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”
See Kodjia is also injured according to Bruce along with JG and McGinn. If all three are missing Saturday we can kiss goodbye to any points.
I’m hoping that our new owners have a Plan B ready for the international break if they are going to ditch Bruce. I’d sooner we kept him rather than be rudderless without a manager.
Yes, even though I’ve supported Bruce in the past, I too am wondering if he’s had his chance and if it’s now a good time for a change.
Same here Pat57,
It seems we are on the same track as last season, I’ve given up on him now, I honestly think he’s old style manager and will not change his methods. Just look into last nights selection and the way he planned his defence, Some of our new boys didn’t turn up ,Adomah been crap since the end of last season ,im lost in thinking we are going nowhere.
Bruce simply has to go, we are exactly the same as last year – What do we do wait until we get a good thumping when we meet one of the better teams or do it now when the time is right.
I really hope our new owners act pro-actively and have someone in the background waiting to move into the role
Noticed the last 2 games Bruce is starting to throw players under the bus. Criticism of Chester on Saturday followed up by his comments last night. A damning sign that he is losing control and feeling the heat.
Another Bruce winless run special over the coming games and I’m confident Sawiris and Edens will remove him and we can finally instill a manager that isn’t stuck in the 1990’s. Bruce will not make the end of October IMO now
Here’s Steve Bruce’s cockup Under pressure manager Steve Bruce may be making another error at Aston Villa, if he lets Andre Green leave on loan.
The Birmingham Mail claim that Villa are set to allow Green to join Portsmouth on a temporary basis, but the move seems ill advised.
Bruce has come under fire from Villa fans for not giving their best prospects much of a chance, and to let Green go could prove to be an error
From what I’ve seen of him this season, he doesn’t look like he’s ready and with El Ghazi and Bolasie coming in his game time will be limited.
In fact, I’ve not seen anything that convinces me that our U23’s are ready yet (or, in some cases, good enough) to step up other than perhaps Davies. Others, no doubt, will disagree.
I’m not so sure Hitch that our coaching team are good enough, with respect their been a them an us between the teams, that may seem daft but you tell me why the second team has not played at any given time in the first team and only now it’s beginning to show they are not good enough, Yet we can loan them out to other clubs that like Burton bottom of league1 beat us.I honestly think we have a duff lot coaching our squads and its not all the managers fault. In fact I’m mesmerized with what’s going on.
Fair points Bill and honestly I have no idea what the issues are. Bruce (or Villa) seems to have been incredibly unlucky with injuries over the last couple of seasons – both to the first team squad and, more frustratingly, to the better U23 players. I can’t help but feel the latter have been hindered in their development.
Don’t ask me whether injuries are symptomatic with training methods ‘cos I haven’t got a clue.
Tshibola – season long loan back to Steve Clarke at Kilmarnock. Not sure whether there’s an option to buy.
“The way we played, the way we went about it, was chalk and cheese from what we witnessed on Saturday and the week before that.”
“We had nothing until the last 10 minutes. It was like a testimonial. We got punished.”
Given that I thought we played like we were in a friendly on Saturday, I wonder how Bruce can reconcile those comments?
It must have been a truly awful performance.
I’ve just seen the goal and it was caused by yet another underhit slack pass.
I’m not quite calling for Bruce’s head just yet, but a defeat to Sheffield will push me closer, especially if it’s accompanied by yet another poor performance.
He has to turn it around fast.
Aston Villa fans will not be given the chance to welcome Gary Cahill back to the club as he has no intention of leaving Chelsea, The Sun reports.
What’s the word?
Frozen out of the Chelsea squad by new boss Maurizio Sarri and announcing his decision to retire from international duty with England, 2018-19 is set to be a season of change for Gary Cahill but he is not looking for new surroundings.
The experienced defender had been linked with a number of European clubs and Championship sides, including Aston Villa, before the loan window slams shut on Friday but Steve Bruce will not have the chance to bring the defender back to Villa Park.
The Sun states Cahill is ready to fight for his future at Chelsea, having not been part of the squad for any of the Blues’ three games so far, and will then look to reassess his position in the January window.
Blow for Villa?
While seeing Cahill back in Villa colours would have been an exciting prospect for supporters, the 32-year-old defender would not have solved Steve Bruce’s defensive woes for the long-term and would have been an expensive addition due to his wages.
John Terry performed admirably during his short stint at Villa Park and Cahill could have enjoyed similar form but a better prospect for Villa is to search for a recruit who has more extended benefits for the promotion-chasing side.
With reports from L’Equipe expressing Villa’s interest in Le Harve ace Harold Moukoudi, a move for the France U20 international would be a much better prospect than bringing Cahill back to the club despite the experience that the 61-cap England international .
24 hours on and i would normally have calmed down after a poor performance, but last nights result was a pointless exercise of how to throw away a cup competition. I wouldn’t feel so bad about it if he had given 4 or 5 youngsters game time, but it was just fringe players going through the motions, a few out of position as normal. Why didn’t Tuanzebe go in at CB instead of Bree for example. Why have Whelan, Jedinak, Bjarnasson and Doyle Hayes all on the bench? Bruce is testing my patience. Badgers right in that a positive performance is now a must on Saturday to justify the half hearted approach to Burton game.
Holte66, it would take more than Saturday’s game for me, he’s killed my love of the game and I’m gutted, in my younger days I ran two football teams in the festival league Sunday’s, that was my love of the game, what he’s done is unbelievable wrong in many ways, and he gets paid for running crap football. At the moment I don’t know what to do, its hurt me bad,
Bill – I understand how you feel; I’m feeling pretty low as well because, like you, I’m desperate for Villa to be – well not just successful – but playing exciting enjoyable football on a regular basis.
We all blame the manager but he doesn’t kick the ball or act on the pitch like they don’t care. Broadly, I don’t subscribe to the playing players ‘out of position’ theory. Many players today can perform to an equally high standard in a number of different positions because of the fluidity of playing formations.
Having said all that I’m beginning to lose faith in Bruce – it’s now his team and he has to get it to perform regularly to a high standard.
We can only have five loan players on a team sheet at one time but I assume we can have more than five loan players at the club. So we have Tuanzebe, Moreira, El Ghazi and Bolasie as probable regulars on the team sheet – we can have one more or rotate them. What do we concentrate on as a priority – a striker, a CB or a LB?
El Ghazi and Moreira are options to buy – when – January or summer? If January it opens up more loan options.
For me a top striker is priority followed by a LB – so no way is Bruce pursuing Cahill – media bo***x.
Finally and apologies for the diatribe – has anyone noticed how much worse we’ve played without Whelan in the side? Now I realise this is an anathema to many fans but particularly against Brentford he drove the side forward. He’s a much better and more influential player than many give him credit.
Now I’ll shut up!
Is it also any coincidence that we did pretty well with Elphick/Chester at CB but looked shaky since?
You know Hitch, I’ve had chats will amatcher coaches and they tell me that the new policy with manager’s is finding players that can play in all positions, is that what’s going on now, I’ve often wondered ?anyway I most likely forget my anger and soldier on its a wait and see.
“I’ve just seen the goal and it was caused by yet another underhit slack pass.”
I’ve been thinking about this and our turgid displays.
I’m now wondering if our lack of urgency is not so much about complacency, as I suggested on Saturday; but more about not really being bothered?
That’s a really worrying thought, but think about it;
Green’s gone to Portsmouth and there’s been no hint of “I want to fight for a place” type comment.
Even though he’s been on the fringe more than most of the kids.
The fact that he’s allowed to go out on loan, tells us all that he doesn’t have a prayer of playing under Bruce, given the new signings.
Bruce said it himself, that players have been banging his door down to play, yet they were seemingly utter garbage.
It’s probably not so surprising, when 9 changes were made.
But I wonder how many players are thinking that whatever they do, they are not going to get a serious look in?
Think about it, with certain players like Lansbury, De laet, Bree etc.
It doesn’t quite explain the favourite 1st team setup, but I wonder if the fact that the back-ups’ possible “we don’t have a prayer” attitude is rubbing off on the 1st team faves?
Basically, what I’m suggesting is a serious lack of competition within the squad.
The fact is, those who played yesterday, should have been busting a gut.
If that is anywhere near the truth, Bruce does indeed have to go.
But I’m guessing.
And it’s still very early days.
It will come as no surprise that I want Bruce out. Not because of last nights result. Villa have lost matches like this for as long as I can remember. It’s the underlying malaise that bothers me.
We look rudderless. The loss of John Terry may have something to do with it. The team could do with his leadership on the pitch and in the dressing room. Terry may have helped bridge a gap between Bruce and the team. Certainly it’s true that he has recently been directly critical and it’s very unlike Bruce to be slagging off the players.
There were reports of animated talks between Bruce and the owners on the pitch before the Reading game. It’s only guesswork but the pressure seems to be ramping up on Bruce. He doesn’t have the answers, and it seems a matter of time before he goes.
Personally, I would rather we make a change now, even if that change meant a period of time that may not bring immediate success while the players adapt to a new playing style. We might get an immediate response, which would be great. The only problem here is who do we get, at this stage of the season. If we can’t get the right appointment then maybe we are better to wait until the season end and live with Bruce -sigh.
Bruce is struggling under the pressure. That pressure can paralyse a mans thinking. Fans often say there is no Plan B. The problem is more that Plan A doesn’t work. The players will feel Bruce’s pressure, and will play cautiously because that’s what Bruce wants. It’s easy to hit the ball forward away from our goal rather than keep possession and move off the ball to provide options, or pass it sideways to someone else. They need someone who believes in their ability to take the game to the opposition. That’s a change in philosophy. Bruce will never change. I don’t believe the players aren’t good enough. Time to put Bruce out of our (and his) misery. Subject to the paragraph above.
That’s the big question DS – who?
That’s why, like you, I think Bruce will not be replaced just yet. I honestly believe the owners know who they want if Bruce is to be replaced – and they will wait to get him.
We’ve had no hyperbole from them; all things in good time built on solid foundations.
When did fans ever have that sort of patience?
Rodgers or FSW, imo 😉
And not Henry!
“Terry may have helped bridge a gap between Bruce and the team. Certainly it’s true that he has recently been directly critical and it’s very unlike Bruce to be slagging off the players.”
Usually, when you start slagging the players, there’s only one way it’s going to go.
Going back to my previous comment, I wonder if Bruce is just too friendly to “his” regulars and accidentally alienates the rest?
Either way you look at things, it doesn’t bode well.
There’s been some excellent analysis on here lately, by the way, lads.
Cheers, as this is what it’s all about. 🙂
Even if we’re all wrong.
My wish and I’m sure I speak for many, is that it’s a blip, Bruce sorts it and we go on a roll.
‘Even if we’re all wrong’ LOL – love that comment Badger.
Well, us fans usually talk tripe. It’s our job, isn’t it? 🙂
It’s why we aren’t managing the team, after all, even though we all think we could do it better.
I’m sure you know what I mean Hitch 😉
Stewards enquiry! Any of you who enjoy horse-racing as well as supporting Villa will know that trainers can get a horse banned for 21 days if it was not run on its merits, but in such a way as to lower its handicap mark. No such sanction exists in football for throwing a game, if it is done subtly.
An under-hit back-pass is perfect. If the oppos are a bit thick a quiet word is needed – telling them to be on their toes because you will under-hit one next time. Enough said.
Does anyone really think we wanted to win last night? Pull the other one.
I wanted to win it, as I’m sure did many fans.
My belief is you play to win.
There are a few ways to lose a game and absolutely throwing it away by playing a totally disjointed second side isn’t the way to do it, if a club has anything about it.
Imo.
And that’s what we’re all moaning about.
i like a flutter on the nags and the trainers are always lowering the horses handicap in races leading up to the big races. main culprit is the jockey not trying or just simply getting blocked on the inside unable to find a run until its too late.
bruce didn’t want the distraction of the league cup, he wouldnt have instructed the team to lose or play crap. but that may have filtered down to the players. listening to bruce after the game, he stated the players played like it was a friendly or testimonial game. it shows us that the players just behind first team are lacking the fight to improve the first team. so if we have injuries to chester, kodjia, grealish or mcgin we could be in deep trouble.
their is no confidence in bruce on this site with little on the others. so this seems to have changed, since the pre season vote.if that support has now died, then the same vote should be retaken. the owners listened to the majority last time, for the sanity of the fans they should change managers. but would that please everybody and would this last ??????? i bet not
i happened to see the leeds team in the cup and he played his second string also, plus they lost. i hate going out but if we win promotion i think i would get over it
Exactly Nath, Leeds did the same. I have no doubt Bruce said to the team in the dressing room that if they should win he would keep selecting the second 11 in subsequent rounds. That can be taken in two ways: one of which is a victory would confirm all who played as being in the 2nd 11, when most of them were hoping to make the first team.
Nath, Moukoudi what do you know about him? I know he’s a CB that’s all I know.
Bill, from what I’ve read he’s highly rated and been pursued by a number of Prem clubs as well as clubs in Europe. However, if so, it’s a little confusing that he’s being let go and is willing to join a Championship club on what is rumoured to be a loan / buy option. Further, many pundits were predicting Villa had ‘no chance’ of signing him. Make of all that, what you will – that is assuming he actually signs.
SB is taking a risk in that it looks like he’s not going to sign another striker – must be confident Davies / Hogan will soon be back.
i am sorry never heard of him, i would love to hear if somebody does know of him, we could do with some speed back there. then what will be tuanzebe position. cause he isn’t a good full back. holding mid ? naaah whelen jedi and thor will be ahead of him, i think we need a striker if i am honest. have we signed him bill that maukoudi
Aston Villa are set to snap up defender Harold Moukoudi on loan from Le Havre ahead of a potential £10million January deal.
Villa boss Steve Bruce wants another centre-back as midfielder Mile Jedinak has been playing out of position there.
Now Moukoudi,20, has already held talks and is due at the club’s training ground.
Villa aim to take the centre-half on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent move.
It could see Tommy Elphick leave the club on loan as he is a target for QPR.
he is young too 20 for a cb is really young bill
Hes Big and Black Nath.
if he has speed and strength i will be happy. chester has been doing the work of two since terry left
“But should he by chance, be imported from France, twenty grand is stopped out of your wages.” With apology to WS Gilbert. Unfortunately there is no sanction on managers who bring in French players of African origin who fail to acclimatise. Villa and Newcastle have found out to their cost that a cold wet midweek evening away from home can drain the spirit of these guys. Fingers crossed this one bucks the trend.
i like scotty hogan, i love how hes sniffing around always looking to get in behind. but can he be trusted to stay fit and davis is another youngster who has the skills, but finds it hard to apply in 1st team. his all round game is decent but as a striker he needs to add the goals. i would worry if kodjia gets injured or returns to the shadow player he has been,
we have a nice midfield who will create shed full of chances we need somebody to finish them off
No, certaintly cant be trusted just look at his injury record since joining us! Think bruce wants him gone and if he wasnt injured he probably would be somewhere else. Id love it if Davis smashed in a few in his first few games back as he looks good and gets in to good positions just lacks the goals but he has potential. Hooefully this new CB is
A no nonsense type of player but still good on the ball and fast. Fingers crossed.
It seems Villa have learned from Wolves in this loan-to-buy arrangement. I guess it works for all parties. The buying club gets the player at an upfront low payment, particularly if the option to buy is dependent on promotion. The player gets to come over here (they are always foreign players) and see how he gets on without a long term commitment (and showcase his talents to the rest of the teams – apparently Man City and Man Utd are monitoring Neves) and the selling club offloads wages, gets a deposit (I guess) with the likelihood of a sale to the contracted club or maybe another.
It also gets us out of any FFP issues, though it seems clear that the new owners don’t feel as hamstrung as Xia by the rules (as expected that was just a smokescreen to cover his lack of funds).
If we don’t get a striker we are taking a massive risk at least until January. If we have placed all our irons in the Tammy Abraham fire, and he doesn’t arrive, I think that’s a big mistake.
Well reading into his CV looks ok, i just hope he speaks Engllish like kick the effing ball up field.. is that them end of our new players, if so let’s look at what we have, two wingers, one CB and no left back, I just hope he’s got it right.. Oh happy days.
As I recently posted when you already have 4 loan players which position do you cover with the 5th (only 5 loan players can be named on a team sheet). Now you can rotate the loan players but one would think the 4 we already have are likely to be named on the team sheet pretty much every game.
Bruce clearly thinks we are weak in the centre of defence and needs to replace JT but doesn’t see Tuanzebe as the answer. Personally I would have gone for a big centre forward good at hold up play and with his head but then maybe none are available
I just hope he’s right otherwise criticism is only going to get worse.
We only have 3 loan players who would be considered a shoe-in for 1st team every game at the minute; Bolasie, El Ghazi and Tuanzebe. Moreira is unlikely to be on the pitch at the same time as those 3 – so that really means we’re left with 2 loan spots for the first team. McGinn and Nyland were signed permanently so don’t count.
Unfortunately that’s not correct. The EFL rules state ‘maximum 5 on the team sheet’ – team sheet being the defining bit. Moreira is / will be named on the team sheet as reserve GK.
Bruce doesn’t rate Elphick so looks keen to loan him out which would validate another CB coming in. I think Davis and Hogan could be available after the pointless international break. I would love for Hogan to get a run of games (injury free) because with the new additions I think he would offer better movement than Kodja. Bruce comment that it’s like starting over again is actually a pile of crap. If Grealish, Chester and Kodja had gone before new owners saved us, then yes I would agree, but Johnstone, Terry, Snoddy and Onomah doesn’t equal 11 players. Stop making excuses and get one of the best squads (on paper) to where it should be!
Holte, with you on that, no excuse now after Sheffield game we can now look at how he plays the game.Hogan in my mind hasn’t had the players that are available now give him that chance. We have to take a look at players that don’t meet the grade like Albert , he’s been off since last season, time to avalidate who’s who,
Reckon Adomah will be on the subs bench now we have two new wingers – well that is when Bolasie is up to match fitness.