WakefieldVillan

I agree, though they have a few other players with the tools to hurt us. But that aside, we're too nice, I don't think we've anyone in the squad who's got that bit of nastiness in them.

I think it's just the psychological position of being four points adrift. If they had just lost to Man City and Norwich was their last game of the season it would be pretty much the same points accumulation they would get but we would be still only a point behind now. But I completely get what you are saying

I don't think 7 points will be enough personally. Would leave us on 34. One win each for Watford and West Ham levels with us and Watford have a good chance against Newcastle and West Ham definitely have a good chance with Burnley (H) and a now certain relegated Norwich to play. Them two could play out a draw and settle for 35 + points. Always said 36 to 38 points needed to have a chance, stick by that. We drew with Man U earlier this season, let's f***ing rattle them. 5 cup finals. Starts from Thursday night. Not Palace.

Looks a bit bleak tonight to be fair, we needed a favour from Norwich and it wasn't to be. I think they out-played Watford for spells in that game but they ultimately were out muscled and out fought. They have some tidy players that I would take next season that's for sure. We can't blame Norwich though, or Wellbeck, or VAR, or anyone for that matter, we're in this position because we haven't been good enough. I think we've been unlucky at times, woeful at times, half decent on occasions but we need to really find something now or we are down for sure. This match tonight worried me because I knew we could be four points adrift and how that would affect us psychologically, well we're about to find out. I know supporters are suggesting wins against Palace and maybe West Ham or Everton but just IMAGINE what a victory could do against United on Thursday night. I actually think that this is the key game now. We win that, we will beat Palace and pick up enough points to stay up. I think losing it will just dent our fragile confidence even more and it will finish us. So, bring on Man U eh? (Least we have a great record against them ) Ps whether we go down or not, we will still be here next season, we will still be donning the famous claret n blue shirts, we will still be the best supporters in the land UTV

Newcastle (H) Sat 11th West Ham (A) Fri 17th Man City (H) Tue 21st Arsenal (A) Sun 26th

There's an argument for Guilbert / Elmo coming in at RB but I think we looked pretty solid on Sunday and will more than likely keep with the same defence though it probably isn't the best on "paper". I presume that Targett / Engels will be injured and unavailable for selection. Therefore the only personnel change I would make is Hourihane or Nakamba coming in for Trezeguet with Jack playing from the left. Probably edge for Conor as we really need a bit more attacking threat. Reina Konsa Hause Mings Taylor Luiz McGinn El Ghazi Hourihane Grealish Davis Subs; Nyland, Elmo, Guilbert, Nakamba, Lansbury, Jota, Trezeguet, Samatta, Vassilev. Hopefully we can produce a similar performance to the one against Liverpool but with more quality in the final third.

Very true. I will add that it doesn't really matter if we as fans are worrying, that's what fans do, worry about other teams results, whether we will stay in the division or not ETC. I hope to God though that the players have a total different mindset (to the fans) and they go into each game thinking that they can (and will) get the 3 points, we definitely need that mentality to stand a chance.

Agree with most of what you say and your positivity It was a 50/50 kinda night and I would've chosen Bournemouth to win over West Ham given their "run-ins", but we can't IMO dress the West Ham result as being good, it's just hammered (excuse the pun) home our plight. The part I would love to agree with is that Brighton are still involved in this but unfortunately I just can't see it. Of their 6 games to play, if we write off Liverpool and Man City (Which for one we shouldn't do, but for arguments sake we will) they then have four games against Norwich, Southampton, Newcastle and Burnley with a 6 point lead over us (& Bournemouth) but a 14+ better GD which ultimately is an extra point. If we were to get 10 points (for instance 3 wins against Palace, Everton and West Ham and a draw against Arsenal) - A tough ask in itself, Brighton would only need to pick up 4 points from their 4 "easier" matches. I think that (unfortunately) this whole scenario is too unlikely to happen. That's precisely why they are 25/1. I do think West Ham will finish above them though. It goes back to what I have said before though and that is Norwich are going to play a big part in our survival hopes, if they were to somehow manage to get some wins in their next three it would do us the world of good, starting with Brighton on Saturday afternoon.

Skybet relegation odds are currently; Norwich 1/100 Bournemouth 1/6 Us 1/4 Watford 2/1 West Ham 11/2 Brighton 25/1 Doesn't look great, but it's not over yet, can all change with one result.

Time for bed Dem

Not being funny, but are you actually a Villa fan? Literally EVERY post you make is negative towards us. Depressing. UTV

This would be better

He played very well last season but obviously suffered the injury which has kept him out most of this season. Will probably take him a bit to get up to speed but he's a very talented footballer.

I'd take 0-1 Chelsea all night long. The Newcastle result tonight was absolutely quality.

I think we should be looking at Brooks whichever division we're in tbh

Not sure what the rules are with regards teams playing weakened sides post lock down but I am praying that there's been a bit of leniency been given to clubs and that Liverpool take full advantage and rest a fair few of their "better" players. Best team (for us) I think we could realistically face is Alisson, TAA, Gomez, Lovren, Milner, Ox, Fabinho, Keita, Lallana, Origi and Minamino. But even then I wouldn't expect us to get anything from the game. Maybe it would be better to face all the big hitters and hope that they are over confident/half arsed/hungover, basically anything that gives us a minute chance. With Targett out it's basically a choice of Taylor or Hause which would mean Elmo or Guilbert in at RB and Konsa into a more natural position. Neither options fill me with much confidence but Taylor actually did "OK" Saturday so I expect that he will get the nod. Nyland had another one of his shaky moments on Saturday (he has at least one-per-game) but I still think I would give him the nod over Pepe - Though I wouldn't be overly fussed if a change was made. Although many (including myself) have been calling for 2 up front I just don't think this is the game to go with that plan and I think Samatta looks a little lost in the time he has been on the field. So I would plump for 4-5-1 with El Ghazi on the right, Jack on the left. I would say that the only players that are certainties at the moment are Mings, Luiz and Grealish which pretty much sums up why we are where we are and gives a massive indication of our current form. Therefore I expect and would like to see this - Nyland, Konsa, Mings, Hause, Taylor; El Ghazi, Luiz, Nakamba, McGinn, Grealish, Davis. Just hope we can put in a performance that's all i ask in games like this, not too much is it?! UTV

Although I think you're right in the fact that they will go up - It does only need these two to finish above them and Brentford are giving it a real good go. I would love to see how they cope in the play off's again

You're probably right mate. I think I automatically fear the worst when our rivals play (I'm sure others do too). So far they've all been pretty pathetic and aside from Brighton's last gasp winner against the gunners it's gone pretty well for us... .. oh and apart from our results!

The predictors can definitely pass a bit of time but ultimately I don't think they mean a right lot. I had another look earlier and had the following bottom half final table; Brighton 39 West Ham 38 Watford 38 Bournemouth 36 Villa 35 Norwich 25 Notable findings from that was; Newcastle lost all 4 matches against the teams above us. That probably won't happen. I had Watford v West Ham as a draw and West Ham v Villa as a draw. Any changes with these results could have a massive effect. I had Norwich drawing with Brighton but losing to West Ham and Watford - Again, if they managed to somehow get wins in those games it improves our chances. I had us winning 2 drawing 2 and losing 2 - That would mean a four game unbeaten run at the end. Worryingly we could be 7 points off safety by the time we play Palace on the 12th July (albeit with a game in hand) Psychologically that could kill us. I stand by the 36-38 point margin to give us a fighting chance and I think we need Norwich and Newcastle (in particular) to pick up points against our rivals.

I agree, they are definitely not the same thing. Grealish is by far our best player. By a country mile. I think you are correct, fans perceptions are probably a bit skewed because of the high expectations Jack has previously set and Luiz's upsurge in form. The standard of performances from both players post-lockdown is probably a lot closer than the VT votes suggest. I know when I am voting I try to judge each game on it's own merit and I think have voted Luiz in 2 of the 4 matches played and Jack none but maybe it says more about the types of games we have been involved in than anything else.

Yes I get that, we fought really hard that day and put in a really great effort but the stats that day didn't lie. They had 26 shots to our 4, 75% possession and a perfectly good goal ruled out. If that happens in every game you play then you're more than likely going to lose 99% of them. I suppose you could say the players that were out there put in a little extra effort knowing Jack wasn't playing, but I still feel that the chances of getting any kind of result at Anfield without Jack is pretty much zero.

I have to agree that since the re-start Douglas Luiz has been our most consistent performer by some distance. Is he better than Grealish? Hell no. Though obviously completely different types of players but at least Luiz is now showing some real signs of potential now. Back to Grealish, he's obviously not performing to his optimum best, but not through the lack of trying. I think he has looked a little disillusioned by the players around him, must be pretty tough on him seeing the likes of Trez and El Ghazi totally under performing and thinking he has to do it all himself. Since moved into the middle he is trying to pick the ball up to deep probably because there is a lack of trust of the other players to be able to carry or pass the ball forward. But we need Jack playing much higher up the field where he can hurt teams. Let's not start beating him down though, he's been our player of the season by far and will more than likely leave at the end of the season to bigger and better things. FWIW, I wouldn't dream of leaving him out for the Liverpool or Man Utd games, end of the day he's the player that can make us tick and we would effectively be conceding the points before a ball is kicked should we not start him. I actually think he will raise his game for both these matches knowing that potential suitors will be watching him perform against the so-called big boys.

I'd argue they have more to play for now. It's basically sh*t or bust for them now, back when they beat City there was ages to go in the season. On top of that they still have away games at Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City to play and are at home to Burnley, do you think they will lose ALL them too? They are arguably much tougher fixtures! End of the day, you might be right they may take zero points from the three games against our relegation rivals, I just don't think you can predict anything with a real sense of confidence. I personally think they will finish on around 28-30 points which ultimately wont be enough but hopefully they can help us a little and let's face it we need all the help we can.

The same Norwich that beat Man City earlier in the season? Look, I know that was a long time ago and they are rock bottom for a reason but I wouldn't be as certain as you are that they will lose ALL THREE of those games. At times they don't look that bad. I do think though that the first game they play (Brighton?!) out of the 3 though is probably key to the other two results. Confidence for any team down there (including us) from a win could be massive.

I've been on and off with the predictor thingy for us and our relegation rivals since Spurs at home and I have had more results wrong than right. Which either means I am s*** at predicting or football is too unpredictable to predict. I'm going with the latter That said, I think we're going to need between 36-38 points to have a decent chance of survival - We have been quite fortunate so far that the other teams have been equally as bad as us. The only way I see us not falling down a division is if we somehow manage to win against Palace, Everton AND Arsenal and maybe a draw at the Olympic stadium in the final game of the season. On current form that looks pretty much impossible but Palace and Everton might be on the beach and Arsenal might have a weakened side due to the FA Cup semi final - And yes, I'm clutching at straws .