now that we've managed to win two high pressure games back to back. If you consider the fact we came from behind in both games as well, it is a clear demonstration of character. I think we'll be ok, but I'd like us to get to 40 + points as soon as possible.

[richard moore]

Going to be an exciting last few weeks of the season for sure. In one sense, a perverse one tis' true, I rather enjoy all this with us stuck right in the middle of it. It certainly brings the weekend football alive and makes me far more interested in other results than would normally be the case. It also accentuates hugely my joy in winning, even against teams like Reading and QPR which, in the past, would hardly have registered. Which in turn, is a good barometer of just how much we have fallen and how our expectations have been so dramatically realigned...

[DrGonzo]

Somebody, talking about Sunderland although applicable to the West Ham/Stoke types also, was saying they you would favour Villa,Southapmton and Wigan to stay up as we've been involved in the relegation battle for some time.  Whereas those who may get dragged in will be in full panic mode.  I am beginning to believe we will survive. 

West Ham aren't out of the woods: WBA (h) Liverpool (a) Southampton (a) Utd (h) Wigan (h) City (a)...six big games and maybe 3/4pts?  Would make it proper cockney squeaky arse time. Although Reading at home might be there get out on the last day.

Sunderland look as though they are stumbling towards the fire exit for me.  If we can add to their misery (sorry you nice chaps who pop on here from time to time, but it's your gaffer I can't stand)then all the better.

Newcastle have too much at home as far as I'm concerned, up and down though their form is, I can see them winning 2 games before the end of the season, Sunderland and Fulham at home, and escaping.

Reading, QPR and one of Sunderland or West Ham for me.

[N'ZMAV]

We have momentum, that counts for quite a lot at the moment...

[Ads]

The big Mo is huge in sport and it works both ways.

While Sunderland are in freefall, Stoke have won 8 in 41 or 8 since March 2012. While we have been poor, we have at least started to pick up by winning three of the last five.

Yanited for Sunderland and Everton away for Stoke.

[Des Little]

How sweet to go to Stoke and win thereby dragging them into the shit? I'd love that.

[Ads]

We do owe them one or two.

[Matt Collins]

I agree we have momentum. I'd just like at least one game that was close to being a banker. I think all our rivals have one or two of those don't they? (Ie reading, or stoke at home, etc)

[curiousorange]

We do owe them one or two.

Do they still have Jermain Pennant in their squad? He deserves one of his own, the multiple diving little c***.

[N'ZMAV]

We do owe them one or two.

Do they still have Jermain Pennant in their squad? He deserves one of his own, the multiple diving little c***.

He was at Wolves earlier this season. Probably part of their downfall. He's a wanker. When he left for Spain a few years ago he left both his dogs in the house, alone. The neighbour had to look after them. He's a Dick head.