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.
