Come on lads – let’s go past ‘safety’ target tonight

Nothing in this world is cut and dried and from what they’ve seen so far this season the Irons squad will know that this evening.

Remember how we were all expecting three simple points when we visited Aston Villa? Didn’t quite work out like that did it and I believe anyone who is looking for an easy three or four goal win tonight is gonna be disappointed.

Villa are down. Make no mistake about that but there’s a lot of pride involved. They won’t make it easy and will almost certainly park the bus!

Every footballer in the world can get themselves up for the big teams – that’s not a problem but often the reason for a freak result is that teams high on confidence unconsciously believe it’s a case of turning up to win.

I don’t think that will happen tonight. Slav is too good a manager not to be unaware of the dangers but I stress: Nobody, including the fans, must believe that we simply turn up to win.

Games like this evening’s define seasons. A win – which I believe we will get – takes us past the 38 points ‘safety’ target and can set us up for a real charge as Diafra Sakho, Manu Lanzini and Andy Carroll prepare to return.

There are one or two questions marks over the likes of James Tomkins and Sam Byram whilst new boy Emenike was signed too late to play but we can cope although everybody including us lot will need to be patient.

I expect Slaven to adopt a pressing game and there is going to be a great atmosphere for one of the last games ever under the Boleyn lights (how hard is it to say that!!).

I reckon it will be a 2-0 win which if things don’t work out for Man U against Stoke will be enough to take us into fifth place.

Exciting times – COYI!