Ah yes, the Smiths. They knocked out some good tunes, didn’t they?
I’m sure someone has probably used that as a headline before, so I apologise.
But it just seems so apt.
You’ll notice that I’ve been leaving my ramblings until the day after the match lately, instead of as soon as possible. The reason is that I’m just like anyone else, in that I get emotional and am prone to making knee-jerk comments.
So I’ve decided to give myself time to think things through before writing.
And the result is that I believe it’s too early to sack Steve Bruce.
I suspect that will have a good few of you thinking I’m an idiot and maybe you’re right.
Look, I totally get it. Our football makes me want to vomit too.
Even though I managed to watch a fair amount of the game, I found myself more than happy to flick around here and other Villa sites to gauge the mood of the fans.
It didn’t make for very pleasant reading and the consensus seemed to be that the manager has to go.
I can see why too, as in my opinion, that display was as poor as anything we produced during the relegation season.
There was no heart, no fight, no spirit and the biggest insult of all, seemingly no effort. We quite simply played that game as if it was a training match and it frankly shocked me.
The lack of urgency, pace, closing down and movement was just abysmal.
A simple thing like taking a throw-in takes ages, because no-one runs around and the thrower has nowhere to throw too. Did anyone else see Hutton with the ball, gesturing to the rest of the players to give him an option, as he was being closed down?
This is scandalously bad stuff and shouldn’t be happening amongst professional footballers.
So it has to be the manager’s fault. He’s the one who’s in charge.
or does it?
While mooching around other sites, I noticed a comment which keeps bugging me.
The poster saw that when Reading had a throw-in, Bruce instructed Gabby to mark a Reading player. Gabby totally ignored him and the Reading player received the ball, only for Bruce to throw his hands up in the air in bewilderment.
So what’s going on here?
I haven’t got a clue, but it does make you wonder if Steve Bruce has indeed lost the dressing room, as has been oft suggested.
Then again, if it’s just Gabby who’s being an arsehole, why does Bruce keep playing him?
I can’t profess to know the answer to that one and I can only guess that there’s something going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about.
What was it Sherlock Holmes said? Remove all the options and the only one left is the answer, however unlikely. Or something like that.
Which is my case for the defence of Bruce.
In short, m’lud, the players aren’t doing as they’re told and that isn’t the manager’s fault.
So the prosecution case (how the hell has this become a court battle?) is that Bruce can’t control the players. Again, that’s the only possibility, because Bruce certainly isn’t telling them to misplace passes, stroll around like they haven’t got a care in the world and generally not bother, is he?
So leaving the realms of fantasy and getting back to the real world; We have to remove Bruce and get another manager in.
Which takes me back to my position of “if Bruce can’t control the players, who do we think can?”.
Make no mistake. If things carry on as they are, we’re in serious trouble, I see that.
We face Norwich at home next and while they’ve struggled themselves up til now, if we lose to them, things will look seriously bad.
Bruce has asked for more time (which is usually a sign of the fat lady having done her warm-up), so we can form a better opinion when we have our best team. But how long is that going to be?
We don’t have that long, is the simple answer and with supposedly by far the best squad in the league, a few injuries shouldn’t matter anyway.
But then, make no mistake that thinking the players are blameless here.
They’ve been simply poor too.
For me, something has to happen quickly, because it won’t be Xia sacking Bruce; it’ll be the fans’ clamour for his head, which Xia will not be able to resist.
Such is the power of the internet and why I never liked him posting the way he does, fwiw.
While I’d predicted that we’d struggle in our first few games, we have to get a win, sharpish.
I’d remind everyone that the league will not be won over 4, 5 or even 6 games, as much as it might feel like it will at the moment.
Quite simply, my mind is in turmoil over what to think, but my fairly elderly instincts are that now is not the time.
Remind me, when’s the international break?
That might be more opportune.
Just get us a win Steve or you’re a goner, mate.
But I’m sure he doesn’t need me to tell him that.
And just in case you’re in the mood for a bit of panic, here’s the link;
Comments
169 responses to “Reading 2 – 1 Villa; Panic on the streets of Birmingham”
I suspect a few of you won’t be having that argument at all and I fully understand why.
I have one Badger, who can you think it wouldn’t be right to get him out? You cannot get it right if you dont know how to and let’s be honest he just hasn’t a clue. You just said youself Hutton asking for a player to use his brain and help him out, that in my time was a must of any footballer to find space, them idiots dont know how to, Bruce now is on my short list of knowing how to manage men.
Bill, do you really think a manager who’s been doing it for 20 years or whatever, hasn’t got a clue?
I don’t.
He might be behind the times, but I refuse to accept he’s clueless and has totally blagged promotion 4 times.
I’ll keep saying it, because I think it’s true. There’s stuff going on that we don’t know about.
Badger, its still up to him to do his job and do it right, i think there’s things going on but the fans are being humiliated with shite team picking, shite football, and shite excuses, we did all this last year just discussed how bad we was and managers coming and going ,we are doing it again going through hell. I don’t think even though he got teams promoted he knows what to do he’s at a loss.
You just said it yourself Bill.
Same old, same old.
Why?
I really don’t know.
Why does Gabby keep getting games, when 90+% of fans think he shouldn’t?
It stinks.
Remember when Gerrard was considering going to Chelsea and the rumours as to why he didn’t?
I’m not saying it’s the same, but I do wonder.
I should have said we don’t have men only boys.
Ha, I could also have asked “how soon is now?”, I suppose.
What a tune;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnpILIIo9ek
is that song the charmed theme song. I think the clash song should I stay or go is a better fit for bruce.
No, that is the original, that “Charmed” copied.
My missus refuses to listen to the original 7 minute version, which is a work of art, imo. You should really look it up mate.
Yep, “Should I stay or should I go” occurred to me too.
Loved the Clash, but hated that song, because I hate copies.
Of course, we’re digressing, but it has to be better than watching the turgid shit that we’re showing atm, so I’m ok with it.
i thought that song was similar to charmed song. what about white riot or magnificent seven I loved them lol back in my punk days
if you are Sherlock is ooahaha Watson lmao
I only saw last 25mins, but it was enough to see the players were not pressing reading how its should be carried out. its not as simple as one or two pressing but its a group effort. you have to cut off the goalkeeper or they will simply pass back and they did just that, reading are not a great side. they play the right way and that was enough to bamboozle villa. we were road cones to reading they simply passed around us, but saying this the game could have ended 2 all the free kick right at the death should have tested the goalkeeper. I would have thought a pile driver instead of a dinky little chip would have suited the position. game management is poor decision players are making are pathetic. I probably watched the best part of the game as well. hate to have seen the other 60 odd minutes
one other thing I noticed the owner didn’t message straight after the game/ or morning backing team or management which makes you wonder if the decision has been made but nobody is telling bruce yet
Xia’s absence on twitter has been noted, Nath.
And the Chinese director’s “unacceptable” comment suggests things are in motion.
I was going to suggest that Xia puts someone in the club and the training ground permanently, to try and root out what’s going on.
But I think it might be too late for that.
My genuine fear is that Bruce might be the wrong fall-guy.
he should have fallen last season after 7 defeats out of 9
as for hutton have you not watched him pass the ball 3 options throw in,goalkick,or straight to opposition why waste energy running for a pass
gabby ,bruce took him back into fold after rdm,doc had finally banished him,for 2 goals in what nearly 20 matches
sorry he has to go with a few passengers including round wyness
Jvillan, that’s just wrong mate, imo.
Yes, Hutton’s shit.
But at least he tries.
if the rest of the side tried as hard, we might have a chance.
I’m seeing too many going through the motions, simple as.
Is that the manager, the players or the club itself’s fault?
Is the question.
As for Bruce taking Gabby back into the fold, I’ve done that point.
There is no way on earth Bruce believes he’s the answer, imo.
With respect, “why you no listen?” 🙂
Bruce is under instruction, if you need me to make it clear in what I think.
so bruce has to play gabby ,no dont believe that one bit
thats a story for x files gabby is a footballer
as for hutton 2 nil down last night bruce sent him on why,1 assist in over 2 years leaves every one else covering for him when he plays
2men short every match they play,
and yet bruce keeps doing it,madness is doing same thing over and expecting different result
badger I know your right. bruce isn’t alone cause in this fooking mess. I can’t understand why we are playing this garbage, its goes far deeper than just tactics. but if the players aren’t playing for the manager, its over things have to happen this season or I think we are well fooked.
oh I saw a article about new managers and its the same list as before last and before that. we went for young foreign manager. experienced dinosaur. young English manager. two scots I reckon its a player manager time. terry lmao
I reckon Pardew should be interviewed or if they want the right manager the Fulham manager but they will need to convince him and pay compo. who do the other posters want. they wanted bruce out so they should have more of a idea. I so wanted bruce to succeed not because I love him but cause I wanted villa to be back in premiership
That’s the point Nath – now the anti Bruce posters seem like they’ll get their wish I asked them to tell us (poor unenlightened sods that backed him) who we should be going for.
So far nothing – nada – not a word about a new manager – just more ranting at Bruce and now Wyness.
Come on fellas – we’ve eaten humble pie and accepted that you’re probably right – now tell us who we should be appointing because I haven’t got a ******* clue other than someone like Pardew. – is he young and foreign 🙂
like i wrote earlier bit late now,there where plenty managers available end last season, and yes wynes and round are part of problem bruce is their man you live and die by your decisions funny watching celtic sinclair had 1 on 1 buried it we sold him for couple million spent 45m on 3 strikers he has outscored all of them together
Hitch, this is exactly why I don’t think the Bruce haters are necessarily right.
Note the “necessarily”.
I’m happy to see a replacement, if I think he might be better.
But I’ve not seen one serious name proposed.
And if my possibly ridiculous theory that “there’s something going on that we don’t know about” is correct, it doesn’t matter anyway.
Personally, I will not be happy until Gabby is gone.
There is quite simply something not right there.
Whichever way you cook it, there’s no way he should still be here, imo.
badger
where have i wrote i hate bruce,just dont rate him one bit ,club is to big for bruce we are not blues wigan hull or cpal small club mentality
i do hate gabby tho for all the harm he done to our great club since mon left
yet bruce sees fit to pick the biggest waste of space in our team,its not like its paying off 2 goals in nearly 20 matches and nothing else the young spurs kid gave him a bollocking last night to no help shocking a 20 year old loanee left to deal with gabby
Was Watson the thick one?
If so, yep, that’s him.
(Only joking Oohah 😉 )
I think so Sherlock had to explain the plot over and over before he finally got it
WTF has Calderwood and Clemence done since they both came in? I think that these 2 should be held responsible as Bruce is not alone in this. It is basics and if these 2 can not coach descent players to play a certain way then they should go first, but the likely hood is it will be Bruce who loses his job first.
Yes we have had some bad luck with injuries but we supposedly have the best squad in the league and we are lacking the basics. If your coached to play a certain way and you do not follow the instructions then the players should be told or dropped It is all about discipline. I think Bruce will be given another few games to turn this around but what is more worrying is that who would replace him should he go? Big Sam, the brolly man or Moyes all short term fixes with no long term guarantees. Out of the 3 I would say Big Sam but would much prefer to see Bruce turn this around and quick rather than go through the whole new manager scenario again and again. UTV
The manager issue will sort itself out one way or another, although what really concerns me is Gabby.
Personally, the sooner he leaves the club the better. He has been the only person at the club who has been a constant throughout this downturn for the club. Villa have changed owners, mangers, coaches, players (multiple times) and still we respond the same way as a relegation team. So what gives? I have always assumed Gabby has had too much influence behind the scenes and multiple managers have paid for it. Bruce would just be one more name in a long list of creditable managers who have failed at the club.
Amen Marvin.
I’m getting sick of saying it.
We all know it, yet he’s still here.
Why?
The window is still open, so I can only hope Christmas comes early.
one thing I know for certain and its undisputed supporting aston villa should come with a medical warning. last 10 years its been one heart ache to another. how long is it since mon walked out that season. rat deserting the sinking ship. from that day its been down down down
Nath, don’t.
I went to the quack’s on Monday for a certain issue.
And I got asked the usual questions.
The truth is, I smoke too much, I drink too much, my diet is crap, I work too many hours and have worryingly, lost some serious weight.
I genuinely didn’t have the heart to admit that I support the Villa too.
She’d probably have locked me up for my own health.
i hear you badger. seriously you should pack in the fags. its never too late and you will reap in the benefits. more money for one. it will take only weeks to feel the difference. one vice we all can’t give in is the villa, yet they probably worse for us. ive been trying to recall the last time, they give me something back in a positive way. reaching the final of the fa cup i was proud of them. that lasted until they were ripped apart by arsenal in 1st gear.
This is what I said after Cardiff and I saw the same last night as many more of you did!
‘ you will not convince me that Bruce tells his players not to fight and scrap for everything’
I stick by that statement, I witnessed it ‘first hand’ in Cardiff and again last night on the box!
With the exception of Hutton and Chester, I didn’t see anyone willing to ‘die for the cause’ in either game!
It’s shameful and disgraceful!….how can anyone give less than 100% for our great club?
Those who don’t want to wear our illustrious shirt should just fecking do one!
I am extremely angry …..and my anger is NOT aimed at Bruce, but if he has lost the dressing then I’m afraid he has to go giving the names of the tossers who just don’t care anywhere near as much as they should!
Hear hear Langford, to hate Bruce is a strong accusation, you don’t hate someone if you sake him for not doing his job, he’s inability to sort things out not his fault ,he hasn’t managed a club our size that calls out to be where it should be.yes he got clubs out of championship the footballers he got wanted big time club, we got arsoles that don’t give a shit as long as they get 60 thousand a week some other club if sold will give them 40 thousands or less to pay the tax man. He’s got to go now.
List, Allrodyce, Moyes, Pardew, Dr Boer, Giggs, Pearson, Pelligenino, Alex Neil Phelan, take your pick they might know about football tactics, Bruce don’t he’s a ex Defender.
Exactly Bill….I don’t always agree with his team selection but he’s been ‘stitched up’ big time ….I feel for him! I know he’s not the best manager around but he comes across as being very hardworking and genuine…..it’s shame that there are not enough with those characteristics at the club! There has only been ONE player constantly in the dressing room in the last 5 years….Gabby Agbonlahor! I believe him to be instigator of all our dressing room problems and I doubt that it will improve until he’s gone!
explain how bruce has been stitched ,more theories on here than an episodeof gameof thrones. 13 players signed over 30m spent we can only win when jedi kodja play not bruces signings mind you
Theories?
The facts are JV, everyone we sign seems to turn to shit as soon as they don the Claret and Blue..
You might be right, but explain to me the signings we got wrong, on paper.
I’m really not seeing it,
Terry apart, who I think was a Xia signing.
Spot on Langford, Shabby should never have been brought back into the fold, he’s been taking the piss for years.
Langford, I see you haven’t mentioned Terry.
This will prove to be a disastrous signing, imo.
I mentioned it, early on, but the power of the internet made me feel small, so I didn’t follow it up.
The bloke doesn’t give a flying fuck about the Villa, simple, imo.
That, plus he’s crap these days.
Big leader, my arse.
And to think there are actually Villa fans who are calling for him to be the next manager.
My heart bleeds, it really does.
I will petition against this, if it arises.
Down at Chelski for his cold baths three times a week, now that’s what you call commitment!
I have been dreading opening this blog, knowing what I would be reading. Great intro Badger! Fortunately I have been spared the expense and heartache of watching Villa in the flesh, thanks to my promise to myself never to go if Gabby or Hutton were in the squad.
Nothing they have done since will convince me Villa are anything but a laughing stock so long as those two are thought worthy of a shirt. Yes I know some on here say there is a difference – Hutton tries – Gabby doesn’t. Yes but Hutton isn’t any effing good even if he is trying. His defending is pants and his crossing is a bare bum.
As for Gabby and Sherlock Holmes, mentioned in the same posts above, the episode Gabby brings to my mind is “Charles Augustus Milverton” London’s most effective blackmailer. Gabby must be his Brummie equivalent. He has to have the goods on so many people – how else to explain he hasn’t been fired?
[Deleted by Badger] A reply to OLL, that might come across as totally wrong.
No but Sherlock has solves Bruce’s case.
“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever is left – however improbable – must be the truth.”
The impossible is that this team can be turned around by this manager in time to secure a promotion spot. So we eliminate that and the truth is – we are already looking for a new manager. Bruce stays only until one is found.
The comparison is valid. Last night I went to watch Sutton: 0-1 down at home in the 84th minute thanks to 2 disallowed goals and brilliant goalkeeping. They beat Macclesfield 2-1 and ‘the pub team from Surrey’ are 2nd in the National league. Teamwork, effort, an unwillingness to accept defeat until the final whistle blows. A manager quick to sub players when his tactics aren’t working or they are tired, and apologise for his errors. OK the Championship has players who can do the same things faster – but the qualities I mention are needed at any level. Villa do not have them – again.
I’ve just realised what the time is.
It’s 00.50 and I have to get up at 6 o’clock.
Why the hell do I do this?
It’s because I love the Villa, simple.
Man …..
That’s the thing, we all love the Villa, it hurts to see it going down the pan, why are we a retirement club to footballers that’s had most of their playing days at other clubs, we all see our team being played with players we know shouldn’t be playing, we’ve got up and coming youngsters being overlooked for some reason and player’s playing that don’t give a dam, Bruce will get flack from fans it he cannot put two and two together and play twats that have an hold on the club in some way.makes me think one or two are working for the bookies or part of a gang of sabotage ring whose aim is to destroy us, what ever the problem is Bruce not in charge of the issues. What’s got me on the get him out campaign in seeing the friendlies, playing Obonglahor, his lack of tackticks on the field it don’t make sense to a fan that loves his club.
spot on bill 🙂 we all love villa its in our blood. we all secretly think we are the man who could change our fortunes. whether is manger or player lol i totally believe in the youth system and our current situation calls out more for ditching the panic buys to get the quick fix. we need to look long term plan. youth and a manager who wants to blood these youngsters and play the right way. their is total football and long ball games. we have to play to our strengths, but bare in mind this is entertainment business.
reading play pretty football, but they are not effective even against a bang average side like us. we totally made them look like a top side. we have to rediscover our football brand. a system we want to entertain the masses with. this style is taught to all the levels. the many influx of managers we have had over the last x amounts of years has lead to were we are now. no style or identity. a unsettled squad,
if you look around prem and even championship teams have a system take reading. their manager claimed he know what we would do ok that’s fine but we know what they would try to do and its same weekly. if villa matched them man for man they would have beaten them. but tahat game would taken effort, by all the team. something we lack team efforts, we have one thing wrong every year regardless of manager. we are a team of individuals and better teams are teams
Nath, agree you will always find young players wanting fame, this is the way to go for us , Villa has tried to buy its fame and failed now we have to look at tallent, tallent that other clubs have took from us in the past.now I understand Cowens concerns, it must have been the selling of our youth.
badger
to comment at 12.37am
signings that are wrong especially under bruce
johnson poor choice we had gollina another young keeper in whom bruce sacked his italian coach ,we really needed an eperienced keeper
bree good signing but for the love of god bruce keeps playing hutton
taylor 3 swansea managers didnt rate him ,it shows ,25 thousand a week for left back in championship thats not good enough for pl ,so if we had got promoted stuck with him
samba joke signing
terry agree sounds like a chairman signing
houirane looks decent in patches,think he is best bet of all mid signed
lainsby out of contract in summer and we still played fair fee and big wages for a very average player who liketaylor above is not good enough for pl
birr where is his best position high fee plus wages for another not good enough for step up
whelan to old,slow for this level another if we had got up would have to be paid off
elmo same as whelan
hogan i really cannot understand this bruce plays hoofball sells rudi and buys hogan complete and utter madness,but think he could with right manager be best buy
and who i would want as next manager look at clubs we bought from brentford barnsley managers seem to know what they are doing
Bruce out.
Looking to me like he’s lost the dressing room and i just cannot see how he can change our fortunes around or get what on paper is the strongest squad in the league, playing as such.
Should they get rid I just hope they don’t take a punt o JT.
*on*
These comments about Bruce having lost the dressing room. Can’t someone just give him directions?
Very funny Hitch…i guess Gabby could as he appears to own it. 😄😄
To the dressing room???? Or somewhere except VP or BH
Well I’m just the guy being I worked there.Look for the red door to your left in the dressing room turn left down the corridor first right your out. Oh don’t look back.
Personally, Bruce has made a lot of mistakes since arriving but I cannot go as far as to say he has lost the dressing room. Like any workplace just one employee on a ego trip – someone who thinks they know best – can do a lot of damage to everyone’s attitude/morale. I think we can all agree who that is, but what I can’t understand is why the club just doesn’t cut their losses, save the wages in the longterm, change the environment surrounding the club, and start playing with 11 men – rather than 10.
I’ll be simply relieved 😌 if we can manage 3 points not for Bruce but the fans, 3 matches 10 matches the blokes on thin ice. Reading Facebook the past couple of days some fans are now pointing the finger at the doc some have even sank that low to racially slurring him, admin on various groups have been banning numerous fans & rightly so not nice one bit. Fingers crossed for Saturday UTV
See we’re now being linked to Jack Colbeck – was highly rated at one stage – still, at least he’s young!
Another loan possibility to wind Badger up 🙂 🙂
Only joking mate.
Why we now have the excuse he will have to rely on rookie forwards in The next pecking order are under-23s forwards Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Keinan Davis.,is there something wrong with them then. ?
Isn’t Colbeck a mid field player Bill – I assume your comment was aimed at the media link.