Promotion discussion thread
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Promotion discussion thread
Just looking around some of the forums and twitter, you've got some fans already writing off our promotion chances after FIVE games and claiming "we'll be too far behind" if Cardiff and Ipswich win today !!!...LOL it's just silly imo . Look, guys, we've got FORTY-ONE games left in the season. This league is the very much the definition of a marathon, not a sprint. Yes, we've dropped points this season already and another win from the Hull game or yesterday would have been handy. But I firmly believe that man for man there is simply no better squad in this division than ours. And over the course of the season, I expect our class to tell.
We have to remember the key players we have to come into the side. Kodjia, perhaps the most talented player in this entire league, and a goalscorer to boot. Then we have Jedi, who is a rock infront of our defense. Adding to that we now have Snoddy who scored nine goals and got six assists in the premiership last season. Grealish is also due to come back too. So that is a hell of a lot of talent still to come into the side isn't it? And with these options, I expect us to be able to go on some long unbeaten runs and pick up a fair few wins in the process.
So I prefer to see these last three games as the start of a good run rather than dwell in negativity. At this stage last season Sheff Wed were on five points like us, and Leeds were on four as seen HERE. Reading were also only on seven points themselves and ended up finishing third.
In closing, we just have to look to last season. With way less talented side we had THREE separate runs where we only lost ONE game in nine.
1st run
Rotherham at home= 3-0 win
Huddersfield at home= 1-1 draw
Derby away= 0-0 draw
Bristol away= 3-1 loss
Forest at home= 2-2 draw
Brentford at home= 1-1 draw
Ipswich at away= 0-0 draw
Newcastle at home= 1-1 draw
Barnsley away= 1-1 draw
2nd run
Wolves at home= 1-1 draw
Reading away= 2-1 win
Fulham at home= 1-0 win
Birmingham away= 1-1 draw
Blackburn at home= 2-1 win
Brighton away= 1-1 draw
Cardiff at home= 3-1 win
Leeds away= 2-0 loss
Wigan at home= 1-0 win
(This was actually part of a twelve game run that saw us win seven games, lose two and draw three)
3rd run
Derby at home= 1-0 win
Bristol at home= 2-0 win
Rotherham away= 2-0 win
Huddersfield away= 1-0 loss
Sheff Wed at home= 2-0 win
Wigan away= 2-0 win
Norwich at home= 2-0 win
QPR at home= 1-0 win
Burton away= 1-1 draw
An interesting stat is in the second run Kodjia got six goals out of the twelve we scored. And in the third run he got eight goals out of the thirteen we scored. That just shows how important the man is to us.
So keep faith guys!!.. These are our next five fixtures.
Brentford at home
Boro at home
Barnsley away
Forest at home
Burton away
Bolton at home
So that's four home games and two away games at less fancied sides. Let's see how we get on.
We have to remember the key players we have to come into the side. Kodjia, perhaps the most talented player in this entire league, and a goalscorer to boot. Then we have Jedi, who is a rock infront of our defense. Adding to that we now have Snoddy who scored nine goals and got six assists in the premiership last season. Grealish is also due to come back too. So that is a hell of a lot of talent still to come into the side isn't it? And with these options, I expect us to be able to go on some long unbeaten runs and pick up a fair few wins in the process.
So I prefer to see these last three games as the start of a good run rather than dwell in negativity. At this stage last season Sheff Wed were on five points like us, and Leeds were on four as seen HERE. Reading were also only on seven points themselves and ended up finishing third.
In closing, we just have to look to last season. With way less talented side we had THREE separate runs where we only lost ONE game in nine.
1st run
Rotherham at home= 3-0 win
Huddersfield at home= 1-1 draw
Derby away= 0-0 draw
Bristol away= 3-1 loss
Forest at home= 2-2 draw
Brentford at home= 1-1 draw
Ipswich at away= 0-0 draw
Newcastle at home= 1-1 draw
Barnsley away= 1-1 draw
2nd run
Wolves at home= 1-1 draw
Reading away= 2-1 win
Fulham at home= 1-0 win
Birmingham away= 1-1 draw
Blackburn at home= 2-1 win
Brighton away= 1-1 draw
Cardiff at home= 3-1 win
Leeds away= 2-0 loss
Wigan at home= 1-0 win
(This was actually part of a twelve game run that saw us win seven games, lose two and draw three)
3rd run
Derby at home= 1-0 win
Bristol at home= 2-0 win
Rotherham away= 2-0 win
Huddersfield away= 1-0 loss
Sheff Wed at home= 2-0 win
Wigan away= 2-0 win
Norwich at home= 2-0 win
QPR at home= 1-0 win
Burton away= 1-1 draw
An interesting stat is in the second run Kodjia got six goals out of the twelve we scored. And in the third run he got eight goals out of the thirteen we scored. That just shows how important the man is to us.
So keep faith guys!!.. These are our next five fixtures.
Brentford at home
Boro at home
Barnsley away
Forest at home
Burton away
Bolton at home
So that's four home games and two away games at less fancied sides. Let's see how we get on.
AstonThriller- Posts : 2166
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
I think September is make or break, even this early I really do. Given our games and homes v aways, if we don't make up ground we never will.
I admire your optimism AT I really do, but honestly mate, you can put all the stats up that you like but iirc we were something like 11th when Bruce took over and we finished 17th (thus vindicating that fuckpig Holloway's prediction of us finishing 16th). If we are lower than 12th by close of this September you can quote all the improved teams you like, I still say we're fucked with spud-u-don't-like in charge.
I admire your optimism AT I really do, but honestly mate, you can put all the stats up that you like but iirc we were something like 11th when Bruce took over and we finished 17th (thus vindicating that fuckpig Holloway's prediction of us finishing 16th). If we are lower than 12th by close of this September you can quote all the improved teams you like, I still say we're fucked with spud-u-don't-like in charge.
De Kuip- Posts : 2899
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Think we were more like 19th when Bruce took over
Villa_Dan- Posts : 4425
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
And we finished 13th last season
You drunk DK or senile?
You drunk DK or senile?
Villa_Dan- Posts : 4425
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
No just writing bollox to justify my desire to get Bruce out haha
De Kuip- Posts : 2899
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Oh and unfortunately I'm the latter not the former.....
De Kuip- Posts : 2899
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Well get a beer in you
Villa_Dan- Posts : 4425
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Antibiotics. Chest infection. A whole fucking week without alcohol ffs.
De Kuip- Posts : 2899
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
If you take the last three games in isolation things don't look so bad, result wise at least, it's just when you marry it with the rest of Bruce's reign that things start to look bleak. If we're to improve and start moving up the table I think we need to start treating away games the same as we do home games, and just be a bit more bolder in general, also pick players on merit.
deadbuzzardalive- Posts : 3634
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
deadbuzzardalive wrote:If you take the last three games in isolation things don't look so bad, result wise at least, it's just when you marry it with the rest of Bruce's reign that things start to look bleak. If we're to improve and start moving up the table I think we need to start treating away games the same as we do home games, and just be a bit more bolder in general, also pick players on merit.
Totally agree Bruce keeps on about players wilting under the pressure of playing for villa
I would agree if it was the home form that was the problem but it's not
Why play different at home and away
The top teams play the same where ever the play
gaffer85- Posts : 182
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Again Friday night he goes defensive and plays 5 at the back at Bristol City! They completely overrun us first half and we are lucky to be in the game?
Why change a winning formula? When we reverted back to 433 we looked much better! Why didn't he stick with the same team as Norwich? The man is an idiot in way over his head and he WILL NEVER win us promotion in a million years!
Why change a winning formula? When we reverted back to 433 we looked much better! Why didn't he stick with the same team as Norwich? The man is an idiot in way over his head and he WILL NEVER win us promotion in a million years!
DelboyVilla- Posts : 1453
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Nothing but a distant dream, even if the club sack Bruce (which they won't yet), because the new manager will be left with so much to do.
deadbuzzardalive- Posts : 3634
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
I am now looking at 2019 being a good year for promotion?
(Back to the Championship???? )
(Back to the Championship???? )
DelboyVilla- Posts : 1453
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Bruce has said he fears the worst regarding Kodjia, saying that he's going to have to see a specialist, also Hogan is out for the 'foreseeable future', Hepburn-Murphy still injured as well. Basically looks like we've got a bit of striker crisis going on, we don't even have anyone in the reserves we can call upon I don't think.
Lose tomorrow, and it won't be easy, and our promotion prospects will be looking bleak.
Lose tomorrow, and it won't be easy, and our promotion prospects will be looking bleak.
deadbuzzardalive- Posts : 3634
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
There are calls on twitter to call back McCormack, he's been scoring goals for his Australian team. McKirdy's been scoring goals for the reserves but he's more of a midfielder like Grealish and O'Hare. Only other one I can think of is Knibbs, but I can't see him getting a chance, as he's only just recently broke into the U23s.
As it stands Davis is our only fit striker
As it stands Davis is our only fit striker
deadbuzzardalive- Posts : 3634
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Gabby should be back soon so he'll add some back-up on the bench. Mckirdy is like one of those "Sheringham" type of players. He can play upfront or off the striker so in reality, he is another option. Hogan and Kodjia being out isn't ideal at all, but let's be honest, it's not like they've been brilliant for us this season, have they? Infact, they weren't there when we strolled to victory against Preston or Norwich, so I'm not too worried tbh.
AstonThriller- Posts : 2166
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Something Bruce will do well to remember before he starts making excuses. The rest of this month provides a good opportunity to get some momentum back, before going into a tougher (in theory) December. Get through those months in touching distance of the top two, and we might be in with a chance.
deadbuzzardalive- Posts : 3634
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Looking at this weekends fixtures, I can honestly see a lot of slip up from our rivals.
Reading vs Wolves
This is a match-up I'm very interested to see. Reading haven't been great this season, but they play the 352 system which means Wolves's 343 system shouldn't cause any problems for them as they will both be matched up at the back and in midfield. Reading also keep the ball very well and Wolves, despite beating Fulham, had problems when Fulham kept possession for long periods. I see this as a banana skin tbh.
Cardiff vs Brentford
Imo Brentford are a nightmare match-up for most teams in the division. Their style travels well and though Cardiff's physical style might be a factor, Brentford play very good football and usually create a whole bunch of chances so this could easily be a game where Cardiff slip up.
Leeds vs Boro
Again Leeds have fallen apart of late so they will want to put things right infront of their own crowd. Boro have been doing alright lately but still struggle to score goals imo so again a draw here might be a good result for us.
Sheff Wed vs Bristol City
As we saw a few weeks ago Wednesday can beat anyone on their day and this is a big home game for them. City have been great this year but they also started great last season and then fell away badly. A draw or Wednesday win here wouldn't surprise me at all.
Fulham vs Derby
Fulham are another team who desperately need the points and they are always dangerous at home. Another Derby slip up may be in the offing here I think.
Hull City vs Ipswich
Hull have been up and down all season but at home they are usually solid so this could be a tough ask for Ipswich who have been breathing down our necks.
Sheff United play Burton away tonight which I'd expect them to win...but Burton are one of those teams who can often pull off the odd upset so let's hope they do.
A win this weekend could be massive because we could be fifth and only two points behind 3rd if results go our way. If Sheff Utd draw or lose tonight then we could be four to five points behind them too!!!..it's just a matter of whether we can take our chance if we have it.
Reading vs Wolves
This is a match-up I'm very interested to see. Reading haven't been great this season, but they play the 352 system which means Wolves's 343 system shouldn't cause any problems for them as they will both be matched up at the back and in midfield. Reading also keep the ball very well and Wolves, despite beating Fulham, had problems when Fulham kept possession for long periods. I see this as a banana skin tbh.
Cardiff vs Brentford
Imo Brentford are a nightmare match-up for most teams in the division. Their style travels well and though Cardiff's physical style might be a factor, Brentford play very good football and usually create a whole bunch of chances so this could easily be a game where Cardiff slip up.
Leeds vs Boro
Again Leeds have fallen apart of late so they will want to put things right infront of their own crowd. Boro have been doing alright lately but still struggle to score goals imo so again a draw here might be a good result for us.
Sheff Wed vs Bristol City
As we saw a few weeks ago Wednesday can beat anyone on their day and this is a big home game for them. City have been great this year but they also started great last season and then fell away badly. A draw or Wednesday win here wouldn't surprise me at all.
Fulham vs Derby
Fulham are another team who desperately need the points and they are always dangerous at home. Another Derby slip up may be in the offing here I think.
Hull City vs Ipswich
Hull have been up and down all season but at home they are usually solid so this could be a tough ask for Ipswich who have been breathing down our necks.
Sheff United play Burton away tonight which I'd expect them to win...but Burton are one of those teams who can often pull off the odd upset so let's hope they do.
A win this weekend could be massive because we could be fifth and only two points behind 3rd if results go our way. If Sheff Utd draw or lose tonight then we could be four to five points behind them too!!!..it's just a matter of whether we can take our chance if we have it.
Last edited by AstonThriller on Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:24 pm; edited 1 time in total
AstonThriller- Posts : 2166
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
I didn't realise Sheffield United were playing today, so we could be nine points adrift of the top two before we've even kicked a ball this weekend. Whatever happens tomorrow's a crucial game, whether we're playing to close the gap on the top two, or to not fall any further behind.
deadbuzzardalive- Posts : 3634
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
I also don't really see a problem with Hogans (who has done nothing this season and can't play in our hoofball system) and Kodjias (who has only scored a penalty) injuries. In fact it might be a blessing as we don't have to force Kodjia into the side based on last season. I just worry who is going to score our goals as Onomah doesn't look like a number 10 to me at all and he isn't going to score many if any goals!
On paper that side mentioned by @AstonThriller in the match thread looks more than good enough to win but we all know that Villa definitely don't play to their strengths!
On paper that side mentioned by @AstonThriller in the match thread looks more than good enough to win but we all know that Villa definitely don't play to their strengths!
achilles- Posts : 2329
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Re: Promotion discussion thread
Sheffield United winning and automatic promotion looking out of the question and it's not even Christmas yet. What a disgraceful position we find ourselves in.
deadbuzzardalive- Posts : 3634
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deadbuzzardalive wrote:Sheffield United winning and automatic promotion looking out of the question and it's not even Christmas yet. What a disgraceful position we find ourselves in.
Still a long way to go but I think automatic is always going to be beyond us (I know it shouldn't) so I think the play-offs is the best we can hope for, then it is a lottery!
achilles- Posts : 2329
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deadbuzzardalive wrote:Sheffield United winning and automatic promotion looking out of the question and it's not even Christmas yet. What a disgraceful position we find ourselves in.
LOL bloody hell calm down mate we haven't even played yet . And even if the gap stays at nine points, that's hardly a points total that is impossible to catch. We're talking about Sheff Utd and Wolves here, not Man City. These teams WILL slip up regularly imo, we just have to take our chances if and when they arrive.
AstonThriller- Posts : 2166
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I've just noticed that Sheffield United are sponsored by Teletext, I didn't even know it still existed, a blast from the past. Their form is relentless at the moment, they've got two home games coming up as well.
deadbuzzardalive- Posts : 3634
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deadbuzzardalive wrote:I've just noticed that Sheffield United are sponsored by Teletext, I didn't even know it still existed, a blast from the past. Their form is relentless at the moment, they've got two home games coming up as well.
The objective is to be in the playoff positions and then start to put pressure on the top two down the stretch. The Xmas period will be a key one as both of the Sheff Utd and Wolves squads will be put to the test with injuries and suspensions. IF Wolves slip up tomorrow and we win wouldn't it be a good weekend? This is why I say there is no need to panic. If come the end of the season we are in the playoff places then so be it...as long as we're at the dance then we have a chance.
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