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.
Test
For once it seems as if we’re all more or less united in the view that Bruce’s time is up. I hope he can leave with some dignity so that his contribution in stabilising the club when were in dire straits can be rightly remembered.
Steve, please walk away. If you are dragged out kicking and screaming that’s all we’ll ever remember.
Unfortunately Pat, Bruce has come out and said he won’t walk away.
Fwiw, I don’t think it’s just about a payday, as others have suggested.
More likely it’s the realisation that when he’s finished at the Villa, his career is likely to go on a downward slope.
Which means the owners have to sack him and it won’t be pleasant.
Regardless, it’s my firm opinion that we’re watching Bruce’s demise unfold.
I have been thinking about the “Taxi for Mr Bruce!” chant, which may not be appropriate for the typical sacked manager these days who leaves with a monster payoff for incompetence. “Wheelbarrow for Mr Bruce” is more like it.
Indeed, OLL.
It’d need to be a big wheelbarrow too, if the estimated £2 mill is correct.
Hmm, there’s definitely an issue with posting via mobile.
Everything works as it should but when you hit “submit comment”, nothing actually happens.
I’m looking into it.
Rumours in the Sun that Eduardo Macia from Leicester might be appointed as DoF.
Could be a good move and it might even give Bruce the pretext to resign.
We know there’s a new sporting director coming in – I hope the Purslow is trying to set up the new scouting setup and then will bring in a manager to fit into this new model given the recent sackings.
Either way – If they need more time to set this infrastructure up, why not just give Agnew or Delaney the job for 2-3 weeks in the interim. The most important thing is to get the poison that is Bruce and his negative outdated view and mentality out of this club immediately because its not doing any aspect of the club any favours.
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?