I feel I should clarify a few things as regards my thinking about Steve Bruce.
I like the bloke. Because he talks my language and seems mostly fairly easy-going and personable.
I also feel a lot of sympathy with what he personally went through earlier this year.
But I have to try and keep how I regard the bloke to one side when it comes to the Villa, because ultimately it doesn’t matter. All that does is results, because footy is purely a results driven game.
Which is what makes things tricky.
Because I like the bloke and genuinely want him to do well for us, I’ve supported him, even when we went through a bad patch last season, where the fans of lower intelligence (the vast majority of us) were seriously questioning him.
So much so, that I came out and specifically said he shouldn’t be sacked, when it seemed the majority thought he should.
Bruce came really close to getting us promoted last year; just one game away.
But even then, it was mostly his negative tactics that cost us the play-off.
So even then, I retained my thinking in that we were close, but just not good enough.
It happens.
But having watched us this season, I’ve had my eyes opened as to how poor we really are.
In my opinion, with our really easy start, we ought to, on paper, be top of the league by at least a couple of points. Yet we aren’t and we’ve scraped points against poor teams.
Of course, it’s still early days.
We’re only a few points behind the leaders and Abraham and Bolasie have only just started for us.
I fully expect them (and El Ghazi) to contribute a fair few assists and goals.
I get it.
Just a few weeks ago, we were totally in the proverbial.
But even so, I still expected us to have done better up till now.
We still have some really good players, even if you take the new signings out.
Ok, we got a very welcome win against a Rotherham team that travels really poorly.
A win’s a win and it’s all good.
Except that it’s the manner of the play even when we do win, that massively bothers me.
I’ve always said that the style doesn’t matter, as long as you keep winning and that still holds true.
But now I’m totally unconvinced that we’ll beat better teams, because our general play is so poor.
It’s crazy, because sometimes we look really good and threatening.
Yet we look so vulnerable and can’t get the basics right just seconds later.
It’s this inconsistency that bothers me most.
Just as we can go on a decent run, so I believe we’ll go on a really poor run.
Let’s not forget that Rotherham could and should have had two goals.
A 2-2 draw would have put a massively different slant on this post, but it’s by the by.
Could have/should haves don’t count. The result does.
Which brings us on to Sheffield Wednesday.
They’ll be a different proposition to Rotherham.
Can we beat them at home?
The fact that we’re (quite reasonably) looking to be automatically promoted this season means we should.
It would be nice if we could do it with some style to boot, but I don’t think we will.
I see yet another scrappy win, with Bruce saying we need time to gel the team.
The problem I have with that, is that championship winning teams don’t need to gel.
They perform consistently and just keep getting the results.
If Bruce can start/keep achieving that, I won’t have a problem.
Which I think applies to the vast majority of us.
It’s yet another game he can’t afford to lose.
Villa to win 1-0.
Fingers crossed, on my part.
Badger, can you clarifie this part of your post,
Because I like the bloke and genuinely want him to do well for us, I’ve supported him, even when we went through a bad patch last season, where the fans of lower intelligence (the vast majority of us) were seriously questioning him.
So much so, that I came out and specifically said he shouldn’t be sacked, when it seemed the majority thought he should. Badger the way you put that your putting yourself on a pedestal, fans of lower intelligence, Up till now they are right, I like Bruce but its pretty obvious he’s not the man to take us forward, some fans said this at the end of last season, as ive said they are right and you are wrong..
clarify you mean. i would sack the spell checker.
Where can I find it?think he’s American.
Bill, Bruce just recently said that “those of higher intelligence” can see there isn’t a problem (or similar).
Yet I’m one of the ones criticising him lately, so I must also be one of those of lower intelligence.
Yet I was supporting him last season.
Note the use of;
(the vast majority of US)
and not (the vast majority of THEM)
The point is, his comment was massively wrong and included many who have consistently supported him.
Yet another reason why his days are numbered, imo.
I don’t do pedestals Bill.
And expect to be pulled down on here, if that’s how I come across.
Apologies if things seem unclear.
No Badger, youve answered that correctly, I hadn’t seen that statement from Bruce and if you ask me he’s looking for a way out.I’ve been I a few pedestals Badger, mind you I was ordered to be on them.
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-mitch-clark-vale-1966317
saw this on mitch clark a week or two ago, he explains the difference between what hes been playing in under 23’s and the style of mens football, even league two. yes he will be a good player. but why do have to rush the young fellow. he needs time to adjust to real footy. next season he will be ready to fight for a place in the villa squad.
i watch the under 23’s tonight away win against soton, taylor was motm, good delivery for the goal and a few more during a game were we were second best and lucky to win
Nath, I’ve always agreed with you , in that the kids aren’t good enough.
But if it’s a choice of getting Collins in or playing Mitch Clark as a pure back up, I know what I’d rather do.
Wasting a fortune on old players is a waste.
That said, we should have kept Elphick and I still find it hard to accept Bruce let him go without getting someone else in beforehand.
This is blatant mis-management, to my mind, even if Elphick was going to rip his head off.
i think we have some good youth but they are ready to throw in badger. i know you have said same thing. i just posted that because the kid himself has said the same thing i have said for ages. about the differences.
clark this season wouldnt be first team starter, so having him just as fall back incase of injury would just hinder him. i think hes really close to 1st team and this spell playing regular will only help him.
elphick i think wanted to leave, if he wasnt also playing regular this season. he has missed lots of games over the recent seasons, his career ending sooner lol rather than ltr. he needed to leave on his own terms not forced out, the move will be made in january to make it full time for hull
tomorrows game whats the bet onomah to score for the owls, just been on their site and their fans are all being negative after one defeat. they think villa will win 2 1 or 2 0
aren’t ( speliing mistake) again shoot me
I’ll swap your spell checker for mine Nath.
i never use them, couldnt you guess that with the mistakes i make. but ask me do i really care. honestly lol
I’ve just come on to celebrate The Bears being promoted back to Cricket CC Div 1.
I would comment on the football but it seems the main topic of conversation is Bruce – how many times does anyone need to say Bruce Out!
It’s not a Bruce out post, Hitch.
Sorry Badger – it was meant to be a ‘tongue in cheek’ comment but I’ve forgotten how to do the smiley face – put it down to advancing years!
Not Guilty Hitch, honest.
looking forwards for the game tomorrow, sheff wed always give us a right going over. we need to play a lot better without the ball for me. playing the owls we will need to be better pressing so will be a interesting game to watch
also i hear southgate interested in grealish,?? surely not of this season form / this could be a blessing thou. might give grealish a gentle kick up the arse, he has to raise his game, tomorrow maybe the game for him to start
In any match against a competent defence there will not be holes you can stroll through and collect a pass behind them. Somebody in the attacking team therefore has to take a defender on, 1v1, and beat him.
For the past 1.5 seasons Villa have relied on Kodja to do that occasionally and Grealish to do it most of the time. Neither of them was likely to be dropped if fit even if they were playing badly. But now Abraham and Bolasie have arrived, taking defenders on is what they do. Therefore Villa could play without Grealish and I do expect him to be subbed if he doesn’t show a more committed attitude.
The arrival of those two may enable our other under-performing midfielders to find a pass faster and turn over the ball less often.
Playing Wednesday may give us a clue.
As with every game this season I have no idea of what the result might be or which Villa team is going to turn up.
Just glad it’s not on TV. I used to look forward to seeing Villa playing live but lately it’s been on a par with a trip to the dentist. Which says it all.
The following quote was posted August 2017. Please tell me what progress has been made:
“His team is slow, ponderous and completely devoid of any creativity. There is no spark at Villa and I have no faith that Bruce is the man to provide it.”
14 months later and what’s changed? Further, I recall Bruce saying if we weren’t promoted last year he would have failed. Clearly, being of lower intelligence, I am happy with the lack of progress and the manager failing to fall on his sword as promised. We are really lucky to be led by MENSA Bruce. It is this streak of genius that allows him to see the bigger picture of Jedinak at centre half, Tuanzebe at right back and Hutton at left back. A true visionary!
1 Ørjan Nyland
5 James Chester
21 Alan Hutton
15 Mile Jedinak
27 Ahmed Eissa El Mohamady Abdel Fattah
7 John McGinn
14 Conor Hourihane
37 Albert Adomah
10 Jack Grealish
26 Jonathan Kodjia
18 Tammy Abraham
Unbelievable.
Chester gets for booked for a clip.
Weds player goes straight through Grealish and nothing.
At least it’s a livlier start today.
When we do threaten, it’s all too slow and ponderous.
Like we’re looking for the perfect ball all the time.
Weds will take this all day.
0-0 at HT.
No shots on target.
I’m trying my hardest not to say it, but we’re utter crap again.
We’ve barely troubled them at all.
1 down.
Anyone surprised?
Oh dear!
Bruce out.
McGinn, awsome strike.
1-1