Comments on: Dark Days Ahead For Blackburn, West Brom and Arsenal

By: The Gaffer

The Gaffer — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:32:15 +0000

Thanks for posting Wisconsingooner. Excellent analysis.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

By: peachy

peachy — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:45:39 +0000

Far too premature on #3. I'd be disappointed if Villa didn't manage fifth, but I'll be confident in fourth the day it happens, and not a moment before.

As for the 'wait until Villa has to deal with an injury' notion – actually, they're doing fairly well without last season's top scorer. (How quickly Big John is forgotten… but I guess it's easy to overlook a 6'4″ striker, not so?)

By: jm

jm — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:15:56 +0000

I'm not sure what you mean by “day of reckoning.”

At the top, everybody got a point, except Villa. So, sitting on the same goal differential, Villa is up 1 point in the league over Arsenal. And we've learned who will nab fourth?

Nothing changed this weekend. It was the same problems for the Arsenal side that they've had all season. With those problems, they are neck and neck with Villa for the fourth Champions League spot. I tend to think ultimately Arsenal's ability to spend in January will outstrip Villa's, and they will ultimately last it out for fourth. That's also tainted by my clear bias in favor of Arsenal.

The point, however, is that we've got a great season on our hands. What we learn each week is a little bit more about the nuances of a number of teams all within striking distance, not only of fourth place, but of the title.

To be quite honest, I think the notion that it would take a “miracle” for a team one point off fourth place to win it is, well, an interesting take on what “miracle” means. I'm looking forward (nervously, as an Arsenal fan) to a difficult and tense season. (I do apologize for jumping on the language, but I think the tendency in sports journalism to speak in rampant hyperbole to get in the way of interesting discussion on sports related issues. It's the same thing with the number of times commentators like to call sporting events “must win” for some team.)

A discussion of fourth place is going to have to start with the subtleties and nuances of both clubs, because right now, there is not a whole lot separating them.

By: Mike K

Mike K — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:05:33 +0000

I agree with most of whats said, and I disagree with the third point on one simple basis: injuries. Villa has one of the smallest squads in the Prem, and if they get any injuries to key players, they'll be lucky to finish 5th. I'd like to see how far Villa could go without Ashley Young and Agbonlahor, two similar players that Arsenal have out injured (Walcott & Eduardo). With that said, Villa's one of my favorite teams beside Arsenal so I do hope they finish high in the table and in the UEFA Cup…just below Arsenal that is.

By: Tampa Dan

Tampa Dan — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:45:56 +0000

The gunners and villa seem to be pretty even as of right now. Both capable of great results but both are also very inconsistent. If the teams swapped places villa were part of the big 4 and arsenal looking to crack in, a lot more people would be betting on arsenal to make the jump than they are betting on villa to do it.
Eduardo is close to a return, there is a big chance Wenger will bring some one in this January, and I think with the armband on fabregas arsenal are looking better and better. That's not too say they will win the league. But i think they will do enough secure 4th and concentrate on champions league.

As for paul ince he's done. Prolly sacked soon so the new coach can try to find some players in the transfer window to save relegation.

And I don't think anyone would bet on west brom staying up, but who knows the relegation battles are always crazy.

I just think its amazing to see so much parity in the league.