[Archived] Villa Semi Final Match Preview

[Dan]

Hughsey says "We need pace, hunger and lots of hard work" and then puts Benni in the team!

To be fair though, Benni is always hungry, just ask the staff at the McDonalds across from Ewood! Seriously though, I think Benni needs to play. He is only striker we have that we know can actually take his chances. If he is in the mood, he can be one of the best. Although if he isn't in the mood he is useless.

[Lurid Coat]

Givet is rated doubtful, and Roberts/ Diouf & Grella are all deffo out.

We need pace, hunger and lots of hard work.

Il go with

--------------Robbo-------------

Chimbonda--Samba--Nelsen--Ollson

Hoilett----Emerton---Dunn----MGP

-------- Benni ---- Kalinic ----

Iv left Di Santo & NZonzi out - however that is only because Emerton would work very hard in the middle & we need pace down the wings.

Iv also left Di Santo out over Benni - as I feel he is our most natural goalscorer and should like up well with Kalinic

That would probably be my preferred starting XI as well, if Givet is unable to play. Hope and pray for a victory tonight. The Blackburn Rovers fans in Oslo will be out in force at the Rovers pub tonight (which incidentally is located a two minutes' walk from my flat )

[novella]

Sam has to play 4 4 2 tonight, if he doesnt then there is going to be a massive backlash.

---------------Robbo----------------

--Chimbonda---Samba---Nelsen---Givet

-Hoilett---Emerton--Dunn----Pedersen

---------Kalinic----Di Santo--------

Would be my preferred lineup.

Two tall guys up front that can both work and hold the ball up allowing Dunn to join up in attack. Emerton providing box to box cover. Nice bit of pace on one wing and Pedersen (who isnt at his best but at least he's scored a couple lately) whipping in a few crosses.

[Iceman]

im going for a 5-0 win... then a 2-0 win at Villa Park, and a 1-0 win against Man United in the final. I feel so much better now, knowing that we scored lots of goals...

[mellison24]

Givet is rated doubtful, and Roberts/ Diouf & Grella are all deffo out.

We need pace, hunger and lots of hard work.

Il go with

--------------Robbo-------------

Chimbonda--Samba--Nelsen--Ollson

Hoilett----Emerton---Dunn----MGP

-------- Benni ---- Kalinic ----

Iv left Di Santo & NZonzi out - however that is only because Emerton would work very hard in the middle & we need pace down the wings.

Iv also left Di Santo out over Benni - as I feel he is our most natural goalscorer and should like up well with Kalinic

That's a good attempt. I'd prefer something like:

----------------Robbo

Jacobsen-Samba-Nelsen-Chimbonda

Hoilett-Emerton-Olsson

-------Pedersen--Dunn

--------------Kalinic

BUT I wouldn't grumble at your own choice, either.

[joey_big_nose]

I think sam will go for it tonight. He has little choice to be honest, he knows he needs a performacne to buy him time, he knows his preferred tactics are not getting results.

I will be amazed if we don't go 442, and if Hoilett and Olsson do not start. Roberts will not feature, I am certain of that. Kalinic is not so certain - he was poor again at City so I think it is a toss up between him and Di Santo in terms of who will partner Benni.

It is a gamble. Young and Milner etc could absolutely take apart Olsson, and Dunn in a 4 midfield will give Petrov and Downing lots of space there. But Sam has to roll the dice as the more sensible lineups are not producing anything.

[LeftWinger]

My prediction for this is that if we lose, it will have been a good performance and we just didn't take one of the 100 chances we created. If we win, it will be down to our esteemed leaders tactics and substitutions. At least these are what he will claim in his post match interview.

[Hughesy]

Hughsey says "We need pace, hunger and lots of hard work" and then puts Benni in the team!

Are you saying Benni isnt hungry?

Pace in the terms of Chimbonda, Ollson & Hoilett

Hard work in the terms of Kalinic, Emerton, Samba

Hungry in the terms of Benni.......

What up with you.....

Roberts will not feature, I am certain of that.

So is everyone else - he is out injured!

How about we just attack them...

Midfield & Strikers of

--Dunn--Nzonzi--MGP--

-------Hoilett-------

--McCarthy--Kalinic--

[alexanders]

Kalinic is not so certain - he was poor again at City so I think it is a toss up between him and Di Santo in terms of who will partner Benni.

I saw the second half of the game last night. Kalinic movement is much better than Di Santo's and he seems to find himself in good positions often. He is also as good as Di Santo at holding up the ball and his link up play with Hoilett, Pedersen, Olsson and Emerton was good.

I would deffo start with Kalinic who is actually our own player!

He also has a very good work-ethic and stressed Given to give away a bad pass to Kompany which led to Gamst scoring the goal.

[Bobby G]

Im getting psyched up.

[broadsword]

Hughsey says "We need pace, hunger and lots of hard work" and then puts Benni in the team!

Well, that's the hunger bit sorted.

[alexanders]

Im getting psyched up.

Me too.

Optimism is back!

[Hughesy]

I hope if he's fit - Givet does not play at full-back as he is sh!t against pace

I also hope Keith Andrews does not play

If those 2 things do not happen - then I will fell alot more confidence in our approach!

[Bobby G]

The team cant ask for much more. They including Allardyce will have the support of 15000 fans tonight in the stadium and thousands more all over the world.

[cletus]

I passed Ewood Park about 20mins ago

The roads look fine.

The pavements are a bit dodgy in places.

There was a JCB clearing snow & ice outside the stadium & it`s carparks.

The pitch seemed to be covered in a large white-ish tarpaulin.

Everything looks hunkydory

[Ozz]

Predictions

Score Two Nil to Rovers

Temperature Minus 3

Crowd Scotch Eggy

Atmosphere Birmingham Bags

Back in the Blackburn End tonight, got a good record in recent years there, so lets hope that this continues tonight.

[mellison24]

Me too.

Optimism is back!

Watch us Feck it up now!

I passed Ewood Park about 20mins ago

The roads look fine.

The pavements are a bit dodgy in places.

There was a JCB clearing snow & ice outside the stadium & it`s carparks.

The pitch seemed to be covered in a large white-ish tarpaulin.

Everything looks hunkydory

You are CERTAIN it wasn't snow? hahaha

[dillhallblue]

Cant wait for tonight's game now, up for it big time.

I love games like this were before you start you've already got your backs up against the wall !! Only one thing to do & that is to go out and give an in the trenches, chest thumping performance full of desire and determination.

And i think we'll get it too, i really do, a performance and a result. Like i said i'm up for it big time so what will the players be feeling like right now ? They're 180 mins away from playing at Wembley & i just get this feeling and i think we all have judging off recent results that they've just been waiting for this game to come around.

I really do think Big Sam will go for it tonight - just to buy himself a bit of time. We might even see 3 up top like we did against Chelsea.

So tonight is the night to put all personal feelings towards the manager to one side ..... well till at least 10 o clock !!! And back the boys 100%.

And the masses who stay away will have to live with it for the rest of their lives !!!!!!

[mellison24]

Cant wait for tonight's game now, up for it big time.

I love games like this were before you start you've already got your backs up against the wall !! Only one thing to do & that is to go out and give an in the trenches, chest thumping performance full of desire and determination.

And i think we'll get it too, i really do, a performance and a result. Like i said i'm up for it big time so what will the players be feeling like right now ? They're 180 mins away from playing at Wembley & i just get this feeling and i think we all have judging off recent results that they've just been waiting for this game to come around.

I really do think Big Sam will go for it tonight - just to buy himself a bit of time. We might even see 3 up top like we did against Chelsea.

So tonight is the night to put all personal feelings towards the manager to one side ..... well till at least 10 o clock !!! And back the boys 100%.

And the masses who stay away will have to live with it for the rest of their lives !!!!!!

And if we lose the (more important) Fulham game?

[MCMC1875]

Predictions

Crowd Scotch Eggy

Covered in breadcrumbs??

[mellison24]

Covered in breadcrumbs??

An Ian Holloway moment for him. I THINK he meant full and meaty? Or some other nonsensical, yet very funny pun.

[MarkBRFC71]

I just want to see us try and play today.

This is how I would line up tonight.

---------------Robbo---------------

Salgado--Samba------Givet---Olsson

---------N'zonzi---Emerton---------

---------Hoillet---Dunn-----------

---------Di Santo--Kalinic----------

We need to play two up top today, we must score goals at home and I just don't see that happening unless we throw a little caution to the wind for a change. Hoillet must start, Dunn as well, the kids gave us some enthusiasm to our play on Monday and all did well once on so lets play them from the start.

But please lads lets see some enthusiasm, pride and willingness from you tonight.

I'd go along with that, prob have Chimbonda in instead of Salgado though.

Also, I'd have Dunn wide left (enabling him to run with it and cut in) and Junior wide right. Play as the Lord intended - 4-4-2, two wide men, two strikers. None of this 4-5-1, 'man in the hole', 'playing off a front man' b*llocks.

Am I confident? If the players play to their ability, and aren't stifled by The Expert's 'tactics', then yes. The question is do the players want to play for the manager? Guess we'll find out tonight ....

[Iceman]

An Ian Holloway moment for him. I THINK he meant full and meaty? Or some other nonsensical, yet very funny pun.

You Holloway's agent Michael?

[Hughesy]

Cant wait for tonight's game now, up for it big time.

I love games like this were before you start you've already got your backs up against the wall !! Only one thing to do & that is to go out and give an in the trenches, chest thumping performance full of desire and determination.

Hopefully - it will be a case of 'Beware of the wounded animal'

Ticket sales look poor - but whats new for the Blackburn public if they have to stick their hand in there pocket.......im sure that should we get to Wembley they will all start kicking off how they should get 1st choice on tickets and its not fair!

[mellison24]

You Holloway's agent Michael?

Just read his book hahahaha. next week I'll be raving about LeTissier. After that, I may even call for Jeff Stelling as manager!