As opposed to WILL we win? in my opinion.
I don’t know.
Last season I was confident that we had a chance against any team we played, even if it meant that we’d scratch out the points by the odd goal.
I could live with it, as teams that do that sort of thing, even sometimes against the run of play, are teams that are often successful.
And we were doing reasonably well, which was fair enough.
Unfortunately, I currently don’t think we look like winning games at all and I worry for us tomorrow.
We look directionless and have no coherence whatsoever.
We’ve even made Jack Grealish look incredibly average, which should be a crime in itself.
And most worrying of all, our defence looks really poor and prone to conceding against any sort of pace.
I called for Bruce’s head in the last post.
Part of me regrets it, to be honest, as it feels like a knee-jerk reaction.
I genuinely would be happier if we were getting results.
But, as much as I think Bruce has improved the team with his attacking signings, so he’s ruined us at the back.
He’s so unbalanced the team, that it’s like they’ve hardly met each other, let alone played together.
Which in the case of a few of them, is probably true.
The perverse thing is that I think Bruce is probably correct, when he says the team will improve over time.
But I don’t believe they’ll do it quick enough, which is what causes me my biggest cconcern.
We quite simply don’t have time and continually dropping points will cost us promotion.
Back to tomorrow then and Bruce has asked for a reaction.
Didn’t he ask for it against Wednesday?
Or was that us fans? I forget.
Do I think he will get one?
Sadly, I’m not convinced he will, at all.
I’ve seen mention quite often lately that the players ought to take some of the blame for our poor start.
It’s a point I can partly see, as the team doesn’t look anything like fluent.
They’re making so many mistakes and giving the ball away far too easily.
But if you consider that one of Bruce’s best points is his man-management, it seems to me that he’s currently not doing a very good job of it.
I’ve suggested before that I’m not convinced that he’s used to having such a competitive squad and I think he’s finding it a problem.
Again, I don’t know, but the simple fact is that I don’t see us having a hope in hell of getting anything tomorrow.
Frankly, it wouldn’t surprise me if we were to be spanked again, although Bruce will probably be even more cautious against a very decent City side, hence keeping the score down.
Let’s get one thing straight.
I want Bruce to win this game.
I’m definitely not in the “Bruce out” at any cost brigade.
I just don’t see it happening.
And if we lose poorly, you have to ask how long the owners can go before they say enough is enough?
I’m going for a 1-3 loss, I’m afraid.
But really hope I’m wrong.
Comments
94 responses to “Bristol City – Villa; it’s now a question of CAN we win?”
Apparently, this is part of Bruce’s pre-match comment;
“We’ve tried to be a bit more expansive but for me we’re too open at the moment, we haven’t quite got the balance correct.”
Really? REALLY?
“Haven’t quite gt the balance correct”.
That’s what Albert Pierrepoint used to say -and he was the last Hangman.
Give the prisoner a hearty breakfast – and take a kilo of sand out of THE SACK.
I always loved the Buzzcocks.
One of their best tracks was “boredom”.
That has to be more interesting than this utter tripe we’re playing.
GOAL!!!!
Hourihane crosses and Bjarnason heads the goal.
Good job, as that’s been utter, utter shit.
Where did that come from?
Now let’s see some fight
These red button games are awful. terrible camera angle, and no replays. Poor definition. It’s like watching an illegal stream (or AVTV ha ha)
Agreed DS not to mention the somewhat amateurish commentary.
yeah and no atmosphere. sound is as bad as the video
It’s probably the exact same feed DS.
Hitch, fight?
No chance.
Did we look like scoring from open play?
I barely got excited about our goal; that’s how poor it is.
Can you describe it for me in detail? I didn’t catch it !!!
Stupid free kick to give away as well but great cross in.
Can the defence actually go 45mins without conceding?
Bjarnason one of our best and most versatile CM and yet never gets a deserved run in the team by Bruce. I would have him as one of the first on the team sheet personally. Also been a model pro since joining when he could have easily kicked up a fuss and decided to leave.
Time for Bruce to shut up shop and hang on for point. Bjarnsson needs to be dropped for next game. What was he thinking?
I’m getting fed up seeing kodja out wide. Take him off and put Bolasie on.
We’ve started the brighter.
Another similar ball in from Conor is met and it bounces around with appeals for a pen.
No dice.
McGinn almost another worldy…
Kodjia is being doubled up on, every time, yet still getting balls in.
Good effort from McGinn then.
We look the better side.
Let’s hope it doesn’t arrive in our half.
Nyland looks terrible, as he dropped again a couple of mins back.
Grealish covering the defence again 🙁
I’ve got this on, but really can’t be bothered to watch it, as I’ve got better things to do.
I don’t recall saying that ever, even under Lambert.
That’s how bad this is.
Oh, Bolasie is about to come on.
The truth is, I don’t care any more.
Don’t give up Badger stick with it I have for years, its crap I know but its the Villa.
The commentator is getting right wound up, Sky style at any possible chance.
While I’m just yawning.
Abraham off, Adohmah on.
Bruce, indicates a slight injury, when the fans complain.
Yes, right, Steve.
I smell bullshit.
Much more likely Abraham is pissed off with what he’s seeing already.
A good tactically astute coach would get alot more out of these players. BRUCE OUT NOW.
It’s over 1-1
I’m speechless
Don’t know what to say tbh. Not very inspiring.
I know what to say: “BRUCE OUT”!!!!!!
Lots of boos.
Rightly so.
Utter crap and I’d be gutted if I’d paid the entrance fee to watch that.
The only saving grace is that Bristol were as bad as us.
No post tonight, as my immediate thoughts are that we should sack this muppet NOW.
And I don’t want to jump in too quiclky.
My god, we just have no chance whatsoever, of promotion as things stand.
And that was as bad a game of footy as I can recall, ever.
I don’t know what else to say.
Right Badger thoughts, is Bruce a defensive manager only, he has no knowledge of attacking football full stop.
Wow that match particularly the 2nd half was as turgid as they come. Shocking. Dont even get me started on Bruce tactics or lack off and subs!! 89th minute ffs. Get this stubborn dinosaur out now.
After much deep thought I’ve decided that the whisky was more rounded, more exciting and generally much better than he football – and with that gentlemen I bid you good night!
I’ve had enough now. I see a talented squad of players that don’t know how to play together. The fault with that lies firmly at the feet of Steve Bruce and his coaching staff. Jack looks like a shadow of the player we know he can be. Bruce not up to the task anymore and needs put out of his misery. If they act now it’s not too late to turn the season around. Two games against mid table teams and we get 1 point. I want exciting football and feel it’s being denied by an over cautious manager trying to hold onto his job.