“Nath” went on a bit of a rant after the game last night.
I don’t know if it was beer-induced (quite understandable, after a very important win), but he did raise a very good point I thought, in that he thinks some of us fans are practically hoping that Steve Bruce will fail at the Villa.
Personally I don’t see it like that all.
The fact is that Bruce came in with only one mandate, which was to get us promoted.
Okay, it was a massive ask, given the state we were in, but that was the job, pure and simple.
While cutting costs at the same time, it transpires from last night’s interview.
An even bigger task then.
Which at the moment, he’s on course to complete.
While I’d agree it does seem that some fans are only happy when they have something to moan about, so I also think that if you are a fan of the club you can only want us to do well.
And I hasten to add that it’s not only on this site. I’ve read similar types of negative comment about Bruce on every other Villa site you care to mention.
It’s the nature of the beast that you’ll never keep everyone happy, all of the time and I’ve seen this in general life too.
Cest la vie.
But I’ve also noticed that the Villa site’s writers tend to be a bit more reticent in slating the manager.
Yes, there’s negative comment when we’ve played poorly but also praise when we’ve played well. Which is exactly as it should be, in my opinion.
At least that’s what I like to think I do and suspect other writers elsewhere do exactly the same.
I’m not exactly sure what I’m trying to say, but the point is we all call things as we see them at the time and they may go against the more immediate clamour.
I’ve been generally supportive of Bruce, even when times were toughest and many wanted him gone.
Maybe my more advanced years than average give me a more laid back, steadier attitude, as much as I still wear my heart on my sleeve at times?
It doesn’t really matter.
The point is I’ll be looking at things again, whether we get promoted or not, in a couple of weeks time.
And my view will basically boil down to which league we’re in.
And even then, I suspect I’ll be supportive either way.
Let’s see what happens first, eh?
Bloody hell, great header there.
fulham 2 up.
Shit good header that Fulham 2-1 now,
Derby have to go for broke now
Dirty cheating time wasting scum.
Not as bad as Kamara, the cheating bastard.
Should have been a red for simulation, imo.
That’s who I was referring to Badger 🙂
Ah, ok 🙂
If we can overcome Boro I think we can play Derbys tactics but better. We wouldn’t be able to outpass Fulham, but when they lose possession they do look vulnerable. Anyway I’m getting ahead of myself. In 24 hours we will know our fate.
6 mins added.
The ref obviously saw through Fulham.
He’s had a good game today, imo.
Fulham it is then, if we get through.
I don’t know what to think about that.
Fulham V Villa?????
well done fulham 🙂 derby blew their chance first leg should have taken a bigger lead. it shows you 1 nil is not a big lead to hold on too.
Exactly nath.
we don’t have it in the bag yet, but I suspect we have a much better chance of beating Boro than Fulham.
Fulham’s pace worries me, although I’m sure we can press better than Derby.
Ok, hands up, I’m worried and hoping Fulham have burned themselves out.
The best team in the league? That’s what the comments was from the commentary, Not over till the fat lady sings.
No, the best team that hasn’t been promoted, was what was said, Bill.
Agreed, it’s not over yet, by a long chalk.
It’s a final.
Absolutely Bill. Any thoughts on line up for tomorrow. Looks like Elmo will miss out. Reports say Bree or Taylor if fit. He might even play Thor at fullback
Thor for me, by a mile.
I don’t trust either of the others.
I’m sure Pulis will have clocked this and I expect Traore to be all over the pitch.
the way to beat fulham is to attack um. if they have a weakness its at the back.both boro and villa will cause them more trouble.the problem will be if you allow fulham to take the lead. they are clever time wasting southern shady drinkers wankers. will be a good final who ever make it.
I’m convinced we’ll make it Nath.
But Fulham have exactly the right tools to unlock us.
That said, the opposite applies too.
But i’d have much preferred to be meeting Derby, as they’re much like us, but not as good, imo.
i think boro and derby had the tools to hurt villa more. fulham don’t turn your centre backs like the other two. that is where villa is weakest in my opinion.
i would feel better if villa went for boro throats, rather than holding on to our 1 nil.
Ooh, probably agreed, but that’s for tomorrow, Nath.
not saying fulham is a easier game. its just the way they play and where they play it. in front of your defence not behind with pace like the other two do.
cant wait for tomorrow off for some shut eye adios
We have beaten Fulham this season but not Derby so I’m okay with the result.
It will all come out in the wash tomorrow, Holte66 not Taylor for God sake, Hutton and Bree yet again Bree not a established player.hard to say, hope we turn up tomorrow.
Rowett basically saying Derby bottled it.
I agree with that.
This is where I think Bruce has got it right.
We might not prove good enough ultimately, but we will definitely not bottle it.
he gave a good honest assessment. the part where he said they bottles the possession that is massive. you cant underestimate how important that is. two reasons fulham are not as good without the ball and you have to make they fearful of committing men forwards. i thought rowett had a decent plan for derby squad, i think they lost it 1st leg where they had really good chances to make the scoreline bigger
yes, agreed Nath.
I said to my Derby mate that 1-0 wasn’t enough and he agreed with me.
IF we beat Boro, I can see the search for a Wembley ticket coming on.
I’ve always got one before, but don’t know how it works, these days.
Nath – Good news is no news. That is the reason this blog is quieter and the posts shorter when things are going well.
Bruce has the right CV for the task. It counts for a lot. I am happy with what he has done, which is perhaps employ a shrewd tactical coach and a ‘worldy’ team captain rather than continue to be so hands on himself.
If I continue to have a criticism of Bruce it is that some managers very rarely buy a player who is a dud for their team, whereas Bruce got McCormack and Landsbury. Somebody though, and it could be Bruce, deserves the credit for turning a dud he didn’t buy – Hutton – into a competent defender. That is a near miracle.
DiMatteo bought McCormack I think.
Badger we should get 40000+ tickets so I would say season ticket holder and club members first then the rest will be made up of games attended against a booking history reference.
For me Fulham had there chance to go up automatically and got turned over at the Sty as Blues completely over ran them and did not give them anytime on the ball. I am sure if we do face them at Wembley it ours to loose as long as we do not repeat the performance at the Cottage a few months ago. I am confidant if we win tonight but still cautious. The 3 players for me that need to step up a gear is Adomah, Houlihan and Kodjja, all on their day can be game changers.
Keep the faith UTV
We’ll see how happy people are with Bruce when we lose to Fulham in the play-off final.
Will people be saying the same thing then? I very much doubt it. They will point to games like QPR and Bolton and see that Bruce failed to motivate the players enough to win the games that mattered.
Finishing 4th in this league with the squad we have is no achievement at all.
I hope i am wrong, but i cannot see us beating Fulham, and that’s barring any shock tonight.
Just seen the news about J Lloyd Samuel. Terrible early death. Sad news. Always seemed a decent kid.
Also just read that Bum Bum only 37 with two young children. Terribly sad – condolences to the family.
We may or may not succeed tonight but if we get to the ‘final’ only half the job is done.
Now this may sound like a statement of the ****ding obvious but having seen the photographs following Fulham’s victory last night one wonders if they haven’t fallen into the trap of thinking ultimate victory is already theirs!
We need to get out the blocks quickly tonight because Boro certainly will. If they get first goal 40,000 fans will suddenly go from party mode to anxious mode and it will transcend down to players. Only change is Bree at right back. I bet Traore will attack Bree from the start to force Hutton to swap sides.