Let’s face it, unfortunately Forest are a total shambles at the moment.
They have no manager, an owner who wants out, the team are struggling in the league and to cap it all, there’s going to be a protest.
Which all in all means I’m sure I’m not alone in having a lot of sympathy for their fans.
We’ve been there, after all.
So it should be a simple task of out-playing them, out-scoring them and back on the bus in time for a few celebratory beers back at whichever nightclub, shouldn’t it?
Hah!
I’ve been looking at what side I think Bruce will play and I’ll tell you what, I’ve found it decidedly tricky.
The back four maybe picks itself, unless you’re of a mind to stick our new full backs straight in. I’m not convinced you want to throw the whole lot in, in one fell swoop, but if you are, who am I to argue?
I’m just not convinced Bruce will do it, although I’d expect the new lads to get minutes.
After the way Brentford apparently ran and passed through us with ease, the obvious thought would be to stick Jedinak in as the holding mid, but he’s injured (again), so that’s that thought straight out of the window.
I’ve seen it mentioned that Gardner is the next best option and indeed that would be my thought (although Lansbury is supposed to be able to play the role, even if he looked poor the other night).
But I don’t see how you can fit him in, given that Lansbury and Hourihane are certain to start.
Green and Adomah were apparently our best bets going forward against Brentford, so I don’t see how it would be fair to drop either of them.
Which all means that if we’re going two up front, we’re trying to fit five players in four spaces.
Why two up front?
Well Bruce has said that’s how he wants to play and there’s no way I see Scott Hogan not starting.
You could harshly drop Green and play Kodjia on the left, I suppose, to accommodate Gardner in the middle, but wouldn’t we be going down the same road of leaving the lone striker isolated?
If that happens, I don’t think I’ll be best impressed.
No, it has to be a 4-4-2 (or a 4-4-1-1 if you like) against a team in Forest’s present state.
They’ve actually won their last two games, but I’m sure you know what I mean. We’ve just pinched their best midfielder and McCormack can’t play this one, after all.
No, there’s no excuse now.
Bruce has the tools required and we have to go at them from the off.
Sod this sitting deep stuff; we should press and play a high line.
Most of all, we need to see some serious movement from the players and they need to be creating space for our undoubted quality (at this level) players to pass into.
Of course, it might well be that things don’t work out.
The team might not click. In fact there’s every chance it won’t.
But there’s no excuse now to not show some proper attacking intent. You might as well lose fighting and threatening as trying to play safe and hope for something and yet still lose, in my opinion.
If we play as well as I believe this side is easily capable of, I can see a 3-1 win, no problem.
But if we see the rubbish we’ve been accustomed too over the last few months, I can’t see past yet another away defeat.
And a fall into yet more abject doom and gloom, as we slide further down the table.
The pressure’s on, Mr Bruce.
No excuses, you have to get the players performing and I want to see you on the touchline ordering the players to get at them.
Oh, in other news, Gabby has done his hamstring, which strikes me as quite convenient. No matter though, as I don’t think anyone, including the manager, cares. His days as a Villa player are surely numbered.
Villa to lose 1-2.
Comments
125 responses to “Forest – Villa: How are we going to play this?”
Johnstone again.
Fuck me. One long distance shot = 1 goal.
Joke.
Absolute liability!
Villa going to shit again!
Why do we get the shit goalkeepers, I’ve been watching him and he’s unsafe.
Every flippin game may as well have stuck with Gollini. Johnstone is shite like all our keepers they are all error prone. Keepers have cost us at least 15 points this season
At least golini was our player ffs
Typical villa take a sky 4 player let him do his cock ups with us then when he improves take him back.
Are we ever going to get a decent goalkeeper
Should be going in 3 nil up.
The reason any club loan out their up and coming keepers is to iron out those mistakes but at out expense. If you are going to take a keeper or loan take an established keeper.
The coaching is shit, they running us all over the pitch. Cannot create passing, or play balls to beat the opposition.shit team we have again.
We seem to be unable to hold the ball – once again no one commanding in midfield through which to play unlike Osborne whio’s runnimg the midfield for Forest. Too many individuals rather than a team performance. I have a horrible feeling …….
Our first touch has been poor. Midfield needs to shape up pretty quick. Need one of them to step up. We again are being bullied in midfield which then is putting defence under unnecessary pressure.
Getting deeper and deeper …..
Yep.
Again.
How is it they can find players and we don’t, we are rubbish in finding players and making moves, why do we not know how to make space and get chances.
If Kodjia knew how to pass we’d be home and dry by now.
Only reason he has as many goals as he does is because he is so greedy.
We’d have a few more points at least if he realized it is a team game.
Sick of Kodja his all round play is crap
Pass and move. You should never be standing still in football. We ball watch a lot! And our midfield never get foward at pace to make themselves available, they always defend too deep. Bruce has to change this and soon.
KODJIA IS A GREEDY (edit oohagh)!!!!! SELFISH WANKER IS INDIVIDUALLY COSTING US THIS GAME!!!
HOGAN = CLASS!!!
Please don’t use C word thanks oohagh 👍
I’d drag Bjarnason off and play amavi out wide .
Grealish red.
What an utter prick kicking that ball away.
Another bloody liability and he should be fined 2 weeks wages.
I’d fuck the useless prick off if the academy produces shite like that I’d fuck the academy off
Here we go.
Defence mode.
against Forest, where Lichaj has looked a great player.
Bored now and it’s utter rubbish again, imo.
So now we’re playing a 4 5 nothing fucking brilliant…. well done Bruce ffs
Demba Demba would improve our midfield !!!
bruce is a genius ha ha ha
Having a wankfest JV??? Go on give it a stroke
No perhaps he can see what everyone else can you prick…, get it down you yeah 🖕
Do choke on yours
Yeah well done mug 🔔🔚
Wind your neck in, we are all on the same side.
Why don’T you go back to Smallhesth
Does your mommy know you’re still up at this time?
B6 a real keyboard warrior lmao
Not you B6 that fuckwit scv
Relegation a real threat – and Grealish should be fined by the club.
What good would that do he’s still shite
It was Huttons fault.
Fuck this… Steve Bruce out!!! 😡😡😡