I really wanted to think about things before I posted anything, but I’m afraid I can’t resist anymore.
It seems most Villa sites are just as reticent as me to actually call for Bruce’s head, probably because they realise, just the same as me, that a lot of what he says makes sense.
I’m trying to be absolutely fair here, so just bare with me.
We had massive upheaval in the summer and Bruce was looking to get rid of anyone who was worth anything, purely to keep the club alive.
That’s a poor situation to be in.
We’re all great managers on paper, but consider what Bruce must have been thinking at the time.
And then it changed on a sixpence, where the new owners came in, which must have been equally as shocking.
So now, Bruce, who was probably part way through negotiations about some players leaving, then has to say it might not happen.
And then maybe, it does after all, as even minted owners have to comply with FFP.
I wouldn’t wish that situation on anyone, as it must be the world’s worst nightmare for a manager in any field, let alone footy.
But that’s where the excuses end.
We’ve signed some great players on loan.
El Ghazi, Bolasie and Abraham seem inspired signings.
And I salute Bruce for getting them in.
But after today, I’m just not seeing how he will make them work for us.
Even if he does to a certain extent, I am pretty sure that it won’t be to their best.
So what actually happened today?
Well, quite simply, we huffed and puffed at a reasonable rate, just the same as we always do under Bruce.
We showed great effort and intent for about 10 minutes, where we massively worried Wednesday, but the rest of it was all far too pedestrian; just the same as we’ve complained about for a long time.
It comes down to simple facts again and Wednesday looked the better team and created more chances.
All while we’re at home.
This is now quite simply unnaceptable.
We’re being bettered by lesser teams.
And as much as I really wanted Bruce to come good for us, now I believe he’s not capable.
If the Elphick rumour is remotely true (and I suspect it probably is), it makes sense.
The manager has too many favourites and is too quick to abandon anyone else, regardless of if they’ve performed well for him.
How must Adohmah feel, for example?
Whatever, it now seems to me that Bruce has shaken the squad up by some very brutal means.
A last roll of the dice, I reckon.
That still made us perform like that today.
A performance that was to my mind, bloody poor.
I really don’t think Bruce has anything left to contribute anymore.
I’d salute the bloke, for what he’s done for us, this far.
He’s stabilised us, without a doubt.
But now is the right time for him to go, as to my mind, there is no way he’s going to progress us as a team.
Go Steve, while some of us can still see your plus points.
Aston Villa could be set to make a move for Leicester City head of recruitment Eduardo Macia.
According to respected journalist Alan Nixon, the Villans are looking to Macia to make the move to Villa Park, in a move which looks ominous for current manager Steve Bruce, who is already coming under increasing pressure thanks to another loss yesterday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Macia has been with the Foxes since 2016 and boasts a wealth of experience in the game following spells with big European clubs like Real Betis and Fiorentina.
Villa’s owners are clearly looking at the structure of the club and despite a summer which once again saw plenty of new signings, things haven’t been going well on the pitch this term, as manager Bruce is beginning to get the calls from a selection of fans to walk away from the club.
The move for Macia could well go one or two ways for Bruce, with the Spaniard potentially being brought in to work with Bruce, or, being brought in to potentially aid a new managerial appointment at Villa Park.
Macia has overseen some big money signings at the King Power, with the likes of Islam Slimani, Adrien Silva, and more recently, James Maddison all brought in under his watch.
ASTON VILLAOMINOUS LOOKING APPOINTMENT COULD BE ON THE HORIZON FOR STEVE BRUCE AND ASTON VILLA.
Aston Villa could be set to make a move for Leicester City head of recruitment Eduardo Macia.
According to respected journalist Alan Nixon, the Villans are looking to Macia to make the move to Villa Park, in a move which looks ominous for current manager Steve Bruce, who is already coming under increasing pressure thanks to another loss yesterday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Macia has been with the Foxes since 2016 and boasts a wealth of experience in the game following spells with big European clubs like Real Betis and Fiorentina.
Villa’s owners are clearly looking at the structure of the club and despite a summer which once again saw plenty of new signings, things haven’t been going well on the pitch this term, as manager Bruce is beginning to get the calls from a selection of fans to walk away from the club.
The move for Macia could well go one or two ways for Bruce, with the Spaniard potentially being brought in to work with Bruce, or, being brought in to potentially aid a new managerial appointment at Villa Park.
Macia has overseen some big money signings at the King Power, with the likes of Islam Slimani, Adrien Silva, and more recently, James Maddison all brought in under his watch.
Bill – respected journalist Alan Nixon – that’s a complete joke – even the Met office is more accurate with its predictions!
That’s not to say that a DoF isn’t coming in.
What we really need to be focussed on / concerned about is threat of points deductions.
Personally, I think the EFL have lost the plot – FFP needs a complete rethink not a ridiculous and thoughtless increase in penalties.
Badger – posting by mobile is delayed not instantaneous.
I can’t post at all on my phone Hitch.
I’ve looked into as many possibilties as i can think of and can’t see what’s causing the problem 🙁
It happen to me Hitch sent him email.
Test post.
Works OK posting from my phone.
Thanks for the feedback
I feel sorry for McGinn that most of the post match comments have been about Bruce and his failings, when he deserves praise on one of the best goals scored at VP. McGinn is the real plus so far this season, well until Bruce switches him to RB anyway.
Yes, you’re right.
It was an absolute stormer from McGinn.
I’ll put money on that being Villa goal of the season already.
If it was Ronaldo, it would have been a world headline.
Unfortunately, a single goal means nothing in the scheme of things.
And yes, agreed, he looks a cracking player.; exactly what I thought we were getting with Hourihane, tbh.
Ps. No problem submitting post from my iPhone.
Thanks for the feedback
I’ve watched and watch McGinns goal loads of time’s, its a brilliant goal and I hope its picked as goal of the season.
It’s not working on my tablet Badger.?
ITs an Android problem then ?.
Nope. Mine is Android.
ViLLA’S TV MATCHES (Championship unless stated otherwise)
Here are the matches in September and October that will be televised live on Sky Sports.
Vlla v Preston, 7.45pm, Tuesday, October 2, Sky Sports Football, Red Button.
Norwich v Villa, 7.45pm, Tuesday, October 23, Sky Sports Football
Queens Park Rangers v Villa, 7.45pm, Friday, October 26, Sky Sports Football
Villa v Bolton Wanderers, 7.45pm, Friday, November 2, Sky Sports Football
Hi,
I am back with my tale between my legs. I was a massive supporter of Steve Bruce and everything he did last year. We got so close. But the play-off final performance was terrible. In fact I have only just got over it.
Steve Bruce is a good guy. He has stabilised the club. Gave us a great season last season. He went through the mill personally and was very unlucky with injuries to key players at key times last year, but time is time, he’s got to go.
First of all he got rid of Tommy Elphick needlessly when we only have one specialist centre back on the books.
Secondly, when we have won games, apart from Hull away it’s been hard work, terrible to watch in fact.
Thirdly, he makes stuff up, “Villa were bottom when I turned up”.
The fourth thing he has done is criticise the fans and say we are not intelligent if we disapprove of his style. He did this after we beat Rotherham, with the game still in the balance. Then we lost to Wednesday.
Finally, he talks of transition and needing time. We have a Premier League team with Prem level players, the best in the league. Grealish, Bolasie, Abraham, Kodjia, McGinn, Chester, Jedinak (when in central midfield). He even found a CB in Tuanzebe, who played well against Blackburn then was dropped. We are only 5 points from top spot, with a proactive manager we could still get automatic promotion.
But more than anything, despite all the mistakes, teething problems, excuses etc, despite having the best squad in the league, the football is just so bad. It’s not enjoyable to watch, if we don’t sack him soon, people will stop going to games in large numbers.
I have been Bruce’s biggest supporter for 2 and a half years. But now, even I have had enough. If he stays we are fucked.If he goes now we still have a chance to go up. Enough is enough.
Bruce out!
Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish has signed a new five-year deal with the Championship side.
Villa refused to sell the 23-year-old in the summer, with Tottenham strongly linked with Grealish but unable to meet the club’s valuation of the player.
Grealish will now remain with the Midlands club until 2023.
Chief executive Christian Purslow said Grealish “will play a pivotal role in leading” Villa, who are 13th in the table, back to the Premier League.
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has previously described the Birmingham-born playmaker as “the best young player” he has ever worked with.
Grealish, who has been with the club since the age of eight, has made 120 senior appearances since making his first-team debut at the end of the 2013-14 season.
He scored three goals in 31 games as he helped Bruce’s side reach the Championship play-off final last season, where they were beaten by Fulham.
Having Grealish commit his long-term future represents a significant coup for a club that had seemingly resigned itself to losing the player.
On 10 July Bruce said it was “inevitable” that they would have to sell after they failed to win promotion last season.
Villa were under severe financial pressure at the time having missed a £4m tax payment in June while also needing to find £40m to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
However, on 20 July, investment arrived from billionaire businessmen Wes Edens and Nasser Sawiris, which prompted the club’s change in stance on Grealish’s future.
Grealish signs new 5 year deal at Villa – no mention of a release clause but there has to be hasn’t there?
Now he has to concentrate on his football and demonstrate his value week in, week out. UTV
Any news on a new manager yet?
Strangely enough i’m wondering if Jack signing a new contract is evidence that Bruce will be out of the door before long.
Can’t imagine him signing knowing that Bruce will be around for the rest of the season.
Makes you think if he took the foot off the peddle to get a better contract. I thought I’d seen what he’s going to get in them 5 years.
Jack’s going to leave anyway next summer (or maybe even Jan) but at least we’ve safeguarded getting a decent fee now.
Nice way to distract attention though from the Bruce debacle…I don’t want to see any further club statements other than us parting company with the dinosaur.
Just wondering if anyone knows when Bruce’s contract ends, maybe something won’t happen til then. Simply sacking may be expensive. BRUCE OUT!
He’s on a rolling contract, with a believed buy-out clause of £2 million.
So whenever he gets sacked, that’s probably what it’s going to cost us.
I’d be very surprised if FFP puts his dismissal at risk, as surely we’d never have signed Bolasie, who’s apparently costing us double that.
Talking of which, £80k a week for a championship player.
He’s a good player, but that’s some gamble.
Thanks, I was noticing a pattern in his behaviour and the end of his Hull days. He left that job in a disruptive way and was comparing it to that of his current demeanor.
Not Villa, I see that Diddier Ngone been saked from Sunderland , the lads been naughty like not turning up for training, he had 3 years to run on contract.
Villain1 I agree , he’s definitely not a manager for us no tactical know how he has to go.
Grealish signing a new contract is a way of ensuring Spurs or whoever pay above the odds in January or next summer. Also it keeps Jack on side by being amongst the top earners at the club. He needs to pick his form up to last season though if he wants promotion or a move to the premier league. Still no news from owners about Bruce! Can’t we at least have the vote of confidence comment?
Blimey, Matt Law of the Telegraph sums things up very well, imo;
https://uk.yahoo.com/sports/news/aston-villa-look-clueless-directionless-091711167.html
not one person has said chester was at fault for both goals against wednesday. not saying its all his fault but we are quick to blame jedi.
i personally think wednesday would have beaten us what ever we tried. they were better team end off. also i don’t understand why everybody wanks over the 442 that system played into the owls game. our 2 centre mids were over run and our two up front were starved of decent supply.
reading that what badger just posted, saying grealish was put on the wing and not his favourable position. i don’t know how you can play him in his position he hasn’t got one. he isnt a centre mid he has played his best stuff, just behind the front man. but in a 442 how can he play that role?
back to owls game, why we didnt play 433 is beyond me. we should drop kodjia play grealish and bolasie on each side of tammy. three mids thou i hate having a holding mid i think we need one to protect a shaky back line. so play hourihane and mcginn and jedi / whelen as hold. just play the kid from united along side chester.
we have got to stop chopping and changing from now. we are never gonna achieve a settle side swapping like this. kodjia and tammy didn’t work against owls what it did playing them was make us weak to the counter and made us weak in midfield.
Nath, my opinion says whether you play one or two up front, Grealish has to be close to them.
Where he is definitely not suited, is in our third, as a covering defender.
If that’s where he is going to spend much of his game, we might as well just drop him, full stop, as any advantage he offers is lost.
I’ve previously said that he needs to do more.
But that never included covering the Left back position; at least not as deep has he has done.
Fair point Nath – Chester was at fault for both goals – but does that say more about Chester or the team performance (what team performance) overall?
Having been a supporter of Bruce, sadly I feel we need to look elsewhere – how long can the owners allow this to continue?
I look at it like this, Ok yes Chester was the reason for both goals but you have to think he’s not a CB and covering that position , the second goal he was not tall enough in the challenge, as a sweeper he’s perfect. It’s all about positions, Bruce is at fault not Chester.
Anyone watching Derby v United? …What Lampard has done to this Derby team is fantastic. Absolute joy to watch. Deserve to win this match..Dare i say it but maybe Henry would have had us playing a similar way??
I think it’s 50% Derby playing some nice stuff, 50% Man Ure playing rubbish.
If they keep this up I can see ‘special one’ getting his cards before Bruce does.
I’d personally say its the way Derby are playing that have made United look poor. Pressing so well and breaking at pace whislt getting loads of players in the box at any given opportunity. Imagine Bruce preparing for this game. Right lads they are better than you so im going to play 9 defensive players to keep it tight. Hit the long ball to Kodjia as soon as you win the ball back but dont ever go past the half way line in case you get caught on the counter. Lets hope we nick it 1-0.
Well done Derby. Well deserved win!