This was yet another strange game.
We walked the first half and looked totally in control, even though Sheffield took the early lead.
I remained totally confident, until the home side seemed to get their act together and were all over us.
I thought Whelan was not at all suited to the way we were playing and Green seemed ineffective. Until he put that cross in for McGinn’s very nice take.
Which shows what I know.
So 1-1 at half time and I thought we were well worth that and should have led, even though we never had many shots on target.
The second half and Sheffield looked a different side and much more threatening.
It seemed we were struggling to contain the onslaught and I was blaming Whelan at the time, as he did very little right today.
Taylor still looks lightweight to me, even though he made a great tackle at one stage. He just always looks out of position to me.
So while we were being battered as the game went on, injuries were ocurring throughout.
Which had me thinking that given the really fast early pace of the game, it has to be down to fitness.
I thought both sides looked tired as the game went on, but obviously we had the edge, which sounds about right if supposedly Bruce doesn’t put the emphasis on fitness.
Given the balance of the game, I’d have called it a draw, but the fact that we got two goals in the last few minutes, tells me we either are much more fitter, or possibly just have the winning mentality.
I strongly suspect it’s the mentality.
But it’s combined with the fitness.
That, plus the fact that we have very good back-up in reserve.
Which is exactly where Steve Bruce should have positioned us,
regardless of what he says about our financial position at the time.
I’m wondering how he ultimately managed to make such a mess of his time at the Villa.
