This Weekend's Fixtures & Midweek Fixtures (11/12/13/14/15 May)

[Marc Overmars]

Oh well it means Spuds absolutely have to win tomorrow, nothing else will do, though tbh tbat could count against us if it means they don't settle for a draw if they have it

The morons will probably gung ho it and get picked off.

[Niall_Quinn]

Villa are useless.

How did they beat Arsenal twice?

Yes, they are pretty shite. But it's a pretty shite league so they are up there, floating. Absolutely, should never have dropped points to these turds but Arsenal are still very weak when teams don't allow them to play. There's still a big problem with Plan B. Arteta tends to stick with Plan A until the bitter defeat. There are signs though he's started to become a bit more inventive towards the end of the season. But then we get the Utd game and it's back to square one. A bit frustrating.

[Letters]

Yeah, Pep. It must just be coincidence that City were mid-table and worse before the oil money

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cxe88nmyr00o

[Letters]

Villa are useless.

How did they beat Arsenal twice?

They weren’t useless when we played them at Villa Park. Hadn’t they won every home game at that point? The defeat in the run in was poor but I can forgive one slip in the context of the run we’ve been on otherwise

[Mac76]

Yes, they are pretty shite. But it's a pretty shite league so they are up there, floating. Absolutely, should never have dropped points to these turds but Arsenal are still very weak when teams don't allow them to play. There's still a big problem with Plan B. Arteta tends to stick with Plan A until the bitter defeat. There are signs though he's started to become a bit more inventive towards the end of the season. But then we get the Utd game and it's back to square one. A bit frustrating.

It feels like since the Bayern games we've started sitting deeper when not in possession, we did it v Citeh too, not sure whether that's about preserving players' legs at the end of the season or trying to catch teams on the break more but it does invite pressure, it was really obvious re Man Ure and could have cost us the three points if they weren't so bad

[Marc Overmars]

It feels like since the Bayern games we've started sitting deeper when not in possession, we did it v Citeh too, not sure whether that's about preserving players' legs at the end of the season or trying to catch teams on the break more but it does invite pressure, it was really obvious re Man Ure and could have cost us the three points if they weren't so bad

I actually think it’s because we’ve learned from the mistakes of last season. Far too many games were end to end and we were going life and death to get results. We’ve been a lot more ruthless and calculated this time and of course having the confidence to defend deep with Saliba and Gabriel helps a lot too.

[Letters]

They weren’t useless when we played them at Villa Park. Hadn’t they won every home game at that point?

(Yes they had. They were P8 W8 D0 D0 at home after they played us. Overall they were 3rd, a point behind us and we were a point behind Liverpool)

[Mac76]

I actually think it’s because we’ve learned from the mistakes of last season. Far too many games were end to end and we were going life and death to get results. We’ve been a lot more ruthless and calculated this time and of course having the confidence to defend deep with Saliba and Gabriel helps a lot too.

Yes I guess that's it, it can lead to some nervy moments though

[WMUG]

Oh well it means Spuds absolutely have to win tomorrow, nothing else will do, though tbh tbat could count against us if it means they don't settle for a draw if they have it

Also means they won't be particularly bothered if they're a goal behind with a few to play.

[Mac76]

Also means they won't be particularly bothered if they're a goal behind with a few to play.

I still don't buy that, players always want to score and get a result, even just a draw