Typical Villa eh?
I was really downhearted at the final whistle and really couldn’t be bothered to write about it.
I haven’t seen a replay of the penalty incident, but I’m pretty sure it shouldn’t have been given.
Chester won the ball cleanly, but having thought about it, I now totally accept that the defender didn’t need to go to ground.
But the ref shouldn’t have called it wrongly either.
Not that it matters much in the scheme of the whole game.
The simple thing for me is that after a decent first fifteen minutes, we were woeful for most of the rest of the game.
Waiting a day to do a write-up has given me a chance to read lots of views and it’s been interesting seeing the different opinions on what caused the draw.
It’s difficult for me to blame Chester, as he’s been so good for us.
I’ve seen quite a few blame Bruce’s negative tactics and while that might be partly true, I’m not at all convinced that’s the reason.
We create plenty of chances, but just don’t score.
We had a few very good chances (Chester’s header, El Ghazi’s net shot etc), but many of our shots on goal were incredibly weak.
Which brings us to Kodjia.
There are accusations that he’s often lazy.
Again, I don’t think so, but I do think he’s a confidence player whose head drops if things aren’t going well.
He was poor yesterday, but I still don’t think it was a lack of trying. I certainly remember him being involved quite a bit, but every time he touched the ball, he seemed to mess it up.
It was a bad day at the office for him and it happens.
And then we come to Bruce playing players out of position, which seems like most Villa fan’s biggest gripe.
While I agree it isn’t ideal, can we really say any of Hutton, Tuanzebe or Jedinak had a particularly poor game?
There’s a valid argument that playing players out of position doesn’t help and playing them in their proper positions maximises your chances.
It’s a good point, but if El Ghazi normally plays on the right, I didn’t see anyone complaining about him playing on the left as an inside-out winger (he’s right-footed).
I agree with the view that decent players should be able to play more than one position.
Where I do think Bruce is wrong, is in playing Jedinak in defence. He’s too slow and there was one instance where we got caught out and his lack of pace in chasing back just shocked me.
It’s not that he’s not good enough mentally to play there. Indeed he was excellent in the air. But his body can’t do what he wants and if he continues to play there, I seriously worry about what pacy, more pressing teams could do to us.
It’s almost like Bruce is shoehorning him into the side just for the sake of giving him a game, similar to what I think often happens with Whelan and to a lesser degree, Bjarnason.
It’s about keeping players happy, maybe at a cost to the team.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens now we’ve signed Bolasie.
The obvious thing for me would be El Ghazi goes right, Bolasie goes left, Elmohamady goes to RB and Tuanzebe goes into the centre.
Add Grealish and McGinn in the middle and that’s the core of a balanced team with FB’s supporting two wingers, exactly as it should be.
Do I think that will happen?
I’ll be surprised, to be honest.
There are too many ageing player, who are probably banging the manager’s door down, complaining that they can’t afford to not play at their age, that Bruce wants to keep happy.
So what do I personally blame then?
I hinted recently that I think we find it hard to motivate ourselves in certain games.
You could even say that I think we’re simply complacent.
Certainly the poor, often underhit passing backs that up.
It’s the lack of urgency and pace that’s our problem.
Quite often it seemed like we were playing a friendly yesterday.
And if it’s true, we need to sort it out.
Which is where Bruce definitely comes into it.
Ok, we can rightly say that we’re undefeated this season.
But given the easy fixtures up to now, I’m totally convinced we really ought to be top of the league.
I’m sure Bruce rants and raves at the players during the half time talk. If he does, I don’t think it’s working.
The simple fact is that if we keep dropping points in games we really should win, we are not going to get promoted. Not even via the playoffs.
It’s early days though and it’s not all doom and gloom.
While the overall performance was turgid, there were plus points in that El Ghazi looks a very decent, direct player,with a turn of pace and flair.
Nyland is starting to look a good shot-stopper.
And McGinn worked his guts out again.
These look to be excellent signings and if Bolasie hits the ground running, things are looking good.
But if Bruce can’t motivate possibly the best squad in the league to get the required results, well….
Comments
214 responses to “Villa 1-1 Reading; The blame game”
Winning 2-0 in off target shots.
Well I guess the message from Bruce is “I don’t give a sh*t about this competition”. The message from the players is “Neither do we”.
It’s not important but you would think the fringe players would be looking to impress.
DS – perhaps it says more about the ‘quality’ of the fringe players.
I’m still not convinced our squad depth is as good as some fans think.
Not sure Hitch. I get where you are coming from but a front 5 of Hourihane, Lansbury, Adomah, el Ghazi and RHM should be able to take the game to Burton if they wanted to show something to the manager. Sounds more like a bit of gentle exercise.
Fair enough DS and on paper I totally agree with you – but – neither Lansbury nor RHM have impressed and Adomah hasn’t really been the same since he got injured last season.
For me RHM is not a leader of the line. He should be playing off a cf running the channels and using his speed to turn defences but hey what do I know?
No I think that might be true of RHM. Either that or it needs players beating defenders in or around the box leaving RHM to position to finish a decent pass. Not sure he has what it takes though.
Why don’t they just cut to penalty shoot out now and save us 45 minutes of our lives.
Good call Holte. In fact to save player fatigue and fans pockets, why don’t they just decide the first five rounds on penalties!
Not a bad shout Hitch, or get fans of teams play on FIFA.
That would appeal to the FA – probably make loads of money – virtual football is the future. Can I register that slogan to stop the FA stealing it?
Half time, Leeds 0-2 Preston. 0-0 Villa, sounds like its a drab game Holt.
Glad I haven’t paid to watch it Bill.
I’m happy to see some fringe players get match time, but man – what an odd team selection.
It’s a shame the league cup has lost all credibility. 5 time winners and now we don’t give a damn. Might as well scrap it or draw teams out of a hat to go straight to semi final stage.
You’re right Holte. The sad fact is that both the cup competitions have lost their magic. Money is the root of all football evil.
As an oldie I actually feel sad for the younger supporters who I don’t think will ever really experience the magic of cup games – or perhaps it’s just me getting older?
Sir Ron would probably want to knock Bruce out for whinging about number of games. Perfect pitches and plastic lightweight balls, wearing leather slippers! No beer or cigarettes at half time.
LOL
1-0 Burton.
Bruce out
1-0 Burton
What a surprise!
Poor start to second half and one down. Unless you play these matches to win (even with second string) they are a bit pointless.
Not sure why Bruce would risk playing such a weakened team? Yeah it doesnt really matter if we lose but it doesnt look good for him. We’ve got an international break after Saturday so why rest players now? I only want us to go through so we can potentially can play a prem team and see how we fare.
The bench has a bunch of experienced players on it. Not sure why really. It would suggest an interest in progressing, but the starting 11 suggests otherwise. No real game changers on it either.
Frightened of risking Kodjia and I can’t say I blame him for that. We have one fit striker – there would be hell tio pay if he played him and he got injured.
JG and McGinn also injured.
I hate making excuses but we really don’t seem to have much luck on the injury front
Agree about Kodjia and injuries. We need to strengthen at both ends of the pitch though.
Time to put on another striker. Oh dear! Maybe we can stick Whelan up front.
BRUCE OUT!
Think Badger and Bill have gone down the pub!
Either that or fell asleep.
No, I’ve just pulled Badger out of the cut. I’m watching long lost family and wondering if I’m any relation to Bruce as I’ve always been a loser.
Not you Bill – never
I’m hearing some fans calling for Bruce out at the game tonight. 3 RB’s on the pitch! Lost count of number of DM’s on pitch and bench. Lose and he needs a win at Sheffield United on Saturday or his departure could be enforced.
And rightly so.
If this is how we’re going to approach the game, the club ought to be paying the fans to turn up.
Imagine you’ve paid whatever to go and see utter dross lose to a tiny neighbour.
Scandalous and i’d rather the league just abandoned the whole bloody thing.
I’m just treating the whole thing the way Bruce has;
With total disdain.
I’m not even going to do a post about it, as it disgusts me.
He will talk is way out of this, he’ll say I’m concentrating on getting us promotion. 😂😂😂😂😂😄😂😂
Missed pen. Ah well. Sums up the whole debacle.
No Badger. Their been a red car for Burton. Jippppee
Never mind, we’ve always got Saturday to look forwards to.
Game over! He has pressured himself to get a result now at Sheffield United. If we lose there will be a 2 week international break where new owners can evaluate our season so far.
Too right.
Remember Benitez facts:
My facts:
Ipswich Draw
Brentford Draw
Reading Draw
Burton Loss
Bruce is not good enough. I hope the owners wake up to him and make a change sooner rather than later.
After Saturday its the perfect opportunity to make a change. Sat night bruce should be gone win lose or draw.
Adomah is useless now..done nothing since Jan??..not sure why he takes penalties either he rarely makes a good connection when he kicks the ball and has zero end product thankfully he wont be playing the league games if bolasie and el ghazi are fit.
Agreed. Adomah has gone completely out of form and needs to be dropped for a long spell, or even better – sold.
Bruce is really frustrating me, feel we had little choice at the start of the season but stick with him but now still no clear team identity, plenty of hoof ball, again can’t get them scoring like all his previous time at villa, always a defensive feel to the team with attacking players being held back. Grealish always too deep, Adomah has lost his form, green and other youth players will get no chance under Bruce and fed up with him saying they are the future of the club, have to be given a chance at one point and not get other teams youth players in. If we drop points Saturday then questions will be asked. He continues with Jedinak just to be proved right hopefully but my grandma can run faster than him.
Well I don’t know how you all feel but its enough for me, I thank Bruce for steadying the ship but I’ve no Faith in him as from today. I don’t think he has a clue in forming a team its all guess work from him and his coaching team. I honestly hope he’s lost his job because he’s making us look terrible in the eyes of our competitors, its time,to pull the plug on him. Lost to Burton I ask you and to think it cannot get worse.
Well Bill, the great and much praised Leeds lost at home to Preston so it happens but I take your point.
Very much agree, Bill. I was 100% behind keeping him at the start of the season and think that even though it’s not too long since that was still my opinion; that with the players at his disposal, even this soon we should be playing better football than we are. You could put a lot of it down to the players learning each other with changes going on in personnel, but to me it’s a lot down to not playing to our strengths – and that is where Bruce is increasingly ineffectual.
It’s time to bring someone in with some fresh ideas before we waste another really good opportunity to get out of this league (even though I’m kinda enjoying being here).
Not sure what to think anymore. Fact – it’s been a sh*t week.
I have a lot of respect for SB and there’s no doubt in my mind that he rescued Villa when he came in and I suspect he’s had to deal with financial challenges for a lot longer than we know. On top of that losing both his parents earlier this year was a terrible thing to deal with.
Is he the man to take us forward – I’m no longer sure he is but, on the other hand, who do we replace him with?
As fans we can criticise, implore, beg or demand the owners make changes only to criticise their decisions immediately or later when it all goes wrong.
For that reason, I don’t think Sawiris or Edens will rush into any decision so I don’t think SB is going anywhere in the short to medium term. Let’s just hope he can get these players performing to their full potential on a regular basis. In the longer term I suspect they know who they want as manager and I doubt it’s Bruce.
didn’t see the game to which i thank the lord, i have seen the penalty attempt by adomah, which was poor to say the least. when you run up or walk up as he did. you need to hit the corners or disguise better. the goalie read what adomah was doing.
we need another striker or suffer another season in championship. its great we got kodjia back playing and scoring, but thats it, we have nothing else, unless the new two wingers are being line up to play there. we are going to need another out and out striker.we cant rely on hogan or murhpy the jury is out even on davis, he has good hold play, but finishing he still needs to work on. hogan picks up to many injuries, murphy needs games, should be loaned to learn the trade lower level.
just read greens off to portsmouth, i think this is a good move for him, hayes should follow him out and rhm. they all need games and are not going to get them at villa. they are too good for youth football and need to prove themselves in the first team game. playing competitive games in front of bigger crowds, this will bring them on for villa benefit or break them, they will realize what they need to improve on to make the grade.