MOTD

[Brazilian Villain]

I'm just glad we're not away to Coventry on Boxing Day.

Are you thinking about that bar steward Quinn and 3-0 day?

Yup, seared in my memory, just like I remember where I was when Steve Bruce scored twice against Sheffield Weds.

[Smithy]

Our present first team is good enough to win the league, but that would require no injuries lasting more than one game to McGinn, Rogers, Cash, Martinez or Watkins (even in his present form). We have no adequate squad replacements for these players and the chances of them all staying completely fit between now and May are remote. That's not to say it's impossible of course.
Why anyone gives a fuck what the media thinks of us is beyond me.

Yep, we're two or three injuries from a bit of a dropoff, especially in midfield with Barkley already out.  And people forget we're currently playing our THIRD choice left-sided centre-back.  That said, we're probably due a bit of luck on the injury front, given the significant injuries we've had in the last couple of years.

But as you say, our first 11, if fit, is good enough to beat anyone in the league.  Whether they will, or not, is yet to be determined, but there is no reason we can't hang on in there and make the last couple of months of the league season VERY interesting.  Our current form won't continue indefinitely, but the key will be how long it takes to get back to winning ways when we have a less-than-perfect result. 

Chelsea went three games without winning, and went from "title challengers" to "not even in the conversation now".  That's what we're facing when we next fail to win a game.  The thing Arsenal and Man City are good at, is bouncing back with the win when they draw or lose a game.  That's what we need to do.

[VancouverLion]

I'm just glad we're not away to Coventry on Boxing Day.

Are you thinking about that bar steward Quinn and 3-0 day?

Yup, seared in my memory, just like I remember where I was when Steve Bruce scored twice against Sheffield Weds.

Seared in mine too, was with a Cov supporter work colleague in the home end. Horrible horrible day.

[Crown Hill]

I'm just glad we're not away to Coventry on Boxing Day.

Are you thinking about that bar steward Quinn and 3-0 day?

Yup, seared in my memory, just like I remember where I was when Steve Bruce scored twice against Sheffield Weds.

Also Villa against C*v

[FatSam]

I love listening to Wayne The Brain Rooney. His analysis is always on point. If he had been around when Gordon Banks made that save from Pele's header at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico he would have pointed out how poor Pele's header was as he should of aimed for the other corner.... obviously

Yes, his analysis on whether or not Villa are in a title race was so illuminating. He doesn't think we are in a title race because to win the league you have to be 'special', and Man City and Arsenal are just 'better'.

To be clear, I'm not convinced that we are in a title race either, but only because I remember 98/99, and we're not even half way through the season yet. Even if we are still in the mix in February/ March, I think our squad depth will ultimately become a factor. How could it not when we had to sell players last summer whilst the other two strengthened.

However, I don't think that Man City or Arsenal are 'better' or that Villa aren't 'special'. How can they be better when we've just beaten them both. How can we not be special when we have just won 16 of the last 18 games.

So, like the pundits, you don’t think we’ll win the league because the other two teams are better than us. But, unlike the pundits, you actually don’t think the other two are better than us. But we still won’t win it because our squad isn’t good enough (which means we’re not good enough, right?) So what should these pundits say, that we will win it, even though nobody thinks we will?

No, I don't think that the other two are better than us, I just think that they have deeper squads. If you have the time and/ or inclination we could argue the toss about whether those are different or the same thing. In terms of what the pundits should say, I don't care what opinion they hold, but they should be able to offer at least some insight. Particular teams being 'special' or 'better' isn't in any way insightful. Rooney is a 5-time EPL winner. Surely the reason for featuring him on MOTD should be that he can offer a different perspective to someone who does not have that experience, like me for example.

[Pat McMahon]

I'm just glad we're not away to Coventry on Boxing Day.

Are you thinking about that bar steward Quinn and 3-0 day?

Yup, seared in my memory, just like I remember where I was when Steve Bruce scored twice against Sheffield Weds.

Seared in mine too, was with a Cov supporter work colleague in the home end. Horrible horrible day.

Add me to that list. Despite living in Paris I managed to get 2 tickets in the main stand for me and brother in law. The locals were revelling in it and I recall it being freezing cold and foggy after a sunny start. I think it’s the last time I went there having grown up with us always winning there.