“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?
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.