This is the season...

[Richard E]

None of those clubs have ever been as good as we've been, and will be again, nor have we ever been as bad as they've been, and will be again.

I like this post.

[Villa in Denmark]

6 years ago today Palace went into administration and we're docked 10 points in the Championship. We must have been top 6. It is very scary how badly we have been managed as a club since.

Even if every club was run brilliantly and had billions to spend there'd still be three teams relegated and half the teams knocked out the cups each round.

I can't remember where I heard it, but a quote from the nineties that has stuck with me.

"The problem is, league football is a hierarchical meritocracy which means that someone has to be shit, even if they aren't really."

Although it does work both ways - for the last few seasons 17 clubs are technically deemed to be good enough, even if some of them are shit. Us, for example.

Good point, well made.

[Steve kirk]

None of those clubs have ever been as good as we've been, and will be again, nor have we ever been as bad as they've been, and will be again.

Very good Dave, words that could have come from Frederick Rinder.

[Gregorys Boy]

Let's not be naive here, we could still become another Leeds or Sheffield Weds.  For me its very much up in the air how things will go next season.  We have no idea which players will stay or go.  If Garde does stay (which I think he will) then he is still a manager adjusting to English football.  And the fact is we will be a target for many clubs next season.  Its going to be a tough season IMO.

[charleeco7]

Has anyone else heard that some of the sty dwellers are banding around the idea of getting one of those aeroplanes with a banner on the back to fly over villa Park if we get relegated? They're not obsessed with us though.

[Gregorys Boy]

Has anyone else heard that some of the sty dwellers are banding around the idea of getting one of those aeroplanes with a banner on the back to fly over villa Park if we get relegated? They're not obsessed with us though.

Yeah but we enjoyed them going down.  I remember the canival atmosphere at Villa Park during that final day game, and it wasn't because of a 1-0 win over Liverpool.

[PaulWinch again]

Still 90% certain we'll go, but how we go is so important. If we can win several games we'll be in a much better place for next year.

[Stirchley Villain]

The perplexing thing is that Leicester have shown that it is possible to do great things with a sensible budget and good management. We've been accustomed to being told that balancing the books is the be all and end all in these difficult times. The horizon was there all along, but we've been told to look at our shoes.

[Malandro]

A few of our past managers spoke about studying player personalities before buying.
I think that's a big difference between Leicester and ourselves.

[Stirchley Villain]

There'd have been a few strokes on here if Ranieri had been suggested to replace Lambert. Myself included maybe...

[saunders_heroes]

What was it that Allardyce said about teams at the bottom who are fighting to stay up - you have to win 3 games on the spin.
Our next two are Liverpool at home and Stoke away. It can be done.

[Ads]

It can and they've got to believe. Today should give them huge confidence.

[Villa in Denmark]

8 points from the 6 games since New Year. Won 2, Drawn 2 lost 2. That's reasonable form that would normally give you a more than decent chance if you kept it up.

Unfortunately it would only get us to 32/33 points. We would need to suddenly pull a run of form together that we haven't seen in 5 years to stand a chance. Those botched games against Norwich and Sunderland are looking ever more expensive.

[tomd2103]

After pretty much accepting relegation after the Norwich and Sunderland away games, the last few games have got me wanting to stay in the top flight - badly.  It's not a great league and with a few improvements here and there, we could be comfortable next season.  It's going to be a huge ask and going to take something exceptional, I really hope we can pull it out of the bag.

[OzVilla]

Watford at home was when I expected we'd be relegated, Sunderland away was when I accepted we'd be relegated.

Nothing will change for me after today. I think we need to be no more than 3 points from safety with 3 games to go before I'll think any differently. I refuse to do it to myself.