So who's going down with Sunderland and the Villa?

[rudebwoyben]

I remember going to an Arsenal vs Aston Villa match at the time at the Emirates, back when Agbonlahor was actually scoring goals. I can't remember what season it was (07/08?) but Villa deservedly won 2-0 and Arsenal looked abject with an ineffective Bendtner up front. There was definitely a feeling at the time that Villa could supplant Arsenal for that 4th place spot but as usual Arsenal recovered their form enough in the second half of the season to secure that spot.

 

[Pagnell]

I do, it was when he basically threw away their chances in the Uefa cup in order to stand a better chance of getting into the top 4, at the time they were definitely in contention.

If I recall correctly, that was around January, and I'm sure they were pretty close to the team in 4th at that time, but despite that were they really being tipped for a top 4 spot by anyone in a serious manner?

 

[IanH]

http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2008-2009/table/2009-02-18

They were looking pretty good on that date, and then completely collapsed.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

O'Neil put em in this state. Lerner/whoever else manages the show shouldn't have allowed him to though.

Correct, although the reaction to that, as in cutting all bloody investment and expecting to still challenge was utterly stupid. The main reason for us being in this state is Randy Lerner.

I do, it was when he basically threw away their chances in the Uefa cup in order to stand a better chance of getting into the top 4, at the time they were definitely in contention.

Indeed, not to forget the year we were sat in 3rd in January, playing a fantastic 4-5-1 with Gabby up top tearing defences up and O'Neill came up with a master stroke replacement for the injured John Carew and had the chance to sign Falcao, he decided that he had found someone better. Someone far superior, and signed the amazing Emile Heskey, changed back to a 4-4-2 and we collapsed and finished 6th again.

 

[mistermagic]

I don't remember Villa ever being tipped for top 4 under O'Neill. They were scrapping with the likes of Everton for 5th but, whilst he was there, United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal always had too much.

They were quite unlucky in a way. Back then the top 4 was unbreakable and was only halted by Benitez's ineptness. I believe the Villa squad of 09 would finish comfortably in the top 4 this season. That's how bad the Prem has regressed.

 

[SUTSS]

Us, Bournemouth and Villa to drop.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

We got a point! We're stopping up!!!!!! *






*Disclaimer, not serious.

 

[The Iron]

Villa might just about get into double figures by the end of the season

 

[Art Morte]

It's shocking how bad Villa have been considering how many players they signed. Sherwood really was like a kid in a candy shop, getting a bit of everything without thinking what was actually needed.

Bournemouth have been so unlucky with injuries, losing their top-2 record signings to long-term injuries and their best striker. Bound to go down.

After that it's Sunderland, West Brom and Norwich, in my opinion, who have the worst squads. Newcastle have more talent than them, but it's unevenly distributed plus most of them don't give a flying **** what happens to the club as long as they get paid, so that puts them in contention.

 

[Vanni]

As this thread was started by a Wolves fan, a far more important question would be this - How many years will Wolves get in the Championship without troubling the play off positions but at the same time good enough to stay clear of the dreaded drop. You know, those kind of seasons with nothing to play for even though it's only like early November, and you wish you hadn't bothered to buy a season ticket.

1) 10 years
2) 20 years
3) Forever, they are a big CHP side but not good enough to mix with the big boys.

 

[JimJams]

It's not really a relevant question in the Premier League forum though.

 

[Super_horns]

Norwich looked poor today compared to Villa and Bournemouth against us but they were away.

Got Sunderland next week..

All I would say that if we are safe come April we'll almost certainly lose to a Villa/Sunderland who we have around then!

 

[Munkiki]

Norwich looked poor

that'll be because we are poor. for the most part (today excluded) you can't fault the effort/tactics but we just lack the quality/concentration to do anything. today was strange though. from twitter, it sounds like our midfield was non-existent and we just hoofed which we never do, so not surprising it was completely ineffective. doesn't help either that we gift goals to teams before they've even had a chance to assert their dominance, kinda makes everyone's game-plan against us a hell of a lot easier when they know they're a goal up before the game has started.

Don't think you have anything to worry about this season. You look like having a similar season to the one we had when we came up in 2011. Losing to the top sides (while still giving them a game) but crucially beating teams in the bottom half. You'll be comfortable all season, might go on a run of 3 or 4 games without a win but not one long enough to drag you into danger.

 

[Art Morte]

As this thread was started by a Wolves fan, a far more important question would be this - How many years will Wolves get in the Championship without troubling the play off positions but at the same time good enough to stay clear of the dreaded drop. You know, those kind of seasons with nothing to play for even though it's only like early November, and you wish you hadn't bothered to buy a season ticket.

1) 10 years
2) 20 years
3) Forever, they are a big CHP side but not good enough to mix with the big boys.

I hate to sound all serious to a question that probably wasn't asked in all seriousness, but I for one see nothing bad about finishing in the mid-table positions either in the Prem or the Championship. Both are very competitive leagues and if anything, if you're able to finish in the mid-table places consistently in the Championship it gives you the platform to build on that and eventually fight for promotion.

 

[Super_horns]

Munkiki - Our Christmas run has Liverpool, Spurs and Man City at home plus Chelsea away so normally you wouldn't expect much but with the way results are who knows!

 

[Vanni]

I hate to sound all serious to a question that probably wasn't asked in all seriousness, but I for one see nothing bad about finishing in the mid-table positions either in the Prem or the Championship. Both are very competitive leagues and if anything, if you're able to finish in the mid-table places consistently in the Championship it gives you the platform to build on that and eventually fight for promotion.

Yes, my post was only in jest, but equally so is Hertswolf's question. He didn't ask who is going down but who will join Villa and Sunderland, so that means those two are definitely going down according to him.

 

[Art Morte]

Yes, my post was only in jest, but equally so is Hertswolf's question. He didn't ask who is going down but who will join Villa and Sunderland, so that means those two are definitely going down according to him.

Ah, well, if we didn't jump to hasty conclusions, what kind of fans would we be? Not very good ones, in my opinion.

Right? ; )












No, but seriously, Villa are surely going down.

 

[elnino65]

Bournemouth should get relegated if the premier league was up to much. Attacking bournemouth is like passing through a team you'd face in a friendly. Their attack is what got them promoted, and surely their defence is what should send them down. Can't believe Chelsea didn't score against Bournemouth, well I can, but that really must be a poor show from mourinho's side.

 

[JimJams]

So another judgement on a team in a game you didn't watch?

 

[mistermagic]

A point at Southampton is a solid foundation to build on for Garde. Arsenal away will be tough but then they travel to Newcastle, Norwich and Sunderland. I can see a win in one of those. Keep the faith, Villans.

 

[Avatar]

I feel like Garde knows Arsenal and Wenger inside and out, they may get something from that game. Garde looks like a top manager in the making.

 

[JoshBCFC]

I feel like Garde knows Arsenal and Wenger inside and out, they may get something from that game. Garde looks like a top manager in the making.

He's clearly already a top manager if he can get a point with Villa.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Given the weekends results and the table currently, Swansea are well in this fight now.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

I feel like Garde knows Arsenal and Wenger inside and out, they may get something from that game. Garde looks like a top manager in the making.

Certainly, if (when...) we're relegated, I hope we stick with him, think he'll help us bounce back immediately.

 

[Pagnell]

Given the weekends results and the table currently, Swansea are well in this fight now.

A mere 6 points from a possible 33 for Swansea since they beat United back at the end of August. You can't help but feel that, if they stick with Monk, they will be relegated.

 

[Abertawe]

Would be pretty scummy to sack him.

 

[Pagnell]

Maybe, but football is about money. It would be naive to believe that Jenkins will show loyalty to Monk if doing so leaves him millions out of pocket thanks to being relegated. The question he's likely currently asking himself is if someone suitable is available and if getting them in is likely to be the difference to going down or staying up.

 

[Abertawe]

I like to think we can stick with Monk and still stay up. Would be pretty snide to sack him off.

 

[Pagnell]

I agree that sticking with managers, if possible, is better than sacking them. And it would be good if he could keep you up. But why would sacking someone relatively early in their managerial career with 1 win in 11 be snide? Could it not simply be the case that him and Swansea are a bad fit, no matter how long he's been at the club? And would you sooner stick with Monk and be relegated or sack him for someone else and stay up? It's close to the point where that could be the decision that needs to be made.

 

[Munkiki]

In the short-term, sacking managers early/mid-way through the season seems to work though (it's proven ridiculously successful for Sunderland at least) so I doubt anyone would be surprised if he was to be sacked. But I'm with Aber, it would be pretty shitty. It was only last season he led Swansea to their highest position (haven't fact-checked this, heard it somewhere though) and was being hailed as the next best thing. The very least he deserves is to see the season out. Too early to give up on a young, up-and-coming manager imo. People seem to forget that these guys are still learning - they're going to make mistakes, they're going to go through dodgy spells.

The same way when we're relegated, I really hope we stick by Alex Neil.

Edit - just checked, at they finished 6th in 81-82 so second highest position, close enough