Click here to go to the discussion thread by TJR
Tim Sherwood brings his gilet and Aston Villa side to St James’ Park looking for his first victory as manager of the club. John Carver is also after for his first win at St James’ Park since being appointed Newcastle United head coach. Both sides come into the game on the back of horrendous form, if you can call it that, sitting at 17th and 20th in the form table, the home side taking five points from their last six games, the visitors none. The reality of the situation is that both teams have been awful for a couple of seasons now.
Despite this the game looks set to be a sell out with only a few hundred tickets left on sale at the time of writing. No thanks to Villa though, who once again have been unable to sell their allocation and have had to return tickets so they can be sold to home fans.
On the topic of attendances and Aston Villa, it has this been confirmed that Aston Villa are the worst supported club in the league, at least in terms of filling their stadium. Villa Park is on average only 77.5% full, considerably lower than the second worst offenders, Sunderland, who can only get the Stadium of Light 87.5% full. Newcastle meanwhile get St James’ Park 97.1%, although far better than the likes of Aston Villa and Sunderland it is still disappointing if understandable given the events at the club this season.
This next paragraph is about our enthralling campaign for mid-table mediocrity. You will need to make sure you are sitting down for this bit as your excitement levels are about to go through the roof. We will finish this weekend in 11th place if we win. We will finish this weekend in 11th place if we draw. And guess what, we will finish this weekend in 11th place if we lose. Now isn’t that the stuff dreams are made of?
Getting knocked out of both cups has paid off, we have now solidified the magnificent position of mediocrity. If come the end of the season we top the balance sheets league, this could go down as the greatest season in the history of the club. I can only bow down to his excellency Mike Ashley. Continue reading