Match Prediction: Fulham away
Wednesday, 28 February 07, 03:33 AM · Comments (11)
It's so long since we played it feels like the start of the season and at the start of every season I have a higher than normal level of optimism.
The feeling is that this is going to be the season and although the season is already over for us I've got that feeling about the rest of the season. I didn't make that very clear but I think you understand.
Under the previous incumbent we could have gone away and trained with Barcelona for three weeks and we'd come back no better but I have this blind faith in Martin O'Neill and believe that he would have used these three weeks a lot more effectively.
He should know his players now and he should also know what aspects of their play need to be worked on. I think the Spanish break would have been used as a team bonding experience but also to look at match specific aspects of how the team play together. I'm expecting to see some of that this weekend.
I also think we might see Luke Moore feature after scoring his fourth goal in four reserve outings last night against Arsenal. It was when Luke went out injured that our form dipped and it's not necessarily down to Luke but down to the formation we could play with him in the team.
With the arrival of Ashley Young, Luke back to fitness and Gabby still raring to go I think we've now got players to put a consistent run together of playing five in midfield with two wingers. It allows Barry to play in a more favoured central position, let's Petrov play a more attacking role and let's Smiler do what he does best.
We might not see Luke play this weekend but I think we are going to see a much fresher Aston Villa and probably a much more focused Aston Villa when going forward and when tracking back.
Fulham are doing as expected this season which is the exact same as Villa. They've won the exact same away from home and apart from one extra defeat at home it would be the same as Villa also.
Fulham really shouldn't be a match where I predict a draw so I'm not going to. Yes, they've got a pretty good home record, winning six but they've lost or drawn more. We might have only won once away from home this season but I expect that to change this weekend after the players have had a nice rest and should be as focused now as at any time in the season.
Saying and predicting that I'm not having a bet on Villa simply because it will probably jinx them away from home, instead I'm going for United, Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea this weekend with a crisp tenner on it. I suspect Liverpool will be the team to mess it all up for me first, then followed by Newcastle. Still, as long as Villa win it won't bother me and I'll probably have a little side bet on a 3-1 away win.
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11 Comments · Add yours
Yes Damian, don't bet on the villa. You do seem to Jinx us. I am full of confidence for the Fulham game and might have a flutter myself on a 2-1 away victory. We must start playing for the full 90 mins. Team's have been starting strongly against us and we have found ourselves behind 1 or 2 goals within the first 10-20mins. We then have to chase the game, dominate the remaining 70mins but to no avail! :-\
Come on you villa boys, we are so close to being a good side. Push on!! :o
UTV
Hmmm. I fancy a two all draw - In fact I'd take that right now.
villa will sluaghter fulahm at the weekend ;D young on form who is happy at villa carew starting to show his value for a GREAT swap with S*** baros who cud nt find the net even if the goal was from corner flag to corner flag i think at the weekend an easy win of 3-0
Always look forward to the Villa game. Great away support and bags of incidents. Do you remember a couple of seasons ago when VDS saved two penalties and we scored in the 92 nd minute to grab a draw? The season before when Hartley scored almost from the half way line?
This saturday, tough call. We played well V Manure, and despite the scoreline played well V Spurts.
1-0 to the whites me thinks.
Did you lot not see the fulham man u game? you guys will be lucky to escape the cottage with a draw!
Let's see. . . Willy, Ollie, Ridge, Bardsley in the back, Barry, Petrov, Davis in the middle, Ash and Gabby on the wings feeding to Big Man Carew. Luke and Smiler coming on as second half subs for Gabby and Stan (or Davis). I see 2-1 to the Villa, with Carew and Luke the scorers.
First off all, United will never beat Pool away, thats for sure. And Fulham will hammer Villa, 3-0!!
I would like to see Osbourne either in central defence alongside Melberg or in place of McCann in midfield. Stick Moore up front with Carew and I reckon we're on to a winner.
Playing well once against Man Utd doesn't make a team any better than they are! Don't get me wrong, Fulham are a decent side but playing against Villa is a completely different job to playing against Man Utd, and that doesn't mean we're easier!
I am also predicting 2-1 to the Villa!
Cmon lads this is the villa we never seem to be able to get results on the road my prediction is a draw at best .We need to rid the team of those who are past their best b4 we can start to win consistantly away from home. 2-2
come on lads it dont make no difference if its 1 nil or 6 nil it dont matter if its young or mellberg all that counts is three points lets start performing !!! but 4 nil would be nice come on the villa ;) ;)