Footy’s a fickle game.
It was only a week or so ago that we played Brentford and quite a few of us said that it was the best that we’d played in a very long time.
But from what I’ve been reading on the net, today’s performance was worse that the 0-3 drubbing we suffered at Cardiff last season, which was a massive low point in itself.
I didn’t see the game and it’s probably just as well, as I’ve no doubt I’d be saying Bruce has to go.
The good news is the fact that I didn’t see it somewhat tempers my attitude for this post.
Not that it matters much, as I’ve come round to thinking that Bruce’s departure is now looking inevitable, regardless of what I think.
It’s all a bit of a shame really and it seems strange that we’re talking about Bruce’s departure when a couple of brilliant signings in Bolasie and Abraham haven’t even played for us yet.
Yet Bruce has lost the support of the away fans.
When that happens, it’s only a matter time.
I’ve often said that all that matters is the result and it means the performances don’t matter so much as long as you get the three points.
But that thinking is only good when you’re winning.
In the last five games, we’ve drawn three and lost two and apart from the Brentford game, have performed very poorly.
And that’s simply not good enough.
It’s not just the performances for me though.
Some of Bruce’s decisions are not making sense to me.
We’re playing Jedinak in defence, something the vast majority of fans don’t agree with, yet we’ve let Elphick, who played well and was unlucky to be dropped, the last time he played, go out on loan.
How will we stand if Chester gets injured?
Then there’s Bruce’s slating of the team in the Burton game.
While I thought he was very honest (and probably 100% correct) in that interview, I also had to ask if that was the best way to do it. I wonder how many of those players will be willing to go the extra mile for Bruce now?
I commented last time, that I thought Bruce’s treatment of Adomah was disgraceful.
And now there’s the fact that he’s playing players who aren’t fit.
In the manager’s defence, he’s saying that all the players wanted to play and declared themselves fit.
But it all seems to me that losing games in the style we did today, with our squad; making seemingly dodgy choices and alienating your players all means your days are numbered.
And there’s still the matter where we don’t seem to have any sort of plan and the players are playing simply because they’re good.
Even if we get a result in the next couple of games, I can only see the away fans itching for Bruce to lose again.
And the protests will be bigger and louder.
I think now might be a good time for a “mutual agreement” settlement, but I don’t think Bruce will look to resign.
As I said, it’s a shame it’s come to this, but the only way Bruce can redeem himself is to suddenly go out with a much more attacking outlook.
And we all know that just isn’t going to happen, regardless of all the attacking players we’ve signed.
Which is something else that doesn’t make sense to me.
I think he should go now, for the good of the club, but I doubt our owners will want to be seen as too quick to pull the trigger.
Time for Steve to go, albeit sadly.
Have to agree with your post Badger both in fact and sentiment.
For the owners there is the dilemma between keeping in place a ‘dead man walking’ and having no live body to replace him with!
I fully expect Bruce to stay for the time being while the owners prepare the executioners axe in the form of a lined up replacement. Look out for the dreaded ‘the manager has our full support’ statement’!
Ah yes. One from the history books.
Deadly: “I’m right behind you, Tommy.”
Tommy Doc: “I wish you were right in front of me Doug, so I can see what you’re up to.”
Brilliant OLL – and so typical of the Doc.
What can u say that hasn’t already been written???. We have on paper the best squad (ish) in the league, It’s just the man in charge is not capable of gelling them into a team. How can McCormack go from top scorer in 3 out of last 4 seasons (or whatever it was) to not even being on the bench or squad??? Lansbury ( very over rated imho) best player at forest, the playmaker we were crying out for, on the bench. Barnsley 2 best players, bree and hourinahe, come to villa. One decentish, bree rarely gets a sniff. Elphick, steady at Bournemouth, a natural centre half, bombed out on loan, when we short in that dept. De laet, premier league winner at Leicester, (I no he didnt play much), but can’t get in our side. Scott Hogan, scoring goals for fun at Brentford.
Good players do not become bad players overnight. It is knocked out of them by the manager.
Bruce reminds me of cloughie. If u fall out with him then there no turning back. Sometimes you have to be the bigger man, and accept you were wrong and do what’s best for your team.
No one is bigger than the villa. You live by the sword and die by the sword. Unfortunately the sword is about , or should be about to, fall on Mr Bruce before its too late. VTID
Bruce blamed playing unfit players today, assuming he means McGinn, Grealish and Kodja. Also said they didn’t roll their sleeves up for the battle. Apparently we improved in 2nd half. Well that’s alright then, everything’s okay if we get 45 minutes where we aren’t utter shite! I don’t think Bruce will be dismissed just yet. The argument being that he will be given opportunity to play all his signed players like Bolasie and Abraham. Also Hogan and possibly Davis should be available when we play away to Blackburn next. I think that game will be the defining moment personally. Lose that game and his position will be untenable.
Still hoping that Wes and Nassef have a plan B. I’d sooner Bruce went now as it would give a new manager a little time to organise things.
If Bruce is a dead man walking for too long we can kiss goodbye to any chance of our getting promotion this season.
Totally agree. The international break is the ideal time to make the change, if it’s going to happen. Leave it too long and it’s a fourth year in the Championship.
I’ve not posted on here for years, but would like to say a few things:
I was delighted when the new owners kept faith with Steve Bruce in the summer. He’d done an excellent job of stabilising our club, and let’s not forget, losing both his parents in the run in last season didn’t seem to rock the Villa boat. For all that, thanks and much respect.
Unfortunately, it has become clear that it’s time to make (the right) change if we are serious about automatic promotion this year. Bruce has made a catalogue of inexplicable errors this season, which will probably mean that we’ll be playing a 4th season in the Championship, including:
1. Both signing and persevering with Nyland. The warning signs were there against Wigan, and compounded against Ipswich, but he’s still there. He didn’t cost much, so just write off that money. Simply not good enough. Losing Johnstone was not Bruce’s fault, but not signing an adequate replacement is. Fraser Forster might’ve been a good bet…
2. In Tommy Elphick, we had a leader who achieved promotion to the Premier League with a much smaller club that us. Surely, Chester and Elphick, two captains with vital experience, would’ve been perfect after Terry’s departure? When he came in last year, he did a good job and was even named man of the match on occasions. This season he started, we won, and he scored a goal. Then he’s out. Even though we’re desperately short of centre backs for a long hard season. Huge mistake, in my opinion.
3. Which brings us to Jedinak. He simply isn’t a centre back. Far too slow and a liability. Everyone can see it. Persevering with him in that position erodes confidence in Bruce’s ability to get us up, both from the fans, and I would think, from the squad. It’s so obvious.
4. I really started to worry when Andre Green was send away to Portsmouth after being our main man in pre-season. Yes, he needs some work but surely that’s what coaches are paid for? A rough diamond gone for another season. Compounding the mistake is the fact that there is now less competition for the wide positions. Having Green, Adomah, Bolasie, and El Ghazi would’ve been perfect strength in depth and competition for places.
5. Which brings us to Albert Adomah. OK, if he’s not a long term solution, fine. But, by alienating the player of last season and a double figures from midfield player, again, I would imagine the squad may be losing some respect for Bruce. Because the message is, what’s the point in doing well, if that’s how you’re later treated. He should’ve been shown more respect and kept as back up with the expectation that he’d win his place back like last season.
5. Conor Hourihane. I know he divides opinion, but you don’t take a double figures from midfield man out of the team because they’re rare. You ask him to repeat the trick and try to beat last season’s tally. Simple.
6. The formation. So much talent in the squad but too many defensive players in the team. Our aim should simply be to win the league, but to do that you have to say to the competition: “we’re better that you so we’re going to attack you and beat you.” And if that means the odd glorious defeat along the way, then so be it.
We could go on, but things aren’t right. Like I said before, much respect to Bruce for the work he’s done, but it’s starting to look like the task is too much.
Incidentally, I chose ‘Big Fat Ron’s Claret Blue Army’ because the football we played under that man should be the model for all Villa managers. We’re so, so far away from that attacking swaggering football now, but it doesn’t have to be that way…
I have to ditto all Big fat Ron’s comments. As much as there is only one Sir Ron, Big Ron’s football for a couple of seasons was excellent. We were the best team although Man Ure won the league. Oh what might have been!
Coincidentally, people will remember Bruce as one of the main reasons we lost the inaugural PL, but when thinking ‘what might’ve been’ as Holte66 says, I think that if Tony Daley and Dalian had been fit for the whole season, we’d have walked it. Daley was on fire the season before – who can forget that volley without breaking stride against city, while Dalian was unplayable until December, then never scored again that season. Oh what might have been indeed! Anyway, hopefully we can find a manager who will embrace the attacking style everyone crave; the players are there!
There also has to be questions asked about the loan signings. We can only have 5 in our match day squad, so why on earth did we bring in 2 wingers and a reserve goalkeeper?? We desperately needed a left back and a centre back, and having missed the transfer deadline, we could have taken advantage of the loan system! If Bruce was prepared to pay 6m for Bryan, why didnt we persevere and get another left back on loan?!!
Time to go knocking on Dean Smith’s door. A Villa man, and a manager doing an excellent job on a tight budget, playing football worth paying to watch.
Also, did anyone else notice that the first thing we did today from kick off today was whack the ball out of play! At that point I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be a great day, I just didn’t realize how bad it would be!
Here is my song of the day. You can sing along to this using “Give peace a chance” by John Lennon.
All we are saying is sack Bruce today.
All we are saying is sack Bruce today.
All we are saying is sack Bruce today.
All we are saying is sack Bruce today.
Please shut the door on the way out of Villa Park.
i expected to lose yesterday. just because i knew how good sheff utd was. i didnt expect a thumping and a lesson in the art of the beautiful game. sheff utd were miles better than us passing, moving even the dirty side of the game working without the ball, they were miles better. unfortunately we cant buy teamwork, what a player he would be. you can only become a team with lots effort and time working on the training pitch. we played like a bunch of strangers, compared to utd. who each knew each others jobs. they played us off the pitch.
its not a excuse, but the our summer was very disrupting, the signings are great signings, but in a perfect world, you want to bring them in at the earliest point. changing the goalie and defence will always take time to bed in. the dutch winger as good as he is needs time. we all know we are behind grealish and chester had bad summers they both would have thought they were leaving .was only until the new owners came that we had any stability. that was not enough time to prepare and be up at the same levels as teams like sheff utd. who had all summer to build on their all ready strong team structure.
changing the manager now, if you could bring in one quickly, would probably be the wisest decision. it would unite the dressing room. everybody starts with a clean sheet. they would have 2 weeks to get the team working hard, to build up relationships. as everybody would need to impress and not just the new guys.
There’s truth in what you say Nath – we are going through yet another period of upheaval at the club.
We nearly go bust, all our players are up for sale, people are losing their jobs, the CEO is sacked and threatens to sue, Steve Round is sacked, Dr T retreats to China and Bruce becomes de facto CEO, manager and head tea maker and bottle washer and, as a result, the press are all over the club like a rash and then, miraculously, all is well because money comes riding over the hill – result we all expect Villa to become unbeatable overnight!
I really do feel sorry for Bruce – he has been dealt an awful hand this year when everything is taken into account and I believe he was also under tremendous pressure at the end of last season from Dr T who must have been having money problems long before it became public.
The question remains can he turn this around – the tide seems to be turning against him – maybe unfairly but there it is.
i feel sorry for bruce too, losing his mam and dad and this happening so closely. that would take anybody out of their strides,even the strongest amongst us. pre season also went against the manager. it was a impossible job to prepare the squad for the upcoming season. every player were up for sale. was only when the new owners came that any preparations could really start.
everything has gone against bruce, he wants to prove his critics wrong, but i feel too much has happen now. i saw players gesturing to each other and to the bench. watching hutton gesturing to either el gazia or it was to bench late second half.
each of the 3 first half goals, were good utd goals but each were villa errors. tuanzebe and elmo allowed utd defender to steal in back post unchallenged. 2nd and 3rd was the goalie, bad positioning, anticipating instead of being smart and alert to the dangers of his near post. first half was as bad as i seen from villa since rdm. they were pulled all over the place. its not all bad on our part, they were torn apart by utd’s team playing. i have said this before about a good team will beat better individuals. individually utd were nothing special the left back edna stevens, couldnt even get a game at villa, when we needed a left back. they were just so much better collectively.
i think the time is right to change, if the owners can get a new manager quickly. 2 weeks without a game the new man could reset the balance. every player would start a fresh. each of them would now be guaranteed to start this would bring some fight for the places . which seems to not be there now. i think the owners should have brought their manager in as expected, bruce its has i think lost the dressing room maybe not totally but its coming, he has started to publicly pick out the negatives of certain players. that is a road which he cant go down and come back from
when all the henry rumours were flying around (true or not) a vote carried by the birmingham mail which came out overwhelmingly in favour of bruce staying by the fans on the club needs stability grounds.
However villa over the last 2 seaaons on paper have had the best squad.
Bruce first when he too over from dematteo went on a run but then nose dived (why). Last season best squad failed with a inept performance.
This season in the main we have been pethetic but managed to scrape a couple of wins.
We are predictable and boring in our tactics. One up top give the ball to jack. Wingers with no one in the box.
I am sorry but we need a manager with a bit more ambtion.
If we have the money and a plan they should try and get benitez who must be pissed offwhere he is.
This team of players we have have no excuse for drawing 3 and losing the last 2. We have not played the top teams yer.
Bruce out now.
what is a major worry is form of grealish. he was playing last year like a man possessed. compare that to this year, where hes playing only half as good. he doesn’t link up the team any more, he doesn’t drive at the opposition any more. basically he is playing within himself. is he pissed off still he was refused a dream move and taking this out on the club or bruce.
Sorry Nath, I don’t buy that. I haven’t seen enough of him to commment on his performances so far but, in my mind, he still has to prove that he can maintain the level of performance he showed in the back half of last season on a regular basis.
I’m not suggesting he isn’t a good player but as Shankley said – ‘Is he a good player having a great game or a great player having a good game’?
i think grealish is a good player better than good. last season he was unplayable for the opposition. now to me he has left something in the dressing room. he is not the same player. teams bettered him last year he got up and hurt them with his skills. they are battering him now and hes sitting on the floor complaining. to me its like hes wondering if its all worth it. hearts not in it. thats my opinions its not just one game based its this season sofar.
Sawiris and Edens made their first mistake not removing Bruce immediately following the takeover. They need to act immediately in this international break otherwise it will be too late
To be 5 points behind the automatic spots with the easy fixtures we’ve had is beyond a disgrace. Not much more to say on Bruce that hasnt already been said 1000 times before.
A reminder to our board that Ralph Hasenhuttl is available and would be a great fit IMO. A 21st century manager is needed to replace the dinosaur
I’m reading what your all saying and your right, Bruce has had his day and time to change, don’t get me wrong he’s a nice chap and should be manager in lower leagues.we do need a more ambitious manager.One that can win the hearts of players and one’s that need to have rewards in life.I honestly now think that Bruce did lose the dressing room one being Adomah. Terry steadied the ship and now he’s gone its gone. Seeing the game and it sickens me to see our players giving in.we have the best fans in ton league, and don’t go by that video it was two men arguing one struck out the other retaliated .watch it closely.
I’d actually consider Terry as temporary manager and see how he gets on, I think he’s had way more of an influence on the team than Bruce has.
Guest,its called respect.
I don’t expect a managerial change just yet although I agree with those on here that now is a good time to switch. Bruce will be given a chance to utilise all his signings before any decisions are made IMO. My choice will be Dean Smith although I’m open to suggestions. Fans want to see their team playing attractive football like Brentford do. If we don’t hear anything early next week then I think Bruce will be there for Blackburn game.
Somebody mentioned Benitez earlier…good call! I think he’d be up for it and no doubt a bit of compensation would turn Ashley’s head…then we’d have a real chance of automatic promotion.
It’s sad that we’re talking about a man losing his job, but he’s made so many mistakes and continues to make the same ones. In any job, this would have consequences. What he said about knowing what he’s doing because of his past record is also worrying – Mourinho like in praising himself for what he’s done in the past. Times have changed, so if you haven’t adapted and changed with them, like Mourinho and Bruce, you see the result.
Wasn’t Bruce Sheffield United manager at the beginning of his managerial career? It seems like a hell of a long time ago! Time waits for no man.
I think it’s time for fresh ideas and energy. Remember when Gregory came in, and Sherwood to a lesser extent? That’s the kind of energy and positivity we need again now…
Apologies for posting this link to MOMS but it’s an excellent read (although lengthy) and presents a well considered and balanced view on Steve Bruce’s tenure at Villa Park.
After reading it, I have no doubt SB has to go.
https://www.myoldmansaid.com/long-read-villas-direction-and-who-could-replace-steve-bruce/
We know MOMS has already met with the new owners; I hope they read their posts. UTV
Well I have to say that, after doing a bit of research, Oscar Garcia might indeed be worth a punt. It would certainly change our style of football and God knows it needs changing.
Let’s face it, while I don’t think that we’ll get relegated this season, we’re not going to get promoted either so trying something new probably isn’t really that much of a gamble.
Come on Nassef and Wes – give it some wellie!
Glad you got there in the end Hitch 😉 . I’m not interested that Steve Bruce is a nice bloke. I know lots of nice blokes. Not many decent football managers among them.
The next appointment is crucial. It needs someone with a vision and tactical awareness, and a clear approach that the players buy into. Bruce’s wing-it style is a waste of our player’s abilities. He will be set up for life anyway, so no need to feel sorry for him.
If it doesn’t happen soon Bruce will inflict more damage, and this season will be a write off.
I am in no doubt that the owners will be working to line up a replacement. It is better that they take some time over it. I’m also pleased that they haven’t bothered giving Bruce any support via announcements about how his job is safe etc. We will all know about it when it happens, and without fuss.
Garcia looks interesting though.
I do feel more comfortable with the current ownership set up.
Fingers crossed
DS – I’m a tender hearted soul really!
The MOMs article is imho so well reasoned and written that it’s hard to argue against it. I still won’t resort to calling him names, but it seems to me that football has moved on and he’s got left behind – I’m coming to the conclusion that Mourinho is the same so at least Bruce is in ‘good’ company LOL.
In other news – it’s being suggested that Terry might rejoin for the remainder of the season and, apparently he’s open to the suggestion. Given the lack of a proper CB and that Chester plays well alongside him, it must be a good idea – at least until January.
Hitch, read that post you put up (mom) interesting and have to say we was mislead from the start , he openly admitted he lacks in plotting skills and that alone been obvious in his selection of position in defenders , and also attacking.
Nice guy but has to go.
Slaven Bilic
The rock and roll choice. The disgruntled element of Aston Villa fans have been bemoaning Steve Bruce’s style of football for coming from a prehistoric age, and the out-of-work Slaven Bilic would be a popular choice to replace him if fans’ forums are to be believed. The 49-year-old Croatian has been unemployed since he departed Premier League outfit West Ham in November 2017.
David Moyes
The Alan Curbishley Award Choice. Whenever a vacancy with one of the big names of English football comes up, the usual suspects of Sam Allardyce, Mark Hughes and David Moyes are linked with the job. Moyes is unlikely to offer much in the way of stimulating football and his reputation has taken an almighty hit in recent years. Since leaving Everton after 11 relatively successful years, the 55-year-old is yet to last more than 12 months in one job following unsuccessful spells with Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Sunderland or West Ham.
Dean Smith
The local choice. Dean Smith has forged an impressive reputation as a manager and the self-professed Aston Villa fan took Walsall out of the doldrums during nearly five years at the club, before joining Brentford. Since taking over the Bees, Smith has guided the club to 9th, 10th and 9th place finishes in the Championship respectively, and he has been praised for his entertaining brand of football.
Smith is part of a long term project at Griffin Park as he signed a contract extension earlier this year, meaning he is contracted to the club until the end of the 2019/20 season.
Bill – Bilic and Moyes – no thank you very much.
Dean Smith is a popular choice but I think the MOMs argued well that he’s not the answer.
Their suggestion of Oscar Garcia sounds interesting and he’s available.