I could have posted this straight after the game, but felt the overwhelming sense of disappointment that I felt after us only taking a point, would have seriously clouded my judgement.
It seems I wasn’t alone either, having read plenty of calls for Bruce’s head after just this solitary game.
Yes, I know. Those of you who won’t have Bruce at any price will quite rightly say that you made up your minds about him last season and that’s fair enough.
I’m not his biggest fan myself, but I do believe he needs to be given a chance before we all start calling for him to be sacked, if only because it surely can’t help the manager himself or the team.
I recall saying only a couple of weeks back that our opening fixtures concerned me and if you look at our first six games or so, it’s definitely a worry.
Given the major disgruntlement after yesterday’s game, I wonder what the clamour will be like after those fixtures have been played?
It’s fair to say the expectation is massive and I’ll bet Bruce is feeling the pressure already.
Who’d be a football manager?
But then, I’m not convinced he helped himself by starting Bacuna. He’s at best average. I’ve said that I believe Bruce thinks he’s a good player to have around because of ability to play pretty much anywhere.
But to actually start him over Green?
I really can’t understand that.
But then, while the result was crushing, especially after having such a good start and getting the early goal, where it looked like we were going to run out three or four nil winners, so upon reflection I actually think the game was more about the way Hull played as opposed to us.
And Hull quite frankly were a shambles at the back for the majority of the first half, which I think is what made us look very decent.
Leonid Slutski (what a great name) will have been much the happier manager yesterday, as his side did a pretty good job of getting it together and not letting their heads drop.
Whereas Bruce will rightly have the hump after we let them back into the game so easily.
The worrying thing is we could all see their goal coming, yet nothing changed.
So all in all, many of us expected a draw and that’s what we got.
I said I also don’t read too much into the first game especially, as anything can happen, so I’m just going to view it as a one-off and reserve judgement for a few weeks down the line, where we’ll have a better idea of how we’re really shaping up.
And while this post might seem downbeat, I actually liked some of the things I saw.
Terry and Chester look a decent central pairing; We actually had players attacking the box occasionally and Green looks pretty sharp. I even think we tried to go forward more instead of continually passing sidewards and backwards. Hogan makes great runs, although of course we still can’t read/see them and Johnstone looks reasonably competent in goal. Even Gabby looked like he’d worked his socks off by the end of the game and if he can add another 12-15 goals this season, I might begin to rate him again.
And yes, Lansbury was rubbish, but even so, I liked the way he put himself about and can see something in him, which will hopefully manifest itself in better performances.
And most importantly, we created chances aplenty.
Of course it wasn’t all good.
Whelan looked like a man possessed and was probably lucky to not get sent off. Bacuna was just all round rubbish. We still give the ball away far too much because of poor passing, putting pressure on ourselves and probably worst of all, we don’t convert our chances.
And they weren’t rubbish chances either.
I sat with my head in my hands after Green missed when it seemed easier to score, for instance. Not that I’m pointing the finger at him; our main strikers were equally or even more guilty.
I think what I’m getting at is, that after reflection, I’ve realised that we have four or five players out who possibly would have started today.
And there are many squads in this league who would like to be in our position.
IF we can start getting our act together, I see possibilities.
This is a marathon, not a sprint and we definitely have the tools.
It’s up to the manager to use them correctly and one tip I’d give him, is only use Bacuna when it’s absolutely necessary.
Our biggest problem is going to arise if we don’t quickly get into our stride and start bagging wins.
The pressure’s on, Steve.
Another example of playing well for half a half – it seems we lack the ability to concentrate for 45 minutes let alone 90.
Thought Green was the darling of the fans?
I’m sure you mean Bacuna! 🙂
do we know if amavi is a permanent deal or loan first as agreed before, how much is 10mill euros in pounds
According to reports Villa have accepted a €10m offer from Marseille for Amavi – not a loan with automatic buy but straight forward sale. If true, it would be a very good bit of business.
whats that hitch in squids about how much we buy him I seem to have 8 mill ish in my head
Nath I got the conversion wrong last time but I reckon it’s about £9m
thats a good figure 🙂 upyours Seville lol cheers hitch
that spuds player seems a decent player on first first
Wasn’t tgat impressed. O’hare motm for us imo
can not find anything about the bacuna deal. they mentioned on sky sports, I bet it reading with a improved offer. or they called um up after his Saturday showing and said we changed our minds you can have him for free
Bruce confirmed interest in Bacuna in post match interview and that Amavi deal is done
Onomah is way better than anyone else in the team. Back to Spurs at end of the season no doubt
IV just watched game didn’t think he particularly stood out tbh. O hate was better. Though he will be gone by Xmas if he plays like that
Agreed, but I think O Hare has done well!
Worth giving a chance. At least he is positive in his approach.
Couple of good touches from RHM. Would be nice to see him stay clear of injury and make progress.
Happy days…2 games unbeaten and only 4 days into the season! Bring on Cardiff!
Professional job with a reserve team but we have the look of a boxer that has the pedigree but a glass jaw and is prone to a sucker punch.
Good analysis
Cheers Oohah.
👍
Great summing-up BWS.
I concur top assessments sign him up for the sports rag
Glad to see Ritchie De Laet back playing after his luckless injury. The most successful player in one season in English football history – it was almost fate the following season would bite back.
Really impressed by O’Hare and Steer and I thought Onomah looked a reallly decent acquisition – even if it is only for one season (but don’t bet against it if we do get promotion). Green not doing it at present. Nice to see De Laet get a few minutes at the end.
One worry is that Thor is not a left back. With Baker and Amavi leaving we are in a fix if Taylor is suspended or injured. Notice Bruce moved Bree to LB when De Laet came on – square pegs in round holes – we need another LB.
Agree with all that Hitch. Borg is deffo not a LB, but I believe De Laet has played there quite often in th past. Green had a poor game. Onomah, O Hare and Steer the 3 standouts for me. I felt more confident with Steer in goal than any of the other 2 keepers we have!
Winner g creates confidence. Well done you Villa boys. You can only beat what’s in front of you. Last year we were not good enough to beat Sheffield Wednesday or Luton. This year drew with Hull and beat Colchester. A marked improvement. Also shows the depths we have fallen due to Mr Lerner’s lack of investment. We are now part of Dr Xia’s incredible army!
Love it Sid….well said mate!
Agree this time next year we will be on a par with that Real Madrid team that stuffed Utd last night 😄
Must say I was very impressed with Steer. I would give him a go over Johnstone on Sat and see what happens. Rather we developed our own keeper than Utd one
Begs the question why he has been overlooked by successive managers. The problem here is probably down to the pressure on managers. They would rather draft in some player who has played at the current level required rather than give youth team players a chance. Sad really. I think some of the players we have let go are probably capable of playing at a high level in a decent team.
I would like to see them get a proper chance, otherwise what’s the point of an academy?
Johnson, Davies, Albrighton, Cahill this list is not exhaustive.
Steer has been injured for months, hasnt he?
He certainly had an aura of solidity/confidence about him that surprised me.
Steer was injured for the whole of last season. Before that loaned out to Doncaster and Huddersfield. Always seen as a prospective talent but can understand Bruce getting another keeper in given Steer missing a whole season.
I’m massively biting my tongue on what to say here.
I’ll post something tomorrow
Over or underwhelmed?
Underwhelmed for me. I think we have a great squad (at this level). The style of play leaves a lot to be desired. Generally, if you play good football you will get good results. If you play crap you will get crap results, although you might stumble to a few victories. Colchester deserved to get at least extra time. We scored from a goalie cock up and an own goal – against Colchester.
At times we couldn’t string two passes together. Okay conditions were poor, but they played more cohesively, despite the players being less gifted/technical.
I get why people say Bruce has to stay, but I’m totally unimpressed. Some on here are happy to scrape a 1-0 win, but the teams we are playing are dead ordinary. We should absolutely stroll this league but we are a million miles away from that.
No argument from me DS, I’m really trying to be positive but firmly in the underwhelmed camp on what I’ve witnessed so far.
To steal a line from Eric and Ernie
“What do you think about it so far?”
…….!
Villa put-out a reserve team, playing in the sort of conditions you’d expect to see in November or February, not in August.
Job done.
Nothing to get excited about – or start worrying about.
Mate I really want to believe, Saturday will be the acid test a nasty take no prisoners Warnock side will test our mettle and be a good yardstick.
Conditions were bad Ardent. Same conditions for Colchester though. As for a reserve team? Not buying it. Hogan, Adomah, Onomah, Chester, Bree, Hourihane, Thor (OK out of position), even Samba (OK maybe not a first choice but hardly wet behind the ears). That’s 8 regular players – Onomah already looks like a first pick to me.
Colchester are a League 2 side don’t forget.
I don’t see much to make me feel positive about this season, but I didn’t expect anything else. Hopefully I’m being too pessimistic. I predicted that we would struggle to get into the play offs, and think we are way off automatic promotion. Not good enough. We need to improve but at least it’s early doors.
Anyone arguing that was our reserve side, are seriously trying to find any excuse they can for how bad we were. First choice and third choice center backs, 2nd choice right back, currently 2nd choice left back (sad to say), first choice right winger, first choice striker currently, 1st or 2nd choice left winger. 2nd/3rd choice keeper. A reserve side would be the entire U23’s. We have a squad, all of the players that played tonight are part of the first team squad.
Only saw match in patches….missed both goals tonight ( and the one on Saturday)….Tonight reminded me of the England Womens team against Holland……long ball long ball long ball…….you would think after 2 attempts they wouldnt try a 3rd …but they still do…
some good posts above. nice to see fringe players get a run out in a competitive match. much better to judge them in these games than a meaningless friendly.
Ritchie De Laet and Steer both back from bad injuries. laet received a bad tackle near the corner flag late on. this will be good for him. having had a bad injury it can be psychological when they return. they don’t fully commit to challenges fearing another injury. so that’s another hurdle for him to overcome.
I am glad they used some fringe players, no point using the current first 11 say taylor our only recognised left back say he got injured playing yesterday. your only as strong as your weakest link lol. bree and laet can play left back so we will be ok.
we have a good squad better than last 5 seasons I think. if we can sell some more players like Bacuna McCormack both are problems if they are around the squad unhappy
we do look vulnerable but we managed to win and that’s good,as winning is a good habit to have.
What to do with the potential good news coming our way?
a) It looks like Amavi is going to Marsaille £8 either loan then signed at the end of the year.
b) please be true, it looks as if Reading are back in for Bacuna up to £2m
c) Sunderland fans 74% in a poll want McCormack £4/6m.
If these three leave it will generate transfer money and help towards FFP. I would not be surprised if between them their weekly salary is near £100k, equating to approximately £5m per year.
I hope SB and Dr Xia save the money if needed in January. I would like to see the likes of O’Hare given a chance to break through and save the club millions on journeyman players.
Do over to you, what do you think if we sell these three players?
I agree Sid – add Elphick and Gardner to your list and we could also afford to get in a LB which I think we need now (this seems to be a continuing problem at Villa)
I think we have needed a good clear out for years. our squad has improved in quality. whether you like bruce or not he has improved the squad in quality and depth. McCormack is the player we need to get out. whether that’s at a loss,its just getting him out. I think the spuds loaned player is a quality player, once kodjia back I think we will be a decent side. so we could easily get to jan before we add more quality. sounds like bruce has his eye on more now in this window. I hope they are same quality as the spuds player or we should be blooding our own youth. I think we have real quality coming through. I know we always say this but I really do believe this
I actually enjoyed last night’s game and Colchester gave it a really good go which is what you would expect in a cup tie.
I wasn’t entirely convinced but we won a game last year we would have lost and, yes with mainly first team squad players but 9 changes from Hull suggests exactly that squad players rather than automatic starters. I don’t agree we played long ball football – thought we mixed it up quite nicely.
We played quite a number of U23’s and Callum O’Hare looks the real deal – but we’ve been there before. Green is struggling at the moment and shouldn’t start Saturday. Onomah looks quality even at 20.
As for others, Saturday is the real test.
Steer looks composed and assured – why on earth are we developing Man Utd’s player over our own…. another awful decision Bruce will pay for when he is sacked
I thought the same. steer has played in championship 2 season ago at Huddersfield Town where he was very good. maybe the manager thought he would take time to get back to that form and thought it was a gamble to start with just bunn and steer
My thoughts exactly. Can we not drop Johnstone or is it written into his contract he has to be first choice
I think Steer should just start the cup games for now and then be introduced gradually into the league side. I’m only saying that because of the length of time he was out injured. I certainly felt more confident with him last night than I have with either Johnstone or Bunn between the sticks. I dont think Johnstone is good enough for the PL and thats where we’ll be next season! Hopefully , Steer can save us some money!
Think it largely has to due with the fact Steer’s been injured a fair bit over the last 2 seasons. So he’s not the most reliable keeper, currently. And Bunn is atrocious. Should’ve easily been let go of.
At home to Wigan Athletic second round
What’s all this north and south bollox. Why are the scum and us in different geographical divisions ffs.
Test
New phone trying to figure it out. I have mede contract.
Contact