Last Updated on Thursday, 03 December 2009 14:56 Written by George Thursday, 03 December 2009 14:09
It’s been a while since I’ve written a piece for the blog, but I figured a semi-final appearance was good enough reason to get back behind the keyboard and more importantly right behind the Villa.
It might be premature to start dreaming of Wembley at this stage, but the way the League Cup has panned out this season I’m starting to get a feeling our turn might have come round again. Brad Guzan’s heroics at the Stadium of Light were the moment when I started to think, ‘hmmm maybe, just maybe.’
Last night that ‘maybe’ escalated right up to a ‘surely?’ I watched the draw with that usual feeling of doom in the pit of my stomach. I had been following the game at Ewood and knew that Chelsea were not only trailing but had shot themselves in the foot by using all their subs and then collecting an injury. Blackburn were on target to beat the league leaders and arguably the strongest side left in the competition.
Surely we couldn’t luck out and draw Blackburn? I mean come on. Really? After all, this was a hat that still contained Man Utd. We usually manage to draw them with over 60 teams still in the pot, let alone three. But yes we got Blackburn or Chelsea. And Blackburn or Chelsea away. The ideal situation playing the crucial second leg at Villa Park.
But Blackburn weren’t over the line yet. They still had another 20 minutes to play against one of the finest sides in Europe. David Hoilett twice had excellent opportunities to seal their passage to the semis. Twice he fluffed. And then it looked as though Blackburn had choked. Robbo flapped, Chelsea struck. There was a God after all. And he was back to his normal service.
Yet it was to be Blackburn’s night. Robbo twice saved Chelsea’s spot kicks. Firstly an excellent stop from Germany penalty king Ballack. And then decisively from Gael Kakuta. Cue eruptions of joy at Ewood and eruptions of hope in every Villa fans heart.
I mean no disrespect to Blackburn. I truly don’t. But I’m sure over 99% of Villa fans would have chosen this draw before a ball was kicked in the quarter finals. Ironically we’ve lost to Blackburn already this season and beaten Chelsea. And yet over the two legs, we’ll fancy our chances. Make no mistake. We’re going into a semi-final as favourites.
The last time that happened, we duly reached the final. And proceeded to play out the direst FA Cup final in living memory. I wasn’t there that day; I failed to get a ticket. Nor could I secure tickets for the two League Cup triumphs of the 90s. As a consequence I’ve never seen Villa at a Wembley final.
Intriguingly the last time (and only time) I have seen Villa at Wembley was the semi-final against Bolton in that FA Cup run; and the manager of Bolton that day was none other than current Bolton manager Sam Allardyce.
I remember it well but for all the wrong reasons. I was incredibly sick that day with some kind of food poisoning. But nothing was going to stop me going. I got stuck behind someone much taller than me (I was only 14 at this time) and could barely see the game. But by all accounts it wasn’t much better than the final that followed.
It’s fair to say my health has improved considerably since that day whereas poor Big Sam seems to have got worse. I hope for his heart’s sake that he was watching anything other than events at Ewood Park last night!
This time round if Villa are going - I’m going. Whether I have to beg, borrow or steal in order to secure tickets. I don’t want to get ahead of myself. We have two difficult games to negotiate first. But I can’t hide my excitement. So it may only be the League Cup, and yes we may not even reach the final and if we do we may meet a full strength Man Utd side.
But I’m getting excited because if I don’t get excited now then when will I? I still remember the home defeats to Leicester and QPR and the humiliation up at Doncaster.
I don’t know about anyone else but I can smell Wembley.
Actually screw it – I’ll go one further. I don’t consider myself particularly malicious but I keep getting images of Barry sat exhausted on the famous turf while Petrov lifts the cup high above his head having received it from Villa fan Prince William. It might be a wild fantasy, but hey, Villa are in a semi-final. If I can’t dream now then when can I?
George has the user name Mowgs on the site and like him, I'm getting excited too!
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James
said:
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... Bring on the Blackburn games! I don't want to get ahead of myself too much with looking straight to the final - as you said, we've already lost to Blackburn this season. But your comment of Barry sat watching Petrov lift the cup did bring a smile to my face :-) |
jk92923
said:
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... i've been giddy all day with the feeling we will be in Wembley in Feb! come on lads, do it for the fans!! |
Gavin Merriman
said:
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... I hope we get City in the final and put one over on Barry. I'm only going by my lifetime, but if we get to the final of a league cup, we typically win it. Both the utd & leeds games were great days out. The fa cup is a different kettle of fish, all day mashup session starting at 7 was the only thing that made the football bearable against chelsea. So excited, the next 2 rounds will probably be better than they final. Ewood park here we come! |
Mike Carter
said:
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... There's no reason why we shouldn't make the final now. I'm not saying Blackburn will be easy opposition at all, they did superbly to knock out Chelsea and the'll be very confident, probably feeling they will beat us too. But come on, this should have Villa written all over it. |
John Samuels
said:
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... I think the crux of the matter is while any team can beat anyone else in the EPL, Blackburn are less consistent and have more weaknesses than a top european powerhouse like Chelsea. There is more chance of us beating them than any team left in the draw, but there is also more chance of them beating us than maybe if they got Man U or City. Mark my words, the Rovers fans will be rubbing their hands together too. |
Que ever will be.
said:
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... I think Blackburn fans will also be happy with this draw, and are saying the same. However, we may as well get ahead of ourselves, because times like this don't come around too often, so let's make the most of it. Are season ticket holders pretty much guarenteed a ticket? |
Cannock Villa
said:
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... Gents, don't know if it common knowledge yet but the away leg will be on Tuesday 5th Jan (8pm live on Sky). Home leg is on Wednesday 20th Jan (7.45pn live on BBC). Hope both legs being televised doen't hurt the attendances, we need a massive away support at Blackburn and Villa Park rocking for the home leg! |
George Hartless
said:
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... Thanks as always Damian for posting my ramblings! Dear lord I hope I haven't jinxed anything. But all things considered. It's a semi-final. We should be happy about that alone. I remember hiding behind the sofa unable to watch the latter stages of the 2nd leg of the 96 tie against Arsenal. This year I hope to be in a fully packed Villa Park. I was also wanting to know. Do losing finalist still get into Europe through the League Cup if the winners qualify through league placement? (Something to think about.) |
Simon
said:
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... Always feel better playing away from home, so having the first leg at ewood is a good sign. Still, if we do lose up there say 3-1, then cue a repeat of the Tranmere game i say, it still ranks up there as one of my favourite games and lets be honest was probably the only time most of us were ever going to be on the pitch (centre circle with my brother in my case)  |
Jimbo Daventry is in Oz & Can't remember his password
said:
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... We're on the march with martins army we're all going to wembley!! We will beat Blackburn and make the final, come on you lions |
Mike Carter
said:
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... symbas Yes, that Tranmere game still ranks as my number 1 favourite Villa game. Absolutely corking entertainment, with Super Bozzy saving the day  |
Andi
said:
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... FOCUS people lets a) not count our chickens just yet b) focus on HULL and worry about Blackburn when it gets here. being devils advocate we should have beat blackburn, wolves, everton, burnley, west ham and wigan but never so lets not get to carried away just yet. FEET GROUND |
Gregdavillain1887
said:
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... very nice article thanks georgie boy!! the excitement is growing in mu belly!!! |
Peen Vageen
said:
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...Chiefy Give it a rest Chiefy lets just enjoy it! |
Andi
said:
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... but i dont see the point in singing and dancing about something that is not yet cert the odds are in our favour yes but lets not get carried away just yet. I just dont want us all to look like mug if it all goes pear shaped SORRY |
George Hartless
said:
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... Chiefy We at least have two exciting semi-final legs to look forward to. True it may ultimately end in disappointment. But I think if we'd been offered this at the start of the season, we'd all have been delighted to learn we'd be playing Blackburn over two legs for a place in a Wembley final. |
Andi
said:
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... Mowgs - dont get me wrong i think we are going to hammer them and get to wembley and hammer which ever manc lot things their hard enough, just trying to stay grounded thats all |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...Chiefy said: Talk about glass half empty |
John Samuels
said:
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... Where is Taglor? I'd love him to see this. I'm with Chiefy to a certain extent, I don't really want to think about the semi final. Hull at the weekend then a trip to the theatre of dreams is as far as I want to think ahead. I'm pleased and i'm upbeat and I hope it doesn't come crashing down around my ears on Saturday. I hope this inspires the players and it gets them motivated. As I said above I hope we get a win to really get going now. Back to back wins to comliment our unbeaten run would be nice and really get the team to click in time for two massive games against Sunderland and Stoke. These are games we need to look at winning now and really cement our place in the top six coming out the other side of xmas. Knowing us we'll beat Man U and Arsenal and lose the other two which would be typical. This is not a sprint it's a marathon and if we can get in contention with ten or so games to go we have a real chance of making a push for that elusive top four. Come on Villa and long live James Milner central midfield player. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Were we not favs to beat Bolton in the last semi we got to as well? It will be tough game. I'll be dissapointed if we don't get there now but we have 2 tough games ahead of us have no doubt about that. Hull at home is just as important. |
kingfisher villa
said:
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... i have just got my half season ticket today just in case and you will DEFINETLY get a ticket if (when) we reach the final!!! .at this minute i am more excited about wembley than the kids are about christmas ps tranmere was the best game ever at villa park. |
George Hartless
said:
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... The Hull game is obviously crucial and the kind of game we simply need to be winning if we have any ambition of finishing in the Champs League places. But this should be exactly the kind of confidence booster we need. Success breeds success. |
Raz
said:
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... Can't wait for these semi finals. I were at the home tie with bolton a few years back when we were already 5 - 2 down and the atmosphere then was amazing. All villa need to do is concentrate on their league form and focus until the time comes and if anything try to prevent them from scoring at ewood and try and atleast grab an away goal. That away goal could be crucial even if we were to lose at their ground, because u can guarantee the atmosphere will be buzzing at home and if we get to wembley the atmosphere there will be even better! I think defo not take our eyes off the league tho, because these games will build confidence going into these fixtures and not to forget maintain our push for europe. but when we do go to ewood i would suggest playing a 4 5 1, solid formation but with attacking threats in the team like downing, milner and young to try to grab a cheeky away goal. Very excited by the potential in the villa team now UTV!!! |
Chris
said:
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... Monday 1st of march booked off,Wembley Travelodge booked,seeing the Villa lift the League Cup again...PRICELESS! |
sean
said:
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... I don't like to get too excited about villa's chance but this could be the year! I've just got a feeling and I think Downing could change our season. Bring on Hull, Bring on Blackburn, Bring on another trophy in the cabinet! UTV! |
villa
said:
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... today in a footy mag it says we want stevan jovetic. he looks very good. hes a striker, good in the air, quick feet, good finisher and only 20. |
kier55555
said:
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... villa v man city final and watch us play gareth barry off the park. how i would love that. or even one better gareth barry own goal and then a sending off |
King VOGRA
said:
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... Blackburn is not a foregone victory, look what happened against Bolton the last time we got to a semi's, we got fcuking destroyed in the first leg,we were supposed to beat them.. Lets not talk about Wembley until we BEAT Blackburn, we haven't beat them yet, i'm keeping my feet on the ground. |
DanPrice
said:
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... Out of curiosity. Will a season ticket holder (home only) pretty much be guaranteed tickets to the semis (home) and to the final should we get there? |
Chris Platt
said:
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... Sounds like the Morons down the road are talking out of their ass Birmingham vice-chairman Sammy Yu: "But if a top-class player who is really keen because they know we are going forward, came over to us and talked, and we were sure their attitude was right, everything was right, even if they were expensive, we might concede that we need them as well. Since when would a top class player want to play at a sty Obviously the new vice-chairman knows nothing about football Your avin a laugh mate |
Chris Platt
said:
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... What he meant to say was "If a mercenary who wants to soak us for wages pretends he wants to play Championship football with us, we would welcome him" |
FatKevs
said:
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... I do not give a toss about finishing 6-8th in the league we cannot play in europe we do not have the class. Our main focus has to be the Domestic cups. Saying that i hope he sticks with BG in goal he has been major in getting us this far |
FatKevs
said:
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... dan I guess we will get 25k tickets if we make it Randy will look after the corperate fans 1st then attendance away etc then the most expensive season tickets. The Half season tickes will now sell like hot cakes |
robb david
said:
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... im looking forward to a villa, man city final. A big fat f**k you to gaz barry when he once again goes a year winning nothing while the mighty villa pick up their first trophy in years. |
robb david
said:
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... All season ticket holders will get tickets to the final if they want them, our allocation at wembeley will be more than the amount of season ticket holders at vp. it goes on away ticket, then season tickets, then home tickets. I havent had a problem getting tickets for the last three finals, and i only had a home season ticket. |
robb david
said:
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... today in a footy mag it says we want stevan jovetic. he looks very good. hes a striker, good in the air, quick feet, good finisher and only 20. we wont leave champions league football, and he would cost upwards of 20 million, i would love to see him at villa but iw ont happen. He is also small, not sure how he would do agaist a big physical defence |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...He is also small, not sure how he would do agaist a big physical defence We are well enough served in the big lump department already. Quick feet and good finisher sounds the ticket. |
doubledown9
said:
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... ronrabbit & Pancho He is being talked up by Fiorentina as a future Ballon d'Or winner. They are talking about putting a 25mil buy out in a new contract. No hope of us getting him. |
ryan h
said:
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... it was mentioned in a earlier post but yet to be confirmed, if the winner is in a CL or europa leaugue place at the end of the season do the losers get into europe, should they fail to secure it through league im sure they do as spurs beat chelsea and finishe 11nth and got to europe |
John Samuels
said:
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... I've made a decision. No longer am i going to watch with avid interest as we are linked with the world and his wife in the gossip column of some poorly constructed website riddled with spelling errors and unsubstantiated information. No longer am I going to put any stock in the senile ramblings of lazy tabloid journo's looking to cobble together some codswallop story that has no basis in truth whatsoever. I am going to wait and see. Martin O'Neill has proven that he does transfer windows in his own way and more often than not we sign the player who was barley linked with us until the day before signing and it tends to be someone no one wants until he proves to be actually quite good. There will be minimum movement in January I fancy and the majority of that will be out of the club. It is highly likely that Harewood may sign on at Newcastle for a nominal fee, Gardner will be on his way to one of our local rivals, perhaps joining Villa academy graduate Liam Ridgewell at Birmingham and the likliehood of Nicky Shorey signing at Forest is gaining momentum. I'd like to see Salifou and Osbourne offloaded too and one player brought in. Given that our midfield strength would consist: Sidwell, Reo Coker, Downing, Milner, Petrov, Young, Albrighton, Delph I fancy there may be room for one, but we could probably manage without. If however NRC leaves which is a rumour that refuses to die, then I think he has to be replaced by someone as our central midfield cover will be a little thin on the ground. Likewise if we were to offload a striker in January such as Carew or Heskey which has been suggested we will need to sign an immediate replacement. If however we don't lose any of the players in or around the first team squad I believe we will have enough to go till the end of the season quite easily and then make one or two key additions in the summer. |
John Samuels
said:
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...im sure they do as spurs beat chelsea and finishe 11nth and got to europe When we win the league cup they will give our Europa league place to Man City because we would have finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League! |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
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... If i put on £50 quid for us to lift the cup at 11/4, how much do i get back? The last time we met and beat Cardiff in the League cup, we won it. The last time we met and beat Sunderland away in the league Cup, we won it..... I think Pompey is in there somewhere aswell, but cant be sure. There are more "signs" than doubts, and im predicting beating Manure 2-0 in the final. There is no way Manures cockney fans allowing Fergie to field a weakened side against their pretend local rivals. Jeeeez, they will be all thowing their Prawn sandwiches at him |
Mark
said:
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... Rios. You'd get back about £137.50 back plus your £50 stake. It's a banker! It will be a Villa Man.City final. |
Paul Theiss
said:
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... I've seen Jovetic once--in the Champs League against Liverpool. He was all over them. |
Martin Clabon
said:
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... Piece of piss group for England for anyone interested, Algeria, USA and slovenia. We just need little Brad to have a bad game and we are through. |
Geoff
said:
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... OH BOY FELLAS! Being an American Villa fan, I cannot wait for the world cup now! What a great, and exciting opening game. I think that both the USA and England got a favorable draw. England USA Algeria Slovenia That tells me both the US and England should slide through to the knockout stages. Good stuff! |
villarobin
said:
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... Yeah great draw for England, although we lost to the USA in a tournament before did'nt we ? Potential bannana skin there especially first game , and with little brad in goal  |
Martin Clabon
said:
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... Geoff, you are right my man - plenty Villa players going in to the knock out rounds, England to win the group and USA to qualify comfortably in 2nd |
Geoff
said:
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... Probably, unless England slips up because its the first game and the US is ready to pounce on it. A draw would be disappointing for England in Game 1, but the US would take it because they will both beat the other two teams, and they both SHOULD sail through to the knockout stages. England should start Agbonlahor and Milner because the US doesnt really have the defensive strength on the flanks to defend against players that are that fast. That doesnt mean they will do that though. The defensive strength for the US is up the middle. The offensive strength is on the wings and they have a decent striking corps even without Charlie Davies. England cannot sleepwalk through that game though, like they have been known to do under previous managers... Tim Howard was going to be the starting keeper before he got injured. Now I think it really is little Brad though unless they let Big Brad come out of retirement. So, for USA's sake I HOPE Villa start giving Little Brad more playing time. If youre an England fan you should hope they keep him on the bench. He is a better option than Marcus Hahnehmann who is the backup goalkeeper for Wolves. Im going to start calling for MON to start Little Brad. |
Martin Clabon
said:
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... USA are doing pretty well at mo so I'm glad we are not in a tougher group - As long as we both qualify and the Villa play their part no problems who comes top |
rob h
said:
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... sorry to put a dampner on things but look back 4 four months when very few of us had anything positive to say MON IS CLUELESS MON DONT KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING WE WONT FINISH TOP HALF WE HAVE NOT PROGRESSED COLLINS IS CRAP AND SHOWS MONS INEPT IN THE MARKET I could go on for ever. i find it hard to digest the constant depressing down beat message some fans post on this site but i find it sickening the people who post two faced, narrow minded blatant back tracking opinions. the real sad thing is if we finish in the top 5 and dont win the cup the same old sh''t will happen next close season. I love my club and for those who know me i have been the uppermost optimist but i have grown tired and saddened of the constant abuse and criticism thrown at the players and manager. fickle fans turn coat due to a chance of wembley. its wrong. its called glory hunting. you should support and back your team through thick and thin. it was only a few weeks ago collins was slated to high heaven on here before he even kicked a ball. and now? milner cant cross and is very average. and now? mon is useless. and now. i will be there tomorrow cheering on mr heskey who i think has a future when others seem to say he has not. wonder if he will get some appologies if he is the match winner? |
Eoin Doyle
said:
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... I completely agree with you Rob H. Sometimes I wonder what the fans of other clubs are like. Maybe we're all the same! And have to agree with the Heskey thing aswell. I don't know what he did to warrant the abuse that has been thrown at him around here. And now he scores a couple of goals and all of a sudden he's better than Carew, and everybody loves him. It's ridiculous, but all I have to do these days is just read the posts that interest me, and ignore the others. Like a kind of "fickle filter" |
Damian
said:
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... rob h i dont think many, if any were saying we wouldn´t finish top half but can you not allow a little joy into your heart over the prospect of a place at wembley i will say this, just because we are close, it doesn´t all of a sudden make MO´N a genius or a master tactician. the football has still not developed and unless he gets that right he will continue to get stick his type of football will only ever get you top 5 or 6. basically getting decent players to run and run and hit long. its proven - just look back the past 20 seasons but we are close to doing quite well in a tournament the top 4 do not take seriously. on that basis we should get to the final shouldn´t we or do quite well basically, people get happy quite quickly because they want too, because they are passionate about the club and are desperate for the club to do well. when we dont and when we put in performances like the one against spurs - it just brings home how far we haven´t actually come under o´neill so tensions and feelings get increased martin o´neill isn´t clueless, but he is never going to get us into the top 4 and we haven´t progressed |
sid
said:
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... anybody any idea why salifou or andy marshall aren't getting in the reserves these days?? |
Steve Badger
said:
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...i will be there tomorrow cheering on mr heskey who i think has a future when others seem to say he has not. wonder if he will get some appologies if he is the match winner? I know what you're saying Rob, but sorry, I disagree to a large extent. If I persistently didn't do my job, I'd be called crap too. And even if he does prove to be the match winner tomorrow, I'll still think he's crap. And will until he's hit 12-15 on 2 consecutive seasons or more. Yes, I might say he did well, but that's what he should be doing, no more, no less, on average. Which is why I've said Heskey should come in for Carew. Simply because Carew has looked worse to me of late. Of course it's fickle, it's the name of the game in football. As for glory hunting, I'm lucky. I've been to Wembley a few times with the Villa, but there are plenty younger than me who have supported Villa a long time and never been to Wembley, let alone see them win something. Even though we have a very tough semi coming up, I wouldn't begrudge those people their excitement. Calling Villa fans glory hunters doesn't seem right to me. I wouldn't say there's been much glory to be hunted, myself. |
George Hartless
said:
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... rob h I feel partly responsible for the negativity. I normally try and put a positive spin on things but sadly have been very busy with work. In good news though. Tickets for Germany v Ghana and Brazil v Ivory Coast. Bring on next June :p |
Andy Scarborough
said:
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... I try to be positive because it is a worry that the people we slag off may come here and read what we write about them. It's like being there and singing "XXXX (our player) is shit" rather than singing about opposition players being shit etc. Our job is to big up OUR club. In private I have my say. In a public forum I bite my tongue. UTV - GB£sadbastard - SOTC |
rocky marciano
said:
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... Heskey is w**k always will be and i wished he didn`t play for us but if he scores the winner for england in next years world cup final i`ll love him. what do ya think of that Rob H  |
FatKevs
said:
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... Rob H How easily you forget how we were knocked out of europe at our 1st attempt, the sorry we we approach the game & how we have been given footballing lessons so many times. Yes we have stole some points but you are a prat for saying everything is great like i am saying everything is shit. Remeber we have won FAll, even in the last game we were hanging on until good fortune struck & all of a sudden we magic. Open your eyes & tell some truth |
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