Well, well, what on earth has happened since the Reading game?
It’s no exaggeration to say we looked a totally different side to what we’ve seen up to now, this season.
I’m totally flummoxed as to what the answer to that is, but it doesn’t matter, as that’s the first time since I can remember, where I actually enjoyed watching a game.
If I didn’t know better, I’d have sworn we were just giving the rest of the league a head-start, just to make a fair competition of it, as we proceed to smash all of them asunder and romp the league by 20 points.
Seriously though, let’s get this straight.
All of the things we’ve been moaning about just disappeared.
We passed crisply and the ball found the right man.
We played with pace and urgency.
We pressed and harried and didn’t look like we were playing a practice match.
We looked to go forward, quickly.
We created a boat-load of chances.
And most importantly, we scored a good few goals.
In short, we played in the sort of manner that our squad on paper has long made us think we should play.
So, has it all just suddenly clicked?
I suspect not, personally and the one thing that co-incides with this pretty emphatic victory is that Gabby was nowhere near it.
Surely Bruce has seen it for himself now and Mr Aston Villa will not get another look in as long as we have a 13 year old kid who can play before him?
Maybe I’m being unfair on Gabby there, but I just feel his time is over and he adds little to our game.
Whereas young Kienan-Davies was a revelation.
He drove this game and was everywhere, always looking for the slightest chance; making himself available and working his socks off. It’s a shame he never got on the score-sheet, but he can go out on the lash tonight knowing he earned his wages and more this week. And more power to him, if that’s his bag.
Green too, was excellent and was involved in left wing play that Norwich just couldn’t live with. An extra couple of drinks for you too, kid, no worries.
Of course, it wasn’t perfect and our defending was ropey for both of Norwich’s goals. Terry nearly gave a goal away too, with a sloppy back-pass.
But with me being the fickle sort, I can overlook these things as long as we win.
And even then, if we play higher up, that increases the risk of conceding.
Now I love a good theory and my latest is, I wonder if the squad are seeing the likes of Davies performing well in training, but not getting a look in and their discontent shows in the football?
Hence the best performers have been picked today and everyone’s happy, where it manifests itself in that sort of performance?
I don’t know. It’s a bit of a daft theory, but about the only explanation I have.
Whatever, something’s changed, if only it’s a case of Steve Bruce having a lightbulb turned on in his head saying that we cannot keep sitting back. That or he’s under instruction from above to change the play.
At this moment, I don’t particularly care.
We scored more than we have for ages and we won without Jedinak.
What’s not to like?
If we keep playing like that, we will steamroll most teams in this league, in my opinion.
We’re the Villa though.
And it’s a big IF.
ITK…..good post, completely agree!
I am hugely encouraged by an exciting performance. For me, Bruce is not off the hook yet, because I have a niggling doubt that he stumbled upon today’s line up and only played Green and Davis because other people weren’t fit.
If that is so, then serendipity is the word for it. The test follows: does he revert to type when the old guard are available or does he stick with his winning formation?
OLL, surely he has to go with a winning formation and reverting to type would be madness?
If he does the latter, any support I still have for him will have faded even more.
Well, ITK, it’s a definite re-injection of optimism.
But we have to keep it up.
Lose to Bristol and everyone will be deflated again, I reckon.
Nice win yesterday. This is what we should be doing to teams in this league. I think selection changes were maybe forced on Bruce but as long as the penny drops that’s OK. I’m not convinced and it is at least as likely to come crashing back to earth as continue. Why did he not play O’Hare previous game etc? Hopefully Bruce realises he is at shit or bust time so starts properly going for games.
I’m not convinced yet. Not by a long way.
Hate to be negative but this was a one off we will still lose in Fri mark my words. Tbf we’ve always been ok at home in this division but away from home it’s embarrassing. These tiny grounds on a wet night up north somewhere and the whole team bottle it. There is no heart or fight in the team. Norwich play open so their defence gives you a chance. I still want Bruce out as he will never sustain it.
Thought we were playing Bristol City Friday – I could have sworn I passed Bristol going south of Brum 🙂
Actually Oohah you make a valid point. It was great to win Saturday but not just the win, the way we played was encouraging – BUT until we start showing consistent winning form away from home it was just that – a nice win.
Dont question oohah’s geography….he was in the same class as David Unsworth back in the day! 🙂
“Hate to be negative”
Erm, stop telling porkies, Oohah; you love it.
Really pleased with the performance yesterday. Completely different from the dross we saw against Cardiff and Reading.
I have been critical of Bruce, but he took a chance playing Davis and it paid off. He was outstanding…and as some have already said, hopefully that’s the end for Gabby.
I just cant understand why it took him so long to play Hourihane in that attacking role. It was Bruce that signed him!! Also having actually wingers instead of players like Gabby!! Green was excellent again. Finally he also figured out that Hutton is a liability playing against anyone half decent. Hopefully Bree will get his chance now.
We have to carry on this style of play on Friday and go after 3 points. Our away form is what will decide Bruce’s future.
As for players, we may still need to bring in 1 or 2. Snodgrass would be a great addition, although I liked the look of Murphy yesterday…him and Green on the wings would be really good. Also think we should look at a young LB to be back up to Taylor.
Great result on Saturday. A few more performances like that please. To win this league you need to average 2 points a game over the season. On that basis we need to win our next 4 league games to get us back on target. If we can do that or get near to it I will start to believe that we actually can win it. But for the time being I’m with Ooh Ah in that I believe it was an exception to the norm. With the squad at our disposal we should be putting most teams to the sword in this league. The players are good enough but the manager has failed to get them playing like this consistently since he came in. I know it takes time but for me it’s last chance saloon. Failure to go up this season could be more damaging to the club than the relegation from the Premier League. All eggs are in the Brucey basket. Let’s hope it works out. Changing managers at this stage of the season is pointless anyway. I’m hoping for the best but fearing the worst. Wins, wins and more wins are what we need.
great post perhaps it was because he played in my opinion one of the best players we have in the right place hence he finished with a hat trick
Just seen the highlights good performance, just hope SB don’t meddle too much going into tomorrows game cause the one thing we need is momentum.
Need a good performance against Wigan. We shouldn’t write them off. Top of league 1 with maximum points, and the Spanish lad Mariott (sp) has scored 5 goals in 2 games, he looks good.