The Fish

I don't accept your apology. I'm not sure we were much easier on the eye to be honest. A lot of our goals were pretty ugly and their were endless complaints about Nolan's immobility, Simpson's defending, a lack of creativity in the centre etc. A football fan's nature to be a moaning cunt though isn't it?

Jesus, how did he ever manage in the Premier League.

We can afford to slip up. We're 5pts and 29 goals better off than 3rd. This isn't Mitrovic's only chance either. And even if both those things were​ true, how does that explain your 4-0 Mitro hat trick prediction? ;lol:

The Bristol game coincides with a piece in the Chronic about the squad players. I wouldn't be surprised if we see more of them, maybe not starting positions but longer than Rafa's traditional 5-10 minutes at the end of the game. Atsu and Hanley might start mind you.

He's up against it, any 50/50 will immediately be 60/40 against him because of his reputation. Honestly don't think Murphy will have seen a yellow against Wolves. I hope that players like Atsu, Diame, Perez, Ritchie, Shelvey help out on the goal scoring front as the crowd seem eager to turn on the big mad Serb.

I see a difference, but I don't think I will convince you that you're entirely fucking wrong, so I'll leave it be.

Happy belated, chum

How so? Gayle was given a run out at the end of the Norwich game and while he didn't look match-sharp he didn't look like he was struggling too much. It wasn't like he was thrown straight in against Norwich the minute he was passed fit.

1 win in 13, which came at home to Rotherham

Might see that change for the rest of the season?

At least there's drama in their season, the ones I feel sorry for are the Ipswich fans. Year after year they remain midtable, never really in threat of relegation and never really challenging for anything either.

Aye, it helps to be reminded that staying in the Premier League isn't the be all and end all. Making up numbers in that league shouldn't be considered the zenith of a club's existence. Not just talking about Sunderland, but for so many clubs they simply chase the money that comes from the Premier League's bumper tv deals.

They way they play, it's tough on the legs and they may struggle to maintain their form when key players are knackered/injured. If we play as we have been away from home; patient, stretching the play, exploiting gaps that appear when teams at chasing the ball, tight at the back etc. I'd fancy us to keep them out, not sure we'd score like, but with the big mad Serb, who knows?

Hit him where it hurts lad; the state of their municipal buildings. Bet their libraries are a shit show and all!

Thought we looked much better when Mitrovic replaced the obviously not match fit Gayle. Good hold up play, caused their CB's no end of problems and was able to bring Diame more into the game. Because Gayle's game is all about movement and he wasn't moving, Jedinak could focus on Mo and as such Diame wasn't able to find the space. When Mitrovic came on and players began running off him Jedinak's influence Wayned and Diame began to use the ball more effectively. For all they looked dangerous in the early stages they never really tested Darlow until the second half when we were very much in charge. Yedlin was class, and with Gayle looking likely to miss another few games his threat from the wing could be vital for Mitrovic. Villa were full of beans and application, right up to the point Gouffran smashed the ball home, after that, the vast majority of them looked whipped. Not being dramatic, but if they don't sort their shit out soon they might ​get dragged into the relegation. They're currently 6pts clear of the drop but they've got Huddersfield, Derby and Shef Wed in the next 5 games, plus Bristol City (Tammy Abraham). They might even give up points to Rotherham.. Which will be hilarious.

Just chancing my arm.

OI!

Lads on forums and twitter now claiming we should get over it and we're the only ones bringing it up. Fundamentally isn't true as the Birmingham Mail ran stories before and after our visit about the enmity. Of course if that's mentioned, you're told that the Birmingham Mail isn't representative.

He's not great in the centre alongside Shelvey, but it keeps Yedlin at rightback and ousts Colback from Centre mid. I'd prefer Mitrovic at Centre Mid over Jack fucking Colback.

Anita or Mbemba might honestly be a better shout.

Likely, aye. (Is that a reference to yellow fever?)

Hayden out for 4 weeks

Fuck me. Are we top of the league or not? Way too much pessimism about the place at the minute, it's mental. We're 3rd in the 6 game form table, and where in that table are our next opponents? 23rd. They have 5 losses from 6 away games, against such titans as Cardiff, Wolves, Brentford and Forest. They've managed 8 goals away from Villa Park all season. Their last point came at home to Preston. Next up is a game against Bristol, who've 9 points on the road, who've conceded 28 goals in 16 away games. They've conceded 11 goals in their last 6 games, winning one (Rotherham) and drawing two (Shef Wed & Derby). Keep Abraham quiet and they don't have a real goal threat. Then we travel to Brighton. We've beaten them once this season, we're the best away side in the country but this will be the biggest game of the run. Huddersfield are in good form, but Howay is right, they're a very streaky side and the way Wagner has them playing puts loads of strain on the squad's fitness and focus. Their high pressing, energetic style could undo us, but just as likely, our controlled efficient style could undo them. I'd expect 7-9 points from those four games, especially with Gayle back.