PaulC

We must have been really poor last season if Ireland got player of the year. He came as a goal midfielder and has scored 1 goal for us.

If he's on 80k a week here, then he would have to take a substancial drop in wages. I really cant see anybody taking him on. 26/27 and had one good season in his career. Nobody will even take him on loan if they have to pay his wages. Why not buy his contract out and cut our loses.

As the games left get less 3 pts becomes more significant and its really 4 because of the goal difference, the bookies take everything into account so the odds are normally spot on.

I dont blame him though. Im sure anybody on here would do the same thing if their boss paid them a big salary and not be asked to work. FWIW when he does play he gives his all and never any complaints about him not turning up for training or anything. Its incredible to believe he is still only 27 26

We could be 80-0 up with 3 mins on the clock and I would still be waiting for the inevitable. Yes and I'd be wondering whether its cricket we're watching

Yes so were QPR when we met them. Sunderland are no great side, they have been given a lift by their new manager but its game we can definitely win.

It will all look so different if we beat Sunderland

They had Sunderland favourites to go down a couple of games a go. Things can quickly chance. 28-1 is a good price might be worth a wager

You blow with the wind, eh. If we lose against Man U, you'll be saying how you can't see how we'll win another game. How about having a bit of faith that we have picked up form. Sunderland are not unbeatable. Quite right, a couple of wins doesn't make Sunderland an unwinnable game. Poor game yesterday, Baines makes an uncharacteristic mistake, on another day they might have lost 1-0.

Nobody knows what's going to happen. We have the firepower up front wigan don't. I think we can win there.

Interesting I wonder if Bannan will get selected against United. Thinking back to the 2-2 draw against them at Villa Park under Houllier. Bannan ran the show that day.

Even we do get spanked by united I'd rather have the 3 point lead than a game in hand, being as Wigan are currently averaging less than a point a game.

The run ins are practically the same but the defining point is the goal difference. ATM with the goal difference being in Wigans favour all it will take is a victory at their place and they relegate us, could you see it any other way? A point against utd is quite simply massive! Hope Bale is back for their game against Spurs.

Swansea? Yes Swansea then. That's a game they might win

The game is hand is Arsenal away isn't it? Its a good job they have something to play for

Seeing as they've all but won the trophy, they'll probably field a weakened side...a point is very attainable IMO Why would they field a weakened side ? Saving themselves for what exactly? There's no chance they will field a weakened side, they have no champions league games to come.

Wheres the width going to come from? Yeah I know it's not ideal Paul, I just don't see us getting anything out of this unless we 'park the bus' somewhat as has been suggested and I think that both Benteke and Weimann can run the channels too with balls either over the top or played through the midfield, I just think being a bit more direct on Monday night is the only way we are going to get anything out of it- keep it tight, try to hit on the break and put balls into the box from any set pieces we get...use the pace of gabby later on in the game, bring on N-Zog too if we think we can nick something... Hopefully if results go our way later, there will be less pressure on us on Monday night..? Here's hoping. Anyway, up the Villa Wheres the width going to come from? Yeah I know it's not ideal Paul, I just don't see us getting anything out of this unless we 'park the bus' somewhat as has been suggested and I think that both Benteke and Weimann can run the channels too with balls either over the top or played through the midfield, I just think being a bit more direct on Monday night is the only way we are going to get anything out of it- keep it tight, try to hit on the break and put balls into the box from any set pieces we get...use the pace of gabby later on in the game, bring on N-Zog too if we think we can nick something... Hopefully if results go our way later, there will be less pressure on us on Monday night..? Here's hoping. Anyway, up the Villa I think if we go out with a negative intent we'll probably loose 2 or 3-0. Obviously we cant be too positive but I think we should stick to how we played at Everton and Arsenal and we might get lucky. Its a big if though. A narrow defeat wouldn't be a disaster but a 4 or 5 nil would be in terms of morale and confidence.

I agree with that. If Wigan had of won we'd have been so depressed. As it is there's a 3 point gap and the goal difference is down to 1. Anything from the united game would be a huge bonus.

Could have been worse.

The Stoke result was a bit of a bummer but the Wigan result is a huge relief.

Thank you sir for reminding me of that great day. I can remember standing on the half way line and the stand we were in and the stand opposite was full of Villa fans. It was an amazing site. Other great games that year included 48,000 against Bournemouth at home and Reading away (I think the score was 5-3, although the memory fades). yes 35000 in the ground at Meadow Lane. Funny at Villa they played us off the park even though we won 1-0 with Don Masson running the show!

aye ted macdougall, then I guess you need to add the league cup semi-final win against a united team including, Best Law and Charlton. Wasn't there over 60,000 in the ground?

This is reminding me of the salem witch trials,

Thank you for correcting me.

Its a strange weekend in that few of us hold out any hope in this game so the Stoke, Wigan and Sunderland games take on extra importance.