Thoughts and issues regarding the past and present of a great football club by "The Chronicler".

Friday 29 April 2016

Facing A Hornet’s Nest

Well, Villa buzz down to play the Hornets this week having already lost to them at Villa Park.

We probably do not have any great expectation of anything by way of a win any more this season, so this is probably just going to be another fixture to grind out. However, Black has said that a reason why he’s not been playing so many youngsters is because of the poisonous atmosphere at Villa Park. But as this is an away match, I would have thought he’d be wise to throw caution to the wind on this occasion and bring ’em (the youth) on.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and if a youth-based team did happen to win (even draw!) then surely they’d also be worth playing against Newcastle in the last home match. If they’re not tried now then it will be an opportunity lost, in my view.

Meanwhile, the new series of Fans’ Consultation Group Meetings have begun, and in my view an air of more sincerity. Certainly, to get a positive response from the Club to my letter was something of a surprise to me after all the difficulties I’ve had with them this past six years, and a welcome surprise at that.

There has been talk of the club “imploding”, but the feeling for me is that such a situation will (just) be averted. But how the club has managed to sink back to virtually the same situation as in 1967 and then 1968 is beyond me. I thought General Krulak had the reputation of being a winner and backing winners, but the performance of his friend the owner over recent times must have shocked even he.

The effect is that next season the Baggies will be the only club representing the West Midlands in the Premier League, and their fans will be ecstatic about that, particularly if they do better than they have done this season. At least they helped Leicester one step more towards the League Title by nabbing a draw at Spurs on Monday.

The Foxes, the Potters and the Baggies now carry the pride of the entire Midlands. Who would have thought it five years ago?

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