4th place

[monsieurdantes]

so i should stop stirring up hatred and ill will toward benitez. and approach wednesday believing we can win.

ok but know this. benitez must be motivated to prove all of the doommongerers wrong. if they were all to back him with support, then he'd have good reason to let the club fall just so as to repay them for their earlier hatred

 

[Farkmaster]

[quote author=monsieurdantes link=topic=38739.msg1050969#msg1050969 date=1265581793]
so i should stop stirring up hatred and ill will toward benitez. and approach wednesday believing we can win.

ok but know this. benitez must be motivated to prove all of the doommongerers wrong. if they were all to back him with support, then he'd have good reason to let the club fall just so as to repay them for their earlier hatred
[/quote]

You are fucking mental.

Even if I believed in the butterfly effect, you could post internet flap after internet flap, and years later it wouldn't motivate Rafa to shave his goatee.

You shouldn't attempt to stir up hatred or ill will toward Benitez, because you are a liverpool fan. Even if you did though, no one would be listening, and it wouldn't change anything.

 

[monsieurdantes]

i'm going to get him to shave his goatee..

 

[vantage]

[quote author=Sunny link=topic=38739.msg1050966#msg1050966 date=1265581602]
4th place is definitely on now. We need to have the passion and commitment we showed against Spurs and Everton every game now. We can do it
[/quote]
Actually I think 3rd is just as likely as 4th now. The 2 games will shape our season.

 

[Ryan]

3rd is somewhat optimistic, especially given the fixtures we have coming up. We'll finish 4th.

 

[rebel23]

[quote author=claretandblue link=topic=38739.msg1047651#msg1047651 date=1265039701]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=38739.msg1047556#msg1047556 date=1265030580]...

You might be right about Tottenham, but not about Citeh IMO. Hughes dropped a major rick in selling Dunne to you BUT they can get goals from a number of players, whereas if Agbonlahor gets crocked or loses form you fellas will struggle to score enough over a run of games. I wouldn't want to stake my shirt on it, but I see the Villa finishing behind us, Citeh and ultimately Tottenham too. Not saying I want that to happen, but I reckon it will.
[/quote]

Spurs flatter to deceive as usual and are only half the team without Lennon (I think he's out for another month), I really would be shocked if we finished behind them. Man City don't appear to have sorted out their away form, they've only beaten Blackburn, Wolves and Portmouth so far. It's not impossible for them to get into the top 4 but they have to do much better at their away form.

We lost 6 games when we crumbled last season, 2 home and 4 away. We've played all of the equivilant matches already this season and won 5, drawn 1. We're much stronger this season and probably learned a lot from what happened last season I think we'll manage about 70 points this season and can only see yourselves or Arsenal being able to beat that.

Like you, I wouldn't bet the house on it though.
[/quote]

Villa won't get 70 points, they're an awful football side and will draw and lose games on that 'relatively easy run-in'. They also have a habit of bottling the game if it DOES mean something, so your comparisons to last season are irrelevant

 

[Ryan]

They're not an "awful football side" at all.

 

[vantage]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=38739.msg1051006#msg1051006 date=1265584459]
3rd is somewhat optimistic, especially given the fixtures we have coming up. We'll finish 4th.
[/quote]
If we beat the Gooners midweek we're 2 points behind them and on a run of 20/24 points. They will be on 0/9 points. Who cares that they would have dropped points to Us/ Chavs/ Mancs and ours had been to Wolves & Stoke. The momentum will see us through.*

* I have been drinking.

 

[FoxForceFive]

4th is realistic, but still not assured by any means. We're still not playing well, we're just working hard & not conceding as many. 3rd would be ace given the first half of the season.

I'd like some football to played at some point too, but TBH I'd take these laboured, drawn out points all season to guarantee 4th.

 

[rebel23]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=38739.msg1051013#msg1051013 date=1265584895]
They're not an "awful football side" at all.
[/quote]

Long ball merchants, very limited and a bunch of bottlers when it comes to the crunch

villa dont worry me in the least, if there's two teams you can rely on fucking things up it's spurs and Villa. City are different because of their resources but still have a pervasive small club mentality which will see them fail (for now... )

 

[Ryan]

You don't finish in the top 6 two years running in the Premier League if you're an "awful football side" Rebel.

Of course they use the long-ball, but then every side in the league does for large parts of games. And which category do Agbonlahor, Young, Milner, and Petrov fall into - The "long ball merchants" one or the "very limited" one?

You're talking balls. Again.

 

[rebel23]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=38739.msg1051050#msg1051050 date=1265586556]
You don't finish in the top 6 two years running in the Premier League if you're an "awful football side" Rebel.

Of course they use the long-ball, but then every side in the league does for large parts of games. And which category do Agbonlahor, Young, Milner, and Petrov fall into - The "long ball merchants" one or the "very limited" one?

You're talking balls. Again.
[/quote]

Top 6 is hardly an achievement. they're a mediocre side who conceed far too much possession and cannot cope with pressure. not enough decent footballers or characters in the team, same as Spurs. They will fail when it matters whereas we will rise to the occasion, that's what I expect anyway.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=38739.msg1051051#msg1051051 date=1265586686]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=38739.msg1051050#msg1051050 date=1265586556]
You don't finish in the top 6 two years running in the Premier League if you're an "awful football side" Rebel.

Of course they use the long-ball, but then every side in the league does for large parts of games. And which category do Agbonlahor, Young, Milner, and Petrov fall into - The "long ball merchants" one or the "very limited" one?

You're talking balls. Again.
[/quote]

Top 6 is hardly an achievement. they're a mediocre side who conceed far too much possession and cannot cope with pressure. not enough decent footballers or characters in the team, same as Spurs. They will fail when it matters whereas we will rise to the occasion, that's what I expect anyway.

[/quote]

You argue "top 6 isn't an achievement", but when it comes to defending Benitez, you repeatedly say the league is tougher than ever before? Odd.

 

[Glock21]

If Citeh win their games in hand we will be 3 points behind them. And we are playing two toughest game in fortnight. Arsenal and Citeh away. And please remember away game at Old Toilet.

If we fail to finish fourth, Rafa please fuck off. Jose or Hiddink in.

 

[Dreambeliever]

[quote author=FoxForceFive link=topic=38739.msg1051031#msg1051031 date=1265585502]
4th is realistic, but still not assured by any means. We're still not playing well, we're just working hard & not conceding as many. 3rd would be ace given the first half of the season.

I'd like some football to played at some point too, but TBH I'd take these laboured, drawn out points all season to guarantee 4th.


[/quote]

The nice football can come in Europe with the Europa cup. The league is all about getting fourth. Any less is a total disaster for our future.

A draw on Wed would be a massive result. But its bad state of affairs when alot of fans fear a defeat when Utd and Chelsea can win their and comfortably enough too.

How far we have fallen in 8 months.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=38739.msg1051098#msg1051098 date=1265613292]
[quote author=FoxForceFive link=topic=38739.msg1051031#msg1051031 date=1265585502]
4th is realistic, but still not assured by any means. We're still not playing well, we're just working hard & not conceding as many. 3rd would be ace given the first half of the season.

I'd like some football to played at some point too, but TBH I'd take these laboured, drawn out points all season to guarantee 4th.


[/quote]

The nice football can come in Europe with the Europa cup. The league is all about getting fourth. Any less is a total disaster for our future.

A draw on Wed would be a massive result. But its bad state of affairs when alot of fans fear a defeat when Utd and Chelsea can win their and comfortably enough too.

How far we have fallen in 8 months.
[/quote]

The good football will come. We needed to get back to basics and start to grind out results to give ourselves a platform, and we can push on from there..

Regards Arsenal, I don't think there's much shame or anything new about us dreading playing them away, they often give us a footballing lesson. It's not really about 'this season', I've always fancied us more going to Old Trafford than Highbury/The Emirates and Stamford Bridge.

 

[Y1]

Arshavin is our boogey man.He seems to score for fun when they play us. He could (edit: NOT) score even on a one on one yesterday against Chelsea. Are we jinxed or what?

 

[spider-Neil]

am I correct in thinking the last time we beat arsenal on their own pitch was 2000 when titi got the winner?

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=38739.msg1051114#msg1051114 date=1265619901]
am I correct in thinking the last time we beat arsenal on their own pitch was 2000 when titi got the winner?
[/quote]

Didn't Riise do the same? It was in similar style, we hit them on the break and he went clean through, one on one.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=38739.msg1051127#msg1051127 date=1265620773]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=38739.msg1051114#msg1051114 date=1265619901]
am I correct in thinking the last time we beat arsenal on their own pitch was 2000 when titi got the winner?
[/quote]

Didn't Riise do the same? It was in similar style, we hit them on the break and he went clean through, one on one.
[/quote]

1-1

brilliant through ball by gerrard

so no victory in arsenal's back yard for TEN YEARS. wow.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

I know that every game has three points up for grabs, but our next two matches will define our season imo. If we can get 4 points from the Gooners/City fixtures and then get Torres, Magic and Yossi back, i think we'll be sorted for CL footy next season.

 

[Wizardry]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=38739.msg1051104#msg1051104 date=1265614788]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=38739.msg1051098#msg1051098 date=1265613292]
[quote author=FoxForceFive link=topic=38739.msg1051031#msg1051031 date=1265585502]
4th is realistic, but still not assured by any means. We're still not playing well, we're just working hard & not conceding as many. 3rd would be ace given the first half of the season.

I'd like some football to played at some point too, but TBH I'd take these laboured, drawn out points all season to guarantee 4th.


[/quote]

The nice football can come in Europe with the Europa cup. The league is all about getting fourth. Any less is a total disaster for our future.

A draw on Wed would be a massive result. But its bad state of affairs when alot of fans fear a defeat when Utd and Chelsea can win their and comfortably enough too.

How far we have fallen in 8 months.
[/quote]

The good football will come. We needed to get back to basics and start to grind out results to give ourselves a platform, and we can push on from there..

Regards Arsenal, I don't think there's much shame or anything new about us dreading playing them away, they often give us a footballing lesson. It's not really about 'this season', I've always fancied us more going to Old Trafford than Highbury/The Emirates and Stamford Bridge.
[/quote]

Is true.

Somehow we just don't match up well against Arsenal - I do suspect it's the fact they move the ball around so well we just get pulled out of position. Our whole focus is playing nice and compact while Arsenal use the extremities of the pitch as well as any other team in the world.

 

[Wizardry]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=38739.msg1051162#msg1051162 date=1265624879]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=38739.msg1051127#msg1051127 date=1265620773]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=38739.msg1051114#msg1051114 date=1265619901]
am I correct in thinking the last time we beat arsenal on their own pitch was 2000 when titi got the winner?
[/quote]

Didn't Riise do the same? It was in similar style, we hit them on the break and he went clean through, one on one.
[/quote]

1-1

brilliant through ball by gerrard

so no victory in arsenal's back yard for TEN YEARS. wow.
[/quote]

Yep - outside of the foot from Gerrard perfectly into the path of Riise. Was a bigger smash and grab than the FA cup that draw and will never understand a team, winning 1-0 with about two minutes to play, being caught on the break so completely - there was literally nobody at home.

As for our season; we're certainly looking a lot more capable of taking 4th than at the start of January. Stevie is a huge factor in that but the commitment seems to be there in successive games. To be fair there should be no problem getting ourselves "up" for the game at the Emirates and City - in the context of this season - is as big as playing Spurs. For me, therefore, the next three games define our season. City and Arsenal because there big matches in every way but, what's just as important, is how we prepare and turn up for the average game(s) that follow.

I think we'll learn a lot about how our season is going to finish by the attitude the players have in that third game.

 

[Hansern]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=38739.msg1051262#msg1051262 date=1265636525]
I know that every game has three points up for grabs, but our next two matches will define our season imo. If we can get 4 points from the Gooners/City fixtures and then get Torres, Magic and Yossi back, i think we'll be sorted for CL footy next season.
[/quote]

I don't think we can lose against City. But a loss on wednesday won't define our season. If we can get a point or 3 against City, we're in pole position for the run in imho.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=38739.msg1051262#msg1051262 date=1265636525]
I know that every game has three points up for grabs, but our next two matches will define our season imo. If we can get 4 points from the Gooners/City fixtures and then get Torres, Magic and Yossi back, i think we'll be sorted for CL footy next season.
[/quote]

I find myself agreeing with nearly every post you put up these days.

*WORRIED FACE*

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Stu link=topic=38739.msg1051305#msg1051305 date=1265639815]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=38739.msg1051262#msg1051262 date=1265636525]
I know that every game has three points up for grabs, but our next two matches will define our season imo. If we can get 4 points from the Gooners/City fixtures and then get Torres, Magic and Yossi back, i think we'll be sorted for CL footy next season.
[/quote]

I find myself agreeing with nearly every post you put up these days.

*WORRIED FACE*
[/quote]

For your own good, I'd advice that you distance yourself quickly mate.

 

[claretandblue]

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=38739.msg1051009#msg1051009 date=1265584716]
[quote author=claretandblue link=topic=38739.msg1047651#msg1047651 date=1265039701]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=38739.msg1047556#msg1047556 date=1265030580]...

You might be right about Tottenham, but not about Citeh IMO. Hughes dropped a major rick in selling Dunne to you BUT they can get goals from a number of players, whereas if Agbonlahor gets crocked or loses form you fellas will struggle to score enough over a run of games. I wouldn't want to stake my shirt on it, but I see the Villa finishing behind us, Citeh and ultimately Tottenham too. Not saying I want that to happen, but I reckon it will.
[/quote]

Spurs flatter to deceive as usual and are only half the team without Lennon (I think he's out for another month), I really would be shocked if we finished behind them. Man City don't appear to have sorted out their away form, they've only beaten Blackburn, Wolves and Portmouth so far. It's not impossible for them to get into the top 4 but they have to do much better at their away form.

We lost 6 games when we crumbled last season, 2 home and 4 away. We've played all of the equivilant matches already this season and won 5, drawn 1. We're much stronger this season and probably learned a lot from what happened last season I think we'll manage about 70 points this season and can only see yourselves or Arsenal being able to beat that.

Like you, I wouldn't bet the house on it though.
[/quote]

Villa won't get 70 points, they're an awful football side and will draw and lose games on that 'relatively easy run-in'. They also have a habit of bottling the game if it DOES mean something, so your comparisons to last season are irrelevant


[/quote]

I don't mind you calling us an awful side, each to their own. I absolutely love watching some of our performances, where our pacy counterattacks and wing play is as good as any team in the league. If what you're looking for is controlled possession football, you won't find that at the Villa.

I also wouldn't insist we will definitely get 70 points, I just think we have a decent chance.

We're coming to the end of a difficult run of games at home to Man Utd on Wed and we're 3 points behind you with a a game in hand. The games we lost to you and Arsenal over Christmas are the only defeats we've had since Guy Fawkes Day. W11 D5 L2 is decent form, built on what is currently the best defence in the league. Add in the League Cup final and 5th rd of the FA Cup against Palace and its easy to understand why most Villa fans are happy enough with Martin O'Neill.

We now have a run of 10 league games, all of them against teams currently below Birmingham except for one game against Chelsea. I reckon we'll keep pace with 4th place.

Just out of interest, who would you rather wins on Wednesday, Villa or Man Utd?

 

[Avmenon]

Is that a trick question?

 

[manwithnoname]

[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=38739.msg1051364#msg1051364 date=1265647012]
Is that a trick question?
[/quote]

He's asking if we would prefer United to win and dent Villa's Top 4 aspirations, or whether we'd prefer Villa to win and help Chelsea win the title, in the hope that we are good enough to keep Villa at bay without the help of other teams.

 

[Avmenon]

Oh.

In that case the latter.