I’ve been trying to assess how well we’ve done (or not) at this stage of the season and form came into the equation.
Now, after the dire form that we’d shown during Di Matteo’s reign, I expected our current form to have improved massively.
It makes sense that given we’ve climbed from nineteenth to ninth in the actual league, that our recent form would put us much higher to balance things out, doesn’t it?
Well, our form has of course improved, but not to the extent I expected.
If you take a look at this excellent site, http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/astonvilla/form/ten, you’ll see that we are in ninth position over the last ten games, exactly the same as our actual league position.
Which surprised me really.
If you continue to look at the more recent current form of 8,6 and 4 weeks, our standing in the table has actually got progressively worse and we’re twelfth in the table.
So what does that tell us?
Well, at first glance, it tells me that we need to do better if we’re going to move up the table as we all want.
Fortunately, things are not quite as bad as they first seem, as they are slightly skewed by having played Leeds twice recently.
And to show why I’m not too downbeat, take a look at this, which demonstrates things perfectly;
http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/astonvilla/progress
From our nadir, when RDM left and Bruce took over (games 11-12) the graphic shows a very nice progression indeed and seems to demonstrate that a play-off place is easily within our grasp.
Then factor in that you might say we’ve had our poor part of the season, where some teams above us haven’t and things look even better.
We do need to keep improving though and again it shows how it’s important that we get at least some better players in to keep the momentum going.
As an aside, look at Derby’s form over the last 10 games!
Although I’d expect them to fade at the back-end of the season, as they usually do.
Not exactly a good advert for Nigel Pearson (who many of us, me included, wanted) really, is it?
I’m pretty upbeat after seeing that 🙂
Just the thing to help me get over our last game.
What was instantly noticable is that we don’t string winning runs together.
Hopefully that’ll change.
why no word we played 4 out of bottom 6 in last 6 games or norwich who have lost 8 out of 10
and as it stand blues go ahead of us
yo
That’s a very fair point JV.
Although I’ve talked generally, with the idea that it starts a discussion.
As I said, I expected us to be higher in the form table and was dissappointed that we aren’t.
The thing is there are definite signs of progression and you can’t say it’s not encouraging.
So I agree with you on that point, but will take issue with you and your thoughts on Bruce.
You can only play the players you’ve got mate and Bruce didn’t sign a single one of them.
The fact is we’re much better under Bruce than under RDM though, with exactly the same players.
The vast majority are being fair in saving their assessment until Bruce has at least had a chance to bring some of his own players in.
And you’re being totally unfair, as Klopp wouldn’t get this squad to do much better, imo.
By all means criticise Bruce.
Indeed, I think he’s messed up a few times in selections.
But at least give him a chance before just writing him off totally.
Who do you think would have been a better choice at the time?
seen what bruce has done at every club he was at ,leopard can t change thier spots,if was as good as some think why did doc only give contract to end of season, bringing gabby back was astep too far
other managers take over sides and get some kind style out them bruce has had 3 months and 4 of our last 6matches were on tv and can anyone remember worse, last year it was better teams not this
anyway happy new year badger at least you can come up with point view not childish rants take sauce away from oohah last night he had westwood as messi at one point
I’m really not sure what you mean.
What has he done at every club????
Hull were at a peak, in having got promoted with a board who made it plain they won’t invest and want the dough back plus extra.
Just when he could have pushed them on, imo.
The scum?
I’d suggest he left them in a decent position table-wise.
I can’t comment further, as I basically couldn’t give a toss what they do financially.
Please explain what it is you have against Bruce, as I’m not seeing a reasonable argument.
You make it sound like he’s a total failure.
Where the facts show he simply isn’t.
Badger, if you spit our Team in half you would say improvement in defence but lacking in forwards, and dire in midfield. You can only use the tools you’ve got.tomorrow we might be singing another song. To me the only league table is with the team manager. He must be top on that surely? .
Bill, that’s a big plus in itself, imo.
Our defence has been utter rubbish for how long now????
Mind you, we’re only talking about the Championship and the quality overall is dire really.
The way we give the ball away makes it quite surprising we’re ninth.
You can see why promoted teams struggle so much, as the difference is massive.
Since Bruce has come out performances have been worse imo than under RDM. But our results have been better. Go figure
Agreed Ooah.
But as I’m sure you’ll agree, this league is all about winning and Bruce does it at least as well as anyone else.
Performances don’t matter.
JV, do you suffer with depression? Honestly cheer up your in conflict with Oohah, we only want one depressive fan on here.
😂
OOHA ain’t that depressing he’s now on the proper medication 😁
The championship only one winner QPR, the rest drawed, we are still 10th.
Yes not a bad day at all mate hope yours is better bill.
The only important stats at the end of 2016 are that we’re just two wins off a play off place and we’ve finished above the noses courtesy of a superior goal difference.
Considering that a quarter of the way through the season it looked like the most likely probability was Div1 and the noses were light years ahead of us.
For once optimistic about the second half of a season and looking forward to Villa in 2017.
Happy New year all!
Happy new year 🎉 PAT time ⌚ to GET IT DOWN YER 🍻 ENJOY UTV
Happy New year for tomorrow lads I’ll be too pissed to post by then 🎉🍺🍻🍷🍸🍾
I am happy with our position at the moment after the diabolical start. This league is about, quote from OOHAH ” The art of wining ugly” brilliant. Hopefully a couple of midfielders in the transfer window and a good strong finish to the league.
Happy new year to all, as Giddy would say ” GET IT DOWN YE”
Dave – it was ‘the dark art of winning ugly’ – very Harry Potter!
Agreed we probably played more ‘attractive’ football under RDM and managed one win. I want us to be winning first – the better football can follow.
Our form is better but not in comparison to Leeds and Derby who were in a similar position to us before management changes. We still have a negative hangover from the last couple of seasons – we have to really believe we can win several in a row – and that includes the fans.
Happy New Year guys and to all Villans everywhere – the future is ours; the future is claret and blue. UTV
Dave YER 🍻 😁
wishing your all happy new year…… 2017 is our year. stay safe tonight lots of lightweights P/T drinkers out.
just a quickie thought. performances will improve, bruce hasn’t had pre season. this is were most of the fitness and shapes around the formations with and without ball. tempo of play. slowly the performances will improve, but we have already seen better results, i think most will be happy with the recruiting we do this jan.
keep believing vtid
The truth is we’re just not playing as a team. We haven’t all season, and that’s why we are struggling. We have the players in the squad, but they look like they have never played together before.
There is something in that Benno, imo.
But until we get some proper grafters in the middle, we’ll always look disjointed.
Sod the RB, goaly and striker crap.
We need proper mids, who can see a pass and get stuck in, in this league.
We’re going nowhere with the bunch of pansies we have.
Get them in, then the team will look a lot more co-hesive, imo.
First post of 2017 :-)) (and somewhat ka-lied)
I’ve got a feeling that this is going to be a very good year indeed!
Onwards and upwards
UTV COYL
Happy New Year guys! Oooh! Me bloody head!!!
Happy New Year Bum Bum – ditto! 🙂
Happy New year 🎉 I’m still pissed oh well may the merriment continue UTV
Holly shit, just woke up 10.50 am that’s not me, Happy New year lads again, pissing down of rain still off to see th a girl I married 57 years ago. Oops have we signed anyone yet?
merry christmas oops i mean happy new year. my head is not alone hurting
i declare the window open were did i put them scissor.
First rumour of 2017 – Ayew to Swansea to ‘save them’ –
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/relegation-threatened-swansea-keen-aston-9545461
As far as I’m concerned they can have him, never does enough when he’s playing for us.
i just read this one. its fun sieving the good from the bad stories this is a bad one. i do think ayew is on bruce is unwanted list, if a decent offers comes in he will sell him. but i doubt swansea can afford him well what we will need to tempt to sell.
one story pissing me off is the marseille story. another club who cant afford the player. wanting a charity fee to be arrange for their benefit. player himself has spoken about he wants to stay in england. so returning to france on a worst wage is a none starter, so why do we still get this crappy rumor
need to find my chill pills count to ten breathe lmao i need a shower wake up
Hair of the dog 🐶 Nath works wonders mate
I think the only really fact that matters is the one that things are going in the right direction. Under Lerner we stank, but now things are looking much better. It’ll take a good while to get things right but becoming tough to beat an admirable quality to possess. We’ve just got to get into the habit of stringing a few wins together. Quite pleased with Bruce and really don’t mind staying in the Championship for another year if it means we rebuild on a more solid footing.
Wish we were playing today…
One reason to remain in this league another year is people might actually be able to afford to get a seat….my annual boxing day pressie was 20 quid cheaper…almost BOGOF. …
I know the reason me and my brother have been unable to attend these last year’s is we work but it’s too dear……
Window….
Barry..Millner ..Crouch…Lowton….
Davies….
have we signed anybody yet lol clubs moan they needs players or need to shove players out the door. but when window opens nothing happens until the last week and day to ciaos last hour