So the conversation has turned to how Bruce gets on with the likes of McCormack, who to my mind doesn’t stand a chance of ever starting for the Villa, while Bruce is in charge.
There are opposing views that say he should be played while we’re paying his wages and it’s a fair argument.
£40-50k a week is a lot of money to be sat on the sidelines.
But having thought about it, McCormack isn’t really the issue.
Much more important is will Bruce be our manager, when this season starts?
I know Bruce is Marmite to Villa fans.
Some like the stability that retaining him would bring. He’s a steady manager that has experience of getting clubs promoted.
I’m happy to say I’m in this club.
But I also see that his football is too defensive on the whole (I’d suggest we’re attacking enough at times, but it doesn’t matter) and it’s probably his wanting to retain the same eleven that might have cost us.
I don’t quite see the “dinosaur” comments, but do accept that he seems reluctant to play the kids.
You probably know my views, which are that if we play a team of kids, we’ll be annihilated in the Championship.
Skill doesn’t count so much as grit and balls.
Kids just don’t have it, for me.
For example, Grealish had been poor and it’s only recently that he’s learned about how much hard work is actually required if you want to succeed in the Championship. And he is our best bet!
The point is I believe there’s a disconnect in the game our kids are playing, as opposed to the Championship.
We’re too geared to the Prem.
The Prem2 or whatever it is called just doesn’t involve tackles and it’s not a decent breeding ground.
Fortunately, it also means kids don’t dive or cheat like the real game.
But I digress.
Which brings me back to the main point.
Bruce is on a rolling one year contract, I believe.
I’ve heard talk that it might cost us money to sack him, but I don’t see how that’s so.
Whereas if we do sack him, we have to pay out another contract to get another manager in.
Could we get another manager on the same sort of contract?
I doubt it.
So if we’re looking at say, a 3 year contract, it’s going to cost more money.
No chance, I reckon.
All that said, what does Xia think of Bruce?
This is the important part and what could be the decider.
At the end of the day, Bruce failed.
It’s as simple as that.
And isn’t the Chinese way of thinking that failure is not acceptable? (Is it? That’s how it seems, but I’m guessing).
I suspect that Xia would sack Bruce tomorrow, if he could.
But the simple fact is that I don’t believe we can afford to sack him.
And then we also have to consider that Bruce might not want to work at a club that is struggling and has to sell it’s best players to survive.
I’ve put a Poll up, but please remember, it’s not about if you want him, but about if you think he will stay.
[polldaddy poll=10040246]
world cup is catching fire now, two games yesterday were very enjoyable watches. long may that continue. england have played ok like i thought they would,they have given 100% and they have have a good game plan. but what is it with us, we beat panama and we then label ourself world beaters.
we have made improvements from our last, how many tournaments the full internationals played. our style is much better. the energy is miles better. but sadly our actual skills i think are lacking in certain areas like defence. without the ball we are gonna get a rude awakening, if we find ourselves up against a team like yesterday. the pace and counter attacking by the french and uruguay will catch us out for sure, our style will play right into their hands also. thats if we even make it that far, columbia play a countering game thou they are missing their big threat.
i just hope we can give them a game, if we manage to win them, we will have managed to win a knockout game, thats like winning the whole thing for us lol thats getting carried away.
True Nath very true, I thought the same, our defence will take a battering from what I was watching. God that French striker could move through the middle, think Messi was out of his comfort zone and wasn’t happy. What a change in the style of play now it’s sudden death, but entertainment in the name of football was on show yesterday.
i found that game very entertaining & interesting with french and argies. what i found strange was messi playing the lone ranger role, it isolated him and cancelled him out. soon as they introduced aguero they had more about them, messi is more dangerous running from deep, but this move was too late. the french were impressive all three departments they are at high standards. i do agree we will get a battering, if we play at this level of the french.
lets hope todays games will be as entertaining 🙂 we deserve some exciting games. it does highlight how bad our standard is compared to yesterday efforts
Two great games yesterday, peppered with some wonderful goals. As an aside I was pleased to see ex Villa Carlos Sanchez hadn’t reserved his worst for games at VP – his ability to hit the only available opponent with both a hurried clearance and a long pass is still intact.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=442344162878357&set=gm.1023150734528141&type=3
Make what you will of this.
Done a bit of digging, that’s crap news.
Xia has rejected another American bid, 30 million for 30% of share. Things are now dragging on and some fans are getting angry over Xia attitude towards Villas plight.
Understandable – Even with a new owner the club has serious issues that need to be addressed this season and as it stands the club, squad, and supporters are in limbo until a deal is done.
So far both offers have met Xia’s reported asking price (30m+ for negotiable shares in the club) so who knows what is going on now. I’d assume he’s just waiting for someone to buy out, but he’s kinda painted himself into a corner with borrowing funds this summer. I can’t imagine how the club will pay for itself this month if no deal is agreed.