Why Blackburn is a 'Must Win' Game

Last updated : 16 August 2011 By Matt LeCameron

There will be some that believe a single game cannot dictate a whole season, but so much is riding on the opening home game.

Villa fans are notoriously unforgiving, and if the blackburn game ends in defeat there will be some that immediately turn on McLeish. It can almost be guaranteed that anything other than victory will result in boos at the final whistle.

The players must already be feeling deflated. The managerial whirlwind has been followed by the departure of two key players and an insufficient reaction in the transfer window thus far. Add in the statements from McLeish that there is no money left and that there is no way we can challenge for top four, then ponder how the players must be feeling.

The fact that Blackburn at home should really be three points in the bag does not help McLeish or the players. If they cannot win that game, regardless of match fitness, the fans will start to bite immediately.

McLeish has rightly said that there will be no honeymoon period, and this is largely due to Lerner's backtracking with the transfer budget. With only one outfield player to introduce to the side, there is no 'bedding in' period to bring the team together. With much the same team as last year, albeit massively depleted without Young and Downing, there are no excuses.

If we do not win against Blackburn, the fans will turn on McLeish. The players will be aware of this and will walk off to boos on the first home game of the season. Plead as we might to give McLeish more time, it simply will not happen if we lose on Saturday.

The players will be reminded of last season, and how difficult it was then. The boos echoing around the ground and calls for the manager to go. Houllier had far less time to organise the squad, he made no acquisitions of his own in the summer, and he was not the former Blues manager. McLeish's allowances will be greatly reduced in comparison.

The unrest the players will feel will undoubtedly translate on the pitch, and we no longer have game changers like Young and Downing were. N'Zogbia is yet to be confirmed, and Bent can only change games if chances come his way.

I will no doubt be hounded for another negative article, but there is really nothing else to write about. Lerner has closed the till on transfers, and the Fulham game provided very little to discuss (3 international strikers on the pitch and not one shot on target other than Bent's offside).

Like many other Villa fans, I am trying to be upbeat about the season ahead, but with the events of the last few months it is proving to be very difficult.