Well, it might be obvious to most of you, but it didn’t really click with me until I’ve just looked at the full Championship table.
Only three teams, in Rotherham, Wigan and Blues have scored less goals than us, with Burton being equal on 46.
Yet conversely, only four teams have conceded less goals than us.
At least we’re getting one part of our game right, even though some of the defenders get slated.
But that lack of goals is frankly bordering on scandalous, given the money we’ve spent on the squad.
Yes, we were drawing way too many games under Di Matteo, but wasn’t he only here for about fourteen games or so? Meaning things should really have improved?
Of course, Steve Bruce was constrained with the players until the winter window, but I still find near enough a goal a game average in this league decidedly poor.
Yes, you can say McCormack was a disaster signing, but is that enough to justify things?
I don’t believe so and for me, this is the problem we have to overcome if we’re to challenge next season.
Factor in that Kodjia has scored 19 of our 46 goals and the problem becomes even more concerning.
The defenders aren’t adding enough goals, but even worse, the midfield’s contribution is terrible.
Of the players still actually here, Jack Grealish is the second highest scorer on four. Then it’s Chester and Adomah on three apiece.
And most telling of all, there’s not a single other player that has scored more than one paltry goal all season.
Enough of the stats, as they frankly bore me.
But consider this;
Let’s say Kodjia has another decent season next time.
And Bruce pulls a rabbit out of the hat in signing another striker who gets us 20 goals (a big ask).
On this season’s performance that might give us 66 goals.
Which is a pretty fair amount, but not exceptional.
And not enough to guarantee automatic promotion, in my opinion. Five teams have exceeded that total this year, after all.
The fact that we’re doing okay defensively helps the situation, but it’s plainly clear that we need more goals from the side overall.
Hence I’ll say what I’ve already hinted at, in that Steve Bruce has a big problem sorting this in the summer.
Is it tactics?
There are plenty who say it is, but I can recall a fair few games where we had plenty of chances, but couldn’t score.
By the same token there were games where we couldn’t create anything.
So basically I can’t call it either way.
It’s all about goals isn’t it?
It’s about scoring more goals than the other side on a regular basis; the higher the total goals scored the more entertaining the football. I would say that Bruce has done pretty well on the former and pretty badly on the latter which probably supports the ‘Bruce is a negative manager’ claims on here.
Brum Mail did an interesting comparison between Newcastle and us following relegation. In summary Newcastle kept their manager, moved out a lot of deadwood / high earners and invested £50m in new players, the majority of which went on Ritchie and Gayle (Ritchie scoring 15 goals from mid field) and both arguably key to their promotion. Mail is drawing a comparison with Villa now being in a similar position to where Newcastle was a year ago. This summer is the real test for Bruce et al to replicate what Newcastle did and produce a winning and entertaining team capable of promotion.
All will be revealed in the summer hopefully, Xia not stupid he will demand better progress from Bruce and give him ex amount of games to show he’s capable. Just remember we was in shit street start of our season he’s got us from dropping again, let’s give him that chance to prove he’s the man, he must know its mid’s and strikers not performing if he don’t then get him out. It’s over now give kids the chance to shine and fans to assess their progress.
I agree we’re far too goal shy take kodjia out the equation we’re struggling, ring a bell without benteke we were lost. I believe hogans got it in him as he’s already proven at previous clubs but when will his performances improve? I also agree Bruce has a huge job in the summer I’d say it’ll take more than a couple/few signings because some of his acquisitions clearly aren’t firing on all cylinders.
We can have all the strikers in the world but if midfield and wingers cannot provide chances then we have a problem. Grealish has been a major disappointment as I hoped he would take this league by storm
I do think Hogan will get a good few goals next year, been very stop start since he’s signed over injuries but he’s proven in this league. I’d like to see him get another one at least before the season ends.
As for our midfield, I’m not too concerned. Adomah and Hourihane are up there at the top for assists this season I believe, as has been mentioned there’s just been a few games where we haven’t made our chances counts. My biggest concern is our chance/conversion rate, too many times this season have we been made to pay for not putting games to bed.
I’d like to see a form table that shows the standings from when Bruce took over, I do think he will be the man to get us back up. A full summer, most of his work will have been done in January, he’ll know what he wants to add to it. The squad getting a full pre season with the squad. It can only be a good thing imo.
Believe!!
go to form table championship
where bruce term of 33 matches leave villa 10 ,6 points behind leeds in last play off,well out of play offs
Any manager that walk into a club that was badly managed like Villa has been by a yank that knew sod all about football would be in that same position, I thank Bruce for stopping the rot, only a idiot would slag away at him or a computer bullying no nothing stab in the back suppose to be Villa fan. Let it go J V your beginning to bore me.
Back on my hobby horse about building from the back. I am not sure the back division is quite sorted. The keeper is now looking the class performer a MUFC should be. Chester looks good. Baker’s lack of pace bothers me but might be OK in this division. Amavi sadly does not seem to be a good enough defender.
After stopping giving easy goals away, then any goals away, the next step is building a platform in midfield. We have not done that yet. What it means is a 3 or 4 man unit who can keep the ball amongst themselves, and as a result of that move to a keep-ball role outside the opponents penalty area. Then you can give the ball to your strikers when they are in a position to shoot, not forced to sprint on a break away. Even the midfield can shoot from there if they have the technique.
You cannot really judge the strikers, and I don’t, until the midfield can do the above. But it does show without that behind him Kodjia is really good to have bagged he tally he has.
That last point is so true.
It’s why I don’t really subscribe to the “Kodjia is too greedy” thing.
Totally agree about the midfield too.
It’s definitely the area that needs sorting the most, imo.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39732855
Looks like it was picked up and punished.
And some of the blues fans have gone mad about it.
He deliberately punched and kicked Chester, FFS.
And got off lightly, as it wasn’t ungentlemanly conduct, but a deliberate assault, plain and simple imo.
The right decision in my opinion, that was plain hate of the opposition, Robinson is no Angel in fact plays the hard man in the game, hope he doesn’t coach that in his coaching career. I see some of our young 18 year olds have been made redundant will that mean the clearance has now started.
Yep, Bruce has said we’ll have a clear-out and that’s what I’m expecting.
Been trying to look at the Robinson incident…..looks a bit like he just kicked out in the air in response to letting a goal in and caught Chester……but who am i to disagree with the FA…..
Is it me or can Wigan overtake Blues on GD as well as Blackburn ??
Looks pretty clear cut to me;
http://wittyfutty.com/2017/04/paul-robinson-kicks-punches-chester-villa-score-vs-brimingham/
As for Wigan, yes they could.
Big ask for blues to lose both and Wigan win both.
We’re talking footy though, where anything’s possible.
Plus they do have the best recent form.
Wigan have a history of being the great escapologists may it continue UTV SOTC
Anybody rushing to the bookies yet? Aston Villa have been installed as the early favourites to win the Championship next season.
Sky Bet have priced Villa at 7/1 to win the league next year with Wolves, Norwich City and Derby County all priced at 12/1.
How can they say this with the summer window not open yet. Still its worth a £5 to have a flutter.
They have yet to include the teams relegated so can’t see us being favourites for promotion for long
Good to hear that nearly 7000 Villa fans travelling to Blackburn tomorrow including my daughter a couple mates and myself. Early start with 2 coaches going from Bromsgrove Villa Lions at 8.30 am. Who else would take so many fans with nothing to play for. I do believe that we have sold more tickets for this game than Blackburn have. UTV SOTC.
Rock1 have a good day mate, may the force be with you. Puts me back to the days I did that.
Thanks Bill I will do my best to have a good day, but then win, draw or lose you cannot beat an away day with the Villa. Having watched them since the late 70’s including Anderlecht and Rotterdam in the final and I am still going strong, I only wish the younger generation of Villa supporters of today will one day experience those Great days, as credit to them they have stuck with the club in their thousands, and not looked for the easier SKY 4 options. UTV
That’s a superb following.
Fair play to Bruce, he’s always on about it.
Bruce saying he wants up to 4 players of real quality.
Yep, we’ve already got plenty of squad fillers, so this is what we have to be looking at, imo.
Of course attracting them is the problem;
https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2017/04/28/bruce-highlights-summer-plans
Think this time badger players will be more of an opened mind, two decades ago players knew we was going nowhere with the owners we had, i can see money will only be the stumbling block, the club in itself looking for the big time again. I feel better about things now even before it ends.Xia wants the big time.
I don’t believe money will be a problem (within reason), Bill.
Bruce talking again about Xia’s “incredible” plans for the club;
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/aston-villa-steve-bruce-tony-12957074
Thanks, just read that Badger,seems he has a good relationship with players, think your right he will want the best and money won’t stop him hey Rocky bet you’ve at one time seen me doing the rounds, the Rotterdam did you do the coach’s or even Anderlecht game?.
Bill we did the train to the semi’s in Belgium as we could not get tickets so ended up in the end where all the trouble was mixed in with home fans, but not involved in that. The final was by coach through the Villa, as there was tighter controls on who went to the final. Great memories and I still get the hears on the back of my neck stand up now when you see the videos. We may have met all those years ago as you always seemed to see the same faces at a lot of away games.
Yes great times Rocky, i lead them trips , on the train i entered every department to warn fans of what to exspect on arriving.and the papers gave Villa fans good reviews for good behaviour. Absolutely wonderful times Rocky.