Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: kieron on October 11, 2016, 11:14:09 PM

Title: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: kieron on October 11, 2016, 11:14:09 PM
Go...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Steve67 on October 11, 2016, 11:15:27 PM
Where?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The_ads on October 11, 2016, 11:16:12 PM
Great appointment
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: ozzjim on October 11, 2016, 11:18:16 PM
Great appointment, pay the money to get his favoured number 2 alongside him and his team from Hull and let him do what he does in this league. Win more often than not.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: ACVilla on October 11, 2016, 11:22:47 PM
Thirded
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: VancouverLion on October 11, 2016, 11:23:48 PM
Happy with this, really good appointment.

Welcome to Aston Villa FC and good luck Steve - now go win us some games!!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: West Derby Villan on October 11, 2016, 11:28:57 PM
Very Happy with this. Welcome Steve Bruce
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: villa baz on October 11, 2016, 11:31:24 PM
Good luck Steve.let's smash the dingles on Saturday
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: wittonwarrior on October 11, 2016, 11:34:51 PM
His name is Stevie Brucey he's a villian at heart we won't you spud  head no more, your Brucey your beautiful and your ours, all ours.  You walked out of the Sty and into the Holte blar blar blar - happy with this carry out big man.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: DeKuip on October 11, 2016, 11:37:39 PM
Welcome and good luck, though I'm not keen on Keith Bertchin and Stephen Clemence coming too, if that's true.
Not just because of their Bluenose connections but yet again we're appointing a manager without also getting who would probably be their preferred assistants.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 11, 2016, 11:41:45 PM
Good luck Steve. Win every game in October and we'll be happy 😀
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Ian. on October 11, 2016, 11:42:38 PM
Who are his preferred assistants and I guess Clarke and Bond are clearing their offices?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: bobcat on October 11, 2016, 11:57:35 PM
Welcome Steve Bruce, he has the know how in this league to win some games and has the best chance of getting us back up.

Hendrie still did though  ;)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 12, 2016, 12:06:45 AM
It is what it is but I think for where we are it's the correct decision.

He wins us some games and pretty much everyone will be fully on board as he'll be the first Villa manager in about 6 years to do this.

It really shouldn't be that hard at the level we're at now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 12, 2016, 12:07:25 AM
Good luck Steve. Win every game in October and we'll be happy 😀

Fixed. SFB? This is going to take some time to get used to.

Right now, being positive:

I think he's a very decent chap
His favourite Division is the Championship.
He loves to get his teams promoted.
He'll understand when we sack him.
He's lost a lot of weight and looks well.
He lives locally.
We may not sing his name but we'll all be behind his team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Ads on October 12, 2016, 12:17:17 AM
Dr Tony went to Dorridge
In a new Sazuki
Brought us back a manager
Big Fat Stevie Brucie
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 12, 2016, 12:17:30 AM
I'm going to call him Steve The Bruce as we always do well under Scottish managers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 12, 2016, 12:17:55 AM
Dr Tony went to Dorridge
In a new Sazuki
Brought us back a manager
Big Fat Stevie Brucie

Like.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: GarTomas on October 12, 2016, 12:25:03 AM
A pragmatic choice in the circumstances. Wish him all the best. Always comes across as an articulate and respectful guy.

Certainly a baptism of fire in his first few games; hoping the new manager bounce kicks in!

Any names out there available that he knows could bolster the squad like Warnock has done at Cardiff??
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 12, 2016, 12:25:34 AM
I hope that he exceeds expectations, takes us up first time and then lifts us to the brink of European glory. Sadly, I fear, he'll be betrayed on the eve of the 2019 Champions League final in Rome by his mercurial new Cameroonian assistant.

Eto'o, Brucie?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Chipsticks on October 12, 2016, 12:31:39 AM
A mate of mine (Villa) was out in Birmingham 2 or 3 years ago for a very expensive meal for his girlfriend's anniversary.

Midway through the meal, he popped out to the toilets and found himself stood shoulder to shoulder with Bruce himself. No word of a lie; Bruce gave him a pep-talk right there and then for the evening, shook his hand, gave him a wink and left.

Take what you want from that weird anecdote, seems like a decent guy to me.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Ads on October 12, 2016, 12:32:46 AM
Steve, I can call you Steve right? Steve. Get us up, yeah, that's a given expectation. But if you do one thing more for us, if you want to be remembered as a giant, to have your name etched into the bedrock of this great club, to have your name a byword for good times until the Rapture, win us the FA Cup and we will love you forever.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: KRS on October 12, 2016, 12:38:57 AM
Welcome to the biggest job of your life Steve.

Let's hope we have a new manager bounce (not calling him a fat bastard!) starting this weekend...and the following 4 games are all winnable fixtures including the game against the Blue Scum.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Hopadop on October 12, 2016, 12:41:31 AM
A mate of mine (Villa) was out in Birmingham 2 or 3 years ago for a very expensive meal for his girlfriend's anniversary.

Midway through the meal, he popped out to the toilets and found himself stood shoulder to shoulder with Bruce himself. No word of a lie; Bruce gave him a pep-talk right there and then for the evening, shook his hand, gave him a wink and left.

Take what you want from that weird anecdote, seems like a decent guy to me.



I'm going to have some weird dreams tonight.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: ozzjim on October 12, 2016, 12:50:18 AM
So... players he will know well - Hutton - had him and liked him at Sunderland, Chester - exceptional under him at Hull, McCormack - came close to signing for Wigan and spoke highly of his talks with the Bruce, Gestede - tried to buy him at Hull. Any others?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 12, 2016, 12:51:04 AM
Gabby?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: KevinGage on October 12, 2016, 01:08:03 AM
Michaahhh this summer apparently.

I'd say there is a very real prospect of him trying to reintegrate at least one of those clowns.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 12, 2016, 01:16:53 AM
Michaahhh this summer apparently.

I'd say there is a very real prospect of him trying to reintegrate at least one of those clowns.

To be fair, as much as it pains me after last season, if he can get Micah playing well for us then that's a net positive in this league. Less convinced on Gabby!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 12, 2016, 01:18:37 AM
Michaahhh this summer apparently.

I'd say there is a very real prospect of him trying to reintegrate at least one of those clowns.

I might even be worth trying him as a defensive midfielder, given his athletic qualities and defensive aberrations.

To be fair, as much as it pains me after last season, if he can get Micah playing well for us then that's a net positive in this league. Less convinced on Gabby!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 12, 2016, 01:31:17 AM
The very best of luck Steve. Get us winning and get us up. This is will be the best job you will have ever had.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 12, 2016, 01:33:52 AM
Michaahhh this summer apparently.

I'd say there is a very real prospect of him trying to reintegrate at least one of those clowns.

To be fair, as much as it pains me after last season, if he can get Micah playing well for us then that's a net positive in this league. Less convinced on Gabby!

It was Phelan, not Stevie Boy that wanted the waste of space known as Micah Richards. I know, I triple checked it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 12, 2016, 01:39:20 AM
Michaahhh this summer apparently.

I'd say there is a very real prospect of him trying to reintegrate at least one of those clowns.

To be fair, as much as it pains me after last season, if he can get Micah playing well for us then that's a net positive in this league. Less convinced on Gabby!

It was Phelan, not Stevie Boy that wanted the waste of space known as Micah Richards. I know, I triple checked it.

Bostin'. I think I was hoping that we had more than a Phelan.

Don't worry, going to bed now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on October 12, 2016, 02:17:03 AM
Oh.

Well I hope it works out.



Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: adrenachrome on October 12, 2016, 02:26:06 AM
Michaahhh this summer apparently.

I'd say there is a very real prospect of him trying to reintegrate at least one of those clowns.

To be fair, as much as it pains me after last season, if he can get Micah playing well for us then that's a net positive in this league. Less convinced on Gabby!

It was Phelan, not Stevie Boy that wanted the waste of space known as Micah Richards. I know, I triple checked it.

Bostin'. I think I was hoping that we had more than a Phelan.

Don't worry, going to bed now.

It's a cracker!

Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Jim Shoes on October 12, 2016, 05:08:48 AM
Well we already have the right song for him considering we are shite.

"Cheer up Stevie Bruce, oh what can it mean to a sad bluenose bastard and a shit football team."

No I'm not against Bruce at all, he's probably the best fit out there right now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Nev on October 12, 2016, 06:29:06 AM
Despite being at the centre of some horrible moments for me as a Villa fan, I've never been able to work up any sort of dislike for Bruce. I think he is more than capable of managing us in the pickle we are in right now, beyond that I'm not so sure but then we need to concentrate on the matter in hand rather than what might be.

He speaks well, doesn't seem to hold any bitterness and comes over as very fair minded and that is always important for me as far as Villa managers are concerned.

Here's hoping.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: remy on October 12, 2016, 06:35:27 AM
I just want to read the words 'win' and 'Aston villa' in the same sentence again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: chrisw1 on October 12, 2016, 06:47:34 AM
Good appointment.  Not exciting but solid and a nice guy.  Wish we'd gone for him in the summer.

Good luck Brucie-  nice to see you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Small Rodent on October 12, 2016, 06:58:47 AM
As long as fans don't have kittens when he says nice things about Birmingham City before we play them.

Managers are allowed to be polite.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on October 12, 2016, 07:05:37 AM
is it definitely bruce?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: manic-road on October 12, 2016, 07:05:42 AM
Solid appointment, now just win us some games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Alex77 on October 12, 2016, 07:15:12 AM
I just want to read the words 'win' and 'Aston villa' in the same sentence again.

Here you go:

Wolves win by 4 against a really poor Aston Villa.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on October 12, 2016, 07:24:02 AM
Surely it'll be a bit weird for him considering we always shout potato head every time he's in the dugout against us.

Will we continue to say it, only now in a more affectionate way?

"Potato heads, claret & blue army!"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on October 12, 2016, 07:32:08 AM
Good appointment. Some people need to get over the fact he managed blues 10 year's ago.  Go get em Steve if we can beat the dog heads the weekend I'll be happy
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Mellin on October 12, 2016, 07:33:42 AM
It's all theatre. I'd wager he gets that. Don't think we've ever been malicious towards him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: nodge on October 12, 2016, 07:35:40 AM
More Steve Bruce at weddings hopefully.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: martin o`who?? on October 12, 2016, 07:35:42 AM
Welcome Steve, forget his connection with small heath - didnt a certain Peter Withe play for them before us as well and that didn't end up too badly did it??.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on October 12, 2016, 07:36:32 AM
Welcome to the biggest job of your life Steve.

Let's hope we have a new manager bounce (not calling him a fat bastard!) starting this weekend...and the following 4 games are all winnable fixtures including the game against the Blue Scum.

Nice theory. Blues game will be tough
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 12, 2016, 07:39:21 AM
Good appointment. Some people need to get over the fact he managed blues 10 year's ago.  Go get em Steve if we can beat the dog heads the weekend I'll be happy

The only people who seem bothered about him having managed Blose are those that keep stating that we shouldn't care that he managed Blose.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: FrankyH on October 12, 2016, 07:40:47 AM
Surely it'll be a bit weird for him considering we always shout potato head every time he's in the dugout against us.

Will we continue to say it, only now in a more affectionate way?

"Potato heads, claret & blue army!"

"We love Potato Head, we love Potato Head " ????
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on October 12, 2016, 07:41:16 AM
Good appointment. Some people need to get over the fact he managed blues 10 year's ago.  Go get em Steve if we can beat the dog heads the weekend I'll be happy

The only people who seem bothered about him having managed Blose are those that keep stating that we shouldn't care that he managed Blose.

Not me mate. I've seen a lot of comments about it
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: mattjpa on October 12, 2016, 07:41:33 AM
Surely it'll be a bit weird for him considering we always shout potato head every time he's in the dugout against us.

Will we continue to say it, only now in a more affectionate way?

"Potato heads, claret & blue army!"

I would hope that we start showing him a bit more respect now. There are some really stupid twats out there that are hung up on the fact that he is ex blues and will be waiting for the first opportunity to turn on him. If things dont go well I can even imagine saturdays post match thread being full of blue nose this and potato that. The club, team and fans need to get behind him.

Regardless what you think of him, It takes massive balls to come into this club in this state. Conceivably, we could go down and end his career as a credible manager.

Back on track, this is the best appointment we could have made and for once we have made the right choice (i think) . Well done Villa, good luck Steve
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: mattjpa on October 12, 2016, 07:44:05 AM
Good appointment. Some people need to get over the fact he managed blues 10 year's ago.  Go get em Steve if we can beat the dog heads the weekend I'll be happy

The only people who seem bothered about him having managed Blose are those that keep stating that we shouldn't care that he managed Blose.

You obviously dont frequent Twitter!? honestly, its amazing what can be achieved by giving stupid people a soap box to air their opinions
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 12, 2016, 07:45:42 AM
Fair enough. I'm not in Twitter. I was basing it on what I read on here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Nunkin1965 on October 12, 2016, 07:50:21 AM
Best of luck Steve. 

Welcome to the best football team on the planet.
Go down in Villa history as the man who got us roaring again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: OzVilla on October 12, 2016, 07:55:03 AM
Good luck Steve, it this works out it'll be the best managers job you've ever had.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Villafirst on October 12, 2016, 07:56:33 AM
Dr Tony went to Dorridge
In a new Sazuki
Brought us back a manager
Big Fat Stevie Brucie

Erm....Brucie isn't fat now?? Anyway, welcome aboard Steve and good luck.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: l_mckay on October 12, 2016, 08:07:11 AM
Brilliant appointment I think.lets get right behind him and get us up that table.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 12, 2016, 08:07:45 AM
Welcome Steve,

I wish you every Success

BFS Claret and blue army

ps do like the Dr tony went to dorridge song
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: passport1 on October 12, 2016, 08:08:56 AM
Who knows at this stage? Perhaps he will be an inspired appointment. Can't see it myself though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: john e on October 12, 2016, 08:12:45 AM
Shit appointment, even worse than Mcliesh

If I really said what I thought of it and and those wanking themselves silly over Steve Fucking Bruce
I would get banned for life so I better leave it there
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: lovejoy on October 12, 2016, 08:14:00 AM
Seems like we've got a guy because he's available and not because he's necessarily the best man for the job.

An ex Birmingham boss - what can go wrong?

We go again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: MoetVillan on October 12, 2016, 08:20:39 AM
Shit appointment, even worse than Mcliesh

If I really said what I thought of it and and those wanking themselves silly over Steve Fucking Bruce
I would get banned for life so I better leave it there

So, you are a little underwhelmed?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Clampy on October 12, 2016, 08:21:13 AM
Shit appointment, even worse than Mcliesh

If I really said what I thought of it and and those wanking themselves silly over Steve Fucking Bruce
I would get banned for life so I better leave it there

No-one's wanking themselves silly at all. Do calm down.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Chris Smith on October 12, 2016, 08:25:53 AM
Shit appointment, even worse than Mcliesh

If I really said what I thought of it and and those wanking themselves silly over Steve Fucking Bruce
I would get banned for life so I better leave it there

You do spout some nonsense. Who exactly is "wanking themselves silly"?

It seems to me most recognise it as a pragmatic choice for the position we find ourselves in. If we were top half of the PL I doubt we would look at him but for a side with one win and hovering above the Championship relegation places it is a good fit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: JJ-AV on October 12, 2016, 08:28:33 AM
He's the man now so I'll get behind him. Being positive, I do think he's a good bloke and he's the sort of manager that fans can really rally behind. We've not had that since MON.

Just win some football matches and he'll be fine.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 12, 2016, 08:29:24 AM
Seems like we've got a guy because he's available and not because he's necessarily the best man for the job.

An ex Birmingham boss - what can go wrong?

We go again.

I thought the noses were meant to be bitter??

as Krulak would say "Get with a winning team" not a fuckin whining team.

UTV
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: olaftab on October 12, 2016, 08:30:54 AM
Well underwhelming but hey he is our manager now so good luck Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: pauliewalnuts on October 12, 2016, 08:33:11 AM
The best appointment we could realistically make given where we are right now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: lovejoy on October 12, 2016, 08:35:26 AM
Seems like we've got a guy because he's available and not because he's necessarily the best man for the job.

An ex Birmingham boss - what can go wrong?

We go again.

I thought the noses were meant to be bitter??

as Krulak would say "Get with a winning team" not a fuckin whining team.

UTV

How is that bitter?

Krulak also said we'd be in the Champions League by now and to trust Randy - I don't know if football knowledge is his strong suit.

I was against Sherwood, Di Matteo and McLeish from the start, our club is too big and important to not have a suitably strong manager. I do respect your happy clappy viewpoint however. Let's see.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: lovejoy on October 12, 2016, 08:36:11 AM
The best appointment we could realistically make given where we are right now.

Give Clarke the job interim and wait to see what opportunities arise over the season? Allerdyce?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: villasjf on October 12, 2016, 08:36:15 AM
Nothing on the OS?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Jimbo on October 12, 2016, 08:38:22 AM
There is far more sense behind this appointment than the appointment of McLeish, which was insane. There is no comparison between the two.

What we need right now is to stop falling down the leagues, and Bruce has all the experience and attainment under his rapidly shortening belt to achieve that.

I'm sure the vast majority of right thinking Villans will be behind him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: avfcpg on October 12, 2016, 08:41:35 AM
Solid if a little uninspiring....no frills, bit of stability, knows the league inside out, won't take any shit, will hopefully get these lot playing in a formation that suits them....rather than them trying to suit a formation. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: frank black on October 12, 2016, 08:42:04 AM
I expect him to do a good job,  makes the blues game even more interesting doesn't it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: cdward on October 12, 2016, 08:42:20 AM
Now on to the new manager lingo bingo game.
Here's my list.

I'm delighted to be here
Impressed with the Chairman/Great Vision
Fantastic Facilities
Massive Club
Great Fans
They should be in the premier league
European Cup


Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: paul richard on October 12, 2016, 08:43:36 AM
I hope that he exceeds expectations, takes us up first time and then lifts us to the brink of European glory. Sadly, I fear, he'll be betrayed on the eve of the 2019 Champions League final in Rome by his mercurial new Cameroonian assistant.

Eto'o, Brucie?
Brilliant
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 12, 2016, 08:48:26 AM
Now on to the new manager lingo bingo game.
Here's my list.

I'm delighted to be here
Impressed with the Chairman/Great Vision
Fantastic Facilities
Massive Club
Great Fans
They should be in the premier league
European Cup




Always admired.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: mr underhill on October 12, 2016, 08:52:52 AM
I fail to see what anyone's objection to Bruce could rationally be. If anyone can get us out of this tailspin, he can.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 12, 2016, 08:57:40 AM
Seems like we've got a guy because he's available and not because he's necessarily the best man for the job.

An ex Birmingham boss - what can go wrong?

We go again.

I thought the noses were meant to be bitter??

as Krulak would say "Get with a winning team" not a fuckin whining team.

UTV

How is that bitter?

Krulak also said we'd be in the Champions League by now and to trust Randy - I don't know if football knowledge is his strong suit.

I was against Sherwood, Di Matteo and McLeish from the start, our club is too big and important to not have a suitably strong manager. I do respect your happy clappy viewpoint however. Let's see.

I know you just want to state that you have you reservations, and the bit about being ex sha manager was irrelevant
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: berneboy on October 12, 2016, 09:00:24 AM
Nothing on the OS?

Tone tweeted that it would be announced today
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 12, 2016, 09:03:10 AM
Now on to the new manager lingo bingo game.
Here's my list.

I'm delighted to be here
Impressed with the Chairman/Great Vision
Fantastic Facilities
Massive Club
Great Fans
They should be in the premier league
European Cup




Always admired.

Pick worselves up, dust worselves doon....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: cheltenhamlion on October 12, 2016, 09:05:02 AM
Steve Bruce as a birthday present. Lucky me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: QuintonVilla on October 12, 2016, 09:06:02 AM
If he turns out to be crap then people can turn around and say 'we told you so', but until then let's all get behind him. I'm sure everyone agrees we need stability and sorting out, he's the best man to do that. In this league and our current position I don't know why anyone wouldn't want him, probably the same cranks that wanted Sherwood back.

Steve Bruce's claret and blue army
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Risso on October 12, 2016, 09:10:40 AM
I for one welcome our new potato-faced overlord.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on October 12, 2016, 09:11:06 AM
(https://foodimentaryguy.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/potato.jpg)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: eamonn on October 12, 2016, 09:13:12 AM
He was interviewed for the England job barely 3 months ago and seeing as we're at a similar level to England, we can't be too choosy.
Very likeable guy, far moreso than Di Matteo, (which probably shouldn't matter but listening to a manager who is honest with the fans especially after a bad result does make me feel better) and proven to get results in this, perhaps the most competitive league in Europe. Best of luck Brucie.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: dave shelley on October 12, 2016, 09:13:57 AM
He isn't what I would have chosen but, as said, the options have been limited.  After all the poor managerial appointments we've had, maybe, just maybe this could work out.  I didn't want Ron Saunders at the time so what do I know?

Welcome Steve, do well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: lovejoy on October 12, 2016, 09:14:06 AM
Seems like we've got a guy because he's available and not because he's necessarily the best man for the job.

An ex Birmingham boss - what can go wrong?

We go again.

I thought the noses were meant to be bitter??

as Krulak would say "Get with a winning team" not a fuckin whining team.

UTV

How is that bitter?

Krulak also said we'd be in the Champions League by now and to trust Randy - I don't know if football knowledge is his strong suit.

I was against Sherwood, Di Matteo and McLeish from the start, our club is too big and important to not have a suitably strong manager. I do respect your happy clappy viewpoint however. Let's see.

I know you just want to state that you have you reservations, and the bit about being ex sha manager was irrelevant

It is irrelevant to me but he will be given shorter shrift than if he didn't have those affiliations by elements of our support. Hence more pressure and more risk.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: DrGonzo on October 12, 2016, 09:15:14 AM
Just arrived at BH with his new backroom staff.  Not sure I recognise them tho'.

(http://images2.fanpop.com/image/forum/topics/29000/29958_1272203232693_full.jpg)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: QuintonVilla on October 12, 2016, 09:17:00 AM
Apparantly prior to taking over Bruce has requested that the home and away dugouts be changed back to how they were and Dr Tony has sorted it for him. Lambert changed them to how they are now when he took over, but Bruce believes it to be bad luck.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Jimbo on October 12, 2016, 09:18:56 AM
Seems like we've got a guy because he's available and not because he's necessarily the best man for the job.

An ex Birmingham boss - what can go wrong?

We go again.

I thought the noses were meant to be bitter??

as Krulak would say "Get with a winning team" not a fuckin whining team.

UTV

How is that bitter?

Krulak also said we'd be in the Champions League by now and to trust Randy - I don't know if football knowledge is his strong suit.

I was against Sherwood, Di Matteo and McLeish from the start, our club is too big and important to not have a suitably strong manager. I do respect your happy clappy viewpoint however. Let's see.

I know you just want to state that you have you reservations, and the bit about being ex sha manager was irrelevant

It is irrelevant to me but he will be given shorter shrift than if he didn't have those affiliations by elements of our support. Hence more pressure and more risk.

As far as I can remember, once the initial dust had settled with McLeish, he was given a fair chance to prove himself. Wasn't it the Bolton game when fans finally turned on him, after week upon week of cowering, skulking, nothing football?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: in exile on October 12, 2016, 09:25:11 AM
Good luck Steve, you're going to need it
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: mattjpa on October 12, 2016, 09:26:17 AM
Shit appointment, even worse than Mcliesh

If I really said what I thought of it and and those wanking themselves silly over Steve Fucking Bruce
I would get banned for life so I better leave it there

At least you will get to say I told you so if it doesnt work out ;)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: CT on October 12, 2016, 09:29:07 AM
All the best Steve.

Win some games, please. More than 3 a year.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: exiled on the wirral! on October 12, 2016, 09:32:37 AM
Be nice to see a manager to last out the season so good luck Brucey.  The media are making out the ex Blues connection a lot more than we are so it's good to see on here that Bruce is going to be backed contrary to what Skysports News believe.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Clark W Griswold on October 12, 2016, 09:33:00 AM
Nothing on the OS?

Tone tweeted that it would be announced today

He didn't say who though, so for those expecting it to be Klopp or Pep can still dream for a few more hours.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: FrankyH on October 12, 2016, 09:34:57 AM
Ken Bruce has just said he has got the job !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: cheltenhamlion on October 12, 2016, 09:39:45 AM
Nothing on the OS?

Tone tweeted that it would be announced today

It will be announced this afternoon.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Monty on October 12, 2016, 09:44:49 AM
He's not worse than McLeish, he's not worse than Sherwood. I'm not even convinced he's worse than MON - just that MON got chances he never did.

However, I am a bit disappointed as it looks to me like another chance missed for the club to rebuild itself to a more modern blueprint. Quite disappointed actually.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Clark W Griswold on October 12, 2016, 09:52:43 AM
He's not worse than McLeish, he's not worse than Sherwood. I'm not even convinced he's worse than MON - just that MON got chances he never did.

However, I am a bit disappointed as it looks to me like another chance missed for the club to rebuild itself to a more modern blueprint. Quite disappointed actually.

Trouble is though, we're not in a position to fanny around, we need someone that is a likely bet to at least turn a corner and based on his CV he's as likely as anyone. He's the right fit for where we are. I think he needs to be given time as well, I think his background deserves that as he has proven he can do it at other clubs time and time again. In fact I'd be seriously worried this time if we haven't turned it around within 12 months and would really start to wonder what the hell we do next.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Monty on October 12, 2016, 09:54:17 AM
Apparently forward planning is 'fannying around'. Fuck's sake.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on October 12, 2016, 09:59:08 AM
While we are waiting for confirmation.
Can you name the Name the famous Bruces?

http://www.sporcle.com/games/bumbles/brucequiz

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab110/Greggsy/f1-1.png) (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/Greggsy/media/f1-1.png.html)


Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Clark W Griswold on October 12, 2016, 10:01:10 AM
Apparently forward planning is 'fannying around'. Fuck's sake.

Yeah that's it let's fucking think forward 3 years ahead when we're sitting 19th in the championship and have won 4 league games in 50. Fucks sake
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: PaulTheVillan on October 12, 2016, 10:02:52 AM
Not my first choice, but I feel it's the right one.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Monty on October 12, 2016, 10:04:02 AM
Apparently forward planning is 'fannying around'. Fuck's sake.

Yeah that's it let's fucking think forward 3 years ahead when we're sitting 19th in the championship and have won 4 league games in 50. Fucks sake

Christ alive man, did you have cocaine for breakfast? Calm down.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: johnboy on October 12, 2016, 10:04:25 AM
Welcome Steve and best of luck
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: andyh on October 12, 2016, 10:05:21 AM
Apparantly prior to taking over Bruce has requested that the home and away dugouts be changed back to how they were and Dr Tony has sorted it for him. Lambert changed them to how they are now when he took over, but Bruce believes it to be bad luck.
But the 'away' seats are not heated whereas the home ones are.

Our poor loves will freeze in the winter but the opposition will now be all toasty !!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Fish on October 12, 2016, 10:08:23 AM
I think he will get you promoted, but perhaps not this season. The league leaders are already 15pts (Playoffs 10 pts)ahead and Bruce will likely need time to get his ducks in a row. Brighton, Newcastle and Norwich will all strengthen in the January window to confirm their position at the top and I'd expect teams like Huddersfield, Bristol and Birmingham to gamble on spending to stay in the Play Off places.

I was surprised that Bruce wasn't announced before the International break, as that would have given him time to work with your squad. As it stands he's only got, what, 2 full days with the team before his first game at home to Wolves. And two more fixtures coming within a week before a massive Halloween game.

Just the opinions of a friendly Geordie.

Of course, it's a long season and Villa have the financial clout to spend in January, but will you be able to overtake all those sides? You certainly have the firepower, even if it's not clicking yet (joint 3rd worst att in the league).

I think Bruce is a safe choice, he will get you up even if it's next season, but I think given the position you're in, you had the opportunity to take a leaf out of Southampton's book without flirting with financial ruin. Lay the foundations for a legacy, maybe put faith in a young lower league manager, put money into the coaching & youth systems, get rid of the deadweight and begin anew.

I guess I just see Steve Bruce as a Wigan/Bolton appointment, not an Aston Villa man.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Jimbo on October 12, 2016, 10:11:01 AM
Apparently forward planning is 'fannying around'. Fuck's sake.

When your bathroom is full of rusty, leaky pipes, you turn off the water at the mains and fix them before you start thinking about installing a new bathroom.

What we need right now is a plumber, not an award-winning designer of avant-garde bathroom suites.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 10:12:56 AM
I was surprised that Bruce wasn't announced before the International break, as that would have given him time to work with your squad. As it stands he's only got, what, 2 full days with the team before his first game at home to Wolves. And two more fixtures coming within a week before a massive Halloween game.

Would it have though? A lot of them are away on international duty anyway.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Fish on October 12, 2016, 10:15:38 AM

Would it have though? A lot of them are away on international duty anyway.

Surely a couple of days with the coaches, the doctors and some of the squad is better than no days with any?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 10:21:54 AM

Would it have though? A lot of them are away on international duty anyway.

Surely a couple of days with the coaches, the doctors and some of the squad is better than no days with any?

Or maybe a couple of days for him to plan and get his ideas in order is of more use? Either way, a couple of days here or there makes little or no difference.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on October 12, 2016, 10:27:07 AM
Nothing on the OS?

Tone tweeted that it would be announced today

did he say bruce?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: PaulTheVillan on October 12, 2016, 10:29:17 AM
Nothing on the OS?

Tone tweeted that it would be announced today

did he say bruce?

He didn't. I would be surprised if it were anyone else
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 12, 2016, 10:29:44 AM
Apparently forward planning is 'fannying around'. Fuck's sake.

When your bathroom is full of rusty, leaky pipes, you turn off the water at the mains and fix them before you start thinking about installing a new bathroom.

What we need right now is a plumber, not an award-winning designer of avant-garde bathroom suites.

However you can take a shit on a brand new sparkly bog even if its not connected.

Well, that's what I've just done in Homebase anyway.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Fish on October 12, 2016, 10:30:38 AM
Or maybe a couple of days for him to plan and get his ideas in order is of more use? Either way, a couple of days here or there makes little or no difference.

Well, sure he'll need to plan, but to plan he'll need information. He'll need to know fitness levels and injuries, he'll need to know if a first team player can perform in a new role, or if they lack the flexibility, he'll need to know if a squad player can do that role. To know that, he'll need to speak to coaches and doctors and players, surely?

The more time Bruce has to work with your team before each fixture, the better? Or are you writing the Wolves game off?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: ozzjim on October 12, 2016, 10:31:41 AM
Apparently forward planning is 'fannying around'. Fuck's sake.

When your bathroom is full of rusty, leaky pipes, you turn off the water at the mains and fix them before you start thinking about installing a new bathroom.

What we need right now is a plumber, not an award-winning designer of avant-garde bathroom suites.

About to say the same. Round and Sir Brian need to spend the next 2 years doing just what Southampton did.  Finding the next man and putting in a structure for longer term planning.  Bruce is very much the here and now.  I will be disappointed if when the time comes the club have not already identified the future.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Gareth on October 12, 2016, 10:34:49 AM
Through the entire process there has not been a standout candidate, for me I think that's fatigue about being here again and again and again.  We aren't used to being in this position and it is imperative that we get stability as this season is far from dead, Bruce is as good as any in bringing that stability.

Personally care less about his Blues links but there will be those, particularly the Twitter warriors who will drone on and on about it....zzzz

If as seems inevitable now it is Bruce the key is a) we all get squarely behind him and b) we recognise that until January he cannot address the fact that we don't have a competent right sided centre half and we are a decent standard central midfielder short. 

Some of the recruitment in the summer was very good but I have thought every game that we try and shoe horn one too many attacking players into the line up, we know Bruce is more conservative so hopefully we will end up with a much more balanced line up going forwards.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: aj2k77 on October 12, 2016, 10:42:39 AM
Bruce will do us alright. Best appointment we've made in a long while.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 10:46:17 AM
Or maybe a couple of days for him to plan and get his ideas in order is of more use? Either way, a couple of days here or there makes little or no difference.

Well, sure he'll need to plan, but to plan he'll need information. He'll need to know fitness levels and injuries, he'll need to know if a first team player can perform in a new role, or if they lack the flexibility, he'll need to know if a squad player can do that role. To know that, he'll need to speak to coaches and doctors and players, surely?

The more time Bruce has to work with your team before each fixture, the better? Or are you writing the Wolves game off?

What I'm saying is that a couple of days will make very little difference. Not 'no difference' but 'very little difference'. Especially as most of the players who he would want to work with wouldn't have been there. There's little point in him knowing the fitness levels and injuries of the players before they went on international duty, is there?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: damon loves JT on October 12, 2016, 10:49:41 AM
On a long enough timeline, we have to stop getting worse, and start getting better. It feels like we've been getting worse for as long as I can remember. Maybe it's time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Dazvillain on October 12, 2016, 10:53:46 AM
Any official time of press release or press conference from club or are we awaiting the official Dr tweet ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: LeeS on October 12, 2016, 10:55:10 AM
It will either work or it wont. No-one can say for sure. A lot of us on here were delighted with Lambert and a lot of us thought RDM had a good track record. Unfortunately, a lot of us were mistaken. There is something deeply wrong at the heart of Aston Villa and I don't feel it can be addressed just by bringing in another new manager. I'm still trying to put my finger on what it is though.

I'm slightly underwhelmed but still retain a little bit of hope.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Jimbo on October 12, 2016, 10:56:26 AM
Or maybe a couple of days for him to plan and get his ideas in order is of more use? Either way, a couple of days here or there makes little or no difference.

Well, sure he'll need to plan, but to plan he'll need information. He'll need to know fitness levels and injuries, he'll need to know if a first team player can perform in a new role, or if they lack the flexibility, he'll need to know if a squad player can do that role. To know that, he'll need to speak to coaches and doctors and players, surely?

The more time Bruce has to work with your team before each fixture, the better? Or are you writing the Wolves game off?

What I'm saying is that a couple of days will make very little difference. Not 'no difference' but 'very little difference'. Especially as most of the players who he would want to work with wouldn't have been there. There's little point in him knowing the fitness levels and injuries of the players before they went on international duty, is there?

It's more important to do the 'due diligence' and make the right appointment, than it is to rush the wrong person into the role so he can have a couple of extra days with the players. I expect the club have done their research, and a few days here or there won't make much difference if we have the right man.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on October 12, 2016, 11:12:10 AM
Pleased with this. Think he talks more sense than most, has 4 promotions from this league, hence absolutely knows what it takes to do so again, you would hope. Let's just stop the rot and start winning more than we lose and see where it takes us.

The nose link is a bonus, he's one of the few figures in their appalling history they can look back on with any warmth, now they have to hate him, and it's going to piss them off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: RichardBatchelor on October 12, 2016, 11:16:50 AM
With respect, I think McLeish comparisons are unfounded. McLeish achieved one promotion to Bruce's four, and Blues aside (which was fifty-fifty) has been an abject failure everywhere he's been, while playing GODAWFUL football. Bruce's isn't great but it ain't as dour as TSM1's. The stats don't lie.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Axl Rose on October 12, 2016, 11:18:37 AM
Boooo. Garbage appointment. Uninspiring, stone age hoof ball on the way. Not impressed with Tony and his team regarding this.

I very much hope I'm painfully wrong. And am mocked mercilessly as he lifts the Premier League title in a few years.

Best of luck, Steve. Despite my feelings, I will get behind you and the team. Just please don't play Agtwatlahor, the bad Santa etc etc.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: rob_bridge on October 12, 2016, 11:24:31 AM
It will either work or it wont. No-one can say for sure. A lot of us on here were delighted with Lambert and a lot of us thought RDM had a good track record. Unfortunately, a lot of us were mistaken. There is something deeply wrong at the heart of Aston Villa and I don't feel it can be addressed just by bringing in another new manager. I'm still trying to put my finger on what it is though.

I'm slightly underwhelmed but still retain a little bit of hope.


That's my sentiment. Although I knew Sherwood was a total bellend
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Brian Taylor on October 12, 2016, 11:26:40 AM
What time is news release on Bruce? It is getting late in HK and brother wants to know before goes out for supper..
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Fish on October 12, 2016, 11:29:22 AM
What I'm saying is that a couple of days will make very little difference. Not 'no difference' but 'very little difference'. Especially as most of the players who he would want to work with wouldn't have been there. There's little point in him knowing the fitness levels and injuries of the players before they went on international duty, is there?
Well, as you said, not all of your 1st team squad are away on International duty so surely every day spent with them is valuable? I know Rafa Benitez had double sessions with the Newcastle squad members who weren't representing their countries, and that's a squad he knows inside and out.

It's more important to do the 'due diligence' and make the right appointment, than it is to rush the wrong person into the role so he can have a couple of extra days with the players. I expect the club have done their research, and a few days here or there won't make much difference if we have the right man.

I'd argue that due diligence on a manager takes far less time to get right than; assessing what's wrong, assessing what's right, formulating a plan to see more of the latter and less of the former, creating coaching sessions to allow for the execution of that plan, and putting players through those sessions.

An extra day's due diligence is not worth as much as an extra day on the training field.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 12, 2016, 11:37:20 AM
Pat Murphy has confirmed it is Bruce. We need a sensible appointment now and Steve Bruce is a very experienced sensible appointment.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: joe_c on October 12, 2016, 11:37:54 AM
It's like the night before Christmas but knowing you'll be unwrapping The Very Best of Coldplay and a second hand copy of The Da Vinci Code in the morning.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 11:43:33 AM
Satisfied with the appointment rather than thrilled. Confident he'll improve us, although that isn't hard to do!, just a case of whether he can improve us enough.

Depressing stat time, Bruce won 24 league games last season, we've won 24 in the last three and a quarter seasons.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 11:45:38 AM
It's like the night before Christmas but knowing you'll be unwrapping The Very Best of Coldplay and a second hand copy of The Da Vinci Code in the morning.

Or a pair of socks.

You know you need them, you know they'll do the job and keep your feet warm but you can't help wishing for something a bit more exciting.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: saunders_heroes on October 12, 2016, 11:48:48 AM
It will either work or it wont. No-one can say for sure. A lot of us on here were delighted with Lambert and a lot of us thought RDM had a good track record. Unfortunately, a lot of us were mistaken. There is something deeply wrong at the heart of Aston Villa and I don't feel it can be addressed just by bringing in another new manager. I'm still trying to put my finger on what it is though.

I'm slightly underwhelmed but still retain a little bit of hope.

What's wrong at Villa is the mess we've been left with after the 6 year sabotage by Lerner and we're practically starting from scratch again under Xia. I'm also underwhelmed with things so far (and especially Bruce) but he's here now so we'll just have to get on with it. I've never liked Bruce but if he gets this team up he'll be a f#ckin hero.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 11:49:29 AM
What I'm saying is that a couple of days will make very little difference. Not 'no difference' but 'very little difference'. Especially as most of the players who he would want to work with wouldn't have been there. There's little point in him knowing the fitness levels and injuries of the players before they went on international duty, is there?
Well, as you said, not all of your 1st team squad are away on International duty so surely every day spent with them is valuable? I know Rafa Benitez had double sessions with the Newcastle squad members who weren't representing their countries, and that's a squad he knows inside and out.

It's more important to do the 'due diligence' and make the right appointment, than it is to rush the wrong person into the role so he can have a couple of extra days with the players. I expect the club have done their research, and a few days here or there won't make much difference if we have the right man.

I'd argue that due diligence on a manager takes far less time to get right than; assessing what's wrong, assessing what's right, formulating a plan to see more of the latter and less of the former, creating coaching sessions to allow for the execution of that plan, and putting players through those sessions.

An extra day's due diligence is not worth as much as an extra day on the training field.

With all due respect, I couldn't care less what Rafa Benitez does at Newcastle.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: castlefields_villan on October 12, 2016, 11:50:38 AM
Satisfied with the appointment rather than thrilled. Confident he'll improve us, although that isn't hard to do!, just a case of whether he can improve us enough.

Depressing stat time, Bruce won 24 league games last season, we've won 24 in the last three and a quarter seasons.

This just about sums it up PWS, as was the case back in 1987, we need someone strong to steady the ship.  He's a strong character with oodles of top division/second tier experience - this was something sadly lacking in so many of the appointments over the last 5-6 years.

I feel with the talent he has at his disposal, we've got the potential to at least try to play good football whilst making our way up the table.

Welcome aboard Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 11:50:53 AM
I'm going to call him Steve The Bruce as we always do well under Scottish managers.

When I read this it actually scared me for a minute as I had to remind myself he isn't in fact Scottish.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 11:52:30 AM
I've never minded Bruce, admittedly I never thought we'd be so shite he'd be a decent option as manager! But i've always found him to be quite witty. Always seemed to take the potato head stuff in good spirit for example, and always remember him laughing as Dunn tripped himself up at the sty trying to be clever.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Fish on October 12, 2016, 12:02:23 PM
With all due respect, I couldn't care less what Rafa Benitez does at Newcastle.

The point being that a manager who already knows the lay of the land is using the International break to get some extra work with the players in, so surely a new manager with limited knowledge of the situation at Villa Park would have benefited from as much time as possible.

I could have as easily mentioned Neil, or Wagner, or Klopp, or Wenger.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: LeeS on October 12, 2016, 12:03:22 PM
It's like the night before Christmas but knowing you'll be unwrapping The Very Best of Coldplay and a second hand copy of The Da Vinci Code in the morning.

Posh bastard!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: paul_e on October 12, 2016, 12:07:03 PM
I don't think Bruce is a terrible appointment and I can see why people think he's a good choice but for me it's just perpetuating the problems we've had for years and treating the short term and long term aims as disconnected things.  If he gets us up this season then it's a 'risk' that's paid off and he'll get my thanks.  If he fails to do that then I'll be very disappointed that we didn't take t he chance to get someone in with a thought of tomorrow.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: HK Villan on October 12, 2016, 12:08:41 PM
I'm pleased with this.  He's a proven manager especially at this level, a decent guy and even when he was at Blues I think on a professional level he earned and deserved our respect.  The Blues connection is just not an issue for me.... I'm looking forward to having a solid, experienced manager in the dugout, who can take us up the table to challenge for promotion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 12:08:59 PM
With all due respect, I couldn't care less what Rafa Benitez does at Newcastle.

The point being that a manager who already knows the lay of the land is using the International break to get some extra work with the players in, so surely a new manager with limited knowledge of the situation at Villa Park would have benefited from as much time as possible.

I could have as easily mentioned Neil, or Wagner, or Klopp, or Wenger.

You could. And they would each have had an equal lack of relevance to Villa.

After the successive dimwits appointed as managers here in the last few years, it was more important that the people making the appointment made absolutely sure they'd explored every possibility. If this took an extra couple of days which Bruce could have mostly spent realising our fringe players are crap, which I'm sure he realises given they are fringe players at a club in the bottom half of the Championship, then so be it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: adrenachrome on October 12, 2016, 12:09:42 PM
Apparently forward planning is 'fannying around'. Fuck's sake.

When your bathroom is full of rusty, leaky pipes, you turn off the water at the mains and fix them before you start thinking about installing a new bathroom.

What we need right now is a plumber, not an award-winning designer of avant-garde bathroom suites.

No point preaching plumbing basics to the tippy tappy tendency.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 12:11:35 PM
I've never minded Bruce, admittedly I never thought we'd be so shite he'd be a decent option as manager! But i've always found him to be quite witty. Always seemed to take the potato head stuff in good spirit for example, and always remember him laughing as Dunn tripped himself up at the sty trying to be clever.

I am the same.  He is one them managers/players you wanted to find yourself despising especially for the misery he personally has bestowed upon us over the years but you can't help but kind of like him as a fella.  Except when he was at the Sty (and that is only because he would have upset the proles) he has always been pretty complimentary about us.  He also won't take any bs from the players.  If you look at some of the quotes from respected players as well none of them have a bad word to say about his management style.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Fish on October 12, 2016, 12:19:25 PM
You could. And they would each have had an equal lack of relevance to Villa.

After the successive dimwits appointed as managers here in the last few years, it was more important that the people making the appointment made absolutely sure they'd explored every possibility. If this took an extra couple of days which Bruce could have mostly spent realising our fringe players are crap, which I'm sure he realises given they are fringe players at a club in the bottom half of the Championship, then so be it.

I'm not trying to be ornery, but I'd say evidence that experienced coaches use every chance they get to work with their players is relevant in this discussion.

If the man appointed was a relative unknown, but whose interview was impressive I could understand deliberating for the extra days, but it's Bruce. Everyone knows Bruce, everyone knew it was going to be Bruce, so why not announce him asap so he can get on with coaching? That's why the delay was surprising.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Jimbo on October 12, 2016, 12:20:31 PM
With all due respect, I couldn't care less what Rafa Benitez does at Newcastle.

The point being that a manager who already knows the lay of the land is using the International break to get some extra work with the players in, so surely a new manager with limited knowledge of the situation at Villa Park would have benefited from as much time as possible.

I could have as easily mentioned Neil, or Wagner, or Klopp, or Wenger.

Two days without the right man is preferable to two months / years with the wrong man.

Anyway, can't Bruce just ask Steve Clarke about the players? And I'm sure he's watched us play for himself.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: ironmaidenmania on October 12, 2016, 12:23:59 PM
Not who I wanted but a decent choice. Not sure we'll be promoted this season because we have a massive hill to climb, but could sneak the playoffs with a good run.

Not bothered by the link to SHA but we do need to get behind him and not turn at the first defeat/poor result.

Good luck Steve, boy are you going to need it!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 12:28:05 PM
You could. And they would each have had an equal lack of relevance to Villa.

After the successive dimwits appointed as managers here in the last few years, it was more important that the people making the appointment made absolutely sure they'd explored every possibility. If this took an extra couple of days which Bruce could have mostly spent realising our fringe players are crap, which I'm sure he realises given they are fringe players at a club in the bottom half of the Championship, then so be it.

I'm not trying to be ornery, but I'd say evidence that experienced coaches use every chance they get to work with their players is relevant in this discussion.

If the man appointed was a relative unknown, but whose interview was impressive I could understand deliberating for the extra days, but it's Bruce. Everyone knows Bruce, everyone knew it was going to be Bruce, so why not announce him asap so he can get on with coaching? That's why the delay was surprising.

Not when it's a discussion about the recruitment process for the Villa manager, at this time, in the position that we're in.

Everybody didn't 'know it was going to be Bruce'. That's why they had a shortlist process, to see who else was available. Shortlist of 10, down to 3, interviews, they chose Bruce. That takes time. It's how you avoid giving the job to Tim Sherwood from a shortlist of one. Or in terms you'll understand, Joe Kinnear or Alan Shearer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Monty on October 12, 2016, 12:39:22 PM
The appointment's looking a lot better now it looks like McLaren is going back to Derby.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Small Rodent on October 12, 2016, 12:40:13 PM
Everybody didn't 'know it was going to be Bruce'.


No, we all knew it.

It's exactly like going shopping with my Mum, we start at Marks and Spencer, then spend fucking ages trawling around other shops, but we all know she'll get the first thing she saw in Marks and Spencer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: ozzjim on October 12, 2016, 12:40:32 PM
Very much a here's what you could have won!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Monty on October 12, 2016, 12:41:03 PM
Very much a here's what you could have won!

Fucking shudder.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 12:42:15 PM
Everybody didn't 'know it was going to be Bruce'.


No, we all knew it.

It's exactly like going shopping with my Mum, we start at Marks and Spencer, then spend fucking ages trawling around other shops, but we all know she'll get the first thing she saw in Marks and Spencer.

Ah, but there might have been something better in BHS (not now obviously but I can't think of any other clothes shops) so it was worth looking.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 12:42:47 PM
Very much a here's what you could have won!

Fucking shudder.

This is very much a positive. It wasn't McClaren or Pearson or Tony Pulis.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 12, 2016, 12:44:33 PM
I'm going to call him Steve The Bruce as we always do well under Scottish managers.

I'm going to call him Steve Barnes

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: ozzjim on October 12, 2016, 12:44:43 PM
Very much a here's what you could have won!

Fucking shudder.

At least listening to Bruce he talks sense.  Schteve talks condescending shit and you want to smack him one. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Edge on October 12, 2016, 12:46:37 PM
Very much a here's what you could have won!

Fucking shudder.

This is very much a positive. It wasn't McClaren or Pearson or Tony Pulis.
Yep. Looks like we dodged a bullet or 3 there.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Gareth on October 12, 2016, 12:50:25 PM
To slightly move this on beyond Dr Tony's inevitable tweet this afternoon announcing Bruce - are there any 'available' right sided centre backs or solid central midfielders we can get in now to plug the weak spots?

Trust us to be relegated the year the emergency loan window was shut :-)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Dante Lavelli on October 12, 2016, 12:50:40 PM
Uninspiring sums it up for me.  However maybe that is what we need most at the moment, a functional and organised team which will allow Round to build a solid infrastructure to grow from.  We can add the flamboyance and 'hope' later once we are facing the right direction.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: robbo1874 on October 12, 2016, 12:50:54 PM
Welcome to Villa Park Mr Bruce. You've got a massive job ahead of you, turning this burning oil tanker around. I don't give a fuck you managed the unwashed. Just do your job and get us promoted please.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Fish on October 12, 2016, 12:51:23 PM
Two days without the right man is preferable to two months / years with the wrong man.

Anyway, can't Bruce just ask Steve Clarke about the players? And I'm sure he's watched us play for himself.

Which is fine if it's some unknown, but it's Bruce. He's the Ronseal of managers. He'll probably get you promoted next season,  but his ability is limited and he'll not do much more than that and is likely to take you back down the season that follows as he is to keep you up.

Also, you're assuming Clarke isn't part of the problem.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Chipsticks on October 12, 2016, 12:52:00 PM
I don't think Bruce is a terrible appointment and I can see why people think he's a good choice but for me it's just perpetuating the problems we've had for years and treating the short term and long term aims as disconnected things.  If he gets us up this season then it's a 'risk' that's paid off and he'll get my thanks.  If he fails to do that then I'll be very disappointed that we didn't take t he chance to get someone in with a thought of tomorrow.

I feel like people on here are still misreading our situation if not getting promoted this season is a failure.

Realistically, getting up next season would be an achievment and I'd still be happy with Bruce if he achieves that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 12, 2016, 12:53:49 PM
I'm going to call him Steve The Bruce as we always do well under Scottish managers.

I'm going to call him Steve Barnes

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/

Thanks for this. I've only read the first couple of paragraphs but I'm going to really enjoy that. Saving it for the tube home.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Mortimer's Bear on October 12, 2016, 12:54:26 PM
Good appointment for me, welcome Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Monty on October 12, 2016, 12:56:55 PM
I'm going to call him Steve The Bruce as we always do well under Scottish managers.

I'm going to call him Steve Barnes

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/

Thanks for this. I've only read the first couple of paragraphs but I'm going to really enjoy that. Saving it for the tube home.

It's like Paul Auster without the prose. Or the irony. Or the plot. Or any sense that he knows what he's doing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 12, 2016, 01:04:23 PM
I'm going to call him Steve The Bruce as we always do well under Scottish managers.

I'm going to call him Steve Barnes

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/

Thanks for this. I've only read the first couple of paragraphs but I'm going to really enjoy that. Saving it for the tube home.

It's like Paul Auster without the prose. Or the irony. Or the plot. Or any sense that he knows what he's doing.

"a warren of intrigue featuring Yugoslavian warlords, lesbian prostitutes, Nazi-hunting spies and much, much more besides…"


Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Mister E on October 12, 2016, 01:04:57 PM
Ho hum.
Not a fan.
Needs must? - maybe.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: MalcolmP on October 12, 2016, 01:07:25 PM
Good appointment for me, welcome Steve.

Bruce or Clarke or McClaren?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: garyshawsknee on October 12, 2016, 01:10:19 PM
I'm going to call him Steve The Bruce as we always do well under Scottish managers.

I'm going to call him Steve Barnes

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/

Thanks for this. I've only read the first couple of paragraphs but I'm going to really enjoy that. Saving it for the tube home.

It's like Paul Auster without the prose. Or the irony. Or the plot. Or any sense that he knows what he's doing.

"a warren of intrigue featuring Yugoslavian warlords, lesbian prostitutes, Nazi-hunting spies and much, much more besides…"




They read extracts from it on the Guardian podcast the other day. I can't wait till he does the audio version.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: martin o`who?? on October 12, 2016, 01:10:34 PM
As a club, we desperately need to stabilize on and off the Pitch otherwise i can see us dropping further still, Bruce will at least bring us some on the playing side - good luck Geordie lad - you are gonna need it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Lizz on October 12, 2016, 01:12:25 PM
Pleased to hear this.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Comrade Blitz on October 12, 2016, 01:13:20 PM
I hope he has some points left on his "former Man Utd player get a few breaks" card
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Boz on October 12, 2016, 01:35:45 PM
If it's Bruce, I hope Dr X doesn't offer a four year contract to an out of work manager, but a contract based on results for two years and the potential for a longer period if he delivers us to the Premiership at the end of next season if he hasn't this one.

The club should be in the driving seat of these discussions.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 01:38:55 PM
Well there was a story doing the rounds last night that it is a £3m a year contract.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: godzvilla on October 12, 2016, 01:40:23 PM
Good appointment for me, welcome Steve.

Bruce or Clarke or McClaren?

McLaren about to sign on at  Derby, allegedly........Godzvilla!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: AlexAlexCropley on October 12, 2016, 01:44:23 PM
Watching BBC Midlands news this morning and announcing Bruce to be new Villa manager;guess what stock footage they showed.Yup,him holding up the Nose shirt when he was paraded at St Andrews.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Bad English on October 12, 2016, 01:46:46 PM

When your bathroom is full of rusty, leaky pipes, you turn off the water at the mains and fix them before you start thinking about installing a new bathroom.

What we need right now is a plumber, not an award-winning designer of avant-garde bathroom suites.

We have certainly plumbed the depths in recent times.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 12, 2016, 01:48:29 PM
Close to the bottom of a list of things I hope to enjoy from this appointment is noses being massively fucked off with their former manager getting us promoted. But I will enjoy it nonetheless.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: robbo1874 on October 12, 2016, 01:49:35 PM
Welcome to Villa Park Mr Bruce. You've got a massive job ahead of you, turning this burning oil tanker around. I don't give a fuck you managed the unwashed. Just do your job and get us promoted please.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Edge on October 12, 2016, 01:54:10 PM
Doctor Tony went to Rome to drop off Di Matteo bought us back potato head cos now he is okayo.
Welcome to the Villa Steve. Good luck.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Small Rodent on October 12, 2016, 02:00:00 PM
I'm going to call him Stevie B.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Clampy on October 12, 2016, 02:01:03 PM
Close to the bottom of a list of things I hope to enjoy from this appointment is noses being massively fucked off with their former manager getting us promoted. But I will enjoy it nonetheless.

For those Villa fans who absolutely hate the thought of us employing an ex-blues manager (and let's face it, we have some pretty obsessed fans ourselves) that is one way of looking at it and a reason alone to get behind him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: ClarrieBlue on October 12, 2016, 02:03:31 PM
Welcome To The Madhouse. Immediate Priority. Not Promotion, Not Europe. Just start sorting us out so that we actually win a game or two. You'll be my hero for life !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 12, 2016, 02:04:48 PM
I want to see Steve Bruce doing a David Pleat* across the St Andrews pitch as we stuff 5 past them


*Idiotic dance in a light beige suit and not kerb crawling.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: cdward on October 12, 2016, 02:06:43 PM
I don't buy into these comments about there being something deeply wrong about the club.
That was Randy Lerner and the appointments he made.
The only thing that is wrong with the club now can be fixed by a good manager.
Steve Bruce will fix that by getting us some wins.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 12, 2016, 02:14:36 PM
Welcome Steve win us a lot of games please.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: CT Villan on October 12, 2016, 02:23:56 PM
I'm going to apologise in advance...

Tony Xia jumped in his car to drop off Di Matteo
Whilst journeying home from beautiful Rome he spied a big blue whale
He did deduce that it was Steve Bruce munching on a carrot
Though he was blue something was missing too - clearly it was the claret.

Welcome Steve and good luck.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: VILLA MOLE on October 12, 2016, 02:33:30 PM
Good appointment for me, welcome Steve.

Bruce or Clarke or McClaren?

McLaren about to sign on at  Derby, allegedly........Godzvilla!

Bet they are chuffed to bits
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Dazvillain on October 12, 2016, 02:36:26 PM
Still no official release ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: SashasGrandad on October 12, 2016, 02:43:37 PM
Doctor Tony went to Rome to drop off Di Matteo bought us back potato head cos now he is okayo.
Welcome to the Villa Steve. Good luck.

Best rewrite so far
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Edge on October 12, 2016, 02:56:21 PM
I'm going to apologise in advance...

Tony Xia jumped in his car to drop off Di Matteo
Whilst journeying home from beautiful Rome he spied a big blue whale
He did deduce that it was Steve Bruce munching on a carrot
Though he was blue something was missing too - clearly it was the claret.

Welcome Steve and good luck.
Apology accepted. Can't really see the Holte singing "whilst" 😉
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: footyskillz on October 12, 2016, 02:57:40 PM
Now on to the new manager lingo bingo game.
Here's my list.

I'm delighted to be here
Impressed with the Chairman/Great Vision
Fantastic Facilities
Massive Club
Great Fans
They should be in the premier league
European Cup




Always admired.

Pick worselves up, dust worselves doon....

The atmosphere has always been fantastic when I've played or managed here
It's a great honour.
It's a hard task / challenge but one I'm looking forward to .
Back to where this football club belongs
It wasn't a hard decision.
A lot of hard work to do.
I've been in the game along time.
Not going to be easy but i believe I can do it
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 12, 2016, 02:57:55 PM
Doctor Tony went to Rome to drop off Di Matteo bought us back potato head cos now he is okayo.
Welcome to the Villa Steve. Good luck.

like
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Bernie on October 12, 2016, 03:13:14 PM
Dr Tony said to Bruce
We think you'll be some use
So will you take the tiller
Of our beloved Villa?
Brucie didn't sigh
He just said "whay aye aye"!!

The End
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 12, 2016, 03:17:46 PM
Shit appointment, even worse than Mcliesh

If I really said what I thought of it and and those wanking themselves silly over Steve Fucking Bruce
I would get banned for life so I better leave it there

Don't think anyone is 'wanking themselves silly', more accepting our current situation.

Also Mcleish at the time he was appointed was absolutely not a better appointment than Bruce is now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 12, 2016, 03:38:19 PM
I'm going to call him Steve The Bruce as we always do well under Scottish managers.

I'm going to call him Steve Barnes

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/

Superb. I read his review of "Striker!" before but that's the first time I've seen that.

I'm going to get to the game extra early on Saturday in the hope of getting a good luck at Bruce's car. I bet it's fantastic.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 03:42:33 PM
Timing in the game on Saturday of the first rendition of 'Stevie Bruce, he used to be shite, but now he's all right.'
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 12, 2016, 03:44:30 PM
"Stand up Potatohead"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Brend'Watkins on October 12, 2016, 03:52:54 PM
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Now our king
Now our king
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Our King Edward.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 03:54:32 PM
Stevie, throw us a spud, Stevie, Stevie throw us a spud.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 03:56:00 PM
(http://boardofwisdom.com/cachetogo/images/quotes/28855.png)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Diablo on October 12, 2016, 03:57:07 PM
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Now our king
Now our king
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Our King Edward.

Ace!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Dave on October 12, 2016, 03:57:09 PM
I'm going to call him Steve The Bruce as we always do well under Scottish managers.

I'm going to call him Steve Barnes

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/

Thanks for this. I've only read the first couple of paragraphs but I'm going to really enjoy that. Saving it for the tube home.

It's like Paul Auster without the prose. Or the irony. Or the plot. Or any sense that he knows what he's doing.

"a warren of intrigue featuring Yugoslavian warlords, lesbian prostitutes, Nazi-hunting spies and much, much more besides…"




They read extracts from it on the Guardian podcast the other day. I can't wait till he does the audio version.

That "slide tackle" bit (quoted in the review as well) had me in stitches.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Hookeysmith on October 12, 2016, 04:03:06 PM
Any reasoning or speculation why it is taking so long to announce?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 12, 2016, 04:04:22 PM
Any reasoning or speculation why it is taking so long to announce?

Press conference delayed as Bruce has only just finished his lunch. Now he's in the bog throwing it up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Iamkmkm on October 12, 2016, 04:04:26 PM
why are people so sure it's steve bruce? might be steve mcClaren.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: MarkM on October 12, 2016, 04:04:32 PM
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Now our king
Now our king
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Our King Edward.

Burger King
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 12, 2016, 04:08:33 PM
I'm going to call him Steve The Bruce as we always do well under Scottish managers.

I'm going to call him Steve Barnes

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/

Thanks for this. I've only read the first couple of paragraphs but I'm going to really enjoy that. Saving it for the tube home.

It's like Paul Auster without the prose. Or the irony. Or the plot. Or any sense that he knows what he's doing.

"a warren of intrigue featuring Yugoslavian warlords, lesbian prostitutes, Nazi-hunting spies and much, much more besides…"




They read extracts from it on the Guardian podcast the other day. I can't wait till he does the audio version.

That "slide tackle" bit (quoted in the review as well) had me in stitches.

Jacob Steinberg (I think)'s interjection when they were talking about the mechanics of the slide tackle, 'but is he that kind of player? (or something similar)' was very good indeed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: in exile on October 12, 2016, 04:10:20 PM
Was it Bruce who sold Chester to WBA?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 12, 2016, 04:13:14 PM
Was it Bruce who sold Chester to WBA?

Reluctantly

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33689365

Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: CT on October 12, 2016, 04:13:38 PM
(http://boardofwisdom.com/cachetogo/images/quotes/28855.png)

I think that warrants two hours of W.O.O.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Stirchley Villain on October 12, 2016, 04:14:51 PM
DR X has confirmed the appointment in the Chinese media
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: in exile on October 12, 2016, 04:15:19 PM
Was it Bruce who sold Chester to WBA?

Reluctantly

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33689365

Ah yes, thank you
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 04:18:27 PM
(http://boardofwisdom.com/cachetogo/images/quotes/28855.png)

I think that warrants two hours of W.O.O.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1752335064/flibble_400x400.jpg)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Iamkmkm on October 12, 2016, 04:19:34 PM
About time he got to manage a big club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: berneboy on October 12, 2016, 04:21:46 PM
Tone says it's at 6.30
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: CT on October 12, 2016, 04:23:37 PM
(http://boardofwisdom.com/cachetogo/images/quotes/28855.png)

I think that warrants two hours of W.O.O.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1752335064/flibble_400x400.jpg)

Mr Flibble's very cross!!

Welcome Steve (officially)




Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: The Edge on October 12, 2016, 04:41:35 PM
Shit appointment, even worse than Mcliesh

If I really said what I thought of it and and those wanking themselves silly over Steve Fucking Bruce
I would get banned for life so I better leave it there

Don't think anyone is 'wanking themselves silly', more accepting our current situation.

Also Mcleish at the time he was appointed was absolutely not a better appointment than Bruce is now.
Precisely. We are where we are right now and I can't think of anyone better who we have a realistic chance of getting. 
If we were bringing in Guardiola or Klopp then my todger would probably be getting some attention.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: VILLA MOLE on October 12, 2016, 04:47:42 PM
Shit appointment, even worse than Mcliesh

If I really said what I thought of it and and those wanking themselves silly over Steve Fucking Bruce
I would get banned for life so I better leave it there

Don't think anyone is 'wanking themselves silly', more accepting our current situation.

Also Mcleish at the time he was appointed was absolutely not a better appointment than Bruce is now.
Precisely. We are where we are right now and I can't think of anyone better who we have a realistic chance of getting. 
If we were bringing in Guardiola or Klopp then my todger would probably be getting some attention.


to be fair my todger gets attention whoever the manager, even if he is a todger 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Percy McCarthy on October 12, 2016, 05:01:31 PM
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Now our king
Now our king
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Our King Edward.

Ace!

Seconded.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 12, 2016, 05:04:46 PM
why are people so sure it's steve bruce? might be steve mcClaren.

Because he wasn't even considered in the top 25 according to the Doc. And because he's rejoined Derby.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: JUAN PABLO on October 12, 2016, 05:05:50 PM
STEVE CLARKE is the first casualty of Steve Bruce’s new regime at Aston Villa.

good
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 05:17:04 PM
Announcement expected at 6.30pm.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 05:24:42 PM
The stuff about pressure concerns me in this article.

The South China Morning Post are reporting that Dr Tony Xia has confirmed to them that Steve Bruce is the new manager of Aston Villa.

Bruce is expected to be officially confirmed as Roberto Di Matteo's successor today and Xia has tweeted to confirm that the news will officially be confirmed at 18.30pm by the club.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: JUAN PABLO on October 12, 2016, 05:33:16 PM
i see Bruce got blose to 10th place and Wigan to 11th in the Prem . Id love a bit of that now , another bonus for Brucie there for me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: VillaAlways on October 12, 2016, 05:53:47 PM
Did Tone really offer the job to McCLaren??

Scratch that I've just seen Tone's tweet 😂
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 12, 2016, 05:54:51 PM
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Now our king
Now our king
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Our King Edward.

Ace!

Seconded.


you soft bar sted, bit funny tho
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 12, 2016, 05:56:02 PM
whats that ELO song with bruce in it??
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: berneboy on October 12, 2016, 05:59:29 PM
There are plenty of clever folk to do something with this:

http://www.metrolyrics.com/bruce-lyrics-matilda-london-cast.html
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Holte132 on October 12, 2016, 06:00:39 PM
whats that ELO song with bruce in it??

Don't bring me Down
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: mr underhill on October 12, 2016, 06:03:29 PM
Well at least we now stand a chance of staying up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: itbrvilla on October 12, 2016, 06:08:50 PM
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Now our king
Now our king
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Our King Edward.

Ace!

Seconded.
I hope it gets sung. I bet old Spuddy has a sense of humour
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Witton Warrior on October 12, 2016, 06:13:53 PM
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Now our king
Now our king
Stevie Bruce is now our king
Our King Edward.

Ace!

Seconded.
I hope it gets sung. I bet old Spuddy has a sense of humour

With the money we will be paying him I bet he joins in and does a wee dance!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: manic-road on October 12, 2016, 06:14:46 PM
I wanted Neil Warnock as the next manager, but Bruce has a decent track record of getting clubs promoted I wish him well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: footyskillz on October 12, 2016, 06:17:21 PM
STEVE CLARKE is the first casualty of Steve Bruce’s new regime at Aston Villa.

good

Seconded he was part of the hash with Rdm. Wondered what Holloway will say now ! With Bruce in !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 06:19:29 PM
STEVE CLARKE is the first casualty of Steve Bruce’s new regime at Aston Villa.

good

Seconded he was part of the hash with Rdm. Wondered what Holloway will say now ! With Bruce in !


"Oooooooh arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, cider, carrots."

Probably.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: footyskillz on October 12, 2016, 06:23:27 PM
I think the timing of Brucie coming in just right and makes sense it had to be today.  This is because all the players are back from international duty and will meet the manager tomorrow.  There was no point to bring him earlier as players not around even if he was already pre selected.  I'm hearing the announcement will be in 5 /10 or so minutes and he was always the outstanding candidate with a provern track record . Good stuff Steve Bruce now do what you do best !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: croatian on October 12, 2016, 06:24:33 PM
whats that ELO song with bruce in it??
"Don't bring me down"?!!!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Nev on October 12, 2016, 06:25:08 PM
Central News have just shown a piece about the impending appointment.

So which player did they go to for a comment?

Paul Devlin.

Next week the Chief Rabbi comments on the British Pork industry.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 06:31:43 PM
https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2016/10/12/steve-bruce-announced
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 06:34:18 PM
Welcome Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: claret+blue ed on October 12, 2016, 06:36:44 PM
Now it's all confirmed, forget his past and let's all back him and team to the hilt and get us back where we belong

UTV
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: footyskillz on October 12, 2016, 06:39:21 PM
https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2016/10/12/steve-bruce-announced


Steve said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity. It is one of the big clubs of this country. To be given the opportunity to manage it is terrific.

“I relish the challenge of trying to take the Club where it wants to go and needs to be – and try to turn around the misfortune we seem to have had over the past few years. I am absolutely delighted to have been given the chance. I hope I can do my stuff.”

Owner Dr Tony Xia said: “I’m delighted to welcome Steve to the football Club. With his track record, not only at leading teams to promotion from the Championship but also vast experience in the Premier League, I believe we have secured the services of an excellent manager.

“I have had good conversations with Steve and we look forward to working with him.”

Chief Executive Keith Wyness added: “In the recent transfer window we focused on character, personality and experience. These three words can be applied in spades to Steve Bruce and I look forward to working closely with him as we turn the Club around and get us back to where we all want to be.”

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Leicester_Villian on October 12, 2016, 06:39:44 PM
I bet that shirt needed making specially hence the delay !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villadelph on October 12, 2016, 06:40:14 PM
Win a game and you're up there with the best we've had in years.

Good luck Steve!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: manic-road on October 12, 2016, 06:40:33 PM
From Roberto Di Matato to potato head.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mr Diggles on October 12, 2016, 06:41:29 PM
Really happy with this - it feels like the right appointment at the right time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tokyo Sexwhale on October 12, 2016, 06:42:11 PM
I give him 6 months.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: richtheholtender on October 12, 2016, 06:44:46 PM
No mention of length of contract.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 12, 2016, 06:46:30 PM
I give him 6 months.

As a fan or as a doctor?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 12, 2016, 06:47:31 PM
God help us. Not my choice by a country mile. Lets hope he can get us winning even if the football is dire
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 12, 2016, 06:48:59 PM
Central News have just shown a piece about the impending appointment.

So which player did they go to for a comment?

Paul Devlin.

Next week the Chief Rabbi comments on the British Pork industry.

Quality
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PGW on October 12, 2016, 06:49:02 PM
Central News have just shown a piece about the impending appointment.

So which player did they go to for a comment?

Paul Devlin.

Next week the Chief Rabbi comments on the British Pork industry.
That's made me laugh !!!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: croatian on October 12, 2016, 06:49:14 PM
I give him 6 months.

As a fan or as a doctor?
Or a HIgh Court judge?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on October 12, 2016, 06:49:50 PM
I give him 6 months.
FFS.  That's the spirit mate
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 12, 2016, 06:50:15 PM
whats that ELO song with bruce in it??
"Don't bring me down"?!!!!

cheers
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ger Regan on October 12, 2016, 06:51:45 PM
Any word on backroom staff?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 12, 2016, 06:52:13 PM
I give him 6 months.

As a fan or as a doctor?
Or a HIgh Court judge?
That made me laugh
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 12, 2016, 06:56:20 PM
I love this appointment, he's already pissing sha off, with comments of "we" haven't been doing to well last couple of years.

Saturday cant come soon enough. great time to play the golden grave yard.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: richtheholtender on October 12, 2016, 06:58:33 PM
No mention on length of contract
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: croatian on October 12, 2016, 07:02:25 PM
Welcome Steve.
You're gonna have to move from Solihull to Walmley, i'm sure you know that though.
Good luck, I've got more confidence in this appointment than any since SGT 1st.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on October 12, 2016, 07:03:11 PM
I welcome Bruce, long ball football, Gabby, hutton and micah if it gets us winning again. Just want to see passion and victories
Title: Re: Steve Bruce
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on October 12, 2016, 07:07:17 PM
whats that ELO song with bruce in it??

Birmingham Blues.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on October 12, 2016, 07:11:26 PM
To the tune of 'Do The Conga'.

Bruce Bruce Bruce, Ayew Jack and Kodjia.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on October 12, 2016, 07:12:08 PM
Well manager wise I'm sure this is our last roll of the dice. If we dont win promotion this season or next then we really are going to be in the shite...So Steve basically the future of Aston Villa as a viable club is in your hands...No pressure eh.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on October 12, 2016, 07:13:52 PM
A man of taste horologically speaking. Steve is wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time. A proper connoisseur's watch.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: croatian on October 12, 2016, 07:17:00 PM
whats that ELO song with bruce in it??

Birmingham Blues.
Excellent!
New World Record vinyl if memory serves?
Almost got a smile cracking me old fizzog....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ez on October 12, 2016, 07:18:53 PM
Tom Hanks is on The One Show at the moment. Hasn't commented on the Steve Bruce appointment yet.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Abbeyfealeavfc on October 12, 2016, 07:19:54 PM
Potato Head's Claret and Blue army.
He always was, is and will continue to be "potato head"
in my eyes so he's going to need a sense of humour.
Come on Villa let's kick on from here!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 12, 2016, 07:24:52 PM
Good appointment. I'm feeling a bit more confident about our credentials in doing something worthwhile this season now.

Four games coming up and the chance to win as many in 15 days as we did all last season.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: croatian on October 12, 2016, 07:25:08 PM
Potato Head's Claret and Blue army.
He always was, is and will continue to be "potato head"
in my eyes so he's going to need a sense of humour.
Come on Villa let's kick on from here!!
Good lyrics.
Doesn't really rhyme though.....?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: claret and blue blood on October 12, 2016, 07:25:56 PM
The very best of luck Steve welcome to the best club in the land.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: levico on October 12, 2016, 07:27:15 PM
Feel more comfortable with him than the last 5 appointments.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on October 12, 2016, 07:30:25 PM
If we were a mid table prem club I would be gutted with this, as I would think it showed a lack of ambition.

But he's probably OK for where we are and where we are trying to be.

Also I've always liked the guy even when he was their boss.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: charleeco7 on October 12, 2016, 07:36:56 PM
He''s a good fit for where we are at mthe moment but maybe not as progressive a coach as we'd need in the long run.
Darren bent was interesting earlier as he said he was the best man manager he's ever played under. I think this is something we are desperate for.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sirlordbaltimore on October 12, 2016, 07:41:23 PM


Welcome and good luck Steve

UTV
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on October 12, 2016, 07:42:24 PM
Let's hope there aren't any brain donors protesting down at the ground this time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 07:42:24 PM
Welcome and good luck spud 'ead.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 07:44:00 PM
I am just pissed off we have wasted 11 games getting him in.  Hindsight I supposed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JUAN PABLO on October 12, 2016, 07:45:55 PM
Welcome to this Great club

Bring us a win or two Steve
Let the away fans see 3 pts
stop those late goals
stop Westy pointing
tell Gabby to stay down the KFC
play the players in the right positions
get Jack playing like he did the other night
buy a midfielder in the January window


I will be behind you 1000% and get this club out of this league like you do the others
Good Luck
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Witton Warrior on October 12, 2016, 07:46:06 PM
I don't care who you supported as a child, played for or managed if you rejuvenate our beloved Villa I shall sing your praises to the very heavens and name family pets after you...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 12, 2016, 07:46:48 PM
If we were a mid table prem club I would be gutted with this, as I would think it showed a lack of ambition.

But he's probably OK for where we are and where we are trying to be.

Also I've always liked the guy even when he was their boss.

If we were a midtable Championship club I would be gutted with this, as I would think it showed a lack of ambition.

He may well turn out to be another name to add to the long list of tactically inept Villa managers but should Bruce last long enough to be allowed to do the Villa shopping, I very much doubt he'll forget to buy a couple of midfielders.

One thing we know, he'll give it his best. I just hope his best is good enough to get us promoted.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Le Lapin on October 12, 2016, 07:47:50 PM
Maybe it's the methylated spirits talking, but,  I'm feeling more confident about Bruce than our last five appointments.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 12, 2016, 07:51:36 PM
Let's hope there aren't any brain donors protesting down at the ground this time.

Yep I hope the vast majority of fans get behind him. It only takes a bit of momentum. I mean we were completely disorganised under RDM and had we taken most of our chances in most games we'd have battered teams. A bit of organisation and we'll be on our way.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on October 12, 2016, 07:54:29 PM
Tom Hanks is on The One Show at the moment. Hasn't commented on the Steve Bruce appointment yet.

I don't know him, never heard of him but he's got a nice sounding name. I'm sure it's a great appointment and I'll be booking my vacation in Aston for the promotion party.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on October 12, 2016, 07:55:57 PM
My main hope is that he doesn't play the 3-5-2. We've not got the players.
I think it's a decent appointment for where we are. I think comparisons to O Neill are apt. He's what you'd call a "safe bet." We've not had that since Pube Head fucked off. Not by a long shot.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 12, 2016, 07:56:28 PM
Let's hope there aren't any brain donors protesting down at the ground this time.

Yep I hope the vast majority of fans get behind him. It only takes a bit of momentum. I mean we were completely disorganised under RDM and had we taken most of our chances in most games we'd have battered teams. A bit of organisation and we'll be on our way.

Indeed though that probably says more about RDM than it does about Bruce.

Come Saturday we'll all be behind him. His link with the Rags is about as relevant as what colour toilet paper his missus buys.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: frankmosswasmyuncle on October 12, 2016, 07:57:22 PM
Welcome to The Villa BFS!

Don't care who you've played for or managed in the past if you get us winning and where AVFC should be I will sing your praises up to the rafters of Villa Park and beyond.

This is a great opportunity for you -the best club you have managed, or ever will manage - I hope the success that you achieve here lasts for a long, long time.

UTV!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 12, 2016, 07:59:52 PM

I think it's a decent appointment for where we are. I think comparisons to O Neill are apt. He's what you'd call a "safe bet."

Talk about a party pooper!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on October 12, 2016, 08:02:36 PM

I think it's a decent appointment for where we are. I think comparisons to O Neill are apt. He's what you'd call a "safe bet."

Talk about a party pooper!
I don't think he'll overstay (and overspend) his welcome like Pube head though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Lastfootstamper on October 12, 2016, 08:08:37 PM
I'm seeing this news, and it's made me realise just how much the Villa have battered me down. I wish him well, I shall have no judgements to make on his history or style.

It's that I'm finally in a place of mind where I cannot see anyone, ever, stopping us from being shite.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TopDeck113 on October 12, 2016, 08:10:58 PM
The first appointment in a while that is "fit for purpose".   Here's hoping to some wins - home, away and back-to-back - and, if not this season, a successful promotion campaign.  That'll be the minimum expected of his tenure. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 12, 2016, 08:12:15 PM
I'm seeing this news, and it's made me realise just how much the Villa have battered me down. I wish him well, I shall have no judgements to make on his history or style.

It's that I'm finally in a place of mind where I cannot see anyone, ever, stopping us from being shite.

Your second paragraph kind of contradicts your first.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 08:14:19 PM
We've got a spud head we've got a spud head, you ain't, you ain't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 12, 2016, 08:18:44 PM
He turned Curtis Davies into a very competent Championship defender and last season Hull had a pretty good defensive record. There is still hope do us. And he didn't have close to he weapons we have up front. In fact he's never had this quality to work with and he will get the support of the board in January too.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on October 12, 2016, 08:23:37 PM
He turned Curtis Davies into a very competent Championship defender and last season Hull had a pretty good defensive record.

Based on what he's done so far this season he's turned Curtis Davies into a very competent Premier League defender.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on October 12, 2016, 08:25:58 PM
A man of taste horologically speaking. Steve is wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time. A proper connoisseur's watch.

Spooky  I thought exactly the same and wondered if anyone else was as anal about timepieces
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SashasGrandad on October 12, 2016, 08:36:29 PM
Dear Mr Potato Head

Please try to get us promoted - but if you can't do it this season I would settle for an FA  cup win to compensate.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Yossarian on October 12, 2016, 08:41:09 PM
The best thing about Bruce joining Villa is I get to trot out my anecdote about the time he stopped me and asked me for directions to the A&E Department in Selly Oak Hospital (this was so long ago that Selly Oak had a hospital). I checked the news that night but there were no reported training ground injuries to any Blues players. That's about it with my story. I know it's not much of an anecdote.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: b23 on October 12, 2016, 08:43:25 PM
https://potatoparcel.com/
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: the-farmer on October 12, 2016, 08:45:52 PM
The best thing about Bruce joining Villa is I get to trot out my anecdote about the time he stopped me and asked me for directions to the A&E Department in Selly Oak Hospital (this was so long ago that Selly Oak had a hospital). I checked the news that night but there were no reported training ground injuries to any Blues players. That's about it with my story. I know it's not much of an anecdote.

I spotted him in the Boot in Lapworth in 2003, it was the nose that gave it away
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TopDeck113 on October 12, 2016, 08:46:30 PM
A man of taste horologically speaking. Steve is wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time. A proper connoisseur's watch.

Spooky  I thought exactly the same and wondered if anyone else was as anal about timepieces

Is it the sort of watch that gives you an extra five minutes more than anyone else over an Easter Bank Holiday weekend?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 12, 2016, 08:48:43 PM
Wake me when it's over.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: class-of-82 on October 12, 2016, 08:49:43 PM
Let's hope that at The end of the season we are calling you Bruce almighty
He came
He seen
He got us promoted

Good luck
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on October 12, 2016, 08:51:13 PM
This is his biggest job to date with money to spend and a supportive manager with big ambitions. Is he a manager who can just coax the best out of average players or can he capitalise on the undoubted opportunities at the villa and build us an attractive and successful team. I'm not sure but I am sure I'll back him all I can and hope for the best. Good luck Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on October 12, 2016, 08:51:24 PM
Wake me when it's over.
Zzzzzzzz

I'm struggling with this whole thing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 12, 2016, 08:53:30 PM
A man of taste horologically speaking. Steve is wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time. A proper connoisseur's watch.

Spooky  I thought exactly the same and wondered if anyone else was as anal about timepieces
 

Isn't that somewhat tautological? Surely they're one and the same...

Oh, TIMEpieces!

I'm 38 years old.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 12, 2016, 08:58:52 PM
You mean tortoisalogical.  38 is no age for a tortoise.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 12, 2016, 09:02:50 PM
You mean tortoisalogical.  38 is no age for a tortoise.

Very true Brian. I'm a nipper.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 12, 2016, 09:06:40 PM
You better live at a slower carapace Sexual.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: steamer on October 12, 2016, 09:08:40 PM
I have posted my dismay at this happening a few times.
Pros
seems a decent human being , like the Scottish number one was.
Better than some of the scary alternatives.
Errm a lot of posters believe he will get us promoted in the next 18 months.
Has to be better than, Tim, RDM, Scottish managers 1+2, Black, an O,Dreary
Maybe we win a couple of games.
He probably will only be here two seasons.

Cons
It is totally underwhelming.
Not much wriggle room as a new manager
He is a potato face

As the pros exceed the cons I can only shudder at where we are, would we have wanted him even when we were crap in the premiership ?
But he is our new manager, so good luck, get us promoted.
I have no problem with him coming from SHA.
did not notice the contract period, hopefully short along with conditions,

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: seanthevillan on October 12, 2016, 09:10:02 PM
Well at least if it doesn't work out with us we might get a novel out of it:

Striker (http://shocko.info/words/2015/7/16/striker-by-steve-bruce)

Sweeper (http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: croatian on October 12, 2016, 09:10:15 PM
You mean tortoisalogical.  38 is no age for a tortoise.
Ah, you're awake Mr Green.
Horological, tautological and testudinidae comments?
You've obviously not woken up on a SHA website.

Relax.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: joe_c on October 12, 2016, 09:21:04 PM
A man of taste horologically speaking. Steve is wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time. A proper connoisseur's watch.

Spooky  I thought exactly the same and wondered if anyone else was as anal about timepieces
 

Isn't that somewhat tautological? Surely they're one and the same...

Oh, TIMEpieces!

I'm 38 years old.

Anal about timepieces?

(http://www.monologuedb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/pulpfictionkoons.jpg)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VinnieChase84 on October 12, 2016, 09:22:19 PM
I have one story of Brucey. Again was in the boot at Lapworth back when he was blues manager. I was at a family meal with my old man (whose American and doesn't know anything about football). I mentioned to him that Bruce was in their and was the blues manager.
Anyway, my old man happened to bump into him in the the loo a couple hours later. My old man said "my son mentioned your the manager of Birmingham aren't you"!? Bruce replies, yes is your son a blues fan.
My old man replies, no he's Aston Villa and just walked off. He says his face was a picture
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: croatian on October 12, 2016, 09:25:47 PM
A man of taste horologically speaking. Steve is wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time. A proper connoisseur's watch.

Spooky  I thought exactly the same and wondered if anyone else was as anal about timepieces
 

Isn't that somewhat tautological? Surely they're one and the same...

Oh, TIMEpieces!

I'm 38 years old.

Anal about timepieces?

(http://www.monologuedb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/pulpfictionkoons.jpg)
Timepiece/ringpiece?
I'm slow...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 12, 2016, 09:39:04 PM
I heard a story that a fan sent Gabby a tortoise in a parcel hinting that our hero is not as quick as he was.  He got a very nice letter thanking him for the meat pie.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on October 12, 2016, 09:40:12 PM
I have one story of Brucey. Again was in the boot at Lapworth back when he was blues manager. I was at a family meal with my old man (whose American and doesn't know anything about football). I mentioned to him that Bruce was in their and was the blues manager.
Anyway, my old man happened to bump into him in the the loo a couple hours later. My old man said "my son mentioned your the manager of Birmingham aren't you"!? Bruce replies, yes is your son a blues fan.
My old man replies, no he's Aston Villa and just walked off. He says his face was a picture

Maybe a separate thread devoted to scat stories involving Steve Bruce?

Potatohead:  Close Encounters of the Turd Kind, etc.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: rob_bridge on October 12, 2016, 09:40:19 PM
To be fair based on his record and where we are now and where we want to be in 7 months he may not be a bad pick.

Christ he follows some dirge (though I exclude Garde from that) in the last 6 years or so.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: lovejoy on October 12, 2016, 09:49:20 PM
Indeed Garde was stitched up good and proper. Was in the wring place at the wrong time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 12, 2016, 09:54:30 PM
They certainly put him through the wringer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 12, 2016, 09:57:00 PM
Is there anything in the rumour that his contract is only to the end of this season?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: FatSam on October 12, 2016, 10:07:46 PM
In the circumstances I'm happy with this and fully behind him. Who knows, maybe he'll make us good again?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VinnieChase84 on October 12, 2016, 10:15:16 PM
Is there anything in the rumour that his contract is only to the end of this season?
Doubt it with Xai referencing getting up within the next two years
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on October 12, 2016, 10:18:46 PM
It wouldn't have been my way forward but the club have decided getting back to the PL asap is the highest priority.  With that being the case, Bruce is probably one of the most capable of the British managers available.  I hope he is successful and we go up.

I see the appointment as more of a gamble than those that are sure he will get us up.  We are throwing all our money on red.  If he fails, we will be a worse position than if we had appointed someone with forward vision, even if it took 2 seasons to get us back up.  Even if we just scrape through and get promoted and he hasn't tried to integrate younger or new players, we will not be ready for the PL and we will struggle.  He has to be thinking about developing the team has he goes as many of our current players are good Championship players but too many in the side will see us really struggle in a higher division.  He cannot be totally focused on getting promotion at the expense of next season.

Best of luck Steve and be bold.  Plan for who to bring in on January 1st (don't leave it until the end of the month) and make it happen.  You need two midfield players that will be at home in the PL.  With these two players, I firmly believe that we will have a very good second half of the season.  Will it be enough, I don't know but I'm hoping so.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john2710 on October 12, 2016, 10:19:37 PM
Given where we are & what we need Bruce is the right choice. He was my choice before we took a punt on RDM.

Despite what the gloom mongers will tell you, there's not an awful lot wrong with the team that someone with an ounce of sense couldn't put right.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 12, 2016, 10:20:20 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Keeno on October 12, 2016, 10:32:30 PM
The best thing about Bruce joining Villa is I get to trot out my anecdote about the time he stopped me and asked me for directions to the A&E Department in Selly Oak Hospital (this was so long ago that Selly Oak had a hospital). I checked the news that night but there were no reported training ground injuries to any Blues players. That's about it with my story. I know it's not much of an anecdote.

I spotted him in the Boot in Lapworth in 2003, it was the nose that gave it away

Lovely little establishment that
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on October 12, 2016, 10:38:03 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

So the man who played over 300 times and won medals galore with Man United and was born in the North East will always be Blues at heart?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: garyfouroaks on October 12, 2016, 10:38:36 PM
It will either work or it wont.
Thank you for this profound insight.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 12, 2016, 10:43:33 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

So the man who played over 300 times and won medals galore with Man United and was born in the North East will always be Blues at heart?
in terms of the villa blues rivalry yes he will be.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on October 12, 2016, 10:44:27 PM
Welcome Brucie.

Play pointy,  I dare you , I fuckin dare you. .   
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 10:46:51 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

So the man who played over 300 times and won medals galore with Man United and was born in the North East will always be Blues at heart?
in terms of the villa blues rivalry yes he will be.

So what are you suggesting? That he'd rather Blues finish above his employers? That when we play them, he'd rather his team lost?

If not, what do you mean that he is 'blues at heart' 'in terms of the villa blues rivalry'?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on October 12, 2016, 10:48:12 PM
Welcome Steve Bruce, this is a big job, Good luck!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 12, 2016, 10:52:26 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

So the man who played over 300 times and won medals galore with Man United and was born in the North East will always be Blues at heart?
in terms of the villa blues rivalry yes he will be.

So what are you suggesting? That he'd rather Blues finish above his employers? That when we play them, he'd rather his team lost?

If not, what do you mean that he is 'blues at heart' 'in terms of the villa blues rivalry'?
he build a lot of rapport with their fans,  he was close with the club, he won't be able to do that with us now. You cant be villa and blues.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 12, 2016, 10:52:49 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

So the man who played over 300 times and won medals galore with Man United and was born in the North East will always be Blues at heart?
in terms of the villa blues rivalry yes he will be.

Are you trying to just make stuff up to get angry about? What the fuck does it matter that a man had a job at a rival club 10 years ago? Do you think he has joined to sabotage us from the inside because he once worked for Birmingham?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 10:57:06 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

So the man who played over 300 times and won medals galore with Man United and was born in the North East will always be Blues at heart?
in terms of the villa blues rivalry yes he will be.

So what are you suggesting? That he'd rather Blues finish above his employers? That when we play them, he'd rather his team lost?

If not, what do you mean that he is 'blues at heart' 'in terms of the villa blues rivalry'?
he build a lot of rapport with their fans,  he was close with the club, he won't be able to do that with us now. You cant be villa and blues.

Could you answer my question? Since he can't be Villa and blues, you're suggesting that he would rather lose against them and finish lower than them? Yes or no?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: littlevillain on October 12, 2016, 11:01:03 PM
Hes a geordie and a newcastle fan who also managed sunderland.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 12, 2016, 11:02:58 PM
I think one myth we should quash is that players and managers are 'fans' of a particular club. I don't think they feel in any way the way we do. Steve Bruce will not lose one seconds sleep on the night we massacre the noses 6-0 at their place. Neither will our 8-0 victory at Villa Park put him off his celebratory steak supper.
He's ours now and he wants us to win whoever we play.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 12, 2016, 11:06:59 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

So the man who played over 300 times and won medals galore with Man United and was born in the North East will always be Blues at heart?
in terms of the villa blues rivalry yes he will be.

So what are you suggesting? That he'd rather Blues finish above his employers? That when we play them, he'd rather his team lost?

If not, what do you mean that he is 'blues at heart' 'in terms of the villa blues rivalry'?
he build a lot of rapport with their fans,  he was close with the club, he won't be able to do that with us now. You cant be villa and blues.

Could you answer my question? Since he can't be Villa and blues, you're suggesting that he would rather lose against them and finish lower than them? Yes or no?
I'm sure he will want to beat blues and finish above them. However the close association he had with them won't be replicated at villa,  Saunders was the same but he was always villa not blues. I have te right to associate with who I want and I don't associate Bruce with Villa he just a person managing the team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on October 12, 2016, 11:07:14 PM
Well on one hand I hoped our ambition would have propelled us beyond looking at the likes of plodders such as Bruce but he's here now and I hope he does well. On the bright side I really don't think massive managerial talent is needed to get this team winning a few games. Which is handy.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Walmley_Villa on October 12, 2016, 11:08:06 PM
Win some games and he will be a massive improvement on the past few managers. The Bloos thing is bollocks, it was a job. He will soon realised we are a stratosphere above Small Heath and the biggest opportunity he will ever have of dining at the top table of English football.
There is nothing to dislike about him. Well spoken, successful playing career and the best manager we can get where we are. Good luck Steve and UTV!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 12, 2016, 11:09:39 PM
I'm sure he will want to beat blues and finish above them. However the close association he had with them won't be replicated at villa,  Saunders was the same but he was always villa not blues. I have te right to associate with who I want and I don't associate Bruce with Villa he just a person managing the team.

Right, so if he wants Villa to beat Blues, how the hell does that mean he will always be 'Blues at heart in terms of the Villa-Blues rivalry'? It doesn't, does it?

The fact that he managed Blues is of absolutely no importance whatsoever.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: A contributor on October 12, 2016, 11:12:22 PM
He looked v tanned & relaxed flirting with Jacqui Oatley last night.  Seems to have lost a load of weight, and looked well chilled.  He doesn't need to do much to transform RdM's men into winners: just remind them that the game doesn't end at 85 minutes would do, for a start
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 12, 2016, 11:13:50 PM
It's literally amazing how much better offer would be if we played a full 90 minutes. We'd be sitting in the top 6, maybe higher sign RDM still in a job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 12, 2016, 11:13:52 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

So the man who played over 300 times and won medals galore with Man United and was born in the North East will always be Blues at heart?
in terms of the villa blues rivalry yes he will be.

So what are you suggesting? That he'd rather Blues finish above his employers? That when we play them, he'd rather his team lost?

If not, what do you mean that he is 'blues at heart' 'in terms of the villa blues rivalry'?
he build a lot of rapport with their fans,  he was close with the club, he won't be able to do that with us now. You cant be villa and blues.

Could you answer my question? Since he can't be Villa and blues, you're suggesting that he would rather lose against them and finish lower than them? Yes or no?
I'm sure he will want to beat blues and finish above them. However the close association he had with them won't be replicated at villa,  Saunders was the same but he was always villa not blues. I have te right to associate with who I want and I don't associate Bruce with Villa he just a person managing the team.

If he just manages the team to promotion then the 99.999% most sane Villa fans won't give a toss that he was once at Small Heath.

Matt Busby spent longer at Man City than Bruce did at Small Heath. It didn't seem to make him do badly when he managed Man U.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on October 12, 2016, 11:15:51 PM
Win some games and he will be a massive improvement on the past few managers. The Bloos thing is bollocks, it was a job. He will soon realised we are a stratosphere above Small Heath and the biggest opportunity he will ever have of dining at the top table of English football.
There is nothing to dislike about him. Well spoken, successful playing career and the best manager we can get where we are. Good luck Steve and UTV!


I agree with WV totally, what's not to like about the man?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 12, 2016, 11:17:03 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.
I don't think Saunders were Villa at heart. He was just our manager and very very good at his job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: London Villan on October 12, 2016, 11:18:37 PM
How about Withe, two spells at small heath or des bremner, played almost as many games for us as them?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 11:19:58 PM
A lot of the 80-82 team ended up at sha or the bitters. Brian Little was a medical away from signing for sha and managed the bitters. Apart from the odd case, a manger or player loyalty is to whoever is paying them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 12, 2016, 11:20:22 PM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.
I don't think Saunders were Villa at heart. He was just our manager and very very good at his job.

Agreed. If he was (and whatever "at heart" actually even means) he wouldn't have managed Blues and Albion. He did. So what. His greatest achievement will always be with us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nunkin1965 on October 12, 2016, 11:20:56 PM
Win some games and he will be a massive improvement on the past few managers. The Bloos thing is bollocks, it was a job. He will soon realised we are a stratosphere above Small Heath and the biggest opportunity he will ever have of dining at the top table of English football.
There is nothing to dislike about him. Well spoken, successful playing career and the best manager we can get where we are. Good luck Steve and UTV!



I agree with WV totally, what's not to like about the man?

In agreement.
Seems a thoroughly decent guy. Onwards and upwards.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 12, 2016, 11:21:24 PM
I'm guessing but I see the signing of Bruce as the man to keep us up rather than take us us.

Like probably 10,000 other managers, he'll get the job done.

If only we had Xia with MON.

I'm really struggling to see where this goes. Is Wyness happy with a five year plan to get us back up to PL midtable? So much money has been spent in the summer, I very much doubt Xia has instructed Wyness to keep us in the Championship for one more year. My guess is the play-offs, we all love Wembley, some more than others, and with Bruce we might just do it. But if that were to happen, we would need a massive rebuild as we've bought a team for the Championship.

I look forward to our annual or is it bi-annual Next Manager Thread. Hopefully Bruce will surprise us all. Me, most of all.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 12, 2016, 11:24:01 PM
I think one myth we should quash is that players and managers are 'fans' of a particular club. I don't think they feel in any way the way we do. Steve Bruce will not lose one seconds sleep on the night we massacre the noses 6-0 at their place. Neither will our 8-0 victory at Villa Park put him off his celebratory steak supper.
He's ours now and he wants us to win whoever we play.
I think you are wrong. It will only be 5-0 to us at the Sty and return match we will be a bit nervous and scrape home by 4 to 0.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: A contributor on October 12, 2016, 11:24:44 PM
He's here now. I'm sure he knows who pays his wages.  We need to stop fretting about ancient historical connections with another team.  Uncle Tony obviously didn't see any divided loyalties or he wouldn't have appointed him
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VancouverLion on October 12, 2016, 11:29:30 PM
Win some games and he will be a massive improvement on the past few managers. The Bloos thing is bollocks, it was a job. He will soon realised we are a stratosphere above Small Heath and the biggest opportunity he will ever have of dining at the top table of English football.
There is nothing to dislike about him. Well spoken, successful playing career and the best manager we can get where we are. Good luck Steve and UTV!
This, all day long!
UTV
Welcome Steve!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Left Side on October 12, 2016, 11:32:05 PM
Welcome to the best club in the World Stephen, now don't cock it up!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 12, 2016, 11:33:41 PM
Well on one hand I hoped our ambition would have propelled us beyond looking at the likes of plodders such as Bruce but he's here now and I hope he does well. On the bright side I really don't think massive managerial talent is needed to get this team winning a few games. Which is handy.

Sums up my feelings perfectly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: garyfouroaks on October 12, 2016, 11:37:34 PM
the biggest opportunity he will ever have of dining at the top table of English football.

This alone will surely motivate him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 12, 2016, 11:38:07 PM
How about Withe, two spells at small heath or des bremner, played almost as many games for us as them?
they were there at the end of their careers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 11:39:30 PM
How about Withe, two spells at small heath or des bremner, played almost as many games for us as them?
they were there at the end of their careers.

Withe was with them before us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 12, 2016, 11:42:15 PM
How about Withe, two spells at small heath or des bremner, played almost as many games for us as them?
they were there at the end of their careers.

Withe was with Small Heath before us (and after us).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on October 12, 2016, 11:42:44 PM
How about Withe, two spells at small heath or des bremner, played almost as many games for us as them?
they were there at the end of their careers.

True professionals, gave their all to their employer, gave their best for the Villa
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 12, 2016, 11:44:36 PM
I'd imagine they gave their best at clubs prior to joining Villa too, or Saunders wouldn't have signed them. And Bremner must have given his best to Small Heath or they wouldn't have picked him over 150 times.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 12, 2016, 11:49:59 PM
Living in north birmingham for 38 years we just can't accept him as a villa man but can as an employee. Erdington,  brookvale,  Aston witton,  great barr perry barr kingstanding,  ridgeway,  and perry common,  we don't accept blues as part of our club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 12, 2016, 11:51:35 PM
Stop saying "we" when you mean "I".

He's one of us now. You're coming across as pathetic and bitter as a Small Heath fan.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 12, 2016, 11:53:34 PM
Stop saying "we" when you mean "I".

He's one of us now. You're coming across as pathetic and bitter as a Small Heath fan.
I say we as I'm well versed in the areas I have mentioned,  it's part of our identity to hate blues,  just like it's their (blues) identity to hate villa.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 12, 2016, 11:54:51 PM
Living in north birmingham for 38 years we just can't accept him as a villa man but can as an employee. Erdington,  brookvale,  Aston witton,  great barr perry barr kingstanding,  ridgeway,  and perry common,  we don't accept blues as part of our club.

So you don't accept the scorer of our European Cup winning goal as a Villa man?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 11:54:53 PM
You must hated that goal by a Bluenose in '82 then.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 12, 2016, 11:56:01 PM
Living in north birmingham for 38 years we just can't accept him as a villa man but can as an employee. Erdington,  brookvale,  Aston witton,  great barr perry barr kingstanding,  ridgeway,  and perry common,  we don't accept blues as part of our club.

I'm struggling to understand what the 'g' stands for. As a North Brummie, I got the rest. Bruce is as Blues as you. Nice try. Goodbye. Don't waste my time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: django on October 12, 2016, 11:56:42 PM
The past is the past. He's our manager now, we need to get behind him,  stop all this potato head nonsense and call him by his proper name, Fist face.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 12, 2016, 11:56:55 PM
You must hated that goal by a Bluenose in '82 then.
Peter withe will always be remembered as a villa player, if we want to hate blues we have the right to.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on October 12, 2016, 11:57:06 PM
I'm from Great Barr, North Brum and am "not that keen on" the blues. Steve Bruce is our manager, move on
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 12, 2016, 11:58:23 PM
You must hated that goal by a Bluenose in '82 then.
Peter withe will always be remembered as a villa player, if we want to hate blues we have the right to.

But by your logic you hated him and didn't accept him back then as he had played for them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 12, 2016, 11:59:13 PM
You must hated that goal by a Bluenose in '82 then.
Peter withe will always be remembered as a villa player, if we want to hate blues we have the right to.

Is that the royal 'we'?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 12, 2016, 11:59:29 PM
You must hated that goal by a Bluenose in '82 then.
Peter withe will always be remembered as a villa player, if we want to hate blues we have the right to.

You can hate the Blues without hating everyone associated with them.

As the numerous examples already given on this thread have shown.

You should really quit while you're behind. You're making yourself look silly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 13, 2016, 12:01:30 AM
I don't hate small heath, I enjoy laughing at them, and they've given me plenty to laugh at over the years, but hate a club that rarely has any relevance to us? Nah.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 13, 2016, 12:08:19 AM
Small Heath. Neighbours not rivals.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on October 13, 2016, 12:46:42 AM
Pat them on the head and patronise them, like the red-headed step-son they are.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 13, 2016, 01:13:02 AM
Quote
Steve Bruce will be the fire to follow Roberto Di Matteo's ice... Aston Villa needed his promotion expertise 

Steve Bruce has been appointed as the new manager of Aston Villa
It will be Bruce's objective to return Villa to the Premier League this term
Roberto di Matteo was sacked after Villa's poor start in the Championship
Bruce famously guided Hull City back to the top flight last season 

By JOE BERNSTEIN FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 17:31 GMT, 12 October 2016 | UPDATED: 19:22 GMT, 12 October 2016

As Roberto Di Matteo's Aston Villa were struggling to a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle United on September 24, Steve Bruce was completing an extended summer break at his Portuguese villa by enjoying a farewell boat party with friends on the Mediterranean. It was his way of recharging batteries after a stressful end to his time at Hull City which ended in his resignation on July 22 having been starved of funds for new players because of the club's on-off takeover saga.

The sun, sea and golf has obviously worked. Not only is Bruce fighting fit and raring to go once again, in his absence he became the most wanted manager in the country; the favourite at one stage for Aston Villa, Derby County and England, having been interviewed for that job before Sam Allardyce took it in the summer.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/12/18/3955FB0200000578-3834887-image-a-68_1476294237644.jpg)
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/12/18/3955F98700000578-3834887-image-a-70_1476294251503.jpg)

Villa is where the 55-year-old has ended up though, the struggling Championship club hoping that Bruce will put fire into the players' bellies where the laid-back Di Matteo couldn't.
After a £50million investment in new players like Ross McCormack and Jonathan Kodjia, owner Tony Xia didn't expect to be going into Saturday's game against Wolves 19th in the table, with only one win from 12 matches this season. It's why Di Matteo was sacked a week ago after a 2-0 defeat at Preston.

Bruce has the personality and the pedigree, having won promotion from The Championship into the Premier League on four separate occasions; twice with Birmingham City and twice with Hull. The Blues connections are too distant to concern the majority of Villa fans.

Whereas Di Matteo hardly had a cross word to say to the Villa players – he didn't even talk about disappointing results to them until the Monday after matches – Bruce will be less laissez-faire.
'I rolled my sleeves up as a player, and that's why I expect from my players now,' he says. Di Matteo's style worked at Chelsea where stars like Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole knew what they were doing, but the Villa players hit by last season's relegation need a more hands-on approach.

That is not to say Bruce is an ogre. Like his long-time manager at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, he likes players to express and enjoy themselves. Good old-fashioned five-a-sides are still an important part of training. He understands players and managers need a break from the pressures of the game at times. In the middle of all the speculation about him taking the Villa job last weekend, he took his grandchildren to the zoo.

Yet Bruce will spot any slacking early. He has Ferguson's hairdryer in his locker when required and it might help to bring the best out of the likes of Jack Grealish, Jordan Ayew and Micah Richards.
Hull players still recall his half-time rants if the team had slacked in the opening 45 minutes.

'If we weren't at the races, the gaffer really got into us,' says former Tigers defender Michael Turner.
'He'd be annoyed and to be fair to him, he'd have a point.'
And in his current autobiography Box to Box, former Sheffield United player Curtis Woodhouse said about his own run-ins with Bruce at Brammall Lane.
'He'd go ballistic, "You think you're so f***ing clever". But I was like the naughty kid at school who teachers can't help liking. And Bruce liked me a lot.'

Guessing what Bruce will want from his backroom staff is relatively easy. He's a man known for his loyalty. He was the first to even take his press officer, Andy Maxey, across from Birmingham to Wigan when he moved there, and Maxey later joined him at Sunderland. Xia and chief executive Keith Wyness will allow him to recruit his assistant and coaching team, and it's no surprise he will look at friends and former colleagues. It's his way and Warren Joyce, Phil Neville, Stephen Clemence, Keith Bertschin, Gary Walsh and Steve Agnew were all mentioned while he was in talks with Villa.

It's four decades since a young boy left his native Newcastle to start a playing career at the other end of the country, Gillingham. He later became the first Manchester United captain to lift the Premier League trophy and has already managed four clubs in the Premier League – Birmingham, Wigan, Sunderland and Hull. Villa will hope they are the fifth.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on October 13, 2016, 01:26:53 AM
Quote
He understands players and managers need a break from the pressures of the game at times. In the middle of all the speculation about him taking the Villa job last weekend, he took his grandchildren to the zoo.

Hard hitting journalism there.   :)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 13, 2016, 01:43:55 AM
Geography lesson 1 for under 8s.

Quote
Steve Bruce was completing an extended summer break at his Portuguese villa by enjoying a farewell boat party with friends on the Mediterranean.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 13, 2016, 01:44:51 AM
Ha!

Everyone knows his Villa is in Brum!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on October 13, 2016, 03:52:40 AM
Win some games and he will be a massive improvement on the past few managers. The Bloos thing is bollocks, it was a job. He will soon realised we are a stratosphere above Small Heath and the biggest opportunity he will ever have of dining at the top table of English football.
There is nothing to dislike about him. Well spoken, successful playing career and the best manager we can get where we are. Good luck Steve and UTV!

Agree.  To be honest, I feel more optimistic about this appointment than any of the ones since O'Neill left (though I did want Lambert at the time). 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 13, 2016, 05:50:08 AM
I think one myth we should quash is that players and managers are 'fans' of a particular club. I don't think they feel in any way the way we do. Steve Bruce will not lose one seconds sleep on the night we massacre the noses 6-0 at their place. Neither will our 8-0 victory at Villa Park put him off his celebratory steak supper.
He's ours now and he wants us to win whoever we play.

I reckon Eddie Jones was gutted when we whitewashed Australia.

Or maybe coaches and players are professionals and keen to do the job they're paid well for so they can excel?

(Agreeing with you, just using your post as a springboard for mine)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 13, 2016, 06:19:16 AM
I couldn't care a less about Blues. It's them that seem completely obsessed by us, but really they sure barely factor in our thinking.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KRS on October 13, 2016, 06:51:39 AM
How many years ago was it that he managed the Blose? How many clubs has he managed since? I think it's time for a few ppl to get a grip.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: FatSam on October 13, 2016, 06:53:15 AM
On reflection, I think it's true to say that back in the summer I would have been happier if Xia had chosen Bruce (who presumably wasn't available at the time) over Di Matteo. So I would have viewed the fact that he we have ended up with him now as an improvement, even ignoring the Captain of Di Matteo's reign. Bruce just seems like the more appropriate manager for our situation now, and back in the summer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: London Villan on October 13, 2016, 07:09:33 AM
So would have I. I'd stuck £30 on him at 8/1 to be our manager.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 13, 2016, 07:14:01 AM
Despite him not being most people's first choice, it does seem to make a lot of sense on many levels, although as you've seen with Spinkythebfg's comments, he's going to get less time and tolerance with some, for the wrong reasons unfortunately.  Welcome Brucey Bonus!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: robbo1874 on October 13, 2016, 07:18:59 AM
I know we're not meant to say it, but the Spinksy bfg fella does sound like a typical supporter of a club that are more bothered about what goes on at VP than their own ground.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 13, 2016, 07:42:04 AM
I welcome Steve Bruce because he is now our manager.  My expectations are not high but that is more about me than Steve Bruce.  Wanting better for Villa is about pride in the club.  I am immensely proud of  the Villa and immensely proud of the fans who have been staunch and true through the horrible times that followed the O'Neill affair.  Small Heath are no more than a neighbour whose garden is full of dog shit and stolen shopping trolleys.  I am happy this morning because the spectre of double drop will soon be gone.  Beyond that, who knows.  Whatever it is will be an improvement.  Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on October 13, 2016, 07:43:56 AM
I know we're not meant to say it, but the Spinksy bfg fella does sound like a typical supporter of a club that are more bothered about what goes on at VP than their own ground.

Like a Chameleon covered in shit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 13, 2016, 07:46:19 AM
I did wonder how that nose had managed to stay on here for so long other than facing public ridicule.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on October 13, 2016, 08:35:35 AM
If it looks like a 'nose, smells like a 'nose and most importantly writes like a 'nose, it probably is a 'nose.

Ron Atkinson had managed Albion twice by the time he came, and he was their best manger since crossbars were invented.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 13, 2016, 08:51:13 AM
some great posts on here.

There's a glimmer of Hope.

Saturday I believe the Holte will be in full voice!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Witton Warrior on October 13, 2016, 08:52:44 AM
So is there a protest on the Holte steps or not?

;-)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: garyfouroaks on October 13, 2016, 08:54:25 AM
A good appointment. He stands as good a chance as anyone.

What we need now is a period of stability . We have a new owner, we now have a credible manager, Bruce needs three seasons at this.

There comes a point when a new manager simply contributes to the problem, he doesn't solve them, and we are now one dismissal rom that point.

Bruce stands a better chance than RDM, Garde, Sherwood, Lambert and McLeish, but reversing the decline has never been an easy task, nr will it be for Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Boz on October 13, 2016, 09:02:01 AM
He's not going to bring Phelan with him is he?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 13, 2016, 09:02:53 AM
Bedsheets Alert Level has now been stepped down to Code Green.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Lobsterboy on October 13, 2016, 09:25:47 AM
Very good appointment - he was on a shortlist of 2 for the England position so no idea why we would be turning our nose up at him especially with his proven track record of getting teams promoted from this division

I'm sure there will be some that will always associate him with the Blose but couldn't care less who he worked for previously if he starts winning games for us
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on October 13, 2016, 09:27:59 AM
'Hate' is an odd word to use about a football club you don't support. There are plenty of terrible things going on in the world that involve hatred.

Football was invented as an escape from all that stuff.

If anyone needs me, I'll be over here, hugging this tree
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: auntiesledd on October 13, 2016, 09:32:58 AM
Getting Brucie in has actually made me feel optimistic about the season. Let's hope he's able knock our rabble into shape quicksticks & get us playing cohesive, winning football. My God, we've waited long enough. UTV.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: NeilH on October 13, 2016, 09:39:22 AM
You must hated that goal by a Bluenose in '82 then.
Peter withe will always be remembered as a villa player, if we want to hate blues we have the right to.

If your hatred of Blues is so strong that you cannot accept a manager due to his former employer then I honestly think you need to re-evaluate a few things in life. I’m also North Birmingham born and bred, but like many here, I laugh at them. Hate is such an emotive word and an over-used one in football. I suggest that you and your group of North Birmingham fans, spend a little less energy hating a rival football team and a little more supporting the one you claim to support….If you are a troll, then ‘poor attempt, please return to the DM comments section for your kicks.’
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 13, 2016, 09:40:35 AM
'Hate' is an odd word to use about a football club you don't support. There are plenty of terrible things going on in the world that involve hatred.

Football was invented as an escape from all that stuff.

If anyone needs me, I'll be over here, hugging this tree

I hate Small Heath like I hate wasps. I don't think about them until they're buzzing around my face, in which case I'd prefer them to fuck off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on October 13, 2016, 09:43:57 AM
'Hate' is an odd word to use about a football club you don't support. There are plenty of terrible things going on in the world that involve hatred.

Football was invented as an escape from all that stuff.

If anyone needs me, I'll be over here, hugging this tree

I hate Small Heath like I hate wasps. I don't think about them until they're buzzing around my face, in which case I'd prefer them to fuck off.

I think it would be better if you engaged in a proper dialogue with the wasps instead of cruelly dismissing them in this way

Wasps have feelings too, you know.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on October 13, 2016, 09:44:18 AM
Happy with Bruce but its fkd up my GTC prediction for saturday, guaranteed extra couple of thousand bums on seats.
Now theres an idea. ;)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 13, 2016, 09:50:29 AM
'Hate' is an odd word to use about a football club you don't support. There are plenty of terrible things going on in the world that involve hatred.

Football was invented as an escape from all that stuff.

If anyone needs me, I'll be over here, hugging this tree

I hate Small Heath like I hate wasps. I don't think about them until they're buzzing around my face, in which case I'd prefer them to fuck off.

I think it would be better if you engaged in a proper dialogue with the wasps instead of cruelly dismissing them in this way

Wasps have feelings too, you know.

What about when they land in your pint?

Talking of which, I was at a family wedding once. Mainly Villa fans, but my bluenose cousin was there with his knuckledragger mates. One of them came up to me, started going on about his favourite subject — Aston Villa — and stuck his dirty finger in my pint. Instead of furnishing him with a new lager and glass hat, I reminded him where he was and who he was surrounded by. After a brief knuckledragger conference, which resembled the opening scenes of 2001: A Space Odyssey, I took delivery of a fresh, full pint of lager and the evening resumed as normal.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clark W Griswold on October 13, 2016, 09:59:40 AM
I normally associate my dislike for clubs on what their fans are like, and although down the years I haven't known that many Blues fans, they have pretty much all been sound, some really good people. So I have no issue with Blues apart from their, at times, over the top banter with us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 13, 2016, 10:11:33 AM
Getting Brucie in has actually made me feel optimistic about the season. Let's hope he's able knock our rabble into shape quicksticks & get us playing cohesive, winning football. My God, we've waited long enough. UTV.

I feel the same, didn't want Sherwood, Garde or RDM ( I'll admit that I thought Lambert would do a good job when he joined)but I'm strangely positive about our play off prospects this season now Bruce is here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ktvillan on October 13, 2016, 10:20:54 AM
Ambiguous about this one.  Plusses are his record at this level, seems a good motivator and he's not a dour Scot.  Minuses are he's not noted for tactical adeptness (no change there then), modern thinking, or keeping teams in the Prem.   Still I suppose first things first, and it's a pragmatic appointment for the short to medium term.   
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 13, 2016, 10:24:29 AM
right now we are struggling to stay in the Championship. Let's put any talk of the PL to one side - his immediate remit, in my opinion, is to turn a bunch of disparate, but talented international players into a cohesive team. if he manages that, we will stay up and become competitive. That's all we should be concerned with for now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JUAN PABLO on October 13, 2016, 10:24:29 AM
Very good appointment - he was on a shortlist of 2 for the England position so no idea why we would be turning our nose up at him especially with his proven track record of getting teams promoted from this division




and I know I prefer him over Southgate any day , i think the timing will work out perfectly for us after they went for dodgy Sam .

four wins of our previous 49 league fixtures is absolute disgusting and terrible and I know the next 49 games will not provide us 4 wins .
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: darren woolley on October 13, 2016, 10:29:49 AM
Welcome Steve I'm pleased we got Steve Bruce I think he will do a good job for us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 13, 2016, 10:31:55 AM
You must hated that goal by a Bluenose in '82 then.
Peter withe will always be remembered as a villa player, if we want to hate blues we have the right to.

If your hatred of Blues is so strong that you cannot accept a manager due to his former employer then I honestly think you need to re-evaluate a few things in life. I’m also North Birmingham born and bred, but like many here, I laugh at them. Hate is such an emotive word and an over-used one in football. I suggest that you and your group of North Birmingham fans, spend a little less energy hating a rival football team and a little more supporting the one you claim to support….If you are a troll, then ‘poor attempt, please return to the DM comments section for your kicks.’
just because you don't agree with me doesn't make me a troll.                                          Vic crowe villa man to the core,  player,  captain,  and coach.  Steve Bruce blues player,  captin  and manager. I accept Bruce as a manager but not a villa man.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 13, 2016, 10:43:59 AM
I do respect your happy clappy viewpoint however.

This stopped me in my tracks.

Not seen that in a while, congratulations on being so 5 years ago.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: in exile on October 13, 2016, 10:45:42 AM
Happy with Bruce but its fkd up my GTC prediction for saturday, guaranteed extra couple of thousand bums on seats.
Now theres an idea. ;)

If it's any help to you with your GTC prediction, my wife and I can't go on Saturday
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on October 13, 2016, 10:45:53 AM
I won't be alone having a dislike for Steve Clemence
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: joe_c on October 13, 2016, 10:51:26 AM
I am now at the Acceptance stage of the Kubler Ross curve. This has become my default setting where Villa are concerned.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on October 13, 2016, 11:07:05 AM
Any news on the backroonm staff yet?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 13, 2016, 11:09:27 AM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

Somebody who grew up supporting Newcastle, played 205 matches for Gillingham, 141 for Norwich and 309 for Manchester United whilst winning pretty much everything in the game will "always be blues"? Of course.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 13, 2016, 11:11:35 AM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

So the man who played over 300 times and won medals galore with Man United and was born in the North East will always be Blues at heart?
in terms of the villa blues rivalry yes he will be.

That will teach me to continue reading the thread.

I don't give a flying fuck that he once managed our cross city rivals, I don't recall any interviews with him where he bangs on about his love for them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 13, 2016, 11:12:30 AM
Support the team/club not the manager is what I will do and many others I'm sure. He will always be blues at heart just like Saunders was villa at heart dispite going to blues.

So the man who played over 300 times and won medals galore with Man United and was born in the North East will always be Blues at heart?
in terms of the villa blues rivalry yes he will be.

So what are you suggesting? That he'd rather Blues finish above his employers? That when we play them, he'd rather his team lost?

If not, what do you mean that he is 'blues at heart' 'in terms of the villa blues rivalry'?
he build a lot of rapport with their fans,  he was close with the club, he won't be able to do that with us now. You cant be villa and blues.

Damn, last time.

You're clearly insane.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on October 13, 2016, 11:15:37 AM
BFG i was on to him on post 2
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: garyfouroaks on October 13, 2016, 11:17:38 AM
'Hate' is an odd word to use about a football club you don't support. There are plenty of terrible things going on in the world that involve hatred.
Football was invented as an escape from all that stuff.
Well said.

Those that hate other football clubs would do well to reassess their personal priorities.

On a much more positive note, I understand that Bruce, and his family, really enjoyed their time around the city when he was at St Andrews. I believe he still kept his house. So domestically, he is likely to be happy, which is a plus, and his knowledge of the Midlands football scene is a cut above all recent incumbents. None of these are definitive game changers- but they help.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: MoetVillan on October 13, 2016, 11:22:39 AM
Im with you Chris.  The fact that he got those sort of results at Blues suggests that he can polish a turd.  He did a great job at Wigan.  Go to it Steve
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: MoetVillan on October 13, 2016, 11:24:36 AM
Spinksy the bfg, if Bruce gets us up this season, no-one will give a f, and that will cement the rapport with the fans
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sirlordbaltimore on October 13, 2016, 12:19:20 PM
I accept Bruce as a manager but not a villa man.

 ;D

proper wind up merchant
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 13, 2016, 12:19:52 PM
I have yet to meet a person who has a dislike of all things B9 , AS MUCH AS ME, BUT there are some ding bats on here that make me laff, bluenoses are scum for this true, but when you have moved away from the odious smell that is B9 then you deserve applauding and as we are a broad church at B6 then come unto thee my child and praise in the true god, that is Mcgrath.

i'll just pop to the chemist and get my prescription.


UTV
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 13, 2016, 12:26:07 PM
Spinksy the bfg, if Bruce gets us up this season, no-one will give a f, and that will cement the rapport with the fans
I'd love if it he got us promoted and would thank him. However when it comes to rapport he is one those types you see in your regular boozer for years,  you nod the head to acknowledge,  but never speak or shake hands. Familiar but not friendly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: MoetVillan on October 13, 2016, 12:29:10 PM
I disagree, he comes across as a really likeable chap, despite playing for those Manx tw@ts for years.  When he gets us six points out of the Blues this year, I think we move from the familiar to friendly territoy
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 13, 2016, 12:30:57 PM
I liked everything he said in his first interview. He clearly has watched our games and already identified some of the immediate issues. He kept stressing hard work to get out of the Championship so lets hope it translates to the players and we get a quick win for him starting Saturday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: joe_c on October 13, 2016, 12:31:16 PM
Spinksy the bfg, if Bruce gets us up this season, no-one will give a f, and that will cement the rapport with the fans
I'd love if it he got us promoted and would thank him. However when it comes to rapport he is one those types you see in your regular boozer for years,  you nod the head to acknowledge,  but never speak or shake hands. Familiar but not friendly.

Can I assume that your username is in honour of this gent?

(http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/CD24/production/_91761525_nige.jpg)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: rougegorge on October 13, 2016, 12:34:38 PM
Steve Bruce can never be regarded solely as a Blues man.

I think wherever he has been, he has given his best. As a player he gave long service at clubs and he did exceptionally well at Gillingham, exceptionally at Norwich, exceptionally at Man United and his managerial record is favourable overall.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldtimernow on October 13, 2016, 12:34:57 PM
A mate of mine (Villa) was out in Birmingham 2 or 3 years ago for a very expensive meal for his girlfriend's anniversary.

Midway through the meal, he popped out to the toilets and found himself stood shoulder to shoulder with Bruce himself. No word of a lie; Bruce gave him a pep-talk right there and then for the evening, shook his hand, gave him a wink and left.

Take what you want from that weird anecdote, seems like a decent guy to me.



I hope he washed his hands before shaking.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyh on October 13, 2016, 12:35:16 PM
Bruce's first interview is up on AVTV.
He said nothing that you wouldn't expect him to say, but he is obviously clued up on our predicament and why we are in it.
Came across well, and I can't help thinking he is a likeable chap!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 13, 2016, 12:38:54 PM
I think if Robert Hopkins or Paul Tait had somehow accrued enough brain cells to become a respected manager, and pitched up at B6, we could safely say that they were 'not Villa men', and our suspicions may well be justified.

But the skin on Steve Bruce's knuckles remains intact, and that'll do for me and the vast majority of sane Villa fans. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 13, 2016, 12:40:54 PM
Not that it matters a single bit, but I'd imagine that the club he most identifies himself to is Manchester United.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 13, 2016, 12:42:43 PM
Just noticed that Bruce's middle name is Roger. Made me laugh anyway
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 13, 2016, 12:48:00 PM
Jermain Defoe's is Colin.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Stirchley Villain on October 13, 2016, 12:52:07 PM
Whatever you think about Bruce he's never been anything but a consummate professional which ever club he's managed. And as for him managing SmallHeath, it was over 10 years ago. Get over it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 13, 2016, 12:52:31 PM
Klopp's middle name is Norbert
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 13, 2016, 12:54:20 PM
Spinksy the bfg, if Bruce gets us up this season, no-one will give a f, and that will cement the rapport with the fans
I'd love if it he got us promoted and would thank him. However when it comes to rapport he is one those types you see in your regular boozer for years,  you nod the head to acknowledge,  but never speak or shake hands. Familiar but not friendly.

Can I assume that your username is in honour of this gent?

(http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/CD24/production/_91761525_nige.jpg)
yes but not in those scum club colours.i refer to spinksy as the bfg as when I was 11 I used to stand on the Holte at the front and when spinksy was in holte end goals he would appear to me like a giant especially if I was at the front of the Holte ,  the part that went under the pitch.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 13, 2016, 12:56:00 PM
Spinksy will aways be remembered as a villa man,  not some small time assistant role at a small time small heath club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on October 13, 2016, 01:02:53 PM
You're trying way to hard.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 13, 2016, 01:06:20 PM
Spinksy the bfg, if Bruce gets us up this season, no-one will give a f, and that will cement the rapport with the fans
I'd love if it he got us promoted and would thank him. However when it comes to rapport he is one those types you see in your regular boozer for years,  you nod the head to acknowledge,  but never speak or shake hands. Familiar but not friendly.

Why would you not shake hands with him?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 13, 2016, 01:12:11 PM
Spinksy the bfg, if Bruce gets us up this season, no-one will give a f, and that will cement the rapport with the fans
I'd love if it he got us promoted and would thank him. However when it comes to rapport he is one those types you see in your regular boozer for years,  you nod the head to acknowledge,  but never speak or shake hands. Familiar but not friendly.

Why would you not shake hands with him?

He started out by talking nonsense Clampy, and he's twisted himself into something resembling a pretzel comprised of complete bollocks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 13, 2016, 01:22:27 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 13, 2016, 01:29:43 PM
somehow I never imagined you with hair your worship.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 13, 2016, 01:34:52 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


I know someone who still has his haircut at the same place he does. Bruce I mean, not the Archbishop.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nigel on October 13, 2016, 01:47:13 PM
Hope this works.
may have already been posted

https://www.facebook.com/avfcofficial/videos/1307586669285399/


Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AVH87 on October 13, 2016, 02:00:47 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


I know someone who still has his haircut at the same place he does. Bruce I mean, not the Archbishop.

Well there aren't many Barbers in Knowle. I'll take a stab it's either Kents, or Blowkes Barbers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aev on October 13, 2016, 02:05:55 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


I know someone who still has his haircut at the same place he does. Bruce I mean, not the Archbishop.

Well there aren't many Barbers in Knowle. I'll take a stab it's either Kents, or Blowkes Barbers.

Are these both proper barbers, or the types of places that charge £20 for a short back and sides and then ask you if you want "product"?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 13, 2016, 02:08:05 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


I know someone who still has his haircut at the same place he does. Bruce I mean, not the Archbishop.

Well there aren't many Barbers in Knowle. I'll take a stab it's either Kents, or Blowkes Barbers.

I say 'barbers' but actually mean gentlemen's hairdressers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 13, 2016, 02:08:25 PM
somehow I never imagined you with hair your worship.

I'm hanging on to it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 13, 2016, 02:09:54 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


I know someone who still has his haircut at the same place he does. Bruce I mean, not the Archbishop.

Well there aren't many Barbers in Knowle. I'll take a stab it's either Kents, or Blowkes Barbers.

I say 'barbers' but actually mean gentlemen's hairdressers.

He's a bloos 'fan' as well.

The hairdresser not Bruce.

Although he could be.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 13, 2016, 02:12:53 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


I know someone who still has his haircut at the same place he does. Bruce I mean, not the Archbishop.

Well there aren't many Barbers in Knowle. I'll take a stab it's either Kents, or Blowkes Barbers.

I say 'barbers' but actually mean gentlemen's hairdressers.

He's a bloos 'fan' as well.

The hairdresser not Bruce.

Although he could be.

Toni Barbieri is a nose?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Proposition Joe on October 13, 2016, 02:23:09 PM
I met Steve Bruce once as well, Man Utd players' lounge, I think back in '91 or '90.  Neil Webb was still playing for them, and Bruce's lad was knee high to a grasshopper that's how long go it was.  Seemed a very nice bloke and spent the whole time not really drinking or socialising but watching a replay of the match he'd just played in.  Granted, he scored that day, but right now I like to think that was showing what a keen student of game he was and we're going to get a manager who pays attention to detail.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on October 13, 2016, 02:26:18 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


I know someone who still has his haircut at the same place he does. Bruce I mean, not the Archbishop.

They must be good judging by our new elegantly coiffured manager.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 13, 2016, 02:34:00 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


Something for the weekend, Sir?

3 points against the Dogheads please, my man
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AVH87 on October 13, 2016, 02:42:44 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


I know someone who still has his haircut at the same place he does. Bruce I mean, not the Archbishop.

Well there aren't many Barbers in Knowle. I'll take a stab it's either Kents, or Blowkes Barbers.

Are these both proper barbers, or the types of places that charge £20 for a short back and sides and then ask you if you want "product"?

I don't have £20 spare to spend on a haircut to look good for 2-3 weeks! £10 is expensive enough for the old short back 'n' sides.

Sounds like some of our forum members do though  ;D
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: berneboy on October 13, 2016, 02:47:14 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


I know someone who still has his haircut at the same place he does. Bruce I mean, not the Archbishop.

Well there aren't many Barbers in Knowle. I'll take a stab it's either Kents, or Blowkes Barbers.

Are these both proper barbers, or the types of places that charge £20 for a short back and sides and then ask you if you want "product"?

£3 in Wakefield. Or £5 if i go 'posh'.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 13, 2016, 02:56:04 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.


I know someone who still has his haircut at the same place he does. Bruce I mean, not the Archbishop.

Well there aren't many Barbers in Knowle. I'll take a stab it's either Kents, or Blowkes Barbers.

Are these both proper barbers, or the types of places that charge £20 for a short back and sides and then ask you if you want "product"?

£3 in Wakefield. Or £5 if i go 'posh'.

Sounds a snip.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 13, 2016, 03:03:23 PM
Spinksy the bfg, if Bruce gets us up this season, no-one will give a f, and that will cement the rapport with the fans
I'd love if it he got us promoted and would thank him. However when it comes to rapport he is one those types you see in your regular boozer for years,  you nod the head to acknowledge,  but never speak or shake hands. Familiar but not friendly.

Why would you not shake hands with him?

Something to do with a restraining order I should imagine.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on October 13, 2016, 03:16:23 PM
Was it under Bruce that David Fatty Dunn tried to do that kick the ball behind the other leg trick and tripped himself up? Seem to recall Bruce pissing himself laughing at the time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 13, 2016, 03:28:39 PM
Was it under Bruce that David Fatty Dunn tried to do that kick the ball behind the other leg trick and tripped himself up? Seem to recall Bruce pissing himself laughing at the time.

THAT WAS BRILLIANT
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 13, 2016, 03:30:24 PM
Wasn't he married to the gorgeous Sammie Winwood?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on October 13, 2016, 03:42:39 PM
Wasn't he married to the gorgeous Sammie Winwood?

They weren't married, had a kid together though. I used to sit next to her sister at work. Had a night out where Dunn and Ricky Hatton made an appearance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: stuart r on October 13, 2016, 03:52:34 PM
Was it under Bruce that David Fatty Dunn tried to do that kick the ball behind the other leg trick and tripped himself up? Seem to recall Bruce pissing himself laughing at the time.

THAT WAS BRILLIANT

Rabonas weren't very fashionable back then

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: berneboy on October 13, 2016, 04:26:55 PM
Clemence has officially joined us as first team coach.

From Hull. Wiki says he's Ray's son.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT on October 13, 2016, 04:33:04 PM
All the old back room staff are gone. Bond, Battara etc.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave shelley on October 13, 2016, 04:36:20 PM
I've just posted that in the Deathwatch Thread.  I'm going fucking mad me!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villabear on October 13, 2016, 04:40:43 PM
I hope when we play the unwashed in a few weeks we sing "Stevie Bruce's claret & blue army" just to wind the bellends up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on October 13, 2016, 04:45:23 PM
I hope when we play the unwashed in a few weeks we sing "Stevie Bruce's claret & blue army" just to wind the bellends up.
For 20 minutes solid like we did at Ipswich, preferably when 3-0 up though this time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: avfcdale on October 13, 2016, 04:58:30 PM
I re homed my dog 8 years ago, he is 10 now, we had him from the RSPCA when they were at Barnes Hill, at the time he had originally lived with noses and his name was Bruce, i changed it to Monty, does anyone think i should re name him back again, he is deaf as a post so he won't know anyway.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villan For Life on October 13, 2016, 05:19:24 PM
I enjoyed the part of the press conference where Bruce & Whyness dealt with questions about his time at SHA. He also made light of the Potato Head jibes.

I was surprised to learn that he hasn't signed a contract though. He was asked how long his contract was and he suggested that the contract had not been finalised.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on October 13, 2016, 05:26:41 PM
Said "I'm used to them calling me potato head!" and "It's the biggest club I've ever managed". Saying all the right things, very good press conference. I like the way he handles himself.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on October 13, 2016, 05:45:48 PM
A very likeable bloke and I like him
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 13, 2016, 06:03:59 PM
Said "I'm used to them calling me potato head!" and "It's the biggest club I've ever managed". Saying all the right things, very good press conference. I like the way he handles himself.
it's good he takes it as banter, not a celebrity manger like big Ron,  but he has a little personality,  to be fair you limited these days in how much character you can show.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on October 13, 2016, 06:04:37 PM
The Potato Head quip in the presser was quite amusing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 13, 2016, 06:12:16 PM
Monty is a good name for a Villa fan's dog.  Bernard Montgomery of Alamein was a Villa fan when he was with the Warwicks in Golden Hillock Road.  I heard that he had his own reserved seat in the Trinity, later adorned with a little brass plate.  We also have a noted poster Monty, a bit of a duffer but a jolly good egg.  Let the mutt remain Monty.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on October 13, 2016, 06:17:46 PM
My Uncle is fiercely proud of his Cheltonian heritage and it was he who turned me into an amateur military historian such was his love of the topic.

Bizarrely though this also resulted in his pets having odd names. When I was a kid he had King Charles spaniel named Arthur Harris.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on October 13, 2016, 06:21:44 PM
A very likeable bloke and I like him

He's always been a decent and likeable chap. He's always carried himself well. I think he's one of the honest ones in football too. I hope we don't spoil him! For some reason I have a feeling he will win over the few who have their doubts.

I wasn't over keen myself, it just as it seemed a safe and uninspiring move. I suppose it's natural to want something that sounds exciting and adventurous, but maybe it's not always the best choice.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gareth on October 13, 2016, 06:41:29 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.

That's shattered another illusion for me, I always thought that was a ladies haircut from the salon not a barber shop butchering grrr
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: manic-road on October 13, 2016, 06:49:24 PM
Bruce came across very well in the press interview, he genuinely looks delighted to be at one of the biggest clubs in the country, just need a win on Saturday to get some momentum going for the rest of the season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CJ on October 13, 2016, 06:52:22 PM
I like the bloke, don't give a flying fuck that he managed our unwashed neighbours, and think he'll do a great job for us. Right manager for where we are right now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on October 13, 2016, 06:55:48 PM
What an excellent first press conference, feeling optimistic!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on October 13, 2016, 07:05:58 PM
This isn't like McLeish where a lot of noses were laughing at us for having him and his dour football. They're gutted that Bruce has come here which makes it even sweeter.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 13, 2016, 07:07:15 PM
You can watch the interview on the Villa Facebook page. Interview (https://www.facebook.com/avfcofficial/videos/1307879199256146/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on October 13, 2016, 07:11:54 PM
The Potato Head quip in the presser was quite amusing.
TBF to Brucie the potato head moniker is no longer applicable. He's lost weight and his face had definitely slimmer plus he has definitely had work on his fucked up nose. What a spoilsport. UTV
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Goldie.7 on October 13, 2016, 07:24:07 PM
The Potato Head quip in the presser was quite amusing.

Yeah that was pretty funny.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 13, 2016, 07:30:26 PM
What an excellent first press conference, feeling optimistic!
He comes across completely comfortable in his own skin
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on October 13, 2016, 07:46:22 PM
I still expect a rendition of 'Stand up potato head' when we're 3-0 up on Saturday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyh on October 13, 2016, 08:01:23 PM
Has Clarke gone as well? I don't recall seeing that he has.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 13, 2016, 08:03:45 PM
Has Clarke gone as well? I don't recall seeing that he has.
Yep and Bond and the fitness coach
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 13, 2016, 08:04:46 PM
Fitness coach hasn't gone GK coach has.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Witton Warrior on October 13, 2016, 08:07:45 PM
I still expect a rendition of 'Stand up potato head' when we're 3-0 up on Saturday.

I'm desperately trying to work in some "Spud-U-Like" reference...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on October 13, 2016, 08:15:57 PM
Fitness coach hasn't gone GK coach has.
Thank fuck for that if he's been coaching Gollini!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: godzvilla on October 13, 2016, 08:18:15 PM
What an excellent first press conference, feeling optimistic!
He comes across completely comfortable in his own skin

Potato skin ?.............................Godzvilla!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 13, 2016, 08:18:19 PM
The interview on the OS worries me a little.  As I suspected he makes lots of references to things like spirit, passion, hard work, determination but mentions nothing about technique or skill beyond 'fans like skillful players but they also like teams that work hard'.  It's all very old fashioned we'll win because we have better players and they put a shift in and I hope that isn't a window into how he'll approach training.  The biggest thing missing in the squad is confidence in technique.  Too many times players take an extra half second to set themselves or take an extra touch or shift it to their stronger foot, all of those things can be remedied in training and fixing them makes the game simple.  I want a team where everyone can kill a ball dead with their first touch 99 times out of a hundred and where every player has the confidence to take a shot if they have half a yard.

I want Bruce to do well now he's here but I really hope he realises that at a big club just working hard isn't enough.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on October 13, 2016, 08:22:08 PM
With the amount of late goals we concede though the fitness has to be in question surely? So getting them working harder can't be a bad thing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on October 13, 2016, 08:28:16 PM
He's been managed by one of the best that cake fail to rub off onto you. I reckon he'll do OK
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on October 13, 2016, 08:32:42 PM
He's been managed by one of the best that cake fail to rub off onto you. I reckon he'll do OK
He's certainly a relationship with cake in the past; a bit like Jo Brand in that respect.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: A|C on October 13, 2016, 08:34:05 PM
I've come to the conclusion I really don't give a flying fudge who is in charge, as long as we start to win games I'll be happy.

Good luck Bruce, please makes us Villains happy again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on October 13, 2016, 08:34:32 PM
In the FB pr he said that we'd never been relegated. I realise he was probably referring to the Sky years, but it seemed slightly strange to hear that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 13, 2016, 08:35:24 PM
With the amount of late goals we concede though the fitness has to be in question surely? So getting them working harder can't be a bad thing.

No, but if that's all he thinks that he needs to change then it's a problem.  Also I'm not entire;ly sure it's down to physical fitness, I think it's a mental tiredness that's caused our problems.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dante Lavelli on October 13, 2016, 08:38:31 PM
Observations from the press conference:

1. Priority was getting championship experience during the summer transfer window.  A bit disappointing, as discussed at the time, if you have a squad of championship players then the chances are you'll stay in the championship.

2. The length of contract is either not agreed or unknown.  I think this is a good move.  Try before you buy etc and may allow us to upgrade at the right time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on October 13, 2016, 08:41:26 PM
The interview on the OS worries me a little.  As I suspected he makes lots of references to things like spirit, passion, hard work, determination but mentions nothing about technique or skill beyond 'fans like skillful players but they also like teams that work hard'.  It's all very old fashioned we'll win because we have better players and they put a shift in and I hope that isn't a window into how he'll approach training.  The biggest thing missing in the squad is confidence in technique.  Too many times players take an extra half second to set themselves or take an extra touch or shift it to their stronger foot, all of those things can be remedied in training and fixing them makes the game simple.  I want a team where everyone can kill a ball dead with their first touch 99 times out of a hundred and where every player has the confidence to take a shot if they have half a yard.

I want Bruce to do well now he's here but I really hope he realises that at a big club just working hard isn't enough.
Spirt hard work  determination and passion are the key ingredients for getting out of the Championship. Make no mistake that's his brief for now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 13, 2016, 08:46:03 PM
Observations from the press conference:

1. Priority was getting championship experience during the summer transfer window.  A bit disappointing, as discussed at the time, if you have a squad of championship players then the chances are you'll stay in the championship.

Im confused ???? How on earth does anyone ever get promoted to the Premier League?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villadelph on October 13, 2016, 08:48:16 PM
The interview on the OS worries me a little.  As I suspected he makes lots of references to things like spirit, passion, hard work, determination but mentions nothing about technique or skill beyond 'fans like skillful players but they also like teams that work hard'.  It's all very old fashioned we'll win because we have better players and they put a shift in and I hope that isn't a window into how he'll approach training.  The biggest thing missing in the squad is confidence in technique.  Too many times players take an extra half second to set themselves or take an extra touch or shift it to their stronger foot, all of those things can be remedied in training and fixing them makes the game simple.  I want a team where everyone can kill a ball dead with their first touch 99 times out of a hundred and where every player has the confidence to take a shot if they have half a yard.

I want Bruce to do well now he's here but I really hope he realises that at a big club just working hard isn't enough.

For the last five years we've had but a few players who's game was based on hardwork. We have had many more high-earning underperformers. Andi worked hard early on, Westwood works hard but often for nought, Vlaar worked hard, Milner defined hard work in his time with us..

As for the big club bit.. if there is any manager out of our last crop that truly understands the hierarchy of British footballing power houses I think it's Bruce. Remi, Lambert, Sherwood, McLeish.. not a fucking clue.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dante Lavelli on October 13, 2016, 08:51:41 PM
Observations from the press conference:

1. Priority was getting championship experience during the summer transfer window.  A bit disappointing, as discussed at the time, if you have a squad of championship players then the chances are you'll stay in the championship.

Im confused ???? How on earth does anyone ever get promoted to the Premier League?

Apologies, BUYING championship player...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dazvillain on October 13, 2016, 08:55:39 PM
You can watch the interview on the Villa Facebook page. Interview (https://www.facebook.com/avfcofficial/videos/1307879199256146/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED)
Not being a facebooker, thanks for that . I really enjoyed listening to him. I usually become quite loyal to new managers quite quickly but this seems a bit different in a positive way . He seems to have enthusiasm of sherwood but  without sounding cocky. He know the division like RDM,and is aware of many of the players. He's been both sides of the rivalry like mcleish but managed at a much higher level in between . Played for a successful team like Lambert, but was probably more influential for longer and played under a better boss. Has a much stronger touchline presence and definitely hair drier treatment in dressing room than Garde.
Based on all of those qualities being the best or better its than his predecessors surely he'll make the biggest difference if all ?!!
I've become overloyal again before we've started !
Thoughts on the above ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on October 13, 2016, 08:56:54 PM
Observations from the press conference:

1. Priority was getting championship experience during the summer transfer window.  A bit disappointing, as discussed at the time, if you have a squad of championship players then the chances are you'll stay in the championship.

Im confused ???? How on earth does anyone ever get promoted to the Premier League?

Apologies, BUYING championship player...

Didn't we buy three players from the Championship over the summer, compared with five from the Premier League?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dazvillain on October 13, 2016, 08:57:14 PM
The interview on the OS worries me a little.  As I suspected he makes lots of references to things like spirit, passion, hard work, determination but mentions nothing about technique or skill beyond 'fans like skillful players but they also like teams that work hard'.  It's all very old fashioned we'll win because we have better players and they put a shift in and I hope that isn't a window into how he'll approach training.  The biggest thing missing in the squad is confidence in technique.  Too many times players take an extra half second to set themselves or take an extra touch or shift it to their stronger foot, all of those things can be remedied in training and fixing them makes the game simple.  I want a team where everyone can kill a ball dead with their first touch 99 times out of a hundred and where every player has the confidence to take a shot if they have half a yard.

I want Bruce to do well now he's here but I really hope he realises that at a big club just working hard isn't enough.

For the last five years we've had but a few players who's game was based on hardwork. We have had many more high-earning underperformers. Andi worked hard early on, Westwood works hard but often for nought, Vlaar worked hard, Milner defined hard work in his time with us..

As for the big club bit.. if there is any manager out of our last crop that truly understands the hierarchy of British footballing power houses I think it's Bruce. Remi, Lambert, Sherwood, McLeish.. not a fucking clue.

That's a great summary of my post whilst I was typing it !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dante Lavelli on October 13, 2016, 09:03:37 PM
Observations from the press conference:

1. Priority was getting championship experience during the summer transfer window.  A bit disappointing, as discussed at the time, if you have a squad of championship players then the chances are you'll stay in the championship.

Im confused ???? How on earth does anyone ever get promoted to the Premier League?

Apologies, BUYING championship player...

Didn't we buy three players from the Championship over the summer, compared with five from the Premier League?

I'm struggling to remember who the three were but both Elphick and Jedinak both struggled to get in the team, even when fit, once in the PL.  So they're arguably closer to championship players than Premier League.  Ahh Chester is also in that bracket.  It's not a completely flawed policy but quality and potential should be the main barometers in my opinion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 13, 2016, 09:05:37 PM
Reporter from Express and Star  saying Bruce is on a rolling contract
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 13, 2016, 09:08:35 PM
I am now at the Acceptance stage of the Kubler Ross curve. This has become my default setting where Villa are concerned.
Still in denial me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on October 13, 2016, 09:09:01 PM
Observations from the press conference:

1. Priority was getting championship experience during the summer transfer window.  A bit disappointing, as discussed at the time, if you have a squad of championship players then the chances are you'll stay in the championship.

Im confused ???? How on earth does anyone ever get promoted to the Premier League?

Apologies, BUYING championship player...

Didn't we buy three players from the Championship over the summer, compared with five from the Premier League?

I'm struggling to remember who the three were but both Elphick and Jedinak both struggled to get in the team, even when fit, once in the PL.  So they're arguably closer to championship players than Premier League.  Ahh Chester is also in that bracket.  It's not a completely flawed policy but quality and potential should be the main barometers in my opinion.

McCormack, Kodjia and Tshibola were signed from the Championship. Adomah, de Laet, Elphick, Chester and Jedinak were signed from the Premier League.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 13, 2016, 09:12:14 PM
The interview on the OS worries me a little.  As I suspected he makes lots of references to things like spirit, passion, hard work, determination but mentions nothing about technique or skill beyond 'fans like skillful players but they also like teams that work hard'.  It's all very old fashioned we'll win because we have better players and they put a shift in and I hope that isn't a window into how he'll approach training.  The biggest thing missing in the squad is confidence in technique.  Too many times players take an extra half second to set themselves or take an extra touch or shift it to their stronger foot, all of those things can be remedied in training and fixing them makes the game simple.  I want a team where everyone can kill a ball dead with their first touch 99 times out of a hundred and where every player has the confidence to take a shot if they have half a yard.

I want Bruce to do well now he's here but I really hope he realises that at a big club just working hard isn't enough.

For the last five years we've had but a few players who's game was based on hardwork. We have had many more high-earning underperformers. Andi worked hard early on, Westwood works hard but often for nought, Vlaar worked hard, Milner defined hard work in his time with us..

As for the big club bit.. if there is any manager out of our last crop that truly understands the hierarchy of British footballing power houses I think it's Bruce. Remi, Lambert, Sherwood, McLeish.. not a fucking clue.

Watch the facebook link, he says possibly my biggest club (as a manager) there's no fucking possibly about it.

I'm not saying working hard isn't important, I just don't like the very British idea that putting in a bit more effort is all it takes.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on October 13, 2016, 09:12:41 PM
Reporter from Express and Star  saying Bruce is on a rolling contract
He can say what he wants, but Bruce jsut said in the interview it's not fully agreed yet.....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 13, 2016, 09:14:47 PM
The interview on the OS worries me a little.  As I suspected he makes lots of references to things like spirit, passion, hard work, determination but mentions nothing about technique or skill beyond 'fans like skillful players but they also like teams that work hard'.  It's all very old fashioned we'll win because we have better players and they put a shift in and I hope that isn't a window into how he'll approach training.  The biggest thing missing in the squad is confidence in technique.  Too many times players take an extra half second to set themselves or take an extra touch or shift it to their stronger foot, all of those things can be remedied in training and fixing them makes the game simple.  I want a team where everyone can kill a ball dead with their first touch 99 times out of a hundred and where every player has the confidence to take a shot if they have half a yard.

I want Bruce to do well now he's here but I really hope he realises that at a big club just working hard isn't enough.

For the last five years we've had but a few players who's game was based on hardwork. We have had many more high-earning underperformers. Andi worked hard early on, Westwood works hard but often for nought, Vlaar worked hard, Milner defined hard work in his time with us..

As for the big club bit.. if there is any manager out of our last crop that truly understands the hierarchy of British footballing power houses I think it's Bruce. Remi, Lambert, Sherwood, McLeish.. not a fucking clue.

Watch the facebook link, he says possibly my biggest club (as a manager) there's no fucking possibly about it.

I'm not saying working hard isn't important, I just don't like the very British idea that putting in a bit more effort is all it takes.
He said arguably
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on October 13, 2016, 09:15:17 PM
I really like the bloke, comes across as very decent.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 13, 2016, 09:17:34 PM
I used to have my hair cut at the same barbers as Steve Bruce in Knowle. I know this doesn't help in any way but I thought I would mention it.

I am shocked. I thought they came to you?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dante Lavelli on October 13, 2016, 09:19:22 PM
Observations from the press conference:

1. Priority was getting championship experience during the summer transfer window.  A bit disappointing, as discussed at the time, if you have a squad of championship players then the chances are you'll stay in the championship.

Im confused ???? How on earth does anyone ever get promoted to the Premier League?

Apologies, BUYING championship player...

Didn't we buy three players from the Championship over the summer, compared with five from the Premier League?

I'm struggling to remember who the three were but both Elphick and Jedinak both struggled to get in the team, even when fit, once in the PL.  So they're arguably closer to championship players than Premier League.  Ahh Chester is also in that bracket.  It's not a completely flawed policy but quality and potential should be the main barometers in my opinion.

McCormack, Kodjia and Tshibola were signed from the Championship. Adomah, de Laet, Elphick, Chester and Jedinak were signed from the Premier League.

I cannot tell if you're disagreeing with my point or listing the players I'd missed.  Even so whilst technically premier league players de Leat and Adomah have played more Championship football than premier league in their careers (I'd guess).  Hopefully they'll come good.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 13, 2016, 09:21:08 PM
The interview on the OS worries me a little.  As I suspected he makes lots of references to things like spirit, passion, hard work, determination but mentions nothing about technique or skill beyond 'fans like skillful players but they also like teams that work hard'.  It's all very old fashioned we'll win because we have better players and they put a shift in and I hope that isn't a window into how he'll approach training.  The biggest thing missing in the squad is confidence in technique.  Too many times players take an extra half second to set themselves or take an extra touch or shift it to their stronger foot, all of those things can be remedied in training and fixing them makes the game simple.  I want a team where everyone can kill a ball dead with their first touch 99 times out of a hundred and where every player has the confidence to take a shot if they have half a yard.

I want Bruce to do well now he's here but I really hope he realises that at a big club just working hard isn't enough.

For the last five years we've had but a few players who's game was based on hardwork. We have had many more high-earning underperformers. Andi worked hard early on, Westwood works hard but often for nought, Vlaar worked hard, Milner defined hard work in his time with us..

As for the big club bit.. if there is any manager out of our last crop that truly understands the hierarchy of British footballing power houses I think it's Bruce. Remi, Lambert, Sherwood, McLeish.. not a fucking clue.

Watch the facebook link, he says possibly my biggest club (as a manager) there's no fucking possibly about it.

I'm not saying working hard isn't important, I just don't like the very British idea that putting in a bit more effort is all it takes.
He said arguably

Same difference, I couldn't remember the exact phrase he used but it's not screaming out someone who knows where we fit in the hierarchy.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villa in Denmark on October 13, 2016, 09:23:15 PM
Shit, I'm agreeing with Risso ;) .

Even when he was over there, he always seemed to come across as a decent person.

Maybe not the most exciting of names to drop into the hotseat, but sod names. He's a solid, capable manager at this level who should at least be able to manage the first 2 tricks of stopping the downward drift and get us moving in the right direction. Such is the way with the Villa, that if he can get us moving upwards, momentum will probably see us up by the end of next year, unless he can manage the play-offs this year. His own history would suggest that would then give Wyness and Xia a decision to make as to whether to give him another shot at the PL, but that's a long way off right now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 13, 2016, 09:24:33 PM
Im confused ???? How on earth does anyone ever get promoted to the Premier League?
Either by finishing in top two positions or 3 to 6 and winning the play offs. ...Ok I'll get my coat!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 13, 2016, 09:28:25 PM
A good appointment. He stands as good a chance as anyone.
I think he stands a better chance than me:))
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on October 13, 2016, 09:31:39 PM
Observations from the press conference:

1. Priority was getting championship experience during the summer transfer window.  A bit disappointing, as discussed at the time, if you have a squad of championship players then the chances are you'll stay in the championship.

Im confused ???? How on earth does anyone ever get promoted to the Premier League?

Apologies, BUYING championship player...

Didn't we buy three players from the Championship over the summer, compared with five from the Premier League?

I'm struggling to remember who the three were but both Elphick and Jedinak both struggled to get in the team, even when fit, once in the PL.  So they're arguably closer to championship players than Premier League.  Ahh Chester is also in that bracket.  It's not a completely flawed policy but quality and potential should be the main barometers in my opinion.

McCormack, Kodjia and Tshibola were signed from the Championship. Adomah, de Laet, Elphick, Chester and Jedinak were signed from the Premier League.

I cannot tell if you're disagreeing with my point or listing the players I'd missed. 

Neither really. Just an observation that the oft-repeated "we bought Championship players" isn't really true.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mallo on October 13, 2016, 09:37:53 PM
I'm relatively happy with this. Considering our current win rate we are potentially the worst club results-wise in the football league. You could argue anything would be better but really we've tried that and it wasn't. At least we've got a fighting chance. If true and RDM didn't discuss losing until Monday no wonder there was no urgency on the pitch - texts will be flying from our lot and I hope to God Westwood thinks he's going to get the mother of all 4 year overdue bo:/;;ings and stop pointing and start doing. I'll gloss over the acrimonious split from one or two clubs ;-)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: b23 on October 13, 2016, 10:23:46 PM
Howay gadgie man !!

You're the closest Villa Manager to my birthplace and i wish you all the luck in the world.

35 League games left. An average of 2 points a game would be great.

Howay man !!

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: not3bad on October 13, 2016, 10:25:55 PM
Welcome Steve The Bruce. If you get us promoted feel free to claim your Brucey bonus.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Durham58 on October 13, 2016, 11:09:06 PM
I'm delighted with this appointment, and he came over really well in the press conference.

At last we've got a proper football manager at the club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on October 13, 2016, 11:12:01 PM
The interview on the OS worries me a little.  As I suspected he makes lots of references to things like spirit, passion, hard work, determination but mentions nothing about technique or skill beyond 'fans like skillful players but they also like teams that work hard'.  It's all very old fashioned we'll win because we have better players and they put a shift in and I hope that isn't a window into how he'll approach training.  The biggest thing missing in the squad is confidence in technique.  Too many times players take an extra half second to set themselves or take an extra touch or shift it to their stronger foot, all of those things can be remedied in training and fixing them makes the game simple.  I want a team where everyone can kill a ball dead with their first touch 99 times out of a hundred and where every player has the confidence to take a shot if they have half a yard.

I want Bruce to do well now he's here but I really hope he realises that at a big club just working hard isn't enough.
Spirt hard work  determination and passion are the key ingredients for getting out of the Championship. Make no mistake that's his brief for now.

It was Dr Tony remit too and also this attitude and base  saw Leicester win the league. Iceland beat England . Wales get to the semis.  Athletico madrid compete in la liga. And northern Ireland reach the euros
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on October 13, 2016, 11:17:35 PM
Brum Mail

Quote
Aston Villa: The state of play with Steve Bruce's claret contract


The deal wasn't announced when the appointment was revealed...


22:52, 13 Oct 2016
    Updated 22:53, 13 Oct 2016
    By Mat Kendrick


 Steve Bruce is on a rolling contract at Aston Villa.

Bruce and chief executive Keith Wyness confirmed the type of deal at the manager’s official unveiling today.

It is a different agreement to previous Villa bosses, who have tended to have a fixed term contract.

A rolling contract continues until someone decides to end it rather than until a particular date.

Bruce’s predecessor Roberto Di Matteo, for example, was on a two-year contract, but was sacked just 123 days into it.

Asked about the length of his deal, Bruce replied: “We’re not announcing that at the moment because it is a little bit unclear. It didn’t make any difference (to my decision to join).”

Pressed later in the press conference about whether it was a rolling contract, the 55-year-old Geordie added: “Yes, it’s no problem.”

Wyness suggested the rolling contract made sense for all parties.

“It’s a rolling contract so there’s no confusion,” said the CEO, who previously worked for Aberdeen and Everton.

“In essence every contract is a rolling contract.

“I’m not going to say the exact terms but it’s a rolling contract going forward.

“It’s something I did back at Aberdeen so that’s a long time ago. Everton was more fixed term, but rolling contracts are the right way to go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on October 13, 2016, 11:31:38 PM
That sounds very much like a 'promotion or ta-ta' contract. The question is, promotion in which season, this or next?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: not3bad on October 13, 2016, 11:33:36 PM
Steve Bruce's Claret Contract?! Has he joined Villa or Burnley?!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 13, 2016, 11:34:35 PM
That sounds like just the right sort of contract. I don't think he'll get the bullet if we don't go up this season, only if he fails to show significant improvement in line with the squad we have and the money at his disposal in January.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gregorys Boy on October 14, 2016, 01:15:39 AM
That sounds like just the right sort of contract. I don't think he'll get the bullet if we don't go up this season, only if he fails to show significant improvement in line with the squad we have and the money at his disposal in January.

Yes this would be the aim I hope and we do need to give him till the end of season.  I think if he doesn't get us up this year (which would be a challenge) then I think there's a very good chance he would do it next season.  Finally we have a decent manager! I'm happy....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on October 14, 2016, 01:37:18 AM
Didn't the Derry Mon also have a rolling contract?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt C on October 14, 2016, 02:00:31 AM
He did.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 14, 2016, 02:01:26 AM
nicked from the Guardian. I quite like the last bit but we need to get back ASAP

Quote
Bruce has yet to meet Villa’s Chinese owner Tony Xia but has spoken with the 39-year-old on the phone and will meet him when he travels to England next month. “He [Xia] said to me that he wants Villa back in the Premier League sooner rather than later,” Bruce said. “His plans after that are staggering and he’s got finances to be able to achieve that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on October 14, 2016, 02:32:23 AM
Any news on his assistant yet?

Regarding what he says about hard work, he is right. I think for much of last season we were out worked, ran less, did not track runners etc, and this season we have stopped playing in the last 10 minutes or so. as such, passion, hard work and a bit of guts are what I want to see. I think we all do, as the basis and then the better players being given a platform to play some nice football. We have to start winning the battles first though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AvFc4eVeR on October 14, 2016, 02:40:30 AM
I still expect a rendition of 'Stand up potato head' when we're 3-0 up on Saturday.

I'm desperately trying to work in some "Spud-U-Like" reference...

Simple...

Spud-U-Like my lord, Spud-U-Like....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT Villan on October 14, 2016, 03:53:37 AM
Have to say having watched the interview yesterday and the press conference just now I am really impressed with how Bruce talks about Villa and what the job means to him. Maybe I am being naive, but he seems very genuine. I really hope it works out for him and us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt C on October 14, 2016, 05:51:48 AM
He's an immensely likeable bloke based on what you see in the media and I'd guess players would like him too. My guess is Dr Xia picked RDM but Bruce has been Wyness' choice all along. Now he's got his man and it feels like we've got, on paper, a pretty solid group of what the media would deem 'football people' running the place. Now results.

Please let's start winning some football matches, that's all i ask.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave P on October 14, 2016, 06:25:28 AM
Please let's start winning some football matches, that's all i ask.

What is this 'winning some football matches' you speak of? Sounds exciting.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 14, 2016, 06:57:19 AM
Someone told me it's something that happens when one team outscores the other, and I said it would never catch on as a spectator sport.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: martin o`who?? on October 14, 2016, 07:27:23 AM
I really like the bloke, comes across as very decent.
He always did, regardless of wherever he`s been before, when he was at the stye he never bad mouthed us as far as i recall.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyh on October 14, 2016, 07:27:52 AM
On a slightly different tangent, this Wyness fella seems to be pretty clued up.
I thought he was supposed to be the devil incarnate?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on October 14, 2016, 07:45:23 AM
Observations from the press conference:

1. Priority was getting championship experience during the summer transfer window.  A bit disappointing, as discussed at the time, if you have a squad of championship players then the chances are you'll stay in the championship.

2. The length of contract is either not agreed or unknown.  I think this is a good move.  Try before you buy etc and may allow us to upgrade at the right time.

Unfair as they tried to do both. Kodjia, McCormack and others have the championship experience but could play in premier league easy
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on October 14, 2016, 07:48:04 AM
On a slightly different tangent, this Wyness fella seems to be pretty clued up.
I thought he was supposed to be the devil incarnate?

Don't recall anyone having much of an issue with Wyness.

The likes of Samuelson and Banfill were the ones raising people's eyebrows over the summer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on October 14, 2016, 07:55:45 AM
 The general view was that he had done a good job at Everton and was actually a positive wasn't it?I think he's clearly willing to make tough calls and run the club when Xia isn't around.  We had a complete power vacuum and very little football experience with Fox etc al. Keeping Little and having Round too seems to mean we have a bit more leadership and know how.

Fingers crossed Bruce works well. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: jwarry on October 14, 2016, 08:03:07 AM
nicked from the Guardian. I quite like the last bit but we need to get back ASAP

Quote
Bruce has yet to meet Villa’s Chinese owner Tony Xia but has spoken with the 39-year-old on the phone and will meet him when he travels to England next month. “He [Xia] said to me that he wants Villa back in the Premier League sooner rather than later,” Bruce said. “His plans after that are staggering and he’s got finances to be able to achieve that.

Sounds like if Brucey plays his cards right.....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 14, 2016, 08:09:23 AM
It's worth remembering that hard work doesn't just mean physical work. You have to work hard to get a PhD, as Dr Tony knows. I hope they work hard on the training ground to understand how teams win games, as well as on the pitch to put it all into practice.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on October 14, 2016, 08:20:22 AM
Klopp's middle name is Norbert

Kenny Dalglish's is Mattheson. They read it out when he collected the freedom of the city of Liverpool.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 14, 2016, 08:32:37 AM
The boneheaded Morlocks of Bordesley are not best pleased by all this.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 14, 2016, 08:49:02 AM
The boneheaded Morlocks of Bordesley are not best pleased by all this.



I saw this last night. Every waking hour is spent thinking about us, it's so sad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 14, 2016, 08:59:19 AM
He's an immensely likeable bloke based on what you see in the media and I'd guess players would like him too. My guess is Dr Xia picked RDM but Bruce has been Wyness' choice all along. Now he's got his man and it feels like we've got, on paper, a pretty solid group of what the media would deem 'football people' running the place. Now results.

Please let's start winning some football matches, that's all i ask.

That's the main thing for me. Forget about where we're going to finish for now, just get some wins on the board.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Witton Warrior on October 14, 2016, 09:07:54 AM
I still expect a rendition of 'Stand up potato head' when we're 3-0 up on Saturday.

I'm desperately trying to work in some "Spud-U-Like" reference...

Simple...

Spud-U-Like my lord, Spud-U-Like....


Anything but that tune....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: badluckeric(gates) on October 14, 2016, 09:17:03 AM
He's an immensely likeable bloke based on what you see in the media and I'd guess players would like him too. My guess is Dr Xia picked RDM but Bruce has been Wyness' choice all along. Now he's got his man and it feels like we've got, on paper, a pretty solid group of what the media would deem 'football people' running the place. Now results.

Please let's start winning some football matches, that's all i ask.

That's the main thing for me. Forget about where we're going to finish for now, just get some wins on the board.
Spot on! But hopefully we give him time and don't expect wins and plain sailing right off the bat (though that would be nice) just think he will definitaly turn us round but may need 4 or 5 matches to start seeing results.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eamonn on October 14, 2016, 09:18:25 AM
Observations from the press conference:

1. Priority was getting championship experience during the summer transfer window.  A bit disappointing, as discussed at the time, if you have a squad of championship players then the chances are you'll stay in the championship.

2. The length of contract is either not agreed or unknown.  I think this is a good move.  Try before you buy etc and may allow us to upgrade at the right time.

Unfair as they tried to do both. Kodjia, McCormack and others have the championship experience but could play in premier league easy

Didn't Kodjia and Tshibola turn down PL teams in the summer? The "buy Championship players and that's where you'll stay" cliché is a bit dubious anyway. We've bought the best Championship players and a blend of top-flight fringe or well-regarded players which (apart from taking punts on players abroad) is the best we can reasonably hope for as things currently stand. It's also, on paper, enough to make us one of the strongest teams in the league. Replicating that on grass is where Bruce comes in.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 14, 2016, 11:05:01 AM
Steve looked and sounded a little nervous at the press conference and who can blame him given the clusterfucks that have happened since 2010. Having said that I came away with a similar feeling to those I had when MON was giving his introductory interviews. No guarantees, I know, but I think Bruce is the best option for us in the short term.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on October 14, 2016, 11:14:49 AM
I can't believe he is just five years older than me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on October 14, 2016, 11:18:25 AM
nicked from the Guardian. I quite like the last bit but we need to get back ASAP

Quote
Bruce has yet to meet Villa’s Chinese owner Tony Xia but has spoken with the 39-year-old on the phone and will meet him when he travels to England next month. “He [Xia] said to me that he wants Villa back in the Premier League sooner rather than later,” Bruce said. “His plans after that are staggering and he’s got finances to be able to achieve that.

Which is exactly what the outgoing Hollis said also about both team and local area

Lets get back and I am sure exciting times are ahead of us

I was a little underwhelmed at first but the more I think about it he could be a perfect fit for us and he will
never have been as well supported by an owner like he will be if he succeeds

I am excited for tomorrow
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nodge on October 14, 2016, 11:19:24 AM
Didn't Bournemouth buy championship players when they were in the championship? And Swansea before them and Southampton before them and anyone else who was in the championship before they got promoted?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on October 14, 2016, 11:22:57 AM
Oh and who was the first question raiser - all he kept going on about was Blues Blues

twat
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 14, 2016, 11:26:11 AM
Oh and who was the first question raiser - all he kept going on about was Blues Blues

twat

On Sky Sports?

It would have been Villa fan Pete Colley.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 14, 2016, 11:30:25 AM
The boneheaded Morlocks of Bordesley are not best pleased by all this.



As they all come from, and live in, Brum, why does he have the black country badge on his shirt?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on October 14, 2016, 11:31:10 AM
Didn't Bournemouth buy championship players when they were in the championship? And Swansea before them and Southampton before them and anyone else who was in the championship before they got promoted?
Good point there.

Nodge - whenever I see you name crop up it reminds me of your 'I'm a goat' post, but for the life of me I can't remember it.  Was it a poem or something?  Or have I gone completely mad and got the wrong Nodge?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on October 14, 2016, 11:36:06 AM
The boneheaded Morlocks of Bordesley are not best pleased by all this.



Do Care in the Community know this moron is on the streets - OMFG

"McCleish was from Scotland so probably didn't understand local rivalry"  yep those friendly Celtic vs. Rangers games were always without any issues

"Anyone who managed us should have us in their hearts" - words actually fail me
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Man With A Stick on October 14, 2016, 11:46:42 AM
Anyone unfortunate enough to manage that shower sees them as a stepping stone to bigger and better things, such as Walsall or Port Vale.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nodge on October 14, 2016, 12:01:36 PM
Didn't Bournemouth buy championship players when they were in the championship? And Swansea before them and Southampton before them and anyone else who was in the championship before they got promoted?
Good point there.

Nodge - whenever I see you name crop up it reminds me of your 'I'm a goat' post, but for the life of me I can't remember it.  Was it a poem or something?  Or have I gone completely mad and got the wrong Nodge?

Ha! Yes I think it was a translation of a song about the place Joey Gudjohnsen was from.  It was about three different H & V forums/portals? ago so probably lost forever.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: DBTW on October 14, 2016, 12:26:09 PM
How long has Mark Delaney been on the coaching staff?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 14, 2016, 12:30:57 PM
The boneheaded Morlocks of Bordesley are not best pleased by all this.



Do Care in the Community know this moron is on the streets - OMFG

"McCleish was from Scotland so probably didn't understand local rivalry"  yep those friendly Celtic vs. Rangers games were always without any issues

"Anyone who managed us should have us in their hearts" - words actually fail me
why is this bloke always in a mood?  Did his Mrs leave him for an asylum seeker?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on October 14, 2016, 12:32:03 PM
Didn't Bournemouth buy championship players when they were in the championship? And Swansea before them and Southampton before them and anyone else who was in the championship before they got promoted?
Good point there.

Nodge - whenever I see you name crop up it reminds me of your 'I'm a goat' post, but for the life of me I can't remember it.  Was it a poem or something?  Or have I gone completely mad and got the wrong Nodge?

Ha! Yes I think it was a translation of a song about the place Joey Gudjohnsen was from.  It was about three different H & V forums/portals? ago so probably lost forever.

Ah yes, I remember it know.  It finished with 'Fuck me I'm a goat' 

I think it was my favourite H&V post ever!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ian c. on October 14, 2016, 12:47:47 PM
Didn't Bournemouth buy championship players when they were in the championship? And Swansea before them and Southampton before them and anyone else who was in the championship before they got promoted?
Good point there.

Nodge - whenever I see you name crop up it reminds me of your 'I'm a goat' post, but for the life of me I can't remember it.  Was it a poem or something?  Or have I gone completely mad and got the wrong Nodge?

Ha! Yes I think it was a translation of a song about the place Joey Gudjohnsen was from.  It was about three different H & V forums/portals? ago so probably lost forever.

Didn't it have the immortal line "F*ck me a whale!" in it somewhere?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dicedlam on October 14, 2016, 12:49:33 PM
Didn't Bournemouth buy championship players when they were in the championship? And Swansea before them and Southampton before them and anyone else who was in the championship before they got promoted?
Good point there.

Nodge - whenever I see you name crop up it reminds me of your 'I'm a goat' post, but for the life of me I can't remember it.  Was it a poem or something?  Or have I gone completely mad and got the wrong Nodge?

Ha! Yes I think it was a translation of a song about the place Joey Gudjohnsen was from.  It was about three different H & V forums/portals? ago so probably lost forever.

Ah yes, I remember it know.  It finished with 'Fuck me I'm a goat' 

I think it was my favourite H&V post ever!

I thought it was 'Fuck me it's a whale lalala' or something like that.

H&V classic.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on October 14, 2016, 12:54:40 PM
The boneheaded Morlocks of Bordesley are not best pleased by all this.



Do Care in the Community know this moron is on the streets - OMFG

"McCleish was from Scotland so probably didn't understand local rivalry"  yep those friendly Celtic vs. Rangers games were always without any issues

"Anyone who managed us should have us in their hearts" - words actually fail me

The exact same shite that 'Spinksy BFG' was spewing yesterday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on October 14, 2016, 01:14:34 PM
Didn't Bournemouth buy championship players when they were in the championship? And Swansea before them and Southampton before them and anyone else who was in the championship before they got promoted?
Good point there.

Nodge - whenever I see you name crop up it reminds me of your 'I'm a goat' post, but for the life of me I can't remember it.  Was it a poem or something?  Or have I gone completely mad and got the wrong Nodge?

Ha! Yes I think it was a translation of a song about the place Joey Gudjohnsen was from.  It was about three different H & V forums/portals? ago so probably lost forever.

Didn't it have the immortal line "F*ck me a whale!" in it somewhere?
Yeah, I think you're right.  Dunno where I got goat from!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nodge on October 14, 2016, 01:40:52 PM
I think he shaved his goat after he phoned his dad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on October 14, 2016, 01:42:56 PM
I think he shaved his goat after he phoned his dad.

Goats Don't Shave.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chipsticks on October 14, 2016, 01:46:35 PM
The boneheaded Morlocks of Bordesley are not best pleased by all this.



That is brilliant.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on October 14, 2016, 03:09:25 PM
I think he shaved his goat after he phoned his dad.

Goats Don't Shave.

Jet fuel can't melt steel beams, Richard
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: steamer on October 14, 2016, 03:40:39 PM
I personally can never imagine it being, Stevee Bruce claret and blue army.
Unless, we get promoted and go to wembeeerly, this season.
I can not remember the last C+B army manager, probably O. Neil ?

However why not use potato face as a term of endearment, " stand up potato face , potato give us a wave"
Always seemed more of a King Edward, than a jersey
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on October 14, 2016, 03:50:56 PM
I think he shaved his goat after he phoned his dad.

Goats Don't Shave.

Jet fuel can't melt steel beams, Richard


Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 14, 2016, 04:57:58 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kieron on October 14, 2016, 05:08:09 PM
Alrighty then.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on October 14, 2016, 05:09:17 PM
Am I on YouTube comments?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 14, 2016, 05:09:41 PM
And to think that's the edited version.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on October 14, 2016, 05:10:45 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.
I would imagine the clock is ticking.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kieron on October 14, 2016, 05:11:00 PM
And to think that's the edited version.

*applauds*
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on October 14, 2016, 05:25:09 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

Lovely. Just lovely.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Witton Warrior on October 14, 2016, 05:33:28 PM
The boneheaded Morlocks of Bordesley are not best pleased by all this.



That is brilliant.

Why is he wearing a Black Country tay shirt?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 14, 2016, 05:39:08 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

And that is precisely why you should never plug your Speak and Spell into the mains.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on October 14, 2016, 05:59:11 PM
Good luck Steve - please bring back the good times!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kiddylion on October 14, 2016, 06:01:16 PM
Good luck Steve
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 14, 2016, 06:01:33 PM
The boneheaded Morlocks of Bordesley are not best pleased by all this.



That is brilliant.

I'm sorry that's got to be a Villa fan on the wind up, Beautiful.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 14, 2016, 06:04:40 PM
I personally can never imagine it being, Stevee Bruce claret and blue army.
Unless, we get promoted and go to wembeeerly, this season.
I can not remember the last C+B army manager, probably O. Neil ?

However why not use potato face as a term of endearment, " stand up potato face , potato give us a wave"
Always seemed more of a King Edward, than a jersey

I know all in good humour, but his Villa now , so bfs c+b army me lord.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: curiousorange on October 14, 2016, 06:12:42 PM
What a dickhead that Blues fan is. In less than a minute he's gone from Bruce being responsible for the most successful period in their recent history to being a man he can't stand.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Pete3206 on October 14, 2016, 08:23:19 PM
There's more of him on You Tube. He is a walking Blues nose cliché.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 14, 2016, 08:37:57 PM
He looks confused, like a zombie wondering why he's become re-animated.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 14, 2016, 08:44:40 PM
Maybe he is the only nose that could spring a sentence sort of together
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 14, 2016, 08:55:23 PM
Is he also in Chelmsley Wood, aka Solihull, not Birmingham? Can these plastic Brummies fuck off please.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TB on October 14, 2016, 08:58:02 PM
Maybe he is the only nose that could spring a sentence sort of together

Oh. That's absolutely beautiful. Not to mention quite ironic. Well done.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 14, 2016, 09:05:09 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

And that is precisely why you should never plug your Speak and Spell into the mains.
I'm from north birmingham n proud education isn't our thing you left wing middle class liberal wanker. I love Tracey Andrews.
 People like you glee at our undereducation. But it's peasants like us that fight for and have the relationship with Villa that you can never have. Fancy a drink round b6 on match day eve?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on October 14, 2016, 09:07:20 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

And that is precisely why you should never plug your Speak and Spell into the mains.
I'm from north birmingham n proud education isn't our thing you left wing middle class liberal wanker. I love Tracey Andrews.
 People like you glee at our undereducation. But it's peasants like us that fight for and have the relationship with Villa that you can never have. Fancy a drink round b6 on match day eve?


Will you last the evening?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 14, 2016, 09:12:51 PM
Is he also in Chelmsley Wood, aka Solihull, not Birmingham? Can these plastic Brummies fuck off please.

I am originally from Chelmsley Wood lol
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: spinksy the bfg on October 14, 2016, 09:16:23 PM
Is he also in Chelmsley Wood, aka Solihull, not Birmingham? Can these plastic Brummies fuck off please.

I am originally from Chelmsley Wood lol
good lad then a villa fan in so called traditional scum territory but luton also full of scum of another kind.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on October 14, 2016, 09:22:53 PM
Is he also in Chelmsley Wood, aka Solihull, not Birmingham? Can these plastic Brummies fuck off please.

I am originally from Chelmsley Wood lol
good lad then a villa fan in so called traditional scum territory but luton also full of scum of another kind.

Jesus wept.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 14, 2016, 09:24:52 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

And that is precisely why you should never plug your Speak and Spell into the mains.
I'm from north birmingham n proud education isn't our thing you left wing middle class liberal wanker. I love Tracey Andrews.
 People like you glee at our undereducation. But it's peasants like us that fight for and have the relationship with Villa that you can never have. Fancy a drink round b6 on match day eve?

Spinky's I'm north Birmingham too, and agree there is a lot of wanabes on here, and give it the the I'm better than you, but fuck em , its us that give villa the bollocks to fuck these nose wankas. UTV
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 14, 2016, 09:33:01 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

And that is precisely why you should never plug your Speak and Spell into the mains.
I'm from north birmingham n proud education isn't our thing you left wing middle class liberal wanker. I love Tracey Andrews.
 People like you glee at our undereducation. But it's peasants like us that fight for and have the relationship with Villa that you can never have. Fancy a drink round b6 on match day eve?

Spinky's I'm north Birmingham too, and agree there is a lot of wanabes on here, and give it the the I'm better than you, but fuck em , its us that give villa the bollocks to fuck these nose wankas. UTV
Blimey! You can tell it's a Friday
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 14, 2016, 09:36:57 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

And that is precisely why you should never plug your Speak and Spell into the mains.
I'm from north birmingham n proud education isn't our thing you left wing middle class liberal wanker. I love Tracey Andrews.
 People like you glee at our undereducation. But it's peasants like us that fight for and have the relationship with Villa that you can never have. Fancy a drink round b6 on match day eve?

Spinky's I'm north Birmingham too, and agree there is a lot of wanabes on here, and give it the the I'm better than you, but fuck em , its us that give villa the bollocks to fuck these nose wankas. UTV
Blimey! You can tell it's a Friday

Meaning??
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 14, 2016, 09:47:44 PM
If folks could calm down it would be splendid so as we don't have to keep adding to the ban list.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 14, 2016, 10:10:41 PM
Love the Villa, tmw we will be one with the Gaffer
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: WarszaVillan on October 14, 2016, 10:19:01 PM
Love the Villa, tmw we will be one with the Gaffer

Ain't that the truth!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 14, 2016, 10:22:15 PM
Has our safe haven from the ruffians been taken?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 14, 2016, 10:26:41 PM
Has our safe haven from the ruffians been taken?

i'll be hiding in the holte
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cumbriavilla on October 14, 2016, 10:26:57 PM
How long has Mark Delaney been on the coaching staff?
Since 2007!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 14, 2016, 10:31:56 PM
Is he also in Chelmsley Wood, aka Solihull, not Birmingham? Can these plastic Brummies fuck off please.

I am originally from Chelmsley Wood lol
good lad then a villa fan in so called traditional scum territory but luton also full of scum of another kind.

Jesus wept.

No comment from moi
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on October 14, 2016, 10:33:10 PM
I'm still a little surprised he's taken charge for the game tomorrow after such a short period, particularly given the profile of the game.  I think a lot of managers would have not fancied that as their first game up and plumped for a watching brief and a start on Monday. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 14, 2016, 10:37:53 PM
I am pleased he wants to take charge tom2103. Who is there to take charge? He will have seen all the games and hopefully he will get them going. Will be interesting to see the team he chooses as seems he was keen on a few players
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve kirk on October 14, 2016, 10:39:00 PM
Spinksy the bfg I dont think this is the right fanzine site for you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on October 14, 2016, 10:42:46 PM

After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

And that is precisely why you should never plug your Speak and Spell into the mains.
I'm from north birmingham n proud education isn't our thing you left wing middle class liberal wanker. I love Tracey Andrews.
 People like you glee at our undereducation. But it's peasants like us that fight for and have the relationship with Villa that you can never have. Fancy a drink round b6 on match day eve?

[/quote]

I'm guessing Brexit, right?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 14, 2016, 11:04:44 PM
Good luck Steve. Win every game in October and we'll be happy 😀

Fixed. SFB? This is going to take some time to get used to.

Right now, being positive:

I think he's a very decent chap
His favourite Division is the Championship.
He loves to get his teams promoted.
He'll understand when we sack him.
He's lost a lot of weight and looks well.
He lives locally.
We may not sing his name but we'll all be behind his team.

If I remember correctly from a poll, no one wanted Ron Saunders (including me) but he didn't do too bad. As for the Blues connection, I was well post off when in Rotterdam seeing Peter Withe score our goal. I will be behind the manager and hunk he has come across great so far
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 14, 2016, 11:06:11 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

And that is precisely why you should never plug your Speak and Spell into the mains.
I'm from north birmingham n proud education isn't our thing you left wing middle class liberal wanker. I love Tracey Andrews.
 People like you glee at our undereducation. But it's peasants like us that fight for and have the relationship with Villa that you can never have. Fancy a drink round b6 on match day eve?


As far as I'm concerned that should be a banning offence right there, I can handle pretty much anything that gets said at football as 'banter' but this shit (and the fucking song) makes us look like the scummiest fans around, it's fucking sick.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 14, 2016, 11:09:37 PM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

And that is precisely why you should never plug your Speak and Spell into the mains.
I'm from north birmingham n proud education isn't our thing you left wing middle class liberal wanker. I love Tracey Andrews.
 People like you glee at our undereducation. But it's peasants like us that fight for and have the relationship with Villa that you can never have. Fancy a drink round b6 on match day eve?

Spinky's I'm north Birmingham too, and agree there is a lot of wanabes on here, and give it the the I'm better than you, but fuck em , its us that give villa the bollocks to fuck these nose wankas. UTV
Blimey! You can tell it's a Friday

Meaning??
Meaning I can't believe what I'm reading
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 14, 2016, 11:12:26 PM
It's been dealt with so how about we leave it now and go back to talking about our potato headed overlord.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dante Lavelli on October 14, 2016, 11:41:56 PM
My gasp has been flabbered.  What a tit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 14, 2016, 11:58:16 PM
Maybe lets think what Steve Bruce can do for us, I am pleased with the appointment tbh. Who is better than him to get us out of our current plight?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on October 15, 2016, 12:04:55 AM
It's a long shot, but seeing as he's now our manager, is there any chance of giving the potato head thing a rest? Even in a jovial ironic sense it's getting on my nerves, and the bloke hasn't even sat in the dugout yet.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 15, 2016, 12:11:36 AM
Will he be sitting or planted in the dugout?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 15, 2016, 12:12:43 AM
Steve Bruce is growing on me. Well behind my ears anyway.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 15, 2016, 12:14:50 AM
I think most Villa fans are willing to give the manager a chance Des Little and those who don't agree have a problem saying who should be manager. I will love it in four years time when he is parading the champions league trophy lol. If he is still here then he will have done very well
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dante Lavelli on October 15, 2016, 12:20:38 AM
I think most Villa fans are willing to give the manager a chance Des Little and those who don't agree have a problem saying who should be manager. I will love it in four years time when he is parading the champions league trophy lol. If he is still here then he will have done very well

I doubt Des or any other doubters will be anything other than piss yourself delighted by that outcome.  Both the trophy and even the duration.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on October 15, 2016, 12:27:52 AM
After seeing that video of that runt I have changed my view. Lets welcome stevie Bruce,  it will really piss blues off Let's turn Bruce against Blues and their scum fans.  That blues fan in video probably feels as though he walked in on a villa fan havin sex with his bird (blues fan's bird) ,  and the villa fan then throws the used condom in the Blues fan's face. Come on villa come on Bruce f the scum.

And that is precisely why you should never plug your Speak and Spell into the mains.
I'm from north birmingham n proud education isn't our thing you left wing middle class liberal wanker. I love Tracey Andrews.
 People like you glee at our undereducation. But it's peasants like us that fight for and have the relationship with Villa that you can never have. Fancy a drink round b6 on match day eve?

Less of the wanker please. And yes, I'd love to have a drink. You can tell me about this relationship with Villa I'll never have.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on October 15, 2016, 12:35:26 AM
It's at this point I'd like to add that I'm from North Birmingham and proud too, although I'd like to distance myself from the comments regarding education.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Smoke on October 15, 2016, 12:38:42 AM
I can't help but feel we're only a page or so away from someone getting fists all over them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on October 15, 2016, 12:59:28 AM
I am pleased he wants to take charge tom2103. Who is there to take charge? He will have seen all the games and hopefully he will get them going. Will be interesting to see the team he chooses as seems he was keen on a few players

Oh I am too and I think it is refreshing to see.  I just think some managers would have seen the Wolves game as one to avoid and let Clarke take training and the game this week.  They would have watched from the stands, sacked Clarke the next day and taken over on Monday.  I think it's credit to him that he has gone straight in. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 15, 2016, 01:04:52 AM
Totally agree tom2103. He has gone in there and it is his team, though it aint really. Lets hope he can inspire them
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ducksworthy on October 15, 2016, 03:34:15 AM
I still expect a rendition of 'Stand up potato head' when we're 3-0 up on Saturday.

I'm desperately trying to work in some "Spud-U-Like" reference...

Spud's Spud's Villa to the tune of "Ice, Ice baby"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 15, 2016, 03:45:12 AM
Nice and slow..

Oh when the Spuds, go marchin' in..
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 15, 2016, 05:18:18 AM
this is getting very tedious. Anyone using the word spud or potato in the context of out esteemed leader has to face a lifetime ban. Me? Well, I'm not from north Birmingham, I am on Donald Trump's campaign staff, still a close relationship with the General and received the finest non education money can buy. Oh,, and 'call me Dave' says Hi!. Very, very good luck today Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: robbo1874 on October 15, 2016, 06:08:59 AM
Some bell-ends on this thread.

Just get behind the new fella and support the team.

For what it's worth - I think we may draw or lose against the dogheads. But I reckon BFS will turn the the club around if he's given a chance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on October 15, 2016, 07:47:30 AM
Well let's hope our new manager can sort out some of the half baked players we have. He should realise that you can't wedge five forwards into a team and just hope they will give someone a roasting. If all the players chip in there,s no reason why we still can't steam this league and mashing wolves today would be a great start.It all boils down to results as he should realise if he makes a hash of it then it won't help his career.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: littleoldme on October 15, 2016, 09:16:03 AM
Good luck in your Villa career Mr Bruce say i.He does appear to be absolutely chuffed to be appointed to such an esteemed position at our great club.
As a football man he knows the enormity of both the club,and the job in hand,here's wishing you well,and welcome to the family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Fin Feds Dad on October 15, 2016, 09:18:41 AM
He's one of us now - a far better appointment than the last one, in my opinion. Good luck Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on October 15, 2016, 09:20:19 AM
He's one of us now - a far better appointment than the last one, in my opinion. Good luck Steve.

^ this
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on October 15, 2016, 09:33:21 AM
He's one of us now - a far better appointment than the last one four, in my opinion. Good luck Steve.

Fixed
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rico on October 15, 2016, 09:43:10 AM
Welcome to the Villa, Steve.

I'm sure that you have forgotten more about football than I will ever know, but please can you not use the Villa to try out whatever the latest new fangled tactical formation is. Five up front with two in midfield is a recipe for disaster. Passing the ball sideways and backwards a thousand times per game might give impressive possession stats, but won't win matches. Equally, I don't want to see our goalkeeper passing the ball sideways or backwards from a goal kick. Why not give 442 a go? Anyway, all the best and good luck.

(My name is Rico. I'm from North Birmingham and I don't hate the Blues- I even have some friends who are blue noses, and some Baggies. I love Villa.)

UTV
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villabear on October 15, 2016, 09:51:51 AM
This quote: "It’s a huge football club, it’s a privilege to manage it and it’s arguably the biggest club that I’ve ever managed and I mean that properly."

He just comes across as proper manager. Welcome Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on October 15, 2016, 10:02:45 AM
I'm glad he's in charge of the team today. He can probably see that our most pressing problems are tactical ones, and has the confidence to address them, and own the result, win, lose or draw.

Last thing we need is him sitting in the stand looking shell shocked as we lose 3-0 and then coming out with some shit about the 'challenge being bigger than he thought'
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Confusious says on October 15, 2016, 10:37:10 AM
Full credit to Steve on taking charge against the wolves, it seems that he could not wait to get going. It will take a while for him to get the formation he wants which suit the players he has inherited but I am sure come January there will be a couple of additions of his choice to help the push up the table. Steve I wish you Luck for today & the future, I am sure most the fans will be be with you now that you are our man.  U T V
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 15, 2016, 11:05:21 AM
I'm pleased he's in charge for this game for two reasons. Firstly it gives everyone a boost knowing the new manager is in charge. Also it's a statement of confidence on his part. He could have sat in the stands and basically taken no responsibility if we lost today, but he's prepared to take a risk.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 15, 2016, 11:28:09 AM
exactly showing some confidence from the get go, win, loose or draw, good on you Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: joe_c on October 15, 2016, 11:50:48 AM
I'm pleased he's in charge for this game for two reasons. Firstly it gives everyone a boost knowing the new manager is in charge. Also it's a statement of confidence on his part. He could have sat in the stands and basically taken no responsibility if we lost today, but he's prepared to take a risk.

A guy at work was expressing his surprise that the press conference etc took place at Bodymoor Heath rather than Villa Park and my assumption was that he wanted to get straight to work.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Pete3206 on October 15, 2016, 12:02:58 PM
Absolutely Joe_c.

No fanfare, just the minimum media requirement and straight down to it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 15, 2016, 12:34:34 PM
He understands the pressing need otherwise he wouldn't be at the club. He identified the very fine margins that have put us where we are. If we were just able to see out games we'd be discussing RDM's team selection today. I'd like to use go back to the side that was quite entertaining at the start of the season coupled with a manager who can see what we need to close the deal.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on October 15, 2016, 01:44:41 PM
Steve Bruce is ace. I think we will win the FA Cup and the playoffs now.

Come on you Lions!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 15, 2016, 01:55:12 PM
Steve Bruce is ace. I think we will win the FA Cup and the playoffs now.

Come on you Lions!
Don't agree. We will lose the FA cup semi final after fielding our reserve team  including both Richards and Agbonlahor and then go on to win the final 5 games for automatic promotion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on October 15, 2016, 02:54:24 PM
I'm glad he's in charge of the team today. He can probably see that our most pressing problems are tactical ones, and has the confidence to address them, and own the result, win, lose or draw.

Last thing we need is him sitting in the stand looking shell shocked as we lose 3-0 and then coming out with some shit about the 'challenge being bigger than he thought'
Tactical, yes; and, there's something about the team's  confidence and not being able to close out games.
He needs to fix both.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 15, 2016, 03:15:42 PM
I'm glad he's in charge of the team today. He can probably see that our most pressing problems are tactical ones, and has the confidence to address them, and own the result, win, lose or draw.

Last thing we need is him sitting in the stand looking shell shocked as we lose 3-0 and then coming out with some shit about the 'challenge being bigger than he thought'
Tactical, yes; and, there's something about the team's  confidence and not being able to close out games.
He needs to fix both.

One of the things that concerns me is Bruce isn't know for his tactical acumen. I'm pretty sure he'll be able to motivate the players and get some confidence back into them. I'm really hoping he's a lucky manager/person. Some of our recent managers (regardless of their long term capabilities) just haven't had much luck at all. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Witton Warrior on October 15, 2016, 03:21:21 PM
I'm glad he's in charge of the team today. He can probably see that our most pressing problems are tactical ones, and has the confidence to address them, and own the result, win, lose or draw.

Last thing we need is him sitting in the stand looking shell shocked as we lose 3-0 and then coming out with some shit about the 'challenge being bigger than he thought'
Tactical, yes; and, there's something about the team's  confidence and not being able to close out games.
He needs to fix both.

One of the things that concerns me is Bruce isn't know for his tactical acumen. I'm pretty sure he'll be able to motivate the players and get some confidence back into them. I'm really hoping he's a lucky manager/person. Some of our recent managers (regardless of their long term capabilities) just haven't had much luck at all. 

I tend to agree with SirrAlex who, when asked why Manure were so lucky replied "we practice a lot..."
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 15, 2016, 03:30:37 PM
I'm glad he's in charge of the team today. He can probably see that our most pressing problems are tactical ones, and has the confidence to address them, and own the result, win, lose or draw.

Last thing we need is him sitting in the stand looking shell shocked as we lose 3-0 and then coming out with some shit about the 'challenge being bigger than he thought'
Tactical, yes; and, there's something about the team's  confidence and not being able to close out games.
He needs to fix both.

One of the things that concerns me is Bruce isn't know for his tactical acumen. I'm pretty sure he'll be able to motivate the players and get some confidence back into them. I'm really hoping he's a lucky manager/person. Some of our recent managers (regardless of their long term capabilities) just haven't had much luck at all. 

I tend to agree with SirrAlex who, when asked why Manure were so lucky replied "we practice a lot..."

I agree outstanding teams make their own luck and that is no doubt down to work ethic and having quality in depth (Man Yoo & Liverpool in their heyday). But that aside there are still some right lucky so and sos. I'm hoping Bruce is one of those so and sos ;-)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 15, 2016, 05:14:24 PM
It's all in the lap of the football gods.  There will be no middle way for Steve Bruce at Villa.  He is either going to get it right or get it wrong.  Wrong and he will be pilloried mercilessly for all eternity.  Right and he will have the Aston Expressway Memorial Roadworks Museum named after him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 15, 2016, 05:39:47 PM
Brian we didn't just appoint Sherwood or McLeish. I actually think there is a lot of support for him given what he brings. It's clear you have no time for him but it's time to put that behind you and pull together.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on October 15, 2016, 07:34:32 PM
Lower quality football, more passion. Same results.

His substitutions were at least sane though, even if forced.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on October 15, 2016, 07:52:16 PM
I bet Steve is already counting down the days til January. He'll know full well the huge task on his hands. A least one new centre half and two midfielders are essential.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 15, 2016, 07:53:49 PM
TV old chap, there was nothing in my post that suggested I thought, or wished him to fail.  Please check my post on this thread (page 27) welcoming him.  He is at a crossroads for the club, and a crossroads in his own career.  Nothing provocative or extreme about that view.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 15, 2016, 08:06:54 PM
We got out of jail today, and I believe Steve was the reason we got a draw and not a defeat that in all honesty was on the cards. the crowd seemed to be pro SB which is good because theres no where to run for us if he cant pull it round.

Steve Bruce claret and blue army
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 15, 2016, 08:17:19 PM
He's got a serious job on.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 15, 2016, 08:19:03 PM
Needs to get a grip fast. In the championhip we had a lucky escape today but if that had been in the premier, we'd have equaled some of black's and garde's results
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ez on October 15, 2016, 08:39:57 PM
I'm starting to see Steve Bruce as the last chance saloon for us. If he can't get it sorted, well i dread to think where we'll end up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 15, 2016, 08:40:28 PM
He's got a very serious job on to keep this rabble in the league.

I'm tired. Very tired of this all now. I don't want to go anymore.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on October 15, 2016, 08:45:45 PM
He's got a very serious job on to keep this rabble in the league.

I'm tired. Very tired of this all now. I don't want to go anymore.

Agree with that last line 100%.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on October 15, 2016, 08:48:26 PM
If he didn't know he had a job on before, he definitely knows now. He gets the benefit of only having a few days, but very bloody quickly he needs to realise that given the sheer crapness of our CM options, he's got to play a 3 man there. There's no other way.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: croatian on October 15, 2016, 08:52:00 PM
He's got a very serious job on to keep this rabble in the league.

I'm tired. Very tired of this all now. I don't want to go anymore.
I feel your pain mate. Long time ago....wish bruce luck, but too much now...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 15, 2016, 09:01:35 PM
TV old chap, there was nothing in my post that suggested I thought, or wished him to fail.  Please check my post on this thread (page 27) welcoming him.  He is at a crossroads for the club, and a crossroads in his own career.  Nothing provocative or extreme about that view.

Brian I haven't suggested at all that you have indicated that you want him to fail. Just that you have made it clear you are not a fan. Which is fine. I just think we all need to rally together because the job he has is absolutely massive. And that's before we take today's display into consideration. I just don't agree that he will be mercilessly pilloried as you put it because I have to think it's clear to all concerned the health of the club on the pitch is just awful. Bruce will need our support to get this turned around.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ad@m on October 15, 2016, 09:02:51 PM
Post match interview on Pravda is interesting (https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2016/10/15/manager-verdict-bruce-wolves)

Quote
Steve Bruce spoke to the media following the 1-1 draw with Wolves.

His views in full are below.

On the overall performance…

There’s a lot of work to be done – and that’s probably why I am sitting here.

To be fair the attitude of them – the blocks and the saves – you couldn’t fault.

We tired badly, which was alarming.

We had two people – Micah and Tommy – struggling with injury, which affected us a bit because it would have been nice to bring on Big Rudy or Jordan or Leandro to give us a bit of a spark.

But unfortunately the substitutions we had were defensive ones and we couldn’t change the game.

On whether there are issues with fitness…

That’s an easy one.

I wouldn’t like to say that against any other manager.

But it’s fair to say that some could be in better condition.

I think that’s only right.

On whether there’s a mental fragility…

The hardest part I have had in management has been getting over a relegation.

It’s very, very difficult.

We have now only won four games in 55 matches – which is an alarming statistic.

It’s my job to find a formula to win, fund a formula to be successful in the Championship.

We have decent players here who are finding it difficult with the weight of expectation.

We have to turn that around – that’s why I am here.

That’s why I hope I will be here in a few years because we have to turn that around and stop the slide. A couple of wins would do that.

On the game giving him an understanding of what needs doing…

I can understand now why they concede late. It’s blatantly obvious.

We will go to work on that but it’s difficult in this league because obviously we play against Tuesday.

We will do absolutely everything we possibly can to make us better equipped to play in the Championship.

To play in the Championship now you have to have to have an intensity to your play just like in the big league.

On coming in early enough to bring in changes..

I sincerely hope so – and we can only get better.

On injuries to Micah Richards and Tommy Elphick…

They are both calf injuries.

I would have thought both have no chance for Tuesday.

On the injuries scuppering attacking changes..

That was the difficulty. It obviously causes you a problem.

On his reception by the fans…

I thought they were absolutely fantastic – I thank them.

It’s a wonderful club with a wonderful support.

They are finding it tough at the moment but it’s my job to put a smile on their faces and given them the team that they warrant. I will do everything I can.

On the fan support…

It’s been bleak for a while of course.

They are not used to seeing their team play at this level. 

It’s a big club with a big expectation.

With that you have to go and perform to a level we know they are capable of.

That’s a bit of confidence and mentality. We will get there.

On Mile Jedinak’s substitution…

With hindsight the reason I didn’t play Jordan Ayew and Leandro Bacuna was because they had huge, big delights.

Mile Jedinak had one too, from Australia – and came back on Friday morning.

Maybe I should have left him alone.

I wanted his experience. It’s fair to say it’s tough to fly back from Australia and perform in a big football match.

It was a mistake from me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on October 15, 2016, 09:05:05 PM
Reasonable from Bruce, but 'Jordan Ayew and Leandro Bacuna was because they had huge, big delights' is mysterious.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 15, 2016, 09:05:57 PM
On Mile Jedinak’s substitution…

With hindsight the reason I didn’t play Jordan Ayew and Leandro Bacuna was because they had huge, big delights.

Mile Jedinak had one too, from Australia – and came back on Friday morning.

Maybe I should have left him alone.


eh?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: curiousorange on October 15, 2016, 09:07:28 PM
"With hindsight the reason I didn’t play Jordan Ayew and Leandro Bacuna was because they had huge, big delights."

They must have been the only people at VP who had any kind of delight.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave shelley on October 15, 2016, 09:07:59 PM
Flights.  Not too hard to work out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 15, 2016, 09:09:02 PM
Flights.  Not too hard to work out.

I know but i prefer huge big delights.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 15, 2016, 09:09:11 PM
On Mile Jedinak’s substitution…

With hindsight the reason I didn’t play Jordan Ayew and Leandro Bacuna was because they had huge, big delights.

Mile Jedinak had one too, from Australia – and came back on Friday morning.

Maybe I should have left him alone.


eh?

I think he is referring to flights during the week. Not delights
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt C on October 15, 2016, 09:09:45 PM
Flights
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt C on October 15, 2016, 09:11:18 PM
Can't argue wth much of what he says there.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 15, 2016, 09:11:23 PM
delights = flights I think.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 15, 2016, 09:13:26 PM
Not huge delights, huge flights. Bacuna does look like he's had a huge delight though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 15, 2016, 09:15:38 PM
Disappointed he's fallen back on the old "unfit players" line. The first excuse that any new manager comes up with when a result is bad. You don't need to be fit to pass to a teammate...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 15, 2016, 09:15:43 PM
His comments or non comments on fitness are so revealing. And nothing we don't already know. I thought we had that task master from Inter Milan. What's happened to him?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 15, 2016, 09:16:23 PM
TV you seem to be deliberately attributing things to me I have not said.  I have never said I am not a fan of Steve Bruce nor have I ever said I am a fan of Steve Bruce.  I accept him as a necessity.  Nor can you lecture me about getting behind the manager.  I was getting behind Villa managers probably before your father was born.  He will be mercilessly pilloried if we fail as badly with him as we have with his immediate predecessors.  He has not failed.  I do not think he will fail.  I am simply stating the obvious of what will happen if he does while also stating that he will be revered if he succeeds, and like Joe Mercer another manager who dragged us from the brink, will probably have a road named after him, like Mercer did at Manchester City.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 15, 2016, 09:16:53 PM
Disappointed he's fallen back on the old "unfit players" line. The first excuse that any new manager comes up with when a result is bad. You don't need to be fit to pass to a teammate...

What have you seen from them this season that makes you think any of them are fit?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 15, 2016, 09:17:02 PM
Disappointed he's fallen back on the old "unfit players" line. The first excuse that any new manager comes up with when a result is bad. You don't need to be fit to pass to a teammate...

How's he fallen back on it? He's saying what is obvious and pointing out a contributory factor to the performance. He's hardly said it's why we played badly, just one of the reasons.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Walmley_Villa on October 15, 2016, 09:18:50 PM
The fitness or lack of has been evident for a couple of years and does contribute to the performances tailing off. RDM and his staff have to take the blame for the current team's lack of fitness.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VILLA MOLE on October 15, 2016, 09:19:36 PM
Disappointed he's fallen back on the old "unfit players" line. The first excuse that any new manager comes up with when a result is bad. You don't need to be fit to pass to a teammate...

How's he fallen back on it? He's saying what is obvious and pointing out a contributory factor to the performance. He's hardly said it's why we played badly, just one of the reasons.


yes there were a few just walking around by the end as they could not run anymore
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 15, 2016, 09:20:07 PM
Disappointed he's fallen back on the old "unfit players" line. The first excuse that any new manager comes up with when a result is bad. You don't need to be fit to pass to a teammate...

How's he fallen back on it? He's saying what is obvious and pointing out a contributory factor to the performance. He's hardly said it's why we played badly, just one of the reasons.

i don't think we're unfit compared to anyone else. and the point is did RDM only buy unfit players to join us because lets face it, the likes of all our summer signings should have been fit from their other clubs when they joined
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AvFc4eVeR on October 15, 2016, 09:22:25 PM
Not huge delights, huge flights. Bacuna does look like he's had a huge delight though.

This is surely going to be the next, "why didn't Barry take that penalty at Arsenal?"

Years from now we will look back at Bruce's first game in charge and laugh about how absent players had such big delights!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 15, 2016, 09:23:30 PM
I just want to point out in the article that it's not delights. It should read flights.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VILLA MOLE on October 15, 2016, 09:24:39 PM
i now want an  angel delight
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 15, 2016, 09:24:43 PM
I won't go as far as sickbeggar but it is an excuse, it's something you hear from pretty much every new manager if they don't get a win in their first game because fans will all accept that it takes time to get a team fit and they'll let him have a honeymoon period to sort it.

Now that's not saying he's wrong but Jedinak got back from Australia on Friday morning, he should never have started because there was no chance he'd last 90, that's 1 sub lost before kick off.  Richards hasn't played for 2 months it was always a big ask for him to last 90 so again, that's a 2nd sub taken up before kick off.  Elphick going off is unlucky but Bruce put himself in that position with his selection choices which meant he only had 1 spare sub.

Before anyone accuses me of anything I'm not looking for things to complain about I'm just pointing out that he made mistakes today and they played a part in an awful performance in the 2nd half.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on October 15, 2016, 09:27:24 PM
Disappointed he's fallen back on the old "unfit players" line. The first excuse that any new manager comes up with when a result is bad. You don't need to be fit to pass to a teammate...

Steve Waugh always used to say that in sport, if you're not fit enough, the first sign of it is making poor decisions.

I've no doubt were not physically fit enough in this league and it manifests itself in poor decision making a lot.  I'm just glad it's finally being acknowledged by someone managing the club. It's been this way for years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 15, 2016, 09:28:01 PM
The fitness or lack of has been evident for a couple of years and does contribute to the performances tailing off. RDM and his staff have to take the blame for the current team's lack of fitness.

My worry is every single manager seems to say this. I wonder if Bruce's successor whenever that is will say it after his first game...

To me the players just wilt when the pressure is on which is pretty much for the full 90 minutes now.

We also have a fair few over 30s like Jedinak, Hutton and Cissokho who are starting to slow up and others like Richards, Tshibola and Elphick who have had serious injuries over last few years.

Put it all together and you probably don't have the most athletic team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hairbandinho on October 15, 2016, 09:29:57 PM
So who exactly is our fitness coach? Whoever he is needs firing then
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 15, 2016, 09:30:51 PM
Disappointed he's fallen back on the old "unfit players" line. The first excuse that any new manager comes up with when a result is bad. You don't need to be fit to pass to a teammate...

Steve Waugh always used to say that in sport, if you're not fit enough, the first sign of it is making poor decisions.

I've no doubt were not physically fit enough in this league and it manifests itself in poor decision making a lot.  I'm just glad it's finally being acknowledged by someone managing the club. It's been this way for years.

how can half the players be unift due to the club? they weren't here a month ago and should have been in their usual pre-seasaon fitness regimes with their clubs. If bruce is making the point the championship is full of unfit players then fine, but it doesn't explain how wolves don't suffer from it
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on October 15, 2016, 09:30:56 PM
Disappointed he's fallen back on the old "unfit players" line. The first excuse that any new manager comes up with when a result is bad. You don't need to be fit to pass to a teammate...

How's he fallen back on it? He's saying what is obvious and pointing out a contributory factor to the performance. He's hardly said it's why we played badly, just one of the reasons.

i don't think we're unfit compared to anyone else. and the point is did RDM only buy unfit players to join us because lets face it, the likes of all our summer signings should have been fit from their other clubs when they joined

But had a poor per season and are still not match sharp now. It's not rocket science. That why we crumbled second half and concede so many late goals.  You only need to watch us to see it, it's not that hard to work out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nick harper on October 15, 2016, 09:32:17 PM
I was there. We were not getting around the pitch anything like enough in the second half. No where near enough intensity.  He is absolutely right and it's a disgrace at this stage of the season. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Percy McCarthy on October 15, 2016, 09:33:16 PM
At least he knew we were shite on the interview I saw. Makes a change from some of the other clowns we've had to listen to.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 15, 2016, 09:37:00 PM
So who exactly is our fitness coach? Whoever he is needs firing then

He left the other day, we'll probably recruit a new one early next week.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on October 15, 2016, 09:37:13 PM
There was a a cockiness and casualness to RDM's whole tenure, so I'm not surprised it transmitted itself to the players.

Be that in the form of fitness, taking the opposition seriously, or whatever.

It would be nice to think that just one or two minor adjustments will see us bombing up the league, but it increasingly looks like we have fundamental issues in terms of personnel and stamina.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 15, 2016, 09:38:46 PM
So who exactly is our fitness coach? Whoever he is needs firing then

He left the other day, we'll probably recruit a new one early next week.

Did he? I know the goalkeeper coach did.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 15, 2016, 09:44:42 PM
The manager was right and we now need to realise we aren't as good as we think we are. Mccormack was urging the players to push on the Wolves players but weren't doing it himself, though awful of Kodije not to pass to him at end of first half. Centre midfield was absolutely dire and hope Amavi was just injured
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nastylee on October 15, 2016, 09:45:19 PM
I actually think Bruce's comments are spot on. I hope he can turn it around. However, my fears from the summer are being realised. I said then that if you flood fill a squad with Championship players then you end up with a run of the mill Championship team. Unfortunately, it was the wrong the strategy and we now have some journeymen that were meant to be Championship stalwarts. Have seen nothing from Elphick to convince me he's anything but a bit of a donkey.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on October 15, 2016, 09:45:58 PM
delights = flights I think.

Not huge delights, huge flights. Bacuna does look like he's had a huge delight though.

*Double woosh* ;)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 15, 2016, 09:50:09 PM
Rather than a lack of fitness, i'd suggest its because we have NO MIDFIELD. As a defender you will get knackered if you spend 90 minutes putting up with the opposition charging straight through the invisible men in front of you. Likewise the forwards get a bit tired having to run hopefully back to the centre circle which is the limit of the midfield's forward advances. Our forwards run around a lot for no discernable reason - of course they're knackered
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 15, 2016, 09:52:44 PM
Rather than a lack of fitness, i'd suggest its because we have NO MIDFIELD. As a defender you will get knackered if you spend 90 minutes putting up with the opposition charging straight through the invisible men in front of you. Likewise the forwards get a bit tired having to run hopefully back to the centre circle which is the limit of the midfield's forward advances. Our forwards run around a lot for no discernable reason - of course they're knackered

That's part of it. That's the point we are all making. Nobody including Bruce has suggested it is all fitness but it is a huge part of our overall issues and a key reason as to why we make so many mental errors especially late in games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on October 15, 2016, 09:53:41 PM
The fitness or lack of has been evident for a couple of years and does contribute to the performances tailing off. RDM and his staff have to take the blame for the current team's lack of fitness.

My worry is every single manager seems to say this. I wonder if Bruce's successor whenever that is will say it after his first game...


Well from memory Lambert didn't, Sherwood didn't, Garde didn't, Black didn't and RDM didn't. Yet many on here were constantly taking about being lacking in match fitness.

It's partly why we fall away so badly in games and concede so many late goals.  Partly but certainly a reason IMO.

I'm actually relieved someone in authority is finally saying it tbh.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 15, 2016, 09:54:12 PM
I actually think Bruce's comments are spot on. I hope he can turn it around. However, my fears from the summer are being realised. I said then that if you flood fill a squad with Championship players then you end up with a run of the mill Championship team. Unfortunately, it was the wrong the strategy and we now have some journeymen that were meant to be Championship stalwarts. Have seen nothing from Elphick to convince me he's anything but a bit of a donkey.

I thought Elphick was average today, better than most of the others
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 15, 2016, 09:56:16 PM
Rather than a lack of fitness, i'd suggest its because we have NO MIDFIELD. As a defender you will get knackered if you spend 90 minutes putting up with the opposition charging straight through the invisible men in front of you. Likewise the forwards get a bit tired having to run hopefully back to the centre circle which is the limit of the midfield's forward advances. Our forwards run around a lot for no discernable reason - of course they're knackered

That's part of it. That's the point we are all making. Nobody including Bruce has suggested it is all fitness but it is a huge part of our overall issues and a key reason as to why we make so many mental errors especially late in games.

its a large part of it. It was a large part of it last season. you stick two teams in with the same fitness and 1 team keeps the ball and passes it through midfield while the other team chases it, then one team is gonna get knackered well before 90 minutes
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on October 15, 2016, 09:59:09 PM
Maybe we should be paying whatever it takes for whoever the fitness coach is at the Bitters then.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ClarrieBlue on October 15, 2016, 10:00:26 PM
I actually think Bruce's comments are spot on. I hope he can turn it around. However, my fears from the summer are being realised. I said then that if you flood fill a squad with Championship players then you end up with a run of the mill Championship team. Unfortunately, it was the wrong the strategy and we now have some journeymen that were meant to be Championship stalwarts. Have seen nothing from Elphick to convince me he's anything but a bit of a donkey.

I thought Elphick was average today, better than most of the others
I remember when SGT bought Steve Sims for the same reasons we bought Elphick. Sims was quite limited as a Centre Back but he was SGT's Sergeant on the field. A true leader. Tommy don't seem to have it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nick harper on October 15, 2016, 10:01:32 PM
Rather than a lack of fitness, i'd suggest its because we have NO MIDFIELD. As a defender you will get knackered if you spend 90 minutes putting up with the opposition charging straight through the invisible men in front of you. Likewise the forwards get a bit tired having to run hopefully back to the centre circle which is the limit of the midfield's forward advances. Our forwards run around a lot for no discernable reason - of course they're knackered

That's part of it. That's the point we are all making. Nobody including Bruce has suggested it is all fitness but it is a huge part of our overall issues and a key reason as to why we make so many mental errors especially late in games.

its a large part of it. It was a large part of it last season. you stick two teams in with the same fitness and 1 team keeps the ball and passes it through midfield while the other team chases it, then one team is gonna get knackered well before 90 minutes

You close players down quickly, they make mistakes at this level. You stand off and they are good enough to run past you. Wolves closed us down well all over the pitch and we kept giving it away. It's simple stuff.

Having said that the midlfield is really poor. Not only were they not protecting the back four, they were not supporting the front two. The gap between the midfield and forwards was a chasm throughout the second half.

He must go with a narrow three in midfield until he gets to January so we get more control of games. It will be at the expense of one of our forwards, but we need to grind out some wins from somewhere.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 15, 2016, 10:01:39 PM
The fitness issue is a bit of myth and as other said almost every manager says it. Bradley said the same thing in his post match interview. I am not sure what fitness had to do with Kodjia wandering aimlessly on the right hand side at times and McCormack being so utterly useless. Adomoha not being able to cross or take a decent corners and players constantly passing to opposition?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 15, 2016, 10:03:37 PM
However switching the dug-out ....a master stroke. That will give us extra ten points over the coming months.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OCD on October 15, 2016, 10:14:09 PM
The fitness issue is a bit of myth and as other said almost every manager says it. Bradley said the same thing in his post match interview. I am not sure what fitness had to do with Kodjia wandering aimlessly on the right hand side at times and McCormack being so utterly useless. Adomoha not being able to cross or take a decent corners and players constantly passing to opposition?

They didn't look fit to me, before Bruce even said anything.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on October 15, 2016, 10:17:21 PM
An old pro like Bruce has taken just 48 hours to work us out. Not fit enough, not organised enough, some go missing in action. He will sort it but I see lots of frustration until he can do a bit of dabbling in the market.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 15, 2016, 10:23:04 PM
The fitness issue is a bit of myth and as other said almost every manager says it. Bradley said the same thing in his post match interview. I am not sure what fitness had to do with Kodjia wandering aimlessly on the right hand side at times and McCormack being so utterly useless. Adomoha not being able to cross or take a decent corners and players constantly passing to opposition?

yep. are we supposed to believe Bruce that all these players left their clubs fit to join villa and in the case of McCormack, RDM managed to make him unfit in 3 days? Presumably Kodja and Adomoho were force-fed burgers by RDM as well
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villabear on October 15, 2016, 10:36:50 PM
I thought when watching the second half against Huddersfield we looked knackered and thinking how can this be as it's only our third league game.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 15, 2016, 10:57:24 PM
Going to find Bacuna gonna get Ayew to hold him tight.
Sky rockets in fly
BOOOOOOM
Huge afternoon delights.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on October 15, 2016, 10:58:18 PM
The fitness issue is a bit of myth and as other said almost every manager says it. Bradley said the same thing in his post match interview. I am not sure what fitness had to do with Kodjia wandering aimlessly on the right hand side at times and McCormack being so utterly useless. Adomoha not being able to cross or take a decent corners and players constantly passing to opposition?

They didn't look fit to me, before Bruce even said anything.

Ditto.  It was being said here on the post match thread and elsewhere.

It's right that new managers often do use it as a cop out. Or -being generous- they ask their side to play in a slightly different way than they are used to and they don't have the legs for it.

Today we were set up not dissimilar to how we have been throughout the season. It doesn't look like we were asked to press high, giving it full gegenpress or whatever.  Yet we still looked spent by about 60 minutes.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on October 15, 2016, 10:58:21 PM
We have said a number of times they look unfit this season. Bruce saying it like it is.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AvFc4eVeR on October 15, 2016, 11:03:03 PM
It's all falling into place now;

Lack of fitness
Clueless play
Not looking like they have ever played together
Poor set pieces

They really have done fuck all in training all season.

Over to you Steve, sort em out!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wozwebs on October 15, 2016, 11:06:04 PM
I thought RDM had them in for double sessions pre-season?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 15, 2016, 11:18:49 PM
I'm wondering if RDM did his Albion trick of never being at BMH? Players certainly look like they'd never visited the place.

There's a lack of fitness but also a massive fear that leads to cowardly play. They're afraid to move the ball forwards at times and it's leading to players standing stock still, lumping it as an easy option, retreating back etc. Wins are the only cure but I can't see how this side based on that will ever win a game again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on October 15, 2016, 11:22:20 PM
Maybe he did, they can be in for triple sessions and it won't make any difference if they arnt doing the hard yards, the long runs, the sprints, the beep tests, the hill runs.

That's a large part of getting the stamina right. If your spending all your time in the weights section of the gym at BH you end up strong but not lean and match fit,  see Gabby as example A of our attitude to fitness.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 15, 2016, 11:40:27 PM
The is just no cohesion between the defence, the midfield and the attack. They operate as if they're completely independent entities. The midfield is the biggest problem, because it offers no control to build attacks and no screening to protect the defence. Bruce has a hell of a job on.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 16, 2016, 12:12:41 AM
I'm wondering if RDM did his Albion trick of never being at BMH? Players certainly look like they'd never visited the place.

There's a lack of fitness but also a massive fear that leads to cowardly play. They're afraid to move the ball forwards at times and it's leading to players standing stock still, lumping it as an easy option, retreating back etc. Wins are the only cure but I can't see how this side based on that will ever win a game again.

The second bit is much closer to the truth of the problem for me.  I don't think the squad are as unfit as people are suggesting, I think it's easy to see big gaps and see us failing to ever win a second ball and assume it's down to fitness/work rate but I think that's missing the fact that we've started games looking like that, today we came out after 15mins rest and looked worse than we have all season.  That doesn't point to a blanket club wide fitness issue for me.  I personally think the problem is that the players are terrified so they're finding what they think is the right position and holding it as much as possible, trying to avoid taking responsibility to adapt to the game as it happens.  That why the point where we look 'unfit' is when teams start pressing us and changing their game up.

I'm not saying we shouldn't do fitness work I'm just saying that we could train them all up to run marathons and swim the channel and we'd still have the same problems because you're addressing a symptom not an underlying problem.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VancouverLion on October 16, 2016, 03:33:59 AM
The is just no cohesion between the defence, the midfield and the attack. They operate as if they're completely independent entities. The midfield is the biggest problem, because it offers no control to build attacks and no screening to protect the defence. Bruce has a hell of a job on.
Spot on.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on October 16, 2016, 04:08:25 AM
RDM was totally the wrong appointment. Pity Steve resigned at Hull in July, not long after RDM took over. What a shambles we've become, particularly the last 2 seasons. The midfield is scary.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on October 16, 2016, 07:02:31 AM
I'm wondering if RDM did his Albion trick of never being at BMH? Players certainly look like they'd never visited the place.

There's a lack of fitness but also a massive fear that leads to cowardly play. They're afraid to move the ball forwards at times and it's leading to players standing stock still, lumping it as an easy option, retreating back etc. Wins are the only cure but I can't see how this side based on that will ever win a game again.

The second bit is much closer to the truth of the problem for me.  I don't think the squad are as unfit as people are suggesting, I think it's easy to see big gaps and see us failing to ever win a second ball and assume it's down to fitness/work rate but I think that's missing the fact that we've started games looking like that, today we came out after 15mins rest and looked worse than we have all season.  That doesn't point to a blanket club wide fitness issue for me.  I personally think the problem is that the players are terrified so they're finding what they think is the right position and holding it as much as possible, trying to avoid taking responsibility to adapt to the game as it happens.  That why the point where we look 'unfit' is when teams start pressing us and changing their game up.

I'm not saying we shouldn't do fitness work I'm just saying that we could train them all up to run marathons and swim the channel and we'd still have the same problems because you're addressing a symptom not an underlying problem.

Agreed. Our performances are getting worse. We didn't end the forest and Newcastle games badly.

It did seem a really obvious move to switch to a three man midfield yday. We were just getting outnumbered

Awful performance
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on October 16, 2016, 08:01:11 AM
I think had Jedinak not looked so awful and injuries taken players out we may have switched to a 3.

I do wonder if Bruce will look at the unattached list.  Still sine very decent players on it that could do a job. Osman even at 35 would offer something in midfield.  Mareilles might too. Some decent centre halves on there too. I think we need to get working on Bruce's trusted 3 5 2 to give us more through the centre of the pitch. In January I will be amazed if at least 2 central midfielders don't arrive.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ron Manager on October 16, 2016, 08:40:03 AM
God knows what he can do in the next two months.We need physicality in midfield as a priority.Jedinak it appears is not the answer he is far too slow even for the Championship.
Free transfers have been suggested.That may well be the answer in the short term.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 16, 2016, 08:42:02 AM
have we got any one on loan who we can get back,
even for the campaign next season, Veretout  and Sanchez would both be starters in our midfield at the moment
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Salsa Party Animal on October 16, 2016, 08:45:45 AM
We also need to make the ball work by keeping the ball better like a certain team in Nou Camp.  I can accept we have unfit players from previous management era, but why do we also have unfit players from summer signings.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 16, 2016, 08:46:18 AM
Sanchez and Veretout have to be better than we have, trouble is, even if we could bring them back, neither would want to be here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nick harper on October 16, 2016, 08:50:09 AM
have we got any one on loan who we can get back,
even for the campaign next season, Veretout  and Sanchez would both be starters in our midfield at the moment

Agree about Veretout. He had a really tough time last year, but as we've seen with one or two others who are playing elsewhere, the toxic environment made everyone look awful.

At least he got from box to box and had some energy. The current lot barely cross the half way line.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 16, 2016, 08:53:09 AM
Sanchez and Veretout have to be better than we have, trouble is, even if we could bring them back, neither would want to be here.

Yeah that's true
I don't think we can anyway I don't think it works like that

But like you say you would definitely have Sanchez in over Jed even with his passing and mistakes, and Veretout over Westwood would also be a given even though he didn't start yesterday

I can't believe we have left ourselves so short of midfielders, even when everyone's fit we are still short of options its rediculous
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on October 16, 2016, 09:20:57 AM
The is just no cohesion between the defence, the midfield and the attack. They operate as if they're completely independent entities. The midfield is the biggest problem, because it offers no control to build attacks and no screening to protect the defence. Bruce has a hell of a job on.
Spot on.
yep, i would try richards in centre defensive midfield.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on October 16, 2016, 09:24:44 AM
50 odd million well spent.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 16, 2016, 09:41:27 AM
However switching the dug-out ....a master stroke. That will give us extra ten points over the coming months.

There was no harm in him doing it and it's something he wanted to do. What's the problem?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: claret+blue ed on October 16, 2016, 09:48:47 AM
I think yesterday proved, there is a lot of work ahead to be done, we are starting from scratch again as it didn't look like they had been together for a couple of months at least already
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on October 16, 2016, 09:53:22 AM
However switching the dug-out ....a master stroke. That will give us extra ten points over the coming months.

There was no harm in him doing it and it's something he wanted to do. What's the problem?
Sportsman are notoriously superstitious, I'm not and I think it's all a myth, however each to their own in their beliefs and ways. I can't see a problem with it either. If it makes him happier, why not?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave shelley on October 16, 2016, 09:54:52 AM
A quarter of the season gone and we are just about at pre-season levels of fitness.  Great.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 16, 2016, 09:59:06 AM
what the fuck do any of our 'coaches' do? Long John Silver's got more athleticism than most of our players
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: claret+blue ed on October 16, 2016, 10:02:50 AM
On a different note, why did Bruce go to the effort of losing a few pounds, styling his hair and looking more dapper than he ever has, then go back to a trackie on match day, show your authority Steve and get the suit back on
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 16, 2016, 10:07:08 AM
On a different note, why did Bruce go to the effort of losing a few pounds, styling his hair and looking more dapper than he ever has, then go back to a trackie on match day, show your authority Steve and get the suit back on
You mean like Sherwood , Garde and RDM? He could stand on the touch line in a clowns outfit as far as I'm concerned I just want to start winning games
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: claret+blue ed on October 16, 2016, 10:18:03 AM
On a different note, why did Bruce go to the effort of losing a few pounds, styling his hair and looking more dapper than he ever has, then go back to a trackie on match day, show your authority Steve and get the suit back on
You mean like Sherwood , Garde and RDM? He could stand on the touch line in a clowns outfit as far as I'm concerned I just want to start winning games
Can't have him dressed as a clown, we need him to look different to the players
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy65 on October 16, 2016, 10:41:21 AM
On a different note, why did Bruce go to the effort of losing a few pounds, styling his hair and looking more dapper than he ever has, then go back to a trackie on match day, show your authority Steve and get the suit back on

Thts the sort of thing to worry about when everything else to do with the team is ok
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 16, 2016, 10:50:46 AM
The is just no cohesion between the defence, the midfield and the attack. They operate as if they're completely independent entities. The midfield is the biggest problem, because it offers no control to build attacks and no screening to protect the defence. Bruce has a hell of a job on.
Spot on.
yep, i would try richards in centre defensive midfield.

Whilst being more mobile than Jedinak Richards isn't fit and in my opinion hasn't got the discipline to play there. He was shocking at full back yesterday. If Richards is the answer I dread to think what the question is.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Walmley_Villa on October 16, 2016, 10:51:27 AM
However switching the dug-out ....a master stroke. That will give us extra ten points over the coming months.

There was no harm in him doing it and it's something he wanted to do. What's the problem?

It's back to how it has traditionally been at VP? We got a lucky point yesterday, that is a refreshing change.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on October 16, 2016, 10:52:58 AM
The is just no cohesion between the defence, the midfield and the attack. They operate as if they're completely independent entities. The midfield is the biggest problem, because it offers no control to build attacks and no screening to protect the defence. Bruce has a hell of a job on.
Spot on.
yep, i would try richards in centre defensive midfield.

Whilst being more mobile than Jedinak Richards isn't fit and in my opinion hasn't got the discipline to play there. He was shocking at full back yesterday. If Richards is the answer I dread to think what the question is.

"Who is the only professional footballer that has survived a chicken brain transplant?"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on October 16, 2016, 11:08:52 AM
Rather than a lack of fitness, i'd suggest its because we have NO MIDFIELD. As a defender you will get knackered if you spend 90 minutes putting up with the opposition charging straight through the invisible men in front of you. Likewise the forwards get a bit tired having to run hopefully back to the centre circle which is the limit of the midfield's forward advances. Our forwards run around a lot for no discernable reason - of course they're knackered

That's part of it. That's the point we are all making. Nobody including Bruce has suggested it is all fitness but it is a huge part of our overall issues and a key reason as to why we make so many mental errors especially late in games.

its a large part of it. It was a large part of it last season. you stick two teams in with the same fitness and 1 team keeps the ball and passes it through midfield while the other team chases it, then one team is gonna get knackered well before 90 minutes

It's also noted villa park is massive pitch far bigger than most and that is a contributory factor. All very good for teams on one off matches or the premier league teams where all top players enjoy playing at villa park however the area of the pitch is too big for some players to handle and tires players out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on October 16, 2016, 11:13:06 AM
Didn't someone on here disprove that?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 16, 2016, 11:15:22 AM
The is just no cohesion between the defence, the midfield and the attack. They operate as if they're completely independent entities. The midfield is the biggest problem, because it offers no control to build attacks and no screening to protect the defence. Bruce has a hell of a job on.
Spot on.
yep, i would try richards in centre defensive midfield.

Whilst being more mobile than Jedinak Richards isn't fit and in my opinion hasn't got the discipline to play there. He was shocking at full back yesterday. If Richards is the answer I dread to think what the question is.

"Who is the only professional footballer that has survived a chicken brain transplant?"

Hahaha! Is the correct answer.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 16, 2016, 11:16:53 AM
Is our pitch bigger than most others? I thought it was smaller than most?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: London Villan on October 16, 2016, 11:27:07 AM
They are all pretty much the same size in the top leagues...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 16, 2016, 11:29:42 AM
We had the 13th biggest pitch in 2014/15, over the last few years it's been gradually getting smaller as we gradually get shitter. We don't have a big pitch anymore.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: London Villan on October 16, 2016, 11:31:24 AM
They are all pretty much the same size in the top leagues...

Having checked there are massive differences in sizes.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on October 16, 2016, 11:41:49 AM
We had the 13th biggest pitch in 2014/15, over the last few years it's been gradually getting smaller as we gradually get shitter. We don't have a big pitch anymore.

Well in 2014/15 we were one of 10 teams to all have the biggest playing space at 105m x 68 m.
As they had to be standardized .
And its really well known that villa had one of the bigger pitches over the years.
I like to know the championship regulations for pitch size as there will be smaller pitches due to stadia circumstance just like in premier league
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on October 16, 2016, 11:42:00 AM
Sanchez and Veretout have to be better than we have, trouble is, even if we could bring them back, neither would want to be here.

Not so sure about Sanchez, but Veretout would at least give us the option of playing three in midfield.  He was pretty poor last season and didn't really give the impression that he was too keen on being with us either though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on October 16, 2016, 11:46:43 AM
Bruce already said he 'll make changes for Tuesday as well as the enforced injury ones
 His experience is vital and 'rolling dice ' again as calls it hopefully see what he's got as a canny manager.
I'd expect bacuna and ayew would be in and Westwood and baker so not sure how that'll all go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 16, 2016, 11:47:54 AM
cant vouch for the accuracy of this but our pitch is one of the smaller ones. Elland Road is 10 yards longer, for example

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Football_League_Championship_stadiums
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 16, 2016, 11:48:38 AM
There really is no point in bringing back Sanchez, Veretout et all, they must hate being here, we need to rebuild. Fucking again. God sake I'm sick of this.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on October 16, 2016, 12:01:18 PM
cant vouch for the accuracy of this but our pitch is one of the smaller ones. Elland Road is 10 yards longer, for example

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Football_League_Championship_stadiums

Thanks for lookimg up will end it there then. As ive taken thead off topic But the issue is fitness that's for sure.  Glad bruce spotted that and I guess he would have said about pitch size if was an issue.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on October 16, 2016, 12:03:35 PM
Disappointed he's fallen back on the old "unfit players" line. The first excuse that any new manager comes up with when a result is bad. You don't need to be fit to pass to a teammate...

With all due respect, you chat some right bollocks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 16, 2016, 12:08:37 PM
As an aside, the old ''you don't need to be fit to pass to a team mate'' line is wrong, you do,at least as in it's been proven that as a players physical condition drops so does their passing accuracy and speed of thought.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on October 16, 2016, 12:13:50 PM
These fuckers aren't fit enough. I didn't call it after Huddersfield as it was early in the season. But I did after Brentford. And yesterday was the shitty cherry on the cake.

It doesn't by any means excuse all of our ills but these fuckers need sweating.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 16, 2016, 12:23:43 PM
They're not just lacking basic match fitness but also seem to be made of fucking fibre glass.

Other teams have players being ever-present and hardly missing a minute of the season. Our players can't break into a trot without fucking their hamstring.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ron Manager on October 16, 2016, 12:46:32 PM
They're not just lacking basic match fitness but also seem to be made of fucking fibre glass.

Other teams have players being ever-present and hardly missing a minute of the season. Our players can't break into a trot without fucking their hamstring.

There is definately something deeply wrong with the methods used to train the squad and the people who allegedly take the training. It has been like this for a few seasons. Roy Keane suggested something was amiss but didn't elaborate.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 16, 2016, 12:58:19 PM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3070519/Roy-Keane-slams-tired-club-Aston-Villa-woeful-strikers-couldn-t-finish-dinner-new-chapter-memoirs.html
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 16, 2016, 04:02:56 PM
However switching the dug-out ....a master stroke. That will give us extra ten points over the coming months.

There was no harm in him doing it and it's something he wanted to do. What's the problem?
I didn't say there was a problem. I made a statement that's all as you did till the last sentence!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 16, 2016, 04:11:15 PM
To be fair, it did read like you suggested it wasn't necessary and was a dig at our new manager.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on October 16, 2016, 05:10:44 PM
Steve should offer a short-term deal to Leon Osman the ex-Everton midfielder. He's 35 but we need some experience in there, he also scored a few goals for Everton. This deal could run until the New Year and be reviewed then.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on October 16, 2016, 05:50:18 PM
Steve should offer a short-term deal to Leon Osman the ex-Everton midfielder. He's 35 but we need some experience in there, he also scored a few goals for Everton. This deal could run until the New Year and be reviewed then.
I felt he could be a good signing but it worries me that it's october and he's not found a club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 16, 2016, 06:00:06 PM
After our indulgence with Jedinak do we really want another discarded midfielder? Jedi  at 32 is a almost a youngster compared to Osman.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Fasth56 on October 16, 2016, 06:01:32 PM
The is just no cohesion between the defence, the midfield and the attack. They operate as if they're completely independent entities. The midfield is the biggest problem, because it offers no control to build attacks and no screening to protect the defence. Bruce has a hell of a job on.
Spot on.
yep, i would try richards in centre defensive midfield.

I think yesterday proved that he shouldn't be anywhere near a football field, let alone down the middle. He is a clown, cant tackle, has no positional sense and wanders around the pitch completely aimlessly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 16, 2016, 06:02:01 PM
To be fair, it did read like you suggested it wasn't necessary and was a dig at our new manager.
It was an observation but I can see how it came across. Intention was not to have a dig at least not just yet!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on October 16, 2016, 06:08:07 PM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on October 16, 2016, 06:32:16 PM
Osman, Meireles, and Sulley Muntari are still available.

But -as someone said about Osman- you'd wonder why nobody else has gone in for them.  How soon would they be able to play is another issue. Any player without first team football for as long as they have been could take at least a month to get up to speed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 16, 2016, 07:33:07 PM
Osman, Meireles, and Sulley Muntari are still available.

But -as someone said about Osman- you'd wonder why nobody else has gone in for them.  How soon would they be able to play is another issue. Any player without first team football for as long as they have been could take at least a month to get up to speed.

Or a day to be more mobile than Jedinak or Gardner.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 16, 2016, 08:42:45 PM
Osman, Meireles, and Sulley Muntari are still available.

But -as someone said about Osman- you'd wonder why nobody else has gone in for them.  How soon would they be able to play is another issue. Any player without first team football for as long as they have been could take at least a month to get up to speed.

Bolton invited Osman for a days training and then passed on signing him. Make of that what you will. Here's the article from a couple of days ago.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/14802061.Wanderers_won_t_be_signing_ex_Everton_midfielder_Leon_Osman/
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 16, 2016, 09:22:36 PM
Osman, Meireles, and Sulley Muntari are still available.

But -as someone said about Osman- you'd wonder why nobody else has gone in for them.  How soon would they be able to play is another issue. Any player without first team football for as long as they have been could take at least a month to get up to speed.

Or a day to be more mobile than Jedinak or Gardner.

Well yeah. Jedinak has been the poorest midfielder I've ever seen in a Villa shirt. Genuinely he's been that bad so far. Hopefully he improves.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 16, 2016, 09:32:19 PM
every piss poor side looks unfit, you look at any side having a poor time and they always look out on their feet, and we've been like that for 5 years or more

Bodymore will have the latest technology when it comes to assessing fitness, I'm not sure what happened to Gabby but they will know exactly the current state of every player you would have thought,

unfortunatly when you have been playing mind numbingly bad football and getting tanked month after month it really does look as though your way of the pace of that of the opposition,

I'm not saying more can't be done on the fitness side but I reckon if we won a couple of games (ha ha) I bet we would look like whippets out there
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 16, 2016, 10:06:40 PM
If Bruce can get the midfield to actually provide some value we'll be on the way to recovery. I don't think playing three attacking midfielders works for us. We need to reinforce that centre mid. That's where we build from.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: RichardBatchelor on October 16, 2016, 10:24:08 PM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3070519/Roy-Keane-slams-tired-club-Aston-Villa-woeful-strikers-couldn-t-finish-dinner-new-chapter-memoirs.html

Sure, a lot of what Keane says is true but what did the useless eejit do to improve it? Nothing, because he's an awful coach.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 16, 2016, 10:34:18 PM
every piss poor side looks unfit, you look at any side having a poor time and they always look out on their feet, and we've been like that for 5 years or more

Bodymore will have the latest technology when it comes to assessing fitness, I'm not sure what happened to Gabby but they will know exactly the current state of every player you would have thought,

unfortunatly when you have been playing mind numbingly bad football and getting tanked month after month it really does look as though your way of the pace of that of the opposition,

I'm not saying more can't be done on the fitness side but I reckon if we won a couple of games (ha ha) I bet we would look like whippets out there

Exactly it's about confidence and if you can't get that confidence from results then you have to find other things to build confidence around.  That's why I'm an advocate of basic skills and technique training.  Get people confident in their ability and the ability of their mates.  get them knowing that they're better than the results are showing and that they just need to get that first win on the board and they'll be on their way.  Break it down into things that you can manage on the training field behind closed doors, get a few taking freekicks and hitting the top corner regularly, get a few hitting a dummy at the front or back post from the corner spot.  Get all of them playing one touch passes over 10 yards from either foot.  Get all of them trapping balls fired in from all angles and heights.  There's loads more things as well, anything that a professional footballer should have mastered as a teenager.

The players will probably fucking hate it and think it's patronising as shit (which is a fringe benefit) but you just tell them until they can do it on demand in a match then they have 3-4 hours of this shit every week.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 16, 2016, 10:46:11 PM
I'm hoping Bruce never had the time to watch any of our games on video from last season. It's the only way I can forgive his foolish choice of selecting Micah Richards. If Steve Clarke had remained in charge for the Wolves game and came up with the same starting XI we'd have rightfully torn him a new one.

Hopefully it's just a case of Bruce wanting to jump in the deep end, ignoring he'd only had a few hours with the squad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: b23 on October 16, 2016, 11:50:03 PM
Insist the players wear black boots.
Shinpads.
One pair of socks pulled up to, not over, the knee.
One pair of shorts. *
One short or long sleeved shirt. *

*No body hugging under shorts/shirts.

Let's look like we mean business.

Three defenders. A five man midfield with wing backs and Kodjia as the centre forward.

Wake up Villa. Your stupor is over.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on October 17, 2016, 12:16:52 AM
If Bruce can get the midfield to actually provide some value we'll be on the way to recovery. I don't think playing three attacking midfielders works for us. We need to reinforce that centre mid. That's where we build from.

I think getting the balance right in the midfield holds the key to turning things around.  We have got to go with a three in there and build from that.  For me, it's got to bad Jedinak of Westwood sitting in front of the back four with Tshibola and I suppose Gardner for the time being, pushed on a bit. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on October 17, 2016, 12:56:06 AM
I would like to see Lyden given a run of games in there with Jedinak and then maybe Tshibola in front of them. It is painfully clear we need 3 players in that midfield to be able to compete, and with youth on their side Lyden and Tshibola might make a difference.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on October 17, 2016, 10:09:16 AM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.
Yeah, but people thought on one leg Jedinak and Elphick would out perform the previous incumbents.  It doesn't always work out that way.  Frankly, I suspect we would have been better off with Sanchez and Lescott.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on October 17, 2016, 10:14:31 AM
Insist the players wear black boots.
Shinpads.
One pair of socks pulled up to, not over, the knee.
One pair of shorts. *
One short or long sleeved shirt. *

*No body hugging under shorts/shirts.

Let's look like we mean business.

I'm not that bothered by all this stuff.  Doesn't seem to be an issue one way or other for any number of great (or shit) teams elsewhere.  A non point really.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Proposition Joe on October 17, 2016, 10:44:21 AM
Ban players from the weight room unless they've been assigned it by our medical staff. Get them on cardio/stamina instead.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on October 17, 2016, 10:52:19 AM
I would like to see Lyden given a run of games in there with Jedinak and then maybe Tshibola in front of them. It is painfully clear we need 3 players in that midfield to be able to compete, and with youth on their side Lyden and Tshibola might make a difference.
Exactly my thinking after that appalling performance on Saturday.
It is clear to me that Championship games are won in MF: we look crap at the back because the oppo are powering through the middle. All season, we've played too open and forfeited numbers in MF, whereas opponents have stacked the MF and fielded players who have gone face to face with ours. Without the players to do it, I'd be playing Lyden for his energy and snappiness, alongside Jed and Tshibola.
come January, I'd hope we bring 2-3 midfielders in.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 17, 2016, 11:07:19 AM
why the fuck we didn't address midfield properly this summer is beyond me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 17, 2016, 12:07:51 PM
Insist the players wear black boots.
Shinpads.
One pair of socks pulled up to, not over, the knee.
One pair of shorts. *
One short or long sleeved shirt. *

*No body hugging under shorts/shirts.

Let's look like we mean business.


All players to wear Brylcream, tuck their shirts in, eat steak and chips, smoke Embassy No 6 and watch Only Fools and Horses and play golf on their days off.

Where do you think you're going Messi with your coloured hair, boots,tattoos and shirt untucked?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 17, 2016, 12:09:12 PM
I've only seen Lyden for 45 minutes against Bournemouth, I forgot he was playing until he was substituted at half time. What have people seen in him to think he is our saviour?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on October 17, 2016, 12:11:11 PM
I've only seen Lyden for 45 minutes against Bournemouth, I forgot he was playing until he was substituted at half time. What have people seen in him to think he is our saviour?

The suggestion would be that he can actually run unlike most of our other options in there.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: UK Redsox on October 17, 2016, 12:17:42 PM
I've only seen Lyden for 45 minutes against Bournemouth, I forgot he was playing until he was substituted at half time. What have people seen in him to think he is our saviour?

The suggestion would be that he can actually run unlike most of our other options in there.

Firstly, congrats to Chelts of achieving an 11:11:11 posting

With regard to Lyden, I don't think that people see him as a savior its more of thinking/hoping that he might be better (if only slightly) than those playing at the moment and should at least be tried.

Clearly the midfield (especially the decaying carcass of Jedi) isn't good enough and, until January, trying Lyden is one of the few alternatives available.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 17, 2016, 12:23:05 PM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.
Yeah, but people thought on one leg Jedinak and Elphick would out perform the previous incumbents.  It doesn't always work out that way.  Frankly, I suspect we would have been better off with Sanchez and Lescott.

I agree on the Sanchez front. Can we not haul him back?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Witton Warrior on October 17, 2016, 12:36:48 PM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.
Yeah, but people thought on one leg Jedinak and Elphick would out perform the previous incumbents.  It doesn't always work out that way.  Frankly, I suspect we would have been better off with Sanchez and Lescott.

I agree on the Sanchez front. Can we not haul him back?

He'll refuse to come back!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 17, 2016, 12:41:16 PM
I've only seen Lyden for 45 minutes against Bournemouth, I forgot he was playing until he was substituted at half time. What have people seen in him to think he is our saviour?

The suggestion would be that he can actually run unlike most of our other options in there.

Firstly, congrats to Chelts of achieving an 11:11:11 posting

With regard to Lyden, I don't think that people see him as a savior its more of thinking/hoping that he might be better (if only slightly) than those playing at the moment and should at least be tried.

Clearly the midfield (especially the decaying carcass of Jedi) isn't good enough and, until January, trying Lyden is one of the few alternatives available.

What timezone do you have set because that's a 12:11:11 post in BST.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on October 17, 2016, 12:57:52 PM
Or Cheltenham is a time lord.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Holte L2 on October 17, 2016, 01:21:08 PM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.
Yeah, but people thought on one leg Jedinak and Elphick would out perform the previous incumbents.  It doesn't always work out that way.  Frankly, I suspect we would have been better off with Sanchez and Lescott.

I agree on the Sanchez front. Can we not haul him back?

Would you leave Florence for a relagation battle in Birmingham?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AVH87 on October 17, 2016, 01:48:55 PM
Apparently Bruce lied or his memory let him down when he told us Birmingham were 15th at Christmas the season he took them over in 2001 when he took them up.

Turns out they were actually 9th and only 1 point off the play-offs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 17, 2016, 02:07:53 PM
Apparently Bruce lied or his memory let him down when he told us Birmingham were 15th at Christmas the season he took them over in 2001 when he took them up.

Turns out they were actually 9th and only 1 point off the play-offs.

The bastard. Sack him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ron Manager on October 17, 2016, 02:17:42 PM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.

Yeah, but people thought on one leg Jedinak and Elphick would out perform the previous incumbents.  It doesn't always work out that way.  Frankly, I suspect we would have been better off with Sanchez and Lescott.

I agree on the Sanchez front. Can we not haul him back?

Would you leave Florence for a relagation battle in Birmingham?
I wouldn't even leave Zebedee!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 17, 2016, 02:28:24 PM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.
Yeah, but people thought on one leg Jedinak and Elphick would out perform the previous incumbents.  It doesn't always work out that way.  Frankly, I suspect we would have been better off with Sanchez and Lescott.

I agree on the Sanchez front. Can we not haul him back?

Would you leave Florence for a relagation battle in Birmingham?

I would (I've never been but my wife's mom had her handbag snatched there last year so the place is dead to me).


** edited to add wife's, typed far too quickly for my own good and missed a word.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 17, 2016, 02:41:29 PM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.
Yeah, but people thought on one leg Jedinak and Elphick would out perform the previous incumbents.  It doesn't always work out that way.  Frankly, I suspect we would have been better off with Sanchez and Lescott.

I agree on the Sanchez front. Can we not haul him back?

Would you leave Florence for a relagation battle in Birmingham?

I would (I've never been but my wife's mom had her handbag snatched there last year so the place is dead to me).


** edited to add wife's, typed far too quickly for my own good and missed a word.

I had a camera nicked their when I went but the city is absolutely beautiful. It's like everything is made of marble and doesn't look real. It reminded me of that scene in the Simpsons where Homer is having a dream and everything (all the walls/houses) are made of sweets and Homer skips around biting chunks out of everything. Florence is a lot like that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on October 17, 2016, 02:42:49 PM
I've only seen Lyden for 45 minutes against Bournemouth, I forgot he was playing until he was substituted at half time. What have people seen in him to think he is our saviour?

The suggestion would be that he can actually run unlike most of our other options in there.
Yes, we need some energy and grit in the MF, to unsettle teams the way that our opponents have us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on October 17, 2016, 02:47:07 PM
Or Cheltenham is a time lord.

Rumbled
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Pete on October 17, 2016, 03:23:30 PM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.
Yeah, but people thought on one leg Jedinak and Elphick would out perform the previous incumbents.  It doesn't always work out that way.  Frankly, I suspect we would have been better off with Sanchez and Lescott.

I agree on the Sanchez front. Can we not haul him back?

Would you leave Florence for a relagation battle in Birmingham?

I would (I've never been but my wife's mom had her handbag snatched there last year so the place is dead to me).


** edited to add wife's, typed far too quickly for my own good and missed a word.

I had a camera nicked their when I went but the city is absolutely beautiful. It's like everything is made of marble and doesn't look real. It reminded me of that scene in the Simpsons where Homer is having a dream and everything (all the walls/houses) are made of sweets and Homer skips around biting chunks out of everything. Florence is a lot like that.

Verona even more so - I was gobsmacked that not only the pavements and gutters are marble but the drain gratings in said gutters are carved from marble.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 17, 2016, 03:41:41 PM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.
Yeah, but people thought on one leg Jedinak and Elphick would out perform the previous incumbents.  It doesn't always work out that way.  Frankly, I suspect we would have been better off with Sanchez and Lescott.

I agree on the Sanchez front. Can we not haul him back?

Would you leave Florence for a relagation battle in Birmingham?

I would (I've never been but my wife's mom had her handbag snatched there last year so the place is dead to me).


** edited to add wife's, typed far too quickly for my own good and missed a word.

I had a camera nicked their when I went but the city is absolutely beautiful. It's like everything is made of marble and doesn't look real. It reminded me of that scene in the Simpsons where Homer is having a dream and everything (all the walls/houses) are made of sweets and Homer skips around biting chunks out of everything. Florence is a lot like that.

Verona even more so - I was gobsmacked that not only the pavements and gutters are marble but the drain gratings in said gutters are carved from marble.

Wow! Sold! Verona is now added to my travel list, to make me even happier I'll make sure I go when the football season is on ;-)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on October 17, 2016, 04:34:24 PM
But no, I don't think we could bring Sanchez back.  I think it's a season long loan with an option to buy.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 17, 2016, 05:20:10 PM
I think Osman on one leg could perform better than some of our midfield players! As I said, a short-term deal for a couple of months would help us and the player - agree about fitness, which might be a concern.
Yeah, but people thought on one leg Jedinak and Elphick would out perform the previous incumbents.  It doesn't always work out that way.  Frankly, I suspect we would have been better off with Sanchez and Lescott.

I agree on the Sanchez front. Can we not haul him back?

Would you leave Florence for a relagation battle in Birmingham?

I would (I've never been but my wife's mom had her handbag snatched there last year so the place is dead to me).


** edited to add wife's, typed far too quickly for my own good and missed a word.

I had a camera nicked their when I went but the city is absolutely beautiful. It's like everything is made of marble and doesn't look real. It reminded me of that scene in the Simpsons where Homer is having a dream and everything (all the walls/houses) are made of sweets and Homer skips around biting chunks out of everything. Florence is a lot like that.

I hope it was clear that I was taking the piss but if not I'd love to visit, the in-laws loved the place despite the problem mentioned, it's just the first thing that comes to mind whenever I talk about it now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 21, 2016, 01:05:30 PM
Bruce interview on Talkshite (http://talksport.com/football/aston-villa-have-been-going-wrong-direction-too-long-new-boss-steve-bruce-joins-talksport)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on October 21, 2016, 01:11:17 PM
But no, I don't think we could bring Sanchez back.  I think it's a season long loan with an option to buy.

I don't think we need Sanchez back to be honest.  If we continue with a midfield three, he would play in the defensive role in that system and we already have Jedinak, Westwood and Lyden who can play that role.  What we really could do with is a player to fill one of the two more advance midfield roles.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on October 21, 2016, 02:07:49 PM
But no, I don't think we could bring Sanchez back.  I think it's a season long loan with an option to buy.

I don't think we need Sanchez back to be honest.  If we continue with a midfield three, he would play in the defensive role in that system and we already have Jedinak, Westwood and Lyden who can play that role.  What we really could do with is a player to fill one of the two more advance midfield roles.
Except that Jedinak has been utterly shite, which was kind of the point re Sanchez.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 21, 2016, 03:02:12 PM
I watched the press conference this morning. I just really like how Bruce comes across. Very common sense.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tayls_7 on October 21, 2016, 03:55:48 PM
But no, I don't think we could bring Sanchez back.  I think it's a season long loan with an option to buy.

I don't think we need Sanchez back to be honest.  If we continue with a midfield three, he would play in the defensive role in that system and we already have Jedinak, Westwood and Lyden who can play that role.  What we really could do with is a player to fill one of the two more advance midfield roles.
Except that Jedinak has been utterly shite, which was kind of the point re Sanchez.

Er, and the bit about Westwood being capable of fulfilling a defensive role. That's like saying Alan Wright was capable of providing goalkeeping cover.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: RichardBatchelor on October 21, 2016, 10:09:15 PM
I do like him - I really do - but...

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: frankmosswasmyuncle on October 21, 2016, 10:19:51 PM
I do like him - I really do - but...

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/
His son Alex was on 5Live earlier...said the books were written by someone else and his dad had nothing to do with the writing...but is probably earning something from the sale(s)! ;-)



Not much, obviously!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: richtheholtender on October 21, 2016, 10:21:50 PM
But no, I don't think we could bring Sanchez back.  I think it's a season long loan with an option to buy.

I don't think we need Sanchez back to be honest.  If we continue with a midfield three, he would play in the defensive role in that system and we already have Jedinak, Westwood and Lyden who can play that role.  What we really could do with is a player to fill one of the two more advance midfield roles.


Like that Carlos Gill fella?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tony scott on October 22, 2016, 07:21:02 AM
Just a thought ,if we somehow get promoted this season, do you think Sanchez, Gill and Vertout will return?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on October 22, 2016, 08:19:13 AM
Just a thought ,if we somehow get promoted this season, do you think Sanchez, Gill and Vertout will return?

Let's hope not, eh?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eamonn on October 22, 2016, 10:23:58 AM
How are they all doing, do we need to pay someone to maintain the "Players Out On-Loan" thread? Footyskillz might do it for free as part of his work experience.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on October 22, 2016, 11:32:54 AM
Just a thought ,if we somehow get promoted this season, do you think Sanchez, Gill and Vertout will return?

Let's hope not, eh?

Seconded.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on October 22, 2016, 12:03:20 PM
Just a thought ,if we somehow get promoted this season, do you think Sanchez, Gill and Vertout will return?

Let's hope not, eh?

Seconded.

thirded

nowhere near good enough the first time around
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: avfc_1874 on October 22, 2016, 12:38:24 PM
Just a thought ,if we somehow get promoted this season, do you think Sanchez, Gill and Vertout will return?

Let's hope not, eh?

Seconded.

thirded

nowhere near good enough the first time around

We'll probably end up with Alex Bruce at some point
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 22, 2016, 01:34:00 PM
Just a thought ,if we somehow get promoted this season, do you think Sanchez, Gill and Vertout will return?

Let's hope not, eh?

Seconded.

thirded

nowhere near good enough the first time around

It's not even about that for me. It's that when we needed men to grab the oars and guide us back to calm waters they were the first to jump into the lifeboats. Fuck them all.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Axl Rose on October 22, 2016, 01:45:49 PM
Just a thought ,if we somehow get promoted this season, do you think Sanchez, Gill and Vertout will return?

Let's hope not, eh?

Seconded.

thirded

nowhere near good enough the first time around

It's not even about that for me. It's that when we needed men to grab the oars and guide us back to calm waters they were the first to jump into the lifeboats. Fuck them all.

This. They're all bang average, too.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 22, 2016, 02:47:18 PM
Veretout is a complete pussy. Sanchez can't pass a fart and Gil does most of his work 40 yards from goal where it barely matters as soon as he gets closer he gets knocked off the ball. Crap the 3 of them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on October 22, 2016, 03:25:56 PM
Veretout is a complete pussy. Sanchez can't pass a fart and Gil does most of his work 40 yards from goal where it barely matters as soon as he gets closer he gets knocked off the ball. Crap the 3 of them.

How much is that down to the players around them and how much down to their ability own ability.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: not3bad on October 22, 2016, 05:47:57 PM
Gil looked great when he first arrived. With the right manager and coaching I think he'd be worth a second look.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villadelph on October 22, 2016, 05:51:39 PM
Gil looked great when he first arrived. With the right manager and coaching I think he'd be worth a second look.

Would you have him in front of Ayew, Grealish, Adomah or McCormack though?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 22, 2016, 06:01:16 PM
Doing a brilliant job at the moment.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Salsa Party Animal on October 22, 2016, 09:18:29 PM
It will be interesting to see who is Steve's first signing for Aston Villa. Hope for a fantastic midfield playmaker
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 22, 2016, 09:21:56 PM
Anyone know the types of player he bought for Hull while in the Championship?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 22, 2016, 09:29:56 PM
At long last we have a manager who can do the basics well e.g get 11 players focused and motivated in a coherent formation.

That will do for now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Lizz on October 22, 2016, 09:33:27 PM
For what it's worth, I think Steve Bruce 'gets' Villa/us, if that makes sense.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 22, 2016, 09:46:50 PM
Anyone know the types of player he bought for Hull while in the Championship?

According to Soccerbase:

2012-3
Eldin Jakupovic    - Free, Nick Proschwitz - £2,500,000, Abdoulaye Faye - Free, Sone Aluko - Free,  Alex Bruce - Free, Stephen Quinn - Undisclosed, David Meyler - £1,500,000, George Boyd - Free

2015-6
Ryan Taylor - Free, Sam Clucas - £1,300,000, Moses Odubajo - Undisclosed, Shaun Maloney - Undisclosed, Adama Diomande - Undisclosed, Dusan Kuciak - Undisclosed

Fair to say he'll be operating with a far bigger budget this time. What is interesting though, both in this and his other signings, is that he doesn't seem to have a 'type'. He's signed from abroad as well as British, gone for bargains as well as established players, freebies as well as big fees. Suggests an open mind and a decent scouting network.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 22, 2016, 09:48:34 PM
Bruce does better with a smaller budget if you study his managerial career.

Bar an obvious midfield and another defender he's largely got a very good squad for this level.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KRS on October 23, 2016, 04:51:00 AM
If there's one thing Bruce needs to do in January, it's to find a controlling and powerful playmaker in midfield. As an example, Shelvey is constantly driving Newcastle forward and making things happen, and this is exactly what we're missing at the moment.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 23, 2016, 07:26:52 AM
it's probably the first conclusion he came to. Not addressing our inadequacies in midfield in the summer was borderline negligent and may well cost us a play off place.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 23, 2016, 08:27:37 AM
If there's one thing Bruce needs to do in January, it's to find a controlling and powerful playmaker in midfield. As an example, Shelvey is constantly driving Newcastle forward and making things happen, and this is exactly what we're missing at the moment.

100%
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on October 23, 2016, 09:09:50 AM
Completely agree too. But shelvey has been around the England squad recently. Can't imagine us enticing a player of that calibre in our position

That guy from Brentford could be a good shout. As could a certain mr Daniel Johnson
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 23, 2016, 09:13:04 AM
It wouldn't shock me if he went for someone like Huddlestone.

I've never rated him a huge amount but he can sit infront of the back 4 and control things when he feels like it so would be a vast upgrade on Westwood.

Hull are getting relegated so he'd probably fancy the move aswell as he's from the Midlands I think.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on October 23, 2016, 09:18:21 AM
I was well impressed with Woods when we played Brentford. He'd be a great signing for us.
When was the last time we had back to back wins? Fucking brilliant Brucie. Thanks for the hangover lol
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard on October 23, 2016, 09:31:57 AM
Ryan Woods the Ginger Pirlo from Norton Canes my non league mate tells me.

Steve Bruce is a winner in this league end of.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on October 23, 2016, 09:39:53 AM
Not the right thread ik but I just saw a tweet off Dr Tony. Someone lost their wallet at the game yesterday and tweeted to try and get it back. Dr Tony took the time to ask for anyone who finds it to return it to the club. I can't think of
a man in his position anywhere else who would of took the time to do that. Hats off to Dr Tony what a top bloke.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on October 23, 2016, 12:28:40 PM
It wouldn't shock me if he went for someone like Huddlestone.

I've never rated him a huge amount but he can sit infront of the back 4 and control things when he feels like it so would be a vast upgrade on Westwood.

Hull are getting relegated so he'd probably fancy the move aswell as he's from the Midlands I think.

 No thanks
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Brend'Watkins on October 23, 2016, 12:45:18 PM
The two things that stood out for me yesterday. 1. We had an air of confidence about us right from the off, that's something he seems to have instilled in them.
2. It was pretty clear in the 2nd half they were Instructed to close down their tippy tippy passing at the back which they duly did and which resulted in us getting the goal.
Good job done so far mr Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 23, 2016, 01:00:42 PM
I agree. There is also a greater sense of calmness and certainty with Bruce. He's been doing this for a while, and at this level he's seen and done it and been successful. He knows the area, the club and fans and he seems genuinely privileged to manage us. It will very likely be the biggest club he'll ever manage.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on October 23, 2016, 01:26:05 PM
I agree. There is also a greater sense of calmness and certainty with Bruce. He's been doing this for a while, and at this level he's seen and done it and been successful. He knows the area, the club and fans and he seems genuinely privileged to manage us. It will very likely be the biggest club he'll ever manage.

I said something similar, this is a career defining job for him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 23, 2016, 01:36:17 PM
Love this quote from him

“It really is a privilege to manage this club. I’ve been waiting a long time in management to get something like this.”
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on October 23, 2016, 01:39:20 PM
I also agree, saying a few days ago that Steve Bruce and Aston Villa are at the crossroads. Seem good for each other so far.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 23, 2016, 01:53:10 PM
It wouldn't shock me if he went for someone like Huddlestone.

I've never rated him a huge amount but he can sit infront of the back 4 and control things when he feels like it so would be a vast upgrade on Westwood.

Hull are getting relegated so he'd probably fancy the move aswell as he's from the Midlands I think.

just google Steve Bruce signings in the last 5 years and you will see everything you need to know about the sort of players to expect come January,
still he's got 4 promotions on the back of them
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on October 23, 2016, 01:58:05 PM
Could Steve Bruce become the modern day Ron Saunders.. Be fucking ace if he could.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 23, 2016, 02:01:02 PM
I agree. There is also a greater sense of calmness and certainty with Bruce. He's been doing this for a while, and at this level he's seen and done it and been successful. He knows the area, the club and fans and he seems genuinely privileged to manage us. It will very likely be the biggest club he'll ever manage.

Agreed
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villan For Life on October 23, 2016, 02:02:05 PM
I think the January signings will be interesting, maybe not who we want but players who are brought in to do a job, get us promoted.

I've more faith in Bruce in the transfer market than most of our managers since Pubehead. He seems to be able to identify what we need pretty quickly, although most of us could have told him. Two wins make a huge difference and I'm cautiously optimistic. That is something I've not felt for several seasons.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on October 23, 2016, 03:05:54 PM
I'm really happy with this.  I wasn't adverse to him joining in the Summer and wanted him as soon as I heard RDM had left.

I think we all see (and accept) that it isn't going to be the most exciting style football that we play under Bruce.  However, Whilst we are challenging, the result is of paramount importance.  How many left VP yesterday, disappointed or upset with the game played (which let's be honest, wasn't the best)?  Every game is like a cup tie.  Notts Forest at home was a game for the purist, lots of flowing football and chance after chance created yet only one point at the end to show for it.  Fulham wasn't great, first half especially yet we came away with all three points and certainly the conversations I heard around me, walking away from VP suggested that everyone was happy.

Overall, it's been a fantastic start.  Yes, the football hasn't been the best and yes, we'd all probably have picked different starting line ups but generally it has been as good as we could have hoped for.

I'm concerned that we're starting with Gestede, especially if he's playing up front on his own because he simply isn't mobile enough and the only option players have is to lump it up high to him.  I know Kodjia doesn't look great in the air but he puts himself about and I'd really like to see him as the striker and a slightly different approach to attacks.

A bit of momentum here and I can see us being a really solid, workman like team, hard to break down and with the quality up front to cause damage. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt C on October 23, 2016, 03:18:57 PM
Anyone see him on the OS's 'dug out cam' when the goal goes in? First thing he does is turn around to the bench and tell Westwood to get ready... he didn't even manage that quickly. Presumably when asked he just pointed at the pitch.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 23, 2016, 03:22:23 PM
Could Steve Bruce become the modern day Ron Saunders.. Be fucking ace if he could.

It would be amazing and I'll be amazed if I'm amazed ;-)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 23, 2016, 03:27:48 PM
Could Steve Bruce become the modern day Ron Saunders.. Be fucking ace if he could.
Well it's really up to him now. For a while Bruce my have been frustrated that all his previous managerial jobs were with clubs lacking resources for  him to progress to great manager at top level. Now there is no excuse so let's see what  he is made off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 23, 2016, 03:50:01 PM
It wouldn't shock me if he went for someone like Huddlestone.

I've never rated him a huge amount but he can sit infront of the back 4 and control things when he feels like it so would be a vast upgrade on Westwood.

Hull are getting relegated so he'd probably fancy the move aswell as he's from the Midlands I think.

just google Steve Bruce signings in the last 5 years and you will see everything you need to know about the sort of players to expect come January,
still he's got 4 promotions on the back of them

Sack him now in that case. How long until you begrudgingly give him any credit John?

Does Google also mention the difference between trying to persuade players to join Hull City or Aston Villa, geographically, historically etc?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: class-of-82 on October 23, 2016, 03:55:33 PM
"Could Steve Bruce be the modern day Ron Saunders"
Thing is 95% of the fans wanted Brian cough not Ron Saunders according to the mail poll
Do you want to bet against it happening though
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 23, 2016, 04:07:06 PM
"Could Steve Bruce be the modern day Ron Saunders"
Thing is 95% of the fans wanted Brian cough not Ron Saunders according to the mail poll
Do you want to bet against it happening though

Brian Cough would have been a good horse to back.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 23, 2016, 04:10:16 PM
"Could Steve Bruce be the modern day Ron Saunders"
Thing is 95% of the fans wanted Brian cough not Ron Saunders according to the mail poll
Do you want to bet against it happening though

Brian Cough would have been a good horse to back.

He couldn't hack it.

Damn, I don't normally get involved.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 23, 2016, 04:10:17 PM
The annoying thing is we wasted eleven games before getting him in. He's not glamorous, but he gets players motivated, he gets them to do simple things like defend well and has them organised.  For some reason Villa just seem to be one of those clubs that do better with traditional type British (except Scots and one on the list novice) managers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 23, 2016, 05:04:09 PM
I know everyone is giddy but the only comparisons I see between the two managers at the moment are the two respective clubs on their respective cvs. I don't want to be a party pooper but as great a job as Bruce is doing (a week and a half in I think) it's extremely premature to even put Saunders and Bruce in the same sentence.  Get us promoted out of this division and then we can start.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on October 23, 2016, 05:15:07 PM
Agree with Diablo.

It is three matches, that's all. That's doubtless a measure of how shit we had become, but can't we just enjoy two consecutive wins without the need for daft comparisons?

Let's just let him do his job and get us promoted.

As for the style of play, I'd go for us playing a flat back ten if it got us out of this horrible league quickly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on October 23, 2016, 05:38:54 PM
I honestly wouldn't mind two seasons in this league if it meant we could build something and stand a better chance of staying up. The games come thick and fast and we should be able to win our fair share
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 23, 2016, 05:51:05 PM
I've seen a lot worse games in the PL than some of those at VP this season
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on October 23, 2016, 05:55:47 PM
I also agree with Diablo.

Lose next week and draw at home to Blackburn the week after and he'll start getting compared to RDM or Remi Garde.

For me, Bruce is the safe bet.  There were some great up and coming managers linked to the job who, in different circumstances would have been exciting prospects.

What I really like is that Bruce seems genuinely happy and privileged to be here, as you would expect most managers to be.  I like the fact that he appears to be asking for a longer contract than he has been offered but has joined, regardless of the length of contract.  He wants to be here and seems hungry to succeed.

It is pointless comparing Bruce to any other manager, past or present and personally, he seems nothing like Saunders in any case.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nigel on October 23, 2016, 06:36:09 PM
I also agree with Diablo.

Lose next week and draw at home to Blackburn the week after and he'll start getting compared to RDM or Remi Garde.

For me, Bruce is the safe bet.  There were some great up and coming managers linked to the job who, in different circumstances would have been exciting prospects.

What I really like is that Bruce seems genuinely happy and privileged to be here, as you would expect most managers to be.  I like the fact that he appears to be asking for a longer contract than he has been offered but has joined, regardless of the length of contract.  He wants to be here and seems hungry to succeed.

It is pointless comparing Bruce to any other manager, past or present and personally, he seems nothing like Saunders in any case.

"It really is a privilege to manage this club. I’ve been waiting a long time in management to get something like this."
Steve Bruce
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 23, 2016, 06:50:16 PM
The only manager I could compare Steve Bruce to right now is Steve Bruce. He seems like what we need at the current moment, and we'll see what it turns into. He has my full backing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on October 23, 2016, 07:02:37 PM
It wouldn't shock me if he went for someone like Huddlestone.

I've never rated him a huge amount but he can sit infront of the back 4 and control things when he feels like it so would be a vast upgrade on Westwood.

Hull are getting relegated so he'd probably fancy the move aswell as he's from the Midlands I think.

just google Steve Bruce signings in the last 5 years and you will see everything you need to know about the sort of players to expect come January,
still he's got 4 promotions on the back of them
He's never managed Aston Villa before and he's never had the kind of financial clout Dr Tony can give him. As others have said it's a career defining job for him. Let's get right behind him and see where it takes us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on October 23, 2016, 07:14:08 PM
It wouldn't shock me if he went for someone like Huddlestone.

I've never rated him a huge amount but he can sit infront of the back 4 and control things when he feels like it so would be a vast upgrade on Westwood.

Hull are getting relegated so he'd probably fancy the move aswell as he's from the Midlands I think.

just google Steve Bruce signings in the last 5 years and you will see everything you need to know about the sort of players to expect come January,
still he's got 4 promotions on the back of them
He's never managed Aston Villa before and he's never had the kind of financial clout Dr Tony can give him.

He had enough clout to spend £12m on Connor Wickham.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on October 23, 2016, 07:33:44 PM
We are three games into the Bruce era.  Either way it is much to soon to judge or speculate as to how good a  manager he will become or not.

As for a comparison with the Ron Saunders era - obviously the writer is much younger than me.  We will never reach that level not only in terms of success, but as a football club fully bonded, the type of football we played and  the enjoyment it brought. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 23, 2016, 07:35:32 PM
The Saunders comparison is just silly and unfair. Bruce needs a chance to be his own man and create his own legacy.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on October 23, 2016, 07:37:50 PM
The Saunders comparison is just silly and unfair. Bruce needs a chance to be his own man and create his own legacy.

Exactly Accrington Stanley
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 23, 2016, 07:44:17 PM
It wouldn't shock me if he went for someone like Huddlestone.

I've never rated him a huge amount but he can sit infront of the back 4 and control things when he feels like it so would be a vast upgrade on Westwood.

Hull are getting relegated so he'd probably fancy the move aswell as he's from the Midlands I think.

just google Steve Bruce signings in the last 5 years and you will see everything you need to know about the sort of players to expect come January,
still he's got 4 promotions on the back of them
He's never managed Aston Villa before and he's never had the kind of financial clout Dr Tony can give him.

He had enough clout to spend £12m on Connor Wickham.
To counter that he also signed Bent for 10m who was a fantastic signing until we nicked him of course.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on October 23, 2016, 08:07:16 PM
The Saunders comparison is just silly and unfair. Bruce needs a chance to be his own man and create his own legacy.

There will only be ONE Ron Saunders. Just as there will only be one Steve Bruce. No need for comparisons except they have both taken over in the second division. Time will tell if he can emulate Ron and take us up. At the moment I am just enjoying winning matches again and watching us play as a team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 23, 2016, 08:50:02 PM
It wouldn't shock me if he went for someone like Huddlestone.

I've never rated him a huge amount but he can sit infront of the back 4 and control things when he feels like it so would be a vast upgrade on Westwood.

Hull are getting relegated so he'd probably fancy the move aswell as he's from the Midlands I think.

just google Steve Bruce signings in the last 5 years and you will see everything you need to know about the sort of players to expect come January,
still he's got 4 promotions on the back of them

Sack him now in that case. How long until you begrudgingly give him any credit John?

Does Google also mention the difference between trying to persuade players to join Hull City or Aston Villa, geographically, historically etc?

It'll take some time to be fair
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 23, 2016, 09:26:11 PM
As one of the people who was less enthusiastic about appointing Bruce I can honestly say that what he's done so far is good but isn't unexpected.  We're battling more and that has earned us some wins, we knew he could bring that and I suspected he'd take a squad that was much better than it was showing and get some results.

The end of the January window will be the point where I start to judge him because my concerns are with how he sets us up for the next 2-3 seasons not how he uses someone else's squad in this one.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 23, 2016, 09:36:53 PM
Frankly 2-3 years down the line is a long way away. I think it's also a bit harsh to state Bruce is basically what he should be doing. To get Villa organised and winning within a week and a half is a pretty big achievement given the state we've been in.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 23, 2016, 09:46:05 PM
Frankly 2-3 years down the line is a long way away. I think it's also a bit harsh to state Bruce is basically what he should be doing. To get Villa organised and winning within a week and a half is a pretty big achievement given the state we've been in.

That's not what I said though, I said I knew he could do this bit (in fact I said I thought he could get us promotion and that it should be what he's judged on, that's not something I'd say if 2 wins a draw in 3 games was going to be a surprise).  I'm very happy that he's delivering results already and I'm optimistic that he'll deliver enough in the next 2 months that we'll go into January looking at how to consolidate a play off place and push the automatic places rather than looking for ways to catch up with the top 6.  After all we employed him to do this bit because he's done it well before.

I was also clear all along that my concerns were longer term, yes it's a long way but we should at least be looking at the map and making sure we're going the right direction.  That the bit that his CV suggests he struggles with.  The signings in January and how he integrates them will be a big indicator.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on October 23, 2016, 09:48:42 PM
I think we have to reserve judgement on how Bruce will perform long term until we know how the new owner is going to approach things as/when we get back up. Bruce seemed impressed by the ambition.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on October 23, 2016, 09:53:08 PM
It'll take a couple of seasons to sort the mess of the last 5 years. Steve Bruce will sort this out in good time. January will be interesting - expect at least 2 combative midfielders and a dominant Centre back. I trust Steve to sort this out. For now just beat Blose next Sunday!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 23, 2016, 10:39:22 PM
We'd won 3 league games in 14 months, to win 2 in a week is nothing short of a miracle.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: MoetVillan on October 23, 2016, 10:47:38 PM
I just don't know how to handle this information. What are these away wins, three points, back to back wins and clean sheets of which people speak.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on October 23, 2016, 10:52:22 PM
It wouldn't shock me if he went for someone like Huddlestone.

I've never rated him a huge amount but he can sit infront of the back 4 and control things when he feels like it so would be a vast upgrade on Westwood.

Hull are getting relegated so he'd probably fancy the move aswell as he's from the Midlands I think.

just google Steve Bruce signings in the last 5 years and you will see everything you need to know about the sort of players to expect come January,
still he's got 4 promotions on the back of them
He's never managed Aston Villa before and he's never had the kind of financial clout Dr Tony can give him.

He had enough clout to spend £12m on Connor Wickham.
To counter that he also signed Bent for 10m who was a fantastic signing until we nicked him of course.

That doesn't really counter the point - it backs up the point that he's had ample financial clout in the past.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on October 24, 2016, 09:55:36 PM
I think his big money signings are few and far between
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: purpletrousers on October 24, 2016, 10:11:54 PM
Couldn't see this anywhere, apologies if I missed it:


http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37752648

Pierluigi Gollini: Steve Bruce repairing Aston Villa confidence, says goalkeeper

Aston Villa goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini says new boss Steve Bruce has instilled more confidence in the Championship club's squad.

After replacing Roberto di Matteo, former Birmingham City boss Bruce, 55, has steered Villa to back-to-back league wins for the first time in nearly 18 months.

"It's very pleasing," Gollini, 21, told BBC WM 95.6.

"The guys are pushing themselves very hard - they're doing a fantastic job."

Bruce, who left Hull City in the summer after guiding them to promotion back to the Premier League, is unbeaten after three games in charge of Villa.

A 1-1 draw with Wolves was followed by a 2-1 win at Reading and Saturday's 1-0 home victory against Fulham.

That run has taken Villa to within six points of the play-off places, with Bruce adamant promotion is a realistic target this season.

"Everyone knows he's a man with a lot of experience," Gollini said. "He's giving us the confidence we were missing and it's been really good so far - we just have to keep it going."

Villa face Bruce's former club Birmingham at St Andrew's on Sunday
.


It's been curious for me feeling very different so quickly under Bruce. Having always liked the way he came across, given the size of the job I was glad we got him in comparison to some we were linked with (though would also have been more excited by a more progressive empire/style builder, which would of course have been riskier).

I was keeping an eye on the score on Saturday, with this odd belief we could/might well win.

I like him, I like that he shows he wants to be here, and that this is his big chance. It's like wanting players that step up to us, and feel pride. He brings composure, and a solidity we have lacked for so long. It's great to read above what I feel intuitively he brings.

Competence, confidence, connection. I felt disconnected from Di Matteo though was very happy on paper with the last coaching appointments.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 24, 2016, 10:12:26 PM
I've said it a few times but if you study his record he does well on a relative shoestring and then things start to fall apart when he starts to spend big and advance teams.

At SHA they really didn't spend that much when they first came up yet he kept them well away from any relegation trouble. It all then fell apart when he signed likes of Heskey, Gronkjaer, Melchiot for decent money.

Wigan he did fine little budget but signed some good players.

At Sunderland he was a little unlucky....lost Bent Gyan and Welbeck within 6 months and striker recruitment wasn't good enough although yes 12m for Wickham then and now looks insane.

Hull is the most recent example. Got them up, kept them up and then they went down after spending a lot on likes of Hernandez, Dawson and Robertson.

Let's worry about that when it comes to it however. If he can get us up then he'll be near the top of my favourite Villa managers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 24, 2016, 10:24:04 PM
I keep seeing that Wickham cost £12 million but the reported fee was £8 million with various add ons and as Sunderland didn't win anything and he didn't bother the scoring charts I doubt it came to £12 million.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nastylee on October 24, 2016, 10:24:46 PM
Wasn't Melchiot one of their best players for a season or two?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: not3bad on October 24, 2016, 10:27:27 PM
Will Bruce even have the last word on transfer targets at Villa?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 24, 2016, 10:42:17 PM
He spent approx £25m and Hull stayed up, he spent approx £25m again the following season and they went down. Doesn't prove anything.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on October 24, 2016, 10:42:54 PM
Will Bruce even have the last word on transfer targets at Villa?

Why wouldn't he?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on October 24, 2016, 10:47:58 PM
As for Wickham it was £8m plus add ons. They took an expensive punt on a highly rated 18 year old. Just like most top flights clubs do at some point. They flogged him for £7m so not the worst transfer in history, albeit one i'm glad we never made.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Axl Rose on October 24, 2016, 10:50:14 PM
I see Mike Dean is the ref on Sunday....stepping down from 'Premiership duty'.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 25, 2016, 12:09:35 AM
I'm assuming he's shafted us loads of times before?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 25, 2016, 12:14:01 AM
I'm assuming he's shafted us loads of times before?

Well he certainly loved it when Spurs scored against us

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 25, 2016, 08:32:50 AM
Having suffered these Championship referees, suddenly a fool like Dean doesn't seem so bad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on October 25, 2016, 09:23:28 AM
Think I'd take general incompetence above Mike 'hates Villa' fuckig Dean.  Of all the twatting refs to step Dow.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: not3bad on October 25, 2016, 09:30:39 AM
Will Bruce even have the last word on transfer targets at Villa?

Why wouldn't he?

I thought these things were all decided by a committee nowadays?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on October 25, 2016, 09:54:30 AM
As for Wickham it was £8m plus add ons. They took an expensive punt on a highly rated 18 year old. Just like most top flights clubs do at some point. They flogged him for £7m so not the worst transfer in history, albeit one i'm glad we never made.
I made the point previously. He has never managed a club the size of Villa and that includes Sunderland. He has resources at his disposal which which he's never had before. And  none of us yet know just how far the Chinese owners are prepared to take us. Pointing out his £12 million signing of Conor Wickham proves nothing either way. Di Matteo was given 4 times that amount to spend and if SB gets that kind of backing it will be new territory for him and I guess he will live or die by what he does. Until then we are all just guessing about what's to come under SB.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on October 25, 2016, 10:04:08 AM
Will Bruce even have the last word on transfer targets at Villa?

Why wouldn't he?

I thought these things were all decided by a committee nowadays?

So who would you expect to have "the last word" if not Bruce?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AVH87 on October 25, 2016, 10:35:03 AM
A criticism levelled at Bruce seems to be 'he gets teams up, spends quite a bit, then gets them relegated'.

When you look at the teams in question though, Blues, Wigan and Hull - the first 2 haven't been able to stay in the Prem since he left and are back at their natural level, and the third look highly likely to go down this season, again back to their natural level.

Sunderland are a bigger club than the 3 above, and OK he got sacked with them in 16th just above relegation, but no one has been able to get it right there.

If Bruce gets us up this year or next, he deserves a fair crack at the Prem.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on October 25, 2016, 10:36:34 AM
A criticism levelled at Bruce seems to be 'he gets teams up, spends quite a bit, then gets them relegated'.

When you look at the teams in question though, Blues, Wigan and Hull - the first 2 haven't been able to stay in the Prem since he left and are back at their natural level, and the third look highly likely to go down this season, again back to their natural level.

Sunderland are a bigger club than the 3 above, and OK he got sacked with them in 16th just above relegation, but no one has been able to get it right there.

If Bruce gets us up this year or next, he deserves a fair crack at the Prem.

But if he gets sacked and we hire someone amazing Adkins-Pochettino style, there will be no complaints from me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Boz on October 25, 2016, 10:59:06 AM
I see Mike Dean is the ref on Sunday....stepping down from 'Premiership duty'.

Isn't Dean the ref who's started the season giving penalties for shirt pulling and pushing in the area?  Might make for an interesting match on Sunday if Dean gives his usual "shaft the Villa" performance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 25, 2016, 11:04:48 AM
I see Mike Dean is the ref on Sunday....stepping down from 'Premiership duty'.

Isn't Dean the ref who's started the season giving penalties for shirt pulling and pushing in the area?  Might make for an interesting match on Sunday if Dean gives his usual "shaft the Villa" performance.

Dean may be different in the Championship, what with tv viewing and attendance figures down in the EPL, Dean may give us a helping hand for once ;-)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: rob_bridge on October 25, 2016, 11:05:21 AM
Bruce is the right manager for the time and place we are in

If we were mid table in the Top League wanting to push on I wouldn't give him the gig. I'll be happy if that is where he leaves us at the end of 2018-19.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on October 25, 2016, 01:11:46 PM
Bruce is the right manager for the time and place we are in

If we were mid table in the Top League wanting to push on I wouldn't give him the gig. I'll be happy if that is where he leaves us at the end of 2018-19.

This for me as well.  Let's worry about the PL when we are there.

I was impressed that Bruce has asked for a longer contract than the one he was offered and I genuinely believe that he wants to build something here.

I don't place too much on his previous signings because I think that the budgets he was working under were entirely different to the budget that Villa would allow him.  If he does well here and gets us up within two seasons, I would have no issues in giving him a stab at the PL.  In fact, I'd be slightly disappointed if he wasn't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on October 25, 2016, 01:22:04 PM
Bruce is the right manager for the time and place we are in

If we were mid table in the Top League wanting to push on I wouldn't give him the gig. I'll be happy if that is where he leaves us at the end of 2018-19.

this 100%
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on October 25, 2016, 02:33:12 PM
Bruce is the right manager for the time and place we are in

If we were mid table in the Top League wanting to push on I wouldn't give him the gig. I'll be happy if that is where he leaves us at the end of 2018-19.

This for me as well.  Let's worry about the PL when we are there.

I was impressed that Bruce has asked for a longer contract than the one he was offered and I genuinely believe that he wants to build something here.

I don't place too much on his previous signings because I think that the budgets he was working under were entirely different to the budget that Villa would allow him.  If he does well here and gets us up within two seasons, I would have no issues in giving him a stab at the PL.  In fact, I'd be slightly disappointed if he wasn't.

I think you've misinterpreted why football managers want long contracts.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on October 25, 2016, 02:42:29 PM
Bruce is the right manager for the time and place we are in

If we were mid table in the Top League wanting to push on I wouldn't give him the gig. I'll be happy if that is where he leaves us at the end of 2018-19.

This for me as well.  Let's worry about the PL when we are there.

I was impressed that Bruce has asked for a longer contract than the one he was offered and I genuinely believe that he wants to build something here.

I don't place too much on his previous signings because I think that the budgets he was working under were entirely different to the budget that Villa would allow him.  If he does well here and gets us up within two seasons, I would have no issues in giving him a stab at the PL.  In fact, I'd be slightly disappointed if he wasn't.

I think you've misinterpreted why football managers want long contracts.

No-I don't think I have.

He genuinely sees this as his big job.  It's unlikely to get bigger for him unless we're successful beyond our hopes and aspirations.

He wants the opportunity to be able to build something here, not simply get us up and then get cast aside for a more glamorous name.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: MoetVillan on October 25, 2016, 03:06:10 PM
I hope that's the case, and not the lure of the massive payouts we seem to have incurred for mediocre manager after manager
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on October 25, 2016, 03:14:23 PM
I hope that's the case, and not the lure of the massive payouts we seem to have incurred for mediocre manager after manager

With hindsight, very few managers turn out to be a success.

Bruce was happy to walk away from Hull in the Summer out of principle.  Until I see evidence to the contrary, I will give him the benefit of the doubt.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: MoetVillan on October 25, 2016, 03:29:12 PM
That is a really good point.  At the end of the season in the premier league, there will be 3 or 4 sets of fans that will be delighted on the season, 1 that won it, 1 that broke into Europe and 1 that didn't get relegated.  There will be an air of disappointment around otherwise.  I hold my hands up, I really wanted Moyes here, since before Sherwood arrived and it doesn't look like he can rescue a bad team, so likely wouldn't have made any difference to our plight. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on October 25, 2016, 03:39:07 PM
That is a really good point.  At the end of the season in the premier league, there will be 3 or 4 sets of fans that will be delighted on the season, 1 that won it, 1 that broke into Europe and 1 that didn't get relegated.  There will be an air of disappointment around otherwise.  I hold my hands up, I really wanted Moyes here, since before Sherwood arrived and it doesn't look like he can rescue a bad team, so likely wouldn't have made any difference to our plight.

I was also quite keen on Moyes (although equally keen on Bruce).  I think nearly all of us agree now that we've dodged a bullet there. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on October 25, 2016, 04:40:49 PM
I'm now glad we got Bruce in when we did, given Wolves sacking Zenga, surely they would have gone for him....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 25, 2016, 04:43:55 PM
I'm now glad we got Bruce in when we did, given Wolves sacking Zenga, surely they would have gone for him....

They wanted Bruce in the summer but the fans were against it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on October 25, 2016, 04:53:36 PM
I'm now glad we got Bruce in when we did, given Wolves sacking Zenga, surely they would have gone for him....

I hope Dwight Yorke finally gets his chance at Wolves.  I really do...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on October 25, 2016, 05:32:00 PM
Bruce is the right manager for the time and place we are in

If we were mid table in the Top League wanting to push on I wouldn't give him the gig. I'll be happy if that is where he leaves us at the end of 2018-19.

This for me as well.  Let's worry about the PL when we are there.

I was impressed that Bruce has asked for a longer contract than the one he was offered and I genuinely believe that he wants to build something here.

I don't place too much on his previous signings because I think that the budgets he was working under were entirely different to the budget that Villa would allow him.  If he does well here and gets us up within two seasons, I would have no issues in giving him a stab at the PL.  In fact, I'd be slightly disappointed if he wasn't.

I think you've misinterpreted why football managers want long contracts.

No-I don't think I have.

He genuinely sees this as his big job.  It's unlikely to get bigger for him unless we're successful beyond our hopes and aspirations.

He wants the opportunity to be able to build something here, not simply get us up and then get cast aside for a more glamorous name.

I admire your lack of cynicism but I suspect it was more to do with the amount of payoff if/when he gets sacked.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on October 25, 2016, 05:33:38 PM
I'm now glad we got Bruce in when we did, given Wolves sacking Zenga, surely they would have gone for him....

I hope Dwight Yorke finally gets his chance at Wolves.  I really do...

He's busy texting as we speak
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyh on October 25, 2016, 06:17:44 PM
Sherwood for Wolves, would be perfect.
They'd be lucky to have him if you ask knobs like Jenas.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 25, 2016, 06:30:57 PM
Well RDM lives locally and only pops down to London twice a week so he would be ideal for the being a former Champions League winner.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on October 25, 2016, 07:10:10 PM
I'm now glad we got Bruce in when we did, given Wolves sacking Zenga, surely they would have gone for him....

I hope Dwight Yorke finally gets his chance at Wolves.  I really do...

He's busy texting as we speak

he has learnt by his mistakes

he has used a couple of emojis and started his sentence with a capital letter. albeit the wrong one
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Witton Warrior on October 25, 2016, 07:27:57 PM
Sherwood for Wolves, would be perfect.
They'd be lucky to have him if you ask knobs like Jenas.

"JJ" - twat
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: jwarry on October 28, 2016, 08:57:33 PM
Just listened to his Scum briefing and have to say he really does come across as a man quietly in control.  Love the bit where he says at least his mom thinks he's good looking 😂
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 28, 2016, 10:26:08 PM
He'll be judged like everyone else on results but he comes across as a very solid and pleasant man.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on October 28, 2016, 10:58:13 PM
Can't wait to sing "Brucie Brucie give us a wave" when we're 3-0 up on Sunday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on October 28, 2016, 11:10:47 PM
I think Bruce has been class so far and long may it continue. He does not come across as aloof, seems to have got the players on board straight away and love the way he takes the piss out of himself. He will accept the obvious stick on Sunday, but am sure he will act with dignity when we have beaten them 3-0 at the end.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on October 29, 2016, 03:56:59 AM
"I am sure they re going to be singing my name from the rafters, both sets of fans."

Class answer to be fair. 

Very likeable and grounded bloke. I hope he does well with us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Havencheese on October 29, 2016, 04:34:57 AM
So far, the difference between Bruce and most of our previous managers going back, is that he's still somehow an absolute football tragic.

Watch his reaction in a press conference a couple years back to a Wayne Rooney goal scored elsewhere, he clearly still loves the game having being mostly involved in it since the early 80's. This is not necessarily a recipe for a good boss but we know exactly what we're getting with this man, I cannot see him ending up like many of the charlatans we've had over previous years. Has been very good for the club so far on and off the pitch.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on October 29, 2016, 08:58:49 AM
So far, the difference between Bruce and most of our previous managers going back, is that he's still somehow an absolute football tragic.

Watch his reaction in a press conference a couple years back to a Wayne Rooney goal scored elsewhere, he clearly still loves the game having being mostly involved in it since the early 80's. This is not necessarily a recipe for a good boss but we know exactly what we're getting with this man, I cannot see him ending up like many of the charlatans we've had over previous years. Has been very good for the club so far on and off the pitch.

He said in a interview the other week that this was the first summer since 1976 he hadn't been involved in pre-season training.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: claret+blue ed on October 29, 2016, 09:14:04 AM
Very impressed so far with everything he's said and done, come across really well, more importantly 7 out of 9 points and hopefully 3 more tomorrow
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: class-of-82 on October 29, 2016, 07:51:58 PM
He's the manager we should have had 5-6 years ago
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on October 29, 2016, 08:10:31 PM
Safe pair of hands is Brucie. We've turned our noses up over the past few years upon every link, including over the summer gone, but it's remarkable how a shit start to the Championship season can suddenly make many of us wake up and smell what we're stood in. I've always quite liked Bruce, but I was also one of many who didn't want to go for him, on the basis of him not being "Villa level." But we have to be realistic really. At any point during the last 3-4 years he'd have been a decent appointment. In May he'd have been an excellent appointment to be honest. He's definitely the right man. In retrospect it should have been sooner.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 29, 2016, 08:40:19 PM
Completely agree Tom.

I have reservations about him in the prem but let him lead us there first and then we can debate.

He'll certainly win us promotion. If he can do it elsewhere he can do it here.

I think this season is a bit of a free hit still with all the points we've dropped but I have confidence he'll lead us to play offs now.

If we don't make it I fully expect him to get us up the following year in the automatic spots.

He's the right man for us as it stands.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 29, 2016, 08:51:26 PM
Isn't the plan to sack him when he leads us to the promised land of the Big League and replace him with the Huddersfield manager to prove what a progressive club we are?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 29, 2016, 09:16:13 PM
Isn't the plan to sack him when he leads us to the promised land of the Big League and replace him with the Huddersfield manager to prove what a progressive club we are?

Steve Bruce's premier league record is open to debate.

He's lead clubs to impressive finishes (SHA and Hull) and also lead clubs to relegation after spending to try to improve them (errr SHA and Hull).

He was leading Sunderland in the same direction when they sacked him in December 2011.

As it stands I'd be happy to give him the first season back in the prem and then assess the next summer as I'd expect him with further investment to keep the club comfortably up.

How is that progressive club Southampton these days doing after they sacked promotion winning Adkins and got in some unknown called Pochettino...are they back in league one yet....

That's not to say I'm anti Bruce. In our present state he's very much the right man for this season and next.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on October 29, 2016, 09:27:32 PM

As it stands I'd be happy to give him the first season back in the prem and then assess the next summer as I'd expect him with further investment to keep the club comfortably up.

How is that progressive club Southampton these days doing after they sacked promotion winning Adkins and got in some unknown called Pochettino...are they back in league one yet....

That's not to say I'm anti Bruce. In our present state he's very much the right man for this season and next.

Quite.

Nobody is saying he should be sacked on the day we get promotion and someone foreign brought in.

But nor should he be left to stagnate or have the perennial "he just needs more time" if we're sitting in 18th place, just because he was the one who got us promoted.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 29, 2016, 10:05:06 PM
I'm fairly sure there were people who were that underwhelmed by his appointment that they suggested that should we get promoted he should be thanked and replaced with somebody who doesn't have a relegation on their CV. They were probably the same people who had such faith in the Huddersfield manager who had probably never heard of him until a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 29, 2016, 10:33:56 PM
I'm fairly sure there were people who were that underwhelmed by his appointment that they suggested that should we get promoted he should be thanked and replaced with somebody who doesn't have a relegation on their CV. They were probably the same people who had such faith in the Huddersfield manager who had probably never heard of him until a few weeks ago.

Actually I think most of the people who said that are people who wanted him and when we raised the fact that his premier league record is a worry and he's got no record for building a club we were told that we could sack him once we got up.  I, as one of the people with concerns, said all along that was unrealistic and that he will get at least half of the first season back and will only be sacked if he's made such a mess of things that we're in a relegation battle.  The best case scenario for me is that he gets us up this season, buys good young-ish players next summer and manages to get us midtable.  We can then let him go before the following summer and go for someone to push us on.  I think he can deliver on the first part of that (and I've said so fairly consistently, I expect him to get us around the playoffs at worst) but next summer is where my concerns will be addressed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: b23 on October 29, 2016, 11:47:00 PM
Steve Bruce on Radio 5 live tomorrow ( Sunday ) morning sometime between 09.00 - 10.00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b080x5kp
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 29, 2016, 11:54:00 PM
Thus far he's doing a bloody good job, so let's hope it continues.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villabear on October 30, 2016, 07:45:48 AM
Steve Bruce on Radio 5 live tomorrow ( Sunday ) morning sometime between 09.00 - 10.00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b080x5kp

It says something when he's doing a national radio interview a couple of hours before the game. Hope he's got it all planned out to beat these classless twats.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 30, 2016, 09:51:29 AM
It's probably recorded.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on October 30, 2016, 11:43:10 AM
Steve Bruce is Magic with the Media
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 30, 2016, 03:42:36 PM
Concentration seems to be on the up, much more solid and a bit of fight in them. A few errors today but the team didn't show much quality but did show a modicum of spirit and that helped carry us through.

A good start, can and will do better I predict.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 30, 2016, 04:49:43 PM
We weren't great today, but at least we didn't lose. This will all help with the belief around the club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 05:07:59 PM
Still don't see much improvement over RDM apart from luck. His starting line-up was crap, the football is still dire, his subs seemed to owe more to picking players who have scored against the blose rather than any tactical nounce. What next? insist the sub's wear lucky heather? As for gabby coming on, complete disgrace he's even at the club let alone being selected. I'm all for lucky managers but what happens when it runs out?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 30, 2016, 05:09:19 PM
Sorry but that's nonsense. We're much more solid and mentally stronger since Bruce took over.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 05:10:48 PM
Sorry but that's nonsense. We're much more solid and mentally stronger since Bruce took over.

nah they missed 2 or 3 sitters today. if RDM was here they would have been in the net - nothing about being more solid, just luck
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 30, 2016, 05:11:48 PM
No improvement bar an increase in something that doesn't exist.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on October 30, 2016, 05:12:11 PM
I'm all for lucky managers but what happens when it runs out?

You moan about it?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 05:14:27 PM
I'm all for lucky managers but what happens when it runs out?

You moan about it?

we'll all moan about it, because you're not going to win many games playing like today,
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on October 30, 2016, 05:14:48 PM
Sorry but that's nonsense. We're much more solid and mentally stronger since Bruce took over.

nah they missed 2 or 3 sitters today. if RDM was here they would have been in the net - nothing about being more solid, just luck

Results are better, that's all that ultimately counts. Bringing on McCormack was a dreadful decision though, should have been Westie over to the right and Tshibola in the middle. Waited until after they equalised though to make reactive changes when it was obvious we couldn't keep the ball for about 10 mins previously. Not a good day on the sideline for Bruce but thought in the main the players competed very well physically with Blues. That certainly wasn't a given under RDM.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 30, 2016, 05:19:21 PM
Sorry but that's nonsense. We're much more solid and mentally stronger since Bruce took over.

nah they missed 2 or 3 sitters today. if RDM was here they would have been in the net - nothing about being more solid, just luck

In most games teams will miss the odd good chance regardless of how much the opposition is in control of the game. Them missing a couple of chances doesn't mean that we're not a stronger unit under Bruce, who has literally been here a few weeks, than we were at any point under RDM.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 05:25:50 PM
Sorry but that's nonsense. We're much more solid and mentally stronger since Bruce took over.

nah they missed 2 or 3 sitters today. if RDM was here they would have been in the net - nothing about being more solid, just luck

In most games teams will miss the odd good chance regardless of how much the opposition is in control of the game. Them missing a couple of chances doesn't mean that we're not a stronger unit under Bruce, who has literally been here a few weeks, than we were at any point under RDM.


well i wouldn't say we were much in control today, especially 2nd half.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on October 30, 2016, 05:35:39 PM
Couldn't locate a stream for the Reading and Fulham games so only found out the score after the match.

Perhaps that is the perfect way to watch a Steve Bruce team if today is anything to go by.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 30, 2016, 05:47:58 PM
It was good to hear Bruce say the Paul Clemence would be happy with the goal as we'd been practicing free kicks yesterday.

Hopefully this coming week we can work on our passing. Baby steps.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 05:48:42 PM
Couldn't locate a stream for the Reading and Fulham games so only found out the score after the match.

Perhaps that is the perfect way to watch a Steve Bruce team if today is anything to go by.
I think that's a little unfair Steve has inherited a team on the floor and I can't believe people are going on about style etc Lets just get a few points on the board and take it from there eh?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on October 30, 2016, 05:48:53 PM
It was good to hear Bruce say the Paul Clemence would be happy with the goal as we'd been practicing free kicks yesterday.

Hopefully this coming week we can work on our passing. Baby steps.

I'm just amazed to hear we are finally cottoning on that practicing stuff can be important.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on October 30, 2016, 05:50:50 PM
I'm all for lucky managers but what happens when it runs out?

You moan about it?

we'll all moan about it, because you're not going to win many games playing like today,

When was the last time either us or Blues played well in a derby? The 5-1? It is what it is, a horrible battle.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on October 30, 2016, 05:55:38 PM
Yeah today wasn't the day to judge playing style

I'm pleased with the points tally of course and that was the most important thing

But I don't think you can say we've played good attacking football in any of the four games. Hopefully that will come.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 30, 2016, 05:55:54 PM
Couldn't locate a stream for the Reading and Fulham games so only found out the score after the match.

Perhaps that is the perfect way to watch a Steve Bruce team if today is anything to go by.

He's stopped the rot and already there are complaints?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clark W Griswold on October 30, 2016, 05:56:03 PM
Couldn't locate a stream for the Reading and Fulham games so only found out the score after the match.

Perhaps that is the perfect way to watch a Steve Bruce team if today is anything to go by.
I think that's a little unfair Steve has inherited a team on the floor and I can't believe people are going on about style etc Lets just get a few points on the board and take it from there eh?

I think it's more than a little unfair. He's averaging 2 points per game as a Villa manager so far including playing away at Blues. I'd be interested to know the last time we had a manager who at any point in their Villa career had that average? MON maybe?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 06:02:06 PM
Yeah today wasn't the day to judge playing style

I'm pleased with the points tally of course and that was the most important thing

But I don't think you can say we've played good attacking football in any of the four games. Hopefully that will come.

I can't imagine us ever playing good attacking football under Bruce. He may get us promoted and to be fair that's why people wanted him, but its grim fare and looks ill-equipped to handle the premier
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on October 30, 2016, 06:06:38 PM
I'm personally disappointed that we didn't take 3 points as I thought they were poor.  as it transpired, a draw was all we deserved, at best.

It's early days and 2 wins and 2 draws is not  bad going.

I'm a massive Steve Bruce fan and wanted him here in the summer.  I understand that it's early days but I would hope a team that includes Kodjia, Ayew and McCormack would create more problems than they did today.

My personal feeling is that we have the players to take games to the opposition, whether we are home or away.

I would have taken a point beforehand but feel disappointed that we didn't take all 3, despite them being on the attack more than we were.  They simply are not very good and we need to be taking games to these teams.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: the-farmer on October 30, 2016, 06:20:35 PM
Yeah today wasn't the day to judge playing style

I'm pleased with the points tally of course and that was the most important thing

But I don't think you can say we've played good attacking football in any of the four games. Hopefully that will come.

I can't imagine us ever playing good attacking football under Bruce. He may get us promoted and to be fair that's why people wanted him, but its grim fare and looks ill-equipped to handle the premier

No wonder you call yourself sickbeggar, why not just WUM ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 06:28:47 PM
Yeah today wasn't the day to judge playing style

I'm pleased with the points tally of course and that was the most important thing

But I don't think you can say we've played good attacking football in any of the four games. Hopefully that will come.

I can't imagine us ever playing good attacking football under Bruce. He may get us promoted and to be fair that's why people wanted him, but its grim fare and looks ill-equipped to handle the premier

No wonder you call yourself sickbeggar, why not just WUM ?

I'm not sure you can call me a wum  unless you think we've been playing like Barca since he arrived. And IMO he doesn't do good attacking football whoever he's managed
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on October 30, 2016, 06:30:35 PM
Look, I advocated Bruce when it was clear that Di Matteo was on the way out.

I was under no illusions as to what we were getting. 

But SHA were a rabble today. Fair enough if they were fired up and tearing into us, and it was all we could do to dig deep and defend. But some of their players could barely control a ball, putting the ball out of play under minimal pressure.

Shit like that, you have to respond accordingly, and swat them away with the contempt they deserve.  Yet we were either unwilling or unable to impose ourselves on the game, even when we got the goal.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: the-farmer on October 30, 2016, 06:32:06 PM
Yeah today wasn't the day to judge playing style

I'm pleased with the points tally of course and that was the most important thing

But I don't think you can say we've played good attacking football in any of the four games. Hopefully that will come.

I can't imagine us ever playing good attacking football under Bruce. He may get us promoted and to be fair that's why people wanted him, but its grim fare and looks ill-equipped to handle the premier

No wonder you call yourself sickbeggar, why not just WUM ?

I'm not sure you can call me a wum  unless you think we've been playing like Barca since he arrived. And IMO he doesn't do good attacking football whoever he's managed

He's turning things around in the short time he's had with RDM's team. It's results that count & thats what he's getting us . . . So far
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 06:34:41 PM
Yeah today wasn't the day to judge playing style

I'm pleased with the points tally of course and that was the most important thing

But I don't think you can say we've played good attacking football in any of the four games. Hopefully that will come.

I can't imagine us ever playing good attacking football under Bruce. He may get us promoted and to be fair that's why people wanted him, but its grim fare and looks ill-equipped to handle the premier

No wonder you call yourself sickbeggar, why not just WUM ?

I'm not sure you can call me a wum  unless you think we've been playing like Barca since he arrived. And IMO he doesn't do good attacking football whoever he's managed

He's turning things around in the short time he's had with RDM's team. It's results that count & thats what he's getting us . . . So far




thats a totally different arguement. He gets results so far -yep i agree. His football is shit doing it is my arguement
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on October 30, 2016, 06:38:56 PM
Not impressed with him today, the midfield was far too deep and gave the ball away at every juncture. He should have done better.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: the-farmer on October 30, 2016, 06:43:47 PM
Not impressed with him today, the midfield was far too deep and gave the ball away at every juncture. He should have done better.

Was the priority today not losing ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on October 30, 2016, 06:47:20 PM
Not impressed with him today, the midfield was far too deep and gave the ball away at every juncture. He should have done better.

Was the priority today not losing ?

Maybe but as the game became clear and that they were really poor, we should have gone for it and done better. We really were hesitant all game, if we'd have stepped it up we could have won at a canter. As it was we hung on.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nigel on October 30, 2016, 06:50:23 PM
Yeah today wasn't the day to judge playing style

I'm pleased with the points tally of course and that was the most important thing

But I don't think you can say we've played good attacking football in any of the four games. Hopefully that will come.

I can't imagine us ever playing good attacking football under Bruce. He may get us promoted and to be fair that's why people wanted him, but its grim fare and looks ill-equipped to handle the premier

No wonder you call yourself sickbeggar, why not just WUM ?

I'm not sure you can call me a wum  unless you think we've been playing like Barca since he arrived. And IMO he doesn't do good attacking football whoever he's managed

He's turning things around in the short time he's had with RDM's team. It's results that count & thats what he's getting us . . . So far




thats a totally different arguement. He gets results so far -yep i agree. His football is shit doing it is my arguement

Start by getting  the right results, then work on the other stuff.
It's actually quite nice that we appear to be playing a system rather than 10 ad hoc outfield players
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on October 30, 2016, 06:52:19 PM
It was good to hear Bruce say the Paul Clemence would be happy with the goal as we'd been practicing free kicks yesterday.

Hopefully this coming week we can work on our passing. Baby steps.

I'm just amazed to hear we are finally cottoning on that practicing stuff can be important.

I have this vision of Bruce walking over to a locked gate at the edge of the training facilities, opening it up with a creak of rust and then all the players gasping "oooh" as they see goals with posts and lines painted on the ground.

"So we dont need to use our jumpers then boss?"

"No lad, here is another thing. We can spend all day taking free kicks, throw ins or even corners in here and nobody will ask us to leave like they do down the playing fields!"

"Bloody hell gaffer!"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 30, 2016, 07:20:02 PM
Blues are a poor side but have people forgotten how fucking terrible we've been? Before Bruce arrived we'd been hammered by Preston, he's had four matches and although we haven't been playing teams off the park we're unbeaten. Not sure quite what people are expecting after such a short space of time?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: achilles on October 30, 2016, 07:25:32 PM
Can't believe some of the crap said on here!

We have been shit for absolutely ages, we have had 4 managers (including caretakers) since October 2015 all bloody useless, during that time we have P44 W4 D15 L25, won 4 f**king games!

Then Bruce comes in, not one of these players has he bought, yet in 4 games he is unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws, yet for some people that is still not good enough because we aren't playing like Barcelona yet!

Give the bloke a bit of credit for what he has achieved in the extremely short time he has been here, he is stuck with the players he has inherited for now, so he has to play players that the fans (due to past endevours) aren't happy about but that is not Bruce's fault!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 07:29:36 PM
Can't believe some of the crap said on here!

We have been shit for absolutely ages, we have had 4 managers (including caretakers) since October 2015 all bloody useless, during that time we have P44 W4 D15 L25, won 4 f**king games!

Then Bruce comes in, not one of these players has he bought, yet in 4 games he is unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws, yet for some people that is still not good enough because we aren't playing like Barcelona yet!

Give the bloke a bit of credit for what he has achieved in the extremely short time he has been here, he is stuck with the players he has inherited for now, so he has to play players that the fans (due to past endevours) aren't happy about but that is not Bruce's fault!
Totally agree
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on October 30, 2016, 07:30:59 PM
Can't believe some of the crap said on here!

We have been shit for absolutely ages, we have had 4 managers (including caretakers) since October 2015 all bloody useless, during that time we have P44 W4 D15 L25, won 4 f**king games!

Then Bruce comes in, not one of these players has he bought, yet in 4 games he is unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws, yet for some people that is still not good enough because we aren't playing like Barcelona yet!

Give the bloke a bit of credit for what he has achieved in the extremely short time he has been here, he is stuck with the players he has inherited for now, so he has to play players that the fans (due to past endevours) aren't happy about but that is not Bruce's fault!

Amen.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT on October 30, 2016, 07:35:57 PM
Yeah today wasn't the day to judge playing style

I'm pleased with the points tally of course and that was the most important thing

But I don't think you can say we've played good attacking football in any of the four games. Hopefully that will come.

I can't imagine us ever playing good attacking football under Bruce. He may get us promoted and to be fair that's why people wanted him, but its grim fare and looks ill-equipped to handle the premier

No wonder you call yourself sickbeggar, why not just WUM ?

I'm not sure you can call me a wum  unless you think we've been playing like Barca since he arrived. And IMO he doesn't do good attacking football whoever he's managed

He's turning things around in the short time he's had with RDM's team. It's results that count & thats what he's getting us . . . So far




thats a totally different arguement. He gets results so far -yep i agree. His football is shit doing it is my arguement

Yeah, we've been treated to a weekly Pep Guardiola masterclass of football for the last six years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on October 30, 2016, 07:36:45 PM
Bruce made two mistakes today: 1) starting Westwood and 2) not changing it soon enough when we were against it second half. That said, making only two mistakes in one game is practically a new club best since 2010, so I'm not too worried. It happens.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on October 30, 2016, 07:40:13 PM
Bruce made two mistakes today: 1) starting Westwood and 2) not changing it soon enough when we were against it second half. That said, making only two mistakes in one game is practically a new club best since 2010, so I'm not too worried. It happens.

I hope Westwood is the mistake you sometimes have to make to ensure you never, ever make it again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 30, 2016, 07:41:01 PM
Hopefully yeah, Westwood has made his money out of us, never took the piss, just been consistently shit. A parting of the ways is long overdue now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 30, 2016, 07:42:21 PM
I hope Westwood is the mistake you sometimes have to make to ensure you never, ever make it again.
You mean a bit like that girl in the canteen?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on October 30, 2016, 07:43:32 PM
I'd have rather that chance had fallen to Baker than him, it was a pitiful strike to add to his vast portfolio.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy65 on October 30, 2016, 08:04:27 PM
Can't believe some of the crap said on here!

We have been shit for absolutely ages, we have had 4 managers (including caretakers) since October 2015 all bloody useless, during that time we have P44 W4 D15 L25, won 4 f**king games!

Then Bruce comes in, not one of these players has he bought, yet in 4 games he is unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws, yet for some people that is still not good enough because we aren't playing like Barcelona yet!

Give the bloke a bit of credit for what he has achieved in the extremely short time he has been here, he is stuck with the players he has inherited for now, so he has to play players that the fans (due to past endevours) aren't happy about but that is not Bruce's fault!

100% agree
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 30, 2016, 08:20:16 PM
Can't believe some of the crap said on here!

We have been shit for absolutely ages, we have had 4 managers (including caretakers) since October 2015 all bloody useless, during that time we have P44 W4 D15 L25, won 4 f**king games!

Then Bruce comes in, not one of these players has he bought, yet in 4 games he is unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws, yet for some people that is still not good enough because we aren't playing like Barcelona yet!

Give the bloke a bit of credit for what he has achieved in the extremely short time he has been here, he is stuck with the players he has inherited for now, so he has to play players that the fans (due to past endevours) aren't happy about but that is not Bruce's fault!


100% agree

Same.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nunkin1965 on October 30, 2016, 08:20:50 PM
Can't believe some of the crap said on here!

We have been shit for absolutely ages, we have had 4 managers (including caretakers) since October 2015 all bloody useless, during that time we have P44 W4 D15 L25, won 4 f**king games!

Then Bruce comes in, not one of these players has he bought, yet in 4 games he is unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws, yet for some people that is still not good enough because we aren't playing like Barcelona yet!

Give the bloke a bit of credit for what he has achieved in the extremely short time he has been here, he is stuck with the players he has inherited for now, so he has to play players that the fans (due to past endevours) aren't happy about but that is not Bruce's fault!

100% agree

Agree totally.

All I see is an experienced manager who has come in and got us looking a solid half decent unit inside 4 games. Personally I'm happy with the start he's made and I'm certainly not even thinking about what we'd be like in  the Premier League.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 08:33:24 PM
if you saw a decent half solid unit today then fair play. I just saw the same mistakes made all season going unpunished for once by the combination of luck and worse finishers than Heskey playing for the opposition
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 08:37:43 PM
if you saw a decent half solid unit today then fair play. I just saw the same mistakes made all season going unpunished for once by the combination of luck and worse finishers than Heskey playing for the opposition
Yeah we're utter shit we've gone completely downhill
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 08:39:34 PM
if you saw a decent half solid unit today then fair play. I just saw the same mistakes made all season going unpunished for once by the combination of luck and worse finishers than Heskey playing for the opposition
Yeah we're utter shit we've gone completely downhill

we were worse than SHA today yeah. they're not very good
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 08:45:43 PM
if you saw a decent half solid unit today then fair play. I just saw the same mistakes made all season going unpunished for once by the combination of luck and worse finishers than Heskey playing for the opposition
Yeah we're utter shit we've gone completely downhill

we were worse than SHA today yeah. they're not very good
I would be really interested to know how you think Bruce could have done any better given the circumstances 8 out of 12 points FFS
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 30, 2016, 08:47:00 PM
Indeed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy65 on October 30, 2016, 08:49:46 PM
if you saw a decent half solid unit today then fair play. I just saw the same mistakes made all season going unpunished for once by the combination of luck and worse finishers than Heskey playing for the opposition
Yeah we're utter shit we've gone completely downhill

we were worse than SHA today yeah. they're not very good

Given his lack of options in midfield he has done well. Performances arent great but we are getting points on the board. Baby steps and all that
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 08:52:32 PM
if you saw a decent half solid unit today then fair play. I just saw the same mistakes made all season going unpunished for once by the combination of luck and worse finishers than Heskey playing for the opposition
Yeah we're utter shit we've gone completely downhill

we were worse than SHA today yeah. they're not very good
I would be really interested to know how you think Bruce could have done any better given the circumstances 8 out of 12 points FFS


play it on the floor, pass? My point is simple, unfortunately Clayton Donaldson having a mare is not going to be on the end of the most of the attacks we face this season. yeah we sneaked it and got another draw we didn't deserve, just like some of the draws or losses we didn't deserve under RDM for the opposite reasons. Sooner or later your luck runs out
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 08:54:37 PM
if you saw a decent half solid unit today then fair play. I just saw the same mistakes made all season going unpunished for once by the combination of luck and worse finishers than Heskey playing for the opposition
Yeah we're utter shit we've gone completely downhill

we were worse than SHA today yeah. they're not very good

Given his lack of options in midfield he has done well. Performances arent great but we are getting points on the board. Baby steps and all that

 yeah quite. no-one sane would blame Bruce for the squad he's inherited, though i'd say it's more to his liking than rdm's
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 08:57:12 PM
if you saw a decent half solid unit today then fair play. I just saw the same mistakes made all season going unpunished for once by the combination of luck and worse finishers than Heskey playing for the opposition
Yeah we're utter shit we've gone completely downhill

we were worse than SHA today yeah. they're not very good
I would be really interested to know how you think Bruce could have done any better given the circumstances 8 out of 12 points FFS


play it on the floor, pass? My point is simple, unfortunately Clayton Donaldson having a mare is not going to be on the end of the most of the attacks we face this season. yeah we sneaked it and got another draw we didn't deserve, just like some of the draws or losses we didn't deserve under RDM for the opposite reasons. Sooner or later your luck runs out
Bloody hell how about taking each match as it comes rather than doom mongering about what might happen. We've got a shitty fixture out of the way let's just push on eh?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on October 30, 2016, 09:00:16 PM
if you saw a decent half solid unit today then fair play. I just saw the same mistakes made all season going unpunished for once by the combination of luck and worse finishers than Heskey playing for the opposition
Yeah we're utter shit we've gone completely downhill

we were worse than SHA today yeah. they're not very good
I would be really interested to know how you think Bruce could have done any better given the circumstances 8 out of 12 points FFS


play it on the floor, pass? My point is simple, unfortunately Clayton Donaldson having a mare is not going to be on the end of the most of the attacks we face this season. yeah we sneaked it and got another draw we didn't deserve, just like some of the draws or losses we didn't deserve under RDM for the opposite reasons. Sooner or later your luck runs out

Play it on the floor and pass? May aswell get RDM back then.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 09:03:57 PM
if you saw a decent half solid unit today then fair play. I just saw the same mistakes made all season going unpunished for once by the combination of luck and worse finishers than Heskey playing for the opposition
Yeah we're utter shit we've gone completely downhill

we were worse than SHA today yeah. they're not very good
I would be really interested to know how you think Bruce could have done any better given the circumstances 8 out of 12 points FFS


play it on the floor, pass? My point is simple, unfortunately Clayton Donaldson having a mare is not going to be on the end of the most of the attacks we face this season. yeah we sneaked it and got another draw we didn't deserve, just like some of the draws or losses we didn't deserve under RDM for the opposite reasons. Sooner or later your luck runs out

Play it on the floor and pass? May aswell get RDM back then.

well the only difference between bruce's worse games and RDM's is the inability of the opposition to put their chances away in Bruce's. Like i said lucky or new manager bounce. I hope its the former
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on October 30, 2016, 09:07:08 PM
So why didnt we get 'the new manager bounce' with RDM then?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 30, 2016, 09:10:33 PM
When, oh when will we get some tactical nounce?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 09:11:13 PM
So why didnt we get 'the new manager bounce' with RDM then?


luck? He had some bad luck. my big hope with bruce is these results will surely spread confidence among a squad devoid of it for years. Play bad but get a result - well that's what they say about champions
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on October 30, 2016, 09:17:41 PM
He let us down today with his reluctance to change the game when we were under pressure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on October 30, 2016, 09:20:37 PM
When, oh when will we get some tactical nounce?

Nounce sense.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 30, 2016, 09:27:32 PM
When, oh when will we get some tactical nounce?

Nounce sense.



When will we announce our nounce sense and get tactical nounce?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 09:28:25 PM
He let us down today with his reluctance to change the game when we were under pressure.

 Indeed, and even then it seems to revolve around "any of you scored against blose?"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 09:37:54 PM
Christ Almighty. No accounting for his tactical nouce in the previous games then? Or no doubt you'll just write that off as good luck
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ROBBO on October 30, 2016, 09:39:28 PM
With the players he had on the bench it was puzzling he did not change at the break. I would love to hear why he did not make changes before their goal when we were under pressure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on October 30, 2016, 09:42:10 PM
He let us down today with his reluctance to change the game when we were under pressure.

 Indeed, and even then it seems to revolve around "any of you scored against blose?"

I get the feeling that you made up your mind about Bruce before he started and that nothing as intangible as better organisation, fitness and improved results is going to sway from that conviction.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 09:45:12 PM
Christ Almighty. No accounting for his tactical nouce in the previous games then? Or no doubt you'll just write that off as good luck

meh. my view is of his games in charge

wolves - fluked a draw
reading -fluked a win
fulham - deserved win
blose - fluked a draw
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: MoetVillan on October 30, 2016, 09:48:28 PM
Christ Almighty. No accounting for his tactical nouce in the previous games then? Or no doubt you'll just write that off as good luck

meh. my view is of his games in charge

wolves - fluked a draw
reading -fluked a win
fulham - deserved win
blose - fluked a draw


So fluked our best run for feels like five years? Keep it up Steve, good work
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 30, 2016, 09:49:10 PM


 yeah quite. no-one sane would blame Bruce for the squad he's inherited, though i'd say it's more to his liking than rdm's

Eh?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 09:51:05 PM
He let us down today with his reluctance to change the game when we were under pressure.

 Indeed, and even then it seems to revolve around "any of you scored against blose?"

I get the feeling that you made up your mind about Bruce before he started and that nothing as intangible as better organisation, fitness and improved results is going to sway from that conviction.

 not really. i don't like his football but who cares if we get up? As someoneelse said he's obviously getting them practising the set pieces. which is good. I just think we've been bad for the majority of his games. fair play results wise. if we can play bad and get results all season then great. I don't think you can though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 09:51:08 PM
Christ Almighty. No accounting for his tactical nouce in the previous games then? Or no doubt you'll just write that off as good luck

meh. my view is of his games in charge

wolves - fluked a draw
reading -fluked a win
fulham - deserved win
blose - fluked a draw

He can fluke as many wins as he likes as far as I'm concerned
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 30, 2016, 09:51:21 PM
Christ Almighty. No accounting for his tactical nouce in the previous games then? Or no doubt you'll just write that off as good luck

meh. my view is of his games in charge

wolves - fluked a draw
reading -fluked a win
fulham - deserved win
blose - fluked a draw


Of course it's fluke, I mean it's weird that for the first time in years we have a manager who has a tactical plan and we've started taking a decent tally of points, but obviously it's fluke.

So fluked our best run for feels like five years? Keep it up Steve, good work
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 09:54:13 PM
Christ Almighty. No accounting for his tactical nouce in the previous games then? Or no doubt you'll just write that off as good luck

meh. my view is of his games in charge

wolves - fluked a draw
reading -fluked a win
fulham - deserved win
blose - fluked a draw


Of course it's fluke, I mean it's weird that for the first time in years we have a manager who has a tactical plan and we've started taking a decent tally of points, but obviously it's fluke.

So fluked our best run for feels like five years? Keep it up Steve, good work

is anyone claiming we played well in those games?
 hell is anyone claiming we played well today?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 09:56:12 PM
Christ Almighty. No accounting for his tactical nouce in the previous games then? Or no doubt you'll just write that off as good luck

meh. my view is of his games in charge

wolves - fluked a draw
reading -fluked a win
fulham - deserved win
blose - fluked a draw


Of course it's fluke, I mean it's weird that for the first time in years we have a manager who has a tactical plan and we've started taking a decent tally of points, but obviously it's fluke.

So fluked our best run for feels like five years? Keep it up Steve, good work

is anyone claiming we played well in those games?
Quite frankly I couldn't give a toss. Where we are now its points on the board  that matter
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 09:58:55 PM
Christ Almighty. No accounting for his tactical nouce in the previous games then? Or no doubt you'll just write that off as good luck

meh. my view is of his games in charge

wolves - fluked a draw
reading -fluked a win
fulham - deserved win
blose - fluked a draw


Of course it's fluke, I mean it's weird that for the first time in years we have a manager who has a tactical plan and we've started taking a decent tally of points, but obviously it's fluke.

So fluked our best run for feels like five years? Keep it up Steve, good work

is anyone claiming we played well in those games?
Quite frankly I couldn't give a toss. Where we are its points on the board  that matter


yeah and if we get the same performances and not the results? you'll be moaning like me :0)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 10:03:17 PM
Unlikely with SB record in the Championship, the likelihood is that we will get better so chin up eh
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 10:06:22 PM
well hopefully he can wing it till the transfer window because that midfield is bad and no amount of moving people around is going to cure it
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 10:07:25 PM
well hopefully he can wing it till the transfer window because that midfield is bad and no amount moving people around is going to cure it
Exactly
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 30, 2016, 10:07:54 PM
We should sack him for not sorting out the midfield problem in the summer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on October 30, 2016, 10:22:39 PM
He's been in charge for about 20 days, had 4 games and we've take 2 points per game. Won am away game after about 15 months.

 Forget the performances and enjoy the run. Seems to me like there's good team spirit under Bruce which has led to the results. Is that luck? No its good management.

Certainly feels like a positive change to me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 30, 2016, 10:32:35 PM
We should sack him for not sorting out the midfield problem in the summer.

Yep I agree. He's should be gone, we haven't lost in 4 games but it's just fluke so best cut our losses.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 10:34:36 PM
He's been in charge for about 20 days, had 4 games and we've take 2 points per game. Won am away game after about 15 months.

 Forget the performances and enjoy the run. Seems to me like there's good team spirit under Bruce which has led to the results. Is that luck? No its good management.

Certainly feels like a positive change to me.

yeah he's obviously broken the curse as i see it. I think that's entirely down to him, and lets face it a lot of our problems in the past 2 seasons have been in the head of the shite players rather than the shite players themselves. My point is if your winning games and the opposition are getting 60-70% of possesion then you're not really in the game as i see it, and certainly not dominating.Can you get promoted hardly touching the ball and scoring on the break?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 30, 2016, 10:34:54 PM
yeah and if we get the same performances and not the results? you'll be moaning like me :0)

He wouldn't though, would he? He'd be moaning because of results and performances, rather than moaning after a run of four games undefeated because the new manager hasn't mysteriously transformed a side who hadn't won two games together in months into playing like Barcelona.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 10:37:20 PM
He's been in charge for about 20 days, had 4 games and we've take 2 points per game. Won am away game after about 15 months.

 Forget the performances and enjoy the run. Seems to me like there's good team spirit under Bruce which has led to the results. Is that luck? No its good management.

Certainly feels like a positive change to me.

yeah he's obviously broken the curse as i see it. I think that's entirely down to him, and lets face it a lot of our problems in the bast 2 seasons have been in the head of the shite players rather than the shite players themselves. My point is if your winning games and the opposition are getting 60-70% of possesion then you're not really in the game as i see it, and certainly not dominating.Can you get promoted hardly touching the ball and scoring on the break?
Like Leicester winning the PL?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 10:38:06 PM
yeah and if we get the same performances and not the results? you'll be moaning like me :0)

He wouldn't though, would he? He'd be moaning because of results and performances, rather than moaning after a run of four games undefeated because the new manager hasn't mysteriously transformed a side who hadn't won two games together in months into playing like Barcelona.

ah but he hasn't transformed the performances has he. we're still as shit as under RDM , just not losing so much
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on October 30, 2016, 10:39:44 PM
I give up
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 30, 2016, 10:39:52 PM
yeah and if we get the same performances and not the results? you'll be moaning like me :0)

He wouldn't though, would he? He'd be moaning because of results and performances, rather than moaning after a run of four games undefeated because the new manager hasn't mysteriously transformed a side who hadn't won two games together in months into playing like Barcelona.

ah but he hasn't transformed the perforamances has he. we're still as shit as under RDM , just not losing so much

Do you bother to read the post you're replying to or do you just have your response ready to go whatever is posted?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 30, 2016, 10:42:22 PM
The object of football is to win games. We win more now than we did under Di Matteo. Therefore we're nowhere near as shit. Or so common sense would dictate.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on October 30, 2016, 10:44:55 PM
I think some of us believe that the object of the game is to make fans happy. And so we can set the bar wherever we like, to make ourselves feel special.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 10:46:31 PM
yeah and if we get the same performances and not the results? you'll be moaning like me :0)

He wouldn't though, would he? He'd be moaning because of results and performances, rather than moaning after a run of four games undefeated because the new manager hasn't mysteriously transformed a side who hadn't won two games together in months into playing like Barcelona.

ah but he hasn't transformed the perforamances has he. we're still as shit as under RDM , just not losing so much

Do you bother to read the post you're replying to or do you just have your response ready to go whatever is posted?

 i'm sorry but you seem to think winning howoever badly you play is some sort of strategy for long term improvement. My point is it isn't and playing shite for 3 out 4 games but getting a result is possibly the daftest basis of optimism evoh.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 30, 2016, 10:48:18 PM
I dread to think what will happen if we go on a bad run.  He is our last hope as far as I'm concerned.  God help us if we hound him out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 30, 2016, 10:49:21 PM
yeah and if we get the same performances and not the results? you'll be moaning like me :0)

He wouldn't though, would he? He'd be moaning because of results and performances, rather than moaning after a run of four games undefeated because the new manager hasn't mysteriously transformed a side who hadn't won two games together in months into playing like Barcelona.

ah but he hasn't transformed the performances has he. we're still as shit as under RDM , just not losing so much
Shit as under RDM ...that's a sick comment and it beggars belief.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on October 30, 2016, 10:51:14 PM
yeah and if we get the same performances and not the results? you'll be moaning like me :0)

He wouldn't though, would he? He'd be moaning because of results and performances, rather than moaning after a run of four games undefeated because the new manager hasn't mysteriously transformed a side who hadn't won two games together in months into playing like Barcelona.

ah but he hasn't transformed the perforamances has he. we're still as shit as under RDM , just not losing so much

Do you bother to read the post you're replying to or do you just have your response ready to go whatever is posted?

 i'm sorry but you seem to think winning howoever badly you play is some sort of strategy for long term improvement. My point is it isn't and playing shite for 3 out 4 games but getting a result is possibly the daftest basis of optimism evoh.
My head is spinning
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 30, 2016, 10:56:27 PM
yeah and if we get the same performances and not the results? you'll be moaning like me :0)

He wouldn't though, would he? He'd be moaning because of results and performances, rather than moaning after a run of four games undefeated because the new manager hasn't mysteriously transformed a side who hadn't won two games together in months into playing like Barcelona.

ah but he hasn't transformed the perforamances has he. we're still as shit as under RDM , just not losing so much

Do you bother to read the post you're replying to or do you just have your response ready to go whatever is posted?

 i'm sorry but you seem to think winning howoever badly you play is some sort of strategy for long term improvement. My point is it isn't and playing shite for 3 out 4 games but getting a result is possibly the daftest basis of optimism evoh.

Just a quiet word but you sound utterly ludicrous right now. People are trying to politely point out that your logic, if indeed that's what it even is, is flawed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 10:57:03 PM
its's simple. you don't tend to win a league constantly playing badly and winning. Please point me to a team who played arse all season according to their fans and won the league. At some point they played well, no? If you think we've run over the opposition in the last 4 games by somehow giving them all the possession  and letting them miss open goals and putting our one chance in, then indeed Bruce is a genius.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on October 30, 2016, 10:57:22 PM
Whats that Fergie line someone mentioned the other day? The more we train the luckier we are or something? Seems applicable here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on October 30, 2016, 11:00:55 PM
its's simple. you don't tend to win a league constantly playing badly and winning. Please point me to a team who played arse all season according to their fans and won the league.

Please point me to a team who have been shit for five seasons and then magically transformed into Barcelona in a fortnight.

Or maybe, just maybe, putting some points on the board whatever way possible is the first step. Thus giving the players some confidence and starting to improve performances.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 11:11:32 PM
its's simple. you don't tend to win a league constantly playing badly and winning. Please point me to a team who played arse all season according to their fans and won the league.

Please point me to a team who have been shit for five seasons and then magically transformed into Barcelona in a fortnight.

Or maybe, just maybe, putting some points on the board whatever way possible is the first step. Thus giving the players some confidence and starting to improve performances.

yes we're playing arse to get some confidence. i get it. now tell me bruce is going to play like barca or even bournemouth once he gets the team up to scratch. of course not, this is what he does. I'm sorry but a bruce side is never going to dominate possession unless they add in the time it spends 20 foot in the air
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on October 30, 2016, 11:19:12 PM
Anyway it doesn't really matter. I will continue moaning about his limited talents and you will defend him. And if he succeeds then kudos to you, and if he fails, well i'm sure someone will claim i wanted him to fail ;)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 30, 2016, 11:26:46 PM
its's simple. you don't tend to win a league constantly playing badly and winning. Please point me to a team who played arse all season according to their fans and won the league.

Please point me to a team who have been shit for five seasons and then magically transformed into Barcelona in a fortnight.

Or maybe, just maybe, putting some points on the board whatever way possible is the first step. Thus giving the players some confidence and starting to improve performances.

yes we're playing arse to get some confidence. i get it. now tell me bruce is going to play like barca or even bournemouth once he gets the team up to scratch. of course not, this is what he does. I'm sorry but a bruce side is never going to dominate possession unless they add in the time it spends 20 foot in the air

No, we're getting results to gain confidence and until points are awarded for possession I'll stick with the old-fashioned approach that they're gained by scoring either as many or more goals than the opposition.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on October 30, 2016, 11:29:56 PM
Anyway it doesn't really matter. I will continue moaning about his limited talents and you will defend him. And if he succeeds then kudos to you, and if he fails, well i'm sure someone will claim i wanted him to fail ;)

I can see your viewpoint but it's a little miserable. My only advice is find a lady with big boobs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 30, 2016, 11:35:26 PM
I'm not sure why there would be a clamour for possession like Reading or Fulham had. Square balls along their back line and in their final third while they struggle to beat the press, especially in the second half.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on October 30, 2016, 11:37:01 PM
its's simple. you don't tend to win a league constantly playing badly and winning. Please point me to a team who played arse all season according to their fans and won the league. At some point they played well, no? If you think we've run over the opposition in the last 4 games by somehow giving them all the possession  and letting them miss open goals and putting our one chance in, then indeed Bruce is a genius.
Mourinho has made a career out of grinding out results without much style and he's won titles almost every club he's managed (until now, tee hee, ha ha, chortle, etc).

We're going to play better under Bruce, but if he's got an ability to grind out results when we're not playing particularly well then he's doing alright.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on October 30, 2016, 11:37:30 PM
I'm not sure why there would be a clamour for possession like Reading or Fulham had. Square balls along their back line and in their final third while they struggle to beat the press, especially in the second half.
And they both created next to nothing against us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 30, 2016, 11:42:38 PM
I'm not sure why there would be a clamour for possession like Reading or Fulham had. Square balls along their back line and in their final third while they struggle to beat the press, especially in the second half.

We do need to be careful though as allowing the opposition constant possession eventually means they actually score a goal as we saw today and indeed at Reading and all the other places we've let in late goals.

My opinion though is Steve Bruce wants to get points on the board to build confidence which we're doing and once we get in the top 6 or closer to it we'll see a better style as indeed his other promotions were as he hasn't got other teams up at this level on 30% possession.

It's a pragmatic approach but I think pretty common sense considering the state we were in when he arrived.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nunkin1965 on October 30, 2016, 11:43:28 PM
I think we are becoming a tough nut to crack for teams. Thats a good start for me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 12:04:31 AM
its's simple. you don't tend to win a league constantly playing badly and winning. Please point me to a team who played arse all season according to their fans and won the league. At some point they played well, no? If you think we've run over the opposition in the last 4 games by somehow giving them all the possession  and letting them miss open goals and putting our one chance in, then indeed Bruce is a genius.
Mourinho has made a career out of grinding out results without much style and he's won titles almost every club he's managed (until now, tee hee, ha ha, chortle, etc).

We're going to play better under Bruce, but if he's got an ability to grind out results when we're not playing particularly well then he's doing alright.

Without agreeing with him I think what sicko is trying to say is grinding out results when you have an off day and intentionally playing a fairly turgid brand of football that grinds out results aren't the same thing.

I thought we were awful today, right up there with the worst performances we've seen in the last 4-5 years, I know you have to account for the occasion and the fact that the result was probably a decent one but you can't ignore just how badly we played.  The one that really upset me was that Shotton was taking great delight to jumping into the back of Kodjia and at no point did we decide to change things up instead we just kept lumping in up there and we're going to have a very bruised striker in training as a result.  That lack of awareness worries me.  I also notice that he used the "throw on loads of strikers to look like we're going for it" tactic and seems to have largely got away with it (in terms of criticism) unlike when RDM tried it.

My concern is that we've now had 2 televised games under Bruce and in both of them we're clung on for a point after being run ragged for the 2nd half and in both of them he hasn't seemed able to do anything about it.  Against Wolves he got a pass because 2 injuries and only a day with the players makes it tough but today suggested 'sneak a goal and hang on' was the tactic.  If this is a holding pattern until January then fair enough, if we play like this in February then it starts to look worrying.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villadelph on October 31, 2016, 12:19:34 AM
This thread is absolutely ridiculous.

Did I seriously just read that today was on of the worst games in the last 4-5 years?!

Support the guy, plain and simple. Some people..  ???
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OCD on October 31, 2016, 12:19:47 AM
The second half was nowhere near as bad as the second half against Wolves. We started the half ok then Hutton messed up a basic pass that put them in and then after that it got their fans up and they got momentum from it.

I thought Jedinak was really good.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 12:36:48 AM
This thread is absolutely ridiculous.

Did I seriously just read that today was on of the worst games in the last 4-5 years?!

Support the guy, plain and simple. Some people..  ???

Yes, we got a point against a really shit blues side because Donaldson missed an absolute sitter and we didn't look like ever creating a chance in open play.

There's a difference between not supporting someone and pointing out a poor performance, today we were awful because we looked as if we were happy to have scored and just wanted to hang on.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villadelph on October 31, 2016, 01:49:10 AM
This thread is absolutely ridiculous.

Did I seriously just read that today was on of the worst games in the last 4-5 years?!

Support the guy, plain and simple. Some people..  ???

Yes, we got a point against a really shit blues side because Donaldson missed an absolute sitter and we didn't look like ever creating a chance in open play.

There's a difference between not supporting someone and pointing out a poor performance, today we were awful because we looked as if we were happy to have scored and just wanted to hang on.

You said one of the worst performances in the last 5 years though.

Where have you been?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: robbo1874 on October 31, 2016, 02:08:21 AM
Happy with a point. Thought it would be 1-1. Let's just move on now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on October 31, 2016, 05:59:48 AM
It wasn't one of our worst performances in the last few years, that's crazy

But I was disappointed that we stopped playing at 1-0. We need to find a way of getting more control of games. Buying a better central midfielder in January would really help
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on October 31, 2016, 07:42:29 AM
its's simple. you don't tend to win a league constantly playing badly and winning. Please point me to a team who played arse all season according to their fans and won the league. At some point they played well, no? If you think we've run over the opposition in the last 4 games by somehow giving them all the possession  and letting them miss open goals and putting our one chance in, then indeed Bruce is a genius.
Mourinho has made a career out of grinding out results without much style and he's won titles almost every club he's managed (until now, tee hee, ha ha, chortle, etc).

We're going to play better under Bruce, but if he's got an ability to grind out results when we're not playing particularly well then he's doing alright.

Without agreeing with him I think what sicko is trying to say is grinding out results when you have an off day and intentionally playing a fairly turgid brand of football that grinds out results aren't the same thing.

I thought we were awful today, right up there with the worst performances we've seen in the last 4-5 years, I know you have to account for the occasion and the fact that the result was probably a decent one but you can't ignore just how badly we played.  The one that really upset me was that Shotton was taking great delight to jumping into the back of Kodjia and at no point did we decide to change things up instead we just kept lumping in up there and we're going to have a very bruised striker in training as a result.  That lack of awareness worries me.  I also notice that he used the "throw on loads of strikers to look like we're going for it" tactic and seems to have largely got away with it (in terms of criticism) unlike when RDM tried it.

My concern is that we've now had 2 televised games under Bruce and in both of them we're clung on for a point after being run ragged for the 2nd half and in both of them he hasn't seemed able to do anything about it.  Against Wolves he got a pass because 2 injuries and only a day with the players makes it tough but today suggested 'sneak a goal and hang on' was the tactic.  If this is a holding pattern until January then fair enough, if we play like this in February then it starts to look worrying.

Even when we were leading, it looked like we were playing for a draw.

The goal should have opened the game up. They had to come at us and -even if you don't dominate possession (which would prob be the norm for many sides away from home) you have maximise the bit you get. Quick interchanges, set the wide players away and get in behind them.  We have the players to hurt any side in this league.  But we were dismal in possession, so even a side as limited as B-lose had little to worry about.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 31, 2016, 08:39:31 AM
Have we sacked him yet?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on October 31, 2016, 08:49:57 AM
Have we sacked him yet?

If he doesn't win at least two games by lunchtime then I think he's out
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on October 31, 2016, 08:59:14 AM
Have we sacked him yet?

If he doesn't win at least two games by lunchtime then I think he's out

I am concerned that my concerns have not been addressed. Unless the former potato headed fellow addresses my concerns p.d.q I shall be writing some pretty stiff letters to whom it may concern and churning out notes with interest on the interwebs using my bot network.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 31, 2016, 09:02:47 AM
There's some rather fanciful claptrap being chatted on this thread. It wasn't a great performance, but one of the worst in the last 4-5 years? Someone's been frolicking in funny land. Although we don't want to admit it, the truth is that this Small Heath side is pretty solid, well drilled and determined, which is why they are 7th in the table. This is their World Cup final. They were well up for it, and still couldn't beat us.

Bruce has been in the job a couple of weeks, and in that time we've won half as many games, with injuries and suspensions, as we did in the previous year. We haven't looked too great admittedly, but you have to stop the rot before you varnish the floorboards.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on October 31, 2016, 09:15:34 AM
We haven't got rid of the termites yet
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 31, 2016, 09:43:29 AM
Anyway it doesn't really matter. I will continue moaning about his limited talents and you will defend him. And if he succeeds then kudos to you, and if he fails, well i'm sure someone will claim i wanted him to fail ;)

You're entitled to your views, however laughable they are.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 09:57:24 AM
There's some rather fanciful claptrap being chatted on this thread. It wasn't a great performance, but one of the worst in the last 4-5 years? Someone's been frolicking in funny land. Although we don't want to admit it, the truth is that this Small Heath side is pretty solid, well drilled and determined, which is why they are 7th in the table. This is their World Cup final. They were well up for it, and still couldn't beat us.

Bruce has been in the job a couple of weeks, and in that time we've won half as many games, with injuries and suspensions, as we did in the previous year. We haven't looked too great admittedly, but you have to stop the rot before you varnish the floorboards.

You disagree but the 'frolicking in funny land' is a pretty pathetic comment.

I think it was that bad because it's one of the few times where I honestly don't think we ever tried to the win the game.  Doing that against a champions league team that cost half a billion to assemble is frustrating but sort of understandable, doing it in a derby against a team that cost a fraction of ours and whose players would struggle to make our bench is shocking.  I understand why he took a safety first approach and in the first half it worked but doing nothing to address their dominance for most of the 2nd half was as bad as anything we did under Lambert/Sherwood/Garde/RDM.  Magomah should've scored from that Hutton mistake and Donaldson missed a sitter (that was far easier than the chance that Westwood has been given shit over).

For the bold bit can you make your mind up whether they're a good side who are just in better form than us or whether they're a shit team who were well up for it as the most important game of their season.  Personally I don't think either of those is true.  I think they're a poor team who have enough pace up front to hurt teams without being anything like good enough to get promotion and that, whilst it is for their fans, I don't think their management team will have let the players approach is as the biggest game of the season for them and we need to stop assuming that every team will be doing that.

The results in the last 2 games don't stop it being a really bad performance.

I can accept that I may be slightly over selling how poor we were but in 2 recent local matches we've not descended to their level (as often happens and is acceptable) but rather we've failed to step up to it and that worries the hell out of me.  In both games we've looked like the plucky underdog who is happy to be there and get away with a point.  I haven't seen enough of the reading or fulham games to know if this is a change because it was derbies or if this is just how he's got us playing.  If it's the latter I hope it's down to being pragmatic and getting points however is possible and if so then whilst I don't enjoy it I can accept it, which i've already said.

To clarify though because some people seem determined to misunderstand, results wise Bruce is doing well (as I expected him to) and I'm more than happy for him to have time to fix things.  However I think the quality of our attacking play is dreadful and needs to be worked on, defensive solidity is good and is an improvement on what we've seen but we need to offer something going forward or, like the wolves and blues games, teams will just lay siege to us and I don't think we're anything like mentally strong enough to withstand that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 31, 2016, 10:06:13 AM
You surely must have been inhabiting a separate reality to think that was one of the worst performances in the last 4-5 years, so if anything it was a kind euphemism to describe your deluded state. I'm not even going to begin listing those performances that were worse, because Bruce will probably have picked up another two wins before I get to the end.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 31, 2016, 10:22:29 AM
The worst Villa performance in the last 4-5 years?? Absolute nonsense.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 10:23:42 AM
You surely must have been inhabiting a separate reality to think that was one of the worst performances in the last 4-5 years, so if anything it was a kind euphemism to describe your deluded state. I'm not even going to begin listing those performances that were worse, because Bruce will probably have picked up another two wins before I get to the end.

I'm going to take your approach to debating from the Birmingham thread now and assume that you think that performance was perfect but I expect better from Villa because I like them more than you do.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 31, 2016, 10:28:08 AM
Good lord, yet more unhinged garbage. Give it a rest, Paul, please.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 31, 2016, 10:28:36 AM
I think most can agree that yesterday's performance wasn't the greatest. I've seen a lot worse than that though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 31, 2016, 10:30:28 AM
I'm a bit staggered that someone thinks that yesterday's performance was 'up there' with the likes of the 6-0 battering against Liverpool last season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AVH87 on October 31, 2016, 10:31:34 AM
I think Bruce got a couple of things wrong yesterday.

Once it was clear Bacuna wasn't available due to injury, his energy needed to be replaced by Tshibola. Starting Westwood instead was a mistake and we were never going to dominate and link the midfield to attack well enough with the trio he went with, for Westwood then to stay on for virtually the whole game with Tshibola not even coming on to address the lack of linkup between midfield and attack was poor.

Also playing RMC right wing was a really poor decision, he's far too slow to be stuck out there. If he's playing it has to be as a No. 9 or No. 10.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on October 31, 2016, 10:31:57 AM
I'm a bit staggered that someone thinks that yesterday's performance was 'up there' with the likes of the 6-0 battering against Liverpool last season.

Exactly. That's just one of the many grand disasters of the last twelve months alone that springs to mind.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Brend'Watkins on October 31, 2016, 10:32:16 AM
My only concern about Bruce thus far is that he had Westwood's name  on the team sheet and Tshibola on the bench. He must really be woeful in training or Westwood is a brilliant hypnotist.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AVH87 on October 31, 2016, 10:33:20 AM
I'm a bit staggered that someone thinks that yesterday's performance was 'up there' with the likes of the 6-0 battering against Liverpool last season.

Indeed, we are a Championship team now with Championship level players. Looking at our teamsheet I think people know deep down we aren't going to roll over many teams in this league.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 31, 2016, 10:33:51 AM
My only concern about Bruce thus far is that he had Westwood's name  on the team sheet and Tshibola on the bench. He must really be woeful in training or Westwood is a brilliant hypnotist.

Like someone else said earlier, i'd have brought on Tshibola for Westwood on about 70 minutes. We needed a fresh pair of legs in the middle at the time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 31, 2016, 10:34:33 AM
I imagine Westwood to be the ultimate yes man, will do anything asked, always attentive, turns up bang on time, leaves bang on time, never skips his duties, will do anything for his managers because he knows that he is nowhere near good enough to be playing for Aston Villa.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 10:35:32 AM
In more measurable terms, we had:

1 shot on target (that was the goal)
48% pass completion (114 out of 237)
We had a player beat his man twice all game (Ayew and Kodjia once each)
Our starting striker won 1 header all game (Gestede won 2 in a matter of minutes)

So we couldn't pass around them and we couldn't dribble past them and we couldn't play hoof ball and try to do something with the scraps.  As said we offered NOTHING going forward and the solution offered was Gabby on 81minutes and Gestede on about 86.  If that had meant a dominating display at the back I'd be less upset but they had one cleared off the line and missed 2 sitters as well as their goal and a 3-1 win wouldn't have flattered them in my opinion.

It's far from being a bad result but the performance was dire.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on October 31, 2016, 10:36:17 AM
Whats that Fergie line someone mentioned the other day? The more we train the luckier we are or something? Seems applicable here.
"The harder I try the luckier I get"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 10:39:15 AM
Good lord, yet more unhinged garbage. Give it a rest, Paul, please.

Oh Jimbo please do be quiet if you can't be civil.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on October 31, 2016, 10:40:22 AM
I think we are becoming a tough nut to crack for teams. Thats a good start for me.
Great point.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 31, 2016, 10:49:03 AM
48% pass completion is atrocious.We passed to them more times than each other.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 10:55:44 AM
Regarding the Liverpool thing, context is everything.  Last season we were a team in free fall with a manager who, it appeared, had lost interest after being given no support in the window and knew his days were numbered and we came up against a team who had fairly recently taken on one of the best managers in the world and were just coming round to his style of play and fitness levels.  All in all it made a bit of a perfect storm for a shit performance and that's what we got.

Yesterday we were on the back of our first away win for 15 months, our first back to back wins for even longer, had a new manager 'bounce' in our favour and were playing a side that is mid-table championship quality and it was a game where you'd expect the players to be up for it to give the fans a boost and I never really got the impression that they were, rather I got the impression that they saw avoiding a defeat as the only priority.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 10:56:25 AM
48% pass completion is atrocious.We passed to them more times than each other.

Exactly,  I don't think I've ever seen us have below 50% before.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: simboy on October 31, 2016, 11:00:19 AM
We are four games into his tenure. The point at which Bruce started was pretty low. We were conceding goals late in the day, clearly weren't fit physically or mentally. Since he's joined we've conceded three goals - two penalties [with the liability now being removed] he's got a central defensive pairing that looks stronger without Elphick and the keeper looks far more confident.

We were a basket case when Bruce arrived, having spent very good money on players that were overpriced and quite frankly their clubs saw us coming a mile off.

I am not saying we are the finished article and playing flowing football currently, far from it. The problems are there for all to see, a midfield that is less than inspirational , RMC being at the end of his career, a lack of creativity anywhere on the park, Westwood starting etc etc.

But its baby steps. Make us more difficult to beat initially, that's the key. Give a group of players and the support a bit of belief, give the club confidence again. Winning will follow. Win a few and get to the January window. Let him start to build the squad in his own way. It's far too early to be judging him at the moment.

Incidentally I didn't think the game yesterday was one of our best performances, but we got out of it with a point. I'm not too sure we would have under RDM or Garde, thank god we will never know. 

 

 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 11:07:22 AM
We are four games into his tenure. The point at which Bruce started was pretty low. We were conceding goals late in the day, clearly weren't fit physically or mentally. Since he's joined we've conceded three goals - two penalties [with the liability now being removed] he's got a central defensive pairing that looks stronger without Elphick and the keeper looks far more confident.

We were a basket case when Bruce arrived, having spent very good money on players that were overpriced and quite frankly their clubs saw us coming a mile off.

I am not saying we are the finished article and playing flowing football currently, far from it. The problems are there for all to see, a midfield that is less than inspirational , RMC being at the end of his career, a lack of creativity anywhere on the park, Westwood starting etc etc.

But its baby steps. Make us more difficult to beat initially, that's the key. Give a group of players and the support a bit of belief, give the club confidence again. Winning will follow. Win a few and get to the January window. Let him start to build the squad in his own way. It's far too early to be judging him at the moment.

Incidentally I didn't think the game yesterday was one of our best performances, but we got out of it with a point. I'm not too sure we would have under RDM or Garde, thank god we will never know. 

I think it's important to note that, despite some of the responses to me on here, the bold bit is something I've said repeatedly.  My point in all of these posts isn't to suggest that i think we should repalce Bruce or anything remotely like that, it's simply to point out that he needs to find a way of getting us to create chances in open play because yesterday we never looked like doing that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 31, 2016, 11:13:08 AM
We are four games into his tenure. The point at which Bruce started was pretty low. We were conceding goals late in the day, clearly weren't fit physically or mentally. Since he's joined we've conceded three goals - two penalties [with the liability now being removed] he's got a central defensive pairing that looks stronger without Elphick and the keeper looks far more confident.

We were a basket case when Bruce arrived, having spent very good money on players that were overpriced and quite frankly their clubs saw us coming a mile off.

I am not saying we are the finished article and playing flowing football currently, far from it. The problems are there for all to see, a midfield that is less than inspirational , RMC being at the end of his career, a lack of creativity anywhere on the park, Westwood starting etc etc.

But its baby steps. Make us more difficult to beat initially, that's the key. Give a group of players and the support a bit of belief, give the club confidence again. Winning will follow. Win a few and get to the January window. Let him start to build the squad in his own way. It's far too early to be judging him at the moment.

Incidentally I didn't think the game yesterday was one of our best performances, but we got out of it with a point. I'm not too sure we would have under RDM or Garde, thank god we will never know. 

I think it's important to note that, despite some of the responses to me on here, the bold bit is something I've said repeatedly.  My point in all of these posts isn't to suggest that i think we should repalce Bruce or anything remotely like that, it's simply to point out that he needs to find a way of getting us to create chances in open play because yesterday we never looked like doing that.

Although last week we could have ended up winning the game 3-0 had Ayew and Adomah put their chances away.

Yesterday was always going to be a tough game and maybe we should have created more than we did, but to call it one of the worst performances of the last 5 years is over the top to say the least.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 11:32:35 AM
We are four games into his tenure. The point at which Bruce started was pretty low. We were conceding goals late in the day, clearly weren't fit physically or mentally. Since he's joined we've conceded three goals - two penalties [with the liability now being removed] he's got a central defensive pairing that looks stronger without Elphick and the keeper looks far more confident.

We were a basket case when Bruce arrived, having spent very good money on players that were overpriced and quite frankly their clubs saw us coming a mile off.

I am not saying we are the finished article and playing flowing football currently, far from it. The problems are there for all to see, a midfield that is less than inspirational , RMC being at the end of his career, a lack of creativity anywhere on the park, Westwood starting etc etc.

But its baby steps. Make us more difficult to beat initially, that's the key. Give a group of players and the support a bit of belief, give the club confidence again. Winning will follow. Win a few and get to the January window. Let him start to build the squad in his own way. It's far too early to be judging him at the moment.

Incidentally I didn't think the game yesterday was one of our best performances, but we got out of it with a point. I'm not too sure we would have under RDM or Garde, thank god we will never know. 

I think it's important to note that, despite some of the responses to me on here, the bold bit is something I've said repeatedly.  My point in all of these posts isn't to suggest that i think we should repalce Bruce or anything remotely like that, it's simply to point out that he needs to find a way of getting us to create chances in open play because yesterday we never looked like doing that.

Although last week we could have ended up winning the game 3-0 had Ayew and Adomah put their chances away.

Yesterday was always going to be a tough game and maybe we should have created more than we did, but to call it one of the worst performances of the last 5 years is over the top to say the least.

I've already said, in a earlier reply:

Quote
I can accept that I may be slightly over selling how poor we were but in 2 recent local matches we've not descended to their level (as often happens and is acceptable) but rather we've failed to step up to it and that worries the hell out of me.

My concern is that because Bruce has won a couple of games and people like him his tactical naivety is being ignored, much like it was with Sherwood.  Does anyone think RM as a right midfielder (not winger, he sat too deep for that) was a good decision?  Does anyone think that making no change for 35 minutes in the second half despite them being totally on top was good management?  Does anyone think that playing Ayew as a standard left sided midfielder is a good idea?

I'm not saying this will go the same way as Sherwood did (it won't Bruce is a far better manager than that moron) and I don't expect us to suddenly be playing tiki-taka but I do expect us to try to find a way to win a game that's winnable and I don't think we did that yesterday, instead we sat as a 4141, barely got forward and just gave the ball back to them for 90 minutes, with a brief respite to score from a free kick.

The result was ok and was definitely a point gained rather than 2 lost but just because their equaliser came in the 71st rather than the 86th it doesn't make it better and at least in the games where we did that under RDM we could look back on chances to score a 2nd and say if only.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 31, 2016, 11:53:24 AM
We played the game in a similar way to how we used to approach them under MON.

Those were of course the days when we were big premier league spenders and finishing in the top 6, so a much bigger gulf than there is now between the two teams.

Aside from the 5-1 performances home and away games were always pretty iffy but we stuck in those games and came up with a late winner. The November 2007 late gabby winner game had pretty much the same pattern as yesterday bar the late goal.

Bruce is getting the basics right. It isn't pretty to watch but it's much needed, we need to learn as a club how to grind out results and wins again. We have been one of the worst clubs in English football over last 5 years for doing that.

No one with a straight face can say you can do that overnight.

Man. United over the last couple of years have themselves lost that art and Mourinho hasn't exactly magically transformed them into a winning machine so far.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 31, 2016, 11:55:54 AM
its a similar scenario to Sherwood for me, not that I'm comparing the two as managers because Bruce is obviously far more experienced, just the feelings about the appointment

 when Timbo joined there were quite a lot of high profile posters who were dead against it, for some very good reasons,
however he turned the team around very quickly and got us playing probably the most exciting football we have seen in the last 5 years, kept us up and took us to Wembley twice

so what did those who were set against him do during that time, well they enjoyed the ride, got excited when we won and supported the team, loved the trips, but I dare say they never changed their opinion on Sherwood,

the following season their fears were realised and I suppose they were proved right, for what its worth I still think Sherwood is harshly treated by many on the site but that's just my personal opinion on him
I had a massive argument with VID when he argued that anyone with a nounce of talent could have kept us up that season, when I thought he performed a miracle, but again that's just differing opinions
I actually feel that Sherwoods job keeping us up was a lot harder than Bruces job getting us up in the play offs with this squad but there you go

now we have Bruce, I have the same feelings as many did about Sherwood, for different reasons but never the less I never wanted him
so we go 4 games undefeated, we become difficult to beat, we win two on the trot and he stops the rot,
what do I and those who don't want him do, we love the wins and support the team, we get excited when we score and enjoy the turnaround

does it change my mind on Bruce... no

I still don't think he's good enough to manage Villa,
 if he gets us up and I admit that's a possibility with the squad and resources he has but he will do it playing the same football Hull city and Blues played, because that's what he does,
 if we do get to the prem we will be playing the same football as Hull City and Blues did, that might be good enough for some but not for me, and he hasn't even done it yet
I understand beggars cant be choosers but I think we could have done better

like Sherwood, we will look back (in anger) when we have gone to square one again and wish we had made a better appointment for the long term rather than a quick Sherwood type fix

I will support the Villa love it when we win and hope that Bruce can get us up,

 but I don't like his Neanderthal football, his tactics are on par with Sherwoods, he's no football genius, but maybe can get things done by improving the basics and grinding out results, I think that's as good as it gets and that might (a big might) well be enough for some

 but for those thinking he will change I think you will be extremely disappointed to find he cant

Bruce like Sherwood will ultimately prove to be a mistaken appointment that will set us back even further
but in the short term like those who disliked Sherwood as manager I will enjoy the ride





Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 31, 2016, 12:03:41 PM
I've asked this before and I know Westwood and Gardner aren't great etc but of the very little I've seen of Tshibola I couldn't see what persuaded Villa to spend a decent sum of money on a player who played 13 matches in 3 years for Reading and I suspect nobody on here had heard of until the day he signed for us.

He might turn out to be a great player but why are people so convinced he's any better than the admittedly piss poor options we already have?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 31, 2016, 12:06:20 PM
I've asked this before and I know Westwood and Gardner aren't great etc but of the very little I've seen of Tshibola I couldn't see what persuaded Villa to spend a decent sum of money on a player who played 13 matches in 3 years for Reading and I suspect nobody on here had heard of until the day he signed for us.

He might turn out to be a great player but why are people so convinced he's any better than the admittedly piss poor options we already have?

its that unwritten law of football that players always become a lot better when they don't play
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on October 31, 2016, 12:16:35 PM

Those were of course the days when we were big premier league spenders and finishing in the top 6, so a much bigger gulf than there is now between the two teams.

The gulf should be bigger now if anything. The £4m or so we spent on Jedinak in the summer is about the same as they have cumulatively spend on transfers in the last six years.

It's further testament to the outstanding job Rowett has done there.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 12:18:04 PM
I like the look of Tish, he's very mobile, looks strong and I think he has the right idea of how to play the game, unfortunately he's still very raw and not ready to be a regular starter.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on October 31, 2016, 12:20:30 PM
its a similar scenario to Sherwood for me, not that I'm comparing the two as managers because Bruce is obviously far more experienced, just the feelings about the appointment

 when Timbo joined there were quite a lot of high profile posters who were dead against it, for some very good reasons,
however he turned the team around very quickly and got us playing probably the most exciting football we have seen in the last 5 years, kept us up and took us to Wembley twice

so what did those who were set against him do during that time, well they enjoyed the ride, got excited when we won and supported the team, loved the trips, but I dare say they never changed their opinion on Sherwood,

the following season their fears were realised and I suppose they were proved right, for what its worth I still think Sherwood is harshly treated by many on the site but that's just my personal opinion on him
I had a massive argument with VTID when he argued that anyone with a nounce of talent could have kept us up that season, when I thought he performed a miracle, but again that's just differing opinions
I actually feel that Sherwoods job keeping us up was a lot harder than Bruces job getting us up in the play offs with this squad but there you go

now we have Bruce, I have the same feelings as many did about Sherwood, for different reasons but never the less I never wanted him
so we go 4 games undefeated, we become difficult to beat, we win two on the trot and he stops the rot,
what do I and those who don't want him do, we love the wins and support the team, we get excited when we score and enjoy the turnaround

does it change my mind on Bruce... no

I still don't think he's good enough to manage Villa,
 if he gets us up and I admit that's a possibility with the squad and resources he has but he will do it playing the same football Hull city and Blues played, because that's what he does,
 if we do get to the prem we will be playing the same football as Hull City and Blues did, that might be good enough for some but not for me, and he hasn't even done it yet
I understand beggars cant be choosers but I think we could have done better

like Sherwood, we will look back (in anger) when we have gone to square one again and wish we had made a better appointment for the long term rather than a quick Sherwood type fix

I will support the Villa love it when we win and hope that Bruce can get us up,

 but I don't like his Neanderthal football, his tactics are on par with Sherwoods, he's no football genius, but maybe can get things done by improving the basics and grinding out results, I think that's as good as it gets and that might (a big might) well be enough for some

 but for those thinking he will change I think you will be extremely disappointed to find he cant

Bruce like Sherwood will ultimately prove to be a mistaken appointment that will set us back even further
but in the short term like those who disliked Sherwood as manager I will enjoy the ride

Bruce has a very good track record for where we are at. Appreciate your concerns for his limitations and the style of play but he has made up hard to beat already. If he got Villa promoted back up he would be always respected at the club.

Sherwood arguably earned his pay off for keeping us up for another year and getting us to the cup final. Lamberts last game at Hull we looked certs for relegation so he did well to turn around the team. But he was without doubt the biggest charlatan we have ever had in charge of the club.

Bar the new manager bounce arm around the shoulder lark he had nothing else and quickly turned into a poisonous influence at the club. Spurs fans repeatedly warned of this happening when he first joined. The fact he hasn't got a job since is fairly telling.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on October 31, 2016, 01:12:05 PM
He's been in charge for about 20 days, had 4 games and we've take 2 points per game. Won am away game after about 15 months.

 Forget the performances and enjoy the run. Seems to me like there's good team spirit under Bruce which has led to the results. Is that luck? No its good management.

Certainly feels like a positive change to me.
Can you get promoted hardly touching the ball and scoring on the break?

We finished 6th in the Premier League for 3 years running with that tactic.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on October 31, 2016, 01:14:19 PM
its a similar scenario to Sherwood for me, not that I'm comparing the two as managers because Bruce is obviously far more experienced, just the feelings about the appointment

 when Timbo joined there were quite a lot of high profile posters who were dead against it, for some very good reasons,
however he turned the team around very quickly and got us playing probably the most exciting football we have seen in the last 5 years, kept us up and took us to Wembley twice

so what did those who were set against him do during that time, well they enjoyed the ride, got excited when we won and supported the team, loved the trips, but I dare say they never changed their opinion on Sherwood,

the following season their fears were realised and I suppose they were proved right, for what its worth I still think Sherwood is harshly treated by many on the site but that's just my personal opinion on him
I had a massive argument with VID when he argued that anyone with a nounce of talent could have kept us up that season, when I thought he performed a miracle, but again that's just differing opinions
I actually feel that Sherwoods job keeping us up was a lot harder than Bruces job getting us up in the play offs with this squad but there you go

now we have Bruce, I have the same feelings as many did about Sherwood, for different reasons but never the less I never wanted him
so we go 4 games undefeated, we become difficult to beat, we win two on the trot and he stops the rot,
what do I and those who don't want him do, we love the wins and support the team, we get excited when we score and enjoy the turnaround

does it change my mind on Bruce... no

I still don't think he's good enough to manage Villa,
 if he gets us up and I admit that's a possibility with the squad and resources he has but he will do it playing the same football Hull city and Blues played, because that's what he does,
 if we do get to the prem we will be playing the same football as Hull City and Blues did, that might be good enough for some but not for me, and he hasn't even done it yet
I understand beggars cant be choosers but I think we could have done better

like Sherwood, we will look back (in anger) when we have gone to square one again and wish we had made a better appointment for the long term rather than a quick Sherwood type fix

I will support the Villa love it when we win and hope that Bruce can get us up,

 but I don't like his Neanderthal football, his tactics are on par with Sherwoods, he's no football genius, but maybe can get things done by improving the basics and grinding out results, I think that's as good as it gets and that might (a big might) well be enough for some

 but for those thinking he will change I think you will be extremely disappointed to find he cant

Bruce like Sherwood will ultimately prove to be a mistaken appointment that will set us back even further
but in the short term like those who disliked Sherwood as manager I will enjoy the ride




When will the nounce arrive?!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 31, 2016, 01:28:26 PM
I'm reasonably happy with how things are going under Bruce so far. A win next week would put us in a better position than we were in going into the last international break. We look organised at least, which is a good sign. I think it's been a good move so far.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 31, 2016, 01:32:32 PM
He's been in charge for about 20 days, had 4 games and we've take 2 points per game. Won am away game after about 15 months.

 Forget the performances and enjoy the run. Seems to me like there's good team spirit under Bruce which has led to the results. Is that luck? No its good management.

Certainly feels like a positive change to me.
Can you get promoted hardly touching the ball and scoring on the break?

We finished 6th in the Premier League for 3 years running with that tactic.

Leicester seemed to alright with a similar tactic.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: rob_bridge on October 31, 2016, 01:51:52 PM
He's been in charge for about 20 days, had 4 games and we've take 2 points per game. Won am away game after about 15 months.

 Forget the performances and enjoy the run. Seems to me like there's good team spirit under Bruce which has led to the results. Is that luck? No its good management.

Certainly feels like a positive change to me.
Can you get promoted hardly touching the ball and scoring on the break?

We finished 6th in the Premier League for 3 years running with that tactic.

Leicester seemed to alright with a similar tactic.

Forest won 2 European Cups often playing like that.

In fact I'd argue all English clubs who won 78-84 used that as a tactic in the competition.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 02:39:16 PM
Once you go back about 20 years you're into a very different era for football and comparisons are a little meaningless. On that basis how many major trophies have been won this millenium by teams that have regularly (to the point where you'd call it a style rather than a one off occurance) had less than 45% possession?Leicester last year and the greeks winning the euros but can you think of any others, feel free to include foreign leagues as well.

Examples like Leicester show that it can be done but I'd say it requires a fairly special set of circumstances, For last season you have Man U still not adjusted to post Fergie, Man City appointed a new manager whilst the current one still had 4-5 months in the job and their results dropped, arsenal did what they do, Liverpool didn't get Klopp in early enough to be a threat and Chelsea utterly imploded.

All that meant that Leicester and Tottenham with given a bit of a thousand to one chance to go for the league and Leicester added to all of the above by having a remarkable run of luck with injuries whereby they never lost an important player for more than a match or 2 all season.  To go a premier league season with only 12 players starting more than 10 games is truly remarkable and gave them a consistency which is almost impossible to replicate.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on October 31, 2016, 02:48:51 PM
We're not attempting to win a major trophy (Although I won't be compalining should we land the FA Cup) we're attempting to get out of the 2nd tier.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 31, 2016, 02:52:38 PM
We're not attempting to win a major trophy (Although I won't be compalining should we land the FA Cup) we're attempting to get out of the 2nd tier.

Yes - and I don't really care whether we kick our way out of this league or play our way out of it a long as we get out of it - in an upwardly direction, of course. And we'd have lost yesterday's game if it had been played a month earlier. I'm not too proud to see us play agricultural football if it get's us back to the top table. And some of the tackles flying in yesterday were fantastic. Proper local derby non-puff stuff.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on October 31, 2016, 03:14:01 PM
Can't really see what some are getting uptight about.  Of course, you don't win anything by continuously playing badly, but Bruce is averaging 2 points a game with a team that's got a poor midfield, iffy back 4 and strikers that don't score that often. 

That doesn't sound like tactical naievety and it never does any harm at all to get something out of a game when you're second best.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 31, 2016, 03:29:52 PM
Leicester's Premier League win was based on luck then?

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 04:02:45 PM
Leicester's Premier League win was based on luck then?

No, that's cherry-picking in the extreme, they were lucky with injuries though, that's undeniable.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 04:06:37 PM
Can't really see what some are getting uptight about.  Of course, you don't win anything by continuously playing badly, but Bruce is averaging 2 points a game with a team that's got a poor midfield, iffy back 4 and strikers that don't score that often. 

That doesn't sound like tactical naievety and it never does any harm at all to get something out of a game when you're second best.


I'm not getting uptight, I'm saying that we played very poorly yesterday and for some reason a few people seem to have decided that I can't possibly be allowed to have that opinion because we won the 2 games before.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 31, 2016, 04:07:32 PM
Leicester's Premier League win was based on luck then?

No, that's cherry-picking in the extreme, they were lucky with injuries though, that's undeniable.

And they benefitted from a "special set of circumstances" in terms of how more fancied teams fared last season? wasn't that what people said about our league win? that we were lucky with injuries and lucky that Liverpool and Ipswich had an off season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 31, 2016, 04:14:01 PM
Can't really see what some are getting uptight about.  Of course, you don't win anything by continuously playing badly, but Bruce is averaging 2 points a game with a team that's got a poor midfield, iffy back 4 and strikers that don't score that often. 

That doesn't sound like tactical naievety and it never does any harm at all to get something out of a game when you're second best.


I'm not getting uptight, I'm saying that we played very poorly yesterday and for some reason a few people seem to have decided that I can't possibly be allowed to have that opinion because we won the 2 games before.

Wouldn't dare to speak for anyone else on this site, but I got the impression that most people have been questioning your "worst game for 4-5 years" claim? and as entitled to that opinion as you are, others are equally entitled to question it
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 31, 2016, 04:15:44 PM
Please spare us the "Am I not allowed an opinion?" bollocks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 04:19:13 PM
Leicester's Premier League win was based on luck then?

No, that's cherry-picking in the extreme, they were lucky with injuries though, that's undeniable.

And they benefitted from a "special set of circumstances" in terms of how more fancied teams fared last season? wasn't that what people said about our league win? that we were lucky with injuries and lucky that Liverpool and Ipswich had an off season.

I don't know, I was 2 years old, but do you deny that Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd all performed below expectations last season?  Liverpool are slightly different but this season I suspect they'll finish above them.  Arsenal, as I said, did what they do which is look good in spells but bottle it when they look like favourites.

Bookies don't often get things wrong and last year most of them had Leicester at ridiculous odds as everyone knows.  To suggest that there might be some explanation for that isn't really much of a stretch.  They played well and were incredibly consistent in taking 3 points from the weaker sides but they won it with 81 points which would only have been enough points to win the league in 2 other seasons since 2000, that suggests that a lot of teams were below par.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 31, 2016, 04:20:39 PM
Basically any examples of teams winning something by playing a style of play that sees them having less possession than the opposition doesn't count because it was a long time ago or they were lucky with injuries?

It was a poor game yesterday but nowhere near one of the worst performances of the last 5 years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 04:21:13 PM
Fuck it I give up, yesterday's performance was perfect and hoofball is the way of the future.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on October 31, 2016, 04:21:32 PM
Leicester's Premier League win was based on luck then?

No, that's cherry-picking in the extreme, they were lucky with injuries though, that's undeniable.

And they benefitted from a "special set of circumstances" in terms of how more fancied teams fared last season? wasn't that what people said about our league win? that we were lucky with injuries and lucky that Liverpool and Ipswich had an off season.

I said on here when they won the league that they reminded me of us, to the extent that they would have an indifferent league season and do really well in the CL.........
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on October 31, 2016, 04:23:19 PM
Fuck it I give up, yesterday's performance was perfect and hoofball is the way of the future.

Ya big babby
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 04:25:37 PM
Fuck it I give up, yesterday's performance was perfect and hoofball is the way of the future.

Ya big babby

May as well be seeing as apparently 48% pass completion and 1 shot on target is nothing to be worried about because we didn't lose and besides we're Leicester waiting to happen dontcha know.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on October 31, 2016, 04:27:22 PM
Leicester's Premier League win was based on luck then?

No, that's cherry-picking in the extreme, they were lucky with injuries though, that's undeniable.

And they benefitted from a "special set of circumstances" in terms of how more fancied teams fared last season? wasn't that what people said about our league win? that we were lucky with injuries and lucky that Liverpool and Ipswich had an off season.

I said on here when they won the league that they reminded me of us, to the extent that they would have an indifferent league season and do really well in the CL.........
And they lost to a newly promoted team in their first game!  F*ck it, I've just put a fiver on them to win the European Cup.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 31, 2016, 04:29:46 PM
Fuck it I give up, yesterday's performance was perfect and hoofball is the way of the future.

Ya big babby

May as well be seeing as apparently 48% pass completion and 1 shot on target is nothing to be worried about because we didn't lose and besides we're Leicester waiting to happen dontcha know.

Nobody has suggested that though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: He wears a magic hat on October 31, 2016, 04:50:32 PM
I always think its the sign of a good side that can play poorly and still get a ' result'.

Yesterday we were very poor
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: DB on October 31, 2016, 04:55:59 PM
Yesterday was a local derby. I don't think too many of the rest of games will be like that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on October 31, 2016, 04:57:57 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong but all of Bruce's games so far have been against teams above us in the league.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on October 31, 2016, 05:03:24 PM
Fuck it I give up, yesterday's performance was perfect and hoofball is the way of the future.

Paul that isn't going to help you. Nobody has claimed it was Pep's Barcelona. Everyone can agree that it wasn't great, that it was a rugged display and often backs to the wall. But to suggest it comes close to some of the atrocities we have witnessed in the last 12-18 months is frankly a little nuts.

Bruce has his work cut out, but he's come in on the back of some pretty crap performances and somehow managed to squeeze out 8 points from 12. It's not perfect but it's a lot better than the direction we were headed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Percy McCarthy on October 31, 2016, 05:05:05 PM
Can't believe some of the crap said on here!

We have been shit for absolutely ages, we have had 4 managers (including caretakers) since October 2015 all bloody useless, during that time we have P44 W4 D15 L25, won 4 f**king games!

Then Bruce comes in, not one of these players has he bought, yet in 4 games he is unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws, yet for some people that is still not good enough because we aren't playing like Barcelona yet!

Give the bloke a bit of credit for what he has achieved in the extremely short time he has been here, he is stuck with the players he has inherited for now, so he has to play players that the fans (due to past endevours) aren't happy about but that is not Bruce's fault!

Spot on. If he gets some midfielders who actually exist in January I think we'll improve no end.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on October 31, 2016, 05:14:13 PM
Evening.
So, after all this debate....WHO ? Exactly, are these wonderful midfielders that SB is going to be able to buy in January to change our fortunes and send us steaming through all-comers to a deserved promotion spot ?
Any suggestions yet ? ( costing less than £15million, I guess ).?????
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 31, 2016, 05:16:26 PM
Fuck it I give up, yesterday's performance was perfect and hoofball is the way of the future.

Blimey, grow up. You expressed an opinion on a football forum and people are disagreeing with you. That's how it works.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 31, 2016, 05:21:25 PM

Those were of course the days when we were big premier league spenders and finishing in the top 6, so a much bigger gulf than there is now between the two teams.

The gulf should be bigger now if anything. The £4m or so we spent on Jedinak in the summer is about the same as they have cumulatively spend on transfers in the last six years.

It's further testament to the outstanding job Rowett has done there.

SHA know how to play at this level and get results as a unit, we simply don't no matter how much we've spent.

In any case I saw a poster earlier....it may actually have been Paul_e seeming to suggest SHA were just on a lucky run and would go better to playing shite soon enough.

They've finished I think 10th in the past two seasons and given they're 7th already this season I'd suggest whether we like it or not that they are a pretty competent top half championship team nowadays who if they steer clear of injuries, will challenge for the play offs.

If we finish above them we won't be too far away from the top 6. They won't be too far behind us I suspect.

I agree the job Rowett has done considering what he inherited from the chaotic Lee Clark era is miraculous.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SashasGrandad on October 31, 2016, 05:49:47 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong but all of Bruce's games so far have been against teams above us in the league.

And we have already overtaken one of them.

As we were so low when he took over - the odds were pretty good that most of the games we would play would be against teams higher than us!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on October 31, 2016, 06:00:04 PM
There's some rather fanciful claptrap being chatted on this thread. It wasn't a great performance, but one of the worst in the last 4-5 years? Someone's been frolicking in funny land. Although we don't want to admit it, the truth is that this Small Heath side is pretty solid, well drilled and determined, which is why they are 7th in the table. This is their World Cup final. They were well up for it, and still couldn't beat us.

Bruce has been in the job a couple of weeks, and in that time we've won half as many games, with injuries and suspensions, as we did in the previous year. We haven't looked too great admittedly, but you have to stop the rot before you varnish the floorboards.

You disagree but the 'frolicking in funny land' is a pretty pathetic comment.

I think it was that bad because it's one of the few times where I honestly don't think we ever tried to the win the game.  Doing that against a champions league team that cost half a billion to assemble is frustrating but sort of understandable, doing it in a derby against a team that cost a fraction of ours and whose players would struggle to make our bench is shocking.  I understand why he took a safety first approach and in the first half it worked but doing nothing to address their dominance for most of the 2nd half was as bad as anything we did under Lambert/Sherwood/Garde/RDM.  Magomah should've scored from that Hutton mistake and Donaldson missed a sitter (that was far easier than the chance that Westwood has been given shit over).

For the bold bit can you make your mind up whether they're a good side who are just in better form than us or whether they're a shit team who were well up for it as the most important game of their season.  Personally I don't think either of those is true.  I think they're a poor team who have enough pace up front to hurt teams without being anything like good enough to get promotion and that, whilst it is for their fans, I don't think their management team will have let the players approach is as the biggest game of the season for them and we need to stop assuming that every team will be doing that.

The results in the last 2 games don't stop it being a really bad performance.

I can accept that I may be slightly over selling how poor we were but in 2 recent local matches we've not descended to their level (as often happens and is acceptable) but rather we've failed to step up to it and that worries the hell out of me.  In both games we've looked like the plucky underdog who is happy to be there and get away with a point.  I haven't seen enough of the reading or fulham games to know if this is a change because it was derbies or if this is just how he's got us playing.  If it's the latter I hope it's down to being pragmatic and getting points however is possible and if so then whilst I don't enjoy it I can accept it, which i've already said.

To clarify though because some people seem determined to misunderstand, results wise Bruce is doing well (as I expected him to) and I'm more than happy for him to have time to fix things.  However I think the quality of our attacking play is dreadful and needs to be worked on, defensive solidity is good and is an improvement on what we've seen but we need to offer something going forward or, like the wolves and blues games, teams will just lay siege to us and I don't think we're anything like mentally strong enough to withstand that.

I'm not sure why this post has attracted such opprobrium to be honest. I thought it was a really, really poor performance yesterday, especially in midfield, where Jedinak putting himself about apart, we were predictably dismal with Westwood and Gardner.  Even allowing for the circumstances of a local derby, I thought we were shite.  I'm more than happy with the job Bruce has done so far though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 31, 2016, 06:56:53 PM
Yep I'd agree Risso. Yesterday was a poor display, but not a bad result, and overall I think Bruce is doing a very good job turning round a club that has been a basket case for 5/6 years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 31, 2016, 07:24:39 PM
I don't want to worry everyone but I've seen a direct quote from Bruce referring to Ashley Westwood as 'terrific'.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on October 31, 2016, 08:00:15 PM
So.........who are we going to buy- that's better - to replace him ? who ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 31, 2016, 08:08:27 PM
Bearing in mind I've never heard of most of the players in the Premier League, let alone in the lower leagues or abroad, I'm not going to get too hung up over which players we sign.

I'm sure we will invest if Bruce wants us to.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 31, 2016, 08:17:22 PM
So.........who are we going to buy- that's better - to replace him ? who ?

Who Bruce or Westwood?  If it's the latter a damp squid might be a start.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on October 31, 2016, 08:28:45 PM
I don't want to worry everyone but I've seen a direct quote from Bruce referring to Ashley Westwood as 'terrific'.

He said that about Gardner, a week later he scored. Hopefully it works the same magic with Westwood :)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 08:43:20 PM
There's some rather fanciful claptrap being chatted on this thread. It wasn't a great performance, but one of the worst in the last 4-5 years? Someone's been frolicking in funny land. Although we don't want to admit it, the truth is that this Small Heath side is pretty solid, well drilled and determined, which is why they are 7th in the table. This is their World Cup final. They were well up for it, and still couldn't beat us.

Bruce has been in the job a couple of weeks, and in that time we've won half as many games, with injuries and suspensions, as we did in the previous year. We haven't looked too great admittedly, but you have to stop the rot before you varnish the floorboards.

You disagree but the 'frolicking in funny land' is a pretty pathetic comment.

I think it was that bad because it's one of the few times where I honestly don't think we ever tried to the win the game.  Doing that against a champions league team that cost half a billion to assemble is frustrating but sort of understandable, doing it in a derby against a team that cost a fraction of ours and whose players would struggle to make our bench is shocking.  I understand why he took a safety first approach and in the first half it worked but doing nothing to address their dominance for most of the 2nd half was as bad as anything we did under Lambert/Sherwood/Garde/RDM.  Magomah should've scored from that Hutton mistake and Donaldson missed a sitter (that was far easier than the chance that Westwood has been given shit over).

For the bold bit can you make your mind up whether they're a good side who are just in better form than us or whether they're a shit team who were well up for it as the most important game of their season.  Personally I don't think either of those is true.  I think they're a poor team who have enough pace up front to hurt teams without being anything like good enough to get promotion and that, whilst it is for their fans, I don't think their management team will have let the players approach is as the biggest game of the season for them and we need to stop assuming that every team will be doing that.

The results in the last 2 games don't stop it being a really bad performance.

I can accept that I may be slightly over selling how poor we were but in 2 recent local matches we've not descended to their level (as often happens and is acceptable) but rather we've failed to step up to it and that worries the hell out of me.  In both games we've looked like the plucky underdog who is happy to be there and get away with a point.  I haven't seen enough of the reading or fulham games to know if this is a change because it was derbies or if this is just how he's got us playing.  If it's the latter I hope it's down to being pragmatic and getting points however is possible and if so then whilst I don't enjoy it I can accept it, which i've already said.

To clarify though because some people seem determined to misunderstand, results wise Bruce is doing well (as I expected him to) and I'm more than happy for him to have time to fix things.  However I think the quality of our attacking play is dreadful and needs to be worked on, defensive solidity is good and is an improvement on what we've seen but we need to offer something going forward or, like the wolves and blues games, teams will just lay siege to us and I don't think we're anything like mentally strong enough to withstand that.

I'm not sure why this post has attracted such opprobrium to be honest. I thought it was a really, really poor performance yesterday, especially in midfield, where Jedinak putting himself about apart, we were predictably dismal with Westwood and Gardner.  Even allowing for the circumstances of a local derby, I thought we were shite.  I'm more than happy with the job Bruce has done so far though.

Thank you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 09:01:27 PM
Yep I'd agree Risso. Yesterday was a poor display, but not a bad result, and overall I think Bruce is doing a very good job turning round a club that has been a basket case for 5/6 years.

That's largely the point I've been trying to make, Bruce has done well in terms of results and can't be faulted for that but the performance yesterday, even accounting for a local derby, was far below the standards I'd expect.  They managed to pass the ball about a bit, they managed to find a way to make it stick up front and create chances.  Defensive stability at the expense of attacking creativity is understandable in the short term but it can't be acceptable over a longer period.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 31, 2016, 09:14:41 PM
Like a lot of people have already said, the performance wasn't the best and the majority of fans would agree with that. It was the 'up there with one of the worst performance in the last 5 years' which people on here generally disagreed with and they were within their right to call you up on that. That's what you failed to grasp for some reason.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on October 31, 2016, 09:26:21 PM
What Clampy said.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on October 31, 2016, 09:44:53 PM
I'm a little easier about it than I was this time last night.  I was initially frustrated that we hadn't payed better against a fairly average team.  I now think more about the chances they missed and am far more happy with a point.

I think that in hindsight, I would have sent Rudy on instead of McCormack.  For all Kodjia's attributes, he rarely wins the high balls when they are pumped up.  Maybe pushing Kodjia back to where McCormack played and having Rudy win more of the high balls would have helped.

I'm also concerned that Bruce isn't keen on Tish which would be a pity because most would agree that he's looked good for us this season.

My feeling is that we are going to have to win a fair few aways this year and draws will not help us.  I hope at some point we go for these wins rather than play as we did against Reading & Blues.  Like someone else stated earlier, Bruce has a free pass for now and I'm confident we're in safe hands.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 31, 2016, 09:46:42 PM
Like a lot of people have already said, the performance wasn't the best and the majority of fans would agree with that. It was the 'up there with one of the worst performance in the last 5 years' which people on here generally disagreed with and they were within their right to call you up on that. That's what you failed to grasp for some reason.

No it's really not that I've failed to grasp anything.  I've quite clearly said that I know people may view it that way.  I personally judge it that bad because there was no point in the game where I thought we were going to even create a decent chance let alone score, I honestly can't think of more than a handful of games I've seen in the last 4-5 years where I've thought that.  Now if you're personal interest in football is about defensive stability and organisation you may have less concerns but for me passing the ball and creating chances are what I watch the game for and I saw us fail completely at both of those things yesterday.

Once again as well, the result was a good one in context but my issues are with the performance.  A referee performance like that would normally have had me infuriated (I've given all the reasons in the match thread I think) but yesterday it felt right for him to do it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 31, 2016, 10:01:10 PM
I'm reasonably happy with coming out of a game as big as that, whilst not playing that well and riding our luck a little at times, with a point and remaining unbeaten under Bruce in the process. I've seen us play a lot lot worse than we did yesterday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on October 31, 2016, 10:10:06 PM
And undefeated in nine league games against them.  The tide is indeed turning.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on October 31, 2016, 11:54:36 PM
I'm reasonably happy with coming out of a game as big as that, whilst not playing that well and riding our luck a little at times, with a point and remaining unbeaten under Bruce in the process. I've seen us play a lot lot worse than we did yesterday.

Under RDM there were plenty of occasions where we played well enough to get something and got fuck all, mostly because we stopped playing on 85 minutes.

To play poorly and get more than we deserve is something I'm personally very happy indeed to see. About time.

8 points from the last 12 is - by our recent standards - unbelievably good, and those are the manager's first few games.

Pretty hard to say that's anything but an excellent start from Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on October 31, 2016, 11:59:20 PM
Like a lot of people have already said, the performance wasn't the best and the majority of fans would agree with that. It was the 'up there with one of the worst performance in the last 5 years' which people on here generally disagreed with and they were within their right to call you up on that. That's what you failed to grasp for some reason.

No it's really not that I've failed to grasp anything.  I've quite clearly said that I know people may view it that way.  I personally judge it that bad because there was no point in the game where I thought we were going to even create a decent chance let alone score, I honestly can't think of more than a handful of games I've seen in the last 4-5 years where I've thought that.  Now if you're personal interest in football is about defensive stability and organisation you may have less concerns but for me passing the ball and creating chances are what I watch the game for and I saw us fail completely at both of those things yesterday.

Once again as well, the result was a good one in context but my issues are with the performance.  A referee performance like that would normally have had me infuriated (I've given all the reasons in the match thread I think) but yesterday it felt right for him to do it.

It was not great, I think most of us would accept that, but one encouraging thing for me was at least there seemed to be some kind of semblance of a formation and a way of playing.  Not pretty, I accept that and I don't think the personnel was quite right yesterday, but I do think there is something there to build on. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on November 01, 2016, 12:02:06 AM
its is a good points total and yeah plenty of good teams grind out a result now and then and generally play below par but get something from a game. I just wonder if you can get promoted doing just that
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on November 01, 2016, 12:04:35 AM
its is a good points total and yeah plenty of good teams grind out a result now and then and generally play below par but get something from a game. I just wonder if you can get promoted doing just that

That's almost exactly what Bruce did in his last Hull promotion (brother in law Hull fan tells me).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on November 01, 2016, 12:09:09 AM
its is a good points total and yeah plenty of good teams grind out a result now and then and generally play below par but get something from a game. I just wonder if you can get promoted doing just that

That's almost exactly what Bruce did in his last Hull promotion (brother in law Hull fan tells me).

Well i'll take your word for it. Gonna be a dire season if that's the case. The first team promoted that doesn't get above 50% possession in a game the whole season?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on November 01, 2016, 12:09:55 AM
its is a good points total and yeah plenty of good teams grind out a result now and then and generally play below par but get something from a game. I just wonder if you can get promoted doing just that

Since you've already said it's Steve Bruce's way of playing and isn't going to change, and since he's already been promoted four times from this division, isn't the logical answer based on your own comments 'yes'?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on November 01, 2016, 12:11:57 AM
its is a good points total and yeah plenty of good teams grind out a result now and then and generally play below par but get something from a game. I just wonder if you can get promoted doing just that

Since you've already said it's Steve Bruce's way of playing and isn't going to change, and since he's already been promoted four times from this division, isn't the logical answer based on your own comments 'yes'?

well i do realise you like shitty football. some of us don't, thats all. Doesn't make us bad people
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on November 01, 2016, 12:13:20 AM
its is a good points total and yeah plenty of good teams grind out a result now and then and generally play below par but get something from a game. I just wonder if you can get promoted doing just that

Since you've already said it's Steve Bruce's way of playing and isn't going to change, and since he's already been promoted four times from this division, isn't the logical answer based on your own comments 'yes'?

well i do realise you like shitty football. some of us don't, thats all. Doesn't make us bad people

So 'yes' then? Since you've decided to attack me with a rather daft comment rather than answer my question.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on November 01, 2016, 12:16:06 AM
its is a good points total and yeah plenty of good teams grind out a result now and then and generally play below par but get something from a game. I just wonder if you can get promoted doing just that

Since you've already said it's Steve Bruce's way of playing and isn't going to change, and since he's already been promoted four times from this division, isn't the logical answer based on your own comments 'yes'?

well i do realise you like shitty football. some of us don't, thats all. Doesn't make us bad people

So 'yes' then? Since you've decided to attack me with a rather daft comment rather than answer my question.

you started getting all passive agressive. If that's attacking you, you need to man up
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on November 01, 2016, 12:19:47 AM
its is a good points total and yeah plenty of good teams grind out a result now and then and generally play below par but get something from a game. I just wonder if you can get promoted doing just that

Since you've already said it's Steve Bruce's way of playing and isn't going to change, and since he's already been promoted four times from this division, isn't the logical answer based on your own comments 'yes'?

well i do realise you like shitty football. some of us don't, thats all. Doesn't make us bad people

There's only one type of shitty football and it got us four wins in 51 matches.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on November 01, 2016, 12:21:59 AM
its is a good points total and yeah plenty of good teams grind out a result now and then and generally play below par but get something from a game. I just wonder if you can get promoted doing just that

Since you've already said it's Steve Bruce's way of playing and isn't going to change, and since he's already been promoted four times from this division, isn't the logical answer based on your own comments 'yes'?

well i do realise you like shitty football. some of us don't, thats all. Doesn't make us bad people

There's only one type of shitty football and it got us four wins in 51 matches.


well quite, i would just like to see us winning playing a bit of football in the process
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 01, 2016, 12:25:58 AM
I'm also disgusted that we aren't playing like Barcelona four games into Bruce's management.

He's got to go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on November 01, 2016, 12:28:22 AM
I'm also disgusted that we aren't playing like Barcelona four games into Bruce's management.

He's got to go.


thats not what i'm saying is it. dominating a game we win and having the majority of possession is not really aspiring to the heights of Barcelona is it? A lot of team do it all the time
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on November 01, 2016, 12:29:05 AM
I'm also disgusted that we aren't playing like Barcelona four games into Bruce's management.

He's got to go.


thats not what i'm saying is it. dominating a game we win and having the majority of possession is not really aspiring to the heights of Barcelona is it? A lot of team do it all the time

Not after five years of shite they don't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on November 01, 2016, 12:30:15 AM
We've been garbage for years. Expecting him to turn it around after four games is beyond ludicrous.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 01, 2016, 12:30:51 AM
After seeing us win 3 league games in the previous 14 months I couldn't give a shite how we play as long as we win.

We were crap on Sunday, big deal, we nearly always play crap there which is why we haven't won a league game at the sty by more than one goal since 1970.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on November 01, 2016, 12:34:05 AM
I'm also disgusted that we aren't playing like Barcelona four games into Bruce's management.

He's got to go.


thats not what i'm saying is it. dominating a game we win and having the majority of possession is not really aspiring to the heights of Barcelona is it? A lot of team do it all the time

Not after five years of shite they don't.


well lets hope paulie's brother-in-law is wrong and we will eventually pass it a bit once Bruce gets things sorted, and its not his entire modus operandi
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on November 01, 2016, 12:36:40 AM
Why does having the majority of possession matter to you?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on November 01, 2016, 12:37:47 AM
erm..I like passing football?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on November 01, 2016, 12:38:45 AM
We tried that under Garde, did you like that?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on November 01, 2016, 12:41:50 AM
no we didn't. He was clueless. Passing isn't the be all and end all of a good team, but it helps to actually have the ball occassionally.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on November 01, 2016, 06:57:47 AM
I said on Sunday that I was pleased with the point, as despite in my view us not turning up as an attacking threat, we looked defensively solid and got a point when not playing well.

That's twice now against Wolves and SHA where we've been off the pace but instead of rolling over, we've stayed in there and ground out a draw.

I thought Reading was a classic away performance and we deserved the last minute goal for being the only threatening side. Fulham should have been more and the second half we upped it and should have had more.

Blackburn is critical that we capitalise and turn Sundays point into a very good one in context as there's a chance to turn the six point gap between us and the place offs into a 4/6.

That would be significant improvement after just 5 games and if we kept the gap that small or narrowed it further between now and January then I'm confident that with money to spend we'd over haul it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on November 01, 2016, 08:30:11 AM
I agree with Ads.  The focus has to be the results.  Every game is a cup final and the manner of the way we play is secondary to the result.  Needs must and we all have a common goal of wanting to see the side promoted.  If we achieve that, will anyone care this time next year, about how we played this season?

Everyone on this forum wants to see us winning and winning in style.  It's not that simple though.  Under RDM, we played some great football.  Take Forest for example.  It was a great game and there was some great intricate passing from our front 4.  Fulham was not great but fans left the stadium a lot happier than they did after Forest.

The Championship is not pretty.  There are not that many footballing sides that I'm aware of.  Bruce has plenty of experience of the decision.  I trust him to know what he's doing.  He has only been in charge for 4 games, beautiful flowing football is not going to happen overnight.  He clearly wants to make us more difficult to break down, to start with.  That would probably be a priority for 90%of new managers.  Once we have the basics, I'm sure the football will improve.  In the meantime, lets just be pleased that we're climbing the table.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on November 01, 2016, 08:38:49 AM
its is a good points total and yeah plenty of good teams grind out a result now and then and generally play below par but get something from a game. I just wonder if you can get promoted doing just that

That's almost exactly what Bruce did in his last Hull promotion (brother in law Hull fan tells me).

From memory, it's almost exactly what we did to get out of this division last time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on November 01, 2016, 11:05:14 AM
Nobody on here would be saying "it's lovely how we pass the ball to each other" if in each of those games we came away with nothing. It's like when Lambert went to see Pep and came back with the idea that passing the ball around for 10 minutes inside our own half was the way to go while we conceded 5 in the process.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Brend'Watkins on November 01, 2016, 11:19:29 AM
This is a story picked off the Beeb...

I've highlighted the pertinent bits as it's how I feel about the team since Bruce's arrival.  I haven't felt that way since MON in his first few seasons.



The appointment of Steve Bruce as Aston Villa manager has restored the players' confidence and made them feel they cannot lose, says Gary Gardner, their goalscorer at Birmingham on Sunday.

Villa were pegged back following the midfielder's superb 29th-minute header on Sunday, having to settle for a 1-1 draw with local rivals Blues.

But it stretched improving Villa's unbeaten run under Bruce to four games.

"Every player knows what they're doing now. We feel confident," said Gardner.

"The gaffer's been there and done it - four promotions, and hopefully he can get another one with us. We've worked very hard and it's showing.

"It feels like we can't lose. I know it's funny to say that but it's a good feeling to have. Going into games knowing you've got a better chance of winning than losing is good."
Gardner back in favour under Bruce

After starting the season as first-choice under previous boss Roberto di Matteo, Gardner was largely relegated to the bench until being recalled to the starting line-up for Bruce's second game in charge at Reading.

It resulted in Villa's first away win in 14 months - and Gardner, 24, has now started three games on the trot to move within two of 100 career appearances.

"It took a while to get my chance and I won't let it go easily," he told BBC WM. "I've worked my socks off on the pitch and looked after myself off the pitch and taken it with both hands.

"Scoring at St Andrew's and celebrating in front of the Villa fans was massive for me."

Although Gardner's strike - his first for the club - was cancelled out by David Davis's 71st-minute equaliser, it did little to lessen the excitement for a player whose family, including his elder brother, West Brom midfielder Craig, do not all share his love of the Villa.

"It's a split family," he said. "But I had texts from my Bluenose brothers saying 'Well done, we're proud of you'. I'm just disappointed we didn't go and win.

"I know there's a lot of hatred between the fans but it brings Birmingham together. You watch these games on TV and then from the stand and you know how much it means.

"Growing up as a kid, it was a dream to even play in a derby, never mind score. It's no coincidence that two lads from the city scored the goals. I'm sure David will feel the same. "
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 01, 2016, 01:08:10 PM
Bruce has appointed Gary Walsh from Hull as our new goalkeeping coach.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on November 01, 2016, 01:17:05 PM
Nobody on here would be saying "it's lovely how we pass the ball to each other" if in each of those games we came away with nothing. It's like when Lambert went to see Pep and came back with the idea that passing the ball around for 10 minutes inside our own half was the way to go while we conceded 5 in the process.

Oh yeah, I remember that. I'd never seen a team go backwards from their own goal kicks before then. Innovative.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on November 02, 2016, 12:20:11 AM
Nobody on here would be saying "it's lovely how we pass the ball to each other" if in each of those games we came away with nothing. It's like when Lambert went to see Pep and came back with the idea that passing the ball around for 10 minutes inside our own half was the way to go while we conceded 5 in the process.

Oh yeah, I remember that. I'd never seen a team go backwards from their own goal kicks before then. Innovative.

Don't forget the Nilogy of christmas 2014.  More passes there than Danny Mills on Mastermind. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on November 02, 2016, 03:58:25 AM
I do want to see us play beautiful football as well as win, tbf to Bruce I thought we played some pleasing stuff against Fulham. The derby is not really a fair place to judge style. They are always ugly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 02, 2016, 02:50:19 PM
With the squad we have we should see some "beautiful football" but first Bruce has had to get them to understand the most basic of requirements in the Championship - hard work. Kodjia's wonderful goal against Reading would never have happened had he not chased down the keeper. Something I'm sure Bruce had instructed his strikers to do.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: stuart r on November 03, 2016, 01:56:14 PM
3rd review in the series critiquing Steve Bruce's series of novels. I know previous reviews were posted but I don't think this one was so I'm submitting this for the sake of completeness:

http://thesetpieces.com/features/defender-steve-bruce-review/
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyaston on November 03, 2016, 04:05:32 PM
With the squad we have we should see some "beautiful football" but first Bruce has had to get them to understand the most basic of requirements in the Championship - hard work. Kodjia's wonderful goal against Reading would never have happened had he not chased down the keeper. Something I'm sure Bruce had instructed his strikers to do.
That is true. I think you mean Fulham at home.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on November 05, 2016, 04:56:06 PM
Good. Effing. Start.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: django on November 05, 2016, 05:24:54 PM
Great start.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on November 05, 2016, 05:35:25 PM
Thanks Bruce. Enjoying supporting villa again
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 05, 2016, 06:26:40 PM
If we win our next game it will be 4 league wins in 6 games under Bruce. We won 4 of 51 league before Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ger Regan on November 05, 2016, 06:28:47 PM
That really is an incredible stat. I was nonplussed about his appointment but you can't argue with those numbers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on November 05, 2016, 06:29:43 PM
If we win our next game it will be 4 league wins in 6 games under Bruce. We won 4 of 51 league before Bruce.

What's the best start a Villa manager has had?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 05, 2016, 06:30:53 PM
Winning the European Cup!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jon Crofts on November 05, 2016, 06:31:32 PM
If we win our next game it will be 4 league wins in 6 games under Bruce. We won 4 of 51 league before Bruce.

What's the best start a Villa manager has had?
It was Gregory but without Googling I couldn't tell you the numbers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on November 05, 2016, 06:36:57 PM
If we win our next game it will be 4 league wins in 6 games under Bruce. We won 4 of 51 league before Bruce.

What's the best start a Villa manager has had?
It was Gregory but without Googling I couldn't tell you the numbers.

Think it was 11 wins in 13 to the end of his first season
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: jcsutv on November 05, 2016, 06:39:03 PM
Winning the European Cup!
Can't argue with that PWS!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on November 05, 2016, 07:04:44 PM
These next two weeks will be critical now. Brighton will be a very tough game and massive test of for us and Bruce. We'll have a good idea exactly where we are under him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on November 05, 2016, 07:08:46 PM
These next two weeks will be critical now. Brighton will be a very tough game and massive test of for us and Bruce. We'll have a good idea exactly where we are under him.
Brighton are currently 0-2 up at Bristol City. That said we are going to FTF!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on November 05, 2016, 07:11:41 PM
Nice going into the break with a win!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on November 05, 2016, 07:33:27 PM
Brighton is a big test. If we remain unbeaten after that, we'll be looking good. Given what he walked into, Bruce has made a cracking start. He's getting the best out of Kodija, and he's also had a positive impact on Baker, Gardner and Jedinak. Consequently we're looking a lot more resolute.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dcdavecollett on November 05, 2016, 08:20:35 PM
Gregory won nine of his first eleven league games as boss, at the end of the 97/98 season. The following season, we were unbeaten for the first dozen league games, leaving us top of the Prem in November.

No pressure, then, Steve...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on November 05, 2016, 09:57:11 PM
No wee ate im cuz ee wuz a bloo nose so we still ate im.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on November 05, 2016, 10:04:46 PM
I think we will continue to improve and if we can continue t pick up points until January, hopefully another midfielder or two would be perfect
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on November 05, 2016, 10:33:49 PM
To roll things back around the criticism from last week today is what I think we should've expected last week.  A poor first half is fine if the 2nd sees an increase in intensity and puts pressure on the opposition.  Today is much more what I expected from Bruce, poor at times and not all that pretty to watch but battle for everything and never give up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on November 05, 2016, 10:39:55 PM
I think we will continue to improve and if we can continue t pick up points until January, hopefully another midfielder or two would be perfect
This is where I'm at.  It's not pretty and it is a fine line between winning and drawing but the results speak for themselves.  I'm still not convinced that this set up will beat the better sides.

An interesting comment from Bruce tonight was that many French teams play with a striker out wide and the obvious example is/was Thierry Henry.  I'm not happy with the way Ross McCormack is being played and certainly think he was wasted today as an out and out striker.  From what I've seen of him in a Villa shirt, I think he's far better suited to being a number 10, which doesn't seem likely to happen under Bruce.

Given our personnel, I think Rudy is the best option as striker. Adomah would have to start for me, which leaves one out of Grealish and Aywe.  As a potential unpopular choice, I would start Tishibola ahead of Gardner.

The one thing that I found frustrating today was the constant lack of bodies in the box when we had chances to cross it.  Rudy will always give us that option.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: richtheholtender on November 05, 2016, 10:57:01 PM
I think we will continue to improve and if we can continue t pick up points until January, hopefully another midfielder or two would be perfect
This is where I'm at.  It's not pretty and it is a fine line between winning and drawing but the results speak for themselves.  I'm still not convinced that this set up will beat the better sides.

An interesting comment from Bruce tonight was that many French teams play with a striker out wide and the obvious example is/was Thierry Henry.  I'm not happy with the way Ross McCormack is being played and certainly think he was wasted today as an out and out striker.  From what I've seen of him in a Villa shirt, I think he's far better suited to being a number 10, which doesn't seem likely to happen under Bruce.

Given our personnel, I think Rudy is the best option as striker. Adomah would have to start for me, which leaves one out of Grealish and Aywe.  As a potential unpopular choice, I would start Tishibola ahead of Gardner.

The one thing that I found frustrating today was the constant lack of bodies in the box when we had chances to cross it.  Rudy will always give us that option.

The only Villa side I ever saw get players in the box regularly was the Atkinson side. They have always got to the oppositions box and pass round it because we only have one or two players in the box. I think a lot of our problems for s long time have been as a result of what they do on the training ground or lack there of.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on November 05, 2016, 11:40:35 PM
If we win our next game it will be 4 league wins in 6 games under Bruce. We won 4 of 51 league before Bruce.

What's the best start a Villa manager has had?

John Gregory had a ridiculous record for about 6 months.

Sherwood won 3 out of his first 5 including the cup game v WBA.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on November 05, 2016, 11:52:49 PM
These next two weeks will be critical now. Brighton will be a very tough game and massive test of for us and Bruce. We'll have a good idea exactly where we are under him.

Just looking at the next 4 fixtures, we have two home games against lowly sides (Wigan & Cardiff) and two away games against top 6 sides (Leeds & Brighton)

We are currently 4 points off 6th place.  I would settle for being the same amount away after those 4 games.  Anything else will be a bonus.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on November 06, 2016, 12:01:32 AM
If we win our next game it will be 4 league wins in 6 games under Bruce. We won 4 of 51 league before Bruce.

What's the best start a Villa manager has had?

John Gregory had a ridiculous record for about 6 months.

Sherwood won 3 out of his first 5 including the cup game v WBA.

Both Timah and JG used the well worn tactic of motivating one faction of the players by demonizing the others. While the energy level last and before injuries take their toll, this often yields early dividends.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on November 06, 2016, 12:06:28 AM
Keep it going Brucey, but I hope we start to gain the ability to dominate and get easy wins.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eamonn on November 06, 2016, 12:42:16 AM
So is he really a football novelist or not?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on November 06, 2016, 01:23:42 AM
So is he really a football novelist or not?

Is Jeffrey Archer a real novelist or not?

Is there life in Peckham?

We may never know.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on November 06, 2016, 08:05:32 AM
The comments about kodjia playing off the left are interesting. I just don't think we've got the players to suit everyone's needs at the moment so there'll have to be compromises

Our midfield looks much better in a 3
That means McCormack can't play in his proper role behind the striker
Grealish could play left of an attacking 3 or behind the strikers
Ayew could do the same or play right
Adomah is a proper winger
Kodjia is probably best on the left of a three
Gestede is the only out and out striker but he's probably too immobile

I think that probably means 433 and you just pick the men in form with McCormack on the bench to come on and change the game if needed

But it would be interesting to see whether ayew and Kodjia could play as split strikers with grealish or McCormack behind
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Meanwood Villa on November 06, 2016, 08:09:57 AM
If we win our next game it will be 4 league wins in 6 games under Bruce. We won 4 of 51 league before Bruce.

What's the best start a Villa manager has had?

John Gregory had a ridiculous record for about 6 months.

Sherwood won 3 out of his first 5 including the cup game v WBA.

Both Timah and JG used the well worn tactic of motivating one faction of the players by demonizing the others. While the energy level last and before injuries take their toll, this often yields early dividends.

Which players were demonised? I don't get that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VinnieChase84 on November 06, 2016, 09:00:45 AM
Ayew could play central, Kodjia left and Adomah right.
Ayew and Kodjia could then rotate position and just play fluid
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on November 06, 2016, 10:21:06 AM
I love that he is constantly on the touch line kicking every ball with the players.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on November 06, 2016, 10:27:40 AM
For the first 45 minutes yesterday I couldn't tell the difference between his contribution to tactics to those of RDM.

It was really after we scored the second that any variation showed with stout defending.  We are definitely more solid than with the blow hot and cold Elphick.

Still wait and see from me - nothing whatsoever to him having been with the unwashed.  I have seen so many false dawns with the Villa.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on November 06, 2016, 11:03:09 AM
For the first 45 minutes yesterday I couldn't tell the difference between his contribution to tactics to those of RDM.

It was really after we scored the second that any variation showed with stout defending.  We are definitely more solid than with the blow hot and cold Elphick.

Still wait and see from me - nothing whatsoever to him having been with the unwashed.  I have seen so many false dawns with the Villa.
At half time, my thoughts were that at least there would have been some excitement and chances created under RDM.  The first half was very poor, as it was against Fulham 2 weeks previously.

I don't particularly like the style of football but the results are speaking for themselves.  I don't think it is coincidence, nor is it new manager bounce.  Bruce has the side lined up efficiently.

There are some tough games between now and Xmas, including Brighton, Leeds and Norwich away.  By the time we play against Burton on Boxing Day, we'll have a clearer indication of where we should be aiming.

Thinking positively, Bruce is as experienced as anyone in the division of getting out of it.  He has the best squad of players that he's worked with at this level and there is room for vast improvement (I don't think we're playing that well yet and can do a lot better).  We also have a pretty strong squad and can cover all positions which gives us an advantage over most of our rivals.  January could see that strength improved further.

It's a thumbs up from me and a genuine hope of reaching at least the play offs, which was highly unlikely under RDM.

Worst case scenario, if we do miss out this time,  I can see us being even stronger next season with the advantage of a season playing together and a pre-season of stability.  It is a 2 year plan to regain PL status.  I'm confident we are in good hands.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on November 06, 2016, 11:04:49 AM
For the first 45 minutes yesterday I couldn't tell the difference between his contribution to tactics to those of RDM.

It was really after we scored the second that any variation showed with stout defending.  We are definitely more solid than with the blow hot and cold Elphick.

Still wait and see from me - nothing whatsoever to him having been with the unwashed.  I have seen so many false dawns with the Villa.
Not having a go at you but not sure you need to wait and see as Bruce has a proven track record of getting teams up and it's pretty much a safe bet that we will go up if not this season than more than likely the next. It's when we get there when he has to prove himself
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on November 06, 2016, 12:55:01 PM
11 points every five games will see us get to 87 points after 45 games.  Time to crack open the champagne.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CJ on November 06, 2016, 01:06:23 PM
I love that he is constantly on the touch line kicking every ball with the players.

And did you see how far out of his technical area he was in the second half yesterday? Almost level with the penalty area!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Brian Taylor on November 06, 2016, 01:19:22 PM
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-37877150
Sliding tackle detective stuff
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: claret+blue ed on November 06, 2016, 03:33:14 PM
We've not had a lot to shout about for the last few years, let not be too critical of the style of play and just enjoy winning again, it's certainly something I can get used to, however it comes
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on November 06, 2016, 03:41:00 PM
We've not had a lot to shout about for the last few years, let not be too critical of the style of play and just enjoy winning again, it's certainly something I can get used to, however it comes

I agree. It's a little like under MON where finishing 6th became passé and it had to be done a certain way. Those days are a million years ago now but what i would do now just to sample the upper echelons of PL football and competing in Europe.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on November 06, 2016, 03:48:26 PM
Ayew could play central, Kodjia left and Adomah right.
Ayew and Kodjia could then rotate position and just play fluid

They could, but I'm not convinced ayew can really lead the line. He has played that role but it doesn't look what he's suited to in my view
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JJ-AV on November 06, 2016, 05:28:15 PM
My money is on Gabby ending up as our central striker. Kodj and Adomah off him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on November 06, 2016, 11:51:00 PM
My money is on Gabby ending up as our central striker. Kodj and Adomah off him.

Might well be, but I think Bruce might play it smart and use Agbonlahor sparingly to keep him hungry (pardon the pun).  I wouldn't be surprised if we went after another striker in January to play that role.

I have a feeling Bruce might adapt his tactics for home and away games.  At home, especially against the perceived weaker sides, I think we might see the 4-2-3-1 formation that we saw yesterday, whereas away from home, I think we might see more of a 4-3-3, with Jedinak in front of the back four. 

There are still question marks, but Gollini, Baker and Amavi seem to be growing in confidence each game.
Also, Adomah on one side, Kodjia on the other and Grealish or Ayew in behind a striker looks a good attacking unit as well. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on November 07, 2016, 12:26:38 AM
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villas-steve-bruce-hairdryer-9210611

This is what we want!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 07, 2016, 12:29:29 AM
Splendid.

Quote
“I can understand what the previous management did here – they bought good players who had done well in the Championship,” he said.

“But playing for Fulham, Bristol City, Hull is not playing for a big club like Villa.”
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on November 07, 2016, 12:41:27 AM
At last a manager that has got them playing near or above thier ability.
Still not convinced the squad is balanced but at least we have a manager who knows what he is doing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eamonn on November 07, 2016, 01:09:50 AM
So much for the theory that he wanted us to start slow and wear-out the opposition before catching them unawares after half-time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on November 07, 2016, 04:36:24 AM
Quote
“I can understand what the previous management did here – they bought good players who had done well in the Championship,” he said.

“But playing for Fulham, Bristol City, Hull is not playing for a big club like Villa.”

Dat Hull burn.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on November 07, 2016, 09:40:51 AM
Quote
“I can understand what the previous management did here – they bought good players who had done well in the Championship,” he said.

“But playing for Fulham, Bristol City, Hull is not playing for a big club like Villa.”

Dat Hull burn.

Ouch! That has gotta hurt. "Mauled by Steve Bruce, you're getting mauled by Steve Bruce"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on November 07, 2016, 10:18:56 AM
Hull should be docked points and relegated just for that video.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on November 07, 2016, 10:58:01 AM
The tiger on their badge looks more like a domestic cat.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on November 07, 2016, 07:14:06 PM
The comments about kodjia playing off the left are interesting. I just don't think we've got the players to suit everyone's needs at the moment so there'll have to be compromises

Our midfield looks much better in a 3
That means McCormack can't play in his proper role behind the striker
Grealish could play left of an attacking 3 or behind the strikers
Ayew could do the same or play right
Adomah is a proper winger
Kodjia is probably best on the left of a three
Gestede is the only out and out striker but he's probably too immobile

I think that probably means 433 and you just pick the men in form with McCormack on the bench to come on and change the game if needed

But it would be interesting to see whether ayew and Kodjia could play as split strikers with grealish or McCormack behind

Agree with a lot of that Matt.  I still think he might change the formation home and away and depending in the opposition.  I agree about the midfield, but I think we might see Jedinak sitting with two in front of him away from home and two deeper midfielders with one in front of them at home.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Havencheese on November 07, 2016, 08:29:22 PM
Hull should be docked points and relegated just for that video.

Bringing the panto audience vibe to the terraces.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on November 08, 2016, 02:11:00 PM
Random thought about Bruce: the kind of choice we had when he was hired was the kind of choice I wish we had in elections - even though he want my first choice by any means, I don't doubt that he CAN do the job and I'm delighted it's started so well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 08, 2016, 04:34:04 PM
At last a manager that has got them playing near or above thier ability.
Still not convinced the squad is balanced but at least we have a manager who knows what he is doing.

I don't think Bruce has got them anywhere near playing near or above their ability. That is (hopefully) yet to come. What he has done and deserves great credit, is getting them to bloody work hard and fight for every ball. It may not sound that impressive as pretty much every team in the Championship does it but before his arrival our lazy arse players lack of fight was the main reason we found ourselves in the relegation zone.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on November 08, 2016, 08:27:22 PM
I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does in the transfer window. We might be one solid central midfielder away from grabbing a play off spot. Possibly a centre back too. Good start from Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on November 08, 2016, 09:11:34 PM
I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does in the transfer window. We might be one solid central midfielder away from grabbing a play off spot. Possibly a centre back too. Good start from Bruce.

Bollocks to grabbing a play off spot, that's in the bag. Question is will we go straight up or not.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on November 11, 2016, 08:07:49 PM
I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does in the transfer window. We might be one solid central midfielder away from grabbing a play off spot. Possibly a centre back too. Good start from Bruce.

Bollocks to grabbing a play off spot, that's in the bag. Question is will we go straight up or not.

We're 14th or so aren't we? Hardly in the bag. We've got some tough away fixtures and then the afcon

I'm not taking top six for granted.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on November 11, 2016, 08:19:49 PM
I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does in the transfer window. We might be one solid central midfielder away from grabbing a play off spot. Possibly a centre back too. Good start from Bruce.

Bollocks to grabbing a play off spot, that's in the bag. Question is will we go straight up or not.

We're 14th or so aren't we? Hardly in the bag. We've got some tough away fixtures and then the afcon

I'm not taking top six for granted.

Don't be such a bloody wet. The tide has turned, and it is about to come crashing down on the rest of the division.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on November 11, 2016, 08:27:53 PM
I'm not taking top six for granted.
What? You can not be serious.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Lastfootstamper on November 11, 2016, 08:30:27 PM
I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does in the transfer window. We might be one solid central midfielder away from grabbing a play off spot. Possibly a centre back too. Good start from Bruce.

Bollocks to grabbing a play off spot, that's in the bag. Question is will we go straight up or not.

We're 14th or so aren't we? Hardly in the bag. We've got some tough away fixtures and then the afcon

I'm not taking top six for granted.

Don't be such a bloody wet. The tide has turned, and it is about to come crashing down on the rest of the division.

Fuckyeah.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on November 12, 2016, 12:42:11 AM
I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does in the transfer window. We might be one solid central midfielder away from grabbing a play off spot. Possibly a centre back too. Good start from Bruce.

Bollocks to grabbing a play off spot, that's in the bag. Question is will we go straight up or not.

We're 14th or so aren't we? Hardly in the bag. We've got some tough away fixtures and then the afcon

I'm not taking top six for granted.

Don't be such a bloody wet. The tide has turned, and it is about to come crashing down on the rest of the division.

Fuckyeah.

I approve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on November 12, 2016, 12:16:37 PM
If England decide not to stick with Southgate and Bruce is still on his unbeaten run or close to it, the FA might come in for him, timing is everything in football management
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on November 12, 2016, 01:37:34 PM
If he took us up and then took the England job he'd certainly have my blessing. If he left us at a crucial point in the season though (winning streak or not) that would be another matter.

I think some people are getting well carried away with the top 6 certainty - definitely getting promoted- this season comments. We've not lost in 5 but seriously there's a hell of a long way to go (and look at the table lol).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on November 14, 2016, 06:45:35 AM
I'm not taking top six for granted.
What? You can not be serious.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves is all I'm saying. We've won three games. One in the last minute. One in the last ten. And one coming back from 1-0 down against a team in the bottom three

Bruce has made a great start.  But we're hardly steam rollering teams. We'll know more after the next few away games

I do think we'll make the top 6, but I'm not expecting us to coast it
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on November 14, 2016, 08:44:14 AM
I'm not taking top six for granted.
What? You can not be serious.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves is all I'm saying. We've won three games. One in the last minute. One in the last ten. And one coming back from 1-0 down against a team in the bottom three

Bruce has made a great start.  But we're hardly steam rollering teams. We'll know more after the next few away games

I do think we'll make the top 6, but I'm not expecting us to coast it
I'm thinking people are being a bit tongue in cheek.  We've been so shit for so long a bit of false bravado is good fun.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on November 18, 2016, 10:48:05 PM
It has been a while since we have had a manager who knows exactly what he is doing.

I feel like I can look forward to games without the possibility of me saying "what the hell formation is THAT?" or "stupid substitution!".

He just knows what he is doing and I am delighted to have been wrong about him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on November 18, 2016, 10:57:08 PM
It's been a while that we have had a manager that can conduct himself on TV with knowledge, integrity and "likeability"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on November 18, 2016, 11:55:09 PM
He's doing a cracking job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on November 19, 2016, 12:06:14 AM
Just love him and clearly the players do too. He's a perfect fit
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: purpletrousers on November 19, 2016, 03:01:49 AM
Just love him and clearly the players do too. He's a perfect fit
To carry on my Leonard Cohen theme:

Hallelujah

It simply feels so good to read these words after so much Villa pain.
Of course there will be tough times, but Oh please let this appointment define your career SB.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on November 19, 2016, 07:03:03 AM
This must be our longest unbeaten run in years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on November 19, 2016, 07:23:41 AM
To go to the second placed team in the division, and be unlucky to not come away with all three points, is imo down to the Gaffer. But the Best thing is I know there is optimism for our Future.

I now think just one addition in midfield, in January, and we wont be far away from saying bye to the chumps league.

Thank you Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on November 19, 2016, 07:46:13 AM
Doing a really good job. That was the best performance by some distance so far

And good to see us finding a way of getting four attacking players on the pitch in the second half, without getting overrun in midfield. Admittedly it was against 442.

Not a complaint, but if we'd started with the 11 that finished I wonder if we might have won

I'd like to see that team in the next match, but Bacuna in for Hutton
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Virgil Caine on November 19, 2016, 10:24:59 AM
Doing a really good job. That was the best performance by some distance so far

And good to see us finding a way of getting four attacking players on the pitch in the second half, without getting overrun in midfield. Admittedly it was against 442.

Not a complaint, but if we'd started with the 11 that finished I wonder if we might have won

I'd like to see that team in the next match, but Bacuna in for Hutton

Agreed, I went and focused on Huttons performance and although slightly better in the second half generally he was dire. I take the point that he 'cares' but there was a couple of times last night he ambled back rather than busting a gut. His distribution remains abject and frustratingly in positions when a good pass or cross could lead to a chance on goal. I think defensively he and Bacuna are on par ( which isn't saying much) but attacking wise Bacuna offers a lot more.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve kirk on November 19, 2016, 10:48:20 AM
Just watched the post match interview with Steve Bruce, calm, assured, articulate, informative, an all round very likeable bloke, we have finally got it right with his appointment, quietly confident of a top 6 finish, no more looking downwards. UTV
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Uknowthescore on November 19, 2016, 11:00:43 AM
What I've been most impressed with is how fit the team look they was chasing down everything last night for the whole 90mins and that's surely down to Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on November 19, 2016, 11:30:17 AM
That result yesterday shows we should be able to basically beat anyone in this league.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on November 19, 2016, 11:46:39 AM
We'll have to average 0.3 more points per game than Brighton to finish above them. I can't really see that happening

I do think we should make the play offs
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: serbentoflight on November 19, 2016, 11:53:58 AM
Excellent Performance. Great Management.  This is finally the combination of Manager and Owner we have hoped for.

I don 't think we have the squad for an F.A. cup run AND an assault on the auto-promotion places, so for once I'm hoping for Manure away in the 3rd Round. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on November 19, 2016, 12:28:56 PM
We'll have to average 0.3 more points per game than Brighton to finish above them. I can't really see that happening

I do think we should make the play offs

We need a run of wins, that was always the case.  5-6 wins on the bounce and we go from a team that should make the play offs to being a team that's right in the mix for the automatic spots.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: DB on November 19, 2016, 12:52:58 PM
To go to the second placed team in the division, and be unlucky to not come away with all three points, is imo down to the Gaffer. But the Best thing is I know there is optimism for our Future.

I now think just one addition in midfield, in January, and we wont be far away from saying bye to the chumps league.

Thank you Steve.

Yep. Performance last night showed how we keep getting better under him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on November 19, 2016, 01:57:36 PM
We'll have to average 0.3 more points per game than Brighton to finish above them. I can't really see that happening

I do think we should make the play offs

Yes, I agree with this.  We really needed to take 3 points last night to have a realistic chance of catching them.  This may be why the 2nd half panned out as it did.  1 - 1 wasn't a bad result for them and they are confident that we won't take 13 points more than them between now and May.  Hopefully, losing their number 2 may throw a spanner in the works a bit though  8)

Play offs are going to be realistic although I will absolutely hate being involved.  It is a lottery to a certain extent and imagine having to play that horrible lot from up the road?

Overall, like everyone else, I'm delighted with Bruce thus far.  He speaks well and I saw glimpses last night of improvement in performance.  Up to now we have been very workmanlike.  Last night, I thought that we looked far more than just workmanlike.  Obviously there is plenty of time for the side to improve further.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on November 19, 2016, 02:24:03 PM
Never wanted him at the club but let's face it he's been like a breath of fresh air since arriving and he's turned us into something resembling a football club. I'm glad he's here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on November 19, 2016, 02:41:32 PM
Never wanted him at the club but let's face it he's been like a breath of fresh air since arriving and he's turned us into something resembling a football club. I'm glad he's here.

For me it wasn't so much not wanting him as the realisation that someone like him was exactly what was needed. High falutin' foreign coaches are all very well but for every Wenger there's a dozen Christian Grosses. Him, his abilities and with them his limitations, are exactly what we need right now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nastylee on November 19, 2016, 02:59:03 PM
Brighton may be going well but they don't have much in reserve and have a recent history of faltering in the second half of the season. I don't think the 2nd spot is totally out of question yet but we need to go a colossal run between now and May and hope a few slip ups occur above us. We have a strong squad at this level with just the midfield area requiring urgent surgery.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on November 19, 2016, 03:21:26 PM
Never wanted him at the club but let's face it he's been like a breath of fresh air since arriving and he's turned us into something resembling a football club. I'm glad he's here.

That's just it. And to reinforce what Dave said and a few of us said at the time, he's the right manager for where we are at this moment in time. And had he been available in the summer I'm pretty sure he'd be with us from the start and we'd be sitting in the top 3. Even if we may not have purchased the same players. What has been evident over many years is that's Bruce has struggled at PL level. But let's cross that bridge when we come to it.

I don't think any position is out of that question yet though of all the teams it's unlikely Newcastle will slide out of the top two. But keep this run going, add 2 or 3 solid players in January and we will be there or very close to an automatic spot come May.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt C on November 19, 2016, 04:00:08 PM
A staggering 29 games still to play - we'll need quite the run but who knows.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Brend'Watkins on November 19, 2016, 04:43:10 PM
A staggering 29 games still to play - we'll need quite the run but who knows.

From last nights showing I really don't see Brighton finishing 2nd. There isn't much to them at all. They are catchable. Norwich are on a bad run, Huddersfield are slipping. This is the nature of the Championship. If Bruce can maintain the style and effort of the team we will be at least in the play offs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on November 19, 2016, 05:25:48 PM
Its fantastic that we're actually talking about 2nd place.  After Preston, just 6 games ago, relegation looked to be a bigger problem than promotion for us.

29 games to go has made me feel a bit better but we're still not climbing that table.  We've dropped places after last night and are further away from 6th spot than we were before we kicked off.

There are around 10 teams competing for the 4 play off places and after that are teams like Brentford, Ipswich & Wolves who are no pushovers.  It really is a tough division, as we've all discovered.  I have a lot more respect for the Championship than I had 12 months ago.

Sat here tonight, if somebody offered me 6th spot now, I'd take it.  I'm not the most aggressive of gamblers and I'm sure many would prefer to play out for 2nd place.   In our favour, we have the quality and depth of squad.  Maybe we should stop worrying about the table until about February or March time?  It's hard not to though, isn't it?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on November 19, 2016, 05:30:25 PM
the trouble is you have to worry about the table because the league is so unpredictable. As you say lots of teams in the mix for the top six, including us
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Louzie0 on November 19, 2016, 05:47:14 PM
When I saw us drop down the table following results this afternoon I had to remind myself that we can't actually lose points once we've got them!

Onward and hopefully upward!

( & don't forget Guess The Crowd 9 for Villa v Cardiff next Saturday)

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 19, 2016, 05:58:24 PM
By my reckoning, the last time we went 6 league games unbeaten was the start of the McLeish season when we started the season 7 unbeaten. It's taken us over 5 years to go unbeaten for 6 games again!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on November 19, 2016, 06:03:59 PM
No I actually think we need to, exactly as old k suggests, stop worrying about the table for a while.  Our form since Bruce arrived is solid but we still need to convert draws to wins better than we are doing.  We need to find a way to make pressure count in games like last night and find a way to score from nothing in games like the blues game.  We are, in my opinion, well capable of a big run of draws because what the recent games have shown is that the squad is much better than we looked earlier in the season and we really shouldn't have ever been in the trouble we were.

I've said a few times on here that I think Bruce can comfortably see us into the playoffs and I still think that's the most likely result this season but if that is the limit of what we achieve then he needs to prove himself by getting us through that final, getting back this season is essential, that's why RDM went and it's why Bruce is here.  If he doesn't deliver that it wouldn't surprise me if he's replaced because Xia seems like a ruthless bastard.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on November 19, 2016, 08:16:24 PM
We're averaging 2 points a game which would put us within striking distance of the automatic spots.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on November 19, 2016, 08:36:58 PM
We're averaging 2 points a game which would put us within striking distance of the automatic spots.

I was just looking at this.  With 29 games to go, 2 points a game would put us on 80 points.  Last season the table finished:

Burnley 93 points
Middlesboro 89 points
Brighton 89 points
Hull 83 points

All 4 teams won over half of their fixtures.  We'd need to win at least 20, probably 21 or 22 of the remaining 29 games to go up automatically, based on last years table.

Oh to go on a 6 game winning streak like Newcastle did.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on November 19, 2016, 08:41:09 PM
We're adding quality on top of our organisation and hard work.

I don't think there's a team in the league who have as good a players as us up top, so fingers crossed last night is a sign of things to come.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 19, 2016, 08:43:03 PM
Working backwards from 2016, this is the points total of the side finishing 3rd for the last 12 seasons: 89, 86, 85, 77, 86, 80, 79, 80, 75, 84, 81, 85.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on November 19, 2016, 08:43:25 PM
We're adding quality on top of our organisation and hard work.

I don't think there's a team in the league who have as good a players as us up top, so fingers crossed last night is a sign of things to come.

Seconded.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: walsall villain on November 19, 2016, 08:44:29 PM
We're averaging 2 points a game which would put us within striking distance of the automatic spots.


That's the way to think I reckon, just concentrate on Villa averaging 2 points a game and the rest can do what they like.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TopDeck113 on November 19, 2016, 08:49:13 PM
Let's not get ahead of ourselves by extrapolating Bruce's start, factoring in ten game winning streaks and coming up with finishing runners-up.  After years of shit things seem, at long last, to be on the up.  Keep it up and, yes, with have a few wins on the bounce and we'll be flirting with the play-offs.  That will be no mean achievement all things considered and if we make it to the lottery, then who knows.  As it so happens I don't necessarily think a second season in The Championship would be a bad thing in terms of longer-term success, provided we hit the ground running in August.  Either way, for the first time in years, let's enjoy the ride.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on November 19, 2016, 09:12:31 PM
Let's not get ahead of ourselves by extrapolating Bruce's start, factoring in ten game winning streaks and coming up with finishing runners-up.  After years of shit things seem, at long last, to be on the up.  Keep it up and, yes, with have a few wins on the bounce and we'll be flirting with the play-offs.  That will be no mean achievement all things considered and if we make it to the lottery, then who knows.  As it so happens I don't necessarily think a second season in The Championship would be a bad thing in terms of longer-term success, provided we hit the ground running in August.  Either way, for the first time in years, let's enjoy the ride.

In fairness, nobody has done so.

Most are realistically stating that 2nd place from this position is a pretty tall order.

I too am not overly phased by a second season in the Championship, especially looking at the likely prem sides to be relegated this season.  When the time comes around though, I will be devastated if we fail this season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on November 19, 2016, 11:02:23 PM
Never wanted him at the club but let's face it he's been like a breath of fresh air since arriving and he's turned us into something resembling a football club. I'm glad he's here.

For me it wasn't so much not wanting him as the realisation that someone like him was exactly what was needed. High falutin' foreign coaches are all very well but for every Wenger there's a dozen Christian Grosses. Him, his abilities and with them his limitations, are exactly what we need right now.


Without blowing my, or indeed the wise yet indecisive frank black's trumpet, here's some vision:

I would go for someone proven to get teams out if the championship. Moyes is not that man.

The slightly nutty Pearson or Bruce for me.

(I know I've changed my view in 24 hours, call me Cameron)

Why is it that we scoffed at "Premier League experience needed" in the past but Championship experience is now vital? As with players it seems the Championship is some sort of unique entity, the only level of football that requires a different skill set to everywhere else when in reality it's exactly the same - the best wins.

I agree, but in Bruce's case he has a working knowledge of the division as it stands, how teams set up and play etc.

I think in the vacuum of football knowledge that our club appears to be operating in that could be an essential factor. It may not be that important to other clubs or to us at other times, but right now it's crucial.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on November 19, 2016, 11:18:19 PM
Nobody likes a smart arse.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on November 20, 2016, 02:13:28 AM
Let's not get ahead of ourselves by extrapolating Bruce's start, factoring in ten game winning streaks and coming up with finishing runners-up.  After years of shit things seem, at long last, to be on the up.  Keep it up and, yes, with have a few wins on the bounce and we'll be flirting with the play-offs.  That will be no mean achievement all things considered and if we make it to the lottery, then who knows.  As it so happens I don't necessarily think a second season in The Championship would be a bad thing in terms of longer-term success, provided we hit the ground running in August.  Either way, for the first time in years, let's enjoy the ride.

We should eschew statistical extrapolation with every fibre of our being. That way madness lies.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on November 20, 2016, 02:22:46 AM
It's whatever it takes to build us up again from a wreck that we were not so much about any specific divisional experience IMO.
Despite my reservations about Bruce before he was appointed he is doing what's necessary.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Singapore Villa on November 20, 2016, 06:00:19 AM
Nice for there to be some mild positivity about the club at the moment.  Also, happy that my weekends are not ruined by shite performances and/or late goals.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on November 20, 2016, 09:35:47 AM
I bloody love Steve Bruce.  I'm now getting to the happy point where I don't expect us to lose any games, which is a nice reversal of the last few years.  He's also the first boss we've had in a ages who doesn't set my teeth on edge in interviews.  Down to earth, honest and intelligent. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on November 20, 2016, 09:51:23 AM
I bloody love Steve Bruce.  I'm now getting to the happy point where I don't expect us to lose any games, which is a nice reversal of the last few years.  He's also the first boss we've had in a ages who doesn't set my teeth on edge in interviews.  Down to earth, honest and intelligent. 
And a great sense of humour.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on November 20, 2016, 10:13:22 AM
Always liked him, he always came across really well in post match interviews and always struck me as a decent, honest bloke and a good manager. I was more than happy we got him, obviously he will never be as progressive or successful as whatever the Huddersfield manager is called but I'm glad he's the manager of Aston Villa and hope he is here for a few more seasons.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldtimernow on November 20, 2016, 10:29:47 AM
I bloody love Steve Bruce.  I'm now getting to the happy point where I don't expect us to lose any games, which is a nice reversal of the last few years.  He's also the first boss we've had in a ages who doesn't set my teeth on edge in interviews.  Down to earth, honest and intelligent. 

Happy to agree with you on that one Risso
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: joe_c on November 20, 2016, 10:31:56 AM
For the first time since O'Neill we've appointed the best man for the job in hand. There is still a faint aura of "This is your uncle Steve, he's going to be staying with us for a while" about him but I am less forthright in my criticism than I have been in the past. I'd go as far as to say going unbeaten for the remainder of the season isn't beyond the realms of possibility if not probability.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on November 20, 2016, 01:37:41 PM
Our next five home games are cardiff, Wigan, button Albion, Leeds and Preston. They all look very winnable

We've some tougher away games where draws would be a decent result

But we've got pretty much a fully fit squad now and a great chance to really motor up the league

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on November 20, 2016, 01:59:16 PM
There is still a faint aura of "This is your uncle Steve, he's going to be staying with us for a while" about him

So long as he doesn't expect me to hold his hand on the way to school, I can cope
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on November 20, 2016, 02:30:26 PM
There is still a faint aura of "This is your uncle Steve, he's going to be staying with us for a while" about him

So long as he doesn't expect me to hold his hand on the way to school, I can cope

Or spend some time with him in his shed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on November 20, 2016, 02:39:52 PM
Our next five home games are cardiff, Wigan, button Albion, Leeds and Preston. They all look very winnable

We've some tougher away games where draws would be a decent result

But we've got pretty much a fully fit squad now and a great chance to really motor up the league


Let's hope we play a pressing game against them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on November 20, 2016, 02:45:10 PM
Our next five home games are cardiff, Wigan, button Albion, Leeds and Preston. They all look very winnable

We've some tougher away games where draws would be a decent result

But we've got pretty much a fully fit squad now and a great chance to really motor up the league


Let's hope we play a pressing game against them.

No need-Go all out on the attack and we should have it sewn up by half time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on November 20, 2016, 02:49:43 PM
Plenty of needle in that fixture
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on November 20, 2016, 03:11:04 PM
Our next five home games are cardiff, Wigan, button Albion, Leeds and Preston. They all look very winnable

We've some tougher away games where draws would be a decent result

But we've got pretty much a fully fit squad now and a great chance to really motor up the league


Let's hope we play a pressing game against them.

No need-Go all out on the attack and we should have it sewn up by half time.

Lets not take the thread off tangent.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on November 20, 2016, 03:27:02 PM
Our next five home games are cardiff, Wigan, button Albion, Leeds and Preston. They all look very winnable

We've some tougher away games where draws would be a decent result

But we've got pretty much a fully fit squad now and a great chance to really motor up the league


Let's hope we play a pressing game against them.

No need-Go all out on the attack and we should have it sewn up by half time.

It would be a great way to achieve closure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: frank black on November 20, 2016, 04:24:25 PM
I have confidence that with Steve Bruce in charge we have every chance of making the playoffs. I am looking forwards to our victory against The Blues in the final!!!

So much so I have purchased a family season ticket, so that my wife and boys can enjoy the ride.

UTV
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on November 20, 2016, 05:40:46 PM
The Noses won't make the Play Offs. Their squad is too small, same as Huddersfield.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on November 20, 2016, 05:43:04 PM
Neither will Leeds, full of youthful enthusiasm but they barely troubled Newcastle today.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on November 21, 2016, 06:54:35 AM
For the first time since O'Neill we've appointed the best man for the job in hand. There is still a faint aura of "This is your uncle Steve, he's going to be staying with us for a while" about him but I am less forthright in my criticism than I have been in the past. I'd go as far as to say going unbeaten for the remainder of the season isn't beyond the realms of possibility if not probability.

I think it's in his own hands Joe. He won't get offered a better job and I think Dr Tony would stand by him
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: avfcdale on November 21, 2016, 04:29:40 PM
I bloody love Steve Bruce.  I'm now getting to the happy point where I don't expect us to lose any games, which is a nice reversal of the last few years.  He's also the first boss we've had in a ages who doesn't set my teeth on edge in interviews.  Down to earth, honest and intelligent. 
And a great sense of humour.

I tell you there is rejoicing in the presence of Holte enders in the sky of McGrath over one sinner who repents

Luke 15:10 The new AVFC Testament
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: achilles on November 21, 2016, 05:32:48 PM
I bloody love Steve Bruce.  I'm now getting to the happy point where I don't expect us to lose any games, which is a nice reversal of the last few years.  He's also the first boss we've had in a ages who doesn't set my teeth on edge in interviews.  Down to earth, honest and intelligent. 
And a great sense of humour.

Thing is he actually looks like he is really enjoying the challenge and talks with a big smile on his face, long may it continue.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on November 21, 2016, 05:43:31 PM
i'd still have him out if it was up to me   :)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: in exile on November 22, 2016, 11:22:26 AM
Our next five home games are cardiff, Wigan, button Albion, Leeds and Preston. They all look very winnable

We've some tougher away games where draws would be a decent result

But we've got pretty much a fully fit squad now and a great chance to really motor up the league


Let's hope we play a pressing game against them.

No need-Go all out on the attack and we should have it sewn up by half time.

Lets not take the thread off tangent.

Lets just hope they don't undo us
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on November 22, 2016, 03:30:57 PM
I'm expecting momentum, squad depth, and ability to invest in January to be key factors in the second half of the season to separate us from the great majority of the other sides in the division. Newcastle aside no other team will have our resources. It should make a difference and especially with a man in charge who has been there and done it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve kirk on November 26, 2016, 05:18:44 PM
What a turnaround since we replaced RDM, thankyou Steve Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JUAN PABLO on November 26, 2016, 05:27:06 PM
What a turnaround since we replaced RDM, thankyou Steve Bruce.


brucie win rate 57%

RDM  win rate 8%
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 26, 2016, 07:19:30 PM
4 wins in 7 under Bruce. 4 wins in 51 before Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on November 26, 2016, 07:32:07 PM
Wow.

Full credit to Bruce, it is very obviously and directly down to him and the fact he knows what he is doing. He is modest about it as well, which makes me like him even more, because lets be real, he has managed to do something something very hard indeed. He took a team and a club with broken morale worried about the relegation zone and turned it into a good side storming up the table without a transfer window to help him out plus a series of international breaks which disrupted him crafting the way he wants us to play.

Amazing really.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on November 26, 2016, 07:34:36 PM
Yeah amazing, would never have believed how quickly he has turned it round, truly amazing
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on November 26, 2016, 07:37:34 PM
Wow.

Full credit to Bruce, it is very obviously and directly down to him and the fact he knows what he is doing. He is modest about it as well, which makes me like him even more, because lets be real, he has managed to do something something very hard indeed. He took a team and a club with broken morale worried about the relegation zone and turned it into a good side storming up the table without a transfer window to help him out plus a series of international breaks which disrupted him crafting the way he wants us to play.

Amazing really.
Well said ciggie.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on November 26, 2016, 07:38:06 PM
4 wins in 7 under Bruce. 4 wins in 51 before Bruce.
Fucking hell.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on November 26, 2016, 08:38:05 PM
After a dodgy first game which we were lucky to pull anything out of the hat he has done well. 

His main pluses which he has brought to the Villa are:

1. Restoring confidence;
2. Bringing in a potentially excellent defensive coach;
3. Proper use of substitutions

Now if only he could dodge Westwood and Hutton that would be an amazing  turn around.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Smirker on November 26, 2016, 09:03:32 PM
Wow.

Full credit to Bruce, it is very obviously and directly down to him and the fact he knows what he is doing. He is modest about it as well, which makes me like him even more, because lets be real, he has managed to do something something very hard indeed. He took a team and a club with broken morale worried about the relegation zone and turned it into a good side storming up the table without a transfer window to help him out plus a series of international breaks which disrupted him crafting the way he wants us to play.

Amazing really.

Fair points but I worry how we will respond to our first defeat under him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 26, 2016, 09:07:39 PM
Wow.

Full credit to Bruce, it is very obviously and directly down to him and the fact he knows what he is doing. He is modest about it as well, which makes me like him even more, because lets be real, he has managed to do something something very hard indeed. He took a team and a club with broken morale worried about the relegation zone and turned it into a good side storming up the table without a transfer window to help him out plus a series of international breaks which disrupted him crafting the way he wants us to play.

Amazing really.

Fair points but I worry how we will respond to our first defeat under him.

Not something you'll need to worry about for a few years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on November 26, 2016, 09:17:07 PM
After a dodgy first game which we were lucky to pull anything out of the hat he has done well. 

His main pluses which he has brought to the Villa are:

1. Restoring confidence;
2. Bringing in a potentially excellent defensive coach;
3. Proper use of substitutions

Now if only he could dodge Westwood and Hutton that would be an amazing  turn around.

he has made some big decisions in terms of personnel too

brought back in Richards and Gabby, though it will be interesting to see if Richards will get another chance after his pathetic efforts v Wolves

Amavi has replaced Cissokho

Baker has replaced Elphick

Kept Hutton in side, though injuries have helped Hutton's cause

Jedinak has improved out of all recognition, took him off for his own good v Wolves he was so bad

Midfield three generally has been used

Kodjia has played a good bit on left

likes of Gestede, McCormack, Ayew, Tshibola all seem like they are still to impress Bruce
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 26, 2016, 09:57:46 PM
Full credit to Bruce, it is very obviously and directly down to him and the fact he knows what he is doing. He is modest about it as well, which makes me like him even more, because lets be real, he has managed to do something something very hard indeed. He took a team and a club with broken morale worried about the relegation zone and turned it into a good side storming up the table without a transfer window to help him out plus a series of international breaks which disrupted him crafting the way he wants us to play.

Amazing really.

I wouldn't call it 'amazing' but the fact he knows his arse from his elbow. I heard him the other day saying how a manager's job is very difficult and believe him. His experience is so important to us and it's starting to show. I do wonder how the pressure of the Villa job and the expectations may even get to him. The team selection of playing from the off so many attacking players at Villa Park rather than winning the midfield battle first being an example. He's lucky to have so many options on the bench, something he wouldn't have had at his previous clubs. It's still a massive job for him but he's wise enough to know that you get no where in this division without hard work.

I really like his character, you called it modest and yes, if MON had given a post match press conference today he would have talked about the "scintillating football" we played. Bruce doesn't seem to do bullshit, he calls it as he sees it and up until now he's been spot on. Rather than take the praise himself, he piles it on the players. I can imagine they love working for him. I get the feeling he'd love to be here for the long stay and maybe he might just manage it. Bringing in people like Calderwood that can help him improve the team play is a sign of a man that knows his limits. Ferguson did the same at Man Utd with Queiroz - maybe it's something Bruce recalls; he certainly wasn't in a rush to name his staff. He really took his time and it was a major risk had he not got the results.

PWS's stat above tells you everything you need to know about how bad we were. When I told a friend the other day how much we'd spent in the summer and where we were in the league, he couldn't believe it. He commented that club the size of Benfica couldn't even dream of spending that much. Football isn't rocket science but you do need somebody that knows what they're doing. In Bruce I think we've found that man.

Onwards and upwards.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on November 27, 2016, 08:05:22 AM
I agree with all the above

I think Bruce himself would say he's had a fair bit of luck early on - drawing v wolves, last minute pen at reading, Fulham keeper fucks up in the last ten, lucky to get a draw at blues.

although RDM wasn't the right man for the job (and those of you who called it early were right) he did have quite a lot of bad luck - Gollini twice costing us points late on, forest score two absolute worldies with their only shots on target. I'd still say the forest game is probably the best we've played all season
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on November 27, 2016, 08:21:29 AM
What a turnaround since we replaced RDM, thankyou Steve Bruce.


brucie win rate 57%

RDM  win rate 8%


what about lose rate ha ha

I can work that one out Steve Bruces claret and blue army 0%  Steve Bruce = Top Bloke.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on November 27, 2016, 09:28:10 AM
I wonder where we would be in the league today had Bruce been in from the get go. Even allowing for the same squad of players my guess is that we'd be at least where Reading are.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on November 27, 2016, 09:52:12 AM
I wonder where we would be in the league today had Bruce been in from the get go. Even allowing for the same squad of players my guess is that we'd be at least where Reading are.
And we will be soon enough I reckon.....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on November 27, 2016, 10:47:31 AM
Wouldn't that be something !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 27, 2016, 11:18:53 AM
We've won our last 3 home league games, does anyone want to take a guess on when we last won 3 in a row at home?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Exeter 77 on November 27, 2016, 11:21:20 AM
We've won our last 3 home league games, does anyone want to take a guess on when we last won 3 in a row at home?
At a guess round about January/February 2010.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 27, 2016, 11:25:26 AM
We've won our last 3 home league games, does anyone want to take a guess on when we last won 3 in a row at home?
At a guess round about January/February 2010.

The most that season was 2 consecutive home league wins.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on November 27, 2016, 11:30:37 AM
Please dont let it be 80/81.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 27, 2016, 11:31:23 AM
It is a tad more recent than that!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on November 27, 2016, 11:33:40 AM
I would say 92/93 runner up season or the great Sir Brian season 95/96?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 27, 2016, 11:35:19 AM
More recent. The year does start with a 2.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on November 27, 2016, 11:48:01 AM
03/04 under O'Leary would be my guess.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on November 27, 2016, 12:19:03 PM
Forget 3 home wins in a row, we've got Burton, Leeds and Wigan coming up. We can target six home wins in a row there. I'm gradually starting to feel like we are going to score in games, we aren't going to fuck up every time someone attacks and gift them a goal, we aren't going to fold in the last 5 minutes and throw games away. All the negativity and doom mongering is starting to clear and the cloud is being lifted. The Villa Lion is stirring and this division is going to feel it's force.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on November 27, 2016, 12:26:42 PM
Forget 3 home wins in a row, we've got Burton, Leeds and Wigan coming up. We can target six home wins in a row there. I'm gradually starting to feel like we are going to score in games, we aren't going to fuck up every time someone attacks and gift them a goal, we aren't going to fold in the last 5 minutes and throw games away. All the negativity and doom mongering is starting to clear and the cloud is being lifted. The Villa Lion is stirring and this division is going to feel it's force.

Love it AJ
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on November 27, 2016, 01:57:14 PM
Forget 3 home wins in a row, we've got Burton, Leeds and Wigan coming up. We can target six home wins in a row there. I'm gradually starting to feel like we are going to score in games, we aren't going to fuck up every time someone attacks and gift them a goal, we aren't going to fold in the last 5 minutes and throw games away. All the negativity and doom mongering is starting to clear and the cloud is being lifted. The Villa Lion is stirring and this division is going to feel it's force.

More important than any of that yesterday we managed to take throw ins quickly and find our own players more often than not. It really is, as Mr Hall once sang, the dawning of a new era.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on November 27, 2016, 02:10:46 PM
Also we defended those stupid archaic long throw ins very effectively and a lot of credit for that must go to Jedinak. He was the free floating "defender"  in those events and usually got to the ball first.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on November 27, 2016, 02:48:43 PM
Loving Brucie at the moment. The guy just knows what he's doing in this league. He's given us a strong spine. Something we've lacked for years. We're a couple of solid additions away from not only dominating in this division, but being ready to stay up in the Prem next season. It's still evident we need another midfield option and we need a new right back. But he's got the CH's playing well. He's turned Gollini around. He's got Jedinak dominating and he's getting a lot out of Adomah and Kodjia (Adomah seems to have a knack of creating chances for Kodjia and he's already layed on a few of his goals). Likewise I think Grealish, if he can get his head down and nail down his place, will excel.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bestmate on November 27, 2016, 04:07:30 PM
Loving Brucie at the moment. The guy just knows what he's doing in this league. He's given us a strong spine. Something we've lacked for years. We're a couple of solid additions away from not only dominating in this division, but being ready to stay up in the Prem next season. It's still evident we need another midfield option and we need a new right back. But he's got the CH's playing well. He's turned Gollini around. He's got Jedinak dominating and he's getting a lot out of Adomah and Kodjia (Adomah seems to have a knack of creating chances for Kodjia and he's already layed on a few of his goals). Likewise I think Grealish, if he can get his head down and nail down his place, will excel.

Agreed, though i thought the spine of Vlaar, Delph, and Benteke was strong. It was what was around them that failed miserably.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 27, 2016, 04:29:04 PM
2007/08 is the last time we won 3 in a row at home by my reckoning.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on November 27, 2016, 05:31:36 PM
I still think we're a way off being able to compete in the premier - especially in midfield.

I'm just enjoying us being pretty good and winning again after such a long time of absolute shit
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on November 27, 2016, 11:53:13 PM
More important than any of that yesterday we managed to take throw ins quickly and find our own players more often than not. It really is, as Mr Hall once sang, the dawning of a new era.

Even more important than that, it would appear Bruce (Hi Steve) is reading and taking note of my posts on here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 28, 2016, 12:50:22 PM
More important than any of that yesterday we managed to take throw ins quickly and find our own players more often than not. It really is, as Mr Hall once sang, the dawning of a new era.

Even more important than that, it would appear Bruce (Hi Steve) is reading and taking note of my posts on here.

Have Bruce's comments on Tony's plans been posted anywhere?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on November 28, 2016, 01:26:51 PM
Quite a few positives from Saturday.  I liked that we scored just before half time after conceding an equaliser. In recent games/months/years that would probably have been the other way round.  Then getting the last minute pen to calm the nerves, again we've mostly been victims of that, not the ones doing the scoring.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on November 28, 2016, 01:28:05 PM
We never looked like losing. An unusual state of affairs, but its been that way for a good few games now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on November 28, 2016, 01:47:29 PM
We look very compact. That the goal they scored came from a mistake in a stupid position on the pitch says a lot. That it didn't come from the opponents breaking us down through regular open play. Something Cardiff didn't look like doing much all game.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on November 28, 2016, 02:19:31 PM
More important than any of that yesterday we managed to take throw ins quickly and find our own players more often than not. It really is, as Mr Hall once sang, the dawning of a new era.

Even more important than that, it would appear Bruce (Hi Steve) is reading and taking note of my posts on here.

Have Bruce's comments on Tony's plans been posted anywhere?
hate hearing about Jaw Dropping plans but having absolutely no idea what they are.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Percy McCarthy on November 28, 2016, 04:05:18 PM
More important than any of that yesterday we managed to take throw ins quickly and find our own players more often than not. It really is, as Mr Hall once sang, the dawning of a new era.

Even more important than that, it would appear Bruce (Hi Steve) is reading and taking note of my posts on here.

Have Bruce's comments on Tony's plans been posted anywhere?
hate hearing about Jaw Dropping plans but having absolutely no idea what they are.

Yeah, forget it. I've read it in the Mail now and I'm not linking to that rag.

No deets anyway.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on November 28, 2016, 04:25:26 PM
Dr Tony is going to build the world's first robot XI by 2020.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on November 28, 2016, 10:14:54 PM
We'd be already promoted if we'd got the Huddersfield manager.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: alftitimus on November 29, 2016, 05:47:37 AM
Infrequent poster...but avid reader.

Under the Steve B thread I haven't seen any serious criticism of him. ;D

As a Manager he does the job, and he is proving it with our squad -
absolutely NOTHING to complain about his ability.

Last night, when I scanned some other forums...Gooners, Hammers etc
What came up in a fair few was Stevie being headhunted by Man Utd !


Seems Jose-the-Special, has blown it with his board.
As he said himself: "The Richest managers are the Ones Sacked most often"

Not bothered about trolling the Man Utd numerous forums, just thought it odd
- that the London forums have Steve as Number One  choice for a sacking that hasn't taken place...WTF !

That is the important point, Steve Bruce, old boy, Giggs etc in attendance,Carrington at large.
Couple of Londan forums,started this, and it may pick up with the media in general.

Whether true or not...if Jose goes,..our Steve is Number One they say.

...and he has never stayed at any club when a better offer came in for him.

Ability - 99%
Loyalty -1%


KEEP JOSE

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on November 29, 2016, 06:22:07 AM
We never looked like losing. An unusual state of affairs, but its been that way for a good few games now.
Yes that is very obvious now. In the past when things got hairy we usually ended up conceding now we  come out it with a goal. Last ten or five mins plus injury time have been managed without drama in tight games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on November 29, 2016, 06:31:06 AM
Alfititmus a good angle but current manure board make their decisions based on keeping their sponsors happy and larger commercial interests and that means a "Hollywood " name at OT so there is no way a dragged through the managerial gutters type Bruce is going to appeal to them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on November 29, 2016, 09:12:53 AM
'Fun' fact. Saturday was only the 6th league game in the last 3 years we've won by more than 1 goal.

02/03/14 Norwich 4-1
03/05/14 Hull 3-1
14/03/15 Sunderland 0-4
06/02/16 Norwich 2-0
13/08/16 Rotherham 3-0
26/11/16 Cardiff 3-1
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on November 29, 2016, 11:28:19 AM
Alfititmus a good angle but current manure board make their decisions based on keeping their sponsors happy and larger commercial interests and that means a "Hollywood " name at OT so there is no way a dragged through the managerial gutters type Bruce is going to appeal to them.
Yep, he's not champagne enough for them.  Frankly, 6 weeks ago for a lot of people he wasn't good enough for us either.  Now, if we're in the top 6 in 2 years, then maybe we would start to need worrying about something like that, but even then I don't think he would be fashionable enough for them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on December 08, 2016, 05:08:37 PM
Steve Bruce, Jaap Stam, Steve McClaren and Owen Coyle nominated for Div 2 manager of the month for November. Winner will be announced tomorrow.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyh on December 08, 2016, 05:14:15 PM
Here's hoping Japp gets it then.



The curse and all that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on December 13, 2016, 09:49:30 PM
Made his first real mistakes today. Agbonlahor playing and Kod on the left were truly terrible errors. He must learn from that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on December 13, 2016, 09:52:20 PM
Made his first real mistakes today. Agbonlahor playing and Kod on the left were truly terrible errors. He must learn from that.

He played Gabby the other day and didn't learn. He's played Westwood more than once and hasn't learnt.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on December 13, 2016, 09:57:54 PM
This is the first time he's prioritised Gabby, meaning that he shoved our biggest goal threat into a completely ineffective position. That is not acceptable.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on December 13, 2016, 09:59:34 PM
I don't think gabby is shoving kodjia to the left

I think Bruce likes kofjia on the left and it's then a case of who plays centre forward. He's tried gabby, gestede and McCormack in that role and they've all been shit
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on December 13, 2016, 10:00:53 PM
He's made these mistakes a few times and been lucky. Luck ran out tonight. If he keeps picking Flabby his good will will be depleted very quickly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on December 13, 2016, 10:05:23 PM
I agree. He also needs to get Bacuna into that midfield, because we need someone with energy.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ad@m on December 13, 2016, 10:07:29 PM
I think Bruce likes kofjia on the left and it's then a case of who plays centre forward.

He doesn't.  He's been quoted on Pravda as saying he'd like to play Kodjia up top but Kodjia prefers to play on the left so he's facing the goal and can cut in on his right foot.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on December 13, 2016, 10:08:42 PM
He still has good will in the bank for turning our clusterfuck of a season round but my word the last 3 games have been poor, massive job and he's not helping himself by perservering wih Agbonlahor.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on December 13, 2016, 10:09:28 PM
Kodjia needs to play where Bruce wants him. He's not good enough to choose where he plays. None of them are.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ad@m on December 13, 2016, 10:11:11 PM
The Agbonlahor thing is prep for January when we lose half our strike force to the ACN.

I'm far from encouraged by Bruce's tactics.  He seems very one dimensional and far too "safe".  Whilst RDM obviously had his flaws, early on in the season we were devastating going forwards, creating loads of chances, but being quite unlucky with them.  Now, we're 21 games in to the season, having scored 22 goals, despite having three strikers who are proven goalscorers at this level, plus two others who we all thought were Premier League class.

Just not good enough.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on December 13, 2016, 10:12:04 PM
Well if Bruce wants him on the left he's clearly wrong.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on December 13, 2016, 10:15:05 PM
Is it 18 points from 10 games? Still a big improvement on RDM and it's clear the squad is unbalanced. I can't see things getting much better until late January when he's managed to bring in some midfielders. He needs to end the sky curse ASAP
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on December 13, 2016, 10:22:52 PM
What annoys me about Bruce is the inconsistency. I can stomach the idea that flabby gets a look in while he experiments and gives everyone a new start. But then where is Tshibola, and to a lesser extent Bacuna, while we persist with a terrible central midfield? Both have done a damn sight more than agbonlahor to get a start.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on December 13, 2016, 11:03:31 PM
If Bruce doesnt take up to where we belong or at least close then Xia would axe him as its unacceptably poor. I bring on Eddie Howe and hia coaching team Bournemouth been great value and they can't go far unlike us.  That said for now Bruce has the support and Will watch his work as he a specialist apparently. 
I want to see a 10 to 12 match winning run .
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on December 13, 2016, 11:14:26 PM
We should revolutionize football management by having a manager for home games and a seperate manager for away games, Bruce can take the Villa Park games and MON can take the away games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on December 13, 2016, 11:23:49 PM
Is it 18 points from 10 games? Still a big improvement on RDM and it's clear the squad is unbalanced. I can't see things getting much better until late January when he's managed to bring in some midfielders. He needs to end the sky curse ASAP
Well at least he is saving us from double relegation.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on December 13, 2016, 11:35:49 PM
Having recently heard his interview on match and comment in Birmingham mail feel he has quite a nerve as he picked the team!  He knows how to speak to media that's for sure. Are we now finding experienced Stevie Bruce out of his depth. He's never been under this sort of pressure to perform in a successful way.  Other promotions were nt as expected as this one (and any relegation pressure is different)
There needs to be a plan essentially today he's blaming players ,in a different way but same outcome as Sherwood.  Who though decided to pick gabby based on his premier league ' success ' from yester year.  And play that system.  As well as continued nonsense of all the strikers play on the left in France. 
He can talk about the basics not being right Bruce is certainly basic he can talk about mentality of players or talent not performing
He's keeping fans on side by his apology and that he can't hide fact were awful tonight so played the right cards in his after match comments shame he didn't play right cards before or during match.
He talks a good game does Bruce are we though seeing any.???

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on December 13, 2016, 11:43:09 PM
Bloody hell we're all pissed off but

A) we're still showing progress overall even if performances have been poor

B) there are more important things going on in the world today so let's all have a sense of perspective
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on December 13, 2016, 11:44:11 PM
Starting Gabby and Westwood was asking for trouble. He dug a hole for himself tonight and as much as he has done some good things, tonight was idiotic.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on December 13, 2016, 11:47:26 PM
Can't be arsed to read through but is the honeymoon over? Is he on borrowed time despite the fact he didn't sign a single one of the players at his disposal and has no idea how to fit a world class player like Tshibola into the side?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on December 14, 2016, 12:11:37 AM
Its not that Chris. Everyone understands he has only been here a short while and these aren't his players. But why is playing Gabby? The novelty of him at Blues has worn off. He's utterly useless now and yet he is persisting with him. Nobody expected miracles but he isn't helping himself at all right now, and frankly the quality of football is getting worse.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on December 14, 2016, 12:15:22 AM
Its not that Chris. Everyone understands he has only been here a short while and these aren't his players. But why is playing Gabby? The novelty of him at Blues has worn off. He's utterly useless now and yet he is persisting with him. Nobody expected miracles but he isn't helping himself at all right now, and frankly the quality of football is getting worse.
Is it because of the ACON He must have it at the back of his mind
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on December 14, 2016, 12:27:20 AM
B) there are more important things going on in the world today so let's all have a sense of perspective
Yes may be but this is a Villa football forum.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on December 14, 2016, 01:37:19 AM
Can't be arsed to read through but is the honeymoon over? Is he on borrowed time despite the fact he didn't sign a single one of the players at his disposal and has no idea how to fit a world class player like Tshibola into the side?

My guess is he'd still make Barcelona look boring. I hope you're right in your blind faith, Chris but he bores the shit out of me. He don't even live up to the tin, 'Wins Ugly'. Is it the pressure of having to entertain? I doubt it. Anyway, fuck it, I've reluctantly settled for another season in the Championship, though like you, I will find more interesting things to do when the Villa are playing. Tonight I cancelled a big curry night with friends to watch that shit. Not again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on December 14, 2016, 05:00:34 AM
If he is looking at Gabby to be a main stay for the African cup, then I am sorry Dr. Tony you got it way way wrong, he managed at Hull last season which correct me if I am wrong, is part of the UK so if he was not aware of Gabbys on and off field efforts, he must be very singular in his attention span and not read or watched any media, the guy (Gabby) has been a busted flush for so long and yet still picks up a comfortable living from the Aston Villa pension fund. If Gabby is the answer to our striking problems that may arise, in fact have already arisen even before the African cup, lest hope we will be happy with just about staying up this season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on December 14, 2016, 07:18:02 AM
I think he's done very well to get us within 6 points of the play offs in the short time he's been here. Obviously, we're not going to go up if we keep playing like we did last night but i'm happy with the job he's done so far and it's obvious he want to make changes in January. A bit of patience is needed I think.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on December 14, 2016, 07:24:32 AM
Apart from a 25 minute spell at Brighton, I cannot think of any other game under Bruce, where I have enjoyed watching the team
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on December 14, 2016, 07:29:18 AM
Apart from a 25 minute spell at Brighton, I cannot think of any other game under Bruce, where I have enjoyed watching the team

And even then we didn't score in that period.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on December 14, 2016, 07:36:42 AM
Give it 6 weeks we'll have a Bruce out Poll
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on December 14, 2016, 07:51:42 AM
Stop blaming Bruce or indeed RDM They have taken on a club who hit rock bottom last season.  New staff on and off the pitch need to bed in. We the fans are expecting too much too soon
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: He wears a magic hat on December 14, 2016, 07:57:05 AM
He's been here over 2 months now surely we should be playing free flowing attacking football and winning every game by 2 or 3 goals
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on December 14, 2016, 08:23:16 AM
The squad is massively unbalanced and the midfield is just desperately weak. We have RDM to blame for that.

He's got to stick to a three man midfield no matter what until January. Two in there just doesn't let us retain the ball or territory as Jedinak will get caught out if he pushes on, while Westwood or Gardner don't offer enough individually.

He's got to get the balance in the forwards right too.

18 from 10 is decent and light years ahead of what has happened in the past 12 months, but he needs to help himself out, keep that gap to the play offs no more than 6 points until January when we can address the squad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on December 14, 2016, 08:24:13 AM
Can't be arsed to read through but is the honeymoon over? Is he on borrowed time despite the fact he didn't sign a single one of the players at his disposal and has no idea how to fit a world class player like Tshibola into the side?

My guess is he'd still make Barcelona look boring. I hope you're right in your blind faith, Chris but he bores the shit out of me. He don't even live up to the tin, 'Wins Ugly'. Is it the pressure of having to entertain? I doubt it. Anyway, fuck it, I've reluctantly settled for another season in the Championship, though like you, I will find more interesting things to do when the Villa are playing. Tonight I cancelled a big curry night with friends to watch that shit. Not again.

We don't win ugly? What was Saturday then?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on December 14, 2016, 08:24:23 AM
He's been here over 2 months now surely we should be playing free flowing attacking football and winning every game by 2 or 3 goals

4 or 5 goals at the minimum. Your post just shows how expectations at this once great club have been lowered.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on December 14, 2016, 08:48:10 AM
The most worrying thing to me is the recurring theme running through our last six managers, McLeish, Lambert, Sherwood, Garde, KMac and Black of not being able to bring anything remotely near their best out of players.  When I saw the first games of Veretout, Gestede, Ayew, Tshibola, Traore and Gollini just to name a few I was impressed by them.  However, in a short space of time they regressed and got steadily less effective.  So here we are again ticking off the minutes to the next transfer window when we base our hopes and expectations on new players being better than those in the squad.  As clear an example of this is Tommy Elphick who was an immense influence in Bournemouth's promotion becoming one of the names along with Gabby and Westwood we dread to see on a team sheet. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on December 14, 2016, 08:52:33 AM
It's a collective sport, so invariably you'll suffer if the system and balance of a side isn't right.

I don't rate Westwood or Gardner, but in a three with Jedinak they'd offer us far more than they ever could individually.

We've been weak on midfield since Milner left and Stan got sick. Delph gave us a good 18 months but, it's a vacuum of quality.


Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on December 14, 2016, 09:27:50 AM
i cant stand him being villa manager and despise the football his teams play

but he has done exactly what he was brought in to do, get results
this is the sort of football he plays he's got Hull and Blues up playing this game and if you look at the upturn in our results since he came its working

yes the performances are shit (apart from Brighton) but he gets results, and that's what everyone was saying before he came, yes he will play Gabby and Gestede and Westwood etc because these are the type of players he likes, I'm only surprised he hasn't bought back Micha Richards, but lets give it time

people expecting good attacking football and him buying a usefull midfield in January will be sorely disappointed, he will just bring in more Bruce type players to grind out results to get us into the playoffs,
 anyone thinking any different just look at the two most succesful teams he has built in the past they were instantly forgettable and both were relegated soon after they went up

but that's not the point, he was bought in to get us back in the prem and that's what he is doing, yes it might be excruciating to watch but look at the results over the last 10 games

its no good people saying there will be a 'Bruce out' poll soon,
 I wanted him out the minute he walked through the door, I wont be giving him a chance because I know what he can do, he's not a up and coming manager he's what he is, a middle of the road manager playing middle of the road football he's not going to change,
 I support villa not Steve Bruce I never wanted him and never will but he's doing what we bought him in to do even I can see that

 his sort of experience and football philosophy can work its worked before, yes there is a limit to him and the championship is that limit but he is still well capable of getting us up out of this league, just don't expect him to pick the line ups we want or the formations we prefer he will do it Bruce's way the way he's done it before and can do it again

you don't buy a carthorse and then get disappointed it doesn't turn into Mill Reef,
we appointed Steve Bruce he can get results out of teams at this level, lets not get disappointed when he doesn't play the sort of stuff we want because this is what we signed up for, results

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on December 14, 2016, 09:56:05 AM
Can I just say here and now I want Steve to be given this season and next to turn us around.  It doesn't mean he's immune to criticism especially where Gabriel is concerned.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on December 14, 2016, 10:06:47 AM
Stop blaming Bruce or indeed RDM They have taken on a club who hit rock bottom last season.  New staff on and off the pitch need to bed in. We the fans are expecting too much too soon
Really? We were the 5th biggest net spender in English football in the summer only surpassed by Manu, City, Chelsea and Arsenal. We have hired coaches at premium prices  and I therefore expect better.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on December 14, 2016, 10:11:51 AM
We don't win ugly? What was Saturday then?
Yes that was Peter Beardsley standard and to be honest every win under Bruce has been ugly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on December 14, 2016, 10:23:39 AM
This is why, As I've said all along, the only way Bruce can be considered a success is if we're promoted this season because the football won't be good to watch and he won't leave us with a squad full of players who can make a step up and play the exciting football we want to see.  He was an appointment that was all about results and he needs to hope that the results justify the decision.

Specifically on yesterday I don't think that was our worst performance under him, the Blues and Leeds games were just as bad because in all 3 we played for a draw and clean sheet and in all 3 we've failed to get the latter and never looked like creating enough chances to win those games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OCD on December 14, 2016, 10:32:24 AM
I was surprised at that comment too because I thought we were lucky not to get hammered when we played Wolves.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on December 14, 2016, 10:41:35 AM
This is why, As I've said all along, the only way Bruce can be considered a success is if we're promoted this season because the football won't be good to watch and he won't leave us with a squad full of players who can make a step up and play the exciting football we want to see.  He was an appointment that was all about results and he needs to hope that the results justify the decision.

Specifically on yesterday I don't think that was our worst performance under him, the Blues and Leeds games were just as bad because in all 3 we played for a draw and clean sheet and in all 3 we've failed to get the latter and never looked like creating enough chances to win those games.

although Leeds was not great I did think we did some decent things in that game at times,
Blues was rubbish and last night an abomination
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on December 14, 2016, 10:46:08 AM
I was surprised at that comment too because I thought we were lucky not to get hammered when we played Wolves.

I've given him a bye for the Wolves game because he'd only juast join ed and probably hadn't even taken a training session.  The other 3 are all on him.

John - the problem with Leeds is that we never looked like scoring and didn't seem all that bothered about it and then they scored and we got worse and seemed to want to defend the goal difference rather than try for a point.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on December 14, 2016, 11:05:30 AM
My biggest problem actually is that the players don't seem to know how they're supposed to be playing together.  Watch and look for players running away from a pass or not making a run that they're expected to, or not picking up a player that's drifted away from their mate.  We look like a group of individuals not a team and that's why we're so easy to nullify. I have no idea what Bruce is getting them doing in training but it's not causing the team to gel or creating the unity that a good team needs.  We look a little better at set pieces (at either end) so maybe that's where he's set his focus but if so I think he needs to shift that now and put some real effort into making us look like a team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on December 14, 2016, 11:43:36 AM
The midfield is STILL the root cause of all of our problems.

Westwood is just crap, always has been, always will be.
Gardner isn't much better.
Jedinak is solid, but limited, and his passing is poor
Tshibola isn't fancied by Bruce
Bacuna is at best, a limited utility player.
Grealish is exciting, but young and very inconsistent

Any combination of the above has massive problems and has ramifications for the forward line, which on paper at least has far more quality to it.

I can't see us seriously improving until we sort the midfield out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on December 14, 2016, 12:35:16 PM
I hope you're right in your blind faith, Chris but he bores the shit out of me.

It's not a case of 'blind faith' but giving the bloke a chance. Granted we were never likely to see the fast, free flowing, entertaining football we've all become accustomed to during recent successful seasons but it's noticeable that a couple of people who were quite obviously opposed to his appointment and were never prepared to give him a chance have started posting again.

I thought he was a good appointment at the time and still do, it's not blind faith, I like the bloke, he gets teams promoted, let's worry about the relegation bit when we eventually get back up to the Big League. Bringing Agbonlahor back into the team baffles me but apart from that he's stuck with the likes of Hutton, Gardner, Westwood and Elphick for now and obviously doesn't rate a guy who has played a handful of games for Reading in recent seasons.

If he hasn't got us in a playoff position by the end of January then we should definitely sack him and bring in the Huddersfield manager.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave shelley on December 14, 2016, 12:55:43 PM
The midfield is STILL the root cause of all of our problems.

Westwood is just crap, always has been, always will be.
Gardner isn't much better.
Jedinak is solid, but limited, and his passing is poor
Tshibola isn't fancied by Bruce
Bacuna is at best, a limited utility player.
Grealish is exciting, but young and very inconsistent

Any combination of the above has massive problems and has ramifications for the forward line, which on paper at least has far more quality to it.

I can't see us seriously improving until we sort the midfield out.

That's exactly as I see it.  The only little bit of guile in there is Grealish  but, as is being alluded to is his inconsistency.  The midfield needs major heart surgery.  Until we get that, it's mid-table mediocrity I'm afraid.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on December 14, 2016, 01:29:49 PM
This is why, As I've said all along, the only way Bruce can be considered a success is if we're promoted this season because the football won't be good to watch and he won't leave us with a squad full of players who can make a step up and play the exciting football we want to see.  He was an appointment that was all about results and he needs to hope that the results justify the decision.

Specifically on yesterday I don't think that was our worst performance under him, the Blues and Leeds games were just as bad because in all 3 we played for a draw and clean sheet and in all 3 we've failed to get the latter and never looked like creating enough chances to win those games.

It was a bollocks comment then and it's a bollocks comment now.  Success will be getting us in the play offs.  Whether we win them is a bit of a lottery and that in itself would be no judgement on him being successful or not.  If he get us promoted next season, that is still success. 

We were in relegation form when he joined.  Now most people would be very surprised if we don't finish top 6.  Notwithstanding last nights shambles, so far he has done a very good job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on December 14, 2016, 01:37:30 PM
If the manager is going to conciously pick Westwood or Gabby despite having other options he shouldn't expect anything other than the result or performance from last night or the criticism that comes with it. I fully accept players need to be rotated and that maybe he doesn't as much depth or quality to call upon but those two are a complete waste of time. I hope Bruce follows through on changing things up because it is looking poor right now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rioch is King on December 14, 2016, 02:10:34 PM
His comments on BBC about last nights game...

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce:

"I can accept getting beat, what I can't accept is players not putting their boots on, not turning up.

"We did not do enough with the ball or without it and we got exactly what we deserved from the game - nothing. I can't remember a chance, I can't remember a cross going into their box, and the number of times we gave the ball away was totally unacceptable.

"Everything was set up for us after our late winner against Wigan at the weekend and I thought we would go into the game bouncing, but it never happened.

"Norwich were on the back of a tough run but we didn't put them under any pressure at all. You have got to play at a certain level if you want to play for Aston Villa and they didn't come anywhere near to reaching that.

"Having seen that I can see why the club decided to make a change and bring me in."

 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on December 14, 2016, 02:14:59 PM
His comments on BBC about last nights game...

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce:

"I can accept getting beat, what I can't accept is players not putting their boots on, not turning up.

"We did not do enough with the ball or without it and we got exactly what we deserved from the game - nothing. I can't remember a chance, I can't remember a cross going into their box, and the number of times we gave the ball away was totally unacceptable.

"Everything was set up for us after our late winner against Wigan at the weekend and I thought we would go into the game bouncing, but it never happened.

"Norwich were on the back of a tough run but we didn't put them under any pressure at all. You have got to play at a certain level if you want to play for Aston Villa and they didn't come anywhere near to reaching that.

"Having seen that I can see why the club decided to make a change and bring me in."

 

At he saw what I saw. Long term it may be a blessing that some of those shitheads showed their true colours this side of January.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on December 14, 2016, 02:15:18 PM
Just listened to that interview and he sounds extremely pissed off, doing well to hide his anger. Let's see what happens at the weekend but it's comforting to know he saw last night in exactly the same way as us fans.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on December 14, 2016, 02:29:52 PM
This is why, As I've said all along, the only way Bruce can be considered a success is if we're promoted this season because the football won't be good to watch and he won't leave us with a squad full of players who can make a step up and play the exciting football we want to see.  He was an appointment that was all about results and he needs to hope that the results justify the decision.

Specifically on yesterday I don't think that was our worst performance under him, the Blues and Leeds games were just as bad because in all 3 we played for a draw and clean sheet and in all 3 we've failed to get the latter and never looked like creating enough chances to win those games.

It was a bollocks comment then and it's a bollocks comment now.  Success will be getting us in the play offs.  Whether we win them is a bit of a lottery and that in itself would be no judgement on him being successful or not.  If he get us promoted next season, that is still success. 

We were in relegation form when he joined.  Now most people would be very surprised if we don't finish top 6.  Notwithstanding last nights shambles, so far he has done a very good job.

You can disagree but it's quite clearly not bollocks, it's an opinion.  As I said he came in to get us promoted and that's what he's got to be judged on.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: martyn ellis on December 14, 2016, 02:51:42 PM
Tactically I really feel that playing Grealish, Kodjia and Ayew together in the same team is bound to cause problems. All three of them, in their different ways, love to have the ball and love to keep the ball, which usually means attempting to beat half a dozen players from the opposition and ending up where they started, often having lost the ball. In that kind of setup there is no penetration, no urgency, no drive, no defence splitting pass and so no service to anyone who may be in a position to score a goal. The number of times last night where any one of them would receive the ball, slow the game down in attempting to beat any number of players before even thinking about a quick incisive out ball was staggering. There may be those who disagree but there was little effective service to anyone last night.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on December 14, 2016, 02:59:06 PM
Completely agree, Martyn. I mentioned last night how the three were showboating. It gave Norwich plenty of time to get back and was usually followed by a short pass back and another even further back before being hoofed up the pitch. Absolutely pointless football and those three are as guilty as any for the crap performances.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on December 14, 2016, 03:03:48 PM
Tactically I really feel that playing Grealish, Kodjia and Ayew together in the same team is bound to cause problems. All three of them, in their different ways, love to have the ball and love to keep the ball, which usually means attempting to beat half a dozen players from the opposition and ending up where they started, often having lost the ball. In that kind of setup there is no penetration, no urgency, no drive, no defence splitting pass and so no service to anyone who may be in a position to score a goal. The number of times last night where any one of them would receive the ball, slow the game down in attempting to beat any number of players before even thinking about a quick incisive out ball was staggering. There may be those who disagree but there was little effective service to anyone last night.

It's not that simple, I don't think any of them are inherently greedy, I just think they don#t know how to play together so they're all trying to do it by themselves.

I agree with the problem I just don't think blaming the players or suggesting we can't play 3 of our best players together is the right approach.  Look at how Grealish oinked with Benteke, that invovledlots of quick interchanges and was exactly what Grealish did at lower levels, it's only this year where he's held onto the ball more when there were passes on.  Watch Kodjia for Bristol City and in his better games for us, he played a lot of 1-2s and kept the ball moving, right now we're incoherent so he's not sure what to do, so he keeps it and tries to make things for himself.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on December 14, 2016, 03:07:23 PM
I was surprised at that comment too because I thought we were lucky not to get hammered when we played Wolves.

the problem with Leeds is that we never looked like scoring

Apart from when Gardner and Adomah went through on goal.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: He wears a magic hat on December 14, 2016, 03:23:56 PM
Bruce has so many issues to deal with in terms of balance in the side.

Non of our strikers seem suited to playing a sole striker role but if he goes down the road of playing two strikers it exposes the midfield. As it is we only have one stand out midfielder in Jedinek but as good as he is at his job he is a very one dimensional player and isn't suited to a 4 man midfield.

If he risked 442 who would play alongside Jedinak and who would play in the wide areas adomah is an obvious choice on the right but who on the left, Grealish, Ayew, Bacuna neither of which would set the world alight in that position. That would mean potentially leaving Grealish out of the side completely and I don't think I'd want to see that.

That's without the headache of the defence when injuries and suspension take effect.

In short Bruce is firefighting and I wouldn't be surprise to see a few more poor performances between now and the end of January.

Until he has time to bring in players that fit the system he wants to play It isn't really fair to judge him
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jon Crofts on December 14, 2016, 03:38:39 PM
Just listened to that interview and he sounds extremely pissed off, doing well to hide his anger. Let's see what happens at the weekend but it's comforting to know he saw last night in exactly the same way as us fans.

It's not like that was a first though is it, we've been as bad as that many, many times the past few years and still nobody has addressed it, getting angry is one thing, actually putting a stop to it is entirely different. I really hope that anger is channeled into actions like binning Agbonlahor and transfer listing Westwood & Elphick for starters. Action speaks louder than words and we need more than just a change of formation.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on December 14, 2016, 05:02:34 PM
Bruce has so many issues to deal with in terms of balance in the side.

Non of our strikers seem suited to playing a sole striker role but if he goes down the road of playing two strikers it exposes the midfield. As it is we only have one stand out midfielder in Jedinek but as good as he is at his job he is a very one dimensional player and isn't suited to a 4 man midfield.

If he risked 442 who would play alongside Jedinak and who would play in the wide areas adomah is an obvious choice on the right but who on the left, Grealish, Ayew, Bacuna neither of which would set the world alight in that position. That would mean potentially leaving Grealish out of the side completely and I don't think I'd want to see that.

That's without the headache of the defence when injuries and suspension take effect.

In short Bruce is firefighting and I wouldn't be surprise to see a few more poor performances between now and the end of January.

Until he has time to bring in players that fit the system he wants to play It isn't really fair to judge him
exactly as I see it.
I can make a case for only 5 outfield players Amavi Chester Jedi Grealish Kodja.
The rest either don't fit or not good enough.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on December 14, 2016, 05:05:26 PM
Meaning Evil

Quote
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has admitted his lack of trust in the 4-3-3 formation he used against Norwich City last night.

Villa went down 1-0 to the Canaries at Carrow Road to leave Bruce fuming after the final whistle.

The attacking talent he has at his disposal has seen Bruce tinker with formations since taking the reins in October.

The manager made attacking changes to try and salvage something from the game after Nelson Oliveira’s 62nd minute strike.

Bruce introduced Albert Adomah, Ross McCormack and Rudy Gestede but none of them were able to greatly improve on the efforts of the men they replaced.

And Bruce, who is already plotting changes for the visit to QPR on Sunday, told BBC WM: “We leave ourselves a little bit bare and we leave ourselves open. The one thing I’ve learnt very, very quickly is that if we do that then we are not comfortable with it.

“It’s the reason I’ve never really played 4-3-3 before and it’s the reason why we’ve done that is because if we leave it open, then we do leave ourselves exposed and that’s a worry for us.

“But, look, we can talk about tactics and we can talk about making changes, this, that and the other - but whatever we’ve done tonight isn’t good enough, simple, not good enough.

“For large periods against Leeds it could have went either way. Tonight, I couldn’t remember us creating a chance, I couldn’t remember us crossing a ball and I couldn’t remember us doing enough to win the match.”
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on December 14, 2016, 05:16:00 PM
Completely agree Jon.  The manager and the coaches must address how the players are failing.  Raging at them achieves nothing.  If they cannot follow basic instructions they have to go.  Getting angry is just a form of managerial showboating.  If Ayew for example, tries to beat the opposition three at a time but screws up before he tries to do it again he must be told.  If he still does it replace him.  Coaches coach, managers manage.  Anger does not come into it.  Be angry by all means but don't let it cloud your judgement.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on December 14, 2016, 05:17:28 PM
I was surprised at that comment too because I thought we were lucky not to get hammered when we played Wolves.

the problem with Leeds is that we never looked like scoring

Apart from when Gardner and Adomah went through on goal.

That Gardner chance should have acted as a template. We broke at pace, got a 3 on 2 and then never tried it for the rest of the game.

Leeds weren't at the races for the first 60 minutes and there was space to exploit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on December 14, 2016, 06:12:56 PM
Just listened to that interview and he sounds extremely pissed off, doing well to hide his anger. Let's see what happens at the weekend but it's comforting to know he saw last night in exactly the same way as us fans.

It's not like that was a first though is it, we've been as bad as that many, many times the past few years and still nobody has addressed it, getting angry is one thing, actually putting a stop to it is entirely different. I really hope that anger is channeled into actions like binning Agbonlahor and transfer listing Westwood & Elphick for starters. Action speaks louder than words and we need more than just a change of formation.

Jon, after last night I'm clutching for straws, any straws that can give me just the tiniest bit of hope that we've got ourselves another dud. You're damn right though, actions most certainly speak loader than words, even Sherwood could talk a good game.

I wonder if it's any coincidence that things have gone down hill since the arrival of Colin Calderwood? Maybe with Bruce delegating more our little prima donnas are missing the love and affection of Uncle Steve. God knows but yesterday was a disgrace.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on December 14, 2016, 06:23:50 PM
Just listened to that interview and he sounds extremely pissed off, doing well to hide his anger. Let's see what happens at the weekend but it's comforting to know he saw last night in exactly the same way as us fans.

It's not like that was a first though is it, we've been as bad as that many, many times the past few years and still nobody has addressed it, getting angry is one thing, actually putting a stop to it is entirely different. I really hope that anger is channeled into actions like binning Agbonlahor and transfer listing Westwood & Elphick for starters. Action speaks louder than words and we need more than just a change of formation.

Jon, after last night I'm clutching for straws, any straws that can give me just the tiniest bit of hope that we've got ourselves another dud. You're damn right though, actions most certainly speak loader than words, even Sherwood could talk a good game.

I wonder if it's any coincidence that things have gone down hill since the arrival of Colin Calderwood? Maybe with Bruce delegating more our little prima donnas are missing the love and affection of Uncle Steve. God knows but yesterday was a disgrace.

Things gone downhill since Calderwood has been in? We've won 2, lost 2 and drawn 1. How is that downhill?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on December 14, 2016, 06:25:34 PM
I think losing Baker has had an impact.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on December 14, 2016, 06:45:29 PM
Just listened to that interview and he sounds extremely pissed off, doing well to hide his anger. Let's see what happens at the weekend but it's comforting to know he saw last night in exactly the same way as us fans.

It's not like that was a first though is it, we've been as bad as that many, many times the past few years and still nobody has addressed it, getting angry is one thing, actually putting a stop to it is entirely different. I really hope that anger is channeled into actions like binning Agbonlahor and transfer listing Westwood & Elphick for starters. Action speaks louder than words and we need more than just a change of formation.

Jon, after last night I'm clutching for straws, any straws that can give me just the tiniest bit of hope that we've got ourselves another dud. You're damn right though, actions most certainly speak loader than words, even Sherwood could talk a good game.

I wonder if it's any coincidence that things have gone down hill since the arrival of Colin Calderwood? Maybe with Bruce delegating more our little prima donnas are missing the love and affection of Uncle Steve. God knows but yesterday was a disgrace.

Things gone downhill since Calderwood has been in? We've won 2, lost 2 and drawn 1. How is that downhill?

Our performances appear to have gone downhill

Before CC:
Brighton - Best we've probably looked since Bruce arrived

With CC:
Cardiff - Poor
Leeds - Poor & clueless
Wigan - Shite
Norwich - Utter shite

See the pattern?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on December 14, 2016, 06:50:30 PM
Just listened to that interview and he sounds extremely pissed off, doing well to hide his anger. Let's see what happens at the weekend but it's comforting to know he saw last night in exactly the same way as us fans.

It's not like that was a first though is it, we've been as bad as that many, many times the past few years and still nobody has addressed it, getting angry is one thing, actually putting a stop to it is entirely different. I really hope that anger is channeled into actions like binning Agbonlahor and transfer listing Westwood & Elphick for starters. Action speaks louder than words and we need more than just a change of formation.

Jon, after last night I'm clutching for straws, any straws that can give me just the tiniest bit of hope that we've got ourselves another dud. You're damn right though, actions most certainly speak loader than words, even Sherwood could talk a good game.

I wonder if it's any coincidence that things have gone down hill since the arrival of Colin Calderwood? Maybe with Bruce delegating more our little prima donnas are missing the love and affection of Uncle Steve. God knows but yesterday was a disgrace.

Things gone downhill since Calderwood has been in? We've won 2, lost 2 and drawn 1. How is that downhill?

Our performances appear to have gone downhill

Before CC:
Brighton - Best we've probably looked since Bruce arrived

With CC:
Cardiff - Poor
Leeds - Poor & clueless
Wigan - Shite
Norwich - Utter shite

See the pattern?

Not really, not enough to point out that it might be Calderwood. I'd say we've just not played as well as we should.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on December 14, 2016, 07:00:14 PM
If you read my original post, I'm not blaming Calderwood, I think he's a good appointment. It's the players I'm blaming.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on December 14, 2016, 07:01:19 PM
We've won 5 of his 10 games, which is more than we won in the League in the whole of last season. That will more than do me for now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: 260475 on December 14, 2016, 07:02:22 PM
Think more allowance should be made for the fact that none of the players available are SB buys. He will be working flat out to try and get the best out of a clutch of bods almost all who were bought over recent times by average, fake or novice managers with no (previous) board oversight - from an agents catalogue if there was such a thing. This is a big task, and when I read that "everyone should know...", or "anyone could choose a over b" it can't be so simple. There is a limited pool to choose from, injuries and attitude (lack of talent?) can be roadblocks, what we want is to see effort, and I can't imagine the Manager suggesting that effort isn't required, doesn't matter, or that this weeks opposition will be a soft touch, not requiring any.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on December 14, 2016, 07:03:18 PM
If you read my original post, I'm not blaming Calderwood, I think he's a good appointment. It's the players I'm blaming.

Then why mention his name and list all the games since he's been in followed by 'see the pattern' if it's the players fault?

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on December 14, 2016, 07:11:28 PM
If you read my original post, I'm not blaming Calderwood, I think he's a good appointment. It's the players I'm blaming.

Then why mention his name and list all the games since he's been in followed by 'see the pattern' if it's the players fault?

Did you manage to read my post beyond the mention of Calderwood? The answer's there.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on December 14, 2016, 09:27:03 PM
I have no doubt Bruce will get us promoted. He will need some significant help in January and a tremendous second half run to make it happen this season. I am sure if it isn't this season it will be next.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy65 on December 14, 2016, 09:33:10 PM
We've won 5 of his 10 games, which is more than we won in the League in the whole of last season. That will more than do me for now.

The

Lack of effort
Poor tactics
Poor team selection
Leaving better players as subs
Playing Hoof ball
Giving the captaincy back to Tommy
Playing Gabby

Is more worrying for me
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Pat McMahon on December 14, 2016, 10:17:08 PM
Tactically I really feel that playing Grealish, Kodjia and Ayew together in the same team is bound to cause problems. All three of them, in their different ways, love to have the ball and love to keep the ball, which usually means attempting to beat half a dozen players from the opposition and ending up where they started, often having lost the ball. In that kind of setup there is no penetration, no urgency, no drive, no defence splitting pass and so no service to anyone who may be in a position to score a goal. The number of times last night where any one of them would receive the ball, slow the game down in attempting to beat any number of players before even thinking about a quick incisive out ball was staggering. There may be those who disagree but there was little effective service to anyone last night.
My very thoughts after watching us struggle to overwhelm Wigan. No quick passing or tempo to our play.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on December 14, 2016, 10:31:21 PM
We've won 5 of his 10 games, which is more than we won in the League in the whole of last season. That will more than do me for now.

The

Lack of effort
Poor tactics
Poor team selection
Leaving better players as subs
Playing Hoof ball
Giving the captaincy back to Tommy
Playing Gabby

Is more worrying for me

Everything about aston villa worries me but I'm positive we have a manager who has a proven track record in getting teams promoted. A 50% win record with someone else's unbalanced squad shouldn't be sniffed at
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on December 14, 2016, 10:35:33 PM
Tactically I really feel that playing Grealish, Kodjia and Ayew together in the same team is bound to cause problems. All three of them, in their different ways, love to have the ball and love to keep the ball, which usually means attempting to beat half a dozen players from the opposition and ending up where they started, often having lost the ball. In that kind of setup there is no penetration, no urgency, no drive, no defence splitting pass and so no service to anyone who may be in a position to score a goal. The number of times last night where any one of them would receive the ball, slow the game down in attempting to beat any number of players before even thinking about a quick incisive out ball was staggering. There may be those who disagree but there was little effective service to anyone last night.

It's not that simple, I don't think any of them are inherently greedy, I just think they don#t know how to play together so they're all trying to do it by themselves.

I agree with the problem I just don't think blaming the players or suggesting we can't play 3 of our best players together is the right approach.  Look at how Grealish oinked with Benteke, that invovledlots of quick interchanges and was exactly what Grealish did at lower levels, it's only this year where he's held onto the ball more when there were passes on.  Watch Kodjia for Bristol City and in his better games for us, he played a lot of 1-2s and kept the ball moving, right now we're incoherent so he's not sure what to do, so he keeps it and tries to make things for himself.

That was back in his 'hippy crack' days though. Rumour has it that he thought he was an entire farmyard, tractor and all, at one party.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on December 14, 2016, 10:48:34 PM
Bruce will get us up, but it won't be this season. He's got a mid-table side here. We've got a plethora of the most mercurially talented players in the division, but what we don't have is players like Dorrans and Brady who are industrious and have a little quality. Shelvey for the Toon is a good example too. They're not players who get you off your seat much, but you absolutely have to have 7/10 players in this league. Consistency. Ayew might produce something utterly wondrous but if he's AWOL during the other 90% of the games, he's fucking useless. Grealish is inconsistent and so is Kodjia, but they're both still delivering just about enough from the mercurial side of things. But we've got no balance. You can't play a 4-2-3-1 in this divison with 4 attacking players who will "occasionally" do something spectacular. You especially cannot do that if you're only good CM is Jedinak who needs legs around him, and looks better playing in a 3 man mid.

It's no exaggeration to say we're 2-3 midfielders short, at a minimum. They've got to be industrious, athletic and have a little quality. Most importantly they need consistency. Brady would be a great signing.

MIDFIELD! MIDFIELD! MIDFIELD!!!!!!!!
We've been saying it for bloody years and it has to be rectified in January. If we have any hope of a late top 6 push, we need to sort the midfield. We also need one of an experienced Keeper or CH. Either we get someone who keeps Elphick on his game from behind, or we get someone to replace Elphick. But if we have time and money...both.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on December 15, 2016, 12:26:01 AM
SB will sort the wasters out. He must stop playing Gabby, Westwood, Elphick and Gestede. Simply not good enough. The team has regressed into that couldn't care less attitude again after a few decent results. That underlying malaise still lingers and will resurface at any given time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on December 15, 2016, 04:48:54 AM
He needs to find a formation and stick to it as best he can, home and away and between now and January find a way of processing the ball a lot quicker, this will not happen with either or both in the side Ayew, young Jack, they hold onto the ball to long and offer no protection to the defence.
Midfield and a CH in January is now a must, we moan about the strikers but how many chances are we actually creating especially since Bruce has taken the reins, a solid midfield is something that has been missing at Villa Park for a lot longer than Bruce has been here, we are not going anywhere unless this is addressed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: peter w on December 15, 2016, 06:30:45 AM
The midfield is STILL the root cause of all of our problems.

Westwood is just crap, always has been, always will be.
Gardner isn't much better.
Jedinak is solid, but limited, and his passing is poor
Tshibola isn't fancied by Bruce
Bacuna is at best, a limited utility player.
Grealish is exciting, but young and very inconsistent

Any combination of the above has massive problems and has ramifications for the forward line, which on paper at least has far more quality to it.

I can't see us seriously improving until we sort the midfield out.

That's exactly as I see it.  The only little bit of guile in there is Grealish  but, as is being alluded to is his inconsistency.  The midfield needs major heart surgery.  Until we get that, it's mid-table mediocrity I'm afraid.

Agree with both you and Risso.

What's more annoying is that without an effective midfield we are stunting Grealish's development. he needs a running midfield and forward line that link together and work with each other allowing him to roam freely and cause as much damage as possible without fear of making a mistake. At the moment we are putting too much pressure on him to deliver every time he touches the ball - its just pure frustration and desperation. When we had that spell of Delph/Cleverley/Beneteke (and even Westwood...) all dovetailing off each other Grealish had the freedom to make mistakes. And what he did was show us what a special player he could be if played and used properly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jon Crofts on December 15, 2016, 10:03:59 AM
Here you go Steve Bruce, someones done the homework for you.

https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/loris-karius-and-five-other-keepers-have-better-passing-stats-than-the-most-pointless-midfielder/102723
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on December 15, 2016, 10:11:02 AM
Here you go Steve Bruce, someones done the homework for you.

https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/loris-karius-and-five-other-keepers-have-better-passing-stats-than-the-most-pointless-midfielder/102723

Excellent article, you really do start to wonder what exactly we're missing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on December 15, 2016, 01:27:12 PM
Here you go Steve Bruce, someones done the homework for you.

https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/loris-karius-and-five-other-keepers-have-better-passing-stats-than-the-most-pointless-midfielder/102723

The previous 4 managers before Bruce picked him as well in fairness.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave shelley on December 15, 2016, 03:56:41 PM
Does he operate a car-washing service on the side specialising in mates rates?  It seems the only answer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mallo on December 15, 2016, 05:35:27 PM
Here you go Steve Bruce, someones done the homework for you.

https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/loris-karius-and-five-other-keepers-have-better-passing-stats-than-the-most-pointless-midfielder/102723

The one-to-one after that would be interesting as per Steve Rounds' comments about feedback - Ashley - touch the ball a bit more, and pass it forwards. About 80 times more please. I hope we have someone lined up to literally start on 1st Jan in midfield. Whats Patrik Berger up to these days? He could pick a pass ;-)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on December 15, 2016, 08:41:10 PM
Does he operate a car-washing service on the side specialising in mates rates?  It seems the only answer.

No, but his brother Tim knows all the big rap stars and he gets loads of signed CD's for the lads.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on December 15, 2016, 10:30:13 PM
Here you go Steve Bruce, someones done the homework for you.

https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/loris-karius-and-five-other-keepers-have-better-passing-stats-than-the-most-pointless-midfielder/102723

Excellent article, you really do start to wonder what exactly we're missing.

Keeps his head down, runs a lot, never complains. I understand why managers give him a go. But the problem is for all his fantastic attitude and work ethic he just doesnt have the skills we currently need.

Also its now got to the point where its also bad for him. Villa fans now universally know what he is about and thats not going to change until he takes an extended break from the starting 11. Villa fans are fair and if after a couple of months he comes back in and is clearly improved than all will be good. But right now we all (rightfully) groan when we see his name come up. We know what he does and its not good enough for us at the moment.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: robbo1874 on December 17, 2016, 02:15:13 AM
I just read an article in the mail that was tweeted by Mat Kendrick.

Seems like Bruce is running out of patience with some of the players and there could be wholesale changes against qpr. I like that he's come out and said that ahead of the match. He knows that it's his cock on the block if the team doesn't perform and he's going to try and shake things up. That's good management. He hasn't said who will be left out, but I think we could all guess at least three players.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on December 17, 2016, 06:15:30 AM
We haven't really got anything better to replace them with at the moment. Hopefully a remedy is on its way! Jenkinson for starters. 2 midfielders too.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on December 17, 2016, 06:32:13 AM
Respect Robbo, but the players Bruce intends to leave out for the QPR game are ones that he should not have put in the Norwich game to start with.  For me, the worst thing of the bad, bad, night at Norwich was Bruce caving in to the curse of the six previous managers namely not responding to the blindingly obvious inadequacies of certain players.  See the excellent first three paragraphs of Mr Woodhall's piece "Pressed-back".  The manager's performance against Norwich did the impossible and was worse than the players'.  His anger after the game was very dramatic but should have been directed as much at himself as the team.  Steve Bruce has as much riding on the QPR game as the players do.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: robbo1874 on December 17, 2016, 07:30:21 AM
I just think it's good that if we're shit and lack effort he calls it out and is prepared to make changes rather than mumbling about how excellent we were.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on December 17, 2016, 07:48:30 AM
I agree one hundred percent Robbo.  All I ask from Bruce or any Villa manager is the ability to assess their own performance. It is not practical or desirable that they should blame themselves publicly, just privately to themselves.
The bigger picture for years has been the worrying downward spiral of bad judgement by our managers and coaches.  Knee jerk selections based on "more of the same".
I wish I could remember who posted it, but there was a brilliant picture that not only summed it up perfectly for me but also made me laugh.  It had one of our past failed managers at training with his coaches.  One of the coaches is pointing.  He is saying "He's shit, and he's shit and he's shit.  He used to be good but now he's shit".
That is the background I see in my mind's eye for players getting into our starting teams on a basis of being the least worst option.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on December 17, 2016, 07:57:11 AM
My guess is Bruce's anger is directed at the players he gave new opportunities to that let him down. In that he only has himself to blame for not knowing better or naivety.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on December 17, 2016, 08:16:24 AM
Or, TV, the possibility I most fear that he is letting others influence him.  I like Steve Bruce, he is the right man at the right time for us.  He is experienced, practical and well grounded.  He has been around the block enough times to know what comes next and how to deal with it effectively.  He will get us back into the Premiership but only if the errors, waste and confusion of his predecessors can be eradicated for good.  He has to be his own man.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on December 17, 2016, 09:02:55 AM
Please take this in the light hearted spirit it is intended.  It is Christmas.

Before the Norwich game The Malandro and I were chatting by text.  I predicted that Gabby would start the game.  Malandro later congratulated me that my wish had been granted when the team was named.  I assured him that it was just business.  Now read on....

The scene is the CEO's office Villa Park last week.

Enter Steve Bruce.

Secretary)  Good morning Mr Bruce.  Will you go right in please.  Mr Wyness is expecting you.

Steve Bruce enters Wyness' office.

Wyness)  Thanks for coming in Steve.

Bruce)  No problem.  What's up?

Wyness)  It's Gabby.

Bruce) What about him?

Wyness)  I have got somebody interested in taking him in the January window.

Bruce)  Are you serious? Who?

Wyness)  For your ears only.  Fat Boys Berne.  Very keen.

Bruce)  For real money?

Wyness). Swiss francs.  As real as it gets.

Bruce) How much?

Wyness) Two million quid, same wages as we are paying him.

Bruce) Bite their hands off.

Wyness). There is a small problem.

Bruce) Which is?

Wyness) I told them he's a reformed character, pulling up trees in training.  You know, a sales pitch.

Bruce) There's sales pitches and downright porkies.

Wyness)  There is no easy way to tell you this, Steve, I have told them he is starting against Norwich.


Curtain.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldtimernow on December 17, 2016, 09:25:50 AM
Thanks for my first Christmas Panto of the season Brian.

 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldtimernow on December 17, 2016, 09:27:02 AM
When can I expect the Christmas Carol version please?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on December 17, 2016, 10:09:52 AM
When can I expect the Christmas Carol version please?

Good king Wyness first looked out
On the feast of Steven
"Send that fat fuck Gabby off
 To somewhere shit like Sweden'
 
 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on December 17, 2016, 10:54:17 AM
Dear Steve,

Stop picking that twat Agbonlahor.

Kind Regards,

All Villa fans except Jane.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on December 17, 2016, 12:51:52 PM
Dear Steve,

Stop picking that twat Agbonlahor.

Kind Regards,

All Villa fans except Jane.

And Si
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ktvillan on December 17, 2016, 01:25:25 PM
We haven't really got anything better to replace them with at the moment. Hopefully a remedy is on its way! Jenkinson for starters. 2 midfielders too.

We have though Newby.  Tshibola, Bacuna, Green, Gestede and RHM should all be ahead of Westwood, Hutton, and especially kebab boy.  True they are mostly not all that but they are not as bad as the incumbents.  It really is mystifying why so many of our managers have persisted with  the clearly ineffectual Westwood.   
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nigel on December 17, 2016, 03:53:03 PM
I just read an article in the mail that was tweeted by Mat Kendrick.

Seems like Bruce is running out of patience with some of the players and there could be wholesale changes against qpr. I like that he's come out and said that ahead of the match. He knows that it's his cock on the block if the team doesn't perform and he's going to try and shake things up. That's good management. He hasn't said who will be left out, but I think we could all guess at least three players.

I don't really do Twitter, but have an account.
I get tweet alerts from Dr Tony, and one of them  was also along the lines of 'Angry at the effort of certain players'

I reckon Dr Tony could ship a few out regardless
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on December 17, 2016, 04:08:44 PM
I just read an article in the mail that was tweeted by Mat Kendrick.

Seems like Bruce is running out of patience with some of the players and there could be wholesale changes against qpr. I like that he's come out and said that ahead of the match. He knows that it's his cock on the block if the team doesn't perform and he's going to try and shake things up. That's good management. He hasn't said who will be left out, but I think we could all guess at least three players.

I don't really do Twitter, but have an account.
I get tweet alerts from Dr Tony, and one of them  was also along the lines of 'Angry at the effort of certain players'

I reckon Dr Tony could ship a few out regardless

It'll end in tears.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on December 17, 2016, 07:20:10 PM
I reckon Dr Tony could ship a few out regardless
And how does he do that?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on December 17, 2016, 07:46:12 PM
I just read an article in the mail that was tweeted by Mat Kendrick.

Seems like Bruce is running out of patience with some of the players and there could be wholesale changes against qpr. I like that he's come out and said that ahead of the match. He knows that it's his cock on the block if the team doesn't perform and he's going to try and shake things up. That's good management. He hasn't said who will be left out, but I think we could all guess at least three players.

I don't really do Twitter, but have an account.
I get tweet alerts from Dr Tony, and one of them  was also along the lines of 'Angry at the effort of certain players'

I reckon Dr Tony could ship a few out regardless

It'll end in tears.

Owners tweeting about players.

That's never, ever ending in a good place.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on December 17, 2016, 07:48:48 PM
I just read an article in the mail that was tweeted by Mat Kendrick.

Seems like Bruce is running out of patience with some of the players and there could be wholesale changes against qpr. I like that he's come out and said that ahead of the match. He knows that it's his cock on the block if the team doesn't perform and he's going to try and shake things up. That's good management. He hasn't said who will be left out, but I think we could all guess at least three players.

I don't really do Twitter, but have an account.
I get tweet alerts from Dr Tony, and one of them  was also along the lines of 'Angry at the effort of certain players'

I reckon Dr Tony could ship a few out regardless

It'll end in tears.

When the good Doctor questions Gabriel's manliness in a tweet and then SB states that the player was made a scapegoat, you may rest assured that there may be trouble ahead. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on December 17, 2016, 10:58:23 PM
Decent article.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/17/steve-bruce-no-illusions-hard-task-restoring-fallen-giant-aston/
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on December 18, 2016, 04:24:30 PM
I know it hasn't really worked when we've used it before, but I wonder whether it is time to go to a 3-5-2 formation.  Bruce has used it before and I think a lot of our problems came from Lambert not knowing how to set it up properly.  I think we need three in midfield and two up front, so that would be a way of accommodating both.  I suppose the other option could be a diamond. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on December 18, 2016, 04:29:18 PM
Bruce has used 352 and it could suit a number of our players - McCormack, grealish, Bacuna, amavi, Jedinak, kodjia.

But it's a hard system to get right. There's no place for adomah. Not sure it suits baker. And the wing backs can get isolated two on one
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on December 18, 2016, 04:38:38 PM
Bruce has used 352 and it could suit a number of our players - McCormack, grealish, Bacuna, amavi, Jedinak, kodjia.

But it's a hard system to get right. There's no place for adomah. Not sure it suits baker. And the wing backs can get isolated two on one

In other words, it's a terrible idea, so let's never mention it again! ;)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on December 18, 2016, 04:50:12 PM
Like Basil Fawlty and the War.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on December 19, 2016, 12:15:02 AM
Bruce has used 352 and it could suit a number of our players - McCormack, grealish, Bacuna, amavi, Jedinak, kodjia.

But it's a hard system to get right. There's no place for adomah. Not sure it suits baker. And the wing backs can get isolated two on one

I'll be honest Matt, I've been a bit underwhelmed by Adomah.  I guess it could be argued that he is still settling in, but from what I have seen, he doesn't produce much in the way of crosses or assists.  Having Hutton behind him doesn't help as most of the passes he receives are misplaced, but he hasn't really offered a lot so far.  Seeing as we get little from the left either, it might be worth switching to wing backs or just leaving the channels open for the full backs to go into.

I just think we have to find a way of playing that accommodates three in midfield and two up front.  Kodjia looked so much better today as part of a front two.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on December 19, 2016, 09:48:38 AM
Bruce has used 352 and it could suit a number of our players - McCormack, grealish, Bacuna, amavi, Jedinak, kodjia.

But it's a hard system to get right. There's no place for adomah. Not sure it suits baker. And the wing backs can get isolated two on one

I'll be honest Matt, I've been a bit underwhelmed by Adomah.  I guess it could be argued that he is still settling in, but from what I have seen, he doesn't produce much in the way of crosses or assists.  Having Hutton behind him doesn't help as most of the passes he receives are misplaced, but he hasn't really offered a lot so far.  Seeing as we get little from the left either, it might be worth switching to wing backs or just leaving the channels open for the full backs to go into.

I just think we have to find a way of playing that accommodates three in midfield and two up front.  Kodjia looked so much better today as part of a front two.

Was being part of a front 2 the important bit though?  I think being central and having people get close to him is what matters. So play a 433 but allow the wide forwards to get in the box and encourage one of the midfield 3 to get into the box early.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on December 19, 2016, 09:38:22 PM
Adomah doesn't look premier league class but I think he's scored one and assured four (fulham, brighton, Cardiff and one other) already no?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on December 20, 2016, 09:08:16 AM
I like him a lot
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JUAN PABLO on December 20, 2016, 09:33:43 AM
I  thought he did ok on sunday , at least he worked hard , tracked back and tried things .
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: amfy on December 20, 2016, 10:00:06 AM
I think we play much more dynamically with Adomah in the side. The ball move more quickly, and it's all a bit less predictable. I think he is inconsistent, but improving.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on December 20, 2016, 10:05:21 AM
I like him a lot. He works hard and crosses with both feet, he'd be one of the first names on the sheet for me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eamonn on December 20, 2016, 12:37:36 PM
Decent article.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/17/steve-bruce-no-illusions-hard-task-restoring-fallen-giant-aston/

Quote
Xia, who is said to average just two hours of sleep a night, is a man in a hurry and the Chinese entrepreneur has grandiose plans for the former European Cup winners.

Two hours a night? Maybe he was at that recent Robot conference to have his circuit rewired.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on December 20, 2016, 12:43:13 PM
So play a 433 but allow the wide forwards to get in the box and encourage one of the midfield 3 to get into the box early.

Indeed. It's all well and good saying Adomah doesn't get crosses in but there's nobody there to cross to. Kodjia/Gabby/Rudi are always ridiculously outnumbered due to us not getting players into the box. Until we resolve that problem we will continue to struggle to score goals.

Bruce has sorted out the defence (4th best in the division) but attacking wise 18 teams have scored as many (2) or more than us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: class-of-82 on December 20, 2016, 12:46:20 PM
Just wish Adomah would play on the shoulder or hug the touch line but he don't, he always seems to want to go back towards Hutton to get the ball.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on December 20, 2016, 06:12:38 PM
The stuff on other threads got me thinking, has a Villa manager had so many problems that were not of his own making?
Gabbys involvement
McCormicks fitness
AAyews attitude
Bakers fragility
Huttons inability
Westwood being Westwood
Gardener not being good enough
Grealish Special talent or passenger?
Kodjia where to play and off to Africa
Gollini or Bunn?
And surplus to requirements Micah Tish Kodak
It's a pretty messy boat.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on December 20, 2016, 06:15:49 PM
AAyews attitude

I think that's Slavan Bilic's problem.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on December 20, 2016, 06:16:46 PM
The stuff on other threads got me thinking, has a Villa manager had so many problems that were not of his own making?
Gabbys involvement
McCormicks fitness
AAyews attitude
Bakers fragility
Huttons inability
Westwood being Westwood
Gardener not being good enough
Grealish Special talent or passenger?
Kodjia where to play and off to Africa
Gollini or Bunn?
And surplus to requirements Micah Tish Kodak
It's a pretty messy boat.


I'd say that's one of the more over the top posts that I've read in a while. You're making it sound as if we have a team full of misfits. Messy boat, what a load of twaddle.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on December 20, 2016, 06:19:07 PM
Other managers seem to do the job with far less talent. As toothless as QPR were on Sunday, they managed to string a few passes together, something we've struggled to do this millennia. I'm being to think Toronto was right, crap football is part of our DNA. We don't 'alf pick 'em.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on December 20, 2016, 07:15:55 PM
I  thought he did ok on sunday , at least he worked hard , tracked back and tried things .

The tracking back is one of the things I noticed on Sunday, he did it quite a lot. I like him. His crossing can sometimes be a bit hit and miss but he's not been too bad a buy up to now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on December 20, 2016, 07:27:03 PM
The stuff on other threads got me thinking, has a Villa manager had so many problems that were not of his own making?
Gabbys involvement
McCormicks fitness
AAyews attitude
Bakers fragility
Huttons inability
Westwood being Westwood
Gardener not being good enough
Grealish Special talent or passenger?
Kodjia where to play and off to Africa
Gollini or Bunn?
And surplus to requirements Micah Tish Kodak
It's a pretty messy boat.


as bad as we can be at times, he probably has one of the top two squads in the division to work with, I'd say he was one of the lucky ones and I think he knows it
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on December 20, 2016, 07:38:54 PM
Or expressed another way

Gabby's rehabilitation
McCormack's settling in
Ayew's talent
Baker coming on very nicely
Hutton's commitment
Westwood taking all the flak without whining or sulking
Gardner battling back from horrendous injury
Grealish confirming his special quality
Kodjia doubling in value
Gollini and Bunn learning their trade
Kojak see Gardner
Tshibola excellent prospect
Richards nailed on for Sunderland in January

Pretty ship shape compared with six months ago I would say.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: peter w on December 20, 2016, 07:47:54 PM
When can I expect the Christmas Carol version please?

Good king Wyness first looked out
On the feast of Steven
"Send that fat fuck Gabby off
 To somewhere shit like Sweden'
 
 


Well I liked it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: peter w on December 20, 2016, 07:50:42 PM
The stuff on other threads got me thinking, has a Villa manager had so many problems that were not of his own making?
Gabbys involvement
McCormicks fitness
AAyews attitude
Bakers fragility
Huttons inability
Westwood being Westwood
Gardener not being good enough
Grealish Special talent or passenger?
Kodjia where to play and off to Africa
Gollini or Bunn?
And surplus to requirements Micah Tish Kodak
It's a pretty messy boat.


I'd say that's one of the more over the top posts that I've read in a while. You're making it sound as if we have a team full of misfits. Messy boat, what a load of twaddle.

You think we're mid-table, and never on Page 1 of Ceefax Championship table, because we only need a midfielder or two?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on December 20, 2016, 07:52:52 PM
Most likely because we gave the rest of the division an 11 game start because RDM was crap.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on December 20, 2016, 07:59:44 PM
The stuff on other threads got me thinking, has a Villa manager had so many problems that were not of his own making?
Gabbys involvement
McCormicks fitness
AAyews attitude
Bakers fragility
Huttons inability
Westwood being Westwood
Gardener not being good enough
Grealish Special talent or passenger?
Kodjia where to play and off to Africa
Gollini or Bunn?
And surplus to requirements Micah Tish Kodak
It's a pretty messy boat.


I'd say that's one of the more over the top posts that I've read in a while. You're making it sound as if we have a team full of misfits. Messy boat, what a load of twaddle.
its a reflection of what is currently being said on this site, so your fellow posters are over the top then, actually I do think we have a number of misfits but you are of course welcome to your opinion. Happy Clampymass.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on December 20, 2016, 08:05:31 PM
Not only did we give the Second Division an 11 game start we ended the last days of the Lerner ownership not as a sick club but as a totally disfunctional one.  We belly flopped into the Championship.  It has taken until now to get to our feet.  We have a good owner and a good manager.  The long march back has begun.  Many fans and I include myself, have been too fond of seeing the worst in our club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on December 20, 2016, 08:42:24 PM
The bit that's got me is the 'not of his own making' line.

Gabbys involvement - already written off by most fans, SB decided to reintroduce so totally his own making
McCormicks fitness - initially not his fault but he's been here for long enough to be responsible for this still not being properly addressed
AAyews attitude - Ayew was our best player for 11 games, his attitude has only been questionable since he's struggled being played asa  wide midfielder by Bruce
Bakers fragility - Fair point
Huttons inability - He has the choice to play Bacuna there
Westwood being Westwood - He has the choice to pick other players, Tish for example
Gardener not being good enough - As above
Grealish Special talent or passenger? - Silly statement, finding a spot for th emost naturally talented player in th esquad really shouldn't be beyond anyone
Kodjia where to play and off to Africa - Play him up front, it's simple.  ACON is another matter but it's not as if no other manager has to deal with it.
Gollini or Bunn? - Fair point on this one, but both should be good enough to hold their own in this league.
And surplus to requirements Micah Tish Kodak - Micah no problem other than SB trying to fit him in for his first game, Tish is a problem entirely created by SB, Kozak is a guy who seems to have had his career ruined by a series of horrific injuries, unfortunate but no major problem.

So there's 3-4 valid concerns that are nothing to do with Bruce in that list.  Any new manager who comes in mid-season to replace a sacked manager would expect at least that because if there's no problems the other guy would still be there.

I'm not dismissing the concerns, I just don't agree that he isn't responsible for as many on that list as were dropped on him.  There were others that he's solved that you've missed though.  I just don't like the idea of this leading to 'poor Steve Bruce given the impossible job of getting promotion with one of the 2 most expensive squads in the league'.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on December 20, 2016, 09:02:06 PM
The mediocre start that we made wasn't helpful and I think we can all agree that we haven't won as many games we should have but I think Bruce has done well overall since he's been in. I don't think we have a number of of misfits. One or two are not good enough and one or two are not playing to their capabilities. Others have done well. We're not a messy boat, we've just not won enough games.

Happy Clampymass.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on December 20, 2016, 09:10:53 PM
The clear problem was the lack of focus for the full game under RDM, at about 80 minutes we seemed to lose faith that we could get a result and collapse in ourselves and it was then a matter of time before we'd concede and throw away points.  That mental weakness was the only major problem Bruce needed to address because we'd played mostly decent football and were scoring enough goals to be competitive but the belief just wasn't there.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on December 20, 2016, 09:28:02 PM
Both have had 11 league games, under RDM we scored 2 and conceded 6 in the last 10 mins, under Bruce we've scored 4 and conceded 1.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on December 20, 2016, 10:54:59 PM
W6
D3
L2

Good record. Solid start and should get better.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on December 20, 2016, 11:02:23 PM
Even more impressive when you consider our previous 3 managers (4 if you include Black as he had a number of games) won 9 league games between them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: achilles on December 20, 2016, 11:14:32 PM
The bit that's got me is the 'not of his own making' line.

Gabbys involvement - already written off by most fans, SB decided to reintroduce so totally his own making
McCormicks fitness - initially not his fault but he's been here for long enough to be responsible for this still not being properly addressed
AAyews attitude - Ayew was our best player for 11 games, his attitude has only been questionable since he's struggled being played asa  wide midfielder by Bruce
Bakers fragility - Fair point
Huttons inability - He has the choice to play Bacuna there
Westwood being Westwood - He has the choice to pick other players, Tish for example
Gardener not being good enough - As above
Grealish Special talent or passenger? - Silly statement, finding a spot for th emost naturally talented player in th esquad really shouldn't be beyond anyone
Kodjia where to play and off to Africa - Play him up front, it's simple.  ACON is another matter but it's not as if no other manager has to deal with it.
Gollini or Bunn? - Fair point on this one, but both should be good enough to hold their own in this league.
And surplus to requirements Micah Tish Kodak - Micah no problem other than SB trying to fit him in for his first game, Tish is a problem entirely created by SB, Kozak is a guy who seems to have had his career ruined by a series of horrific injuries, unfortunate but no major problem.

So there's 3-4 valid concerns that are nothing to do with Bruce in that list. Any new manager who comes in mid-season to replace a sacked manager would expect at least that because if there's no problems the other guy would still be there.

I'm not dismissing the concerns, I just don't agree that he isn't responsible for as many on that list as were dropped on him.  There were others that he's solved that you've missed though.  I just don't like the idea of this leading to 'poor Steve Bruce given the impossible job of getting promotion with one of the 2 most expensive squads in the league'.

That to me is the most important, he wouldn't be here if we hadn't of been shit so you know it isn't going to be plain sailing, so get shoveling!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on December 20, 2016, 11:22:49 PM
Both have had 11 league games, under RDM we scored 2 and conceded 6 in the last 10 mins, under Bruce we've scored 4 and conceded 1.

Fitness, organisation and concentration all have been improved under SB, as you would expect.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on December 21, 2016, 11:01:34 AM
The bit that's got me is the 'not of his own making' line.

Gabbys involvement - already written off by most fans, SB decided to reintroduce so totally his own making
McCormicks fitness - initially not his fault but he's been here for long enough to be responsible for this still not being properly addressed
AAyews attitude - Ayew was our best player for 11 games, his attitude has only been questionable since he's struggled being played asa  wide midfielder by Bruce
Bakers fragility - Fair point
Huttons inability - He has the choice to play Bacuna there
Westwood being Westwood - He has the choice to pick other players, Tish for example
Gardener not being good enough - As above
Grealish Special talent or passenger? - Silly statement, finding a spot for th emost naturally talented player in th esquad really shouldn't be beyond anyone
Kodjia where to play and off to Africa - Play him up front, it's simple.  ACON is another matter but it's not as if no other manager has to deal with it.
Gollini or Bunn? - Fair point on this one, but both should be good enough to hold their own in this league.
And surplus to requirements Micah Tish Kodak - Micah no problem other than SB trying to fit him in for his first game, Tish is a problem entirely created by SB, Kozak is a guy who seems to have had his career ruined by a series of horrific injuries, unfortunate but no major problem.

So there's 3-4 valid concerns that are nothing to do with Bruce in that list.  Any new manager who comes in mid-season to replace a sacked manager would expect at least that because if there's no problems the other guy would still be there.

I'm not dismissing the concerns, I just don't agree that he isn't responsible for as many on that list as were dropped on him.  There were others that he's solved that you've missed though.  I just don't like the idea of this leading to 'poor Steve Bruce given the impossible job of getting promotion with one of the 2 most expensive squads in the league'.
Some good points and I posted this to get opimions, it does look like there a lot of pieces to this puzzle and some in my opinion just don't fit.
I also agree that most managers in this league would like to have the option of the talent of Ayew and Grealish and the goal scoring prowess of Gestede and McCormick.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on December 21, 2016, 09:56:56 PM
When can I expect the Christmas Carol version please?

Good king Wyness first looked out
On the feast of Steven
"Send that fat fuck Gabby off
 To somewhere shit like Sweden'
 
 


Well I liked it.
Not fair on Sweden. Make it Swindon.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on December 21, 2016, 10:10:21 PM
The stuff on other threads got me thinking, has a Villa manager had so many problems that were not of his own making?
Gabbys involvement
McCormicks fitness
AAyews attitude
Bakers fragility
Huttons inability
Westwood being Westwood
Gardener not being good enough
Grealish Special talent or passenger?
Kodjia where to play and off to Africa
Gollini or Bunn?
And surplus to requirements Micah Tish Kodak
It's a pretty messy boat.

manager's manage, he is getting paid a shedload of cash to manage the squad with the 2nd highest wage bill (maybe even highest) in the division

many of the above are proven performers at this level

im expecting playoffs at a minimum, which Bruce is probably on track for to be fair

im concerned about the performances under Bruce, I dont see us going on a run of winning games currently
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on December 22, 2016, 08:35:20 AM
 but haven't we won more games since he arrived than in the previous two years? It might not be too pretty at times but we are a lot more competitive than we were under the previous incumbent.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on December 22, 2016, 08:40:31 AM
That is why we used to hate him.  He would win against us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on December 22, 2016, 10:38:18 AM
Gary Gardner is the new Kieran Clarke.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on December 23, 2016, 08:02:12 AM
Just wait until we sign Conor Houlihane
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: peter w on December 24, 2016, 08:53:59 PM
That is why we used to hate him.  He would win against us.

often
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT Villan on December 24, 2016, 09:16:58 PM
Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is for Steve Bruce to allow an interviewer to get to the end of their question before he interrupts them...I've been a good boy all year, thanks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on December 24, 2016, 11:55:06 PM
Gary Gardner is the new Kieran Clarke.
But not Ciaran Clark!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on December 25, 2016, 12:20:38 AM
We have improved, but think the chairman and his backing staff will back Bruce in the transfer window
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on December 25, 2016, 05:09:44 PM
Gary Gardner is the new Kieran Clarke.
But not Ciaran Clark!

Err...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: usav on December 26, 2016, 03:51:51 AM
Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is for Steve Bruce to allow an interviewer to get to the end of their question before he interrupts them...I've been a good boy all year, thanks.
Agreed, that's an annoying trait.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villa Lew on December 26, 2016, 08:34:32 AM
Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is for Steve Bruce to allow an interviewer to get to the end of their question before he interrupts them...I've been a good boy all year, thanks.
Agreed, that's an annoying trait.
At least you can understand what he is talking about and he talks sense, unlike a certain scottish manager we had in charge of us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eamonn on December 26, 2016, 12:41:58 PM
Does he interrupt a lot? I've not noticed it, probably as he has quite a gentle voice.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nelly on December 26, 2016, 12:56:33 PM
I noticed that too - he may sound gentle but he often aggresively jumps in to an interviewer's sentence when it seems like he has gotten the gist of what they're getting to.

Does seem a tad rude but also could be considered confident and self-assured, which is why he's here I suppose!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: frank black on December 26, 2016, 12:58:17 PM
Does he interrupt a lot? I've not noticed it,  NOR ME! probably as he has quite a gentle voice.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on December 26, 2016, 01:54:40 PM
I noticed that too - he may sound gentle but he often aggresively jumps in to an interviewer's sentence when it seems like he has gotten the gist of

I think he just gets impatient
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: achilles on December 30, 2016, 07:23:36 PM
In relation to Rudy being sold Bruce said:

Bruce added: "I've got six centre forwards and I've got to maybe sell one to buy in a midfield player or another defender."

Now I can't for the life of me think of six centre forwards Villa have?
I have come up with these but it is saying a lot to class them as centre forwards:

Gestede
Kodjia
Kozák
Agbonlahor
McCormack
Ayew
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on December 30, 2016, 07:52:15 PM
Kozak, Gestede and Agbonlahor must be raking in £60k+ a week in wages all together. Waste of resources.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on December 30, 2016, 11:56:38 PM
In relation to Rudy being sold Bruce said:

Bruce added: "I've got six centre forwards and I've got to maybe sell one to buy in a midfield player or another defender."

Now I can't for the life of me think of six centre forwards Villa have?
I have come up with these but it is saying a lot to class them as centre forwards:

Gestede
Kodjia
Kozák
Agbonlahor
McCormack
Ayew

They are strikers surely - even if the latter two would be a 10 rather than 9? He may also be including RHM

It's ironic then that with kodjia possibly unavailable for Cardiff, the alternatives are so unpersuasive:

- the one who can't run or control the ball
- the one who can run but can't control it, pass it or score
- the skilful one who can score, but who's unfit and can't play with his back to goal or in the channels
- the grumpy one who can do all of the above but is inconistent, physically lightweight and not scoring
- the one who can run even less and who hasn't been seen in years
- the unproven youngster who won't sign a new contract
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on December 31, 2016, 02:04:58 PM
Happy Birthday Brucey.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on January 02, 2017, 08:59:43 PM
I would tell you to FO now but who else is there?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on January 02, 2017, 09:13:25 PM
I would tell you to FO now but who else is there?

No.  We have to have stability at this club, even if it means missing out on promotion this season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 02, 2017, 10:41:52 PM
I would tell you to FO now but who else is there?

Because what we really need is to sack another manager after three months.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 02, 2017, 10:44:28 PM
Shakes head.  Three months and 25 points from 20th in the championship with an utterly woeful and I mean woeful midfield.  If Di Matteo had stayed I honestly think we would be in a relegation scrap.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on January 02, 2017, 10:54:29 PM
I agree with Kippax. That said, the Doc now needs to show Bruce that he has faith and trust in him by supporting him in the transfer window.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 02, 2017, 10:57:09 PM
I think this is how we have to look at it. With all the holes in the squad, and the points already squandered by his predecessor, Bruce was always going to struggle to get us promoted. It was a hopeful rather than a realistic goal.

We have an opportunity to acquire an actual midfield now, so we may well push on. But we still need players in every other department. We need to find a team from somewhere. We need to find our shape.

It'll take hard work, but I think this time next year we'll be in no doubt that promotion will be well within our grasp. The alternative could easily have been another relegation battle, another relegation even.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 02, 2017, 11:00:59 PM
I would tell you to FO now but who else is there?

Because what we really need is to sack another manager after three months.

Even if they're yet again clueless? Look at the time we gave Lambert. Let's hope Bruce can quickly prove to be as good a manager as his post-match press conferences. He's a lovely chap, says all the right things but right now his team stinks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 02, 2017, 11:08:10 PM
I would tell you to FO now but who else is there?

Because what we really need is to sack another manager after three months.

Even if they're yet again clueless? Look at the time we gave Lambert. Let's hope Bruce can quickly prove to be as good a manager as his post-match press conferences. He's a lovely chap, says all the right things but right now his team stinks.

Remind me again how many points this clueless manager has won us. Then tell us who should take his place.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on January 02, 2017, 11:08:53 PM
To be fair Rudy, Bruce has to deal the cards he has, even if many of them are the joker. He needs this and the summer window to prove his worth. I honestly don't think Bruce is a busted flush just yet. At least he took some action today and didn't stand there staring.  Taking the chuckle brothers off at half time is more than Remi or RDM would have done! Let's hope the Doc backs him financially eh?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 02, 2017, 11:10:40 PM
If we wait a couple of weeks we might be able to get Zola.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 02, 2017, 11:18:20 PM
My worry is Bruce has no tactical plan. Another MON that needs money to keep things moving. Watching the goals tonight from the bloody Championship was extremely depressing. I'm struggling to remember when we scored a goal from open play despite having so many 20 goal a season strikers in our team.

I'm not writing him off just yet but bloody hell, if Monk can put together a team with a bunch of misfits and kids from Leeds youth, why can't we at least string a couple of passes together and look like we care? Huddersfield spent £2m in the summer. I said at the end of last season that Newcastle should be our benchmark - two fcuked up teams with players that didn't give a shit.

The good news is we still have half the season to go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OCD on January 02, 2017, 11:23:09 PM
I would tell you to FO now but who else is there?

Because what we really need is to sack another manager after three months.

Even if they're yet again clueless? Look at the time we gave Lambert. Let's hope Bruce can quickly prove to be as good a manager as his post-match press conferences. He's a lovely chap, says all the right things but right now his team stinks.

It's not his team though. It's a horrible amalgamation of players left here from previous managers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on January 02, 2017, 11:25:46 PM
My worry is Bruce has no tactical plan. Another MON that needs money to keep things moving. Watching the goals tonight from the bloody Championship was extremely depressing. I'm struggling to remember when we scored a goal from open play despite having so many 20 goal a season strikers in our team.

I'm not writing him off just yet but bloody hell, if Monk can put together a team with a bunch of misfits and kids from Leeds youth, why can't we at least string a couple of passes together and look like we care? Huddersfield spent £2m in the summer. I said at the end of last season that Newcastle should be our benchmark - two fcuked up teams with players that didn't give a shit.

The good news is we still have half the season to go.

We scored two goals from open play exactly a week ago.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on January 03, 2017, 12:36:26 AM
I agree with Kippax. That said, the Doc now needs to show Bruce that he has faith and trust in him by supporting him in the transfer window.

We spent 50m not too long ago, chairman Xia has to be wondering where has that money gone. McCormack for one looks a fat flop.
Cash in on Gestede and Ayew and let Bruce spend that money in Jan I reckon.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on January 03, 2017, 09:03:25 AM
I worry that Bruce, is going the way of previous managers at our club, when you start to praise Gabby then you know things are not going well
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on January 03, 2017, 09:23:39 AM
In relation to Rudy being sold Bruce said:

Bruce added: "I've got six centre forwards and I've got to maybe sell one to buy in a midfield player or another defender."

Now I can't for the life of me think of six centre forwards Villa have?
I have come up with these but it is saying a lot to class them as centre forwards:

Gestede
Kodjia
Kozák
Agbonlahor
McCormack
Ayew
And Hutton.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 03, 2017, 09:51:18 AM
Ah,  Rushian Hutton-Murphy,  I had forgotten him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on January 03, 2017, 10:24:40 AM
Ah,  Rushian Hutton-Murphy,  I had forgotten him.

I wonder if his, albeit brief appearance yesterday, means RHM will sign a new contract now or if he'll be off to Rangers?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on January 03, 2017, 10:28:01 AM
Very poor from Bruce yesterday, he gave Neil Wanker a 45 minute head start and a foothold in the game for his nasty, niggly clogger side to defend. It's Ok Bruce slamming the players, deservedly, but he has to fully shoulder the blame for the selection and learn from it by not picking those players ever again. That's twice he's done it now and it's resulted in our two worst performances and results.

Must do better.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 03, 2017, 10:34:46 AM
Very poor from Bruce yesterday, he gave Neil Wanker a 45 minute head start and a foothold in the game for his nasty, niggly clogger side to defend. It's Ok Bruce slamming the players, deservedly, but he has to fully shoulder the blame for the selection and learn from it by not picking those players ever again. That's twice he's done it now and it's resulted in our two worst performances and results.

Must do better.

In fairness, he did change it at half time and he did hint that he'd got the team wrong afterwards. Not much consolation after a defeat I know. I hope he gives Tshibola a run now. He can't do any worse.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ktvillan on January 03, 2017, 11:14:40 AM
Yes he changed it and yes he admitted he made a mistake, both of which are positives.  However it is a mistake that anyone with even a passing knowledge of the relative abilities of Westwood and Gardner ought not to  have made.  Bruce is highly paid to have somewhat more than a passing knowledge of his players, he should know them well enough by now to be able to avoid the blindingly obvious mistakes. It does concern me  that he wasn't able to.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 03, 2017, 12:57:03 PM
all the shit managers we have had before have been playing against other Prem teams
we are judging Bruces results against theres but we are now playing Burton Albion, Rotherham, Huddersfield etc
we should be getting better results against these teams, Sherwood, Garde, would have done better as well
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 03, 2017, 01:38:13 PM
I think it's way too soon to be saying Bruce should go. He's done pretty well in the context of the last five years and has been handed a seriously deficient squad. Give him a chance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on January 03, 2017, 01:46:01 PM
My patience has run out. Bruce out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on January 03, 2017, 01:53:42 PM
He has done enough to be allowed to stay but he needs to get a fucking grip and make some courageous team selections. Ones without Driftwood for a start.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 03, 2017, 02:19:06 PM
I would tell you to FO now but who else is there?

Because what we really need is to sack another manager after three months.

Even if they're yet again clueless? Look at the time we gave Lambert. Let's hope Bruce can quickly prove to be as good a manager as his post-match press conferences. He's a lovely chap, says all the right things but right now his team stinks.

It's not his team though. It's a horrible amalgamation of players left here from previous managers.

That's pretty much the same for every new manager especially outside the PL. Maybe being spoiled for choice with attackers has confused him. He's (generally) got the team working harder but they seem clueless with the ball. How difficult can it be to tell Westwood to stop being a lazy arse with his negative, easy passes sideways or back and actually try moving the ball forward or tell Ayew to stop slowing everything down and look for an early pass? We really are struggling with the basics and the blame can not only be with the players. They need instruction and purpose as until they get it we will continue to drop points against poor teams.

I wish Bruce well as he seems a very honest and decent chap but as BE says above, he needs to get a fuckin' grip.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2017, 02:45:08 PM
I would tell you to FO now but who else is there?

Because what we really need is to sack another manager after three months.

Even if they're yet again clueless? Look at the time we gave Lambert. Let's hope Bruce can quickly prove to be as good a manager as his post-match press conferences. He's a lovely chap, says all the right things but right now his team stinks.

It's not his team though. It's a horrible amalgamation of players left here from previous managers.

That's pretty much the same for every new manager especially outside the PL. Maybe being spoiled for choice with attackers has confused him. He's (generally) got the team working harder but they seem clueless with the ball. How difficult can it be to tell Westwood to stop being a lazy arse with his negative, easy passes sideways or back and actually try moving the ball forward or tell Ayew to stop slowing everything down and look for an early pass? We really are struggling with the basics and the blame can not only be with the players. They need instruction and purpose as until they get it we will continue to drop points against poor teams.

I wish Bruce well as he seems a very honest and decent chap but as BE says above, he needs to get a fuckin' grip.

Agreed, if we start showing signs of working on the problems in training I'll be much happier.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 03, 2017, 03:01:45 PM


That's pretty much the same for every new manager especially outside the PL. Maybe being spoiled for choice with attackers has confused him. He's (generally) got the team working harder but they seem clueless with the ball. How difficult can it be to tell Westwood to stop being a lazy arse with his negative, easy passes sideways or back and actually try moving the ball forward or tell Ayew to stop slowing everything down and look for an early pass? We really are struggling with the basics and the blame can not only be with the players. They need instruction and purpose as until they get it we will continue to drop points against poor teams.

I wish Bruce well as he seems a very honest and decent chap but as BE says above, he needs to get a fuckin' grip.

Roberto di Matteo 0.9 points per game. Steve Bruce 1.8 points per game. Considering how bad you keep saying him and the players are, what's that down to - divine intervention? I'd call it getting a fuckin' grip.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 03, 2017, 03:04:42 PM
Calling for Bruce's head is madness. You can make a legitimate argument that there are aspects that he could and should have got better. But given his starting point he's done just fine. The weekend was very poor and it will prompt action by him and the board. But if we don't go up this season (which I don't think is altogether a bad thing) then with Bruce we will next. It's going to take a lot more than a few weeks to fix 6 years of decay and decline.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on January 03, 2017, 03:07:14 PM
all the shit managers we have had before have been playing against other Prem teams
we are judging Bruces results against theres but we are now playing Burton Albion, Rotherham, Huddersfield etc
we should be getting better results against these teams, Sherwood, Garde, would have done better as well

There is no logic behind that argument whatsoever. Surely the best comparison is the one with the man who signed and previously managed these players, not those who managed different players in a different league.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Axl Rose on January 03, 2017, 03:10:35 PM
If Westwood starts at Spurs, I think I'll start following speed skating.

Who in their right mind gives a four year contract to Gardner?

The only positive of yesterday is that those two shitty fucks have been shown up and their crapness fully highlighted. I hope they're sat at home reading Twitter and fucking squirming. I despise seeing them wearing our shirt and shall not support either.

Bruce has done well so far, results-wise. Football hasn't been superb, but it's been effective, and anyway, I think it's near on impossible to play great football in the Championship. Points are what matter most at the moment.

Bunn, Hutton, Westwood, Gardner, Agbonlahor, Elphick, and Bacuna need to join Gestede in the outbox. All crap, some ability wise, some attitude wise. Get rid. None would be missed.

Special bile reserved for Bruce both playing and praising that rolly polly twat Agbonlahor. No. Out. Those chanting his name should be embarrassed. Short memories.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on January 03, 2017, 03:11:05 PM

Sherwood, Garde, would have done better as well

I know you never wanted Bruce but that is a ludicrous thing to say.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 03, 2017, 03:21:24 PM
What on earth do some people expect? Have they forgotten the mess we were in? We were like a building that had a massive bomb dropped directly on it. You don't just start building another one. We haven't even cleared away the rubble yet.

Frankly, anyone who thought we'd be promoted this season just hasn't understood what happened to this club. Bruce's record is better than any of our last five managers. It will take time, but let him do his job for Christ's sake.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 03, 2017, 03:27:22 PM


That's pretty much the same for every new manager especially outside the PL. Maybe being spoiled for choice with attackers has confused him. He's (generally) got the team working harder but they seem clueless with the ball. How difficult can it be to tell Westwood to stop being a lazy arse with his negative, easy passes sideways or back and actually try moving the ball forward or tell Ayew to stop slowing everything down and look for an early pass? We really are struggling with the basics and the blame can not only be with the players. They need instruction and purpose as until they get it we will continue to drop points against poor teams.

I wish Bruce well as he seems a very honest and decent chap but as BE says above, he needs to get a fuckin' grip.

Roberto di Matteo 0.9 points per game. Steve Bruce 1.8 points per game. Considering how bad you keep saying him and the players are, what's that down to - divine intervention? I'd call it getting a fuckin' grip.

It depends how low you want to set the benchmark. If RDM and last season's record are yours then help yourself. My criticism of Bruce has largely been at a lack of an attacking plan. I've also praised him on numerous occasions for getting the players working harder, something that has seen us resurrect games in the last ten minutes and get points. Divine intervention? Hardly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 03, 2017, 03:32:38 PM

Sherwood, Garde, would have done better as well

I know you never wanted Bruce but that is a ludicrous thing to say.

I didn't mean better than Bruce, that I don't know
But better results against lower opposition is what I meant

 I'm not calling for Bruce's head as like you rightly say I never wanted him in the first place
but he's what we have and I want success for Villa I don't think he will bring it but I still want it.
it's very similar to when Mcliesh took over for me, I never wanted him either but I always wanted Villa to win
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 03, 2017, 03:46:14 PM


That's pretty much the same for every new manager especially outside the PL. Maybe being spoiled for choice with attackers has confused him. He's (generally) got the team working harder but they seem clueless with the ball. How difficult can it be to tell Westwood to stop being a lazy arse with his negative, easy passes sideways or back and actually try moving the ball forward or tell Ayew to stop slowing everything down and look for an early pass? We really are struggling with the basics and the blame can not only be with the players. They need instruction and purpose as until they get it we will continue to drop points against poor teams.

I wish Bruce well as he seems a very honest and decent chap but as BE says above, he needs to get a fuckin' grip.

Roberto di Matteo 0.9 points per game. Steve Bruce 1.8 points per game. Considering how bad you keep saying him and the players are, what's that down to - divine intervention? I'd call it getting a fuckin' grip.

It depends how low you want to set the benchmark. If RDM and last season's record are yours then help yourself. My criticism of Bruce has largely been at a lack of an attacking plan. I've also praised him on numerous occasions for getting the players working harder, something that has seen us resurrect games in the last ten minutes and get points. Divine intervention? Hardly.

Here we go - we haven't had this one for a bit; the good old "My standards are higher than yours" line. You carry on moaning until another Ron Saunders comes around. The rest of us will make do with reality.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 03, 2017, 03:50:11 PM


That's pretty much the same for every new manager especially outside the PL. Maybe being spoiled for choice with attackers has confused him. He's (generally) got the team working harder but they seem clueless with the ball. How difficult can it be to tell Westwood to stop being a lazy arse with his negative, easy passes sideways or back and actually try moving the ball forward or tell Ayew to stop slowing everything down and look for an early pass? We really are struggling with the basics and the blame can not only be with the players. They need instruction and purpose as until they get it we will continue to drop points against poor teams.

I wish Bruce well as he seems a very honest and decent chap but as BE says above, he needs to get a fuckin' grip.

Roberto di Matteo 0.9 points per game. Steve Bruce 1.8 points per game. Considering how bad you keep saying him and the players are, what's that down to - divine intervention? I'd call it getting a fuckin' grip.

It depends how low you want to set the benchmark. If RDM and last season's record are yours then help yourself. My criticism of Bruce has largely been at a lack of an attacking plan. I've also praised him on numerous occasions for getting the players working harder, something that has seen us resurrect games in the last ten minutes and get points. Divine intervention? Hardly.

Here we go - we haven't had this one for a bit; the good old "My standards are higher than yours" line. You carry on moaning until another Ron Saunders comes around. The rest of us will make do with reality.

Yawn.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2017, 04:09:17 PM
What on earth do some people expect? Have they forgotten the mess we were in? We were like a building that had a massive bomb dropped directly on it. You don't just start building another one. We haven't even cleared away the rubble yet.

Frankly, anyone who thought we'd be promoted this season just hasn't understood what happened to this club. Bruce's record is better than any of our last five managers. It will take time, but let him do his job for Christ's sake.

Once again, I expect the team to look like they've trained together.

Bruce has done well so far, results-wise. Football hasn't been superb, but it's been effective, and anyway, I think it's near on impossible to play great football in the Championship. Points are what matter most at the moment.

It's not about great football, it's about giving yourself the best chance to get points.  I honestly don't believe Bruce has done that with the tactics and selections in the last 6-7 matches.

http://www.soccerstats.com/formtable.asp?league=england2

We're 12th on the form table from the last 6 games, that's going backwards from when he came in, that's my concern.  Yes he's doing better than RDM but after the new manager bounce we've reverted back to being a midtable championship team.  Some of you are ready to accept that and take another season in this league, and that's ok, I understand that view but I'd rather we try everything to at least make the playoffs, not because I'm worried about parachute payments or because I think the teams that come down will be too good for us, but because I don't want to accept that a team that has the resources we do can't make it into the top 6 of the championship.  I still think Bruce will get us there but he needs to take a good look at how we've played in December and use both the window and the training ground to ensure we're much better than we have been.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 03, 2017, 04:17:18 PM
The majority of the results have been there even if some of the performances haven't. I think Bruce has done a decent job so far and even if we don't go up this season, I hope he's given the chance to have another crack at it next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2017, 04:36:19 PM
The majority of the results have been there even if some of the performances haven't. I think Bruce has done a decent job so far and even if we don't go up this season, I hope he's given the chance to have another crack at it next season.

we've lost 3 of our last 4 away games though so clearly something needs to be addressed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 03, 2017, 04:43:33 PM
The majority of the results have been there even if some of the performances haven't. I think Bruce has done a decent job so far and even if we don't go up this season, I hope he's given the chance to have another crack at it next season.

we've lost 3 of our last 4 away games though so clearly something needs to be addressed.

Of course, but like i said, i'm happy enough with the job he's done so far.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 03, 2017, 04:51:44 PM
Ron Saunders? Played 442. That's pub football isn't it?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2017, 04:53:28 PM
The majority of the results have been there even if some of the performances haven't. I think Bruce has done a decent job so far and even if we don't go up this season, I hope he's given the chance to have another crack at it next season.

we've lost 3 of our last 4 away games though so clearly something needs to be addressed.

Of course, but like i said, i'm happy enough with the job he's done so far.

I think the results have been about what I expected so far and I fully expected us to be more defensive, I just didn't expect us to look so out of sorts going forward as that was the one area where you could see what RDM was trying to do (we created lots of chances in the early games but poor finishing cost us).  I'm also not happy with the rehabilitation of gabby, the refusal to change things in midfield (either in training or selection) and the sidelining of RHM and Tish, I don't think Bunn for Gollini was warranted either and combined they highlight a lack of trust in the younger players.

If we don't go up this year I can accept him having another season if he's at least trying to address those areas, if we get to the end of the season still playing like this and looking totally disjonited in possession then I'll be very unhappy with him
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 03, 2017, 05:00:29 PM
He's moving other people's deck chairs about. The world and his wife knows the midfield is rank. I can't understand why Tshibola didn't get a go, I can only assume it was for other reasons that we're not privy too. He did well when he came on and we looked a lot more like it second half.

We need to be able to dictate the tempo more in the way we play away from home. We're too passive these past 3 or 4 games, where it's clear our strengths lie in putting the squeeze on.

I can't believe people are calling for his head. Moronic does begin to cover it. It's a big month, we should make the Play Offs of we strengthen wisely.

2 weeks until we play the Wolves, who are shite. We need to be picking up results against struggling teams, as we did with QPR, on a regular basis.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2017, 05:05:11 PM
He's moving other people's deck chairs about. The world and his wife knows the midfield is rank. I can't understand why Tshibola didn't get a go, I can only assume it was for other reasons that we're not privy too. He did well when he came on and we looked a lot more like it second half.

We need to be able to dictate the tempo more in the way we play away from home. We're too passive these past 3 or 4 games, where it's clear our strengths lie in putting the squeeze on.

I can't believe people are calling for his head. Moronic does begin to cover it. It's a big month, we should make the Play Offs of we strengthen wisely.

2 weeks until we play the Wolves, who are shite. We need to be picking up results against struggling teams, as we did with QPR, on a regular basis.

I hope I'm not included in that because I've never done that and really don't want that.

Shuffling other peoples deckchairs is obviously difficult but there are very few managers who aren't doing that for a big part of their career and if some of them are broken you don't just leave them on deck unattended until you get to port and can buy a few replacements.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 03, 2017, 05:06:08 PM
We do need to be better away from home as well, thats obvious but I also think a bit of patience is needed as well. He's kept us to within reach of the play offs and in that respect, that's an acceptable return.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 03, 2017, 05:07:48 PM
I haven't read anybody calling for his head.

Edit: Other than the President Emeritus of the Steve Bruce Fan Club (West & North Yorks Branch).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ktvillan on January 03, 2017, 05:32:37 PM
It is way too early to even be thinking about calling for Bruce's head but I can see why people have some concerns about him.  Whilst results are the important thing and he's been picking up points, it's still not been enough to get us into the top 8 even in what is a fairly mediocre league.   Our away form is still nowhere near good enough for a promotion hopeful, and even at home we've been mostly scraping wins rather than being convincing.   1.8 points per game is much better than RDM but the top 5 have at least that and more for the season as a whole, and Wednesday in 6th have an average of 1.68 per game for the season. Derby's recent ppg must be at least 1.8 and probably higher.  So we're going to have to improve on that to have a realistic chance of even making the play-offs.  The football has been generally scrappy rather than fluid, and he selections sometimes defy belief.   He doesn't seem to place much faith in promising youngsters even though it would be hard for them to have less positive input than the likes of Hutton, Westwood, Gardner and Agbonlahor if given the chance.  I do like his honesty, if we've been crap he'll say so, and it's obvious the players are now fitter and working harder. But I wish I could see more evidence that he really knows what he is doing tactically and in terms of assessing the players he has. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eamonn on January 03, 2017, 06:24:33 PM
If it's a mediocre league but we're having to better 1.8 points per game it suggests that the top teams are pretty good/consistent.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 03, 2017, 07:03:44 PM
If it's a mediocre league but we're having to better 1.8 points per game it suggests that the top teams are pretty good/consistent.
If it's a mediocre league but we're having to better 1.8 points per game it suggests that the top teams are pretty good/consistent.

its a competitive league but a rubbish league,
I have been quite shocked at some of the shit football teams are playing yet doing quite well in the league
apart from possibly the top two, one of which we had the better of away from home already,
i have not seen any other team play any decent football, its been absolute garbage from start to finish including us

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on January 03, 2017, 08:34:13 PM
If it's a mediocre league but we're having to better 1.8 points per game it suggests that the top teams are pretty good/consistent.
If it's a mediocre league but we're having to better 1.8 points per game it suggests that the top teams are pretty good/consistent.

its a competitive league but a rubbish league,
I have been quite shocked at some of the shit football teams are playing yet doing quite well in the league
apart from possibly the top two, one of which we had the better of away from home already,
i have not seen any other team play any decent football, its been absolute garbage from start to finish including us

Totally agree the lack of quality has been shocking

The only team that i have seen at vp who i thought looked decent were wolves in the second half
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 03, 2017, 08:49:32 PM
If Bruce ends up being hounded out just because he hasn't got us into the top six within three months of arriving after literally years of decay then for the first time in a long time I will mightily down and pissed off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2017, 09:34:59 PM
If Bruce ends up being hounded out just because he hasn't got us into the top six within three months of arriving after literally years of decay then for the first time in a long time I will mightily down and pissed off.

That's almost as if you couldn't be bothered to read anything anyone has posted and you've decided to just assume that anyone who's a bit unhappy is calling for him to go when pretty much no one has even suggested it other than the people who are, like you, complaining about it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on January 03, 2017, 09:43:59 PM
I think the season so far has been a reality check for many fans.  There were many comments during the summer about this or that player being good enough for the Championship.  To be honest, I thought Gardner would be ok but he has really struggled for one reason or another.  It is clear that more of the players that have been around a few years should have been moved on.

It was an interesting comment by Bruce about players not playing how he wanted them to play.  Bruce is a fairly strong character and he has been known to get the best out of moderate resources, so why aren't they following directions.  Something is not right because Bruce is a better manager than he is showing at the moment and a number of players are better than they are showing.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 03, 2017, 09:50:55 PM
Steve Bruce's position is rock solid as indeed it should be.  What is happening is inevitable.  We will go back up but it will be ground out a game at a time, a point at a time.  We were so bad in the Premiership we were never going to soar back in a blaze of heart stopping football.  Steve Bruce will do the job but it will be thud and blunder all the way.  I have no problem with that.  As Mrs Beaton's recipe for jugged hare stated. First catch your hare.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: manic-road on January 03, 2017, 09:53:06 PM
Now that Phelan has been sacked by Hull I wonder if he will team up with Bruce again as coach at the Villa?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyaston on January 03, 2017, 09:55:43 PM
Bruce is the man for the job. We have gained more points in 3 months under him than we did in the previous 48 games beforehand. He has had to pick up a squad we no confidence, an awful midfield and a poorly organised defence, so to get us into the position we are he has done well.

He will bring his own players in eventually then, we can see how things develop. All Bluenoses wish they had him back in a heartbeat, England were sniffing around him and most people who he has managed only have good things to say about him. Therefore give the man time. Also, I don't mind winning ugly, sod entertaining draws.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdward on January 03, 2017, 10:21:04 PM
Bruce's points per game is 1.7 since he came in. If we had been performing at that level for the first eleven games we would be on 42 points now, and in the play offs.
We will improve, the play off places are a realistic target.

As an aside I am enjoying watching the meltdown at the bottom of the PL with changing managers, and us not being involved, I much prefer the situation we are in now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 03, 2017, 10:40:27 PM
If Bruce ends up being hounded out just because he hasn't got us into the top six within three months of arriving after literally years of decay then for the first time in a long time I will mightily down and pissed off.

That's almost as if you couldn't be bothered to read anything anyone has posted and you've decided to just assume that anyone who's a bit unhappy is calling for him to go when pretty much no one has even suggested it other than the people who are, like you, complaining about it.

Given that people are already pissed off at his so called style of play - having obtained 25 points in the process how long will it be before people are calling for his head? 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2017, 11:55:59 PM
If Bruce ends up being hounded out just because he hasn't got us into the top six within three months of arriving after literally years of decay then for the first time in a long time I will mightily down and pissed off.

That's almost as if you couldn't be bothered to read anything anyone has posted and you've decided to just assume that anyone who's a bit unhappy is calling for him to go when pretty much no one has even suggested it other than the people who are, like you, complaining about it.

Given that people are already pissed off at his so called style of play - having obtained 25 points in the process how long will it be before people are calling for his head? 

Who knows, people aren't calling for his head and your saying you'll be pissed off if people calling for his head force him out, it's not happening BUT it is possible to have concerns that we haven't played well and really want him to do something about it so that he can do a better job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on January 04, 2017, 05:26:26 AM
Once he has brought some of his own players in and that will take more than one window and then got rid somehow of the dross that has stank Villa Park out for way to long, it will be interesting to see what sort of formation, style he does introduce.
We all have our perceived ideas on what he has done prior to his arrival at B6, but I also think he knows this is a totally different club, with certain ingrained expectations, regardless of how these have been downgraded over the last 6 years plus. I hope he gets the time but this is football so we will see.
At the moment he has to do as best he can with the limited ability of the resources at hand, good luck with that Stevie boy.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on January 04, 2017, 08:34:48 AM
Now that Phelan has been sacked by Hull I wonder if he will team up with Bruce again as coach at the Villa?

The same thought crossed my mind.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 04, 2017, 08:54:39 AM
Now that Phelan has been sacked by Hull I wonder if he will team up with Bruce again as coach at the Villa?

The same thought crossed my mind.
And bring Snodgrass with him please.  I know some PL clubs will be in for him and at 29 he will prob decide he's too old to piss about for a couple of years down here, but would be an excellent buy for us if he could be persuaded £££
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on January 04, 2017, 09:21:53 AM
Quote from: Dave Woodhall
How he thought that Gary Gardner and Ashley Westwood would be able to boss midfield against a Neil Warnock side is one of those things that can only be understood by football professionals

Quote from: Bad English
Bruce needs to get a fucking grip

Two quotes saying roughly the same thing, neither of them calling for his head. One   quote is more reasoned and useful than the other. I am bored.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 10:27:05 AM
The miasma of underachievement still hangs thick in the dank corners of Villa Park, and it looks like Steve Bruce walked straight into a cloud of it.

The giant soft-play area that is VP and Bodymoor Heath has lulled many a player into a kind of fugue state, which dulls his wits and gives him the pleasant sensation that all his needs are now taken care of come what may. This dreamlike stasis makes players believe they can coast along in an untouchable state of blissful wellbeing until such time as their multi-million pound contract finally runs out (or until they are inexplicably offered a new one). They know it will never get better than this, and they're determined to kick back and enjoy it. After all, they've made it now.

Ross McCormack is the latest to succumb to this strange malady. He looks more suited to a teddy bear onesie and a settee than a Villa kit and a football pitch. The days of hard graft are now behind him. He knows it will never get any better than this.

Too many players, it seems, have believed it possible to make the club work for them, rather than the other way around. And so it has been for the likes of Stephen Ireland, Charles N'Zogbia, Gabby Agbonlahor...

With all that comes an arrogance - still - that makes a few players believe they are somehow above having to compete, fight and scrap for every available point. To learn their role in the team and stick to it. To function as a footballer. And any manager - whether he looks like Antonio Conte, or a man with a potato for a head - will have his work cut out eradicating the disease.

Give the poor bastard a break.   
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on January 04, 2017, 10:32:18 AM
The miasma of underachievement still hangs thick in the dank corners of Villa Park, and it looks like Steve Bruce walked straight into a cloud of it.

The giant soft-play area that is VP and Bodymoor Heath has lulled many a player into a kind of fugue state, which dulls his wits and gives him the pleasant sensation that all his needs are now taken care of come what may. This dreamlike stasis makes players believe they can coast along in an untouchable state of blissful wellbeing until such time as their multi-million pound contract finally runs out (or until they are inexplicably offered a new one). They know it will never get better than this, and they're determined to kick back and enjoy it. After all, they've made it now.

Ross McCormack is the latest to succumb to this strange malady. He looks more suited to a teddy bear onesie and a settee than a Villa kit and a football pitch. The days of hard graft are now behind him. He knows it will never get any better than this.

Too many players, it seems, have believed it possible to make the club work for them, rather than the other way around. And so it has been for the likes of Stephen Ireland, Charles N'Zogbia, Gabby Agbonlahor...

With all that comes an arrogance - still - that makes a few players believe they are somehow above having to compete, fight and scrap for every available point. To learn their role in the team and stick to it. To function as a footballer. And any manager - whether he looks like Antonio Conte, or a man with a potato for a head - will have his work cut out eradicating the disease.

Give the poor bastard a break.   

Haha! Superb! If only it wasn't so true.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 04, 2017, 10:40:01 AM
The miasma of underachievement still hangs thick in the dank corners of Villa Park, and it looks like Steve Bruce walked straight into a cloud of it.

The giant soft-play area that is VP and Bodymoor Heath has lulled many a player into a kind of fugue state, which dulls his wits and gives him the pleasant sensation that all his needs are now taken care of come what may. This dreamlike stasis makes players believe they can coast along in an untouchable state of blissful wellbeing until such time as their multi-million pound contract finally runs out (or until they are inexplicably offered a new one). They know it will never get better than this, and they're determined to kick back and enjoy it. After all, they've made it now.

Ross McCormack is the latest to succumb to this strange malady. He looks more suited to a teddy bear onesie and a settee than a Villa kit and a football pitch. The days of hard graft are now behind him. He knows it will never get any better than this.

Too many players, it seems, have believed it possible to make the club work for them, rather than the other way around. And so it has been for the likes of Stephen Ireland, Charles N'Zogbia, Gabby Agbonlahor...

With all that comes an arrogance - still - that makes a few players believe they are somehow above having to compete, fight and scrap for every available point. To learn their role in the team and stick to it. To function as a footballer. And any manager - whether he looks like Antonio Conte, or a man with a potato for a head - will have his work cut out eradicating the disease.

Give the poor bastard a break.   
I'm sorry but this post is just full of utter bollocks and hyperbole.  We have had several shit players and a few bad eggs, but mainly a shit owner and a few shit managers. 

How do you know how hard McCormack is working?  Wasn't he set back by injury?

There is no mystery disease, gypsy curse or cancer.  Just some terrible management decisions and catastrophic loss of form and confidence which Bruce is slowly trying to sort out.

I agree he should be given a break.  The rest of the post is just melodramatic nonsense.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 10:43:39 AM
The miasma of underachievement still hangs thick in the dank corners of Villa Park, and it looks like Steve Bruce walked straight into a cloud of it.

The giant soft-play area that is VP and Bodymoor Heath has lulled many a player into a kind of fugue state, which dulls his wits and gives him the pleasant sensation that all his needs are now taken care of come what may. This dreamlike stasis makes players believe they can coast along in an untouchable state of blissful wellbeing until such time as their multi-million pound contract finally runs out (or until they are inexplicably offered a new one). They know it will never get better than this, and they're determined to kick back and enjoy it. After all, they've made it now.

Ross McCormack is the latest to succumb to this strange malady. He looks more suited to a teddy bear onesie and a settee than a Villa kit and a football pitch. The days of hard graft are now behind him. He knows it will never get any better than this.

Too many players, it seems, have believed it possible to make the club work for them, rather than the other way around. And so it has been for the likes of Stephen Ireland, Charles N'Zogbia, Gabby Agbonlahor...

With all that comes an arrogance - still - that makes a few players believe they are somehow above having to compete, fight and scrap for every available point. To learn their role in the team and stick to it. To function as a footballer. And any manager - whether he looks like Antonio Conte, or a man with a potato for a head - will have his work cut out eradicating the disease.

Give the poor bastard a break.   
I'm sorry but this post is just full of utter bollocks and hyperbole.  We have had several shit players and a few bad eggs, but mainly a shit owner and a few shit managers. 

How do you know how hard McCormack is working?  Wasn't he set back by injury?

There is no mystery disease, gypsy curse or cancer.  Just some terrible management decisions and catastrophic loss of form and confidence which Bruce is slowly trying to sort out.

I agree he should be given a break.  The rest of the post is just melodramatic nonsense.

Can you give me a few moments while I think about what's wrong with fat Ross McCormack, and I'll get back to you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 04, 2017, 10:51:08 AM
Agree with all of that very well written post Jimbo but it still leaves me suspecting that incoming managers also eat the fruit of the lotus in B6.  Eric Black wrote out one team sheet that he had photocopied before each game, Remi Garde having disciplined Gabby allowed him back in the fold to further destabilise the dressing room, RDM made Richards captain and played him at centre back against Luton, Steve Bruce persists with the belief that Westwood and Gardner deserve selection and that Gabby can rise again like Lazarus.  The Villa malaise of self indulgent laziness seems to spread beyond the players.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tony scott on January 04, 2017, 10:51:36 AM
It has been observed that playing Westwood and Gardner in the same team never works to lightweight we have all seen it maybe we should think out of the block, possibly used Elphink in the middle he's slow but he can tackle and surely he can passbetter than Jed, bet he wouldn't have been predictably bullied by Cardiff
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 04, 2017, 10:58:27 AM
The miasma of underachievement still hangs thick in the dank corners of Villa Park, and it looks like Steve Bruce walked straight into a cloud of it.

The giant soft-play area that is VP and Bodymoor Heath has lulled many a player into a kind of fugue state, which dulls his wits and gives him the pleasant sensation that all his needs are now taken care of come what may. This dreamlike stasis makes players believe they can coast along in an untouchable state of blissful wellbeing until such time as their multi-million pound contract finally runs out (or until they are inexplicably offered a new one). They know it will never get better than this, and they're determined to kick back and enjoy it. After all, they've made it now.

Ross McCormack is the latest to succumb to this strange malady. He looks more suited to a teddy bear onesie and a settee than a Villa kit and a football pitch. The days of hard graft are now behind him. He knows it will never get any better than this.

Too many players, it seems, have believed it possible to make the club work for them, rather than the other way around. And so it has been for the likes of Stephen Ireland, Charles N'Zogbia, Gabby Agbonlahor...

With all that comes an arrogance - still - that makes a few players believe they are somehow above having to compete, fight and scrap for every available point. To learn their role in the team and stick to it. To function as a footballer. And any manager - whether he looks like Antonio Conte, or a man with a potato for a head - will have his work cut out eradicating the disease.

Give the poor bastard a break.   
I'm sorry but this post is just full of utter bollocks and hyperbole.  We have had several shit players and a few bad eggs, but mainly a shit owner and a few shit managers. 

How do you know how hard McCormack is working?  Wasn't he set back by injury?

There is no mystery disease, gypsy curse or cancer.  Just some terrible management decisions and catastrophic loss of form and confidence which Bruce is slowly trying to sort out.

I agree he should be given a break.  The rest of the post is just melodramatic nonsense.

Can you give me a few moments while I think about what's wrong with fat Ross McCormack, and I'll get back to you.
You're suggesting in a flowery way that there is something about Villa that makes players want to be fat, lazy and shit.  I just don't buy it. 

The reasons are abundantly clear and no amount of hand wringing flouncy prose inferring some kind of conspiracy will change that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 11:11:40 AM
I do think football clubs can be like a bubble, and Villa has become a very comfortable bubble. It's like a separate reality. What is apparent to many of us in the real world appears quite differently to those within the bubble.

Bruce might see Westwood in training and think "he's a canny lad, always turns up on time, prepared to run all day, great attitude, looks like he cares." But he doesn't know Westwood is a hoodwinker, like an office clockwatcher on a Friday afternoon, endlessly shuffling papers on his desk, waiting for 5 o'clock. Bruce might see things differently after Monday's debacle, but he's got there via a different route to most of us.

The difference between Villa and the real big clubs is that they come under intense scrutiny by the media, whereas Villa don't really matter that much on a national, or as we've seen more recently, on a local media level. Gabby gets a relatively free pass, whereas if he'd done similar at Liverpool or Man Utd he'd have been dubbed a national outrage and hounded out of the club. At Villa you're visible enough to be a 'star' of sorts, but you can always hide your shitness away behind a lack of any real expectation or scrutiny. It's only Villa.

Steve Bruce isn't cut from that cloth, so even though it might take him a bit of time to suss things out, I'm sure he'll see it eventually.     
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: maigrait on January 04, 2017, 11:19:50 AM
I do think football clubs can be like a bubble, and Villa has become a very comfortable bubble. It's like a separate reality. What is apparent to many of us in the real world appears quite differently to those within the bubble.

Bruce might see Westwood in training and think "he's a canny lad, always turns up on time, prepared to run all day, great attitude, looks like he cares." But he doesn't know Westwood is a hoodwinker, like an office clockwatcher on a Friday afternoon, endlessly shuffling papers on his desk, waiting for 5 o'clock. Bruce might see things differently after Monday's debacle, but he's got there via a different route to most of us.

The difference between Villa and the real big clubs is that they come under intense scrutiny by the media, whereas Villa don't really matter that much on a national, or as we've seen more recently, on a local media level. Gabby gets a relatively free pass, whereas if he'd done similar at Liverpool or Man Utd he'd have been dubbed a national outrage and hounded out of the club. At Villa you're visible enough to be a 'star' of sorts, but you can always hide your shitness away behind a lack of any real expectation or scrutiny. It's only Villa.

Steve Bruce isn't cut from that cloth, so even though it might take him a bit of time to suss things out, I'm sure he'll see it eventually.   

Agree with Jimbo - I'd say also the good Dr X will also not stand for these kind of clowns that have dogged us for years... He actually wants results rather than "Lerner bobbling along and not caring type of results"...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 04, 2017, 11:43:33 AM
I do think football clubs can be like a bubble, and Villa has become a very comfortable bubble. It's like a separate reality. What is apparent to many of us in the real world appears quite differently to those within the bubble.

Bruce might see Westwood in training and think "he's a canny lad, always turns up on time, prepared to run all day, great attitude, looks like he cares." But he doesn't know Westwood is a hoodwinker, like an office clockwatcher on a Friday afternoon, endlessly shuffling papers on his desk, waiting for 5 o'clock. Bruce might see things differently after Monday's debacle, but he's got there via a different route to most of us.

The difference between Villa and the real big clubs is that they come under intense scrutiny by the media, whereas Villa don't really matter that much on a national, or as we've seen more recently, on a local media level. Gabby gets a relatively free pass, whereas if he'd done similar at Liverpool or Man Utd he'd have been dubbed a national outrage and hounded out of the club. At Villa you're visible enough to be a 'star' of sorts, but you can always hide your shitness away behind a lack of any real expectation or scrutiny. It's only Villa.

Steve Bruce isn't cut from that cloth, so even though it might take him a bit of time to suss things out, I'm sure he'll see it eventually.     
You see, this is the sort of shite I'm talking about.  Westwood may not be good enough, but he is a hard working player.  He is not deliberately shit or lazy.  He isn't trying to hoodwink anyone, he's just working hard and doing his best, which unfortunately isn't good enough for what we want. 

There is nothing special or fundamentally wrong with our club - we just have a lot of crap players left over from the Lerner era and of course pretty fragile confidence.

I agree Bruce has a difficult job, but no different to turning around any other shit team, albeit he has to cope with the expectation that comes along with the club of this size.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 12:01:17 PM
I've had the misfortune to watch Westwood for the best part of five years. I know exactly what he's about.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on January 04, 2017, 12:07:14 PM
Westwood is a lovely bunch of lad Chris, yes. However, in a world where a replica football shirt costs £55, a ticket to see the Villa costs 3-4 times the price of a ticket to see a fantastic film, players like him playing for us will get stick on online forums, however irrational, however unfair. Tough tit! He will get over it when he reads his bank statement.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on January 04, 2017, 12:09:41 PM
The bottom line is footballers do not give a shit about what fans think or say, they really don't.  They're richer than we can ever dream of being, and to them it's a job and nothing more.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 04, 2017, 12:10:46 PM
I've had the misfortune to watch Westwood for the best part of five years. I know exactly what he's about.
So you're privy to how hard he trains?  His fitness stats?  The mileage he covers on the pitch?

As I said, he may not be good enough but your inference is that he's lazy and I just don't see that.  Your earlier suggestion is there is some special aura at the club that makes players want to be fat lazy and shit.  Come on, get a grip.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 04, 2017, 12:10:58 PM
I do think football clubs can be like a bubble, and Villa has become a very comfortable bubble. It's like a separate reality. What is apparent to many of us in the real world appears quite differently to those within the bubble.

Bruce might see Westwood in training and think "he's a canny lad, always turns up on time, prepared to run all day, great attitude, looks like he cares." But he doesn't know Westwood is a hoodwinker, like an office clockwatcher on a Friday afternoon, endlessly shuffling papers on his desk, waiting for 5 o'clock. Bruce might see things differently after Monday's debacle, but he's got there via a different route to most of us.

The difference between Villa and the real big clubs is that they come under intense scrutiny by the media, whereas Villa don't really matter that much on a national, or as we've seen more recently, on a local media level. Gabby gets a relatively free pass, whereas if he'd done similar at Liverpool or Man Utd he'd have been dubbed a national outrage and hounded out of the club. At Villa you're visible enough to be a 'star' of sorts, but you can always hide your shitness away behind a lack of any real expectation or scrutiny. It's only Villa.

Steve Bruce isn't cut from that cloth, so even though it might take him a bit of time to suss things out, I'm sure he'll see it eventually.     
You see, this is the sort of shite I'm talking about.  Westwood may not be good enough, but he is a hard working player.  He is not deliberately shit or lazy.  He isn't trying to hoodwink anyone, he's just working hard and doing his best, which unfortunately isn't good enough for what we want. 


Totally agree. What Jimbo wrote might be him thinking it's a clever thing to write but it's just over the top nonsense. Westwood is just not good enough and never has been. That's basically it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 04, 2017, 12:11:21 PM
Managers too Des.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 04, 2017, 12:15:49 PM
McCormack struggled on Saturday as he was isolated for large periods. The only limited service was balls over the top and into the channel, which he gamely chased, but couldn't do a whole lot with.

His partner has left him hasn't she? That's likely to have an impact.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 12:18:53 PM
I've had the misfortune to watch Westwood for the best part of five years. I know exactly what he's about.
So you're privy to how hard he trains?  His fitness stats?  The mileage he covers on the pitch?

As I said, he may not be good enough but your inference is that he's lazy and I just don't see that.  Your earlier suggestion is there is some special aura at the club that makes players want to be fat lazy and shit.  Come on, get a grip.

If I'm talking shite, you're definitely thinking shite. I didn't say he was lazy, I said he was a hoodwinker. They are two different things. I agree he isn't good enough. You got that bit correct. I think he tries to hide his shortcomings by running around a lot and making it look like he's doing something. But he really does do very little. Some things - like tackling, passing forwards, heading, etc. he won't even try. He'll make it look like he's trying them, though. More out of covering up his inadequacies, rather than laziness. But by doing that, he's hoodwinking. 

Westwood, very early in his career, decided that he was the type of midfielder that people don't really notice, one that moves the ball on to other players. But the job requires so much more than that. If I were a postman, and I decided I'd be the type of postman nobody notices, the type who moves the letters on to other postmen, the type that would rather not get involved in the sorting, walking, climbing of steps, carrying of lots of parcels and letters, I'd be given the - wait for it - sack.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on January 04, 2017, 12:23:07 PM
I thought you get given the sack every day as a postman?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 04, 2017, 12:23:34 PM
I think you're making too much of a theory for which you have no evidence. I make it personal about Westwood often, as for some reason he more than any other drives me nuts.

But on a fundamental level, its his inability to drive the game on across 20 or 30 yards or play that purposeful ball forwards that lets him down. That's what our midfield misses attack wise and where somebody like McCormack would benefit from a player confident enough to take a man on to change angles and break up defensive lines; he's too passive.

Couple that with his physical weakness of being out muscled all too often and lacking height, he's a poor choice defensively, particularly when Chester seems more than capable enough of feeding a short ball in to the full back or midfield.

There's been momentary flashes of quality; his goal against the Bitters, his through ball for Gabby at Norwich, but he will never be anything other that dire at Villa Park and he should be moved on and out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 12:32:48 PM
I've seen Alan Wright jump for more headers in one match than Westwood has in his entire Villa career.  And as much as Wright frustrated the hell out of me, he never, ever went missing or pretended his way through a game like Westwood does. I can forgive shit players, but Westwood is a coward who makes Stewart Downing look like Hercules.   
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 04, 2017, 12:37:37 PM
I've had the misfortune to watch Westwood for the best part of five years. I know exactly what he's about.
So you're privy to how hard he trains?  His fitness stats?  The mileage he covers on the pitch?

As I said, he may not be good enough but your inference is that he's lazy and I just don't see that.  Your earlier suggestion is there is some special aura at the club that makes players want to be fat lazy and shit.  Come on, get a grip.

If I'm talking shite, you're definitely thinking shite. I didn't say he was lazy, I said he was a hoodwinker. They are two different things. I agree he isn't good enough. You got that bit correct. I think he tries to hide his shortcomings by running around a lot and making it look like he's doing something. But he really does do very little. Some things - like tackling, passing forwards, heading, etc. he won't even try. He'll make it look like he's trying them, though. More out of covering up his inadequacies, rather than laziness. But by doing that, he's hoodwinking. 

Westwood, very early in his career, decided that he was the type of midfielder that people don't really notice, one that moves the ball on to other players. But the job requires so much more than that. If I were a postman, and I decided I'd be the type of postman nobody notices, the type who moves the letters on to other postmen, the type that would rather not get involved in the sorting, walking, climbing of steps, carrying of lots of parcels and letters, I'd be given the - wait for it - sack.
FFS - no he didn't.  Why not give up second guessing what players are thinking and what mystical bubble sits over the club and just analyse the problems in a sensible manner? 

We had a shit owner who hired shit managers and bought shit players.  Because of this the team and staff were desperately low on confidence and that carried on to this season. 

It's go nothing to do with the club being a creche designed to make players fat or players being shit out of spite for the club, clocking off at 5.00pm, postmen or magical fucking bubbles.

Hopefully Bruce will sort it out, but he's not going to be bringing in a priest to exorcise any demons or any other mystical bollocks that you refer to.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 04, 2017, 12:39:21 PM
That's nonsense Jimbo and your letting your dislike of him take over.

Until this season he's always tried to be involved, make himself available for the pass, get himself in the way of shots and put tackles in (but stay on his feet) yes he pointed a bit too often and he was n't that great but he wasn't pretending, he was doing his best and just wasn't quite up to the standard he needed to be (other than in a couple of spells where the team were full of confidence).  He was always up therewith more touches than pretty much anyone else in the team and more completed passes than most. I honestly don't care if you agree with this or not, the stats are all available and show this fairly clearly.  Before you discredit stats, I'm not saying they make him a good player, I'm saying that they show he wasn't some faker running around not really doing anything.

This season is different, he's not making himself available, he's not getting on the ball and keeping things moving again the stats show that he's played a little over half the number of passes per game that he averaged in the 4 previous seasons, so tyhe stats again show that something is different.  I firmly believe that difference is that he's actually started paying attention to the crowd/fans slagging him off and it's destroyed the wafer thin confidence he had in his own ability.  I want him to move on because we're at the point now where no one benefits from him still being with us but to try to dismiss his entire time with us as him hoodwinking the club is just wrong.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 12:43:54 PM
"I see myself as a Michael Carrick-type of player, someone who stays out of the limelight and keeps it simple, retaining the ball and laying it off to team-mates."

Ashley Westwood, 2012.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 04, 2017, 12:45:37 PM
"I see myself as a Michael Carrick-type of player, someone who stays out of the limelight and keeps it simple, retaining the ball and laying it off to team-mates."

Ashley Westwood, 2012.



He's modelling himself on another player. It doesn't make him a hoodwinker.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 04, 2017, 12:50:44 PM
"I see myself as a Michael Carrick-type of player, someone who stays out of the limelight and keeps it simple, retaining the ball and laying it off to team-mates."

Ashley Westwood, 2012.


Do you think Carrick, who has clocked up 300 appearances for Man United, winning the premier league 5 times, FA cup, League Cup and Champions league is a hoodwinker?  Or maybe the type of player we could have used over the last few years?  I'm not saying Westwood is anywhere near what Carrick is, but modelling himself on that type of player is no bad thing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 12:51:24 PM
"I see myself as a Michael Carrick-type of player, someone who stays out of the limelight and keeps it simple, retaining the ball and laying it off to team-mates."

Ashley Westwood, 2012.



He's modelling himself on another player. It doesn't make him a hoodwinker.

Except Michael Carrick gets involved with all the things Bartleby Westwood would rather not do.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 12:56:08 PM
"I see myself as a Michael Carrick-type of player, someone who stays out of the limelight and keeps it simple, retaining the ball and laying it off to team-mates."

Ashley Westwood, 2012.


Do you think Carrick, who has clocked up 300 appearances for Man United, winning the premier league 5 times, FA cup, League Cup and Champions league is a hoodwinker?  Or maybe the type of player we could have used over the last few years?  I'm not saying Westwood is anywhere near what Carrick is, but modelling himself on that type of player is no bad thing.

You said I'd somehow 'second guessed' what Westwood was thinking when I said what kind of player he'd decided he was. I provided a quote from Westwood himself.

The Carrick bit is laughable, but irrelevant here. It's the 'stays out of the limelight' bit that I'm more interested in. On that point, he's as good as his word.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on January 04, 2017, 01:08:41 PM
That's a wilful misreading of the quote though. We all know what he means - a non nonsense midfielder that doesn't do the attractive attacking stuff that grabs headlines but contributes in other ways. Carrick is one but he could easily have said the same thing about a variety of defensive/continuity midfielders.

You can criticise him on the basis he is not very good at that job, but to suggest staying out of the limelight means hiding on the pitch is ridiculous.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Simon Page on January 04, 2017, 01:18:31 PM

Except Michael Carrick gets involved with all the things Bartleby Westwood would rather not do.

It's the use of the word Bartleby where you fall down. Westwood doesn't say "I'd prefer not to" do the job we need him to do. In fact, he's the polar opposite as every manager and coach he's worked with will tell you. It's the thing I've never grasped about the vitriol towards Westwood. He's not proved himself up to the task we want and need from him. Isn't that enough? Why the need to make out he's conning us, or lazy, or feckless, or refusing to be better, or any of the other things lobbed at him by various and numerous critics?

I think the Carrick example is a good one because there's a player who was always thought of as not good enough for Manchester United and England, told he couldn't do the job he was meant to do, derided in comparison with the player he was meant to replace, yet utterly trusted and respected by teammates and coaches alike. The differences are Carrick is a better player than Westwood but he was also allowed to develop at a club doing well and with much better players around him. If you'd have seen him at Blues early in his career he looked like a little boy lost, devoid of confidence and scared of his own shadow. Amazing what can happen to a player with good management, good players around him and good vibes at the club.

Don't get me wrong, it would be best for everyone - not least the player himself - if Westwood moved on, but someone who hides, shirks responsibility and has Bartlebyesque qualities? Not even close.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 04, 2017, 01:28:26 PM
I don't understand the defense of Westwood, and in my opinion Jimbo is spot on in his summing up of him.  He's an utterly anonymous little coward who actively goes out of his way to avoid getting involved.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 01:29:46 PM
I wonder why Bruce had to bring him off at half time against Cardiff? Could it be that he wasn't doing what he'd been asked to do? That's certainly how it sounded in the post-match interview.

We've been watching Westwood's anonymous appearances for years now, and I think deep down we all know there are plenty of things he can't do, and far too many things he won't even try.

Where the Bartleby comparison falls down is Bartleby openly admitted he wasn't going to take part.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Axl Rose on January 04, 2017, 01:31:53 PM
I don't understand the defense of Westwood, and in my opinion Jimbo is spot on in his summing up of him.  He's an utterly anonymous little coward who actively goes out of his way to avoid getting involved.

I couldn't put it any better myself. After the weekend, and the stats thrown around, I will no longer take anyone defending him seriously. Out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on January 04, 2017, 01:37:48 PM
I get what Jimbo is trying to say and trying to come up with a plausible reason why Westwood is playing like he is.

I have been one of Westwood's critics for quite a long time but, unlike others, I do not belief he has always been a poor player.  He has over the last couple seasons got worse though, or appear worse.  Could it be that he is playing with poorer players now and he is expected to 'make things happen' which is not his game and this was covered up by players such as Delph.  However, I think that is a motivation/confidence issue.  Jimbo looked at the motivation side and expanded on a reason why this could be by comparing it with other players that by coincidence have gone the same way, coming to the conclusion that the club is an easy ride for players.

In a team game it is quite easy to hide and this is what I believe Westwood is doing.  He may not be meaning to do it or even realise he is doing it but in a position that should be in the thick of it, you cannot hide.  Why has he become 'Mr Pointy' to many?  He looks as though he is trying to close down space but somebody like Carrick gets to the position where the play ends up by reading of the game.  Westwood does not have this ability and therefore has to make up for it by 100% effort, which unfortunately he is way short of.

The are players with far worse attitudes to Westwood (Hutton and Gardner, likewise) that deserve the wrath of the supporters but we are still ending up with poorly performing players.  There have been too many players that have steadily got worse, the longer they have been here.  Jimbo thinks it is down to laziness and the 'gravy train', whereas others may think it is down to poor managers/coaches or it could be due to bad influences.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Simon Page on January 04, 2017, 01:47:52 PM
Where's the defence of Westwood? I don't know anyone who thinks he's right for us - or us for him for that matter. Where we differ is in how much we're willing to blame him for but I don't see anyone saying he's good enough for what we need.

I assume he came off against Cardiff because he wasn't doing the job required of him. Whether that was because he refused or wasn't up to it or having a particularly bad game is guess work. Unless every substitution based on individual performance standard is a Bartleby.

Quote
Jimbo thinks it is down to laziness and the 'gravy train', whereas others may think it is down to poor managers/coaches or it could be due to bad influences.

The problem is, managers and coaches who've worked with him all say the complete opposite of what Jimbo opines. They don't say that about some of our other players, so it's not just offering a Pravda. Meanwhile, I think everyone agrees he's not been good enough and is highly unlikely to be. It might be he can play at this level in an atmosphere or team more conducive to his abilities, but that's immaterial. He shouldn't be here because it's not going to happen for him or us. It's astonishing given the players we've had and still have who actively show uninterest that Westwood gets singled out as hoodwinking us, even more so when there is more than enough to have a go at without questioning his commitment.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 04, 2017, 01:55:57 PM
I don't understand the defense of Westwood, and in my opinion Jimbo is spot on in his summing up of him.  He's an utterly anonymous little coward who actively goes out of his way to avoid getting involved.

It's not defence of Westwood, it's the ridiculous, mellow dramatic hyperbole that is in question.  You need to read more than one page to understand the discussion.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 02:05:18 PM
I'm not saying Westwood is lazy. Let me say that again, Westwood isn't lazy. I think this has more to do with responsibility than laziness. Westwood, it seems, will shy away from certain aspects of the game that show him up for the poor footballer he is.

Elsewhere we've spoken about Alan Hutton, who, for all his shortcomings is a player, he will stand up and be counted (when he isn't sprawled on the floor in the wake of a winger).

The same just can't be said of Westwood.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 02:16:58 PM
I don't understand the defense of Westwood, and in my opinion Jimbo is spot on in his summing up of him.  He's an utterly anonymous little coward who actively goes out of his way to avoid getting involved.

It's not defence of Westwood, it's the ridiculous, mellow dramatic hyperbole that is in question.  You need to read more than one page to understand the discussion.

Is it mellow or is it dramatic? Make your mind up, chrisw1.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 04, 2017, 02:22:17 PM
I don't understand the defense of Westwood, and in my opinion Jimbo is spot on in his summing up of him.  He's an utterly anonymous little coward who actively goes out of his way to avoid getting involved.

It's not defence of Westwood, it's the ridiculous, mellow dramatic hyperbole that is in question.  You need to read more than one page to understand the discussion.

Is it mellow or is it dramatic? Make your mind up, chrisw1.
melodramatic.
Well spotted. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hoppo on January 04, 2017, 02:29:39 PM
Your all going round in circles.. Westwood is shit at being Carrick, shit at hiding, shit at pointing, shit at getting his shirt dirty, shit at being lazy, shit at stealing a living, in fact he is just Wank.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy65 on January 04, 2017, 02:44:07 PM

Except Michael Carrick gets involved with all the things Bartleby Westwood would rather not do.

It's the use of the word Bartleby where you fall down. Westwood doesn't say "I'd prefer not to" do the job we need him to do. In fact, he's the polar opposite as every manager and coach he's worked with will tell you. It's the thing I've never grasped about the vitriol towards Westwood. He's not proved himself up to the task we want and need from him. Isn't that enough? Why the need to make out he's conning us, or lazy, or feckless, or refusing to be better, or any of the other things lobbed at him by various and numerous critics?

I think the Carrick example is a good one because there's a player who was always thought of as not good enough for Manchester United and England, told he couldn't do the job he was meant to do, derided in comparison with the player he was meant to replace, yet utterly trusted and respected by teammates and coaches alike. The differences are Carrick is a better player than Westwood but he was also allowed to develop at a club doing well and with much better players around him. If you'd have seen him at Blues early in his career he looked like a little boy lost, devoid of confidence and scared of his own shadow. Amazing what can happen to a player with good management, good players around him and good vibes at the club.

Don't get me wrong, it would be best for everyone - not least the player himself - if Westwood moved on, but someone who hides, shirks responsibility and has Bartlebyesque qualities? Not even close.

But that is exactly what he does. He makes no effort to improve his workrate, tackling or dead ball skills and he has been here four years. He isnt small either but isnt agressive in the tackle and if he is physically lacking why not get fitter in the gym and start getting stuck in a bit more. He does hide and shirk responsibility by being continually happy not to be involved and improve his shortcomings.  In summary he is in the comfort zone described elsewhere which is worthy of the criticism he is getting elsehwere
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on January 04, 2017, 02:47:21 PM
Elsewhere we've spoken about Alan Hutton, who, for all his shortcomings is a player, he will stand up and be counted (when he isn't sprawled on the floor in the wake of a winger).

So we’re differentiating between our poor players based on whether they are crap in a running round like a two footed tackling keystone cop way, or a touching the ball three times a game way? If so, I suggest we’re missing the point, which is that we are still having to field poor and unconfident players because our squad is so unbalanced.

It is clear to me that Westwood has gone from being a mediocre player to a poor one this season. He needs to be hooked. Is it his fault that we spent all that money in the summer on chancers like RMC but underspent so criminally on the most key position on the pitch? Or that Bruce has persisted in chucking him in, when the fans are baying for his blood, while Tshibola waits it out in the stiffs for absolutely no reason? Or that Veretout, the most obvious cover, simply decided not to play for us in the second division? We talk a lot about the need to take young players out of the firing line. Westwood, whilst not particularly young any more, has clearly needed to be taken out of the firing line for months but has been let down by Bruce’s selection errors and our lack of squad options.

I don’t know the bloke from Adam, but given the procession of total pillocks we’ve had at the club for the last few years I can’t get too angry with a limited player who has never disrespected the club and whose biggest crime is being too meek.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on January 04, 2017, 03:09:57 PM
Could I get a PM please, paulie?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on January 04, 2017, 03:18:09 PM
SE - Did you get your radiators to work?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JJ-AV on January 04, 2017, 03:19:38 PM
His confidence is completely shot and he's been terrible for so much longer than he was promising in a Villa shirt that a move is best all-round. He's neat and tidy so I can see why managers pick him, but come match day he's cowardly and he's costing us. I'd have Bacuna or Tish in there every day.

He's probably a decent Championship player for another team, but not for us. Too many years of failure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyaston on January 04, 2017, 03:41:39 PM
Has this changed from a Bruce to Westwood subject all of a sudden?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on January 04, 2017, 03:53:27 PM
That's a fair question. So do you think Westwood should be sold?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 04, 2017, 04:00:43 PM
I don't understand the defense of Westwood, and in my opinion Jimbo is spot on in his summing up of him.  He's an utterly anonymous little coward who actively goes out of his way to avoid getting involved.

I couldn't put it any better myself. After the weekend, and the stats thrown around, I will no longer take anyone defending him seriously. Out.

Agreed.

The comment earlier that it is isn't his fault he's no good (paraphrasing).  So he has managed to hoodwink to use a word every single football coach he has ever encountered and somehow jammed his way to being signed off as a professional footballer?  Or could it be that, in fact, yes he does all the right things and makes all the right noises in training only to turn in absolutely God awful, anonymous, non-accountable performances week in, week out.  Either atrocious, or atrocious dereliction of duty in a vital area.  Either way.  Get rid.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 04, 2017, 04:03:08 PM
Has this changed from a Bruce to Westwood subject all of a sudden?

It's the Bruce thread but the Westwood thread's gone missing.

Anybody want to tap this one in?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on January 04, 2017, 04:11:33 PM
Has this changed from a Bruce to Westwood subject all of a sudden?

It's the Bruce thread but the Westwood thread's gone missing.

Anybody want to tap this one in?

Thanks for pointing that out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on January 04, 2017, 04:12:31 PM
And whilst I'm here, I'm firmly in Jimbos camp
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 04, 2017, 04:14:19 PM
Has this changed from a Bruce to Westwood subject all of a sudden?

It's the Bruce thread but the Westwood thread's gone missing.

Anybody want to tap this one in?

Thanks for pointing that out.

I knew Lee would be on hand to assist.  He's not afraid to get stuck in and tackle the big issues.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 04, 2017, 04:20:59 PM
Has this changed from a Bruce to Westwood subject all of a sudden?

It's the Bruce thread but the Westwood thread's gone missing.

Anybody want to tap this one in?

Thanks for pointing that out.

I knew Lee would be on hand to assist.  He's not afraid to get stuck in and tackle the big issues.

Another great read Risso.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: peter w on January 04, 2017, 04:40:36 PM
Why didn't Westwood take the penalty? Oh, and, erm, I like him. He's going through a rough patch and I doubt he'll show any worth in a Villa shirt again but he was the hod carrier and did the donkey work well enough for what we would afford to pay for. Not so this season but he's the whipping boy for RDM not buying a decent enough midfield in the summer. Cheer up Ashley son you're not as bad as we, and probably you now, believe.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on January 04, 2017, 06:11:24 PM
SE - Did you get your radiators to work?

Not yet. In the spirit of Paul Lambert I think I'm just going to put them all on at once and hope they work it out themselves.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on January 04, 2017, 06:25:20 PM
Why didn't Westwood take the penalty?

Because he would have floated it over the bar.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on January 04, 2017, 08:02:22 PM
The miasma of underachievement still hangs thick in the dank corners of Villa Park, and it looks like Steve Bruce walked straight into a cloud of it.

The giant soft-play area that is VP and Bodymoor Heath has lulled many a player into a kind of fugue state, which dulls his wits and gives him the pleasant sensation that all his needs are now taken care of come what may. This dreamlike stasis makes players believe they can coast along in an untouchable state of blissful wellbeing until such time as their multi-million pound contract finally runs out (or until they are inexplicably offered a new one). They know it will never get better than this, and they're determined to kick back and enjoy it. After all, they've made it now.

Ross McCormack is the latest to succumb to this strange malady. He looks more suited to a teddy bear onesie and a settee than a Villa kit and a football pitch. The days of hard graft are now behind him. He knows it will never get any better than this.

Too many players, it seems, have believed it possible to make the club work for them, rather than the other way around. And so it has been for the likes of Stephen Ireland, Charles N'Zogbia, Gabby Agbonlahor...

With all that comes an arrogance - still - that makes a few players believe they are somehow above having to compete, fight and scrap for every available point. To learn their role in the team and stick to it. To function as a footballer. And any manager - whether he looks like Antonio Conte, or a man with a potato for a head - will have his work cut out eradicating the disease.

Give the poor bastard a break.   
I'm sorry but this post is just full of utter bollocks and hyperbole.  We have had several shit players and a few bad eggs, but mainly a shit owner and a few shit managers. 

How do you know how hard McCormack is working?  Wasn't he set back by injury?

There is no mystery disease, gypsy curse or cancer.  Just some terrible management decisions and catastrophic loss of form and confidence which Bruce is slowly trying to sort out.

I agree he should be given a break.  The rest of the post is just melodramatic nonsense.

Can you give me a few moments while I think about what's wrong with fat Ross McCormack, and I'll get back to you.
Maybe a bit fanciful in places but for me some of the points he makes are pretty salient. As for Ross Mac I know personally several people that have seen him out and about round Solihull and he has a taste for the champagne lifestyle.Maybe it's nothing new I don't know but it doesn't lend itself to a top class striker who is determined to show everyone at B6 what he is capable of.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT on January 04, 2017, 08:10:59 PM
I'm not saying Ross and Micah Richards are overweight, but my lads calendar fell off the wall - and they're both January!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on January 04, 2017, 08:41:03 PM
I'm not saying Ross and Micah Richards are overweight, but my lads calendar fell off the wall - and they're both January!

Ha ha, brilliant! Well done sir.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passitsideways on January 04, 2017, 09:04:10 PM
I don't understand the defense of Westwood, and in my opinion Jimbo is spot on in his summing up of him.  He's an utterly anonymous little coward who actively goes out of his way to avoid getting involved.

I couldn't put it any better myself. After the weekend, and the stats thrown around, I will no longer take anyone defending him seriously. Out.

Agreed.

The comment earlier that it is isn't his fault he's no good (paraphrasing).  So he has managed to hoodwink to use a word every single football coach he has ever encountered and somehow jammed his way to being signed off as a professional footballer?  Or could it be that, in fact, yes he does all the right things and makes all the right noises in training only to turn in absolutely God awful, anonymous, non-accountable performances week in, week out.  Either atrocious, or atrocious dereliction of duty in a vital area.  Either way.  Get rid.

Wait, so why wouldn't the manager also observe that particular phenomenon and promptly bomb him out accordingly, for "dereliction of duty"?

See, I'm highly skeptical that all these managers we've had would've been willing to pick a player who they assessed, having considered everything, (yes, including how they played in matches) to be a coward or otherwise incapable of taking any responsibility, unless they were genuinely interested in getting themselves fired (Lambert's final few months is the only time applicable there.)

People seem to equate taking responsibility or "not being a coward" on a football pitch with running around looking mad busy or attempting something well beyond one's talent level just to look like they're trying to make things happen, even though unsuccessfully doing so probably hurts the team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on January 04, 2017, 09:09:42 PM
Well surely after subbing them both at HT Bruce will think twice about starting with either again?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passitsideways on January 04, 2017, 09:26:44 PM
I'd hope so, though fingers crossed we do get at least one midfielder in and ready to start before the next league game, if not two.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on January 04, 2017, 11:16:48 PM
Well surely after subbing them both at HT Bruce will think twice about starting with either again?

I'm surprised he allowed them back on the coach. I'd have left them there, like the unsold shit when you leave a car boot sale.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on January 05, 2017, 02:36:54 AM
Well surely after subbing them both at HT Bruce will think twice about starting with either again?

I'm surprised he allowed them back on the coach. I'd have left them there, like the unsold shit when you leave a car boot sale.

Very good.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on January 05, 2017, 07:58:22 AM
Back to Bruce.  If he doesn't sign two effective midfielders and get us into the playoffs,  then Dr T will sack him.  The heat is on for Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ad@m on January 05, 2017, 12:53:03 PM
Back to Bruce.  If he doesn't sign two effective midfielders and get us into the playoffs,  then Dr T will sack him.  The heat is on for Bruce.

I bet Dr T doesn't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JJ-AV on January 05, 2017, 02:38:23 PM
I wonder if Mike Phelan will end up on our coaching staff.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 05, 2017, 05:27:22 PM
Back to Bruce.  If he doesn't sign two effective midfielders and get us into the playoffs,  then Dr T will sack him.  The heat is on for Bruce.

I bet Dr T doesn't.

if we don't get to the play offs and we are still playing like we are ie no obvious improvement then I reckon he will be a gonner to be honest
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 05, 2017, 07:48:15 PM
Back to Bruce.  If he doesn't sign two effective midfielders and get us into the playoffs,  then Dr T will sack him.  The heat is on for Bruce.

I bet Dr T doesn't.

if we don't get to the play offs and we are still playing like we are ie no obvious improvement then I reckon he will be a gonner to be honest


Just read his comments re Gabby.  Jesus Christ, not sure I'd be gambling my future on a striker with 1 goal to his name in the last 2 seasons.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on January 05, 2017, 07:53:19 PM
Back to Bruce.  If he doesn't sign two effective midfielders and get us into the playoffs,  then Dr T will sack him.  The heat is on for Bruce.

I bet Dr T doesn't.

if we don't get to the play offs and we are still playing like we are ie no obvious improvement then I reckon he will be a gonner to be honest


If we get to a point where it looks as though we are not realistically going to get into the play-offs, it will depend on Bruce's approach to the rest of the season and how he wants to change the playing staff at the end of the season.  If he just plays out the rest of the season and not prepare for next. I think he will be gone.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that and we do make the play-offs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on January 05, 2017, 07:56:09 PM
He still has plenty of rope.  Points-wise, we are no nearer the play-offs than when he arrived. 

But our results have been decent - just a shame that the same can be said for those around and above us.

He doesn't help himself with comments like that about Gabby, mind. There is bigging your own players up and then there is cloud cuckoo land.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 05, 2017, 07:57:45 PM
In other words let's hope he doesn't do an Eric Black.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 05, 2017, 08:00:03 PM
I am still convinced he is trying to sell Gabby.  He cannot possibly believe what he is saying about him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave shelley on January 05, 2017, 08:03:42 PM
I am still convinced he is trying to sell Gabby.  He cannot possibly believe what he is saying about him.

I agree Brian.  I think he's trying the old reverse psychology trick with Flabby.  Hoping it just might gee him up enough for someone to take a risk on him.  I'm not holding my breath.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: peter w on January 05, 2017, 08:07:47 PM
gabby will end up at Wolves.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on January 05, 2017, 08:17:54 PM
I get the impression Bruce has long been building up to a last Flabby hurrah and trying to get a tune out of him in January. He will soon fall off the radar again after that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 05, 2017, 08:22:45 PM
He will go to Sunderland when they sell Defoe to Set Spam.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on January 05, 2017, 08:23:14 PM
Let's face it Bruce can hardly slag Flabby off in the press. I should imagine ( bloody hope) that what he has said and what he thinks are two different things. A bit like a politician really.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 06, 2017, 04:34:02 AM
Maybe Bruce is talking Gabby up to get some sort value for him in the hope of sale. Because I cannot imagine anybody actually wanting to spend money on him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on January 06, 2017, 06:55:25 AM
I hope you lot are right about the Gabby thing not being as it seems from Bruce, but I reckon he genuinely likes the cock socket. He should have been sacked last season, even Di Matteo understood that you can't do what he did last season and be considered.  The idiotic fan cheering at VP when comes on is equally nauseating.  He has been massively overpaid for many years while allowing himself to not be in any fit state to do his job and then shamed the club on more than one occasion when supposedly club captain. He seems to be hankering after a player that disappeared 5 years ago.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on January 06, 2017, 07:16:06 AM
Maybe Bruce is talking Gabby up to get some sort value for him in the hope of sale. Because I cannot imagine anybody actually wanting to spend money on him.

Agree with that

With his attiude and general shitness i cant see anyone being stupid enough to want him. I expect him to see his contract out and retire even though he has been retired for two seasons
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bestmate on January 06, 2017, 07:38:14 AM
Maybe Bruce is talking Gabby up to get some sort value for him in the hope of sale. Because I cannot imagine anybody actually wanting to spend money on him.

Agree with that

With his attiude and general shitness i cant see anyone being stupid enough to want him. I expect him to see his contract out and retire even though he has been retired for two seasons

Just out of interest  what did you think  of  his  performance  when  he came on  against  cardiff?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on January 06, 2017, 07:59:24 AM
Maybe Bruce is talking Gabby up to get some sort value for him in the hope of sale. Because I cannot imagine anybody actually wanting to spend money on him.

Agree with that

With his attiude and general shitness i cant see anyone being stupid enough to want him. I expect him to see his contract out and retire even though he has been retired for two seasons

Just out of interest  what did you think  of  his  performance  when  he came on  against  cardiff?

Havent watched it

Even if he did ok im not going to jizz my pants becuase he did alright in one game

its a bit like your missus shagging a different blokes ten nights running and on the eleventh night she is nice to you so that makes it ok
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bestmate on January 06, 2017, 08:10:05 AM
Maybe Bruce is talking Gabby up to get some sort value for him in the hope of sale. Because I cannot imagine anybody actually wanting to spend money on him.

Agree with that

With his attiude and general shitness i cant see anyone being stupid enough to want him. I expect him to see his contract out and retire even though he has been retired for two seasons

Just out of interest  what did you think  of  his  performance  when  he came on  against  cardiff?

Havent watched it

Even if he did ok im not going to jizz my pants becuase he did alright in one game

its a bit like your missus shagging a different blokes ten nights running and on the eleventh night she is nice to you so that makes it ok

My missus  told  me she  reckons  he could  do a decent  job till the  end  of the season !!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 06, 2017, 08:38:38 AM
Gabby played well when he came on. Was unlucky not to score with that curling shot, it was a good save from the keeper.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 06, 2017, 09:09:39 AM
Maybe Bruce is talking Gabby up to get some sort value for him in the hope of sale. Because I cannot imagine anybody actually wanting to spend money on him.

Agree with that

With his attiude and general shitness i cant see anyone being stupid enough to want him. I expect him to see his contract out and retire even though he has been retired for two seasons

Just out of interest  what did you think  of  his  performance  when  he came on  against  cardiff?

Havent watched it

Even if he did ok im not going to jizz my pants becuase he did alright in one game

its a bit like your missus shagging a different blokes ten nights running and on the eleventh night she is nice to you so that makes it ok
It's nothing like that. 

It's just about making a cold hard decision on whether he can help us get where we want to be.  If the vastly experienced manager who has been promoted from this league 5 times thinks he can, then so be it.  Personally I wouldn't play him (I won't mention lollipops again just in case Footy gets worked up), but we need to trust Bruce to make these calls I guess.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on January 06, 2017, 09:23:56 AM
Has anyone noticed if Bruce has started to grow a beard and started to mumble at press conferences yet, because if he thinks Gabby is the answer, then we are in serious trouble!

We go again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villa Lew on January 08, 2017, 10:07:06 AM
We've made the centre pages of the Mail on Sunday Sports section, well Brucie has.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4097964/Steve-Bruce-going-strong-40-years-football-ahead-Spurs-FA-Cup-tie-Aston-Villa-manager-recalls-ups-downs-48-hours-d-signed-Gareth-Bale-Wigan-wonder-d-hand-now.html

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: fredm on January 08, 2017, 11:37:57 AM
I think it is just a case of trying to get through January without having to bring in another striker when we will have two returning in February.  If he can get Gabby all enthusiastic to actually try and compete during the matches this month any money we have can then be spent upgrading the areas that urgently need attention - midfield - and not on an attacker who could well be surplus to requirements in 4 weeks time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on January 08, 2017, 11:57:48 AM
If we go through January with just Gabby and McCormacdonalds then we will be nowhere near the play offs by the end of it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on January 08, 2017, 12:01:16 PM
If we go through January with just Gabby and McCormacdonalds then we will be nowhere near the play offs by the end of it.
We'll be closer to the relegation zone to be honest. Two fat bastards aren't going to keep us within sight of the playoffs. Although even that illusive sixth place seems to be edging away from us again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: berneboy on January 08, 2017, 12:15:18 PM
From today's Sunday Times:

IT WAS eight o’clock in the morning and Steve Bruce’s car was pulling into the manager’s space at Bodymoor Heath training ground for the first time. A sullen figure, shoulders slumped, more than a stone overweight, was beating him to the entrance.

It was a senior pro and Bruce had already informed his firstteam squad that day one of the sixth managerial reign at Villa Park inside 18 months would not begin until two o’clock in the afternoon.

Bruce met his new staff and asked them what Gabby Agbonlahor was doing, skulking around so early in the morning.

“I said, ‘Why’s he in? We’re not in until two,’” reveals Bruce.

“The lads said he’s training with the 17 year olds. I said, ‘Go and tell him to train at 2 o’clock with the rest of the first team’. That was the first thing I did on my first morning. On that same first morning I spoke to him, I said, ‘Gabby, I’m not interested in what’s happened in the past [he had been pictured with a shisha pipe last April]. You’ve had problems. That is gone as far as I’m concerned. You know as well as I do you could be in better condition. I know you’ve been kicked.’


“He could have had his side of the argument, but he responded in a different way. He’s lost seven kilos. He looks like Gabby Agbonlahor again. If I can get him firing in the Championship he could be as good as any striker in it.”

There are no motivational slogans on Bruce’s office walls. There is a settee — which Tim Sherwood would lie upon — but the new manager insists that he hasn’t had the time to use it. There is a magnet board with players’ names on that has followed him wherever he has been in 17 years of management, but there are no pictures. “You’re never there long enough,” he says.

He quotes England’s all-conquering Australian rugby coach, Eddie Jones, and Dylan Hartley, guffaws at weekly fights in training and then exhales at the thought of travelling in the kind of luxury that Arsenal’s players will enjoy in their new Emirates aeroplane which was showcased last week.

He remains a mixture of old school and new thinking. If, more than anything, there is a reason for his longevity, then it perhaps lies in the warmth, the genuine spirit of a people person.

When Manchester United won their first domestic championship for 26 years, as Oldham beat Aston Villa way back in 1993 on a Sunday afternoon, the entire squad immediately, without invitation, headed to Bruce’s house. At six o’clock in the morning Bryan Robson was walking around the house tidying up empty beer cans.

At 56, Bruce looks a more complete manager, more at ease even. “Some respond with a stick, some respond with a bollocking, that ‘I’ll show you’, and some respond with an arm around the shoulder,” he says.

“It’s a different world we live in and football is not the same as it was 20 years ago. I never thought that I would be saying that. Players are different today. Whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing I don’t know.

“This old school Aussie has walked in at England and he’s not lost a game. He brings back Dylan Hartley, who is all passion and spirit and of course does a few things wrong, but he’s identified him as a leader. Some would say he’s trouble but it was a wonderful piece of management.

“I heard him the other day saying that the old ways were maybe the best, but what he believes in now is that you need to have a mixture. You can’t go back to being a dinosaur. It has changed. Society has changed. The world changes and a football manager changes too.

“Players are a little bit more precious than they used to be. Some of the stuff that we used to get up to, it would be mind blowing. Two or three would be done for GBH in games for a start. There was a fight every week in training.”

For too long Villa brought in players just for the sake of it. I will not do that
There is a smile and a fond memory from the past, but Bruce has not stayed there.

He excelled at Hull but still quit following promotion back to the Premier League. It remains a politically destructive football club.

Aston Villa came calling when they were careering towards a second relegation in two years. A European Cup winner was heading to League One when Bruce received the nod. More Red Adair. There have been seven wins in 14 games since then. It is seven points to the playoffs and 11 to the abyss. Bruce did not worry about egos when he took over at Villa Park.

“Let’s be fair, four wins in 50-odd games [Villa’s record before he arrived at the club] — if you’ve got an ego that certainly dented it,” he chuckles. “They needed help. They needed a bit of confidence and a bit of belief back. On the whole they’ve done very well for me. I said to all of them, ‘You have a chance.’

“I won’t just bring in players, but if there are players who can improve us I will. Too long in the past they’ve just brought in players here for the sake of it. I’m not trying to belittle anybody. But we have to improve the squad rather than just add to it.

“For the rest of the squad the message is simple — I’m here to do one thing, get us promoted. You can come with me and do it my way and it’s not easy, but I think that I know what it takes to get out of the Championship.”

First comes Tottenham in the FA Cup at White Hart Lane, one of the ties of the round, and Bruce is an admirer of what Mauricio Pochettino has achieved there. “Tottenham are one of my favourite teams now, I have to say,” he adds. “They’re fabulous and five or six of them are English, which is great. It’s a really difficult game for us. This is the best Tottenham team I’ve seen in my 30 or 40 years in the game. They’ve had individuals but never a team like this. Pochettino has done a great job, and he did at Southampton as well.

“Maybe they were too young last year for the title but they were really close and now they’re a year older. I just watched in awe, they are fit and energetic.

“On Sunday, wow, the most difficult tie anyone could have. Can we go and produce a performance? Can we go and play? Can we go and cause an upset? Let’s go and have a crack at it.”

At the head of the Aston Villa attack will be Agbonlahor. “He has done everything he can to get himself in good condition,” says Bruce.

“It’s his turn. People are away. It’s Gabby Agbonlahor. He has played 300 times in the big league and he has scored 80 goals. And he has only just turned 30. He’s made a few mistakes, but I’ve wiped that slate clean for him. We threw him a
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CJ on January 08, 2017, 02:51:10 PM
I'm intrigued to find out what we threw at Agbonlahor. A set of scales? A diet book?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on January 08, 2017, 02:59:05 PM
I'm intrigued to find out what we threw at Agbonlahor. A set of scales? A diet book?

"We threw him an all-you-can-eat barbecue to celebrate"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 08, 2017, 03:04:22 PM
I don't expect you're reading this thread Steve, but if you've got any romantic notions about you and Gabby being in any way similar to Eddie Jones and and Dylsn Hartley, stop it.  It really, really isn't the same thing at all.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on January 08, 2017, 03:44:32 PM
I'm intrigued to find out what we threw at Agbonlahor. A set of scales? A diet book?

A Mars bar. If you can throw it far enough, he'll burn off more calories chasing it than it contains. Baby steps and all that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 08, 2017, 04:09:51 PM
I don't expect you're reading this thread Steve, but if you've got any romantic notions about you and Gabby being in any way similar to Eddie Jones and and Dylsn Hartley, stop it.  It really, really isn't the same thing at all.

In the main because Hartley's ability is unquestionable, it's his ability to control his temper that's a problem.  Gabby on the other hand has a bad attitude and doesn't have tge natural talent to counter it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on January 08, 2017, 06:11:08 PM
While I was against Gabby coming back into the fold...he's played alright last two games.

Just dosen't look much of a goal threat though which is a big problem given he's playing as central striker rather than out wide.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: achilles on January 08, 2017, 06:29:57 PM
While I was against Gabby coming back into the fold...he's played alright last two games.

Just dosen't look much of a goal threat though which is a big problem given he's playing as central striker rather than out wide.

Bit of a problem for a centre forward?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eddiemunster on January 08, 2017, 06:32:51 PM
While I was against Gabby coming back into the fold...he's played alright last two games.

Just dosen't look much of a goal threat though which is a big problem given he's playing as central striker rather than out wide.

Bit of a problem for a centre forward?
WHEN HAS HE EVER LOOKED MUCH OF A GOAL THREAT OVER THE LAST 5 SEASONS.....UNLESS THE THREAT WAS FALLING ON THE GOAL!!!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 08, 2017, 06:42:38 PM
What are you shouting?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 08, 2017, 06:47:28 PM
Play Tish moving forward please Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on January 08, 2017, 10:11:03 PM
I respect Bruce (and Gabby) for the effort. But I hope he has a plan B.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Brend'Watkins on January 08, 2017, 10:26:18 PM
I seen another thing Gabby can't do today and that is jump. He was once upon a time good at winning a battle in the air against central defenders. Today, his body couldn't get off the ground. He shows effort like he should. It isn't enough though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 08, 2017, 10:54:13 PM
While I was against Gabby coming back into the fold...he's played alright last two games.

Just dosen't look much of a goal threat though which is a big problem given he's playing as central striker rather than out wide.

Bit of a problem for a centre forward?

None of our strikers have. That's the biggest problem facing Bruce. He's sorted out the defence, after today it looks like he knows what he wants with the midfield, certainly no more Westwood and Gardner - at least as starters. The real challenge is Bruce still hasn't discovered an attacking plan or at least one that works. It's either a piece of individual genius out of no where or a set piece.

The clock is ticking, his football may be at best organised, at worst bloody ugly but you get the feeling he's more than aware of it. That interview once again encourages me that yes, he talks a good game but he actually does know what he's doing. I may be clutching at straws but I get the feeling the old dog might just pull it off.

Saving us from humiliation today may just turn out to be the corner in our season. As somebody else mentioned on here tonight, you need to fight to get anything in the Championship and they're right. If we can take the same dedication and commitment into the rest of the season, add to it an attacking plan, it may not be the wasted season some seem to prepared to settle for.

When he arrived we had a crap defence, crap midfield and 10,000 strikers. Now the defence seems organised, the midfield industrious, we just need him to get the attack functioning and before you shout "Gabby!", if we create the service even Gabby/Ayew/McCorrmack/Kodjia will score. A few from the rest of the team wouldn't go amiss either but first off - a plan.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 09, 2017, 01:40:53 AM
While I was against Gabby coming back into the fold...he's played alright last two games.

Just dosen't look much of a goal threat though which is a big problem given he's playing as central striker rather than out wide.

Bit of a problem for a centre forward?

None of our strikers have. That's the biggest problem facing Bruce. He's sorted out the defence, after today it looks like he knows what he wants with the midfield, certainly no more Westwood and Gardner - at least as starters. The real challenge is Bruce still hasn't discovered an attacking plan or at least one that works. It's either a piece of individual genius out of no where or a set piece.

The clock is ticking, his football may be at best organised, at worst bloody ugly but you get the feeling he's more than aware of it. That interview once again encourages me that yes, he talks a good game but he actually does know what he's doing. I may be clutching at straws but I get the feeling the old dog might just pull it off.

Saving us from humiliation today may just turn out to be the corner in our season. As somebody else mentioned on here tonight, you need to fight to get anything in the Championship and they're right. If we can take the same dedication and commitment into the rest of the season, add to it an attacking plan, it may not be the wasted season some seem to prepared to settle for.

When he arrived we had a crap defence, crap midfield and 10,000 strikers. Now the defence seems organised, the midfield industrious, we just need him to get the attack functioning and before you shout "Gabby!", if we create the service even Gabby/Ayew/McCorrmack/Kodjia will score. A few from the rest of the team wouldn't go amiss either but first off - a plan.

I'm not picking faults (but I know some people will think I am) but I really don't think that organising a back 4 and 4 defensive midfielders in front of them can be our plan going forward.  For today it sort of made sense but having that attitude to away games in the league won't get us enough points to make the play offs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 09, 2017, 08:45:32 AM
I think the midfield yesterday have more than enough flexibility to function going forward in the Championship and get the results needed. Adding to the squad can only be a good thing but we'll soon be wondering if we haven't already, why it took so long to drop Westwood and Gardner and how many points it may have cost us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 09, 2017, 08:53:56 AM
Westwood and Gardner represent 50% of our available first team central midfield.

25% is a lad who has played 20 games at this level, talented as we believe him to be and the other 25% is a 32 year old stopper.

That's why they've played so much and that's why we're not quite firing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 09, 2017, 09:09:54 AM
Spot on Ads.  Tshibola being allowed to come in out of the cold must not be allowed to detract from our historic midfield inadequacies. We need at least another two young, direct running midfield players with good engines.

On an optimistic note perhaps Elphick will lose some of his demons with a good, big, strong, high catching, long kicking goalkeeper behind him.  Goalies spook Mad Tom.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 09, 2017, 01:37:13 PM
Westwood and Gardner represent 50% of our available first team central midfield.

25% is a lad who has played 20 games at this level, talented as we believe him to be and the other 25% is a 32 year old stopper.

That's why they've played so much and that's why we're not quite firing.

You missed out Bacuna who looked great before his injury then never got a look in after. Bruce choose to go with Gardner and Westwood but judging from his comments post-Cardiff, he won't be in a rush to call them back. Nobody is denying we need more bodies in midfield but the original point was the 2 that played yesterday alongside Jedi aren't restricted to only playing in a defensive midfield.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on January 10, 2017, 01:43:11 AM
We're 6th in the form table since Bruce arrived - results wise if not performance wise

We need to be about 3rd I'd imagine from here on in. Can't quite see it

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/01/09/the-championship-table-since-steve-bruce-was-appointed-aston-vil/
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on January 14, 2017, 10:15:33 PM

Bruce on Aston Villa's promotion prospects after the derby defeat at Wolves

“When I arrived we were in a relegation fight because we were in the bottom three," he said. “I’m not concerned about that now.

“We’ve got to be a club of our stature and look at what we’re trying to achieve at the other end of the table.

“I never give up on (promotion). It’s a huge, big ask because we’ve drifted away in the last few weeks.

Too many of them are used to getting beat and unfortunately it’s a bad habit to have.

“We huffed and puffed and tried and worked hard enough but the actual lack of quality was not there.”
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Marlon From Bearwood on January 14, 2017, 10:32:06 PM
Bruce made an initial impact but ultimately we were 10 points off the play offs when he took over and we're still ten points off today.

My patience is wearing thin due to his stubborn insistence of sticking with Gabby. Bruce said he didn't want to pay any attention to what had previously gone on with Gabby. Well maybe you fucking should have done Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on January 14, 2017, 10:33:26 PM

Bruce on Aston Villa's promotion prospects after the derby defeat at Wolves

“When I arrived we were in a relegation fight because we were in the bottom three," he said. “I’m not concerned about that now.

“We’ve got to be a club of our stature and look at what we’re trying to achieve at the other end of the table.

“I never give up on (promotion). It’s a huge, big ask because we’ve drifted away in the last few weeks.

Too many of them are used to getting beat and unfortunately it’s a bad habit to have.

“We huffed and puffed and tried and worked hard enough but the actual lack of quality was not there.”

huffed and puffed yes - one header on goal, no shots tells the full picture awful.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on January 14, 2017, 10:35:25 PM
I'd love to hear Bruce's reasonings for constantly playing Gabby. I cannot for the life of me see what he has to offer the team. His pace has gone, he never did have a touch and he wouldn't worry defenders (even at this level) if he went out there carrying a flick knife. I would honestly rather see one of the young lads given a chance for longer than 10 minutes.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 14, 2017, 10:44:30 PM
Needs to start getting performances out of this team fast.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on January 14, 2017, 10:47:11 PM
I accept that he has not had a chance to reshape this squad however he is culpable of making some huge errors. He brought Gabby back in as cover for AFCON absentees when complete footballing muppets like me can see the man is long gone past he sell by date. He allowed the club to sell Gestede in a period when we were clearly going to be short of forwards. He dropped Gollini when it was clear that Bunn was incapable of operating at this level. He persists in keeping Grealish out of the team when the world knows that he is possibly the only creative player we have in our squad. He.....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 14, 2017, 10:50:50 PM
I accept that he has not had a chance to reshape this squad however he is culpable of making some huge errors. He brought Gabby back in as cover for AFCON absentees when complete footballing muppets like me can see the man is long gone past he sell by date. He allowed the club to sell Gestede in a period when we were clearly going to be short of forwards. He dropped Gollini when it was clear that Bunn was incapable of operating at this level. He persists in keeping Grealish out of the team when the world knows that he is possibly the only creative player we have in our squad. He.....

In fairness he's played Grealish a fair bit and he hasn't produced much.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on January 14, 2017, 10:52:38 PM
Needs to start getting performances out of this team fast.

Not going to happen as they can't perform as a team as they've shown after 6 months under 2 managers. It's points that we need fast. We need a completely new central midfield to improve performances and secure the points but probably too late now even for play offs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on January 14, 2017, 10:54:54 PM
I accept that he has not had a chance to reshape this squad however he is culpable of making some huge errors. He brought Gabby back in as cover for AFCON absentees when complete footballing muppets like me can see the man is long gone past he sell by date. He allowed the club to sell Gestede in a period when we were clearly going to be short of forwards. He dropped Gollini when it was clear that Bunn was incapable of operating at this level. He persists in keeping Grealish out of the team when the world knows that he is possibly the only creative player we have in our squad. He.....

In fairness he's played Grealish a fair bit and he hasn't produced much.

Not sure Grealish us the answer. Won a few pens and free kicks but overrated for me
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on January 14, 2017, 10:58:53 PM
We haven't played well for two months. We've beat a few average teams but have been average or crap since the Brighton game. Blues have won once in 8 games but are above us which says everything about our performances.

Our style of play is dreadful aswell. Passing and movement is non existent and we barely create a chance in our away games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 15, 2017, 12:44:10 AM
Of the four defeats, I think we were a tad unlucky at Cardiff and should have got a point in the second half. Motherless, Wolves and Norwich are two stand out diabolical performances, while Leeds ended up fading into a poor one as well.

Reading away we played well, we're the better side, only one who carried a threat and deserved the last minute winner. Equally Brighton we should have really won, while QPR were possibly the poorest side I've seen in years.

The lack of energy in the way we press collectively is frustrating. I don't know why we've stepped off sides, but there isn't a single team on this league good enough to beat the press. Certainly not a poor Wolves or Cardiff.

The midfield is shambolic. No creativity, hopelessly imbalanced and never likely to carry a goal threat either.

Defensively we are OK as the stats bear out, but I'm sure Bruce doesn't need telling what that lump in the middle of his face is or how to look beyond it; it's the midfield stupid.

We've picked up £6million for Gestede, although the timing seems poor with Ayew and Kodjia away until February. As poor as he was, he was useful to disrupt opposition in the last 20 minutes.

People bemoan him picking Gabby and McCormack, who while not helping himself, certainly is hindered by our midfield. Who else is there? RHM is a shithouse, the other two including the best one, aren't here, so there's nobody else to pick.

He needs to read dress the fundamentals again re-pressing and it would help if the midfield had starting positions 10 yards higher up the park.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 15, 2017, 03:56:59 AM
The problem is only 2 of the RDM signings have really worked out Kodija and Chester.
The rest have added to the flops that were allready here.
A huge clear out is still required.
Bacuna Hutton Richards McCormick Gabby Westwood.
Jury still out Adomah Elphick, I don't think they would be missed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Axl Rose on January 15, 2017, 04:02:34 AM
I accept that he has not had a chance to reshape this squad however he is culpable of making some huge errors. He brought Gabby back in as cover for AFCON absentees when complete footballing muppets like me can see the man is long gone past he sell by date. He allowed the club to sell Gestede in a period when we were clearly going to be short of forwards. He dropped Gollini when it was clear that Bunn was incapable of operating at this level. He persists in keeping Grealish out of the team when the world knows that he is possibly the only creative player we have in our squad. He.....

I'll carry on for you, Aftab.

He....Plays Agbonlahor. This is enough for me to dislike his management style.

Still not a fan of Bruce. The football is dreadful.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on January 15, 2017, 07:30:11 AM
I can't stand Gabby but we don't have anyone else
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Axl Rose on January 15, 2017, 07:36:49 AM
I can't stand Gabby but we don't have anyone else

I hate the way he's wormed his way back into our team. Di Matteo had the right idea regarding that fat shit at least. Realised he was shit and ousted him. But fatty just wouldn't go, would he. I fucking hate him and will never support him again.

I'd play anyone from our reserves, or play Green and Adomah in support of McCormack as a front three until we buy a good, new striker. And when we do, partner him with Kodjia and Ayew. Anything but shisha c***
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Vegas on January 15, 2017, 07:37:18 AM
Bruce made an initial impact but ultimately we were 10 points off the play offs when he took over and we're still ten points off today.


Isn't this massive progress though? When he arrived we were in the relegation mix;since he's been here we've had play off form
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rigadon on January 15, 2017, 07:41:59 AM
Agree with Ads assessment of our approach to games and also Chicago villa's new transfer comments.

We seem to be giving teams too much time on the ball, especially at 0-0. Bruce is right, too many of the squad are 'losers' and it'll take more than one transfer window to sort out. No promotion this year, and please, no Bruce out nonsense because of it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT on January 15, 2017, 07:59:19 AM
Against Brighton we pressed really well. It was a big reason why we played at such a high level in that game.

Since Calderwood arrived we don't do it anymore, and we're treated to Gabby trotting around watching defenders from ten yards away.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on January 15, 2017, 08:13:11 AM
I accept that he has not had a chance to reshape this squad however he is culpable of making some huge errors. He brought Gabby back in as cover for AFCON absentees when complete footballing muppets like me can see the man is long gone past he sell by date. He allowed the club to sell Gestede in a period when we were clearly going to be short of forwards. He dropped Gollini when it was clear that Bunn was incapable of operating at this level. He persists in keeping Grealish out of the team when the world knows that he is possibly the only creative player we have in our squad. He.....
Agreed on Gollini.
For the rest of your comments, Gestede was crap and keeping him would have simply been keeping another body. Flabby is crap too, but at least he closes down the oppo defence. Grealish will only flourish when the MF is sorted out.
Bruce has very few options right now: hopefully, in February he'll have some more.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on January 15, 2017, 08:21:06 AM
Be honest at the moment is running out of ideas.  Not his squad as such so difficult to judge but fat gabby and fat Ross really
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on January 15, 2017, 08:26:53 AM
I do question the coaching that goes on in training. Many moons ago I played for the school side and we were bang average. One day a maths teacher turned up to take training. We all thought WTF..! In his earlier days he had the chance to sign for big clubs but an injury put paid to that.From then on 95% of all train sessions revolved around pass and move. He always said that apart from the goalkeeper the most you would ever have the ball in a game was 2 minutes so what you did with the other 88 was the key. Wit the same set of players we went from average to world beaters in 12 months. It was all down to coaching. He looked upon hoofing the ball and giving possession away as a crime and if you did it come the end of the game he would talk to you like someone who had just run over his dog.Yes we need signings but i'm sure with top quality coaching we could get a lot more out of the players that we have.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on January 15, 2017, 09:10:56 AM
Not to be deliberately provocative but why do we let Grealish off the hook so much? He was just as half soaked as the rest of them during our relegation and is hardly pulling this division apart. He's got no pace, rarely shoots etc. One of our own maybe, but he also needs a kick up the arse to get him going.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on January 15, 2017, 09:21:29 AM
I do question the coaching that goes on in training. Many moons ago I played for the school side and we were bang average. One day a maths teacher turned up to take training. We all thought WTF..! In his earlier days he had the chance to sign for big clubs but an injury put paid to that.From then on 95% of all train sessions revolved around pass and move. He always said that apart from the goalkeeper the most you would ever have the ball in a game was 2 minutes so what you did with the other 88 was the key. Wit the same set of players we went from average to world beaters in 12 months. It was all down to coaching. He looked upon hoofing the ball and giving possession away as a crime and if you did it come the end of the game he would talk to you like someone who had just run over his dog.Yes we need signings but i'm sure with top quality coaching we could get a lot more out of the players that we have.

These are players that will have been coached since they were 10 and first joined academies. They are playing against teams made of people who have been through the same process. When a player miss controls a ball, fails to find his man with a ten yard pass or stands off rather than closes down I think that is his own fault, not that of the coaches.

Bruce has swapped players around and we are still seeing limp performances like last night. There has been a clamour for Tshibola to play, for instance, but his inclusion has not resulted any discernible improvement. That is not down to him, he has done ok, but we need a leader in midfield; somebody to add some drive and urgency. We also need a centre forward but one more mobile than Gestede was. If we sort those positions out then we still might have an outside chance of making the play offs. However, for the first time I am starting to think about what another season in this division would mean.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 15, 2017, 09:28:49 AM
Not to be deliberately provocative but why do we let Grealish off the hook so much? He was just as half soaked as the rest of them during our relegation and is hardly pulling this division apart. He's got no pace, rarely shoots etc. One of our own maybe, but he also needs a kick up the arse to get him going.

I agree, he doesn't even do the simple things well.  His passing is atrocious.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 15, 2017, 09:33:07 AM
With every respect to the previous posters you see the dilemma we face.  Do we coach the players, identify their weaknesses and improve them or do we give them a kick up the arse?  Probably both.  Gabby and McCormack need kicks up the arse for their lifestyle choices and attitudes, most of the others for technical and positional failings need an intensity of coaching they are obviously not getting.

I agree with aftab that Bruce is making some bad errors of judgement, the attempted resurrection of Gabby, and worse still the belief that it is even possible, the timing of the sale of Gestede and loaning out Gollini not Bunn being the obvious ones.  I believe that Steve Bruce is the right manager for us and that he will get us back to the Premiership one way or another, one season or another but I reserve the right to criticise his mistakes.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Marlon From Bearwood on January 15, 2017, 09:33:56 AM
Bruce made an initial impact but ultimately we were 10 points off the play offs when he took over and we're still ten points off today.


Isn't this massive progress though? When he arrived we were in the relegation mix;since he's been here we've had play off form

I wouldn't call it massive progress personally, no. Did you see the last two league games?

And as for play off form, that may have been the case around Xmas, but possibly not now we've taken one point from the last nine.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 15, 2017, 09:38:43 AM
Chris is right. The make up of players we have to choose from doesn't include a player capable of inspiring by his own deeds. Who is going to collect the ball in midfield, best a man and drive at the centre halves over 20/30 yards or force a good save to lift everybody?

The midfield is desperately weak and we can try as many combinations as we like, the solution doesn't exist internally.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 15, 2017, 09:45:10 AM
Chris and Ads gree totally.    We will not score goals while we play backwards and sideways and the only variation on that negativity are runs down the wings that end in crosses to nobody in particular.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 15, 2017, 10:01:37 AM
he hasn't just started picking Gabby because we have no one else
he's been picking him since he arrived

he's had him starting while Ayew, Gestede and Mcormac, RHM etc have been sitting on the bench
Gabbs has played about a dozen games ffs he's not just someone he's thrown in as a last resort

when are you guys going to realise that he likes Gabby he rates Gabby, some deluded fools think he's just putting him in the shop window to try and sell him, he's not, Gabby is a Steve Bruce sort of player he thinks he can get the best out of him,
expect to see Micah Richards back in the team as soon as he is fit
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on January 15, 2017, 10:25:54 AM
And yet I've seen people on here suggesting we sign Hernandez, Snodgrass, Meyler(!) and Robertson, Brady, all 'Steve Bruce sorts of player'.

I'm baffled as to why Agbonlahor is anywhere near the first team but I don't see that he is a 'Bruce type of player'.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 15, 2017, 10:31:20 AM
The quality of ball into Agbonlahor was dire. Chipped stuff up to him, instead of balls into the space behind the full backs.

Wolves must have the poorest centre halves and slowest, in the league. Adomah's chance, there was a 40 yard gap! Yet we consistently failed to play the right ball to him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on January 15, 2017, 10:41:33 AM
Hepburn Murphy should have been getting a place ahead of that fat, balding, piss taking free loader.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on January 15, 2017, 10:44:52 AM
he hasn't just started picking Gabby because we have no one else
he's been picking him since he arrived

he's had him starting while Ayew, Gestede and Mcormac, RHM etc have been sitting on the bench
Gabbs has played about a dozen games ffs he's not just someone he's thrown in as a last resort

when are you guys going to realise that he likes Gabby he rates Gabby, some deluded fools think he's just putting him in the shop window to try and sell him, he's not, Gabby is a Steve Bruce sort of player he thinks he can get the best out of him,
expect to see Micah Richards back in the team as soon as he is fit

He's been playing because he knew that we were losing players to the ACON and he needed to have somebody ready to fill in. To be fair to Gabby, he is working hard and making a nuisance of himself but he is working off scraps and is clearly not the long term answer. I am sure that he wants to bring in a better striker and I know it is stating the bleedin' obvious but that player needs to be available and be willing to join us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on January 15, 2017, 10:46:14 AM
The quality of ball into Agbonlahor was dire. Chipped stuff up to him, instead of balls into the space behind the full backs.

Wolves must have the poorest centre halves and slowest, in the league. Adomah's chance, there was a 40 yard gap! Yet we consistently failed to play the right ball to him.

Spot on. I get that he's way past his best but I actually thought he worked hard but the delivery into him was absolutely diabolical. What can any striker do when none of the midfield do anything of note in supporting the strikers? 90+ minutes and just one decent delivery. The midfield is what's killing us, it's just shockingly inept.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 15, 2017, 11:31:38 AM
And yet I've seen people on here suggesting we sign Hernandez, Snodgrass, Meyler(!) and Robertson, Brady, all 'Steve Bruce sorts of player'.

I'm baffled as to why Agbonlahor is anywhere near the first team but I don't see that he is a 'Bruce type of player'.

I'm only saying that because he's been playing him over all the others, what other conclusion can you come to,
if you have a choice of players and you keep choosing one the most then he is your type of player on the basis that you keep on playing him, its really a no brainer

it is baffling as you say so people come up with all sorts of conspiracy theories about how he's looking to sell him how he's just getting him ready for the ANC but ultimately he just likes him,
the truth as with all conspiracies is always the most simpler option

I know we have a massive difference of opinion on Steve Bruce, and I don't think to my knowledge we have ever had a fallout on here as you have always been a poster that I have enjoyed reading, and here we just have a contrasting view, no more

 and you probably think I'm using every stick to beat him, the truth is I don't really have to Steve Bruce is what he is,
he's not a Garde or a Sherwood where they were unknown quantities, we know exactly what we are getting with Bruce
he's in the same bracket of manager as Lambert,Warnock,Holloway,Mcliesh all have had promotions and succeses to there name especially Mcliesh and they have a formula that works for them in this league, ie Holloway has just won his 3rd match on the trot, it doesn't make him special it just means the tried and tested formula is working

where I have a problem with people is when they think Bruce is anything more than that, that he is somehow not in that bracket of manager,
 he was bought in as a 'promotion specialist' I accept that, I also accept that the way he does it is the way he's doing it, and will continue to do it by being hard to beat, and grinding out results on a regular basis, especially when he hardened the midfield up a bit

the football we play is garbage, most people agree with that, imo its not going to change even when he's got a few of his own in but the results will under Bruce, because that's what he does well,
 I really don't see why people have to make out Bruce is something he's not just to back him up, when people like me who never wanted him will also agree that he is very capable of getting us up but he will do it in his own style, that's what people were saying at the begining was the only reason we actually wanted him

I am disheartened with the manager i have been since his appointment exactly the same as I was with Mcliesh,
 but I still go, I still support the team, I still want us to win, I still want us to go up, but I'm not going to suddenly start thinking he's the right man for Villa when i don't think he is, far from it actually,
 i cant change that

 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 15, 2017, 11:34:21 AM
As one of the deluded fools who thinks the ultimate game plan is to shift Gabby on,  here are my reasons for believing it to be the case.

Steve Bruce is not so stupid to believe Gabby is anything more than a temporary option.

Keith Wyness is not so stupid not to see an opportunity to unload a massive financial burden.  Gabby off the payroll pays the wages of two Hourihans.

If you are going to shift a player as over the top as Gabby it has to be in the January window when desperation rules.

If you are going to shift Gabby, you dare not do anything but praise him, whether you mean it or not.

When Steve Bruce came Gabby was doing a N'Zogbia.  He was a black hole (no racist connotation) swallowing Xia's money.  Now he has some value.  Not much but some.

Football is about money.  It is a business.  A successful club is one that manages it's finances most shrewdly.

We have been suckered with the purchases of McCormack and Elphick.  We have to play the same game.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on January 15, 2017, 11:36:23 AM
Brian I buy that about Gabby but Rome is burning......
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 15, 2017, 11:41:21 AM
As one of the deluded fools who thinks the ultimate game plan is to shift Gabby on,  here are my reasons for believing it to be the case.

Steve Bruce is not so stupid to believe Gabby is anything more than a temporary option.

Keith Wyness is not so stupid not to see an opportunity to unload a massive financial burden.  Gabby off the payroll pays the wages of two Hourihans.

If you are going to shift a player as over the top as Gabby it has to be in the January window when desperation rules.

If you are going to shift Gabby, you dare not do anything but praise him, whether you mean it or not.

When Steve Bruce came Gabby was doing a N'Zogbia.  He was a black hole (no racist connotation) swallowing Xia's money.  Now he has some value.  Not much but some.

Football is about money.  It is a business.  A successful club is one that manages it's finances most shrewdly.

We have been suckered with the purchases of McCormack and Elphick.  We have to play the same game.

i can only say i hope you are correct Brian and that I'm the deluded one
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 15, 2017, 11:44:17 AM
Agree aftab but we need fire fighters and they cost money.

I see much the same mind set now that we saw in Remi Garde's brief tenure.  Invest in the mid term wisely not chuck money away on quick fixes.  Don't get me wrong, I don't like it.  I hate mornings like this, picking over the debris.  It is what I think is happening and I have to steel myself to endure it. Like we all have to.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on January 15, 2017, 11:46:44 AM
Using a phrase like conspiracy theory is nonsense. It is just pragmatic common sense which is the quality I most readily apply to Bruce. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on January 15, 2017, 12:02:31 PM
Because of the way we play , the opposition always have time to organise themselves. They have all the time in the world to get men behind the ball and very rarely do they have a man caught out of position. How many times in the last couple of months have you seen opposition defences all at Sea when they play us. We are a bit like a spin bowlet who can't actually spin the ball giving the batsman all the time in the world to decide what shot to play.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 15, 2017, 12:03:41 PM
As one of the deluded fools who thinks the ultimate game plan is to shift Gabby on,  here are my reasons for believing it to be the case.

Steve Bruce is not so stupid to believe Gabby is anything more than a temporary option.

Keith Wyness is not so stupid not to see an opportunity to unload a massive financial burden.  Gabby off the payroll pays the wages of two Hourihans.

If you are going to shift a player as over the top as Gabby it has to be in the January window when desperation rules.

If you are going to shift Gabby, you dare not do anything but praise him, whether you mean it or not.

When Steve Bruce came Gabby was doing a N'Zogbia.  He was a black hole (no racist connotation) swallowing Xia's money.  Now he has some value.  Not much but some.

Football is about money.  It is a business.  A successful club is one that manages it's finances most shrewdly.

We have been suckered with the purchases of McCormack and Elphick.  We have to play the same game.

I don't accept that playing Agbonlahor is a ruse to help sell him.  But even if I did believe it, who's going to buy him?  He was on a ridiculous contract, and even with a relegation clause, he'll still be on a lot more than most Championship players. Who exactly, is going to take a chance on a troublesome striker who has scored 1 league goal in two seasons, who is probably on something like £30K a week?  He's not going to score the goals you need for a promotion chasing team, or to stave off relegation.  He's an absolute busted flush.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: peter w on January 15, 2017, 12:23:37 PM
You look at the team yesterday and to be fair to Bruce he was an a hiding to nothing.

Keeper - that's his

Hutton - Limited and attack after attack falters with the ball at his feet. Bfuce can do nothing with him.
amavi - Some top laity games some poor games. His quality going forward puts him ahead of people like Joe Bennett but his defending is behind him at times. Still time for him to develop though. But needs experience.
Chester - Good addition and the one player that we can build with.
Elphick - Not a good player and Bruce has little option. When Baker is in we have a chance at the back and look more solid. With Elphick we very rarely win. No other options of quality - even at this level - to come in. Richards clearly shot and Toner has come back from Walsall looking for all the world that he'll do well to have a career matching Darren Byfield's.
Bacuna - I like him but have always said this level is just about his. Good player to bring on with 10 minutes left to cover injuries.
Jedinak - Not sure about this one. It looks like Bruce has given him a job to do that he can do as long as it doesn't involve moving the ball quickly.
Tshibola - One good game when anonymous game. I think he has promise but I think it's clear why Bruce hasn't played him. He just doesn't look ready. One good game  and then nothing.
Adomah - Up and down.
Gabby - Gabby
McCormack - Not fitting in

we have an 11 that is picking itself. None of them bought by Bruce and lacking speed and proven ability. Bruce must be looking around him and just trying to do the best until the end of the season. He's not a miracle worker - its not just a case of becoming a manager and sorting everything out within weeks. Our threat is at the moment Kodjia and how Adomah plays with him. Throw in Jack's performances before the last couple and that is how we've been doing well. At the back its Chester and Baker. Baker being out and we lose.

Bruce's options are very limited and he can't just dump everyone and start again. Because that's what we need. We only have a few players that are worth keeping in the long run.

Keeper - no-one

Defence - Chester; Amavi on potential

Midfield - no-one; Adomah as back-up.

Forwards - Kodjia; Grealish

I'm not counting the youngsters - Green, RHM, Davis etc as they haven't had enough games yet to judge.

I wouldn't blame Bruce. We are still a mess that Di Matteo added to not tried to sort. He tried to just buy forwards to go up and left us woefully unbalanced, and lacking in quality. Bruce will do well to sort this mess out in 18 months never mind this season. He needs time and at least 3, maybe 4, transfer windows.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 15, 2017, 12:35:33 PM
The what happens next to Gabby is a question that will answer itself.  He will either do a N'Zogbia and sit out his contract (or accept a lump sum payment in lieu) or he will go elsewhere.  It is like the old joke about the lost city gent from his Jaguar asking the country bumpkin for directions.  The bumpkin says If I was you sir, I wouldn't be starting from here.

Gabby should not be sitting on a long contract on astronomical wages but he is.

My hope but not expectation is that there is so much hot money washing around China that our owner might find him a home there.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on January 15, 2017, 01:16:23 PM
I really hope some of those deals Tony tweeted about come to fruition because sooner or later the team's lack of quality is going to enforce a change to the thread title:

Steve Bruce: officially concerned.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on January 15, 2017, 01:20:58 PM
I'll be honest, much as I like Steve Bruce I don't think he's the man to make us one of the top 5 clubs in the world in the next 5 years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on January 15, 2017, 01:25:30 PM
Behave Chris! All we need is a new team and he'll be having a Rioja with Zidane after our Quarter Final at the Bernabeu.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on January 15, 2017, 01:36:40 PM
Picking Gabby again is very worrying.   We put these managers on a pedestal but they are mostly charlatans on the money gravy train.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 15, 2017, 03:04:26 PM
Afternoon.
Agbonlahor is SB's only option really. The best=worst option. We have No Kodjia, No Ayew, No Gestede, No Kozak and a kid from non-league Biggleswade (Davis) as the understudy. What the hell would you do ? Play an Ex-England international or do without ? yeah, I know the nay-sayers would say " do without " but he has to be seen to be utilising resources the best he can in order to prove to Wyness and Dr X that he really has NO resources worth playing, doesn't he ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 15, 2017, 03:09:44 PM
I wrote to the club about a teenage striker who is averaging 1.2 goals a non league game but to date have received no reply.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 15, 2017, 03:11:09 PM
Afternoon.
Agbonlahor is SB's only option really. The best=worst option. We have No Kodjia, No Ayew, No Gestede, No Kozak and a kid from non-league Biggleswade (Davis) as the understudy. What the hell would you do ? Play an Ex-England international or do without ? yeah, I know the nay-sayers would say " do without " but he has to be seen to be utilising resources the best he can in order to prove to Wyness and Dr X that he really has NO resources worth playing, doesn't he ?

so what happened all the times he had all those options and still started with Gabby and left them all sitting on the bench ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 15, 2017, 03:16:35 PM
Like I said, it is about Steve Bruce proving his case that he needs better resources, as can clearly be seen by all. Especially those like Wyness and Little etc, to inform Dr X.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 15, 2017, 03:48:56 PM
So you're saying the decided to pick a weaker team than he needed to as proof that the squad isn't strong enough?  If that were true then all it would really show is that Bruce is a massive twat, thankfully it's nonsense, he clearly thinks he can get Agbonlahor back to the 10-12 a season striker he was 6-7 years ago.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on January 15, 2017, 04:47:21 PM
I think Steve Bruce's new manager bounce has worn off. We've not yet played convincingly under him but those early games saw a little luck go our way and a little bit of quality winning it for us. Trouble is, with every new manager you get 10 games in and at that point you need your best team and game plan pretty much laid out.
Granted he's got Kodjia's absence to deal with and a dire, dire need for new recruits in midfield, but on the pitch there can be no excuses. Some of his decision making has been baffling. I also think letting Rudy go before signing a replacement was foolish. Lets face it, our central midfield doesn't exist. It's not fucking there. So we'd have been better off playing the 'leather the bastard ball up to the treetrunk' tactic instead in Kodjias absence. That would be more effective than playing desperately hopeful balls up to two woefully unfit charlatans up front in McCormack and the absolute toilet monster of our club, Gabby.

Steve Bruce is billed as the man to get you out of this division, but he's got to start delivering. For starters, a side that looks organised and like it knows what it's doing is a pre-requisite. This season is gone. It's all about getting momentum going and taking that through into next season. But unless Bruce improves his game plan, we won't go up then either. You cannot make mistakes over and over in this business.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on January 15, 2017, 08:58:38 PM
I'll be honest, much as I like Steve Bruce I don't think he's the man to make us one of the top 5 clubs in the world in the next 5 years.
You don't say!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gareth on January 15, 2017, 09:43:14 PM
When Bruce came in did we change the fitness coach?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on January 15, 2017, 09:45:25 PM
Amazed he had not gone 3 5 2. It wold su it our players way more.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on January 15, 2017, 10:17:54 PM
Amazed he had not gone 3 5 2. It wold su it our players way more.

We are struggling to keep 3 central defenders fit, let alone having ones with the necessary pace to play the system.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on January 15, 2017, 10:18:42 PM
I'll be honest, much as I like Steve Bruce I don't think he's the man to make us one of the top 5 clubs in the world in the next 5 years.
You don't say!

I'll be honest I thought at the time our new owner made such a claim that he should be drug tested.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on January 15, 2017, 10:24:13 PM
The way he dug out Mccormack and how ge says we're not good enough suggests yes feeling a bit of pressure. Pressure too hes never had at any previous club. I do like his honesty but also uses it too escape any potential critsism .
For example Kodjia is away he knows he's away. ( As is ayew) he has given Agbonlahor chance as well as McCormack but has he given both of them best opportunity to be successful as an attack.
Also Bruce plays defence very deep which in turn left attackers isolated.  We know there isn't anyone from midfield getting and joining in to box . Westwood was detailed to do that in a few matches and bacuna has but in some away matches especially the midfield hasn't been instructed to get forward. Some of the blame has to be ln Bruce. Really we need to see villa players having more shots and crosses and like how arsenal managed too score 2 both  own goals because showed attacking intent. 
The single biggest disappointment has been lack of goals . The defence perhaps as suggested by Higginbotham and Hendrie on sky punditry sits deep to stop goals being conceded but at detriment to any co herent attacks .
Are we seeing Bruce limited in his actions? Is this totally down to being limited by the players he has.
Ive  villa at most vulnerable not when we go a goal down but when we actuallu attack ! Especially from a poor set play. The counter attack from a corner or poor free kick has left villa cruelly exposed  .
Bruce and his coaching staff need less talking about no excuses and start getting results let alone any football .
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ROBBO on January 16, 2017, 01:47:57 AM
I can see the first sign that Bruce is under a lot of pressure, we are playing very deep trying not to lose exactly what the last manager did, I give it to Wolves they attacked on both flanks and were faster across the pitch than out lot.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheTimVilla on January 16, 2017, 06:21:15 AM
Things I don't know the answer to, but I hope Bruce does/will:

1. why right sided Bacuna plays on the left
2. why Hutton plays at all
3. where we would be without Chester
4. what position McCormack plays
5. how we can score goals if we don't shoot
6. if Gabby has had a shot under Bruce
7. why Grealish starts every other game on the left, but Adomah starts every match on the right
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on January 16, 2017, 06:50:12 AM
8. Why Jedinak starts in a 2 each week despite this being proved not to work on several occasions now.
9. Why we sold Gestede then started to cross from wide
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on January 16, 2017, 10:01:55 AM
10. Why am I sat watching homes under the hammer when I should be working
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on January 16, 2017, 10:16:24 AM
11. Why you keep doing the same thing and expect different results
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on January 16, 2017, 10:25:01 AM
The Bruce comment that we have changed the squad but the losing mentality is still there, is no shock when you consider that on Saturday we had quite a few from last season still in the starting 11

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 16, 2017, 10:45:55 AM
Why am I working when I could be watching  Slim With Ross 'n Gab?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 16, 2017, 10:45:57 AM
There's a losing mentality, and a coasting mentality, and we appear to have both. Villa territory needs to lose its comfiness for these players to realise they're actually in a fight.

And I know it's not all about fighting. But part of the battle is preparation, and too many players look unfit, unmotivated and not very well drilled. I don't believe Bruce is failing on those fronts, but I think the players need to take it upon themselves to get in shape and to learn their roles, and a lot of them don't appear to be doing that.

Bruce is making mistakes, however. Gabby shouldn't be anywhere near that first team, not only because he isn't anywhere near good enough, but because his inclusion sends out all the wrong messages to other players. He should never have allowed Gusted to leave so soon. And some of his selections have been poor.

I didn't expect us to go up this season, and still think we should give Bruce a chance in salvaging the wreck of a club we have become. It's a big task.   
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 16, 2017, 11:53:07 AM
i have no problem with selling Gestede when we did especially for that sort of money,
 he made little difference when he was here, I very much doubt he would have been a game changer on Saturday
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on January 16, 2017, 11:54:27 AM
He's been a game changer at least 2 or 3 times this season. Just by being a nuisance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on January 16, 2017, 11:57:02 AM
i have no problem with selling Gestede when we did especially for that sort of money,
 he made little difference when he was here, I very much doubt he would have been a game changer on Saturday

I think he would have scored that header that Mcormack missed so that would have changed the match
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: steamer on January 16, 2017, 01:50:57 PM
i have no problem with selling Gestede when we did especially for that sort of money,
 he made little difference when he was here, I very much doubt he would have been a game changer on Saturday

I think he would have scored that header that Mcormack missed so that would have changed the match
Agreed
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 16, 2017, 02:26:25 PM
i have no problem with selling Gestede when we did especially for that sort of money,
 he made little difference when he was here, I very much doubt he would have been a game changer on Saturday

I think he would have scored that header that Mcormack missed so that would have changed the match
Agreed

yeah because everything would have gone exactly the same way with Gestede doing exactly the same thing as Mcormack and thus being in exactly the same spot when the ball was crossed by exactly the same player at exactly the same time so yeah he would have defo headed it in because that's how it works

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on January 16, 2017, 02:50:53 PM
i have no problem with selling Gestede when we did especially for that sort of money,
 he made little difference when he was here, I very much doubt he would have been a game changer on Saturday

I think he would have scored that header that Mcormack missed so that would have changed the match
Agreed

yeah because everything would have gone exactly the same way with Gestede doing exactly the same thing as Mcormack and thus being in exactly the same spot when the ball was crossed by exactly the same player at exactly the same time so yeah he would have defo headed it in because that's how it works


Made me laugh.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 16, 2017, 03:39:31 PM
Sarcasm ...said to be the lowest form of wit. But don'cha just luv it ! Very observationalist of you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on January 18, 2017, 12:11:21 AM
i have no problem with selling Gestede when we did especially for that sort of money,
 he made little difference when he was here, I very much doubt he would have been a game changer on Saturday

I think he would have scored that header that Mcormack missed so that would have changed the match
Agreed

yeah because everything would have gone exactly the same way with Gestede doing exactly the same thing as Mcormack and thus being in exactly the same spot when the ball was crossed by exactly the same player at exactly the same time so yeah he would have defo headed it in because that's how it works

John Carew. Jon Kodjia. Christian Benteke and Darren Bent would have scored too. Even Heskey. So yeah a player who is taller would get his head over it and score.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on January 18, 2017, 12:21:45 AM
 . I'm not sure why you're trying to dig me out it's not nice please don't do that to my again . Thanks
Just ignore them
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Axl Rose on January 18, 2017, 12:54:43 AM
i have no problem with selling Gestede when we did especially for that sort of money,
 he made little difference when he was here, I very much doubt he would have been a game changer on Saturday

I think he would have scored that header that Mcormack missed so that would have changed the match
Agreed

yeah because everything would have gone exactly the same way with Gestede doing exactly the same thing as Mcormack and thus being in exactly the same spot when the ball was crossed by exactly the same player at exactly the same time so yeah he would have defo headed it in because that's how it works


Made me laugh.
Probably coz you can relate  if it's not funny to be sarcasm towards my post.
Is it  funny that someone who can't express his annoyance at Ross McCormack missing and masks his expression of frustration in a passive agressive manner by sarcasm. Not aware of his underlying emotions so will try and joke and belittle my post ather than contribute an alternative argument -nothing funny about that.  I will fight any bully boy tactics that attempt to diminish my post and opinion I should be as respected as next person John E . I'm not sure why you're trying to dig me out it's not nice please don't do that to my again . Thanks

I think you've been a little oversensitive recently, footy.

First the whole odd flavoured lollypop thing. Now this.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on January 18, 2017, 05:01:07 AM
From Jimbo's post page 119.
And I know it's not all about fighting. But part of the battle is preparation, and too many players look unfit, unmotivated and not very well drilled. I don't believe Bruce is failing on those fronts, but I think the players need to take it upon themselves to get in shape and to learn their roles, and a lot of them don't appear to be doing that.

I state the below as someone who is not a Brucey Hater, just a concerned Villa fan.

To say that players look unfit, unmotivated and not very well drilled, surely is the responsibility of the Manager and the support team he puts together, the other excuse that gets rolled out for god knows how many of our consistently failing managers, is that they are not his players, his squad, to my mind in modern football the only two managers that have probably had that pleasure are Fergie and Wenger, so managers have to work with players bought by previous regimes full stop add and adjust overtime, but to state unmotivated, unfit and undrilled and then not point the finger of blame at the current manager is amazing.

Bruces first job should have been to identify where the source of the energy sapping, brain removing, could not give a shit attitude remover is at Bodymoor Heath, that turns what were so called professional footballers at previous clubs, goal scorers to could not hit a barn door experts, manic centre half leaders into bambi on ice defenders, midfield generals that look like they led the Taliban into battle, into blowing out of my arse after 60 minutes, could not find a password never mind a pass to a team mate expert, remove and replace it with a "Lets be a professional footballer machine again". If the manager is not going to do that, who the hell is.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 18, 2017, 06:06:03 AM
The point is, going by everything I know about Steve Bruce, a lack of thoroughness has never been one of his shortcomings, either as a player or manager. Him and his teams were always fit, well drilled and alert to the task. I think he's walked into a different culture here - personified by a certain G Agbonlahor - where hoodwinkery, complacency and getting by with the bare minimum of commitment is the thing. I mean, look at the last few years. The poster boy for that lack of engagement is still our main striker.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on January 18, 2017, 06:49:03 AM
Jimbo could not agree more, but then is it not Bruceys fault that he then places that good for nothing, lazy arsehole back in as a main striker, appreciated it is because of the missing players in Africa and yes Gobshiteahor has signed his contract at the Villa park retirement home, but RHM who we have been told, is not getting a look in as he has not signed his new deal, is still being paid by AVFC, but not getting used,surely examples such as that allows the culture to continue.

I appreciate he has a hard job, but I am not seeing any major signs of improvement (after initial bounce), we still seem to be a rudder less ship, all that has changed is we have a new Captain at the helm. We are still unfit, unmotivated and still have no movement, cant beat the first man at most corners, have a major problem passing a ball anyway other than sideways and apart from Kodj and Chester fill the rest of the team with adequate triers (Baker) inadequate triers (Hutton) and the rest that fill the shirts each week, that we found out last year are not good enough fro the prem and are finding out now that they are not good enough for the Chumpainship either. There is not one player that was here last year that has improved under Bruce, including and most definitely Jack.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 18, 2017, 07:00:33 AM
There's no doubt that over the last 2 seasons Gabby has been poor and at times over weight.  His lack of application in our hour of need was unforgivable.  But people are now trying to blame him for everything from the lack of development of our youngsters to other players deciding to also be fat and shit.  Don't you realise how ridiculous this sounds?

Any players lack of condition in the current squad is either down to RDMs fitness coach or maybe for some players injuries we may not have been aware of.

By all means have a go at Gaby for being shit, but get some perspective here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on January 18, 2017, 07:09:34 AM
Or simply not v being that fit anymore.  Jedinak is 33 and likely to tire during a game.  Westwood has never been dynamic so to speak. Hutton and Amavi look fit enough. Even Gabby and McCormack put a shift in at Wolves. Fitness is an easy blame when there is a lack of a coherent style of play.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 18, 2017, 07:39:55 AM
Lack of ability is the main problem.  Not lack of style or fitness.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on January 18, 2017, 07:42:20 AM
Agree about the fitness being an overused excuse, but does that address the still lack of an identifiable style, the lack of being able to put 90 minutes of consistency into practice, the lack of the manager playing forwards that need a certain type of service and not being able to drill that type of service into the team over a number of weeks, that includes lets say crosses for Justhead when he was here, or allowing McCormack the type of pass that he can convert, because we bought a player that has a proven record at this level over a number of years and turned him into a mini Heskey.
I want Bruce to succeed, because if he does it means Villa have and maybe it will take time, at the moment I would like to see some shoots of recovery, not more of the horse shit we have had for 7 years and still seem to be content to settle for.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 18, 2017, 08:30:17 AM
I very much agree that all of our failings, and they are many, can't be laid at Gabby's door.  However, like it or not he has come to embody everything wrong on the pitch and in the dressing room.  He is the manager breaker.  Stanley Collymore was the same. Other players see what he is getting away with week after week and become demoralised.  Young players probably on little more than £500 a week see him on £55,000 a week being given endless chances to redeem himself while they can't even get on the bench.  They are bound to get pissed off about it.  It is not Gabriel Agbonlahor individually that is the problem.  It is what he has come to represent.  The old "go again" order.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 18, 2017, 08:42:53 AM
I very much agree that all of our failings, and they are many, can't be laid at Gabby's door.  However, like it or not he has come to embody everything wrong on the pitch and in the dressing room.  He is the manager breaker.  Stanley Collymore was the same. Other players see what he is getting away with week after week and become demoralised.  Young players probably on little more than £500 a week see him on £55,000 a week being given endless chances to redeem himself while they can't even get on the bench.  They are bound to get pissed off about it.  It is not Gabriel Agbonlahor individually that is the problem.  It is what he has come to represent.  The old "go again" order.
No he isn't Brian.  He's just a player well past his best and probably without enough motivation to make a valid contribution.  There are many reasons we have been poor this season, but given Gabby was marginalised for the first part and has played a small role in the second, continuing to blame him for all our failings is just ridiculous.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on January 18, 2017, 08:44:19 AM
Quote
The poster boy for that lack of engagement is still our main striker.

Who Bruce was very quick to state he had a clean slate and shoehorned him straight back in - is this his doing or is it a directive from above that we are paying the twats wages so he should earn them?
Either way from a promising start his inclusion on the bench then escalating to first team starter has coincided with us going back to being shit - whichever way you look at it
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyh on January 18, 2017, 08:46:23 AM
I very much agree that all of our failings, and they are many, can't be laid at Gabby's door.  However, like it or not he has come to embody everything wrong on the pitch and in the dressing room.  He is the manager breaker.  Stanley Collymore was the same. Other players see what he is getting away with week after week and become demoralised.  Young players probably on little more than £500 a week see him on £55,000 a week being given endless chances to redeem himself while they can't even get on the bench.  They are bound to get pissed off about it.  It is not Gabriel Agbonlahor individually that is the problem.  It is what he has come to represent.  The old "go again" order.
No he isn't Brian.  He's just a player well past his best and probably without enough motivation to make a valid contribution.  There are many reasons we have been poor this season, but given Gabby was marginalised for the first part and has played a small role in the second, continuing to blame him for all our failings is just ridiculous.

Chrisw1 - your unflinching support for EVERY player that comes under fire on here is admiral.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave shelley on January 18, 2017, 08:47:13 AM
Hello sailor.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 18, 2017, 08:56:54 AM
I very much agree that all of our failings, and they are many, can't be laid at Gabby's door.  However, like it or not he has come to embody everything wrong on the pitch and in the dressing room.  He is the manager breaker.  Stanley Collymore was the same. Other players see what he is getting away with week after week and become demoralised.  Young players probably on little more than £500 a week see him on £55,000 a week being given endless chances to redeem himself while they can't even get on the bench.  They are bound to get pissed off about it.  It is not Gabriel Agbonlahor individually that is the problem.  It is what he has come to represent.  The old "go again" order.
No he isn't Brian.  He's just a player well past his best and probably without enough motivation to make a valid contribution.  There are many reasons we have been poor this season, but given Gabby was marginalised for the first part and has played a small role in the second, continuing to blame him for all our failings is just ridiculous.

Chrisw1 - your unflinching support for EVERY player that comes under fire on here is admiral.
Read my posts.  I've said many times he is fat and shit.  I'm just sick of the hyperbole, melodrama and blame culture on here.  There are many reasons we are poor, but as I've said before it isn't down to just Gabby, an aura around the club, some deep rooted poison or a gypsie fucking curse.  It's because a shit owner pulled the plug on finances and hired a series of inadequate managers who bought players who just weren't good enough.

There is no mystery behind it and I'm sick of people banging on about this sort of stuff.  We're shit because we have shit players who haven't been drilled well enough.  Gabby has played his part in this mire, but more last season than this.  Hopefully Bruce will sort it out, but it will take time and at least two transfer windows.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on January 18, 2017, 09:21:57 AM
Chrisw, you are partly right that all our ails do not fall at the feet of Gobeshiteahor, but the statement that they are all shit players I do not agree with, or should not be the case at this level, look at a good few of them

Hutton = has played at a higher level then this for a long time.
Amavi = has played at a better level than this in France
Baker = played at this level last year to a reasonable standard
Chester = played at this level and above
Elphick = played at this level and got promotion
Jedi = this level and higher
Tish = untried over a long period at this level
Bacunna = played at a higher level but how well is up to opinion
Adohma = played at this level with a team that won promotion
Kodj = played at this level and playing at this level now very well
McCormack = played at this level and scored for fun
Ayew = is well up to this standard if he can be arsed
Greilish = played at a higher level over a period of time, not long but long enough
Gardner = played at this level and was a regular starter for Forest
Westwood = Enough said
Gabby = Enough said

We have unknowns , Bunn, Green, RHM , Lydon, the other lad his name escapes me.
16 players identified as having played at this level or above, some with relative success, but they come through the doors at Bodymoor Heath and they all apart from maybe 3 on that list turn to shite, as Brian highlights some attitudes maybe shit, but they are not all shit players and no one can convince me they can not be coached/ drilled better to a level that allows a style of play and a level of consistence performance, that is way beyond where we are now, there are clubs in this league that would love a squad like that, the mongrels down the road to name one bunch.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 18, 2017, 09:27:30 AM
I mostly agree.  But we are missing a few key pieces of the jigsaw - primarily a in midfield.  It's down to this, together with coaching and tactics.  My general point is however poor Gabby is, blaming it all on him is nonsensical
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 18, 2017, 09:28:56 AM
Who has blamed everything on Gabby? What's nonsensical is the assertion that anybody is doing that. Get some perspective, man.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 18, 2017, 09:39:34 AM
Have you read your own posts Jimbo?  That's what I'm talking about.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 18, 2017, 09:55:15 AM
Have you, chrisw1? I'm not blaming the last five plus years of abject failure on him, but he is the embodiment of a culture at a club that was coasting in a sea of complacency for too long. I tend to agree with Brian, that one rotten tooth can have an adverse effect on all the others. We've had several.

No gypsy curses (talk about melodrama), just a rotten culture that needs cleaning up, which takes time. There must be some reason why we look second best against so many second-tier clubs, and it isn't because all our players (or manager) are shit, though some are (see Westwood, A.).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 18, 2017, 03:24:48 PM
Chrisw, you are partly right that all our ails do not fall at the feet of Gobeshiteahor, but the statement that they are all shit players I do not agree with, or should not be the case at this level, look at a good few of them

Hutton = has played at a higher level then this for a long time.
Amavi = has played at a better level than this in France
Baker = played at this level last year to a reasonable standard
Chester = played at this level and above
Elphick = played at this level and got promotion
Jedi = this level and higher
Tish = untried over a long period at this level
Bacunna = played at a higher level but how well is up to opinion
Adohma = played at this level with a team that won promotion
Kodj = played at this level and playing at this level now very well
McCormack = played at this level and scored for fun
Ayew = is well up to this standard if he can be arsed
Greilish = played at a higher level over a period of time, not long but long enough
Gardner = played at this level and was a regular starter for Forest
Westwood = Enough said
Gabby = Enough said

We have unknowns , Bunn, Green, RHM , Lydon, the other lad his name escapes me.
16 players identified as having played at this level or above, some with relative success, but they come through the doors at Bodymoor Heath and they all apart from maybe 3 on that list turn to shite, as Brian highlights some attitudes maybe shit, but they are not all shit players and no one can convince me they can not be coached/ drilled better to a level that allows a style of play and a level of consistence performance, that is way beyond where we are now, there are clubs in this league that would love a squad like that, the mongrels down the road to name one bunch.

There's some good points on both sides of this argument.

I understand the line that the culture may have rotten under previous regimes, but there's been wholesale changes since then with only a couple of players still around, along with the academy training staff and the tea lady at BMH.   realistically how much influence can they have?

So, surely therefore it's all about the quality and mix of players and then how they're integrated into a whole.

When you look a the list of players above there are a couple of themes;

The players that have played at a higher level, struggled at that higher level either due to ability or advancing age.  They're hardly going to step up a a level now and sparkle.

The 'done a job at this level' lot were thrown together by a manager who was acting like a kid in a sweet shop and a new owner who was desperate to make a good impression, both here and and wherever else he's trying to leverage his asset that is AVFC.

It must like a nightmare to Bruce trying to work out how to get anything out of such a dysfunctional group.  This is backed up by all the formations people post on here.  Pretty much all have been tried and none work.

From the outside it looks like a Ferrari, when you get close up it's a kit car with a dodgy Rover engine.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on January 18, 2017, 03:32:45 PM
Bruce has had 14 games

I agree the players in the main are pretty poor individually and collectively even worse.
Bruce is not a miracle worker - but  after 14 games I would expect to see

1/ Players fitness better than it was - this is not evident
2/ A level of consistency in the formation and tactics - it is different every game
3/ The defensive attitude of the team - this has to be down to manager
4/ The lack of ability to pass 10 yards to each other
5/ The agreement to sell before any likely recruits on the horizon

He has to take responsibility
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 18, 2017, 04:25:49 PM
Bruce has had 14 games

I agree the players in the main are pretty poor individually and collectively even worse.
Bruce is not a miracle worker - but  after 14 games I would expect to see

1/ Players fitness better than it was - this is not evident
2/ A level of consistency in the formation and tactics - it is different every game
3/ The defensive attitude of the team - this has to be down to manager
4/ The lack of ability to pass 10 yards to each other
5/ The agreement to sell before any likely recruits on the horizon

He has to take responsibility

14 games is not a lot and we have seen an overall improvement in results, even if some of the performances have not been there.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 18, 2017, 04:52:25 PM
Bruce has had 14 games

I agree the players in the main are pretty poor individually and collectively even worse.
Bruce is not a miracle worker - but  after 14 games I would expect to see

1/ Players fitness better than it was - this is not evident
2/ A level of consistency in the formation and tactics - it is different every game
3/ The defensive attitude of the team - this has to be down to manager
4/ The lack of ability to pass 10 yards to each other
5/ The agreement to sell before any likely recruits on the horizon

He has to take responsibility

1/ Are the players unfit? If so who?
2/ He's chopped around trying find something/anything that works - none will when the midfield is so piss poor, and the forward options dysfunctional
3/ I thought you wanted a consistency of approach - SB's method of getting a result is to stop the opposition scoring - because he knows we ain't ever going to be banging them in at the other end
4/ See (2) - midfield is poor and the forwards run around without realising there's anyone else on the pitch
5/ Is that right and if it is, is it SB's fault?

Look, I'm not saying that SB shouldn't be expected to make progress - he actually has made progress in terms of points per game.  But, he can't work miracles and what you're levelling at him ain't even his fault and makes no sense.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on January 18, 2017, 06:44:55 PM
I mostly agree.  But we are missing a few key pieces of the jigsaw - primarily a in midfield.  It's down to this, together with coaching and tactics.  My general point is however poor Gabby is, blaming it all on him is nonsensical
My reading of all of this is this:
Flabby has come to represent all that's been bad over the last 2-3 seasons (as has Richards). It appears - from what we know as dressing-room outsiders - that there has been a rubbish culture around the club and a stench of mediocrity and complacency combined with an absence of meaningful commitment to the club's well-being. When the Dr came in with Wyness and others, there was a sense that a cultural shift would be made and that the club would return to a place where hard work, skill and teamwork (bound together by a strong managerial ethos and effective game tactics) would prevail. This did not happen under RdM and Clark - surprisingly, really, since both appeared to have the credentials and attitude.
We now have Bruce and his team of coaches in and we are not seeing immediate returns on a more productive culture: in fact, with Flabby reinstated, it appears that we are almost regressing. In reality the regression comes because many of the Summer signings - combined with the failed players of the past (Flabby, Westie, GG, Bacuna, Bunn) - have failed to deliver.
We're back to the stage of having to overhaul the squad, whcih means that promotion is a very outside possibility this season. SB is going to have to offload the dross (Exhibit A: Rudy) before being able to bring in the players that will actually make a difference. The challenge is to hang on to those we want to keep whilst not being able to immediately rejoin the ranks of the obscenely paid in the PL.

Flabby is not the problem, merely the symptom.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 18, 2017, 06:52:47 PM
I am not "blaming" Agbonlahor.  I said I believe he epitomises in every aspect of his shortcomings the collective failure of the core of our disfunctional players.  It is not who he is.  It is not what he does. It is what he represents.  Irresponsibility rewarded.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 18, 2017, 06:56:05 PM
I mostly agree.  But we are missing a few key pieces of the jigsaw - primarily a in midfield.  It's down to this, together with coaching and tactics.  My general point is however poor Gabby is, blaming it all on him is nonsensical
My reading of all of this is this:
Flabby has come to represent all that's been bad over the last 2-3 seasons (as has Richards). It appears - from what we know as dressing-room outsiders - that there has been a rubbish culture around the club and a stench of mediocrity and complacency combined with an absence of meaningful commitment to the club's well-being. When the Dr came in with Wyness and others, there was a sense that a cultural shift would be made and that the club would return to a place where hard work, skill and teamwork (bound together by a strong managerial ethos and effective game tactics) would prevail. This did not happen under RdM and Clark - surprisingly, really, since both appeared to have the credentials and attitude.
We now have Bruce and his team of coaches in and we are not seeing immediate returns on a more productive culture: in fact, with Flabby reinstated, it appears that we are almost regressing. In reality the regression comes because many of the Summer signings - combined with the failed players of the past (Flabby, Westie, GG, Bacuna, Bunn) - have failed to deliver.
We're back to the stage of having to overhaul the squad, whcih means that promotion is a very outside possibility this season. SB is going to have to offload the dross (Exhibit A: Rudy) before being able to bring in the players that will actually make a difference. The challenge is to hang on to those we want to keep whilst not being able to immediately rejoin the ranks of the obscenely paid in the PL.

Flabby is not the problem, merely the symptom.

Not a bog fan of the lack of paragraphs.

But what you say is bang on.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on January 18, 2017, 07:11:24 PM
Bruce has had 14 games

I agree the players in the main are pretty poor individually and collectively even worse.
Bruce is not a miracle worker - but  after 14 games I would expect to see

1/ Players fitness better than it was - this is not evident
2/ A level of consistency in the formation and tactics - it is different every game
3/ The defensive attitude of the team - this has to be down to manager
4/ The lack of ability to pass 10 yards to each other
5/ The agreement to sell before any likely recruits on the horizon

He has to take responsibility

1/ Are the players unfit? If so who?
2/ He's chopped around trying find something/anything that works - none will when the midfield is so piss poor, and the forward options dysfunctional
3/ I thought you wanted a consistency of approach - SB's method of getting a result is to stop the opposition scoring - because he knows we ain't ever going to be banging them in at the other end
4/ See (2) - midfield is poor and the forwards run around without realising there's anyone else on the pitch
5/ Is that right and if it is, is it SB's fault?

Look, I'm not saying that SB shouldn't be expected to make progress - he actually has made progress in terms of points per game.  But, he can't work miracles and what you're levelling at him ain't even his fault and makes no sense.



Look at what Monk has done at the basket case of a club as Leeds.  You can Polish a turd if you are good enough.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on January 18, 2017, 07:31:39 PM
Bruce has had 14 games

I agree the players in the main are pretty poor individually and collectively even worse.
Bruce is not a miracle worker - but  after 14 games I would expect to see

1/ Players fitness better than it was - this is not evident
2/ A level of consistency in the formation and tactics - it is different every game
3/ The defensive attitude of the team - this has to be down to manager
4/ The lack of ability to pass 10 yards to each other
5/ The agreement to sell before any likely recruits on the horizon

He has to take responsibility

1/ Are the players unfit? If so who?
2/ He's chopped around trying find something/anything that works - none will when the midfield is so piss poor, and the forward options dysfunctional
3/ I thought you wanted a consistency of approach - SB's method of getting a result is to stop the opposition scoring - because he knows we ain't ever going to be banging them in at the other end
4/ See (2) - midfield is poor and the forwards run around without realising there's anyone else on the pitch
5/ Is that right and if it is, is it SB's fault?

Look, I'm not saying that SB shouldn't be expected to make progress - he actually has made progress in terms of points per game.  But, he can't work miracles and what you're levelling at him ain't even his fault and makes no sense.



Look at what Monk has done at the basket case of a club as Leeds.  You can Polish a turd if you are good enough.

And Steve Mcclaren who took over after start of season -similar  To situation with Bruce and have had several wins a row. Villa need that sort of momentum and winning run . At least we don't have zola
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Havencheese on January 18, 2017, 07:47:05 PM
For those who think Bruce should get the arse, that'll mean.........I've lost count of how many managers and caretakers Villa has had over the past two years. Seriously.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 18, 2017, 07:54:54 PM
It's not qabout wantig him sacked, literally no one is saying that, people are saying that he needs to get more out of the squad because the performances aren't good enough and in the last month the results have started to drop off as well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on January 18, 2017, 07:57:27 PM
For those who think Bruce should get the arse, that'll mean.........I've lost count of how many managers and caretakers Villa has had over the past two years. Seriously.
No way should he get fired, because frankly Steve Bruce is the absolute epitomy of the manager we needed this season. He's pretty much the perfect choice. There's no one out there, who would come to us, who is likely to do better.
Which leads me to believe that no matter who is in charge, we've just got the wretched stink of failure ingrained within us from the last 6 years and ineptitude just spread like a virus, one of which we've not found the antibiotics to cure.
If Steve "Mr Championship" Bruce can't sort us out, who the fuck can?

We're not going to go up this season, but he's got to steady the ship and get us moving forward. Something in the air at Villa seems to make managers make the most shit-brained tactical and managerial decisions possible. He needs to cut that out sharpish.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 18, 2017, 09:26:41 PM
Steve Bruce won't get fired this year, as he has Wyness and Little on his side too. But he may only get this window and the next to get this mess sorted out. It is an even bigger job than he thought when he said it was a big, big job.
It's actually a VERY BIG, Big Big job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 18, 2017, 09:27:42 PM
Bruce has had 14 games

I agree the players in the main are pretty poor individually and collectively even worse.
Bruce is not a miracle worker - but  after 14 games I would expect to see

1/ Players fitness better than it was - this is not evident
2/ A level of consistency in the formation and tactics - it is different every game
3/ The defensive attitude of the team - this has to be down to manager
4/ The lack of ability to pass 10 yards to each other
5/ The agreement to sell before any likely recruits on the horizon

He has to take responsibility

1/ Are the players unfit? If so who?
2/ He's chopped around trying find something/anything that works - none will when the midfield is so piss poor, and the forward options dysfunctional
3/ I thought you wanted a consistency of approach - SB's method of getting a result is to stop the opposition scoring - because he knows we ain't ever going to be banging them in at the other end
4/ See (2) - midfield is poor and the forwards run around without realising there's anyone else on the pitch
5/ Is that right and if it is, is it SB's fault?

Look, I'm not saying that SB shouldn't be expected to make progress - he actually has made progress in terms of points per game.  But, he can't work miracles and what you're levelling at him ain't even his fault and makes no sense.



Look at what Monk has done at the basket case of a club as Leeds.  You can Polish a turd if you are good enough.

Monk's had a close season and nigh on 40 games to sort them out - and was a gnat's knacker away from being sacked.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 18, 2017, 09:30:23 PM
Does anyone really care about dirty Leeds anyway ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on January 18, 2017, 11:47:30 PM
I mostly agree.  But we are missing a few key pieces of the jigsaw - primarily a in midfield.  It's down to this, together with coaching and tactics.  My general point is however poor Gabby is, blaming it all on him is nonsensical
My reading of all of this is this:
Flabby has come to represent all that's been bad over the last 2-3 seasons (as has Richards). It appears - from what we know as dressing-room outsiders - that there has been a rubbish culture around the club and a stench of mediocrity and complacency combined with an absence of meaningful commitment to the club's well-being. When the Dr came in with Wyness and others, there was a sense that a cultural shift would be made and that the club would return to a place where hard work, skill and teamwork (bound together by a strong managerial ethos and effective game tactics) would prevail. This did not happen under RdM and Clark - surprisingly, really, since both appeared to have the credentials and attitude.
We now have Bruce and his team of coaches in and we are not seeing immediate returns on a more productive culture: in fact, with Flabby reinstated, it appears that we are almost regressing. In reality the regression comes because many of the Summer signings - combined with the failed players of the past (Flabby, Westie, GG, Bacuna, Bunn) - have failed to deliver.
We're back to the stage of having to overhaul the squad, whcih means that promotion is a very outside possibility this season. SB is going to have to offload the dross (Exhibit A: Rudy) before being able to bring in the players that will actually make a difference. The challenge is to hang on to those we want to keep whilst not being able to immediately rejoin the ranks of the obscenely paid in the PL.

Flabby is not the problem, merely the symptom.

Not a bog fan of the lack of paragraphs.

But what you say is bang on.



There are paragraphs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 19, 2017, 08:33:31 AM
For those who think Bruce should get the arse, that'll mean.........I've lost count of how many managers and caretakers Villa has had over the past two years. Seriously.
No way should he get fired, because frankly Steve Bruce is the absolute epitomy of the manager we needed this season. He's pretty much the perfect choice. There's no one out there, who would come to us, who is likely to do better.
Which leads me to believe that no matter who is in charge, we've just got the wretched stink of failure ingrained within us from the last 6 years and ineptitude just spread like a virus, one of which we've not found the antibiotics to cure.
If Steve "Mr Championship" Bruce can't sort us out, who the fuck can?

We're not going to go up this season, but he's got to steady the ship and get us moving forward. Something in the air at Villa seems to make managers make the most shit-brained tactical and managerial decisions possible. He needs to cut that out sharpish.
Oh FFS don't start all this bollocks again.  We've just got an imbalanced team with a few glaring weaknesses (primarily midfield) and yes, the players are naturally short of confidence.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JJ-AV on January 19, 2017, 08:34:22 AM
He deserves a transfer window before anyone judges him. We've got no striker, a very weak central midfield, an overall imbalanced squad and a mentality of losing running throughout.

And re. the Monk comparison, Monk had a Summer to rebuild and was close to the sack around September/October time before turning it around.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on January 19, 2017, 08:49:48 AM
I am not suggesting he is sacked - far from it

My point was I would have expected better than what we have. It seems the initial momentum we had has started to go backwards and the tactics are becoming harder to fathom and the performances more and more negative and dire to watch

Only a Manager can change that - its not just about spunking another 30 - 40 million on new players.

If we could see what his strategy / formation of playing was then we then could all focus on the players he buys to fit into it - at present its all over the shop
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hoppo on January 19, 2017, 09:09:07 AM
If Steve Bruce thinks Gabby is the answer then he is actually the problem
I in good faith believed him to be the fresh manager we needed, he hasn't done anything of note yet, all I've wanted was progress and a pattern of play that was exciting.
Promotion this season isn't a priority at all.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on January 19, 2017, 09:13:14 AM
Hold your nerve gentlemen, Rome wasnt built in a day. Our home form is fine since Bruce came in, He has Baker and Chester working well together, Has Jedinak playing well and has identified weak goalkeeping straight away and dealt with it.

Dr T fucked with Di Matteo, we all know that. Regardless of what Bruce does/has done, that is the reason we wont go up. We didnt lose too many but hardly ever won under him. All we can hope from a young, enthusiastic new owner is that he runs us with the best intentions and when he drops a bollock, he sorts it out. Both boxes ticked for me.

I hop Bruce is here for another 4 1/2 years, we need stability and he needs the chance to see the seeds of recovery being planted now come to fruition. Best managerial appointment we have made since Brian Little for me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: fredm on January 19, 2017, 11:04:04 AM
As has been said before, the Villa are like one of those huge tankers you see out at sea.  Over the last few years it has left port and gradually been gaining steam as it ploughs across the ocean.  Unfortunately it has been heading in the wrong direction and, now that has been realised, steps are being taken to slow it down, turn it around and get it to start travelling in the right direction. This takes time, it is not like a motor car where you can slam on the brakes and do a 180 degree turn. SB needs this window plus the summer to a) get rid of those who are not up to standard; b) bring in those who will improve the team and c) get his ideas across to the team and get them playing together and with a degree of confidence in their own and the others ability.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: N'ZMAV on January 19, 2017, 12:01:42 PM
He deserves a transfer window before anyone judges him. We've got no striker, a very weak central midfield, an overall imbalanced squad and a mentality of losing running throughout.

And re. the Monk comparison, Monk had a Summer to rebuild and was close to the sack around September/October time before turning it around.

I'm slightly concerned at the agreement to sell Gestede, with knowing Ayew and Kodjia were unavailable, McCormack out of form, favour and shape and Gabby being well past his best and not able to score in a brothel. Slightly short sighted management in my opinion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on January 19, 2017, 12:07:46 PM
It baffles me how Bruce can genuinely believe that Abgonlahor has anything to offer at all.  He's been utter shit for 5 whole years - his record screams this, and his attitude is equally as bad.  Amazing...and not in a good way.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 19, 2017, 12:10:36 PM
I am not suggesting he is sacked - far from it

My point was I would have expected better than what we have. It seems the initial momentum we had has started to go backwards and the tactics are becoming harder to fathom and the performances more and more negative and dire to watch

Only a Manager can change that - its not just about spunking another 30 - 40 million on new players.

If we could see what his strategy / formation of playing was then we then could all focus on the players he buys to fit into it - at present its all over the shop


Surely you have to combine your tactics with what's available?  RDM had a clear strategy - using all the forwards he'd brought in at the same time - and that was in danger of getting us relegated.

Moving forward, why would you define and fix your future tactics now, based on the current players, when (presumably) Bruce sees most of the mas not fit for purpose. 

One would hope that he has in mind a preferred style of play, but will this will evolve based on who's available - now and in the summer.






Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passport1 on January 19, 2017, 12:24:39 PM
From what I have heard Bruce believes this squad requires major surgery. That will require more than one transfer window and pretty clearly will mean we are highly unlikely to feature in the play offs.

Safety this season is the main priority.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 19, 2017, 12:41:06 PM
From what I have heard Bruce believes this squad requires major surgery. That will require more than one transfer window and pretty clearly will mean we are highly unlikely to feature in the play offs.

Safety this season is the main priority.
who have you heard this from please?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on January 19, 2017, 12:47:21 PM
From what I have heard Bruce believes this squad requires major surgery. That will require more than one transfer window and pretty clearly will mean we are highly unlikely to feature in the play offs.

Safety this season is the main priority.
who have you heard this from please?

Bruce pretty much expressed this view in his post-match comments against Wolves. (That's how I read it anyway).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on January 19, 2017, 01:17:44 PM
From what I have heard Bruce believes this squad requires major surgery. That will require more than one transfer window and pretty clearly will mean we are highly unlikely to feature in the play offs.

Safety this season is the main priority.
who have you heard this from please?

Bruce pretty much expressed this view in his post-match comments against Wolves. (That's how I read it anyway).

Then if that is the message he has relayed to Dr Tony  then I hope he does not waste too much money on players now. I agree with other poster, ensure safety and then blood as many players as possible to sort out the shit in readiness for a proper go next season

AND DON'T PLAY GABBY
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on January 19, 2017, 01:21:59 PM
It baffles me how Bruce can genuinely believe that Abgonlahor has anything to offer at all.  He's been utter shit for 5 whole years - his record screams this, and his attitude is equally as bad.  Amazing...and not in a good way.

All sportsmen have to have a massive self belief and think they can achieve results even in the face of all evidence and data to the contrary, Bruce thinks he can get him to play where others have failed. Its the only explanation, well that or him being mad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JJ-AV on January 19, 2017, 01:39:47 PM
I am not suggesting he is sacked - far from it

My point was I would have expected better than what we have. It seems the initial momentum we had has started to go backwards and the tactics are becoming harder to fathom and the performances more and more negative and dire to watch

Only a Manager can change that - its not just about spunking another 30 - 40 million on new players.

If we could see what his strategy / formation of playing was then we then could all focus on the players he buys to fit into it - at present its all over the shop

I agree the honeymoon period is over, but his hands are tied with some of them. He's putting out 4 or 5 most weeks who aren't fit to wear the shirt (literally). He has made us more difficult to beat. And I think it's an impossible job unless money is spent, our forwards are terrible* and just as Rushian was about to be given a run the contract fall-out happened.

I realise that's just my opinion, but Gabby and Ross are so far off the speed it's laughable.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on January 21, 2017, 04:56:21 PM
Bruce ! This match was won at half time !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ez on January 21, 2017, 05:01:42 PM
From what I have heard Bruce believes this squad requires major surgery. That will require more than one transfer window and pretty clearly will mean we are highly unlikely to feature in the play offs.

Safety this season is the main priority.

Statement of the obvious.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on January 21, 2017, 07:59:38 PM
https://twitter.com/ReeceJones98_/status/822762154008911873/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw (https://twitter.com/ReeceJones98_/status/822762154008911873/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Bruce apparently pictured in full training kit, in a kebab shop after training. ha ha. Picking up Ross's dinner before the home visit?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on January 21, 2017, 08:08:16 PM
SB really screwed up today.
Big time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on January 21, 2017, 08:10:14 PM
SB really screwed up today.
Big time.

Which has become a regular theme unfortunately.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on January 21, 2017, 08:10:40 PM
SB really screwed up today.
Big time.
Yeah he opted for burger sauce, when the chilli sauce would have been better.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on January 21, 2017, 08:11:20 PM
SB really screwed up today.
Big time.

Which has become a regular theme unfortunately.
Welcome to Villa, please leave your brain at the door...and any talent you happened to bring with you??
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: achilles on January 21, 2017, 08:13:10 PM
Bruce could and should have done something after 10 minutes of the second half when we just sat deep and allowed Preston to attack us.
It was bloody obvious what was going to happen, why change a brilliant first half unless Bruce doesn't believe that the players can sustain that performance for 90 minutes (i.e. unfit)!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on January 21, 2017, 08:23:29 PM
No manager is perfect...Guardiola is making some odd calls at Man. City as an example.

I'm disappointed we've fallen away since xmas but SB knows this division inside out. Next season we have to be there and challenging for automatic promotion, not just top 6.

I felt this year was just a free hit considering our league position when he pitched up.

I think the owner agrees.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 21, 2017, 08:24:45 PM
Yes, I think you have nailed it right there. He KNOWS they are not fit enough and has now opened up about the condition Ross McCormack presents himself in....when he bothers to turn up to training.

I told you there's more behind this RMcC situation than we know about [yet]
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT on January 21, 2017, 08:53:49 PM
He clearly won't accept what previous clowns in charge have let go.

We've got the right man at the right time. It's not gonna happen this season but I genuinely think we'll be ok next season.

It makes you wonder what the fuck these leeches have got away with over the years of Lambert,Sherwood, Garde and RDM of course.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 21, 2017, 09:33:26 PM
What they have got away with is treating Aston Villa as a holiday camp.  Despite a reasonable performance from Gabby today he is still a stone and a half overweight.  He still has the physique of Captain Mainwaring.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on January 21, 2017, 09:37:22 PM
All credit to Bruce - we've been crying out for this strong management since the days of the legend that we paid tribute to today. Let's hope the days of piss taking and using the club as a cash point without giving anything in return are over.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on January 21, 2017, 09:40:54 PM
He clearly won't accept what previous clowns in charge have let go.

We've got the right man at the right time. It's not gonna happen this season but I genuinely think we'll be ok next season.

It makes you wonder what the fuck these leeches have got away with over the years of Lambert,Sherwood, Garde and RDM of course.

Leech no.1 is still sucking us dry and, as Mr Green points out, he' still overweight despite working hard (supposedly).

Still, he played OK first half. So that should ensure another 10-15 games plus appearance bonuses.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on January 21, 2017, 10:46:03 PM
Ive never been Bruces biggest fan by a long way, but Im coming round to thinking he knows what needs to be done at this hell hole and am 100% behind him, for this season at least.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 21, 2017, 10:59:36 PM
The Aston Villa Soft Play Centre just got a little harder.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 21, 2017, 11:13:44 PM
Bruce could and should have done something after 10 minutes of the second half when we just sat deep and allowed Preston to attack us.
It was bloody obvious what was going to happen, why change a brilliant first half unless Bruce doesn't believe that the players can sustain that performance for 90 minutes (i.e. unfit)!

Do you think we intentionally sat back - or did they take control when Lansbury tired?

For the record, in his interview Bruce's said the latter.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 21, 2017, 11:15:40 PM
What they have got away with is treating Aston Villa as a holiday camp.  Despite a reasonable performance from Gabby today he is still a stone and a half overweight.  He still has the physique of Captain Mainwaring.

Bruce did say he's got a long way to go - but he is improving, and with the McCormack situation maybe Bruce is right for trying to get something out of Gabby.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 21, 2017, 11:27:59 PM
Bruce could and should have done something after 10 minutes of the second half when we just sat deep and allowed Preston to attack us.
It was bloody obvious what was going to happen, why change a brilliant first half unless Bruce doesn't believe that the players can sustain that performance for 90 minutes (i.e. unfit)!

Do you think we intentionally sat back - or did they take control when Lansbury tired?

For the record, in his interview Bruce's said the latter.

I'm not sure it matters, either way we got too deep, again, and threw away 2 points.  If Bruce told them to drop deeper or if he built the performance around a guy who was going to struggle to last much over an hour either way he fucked up.

There's positives from today because we got a good half for the first time in a while but today we got the sort of game that we got under rdm, started well, created lots of chances but left the door open.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Meanwood Villa on January 21, 2017, 11:35:50 PM
Why can't someone play for 90 minutes if they've been out for a few weeks? Hasn't he had a bloody good rest?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 22, 2017, 12:12:37 AM
Bruce could and should have done something after 10 minutes of the second half when we just sat deep and allowed Preston to attack us.
It was bloody obvious what was going to happen, why change a brilliant first half unless Bruce doesn't believe that the players can sustain that performance for 90 minutes (i.e. unfit)!

Do you think we intentionally sat back - or did they take control when Lansbury tired?

For the record, in his interview Bruce's said the latter.

I'm not sure it matters, either way we got too deep, again, and threw away 2 points.  If Bruce told them to drop deeper or if he built the performance around a guy who was going to struggle to last much over an hour either way he fucked up.

There's positives from today because we got a good half for the first time in a while but today we got the sort of game that we got under rdm, started well, created lots of chances but left the door open.

It does matter.  If it was tactical to sit deep then Bruce has to take the blame.  Whereas, if it was down to Lansbury tiring then I feel he didn't have much choice. 

I don't think he was 'building a performance around him' as much as hoping he's stay the pace for a bit longer - out of his alternatives, Jedinak was injured, Bacuna, Gardner and Westwood are hopeless. 

What would you have wanted him to do?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 22, 2017, 12:18:11 AM
Ive never been Bruces biggest fan by a long way, but Im coming round to thinking he knows what needs to be done at this hell hole and am 100% behind him, for this season at least.


Same here.

The situation reminds me a lot of how STG Mk2 was talked about when he was lumbered with trying to sort out a mess and talked about it the same straightforward no nonsense kind of way.

Decent men both - while on here we're danger of spouting a lot ludicrous guff over perceived tactics.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on January 22, 2017, 07:10:43 AM
The indicispline at the club has been evident for several seasons. It's slowly being eradicated, but will take time to sort out completely. I've supported Ross McCormack this season thinking he'll come good, but with that attitude it's time to get rid. He had a real chance with Kodjia and Ayew away but has squandered the opportunity. We're basically down to Gabby and  rookie Davis as our forward options. I back SB to sort the shambles.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 22, 2017, 05:47:52 PM
Neither option really inspirational, eh?
I still think Nakhi Wells would be a good option - Deano Sauners-like IMHO.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on January 22, 2017, 05:49:31 PM
Neither option really inspirational, eh?
I still think Nakhi Wells would be a good option - Deano Sauners-like IMHO.

He's got tiny feet and he runs around with his tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 22, 2017, 05:53:19 PM
That's not a very nice picture you've left me with. Hope no-one considers it non-pc or nuffin'.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on January 22, 2017, 06:09:46 PM
For BOB:

(http://img.skysports.com/13/11/384x216/dean-saunders1_3035119.jpg?20131113163558)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 22, 2017, 06:11:42 PM
Kindness personified, Lee B.
Thanks but what about the feet ??
Wasn't he a size 9 ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 22, 2017, 06:31:17 PM
Ive never been Bruces biggest fan by a long way, but Im coming round to thinking he knows what needs to be done at this hell hole and am 100% behind him, for this season at least.


Same here.

The situation reminds me a lot of how STG Mk2 was talked about when he was lumbered with trying to sort out a mess and talked about it the same straightforward no nonsense kind of way.

Decent men both - while on here we're danger of spouting a lot ludicrous guff over perceived tactics.

Like all managers Bruce will be judged on results so I hardly think it's "ludicrous guff" to discuss his tactics, especially when he's said himself  he “doesn't like tactics”. I'd hope that with Calderwood alongside him he can react to teams changing theirs as was the case yesterday when Preston switched to 4-3-3 in the second half and we failed to answer before it was too late.

What I see as Bruce's greatest strength is his experience to get the club organised from top to bottom. It's a massive task but I think he's the right man to get the job done. Obviously Steve Round also has that responsibility but Bruce will be involved in all planning and decisions. It's little wonder European clubs leave the job to DoFs and appoint a coach rather than a Manager. Be that as it may, Bruce has the qualities to rebuild the club and also hopefully the first team. I can see him delegating responsibilities, he's not an egotistical chancer like RDM, though he'll be fully aware it's always his neck on the line.

Yesterday for 45 minutes we produced some of the best football seen in ages at Villa Park. To me it's a sign things are moving in the right direction. Dropping the 3 points with a crap second half will only become acceptable if we learn from it. I'm sure Bruce is as pissed off as most of us. Time will tell whether he can get the team fully functioning. There are plenty out there doing it with a hell of a lot less but right now, like Sir Humphrey told Minister Jim Hacker, he's doing okay.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 22, 2017, 06:35:17 PM
As much as we were all pissed off yesterday for throwing it away it was amazing to see how well we played and after buying what I consider to be a proper two way midfielder. Someone who can get stuck in, but knows how to pass and get forward. It changed the entire composition of the team. Now you throw in Hourihane next to Lansbury, Jedinak behind, bring back in Kodjia and upgrade at RB you start to see what we might become. Yesterday was encouraging and frustrating but hopefully a positive sign of things to come.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 22, 2017, 06:36:38 PM
Isn't that second-half capitulation maybe a bit indicative that the delegating [ to Calderwood ] is a bit too much? And he absolutely needs to be more of a dictator on the training/coaching front.
I would love to know how they approach coaching because it seems that maybe they think tactics is the be-all and end-all.
When, in fact, skill-based and speed training seem absent.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on January 22, 2017, 06:37:14 PM
SB really screwed up today.
Big time.

Which has become a regular theme unfortunately.
Welcome to Villa, please leave your brain at the door...and any talent you happened to bring with you??

This is the type of ludicrous guff I was referring to.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 22, 2017, 07:21:11 PM
Isn't that second-half capitulation maybe a bit indicative that the delegating [ to Calderwood ] is a bit too much? And he absolutely needs to be more of a dictator on the training/coaching front.

The second half was Bruce's call as to whether to change to Preston going 4-3-3, nothing to do with delegating too much to Calderwood. Obviously Calderwood can give him advise. From the regular photos on the OS Bruce seems to be very much a tracksuit manager and involved in day to day training sessions.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on January 22, 2017, 07:28:27 PM
Its far to early to judge Steve Bruce, his backroom staff etc. 

What is clear  is that he was not satisfied  with the squad he took over.  Yes  he has made one or two surprising selection decisions, he needs the summer to recruit properly and commence on an honest challenge to get us out of this division.

I think this time next year we will be able to honestly assess, up to then got to give him some slack.

I know everyone is desperate to get back to the premiership but not even the likes of Houdini, Uri Geller etc can  force that.  We just need to be patient, otherwise we turn into a circus  like the Leeds  module was until Monk bedded in.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: claretandbeer on January 22, 2017, 08:10:33 PM
As much as we were all pissed off yesterday for throwing it away it was amazing to see how well we played and after buying what I consider to be a proper two way midfielder. Someone who can get stuck in, but knows how to pass and get forward. It changed the entire composition of the team. Now you throw in Hourihane next to Lansbury, Jedinak behind, bring back in Kodjia and upgrade at RB you start to see what we might become. Yesterday was encouraging and frustrating but hopefully a positive sign of things to come.
After a few beers,I finally came to this conclusion.Bruce's acquisitions in a usually difficult transfer window look to be promising in comparison to RDM's  purchase of Gollini,Elphick,Tshibola,Adomah,McCormack,Jedinak and Kodjia.Kodjia excepted,the rest assembled at huge sums for this league have struggled to justify their places in a below mid table team.Professionalism at least seems to be back in B6,refreshing after the rank amateurism of orevious seasons.It's probably not going to be inspirational  unlike a Klopp,Pochettino or Pep but SGT would approve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on January 22, 2017, 08:14:40 PM
Kindness personified, Lee B.
Thanks but what about the feet ??
Wasn't he a size 9 ?

Size 6 I believe.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 22, 2017, 08:39:44 PM
Lee, are you sure you are not reading that 9 upside down ?

I'm sure he's a nine.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on January 22, 2017, 08:48:32 PM
Lee, are you sure you are not reading that 9 upside down ?

I'm sure he's a nine.

Shirt number doesn't indicate shoe size mate.

Remember reading years ago he had unfeasably small feet for someone that kicked a ball so well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 22, 2017, 08:49:12 PM
Its far to early to judge Steve Bruce, his backroom staff etc. 

What is clear  is that he was not satisfied  with the squad he took over.  Yes  he has made one or two surprising selection decisions, he needs the summer to recruit properly and commence on an honest challenge to get us out of this division.

I think this time next year we will be able to honestly assess, up to then got to give him some slack.

I know everyone is desperate to get back to the premiership but not even the likes of Houdini, Uri Geller etc can  force that.  We just need to be patient, otherwise we turn into a circus  like the Leeds  module was until Monk bedded in.

The only problem I have with this is where was this 'we need to give him at least a year' when RDM was around?  I get that Bruce got a bounce and that pulled us into midtable but 14 points from the last 10 games isn't a good record.  I also get that RDM had a full transfer window but I've seen people on here say that the club is in disarray and will take a while to turn around, if that's the case why is RDM a chancer, etc who deserved to go after 2 months?  It just feels like a lot of fans never warmed to RDM so he was crap in everything he did whereas Bruce has said a few nice things and pointed out a few problems and now everyone seems willing to have great patience for him to unveil his masterplan.

I don't even disagree with sacking RDM but I don't see why Bruce's place shouldn't be under threat if we finish in the bottom half, for example.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 22, 2017, 08:51:03 PM
Lee, are you sure you are not reading that 9 upside down ?

I'm sure he's a nine.

Shirt number doesn't indicate shoe size mate.

Remember reading years ago he had unfeasably small feet for someone that kicked a ball so well.

" Dear Mr Saunders, could you be so kind as to resolve a question that is perplexing myself and a fellow contributor..........?"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on January 22, 2017, 09:07:06 PM
Its far to early to judge Steve Bruce, his backroom staff etc. 

What is clear  is that he was not satisfied  with the squad he took over.  Yes  he has made one or two surprising selection decisions, he needs the summer to recruit properly and commence on an honest challenge to get us out of this division.

I think this time next year we will be able to honestly assess, up to then got to give him some slack.

I know everyone is desperate to get back to the premiership but not even the likes of Houdini, Uri Geller etc can  force that.  We just need to be patient, otherwise we turn into a circus  like the Leeds  module was until Monk bedded in.

The only problem I have with this is where was this 'we need to give him at least a year' when RDM was around?  I get that Bruce got a bounce and that pulled us into midtable but 14 points from the last 10 games isn't a good record.  I also get that RDM had a full transfer window but I've seen people on here say that the club is in disarray and will take a while to turn around, if that's the case why is RDM a chancer, etc who deserved to go after 2 months?  It just feels like a lot of fans never warmed to RDM so he was crap in everything he did whereas Bruce has said a few nice things and pointed out a few problems and now everyone seems willing to have great patience for him to unveil his masterplan.

I don't even disagree with sacking RDM but I don't see why Bruce's place should be under threat if we finish in the bottom half, for example.

Isn't it more that Bruce seems to have identified where the problems are, even if he hasn't fully resolved all of them. That in itself is a modicum of progress. Whereas Di Matteo (who I was in favour of employing) actually created more problems by buying in such an unbalanced fashion and showed no real signs of having identified any of the issues from last season. Also Bruce seems to care about his work, whereas Di Matteo quite frankly came over (whether it was true or not) of not really giving a stuff either way. That might just be down to personality of course but is bound to buy him more time. Part of  any managers job is to manage relationships with all involved - players, board and fans, and Bruce is simply better at this than RDM. Also, Bruce has won 47% of his games as opposed to 8%. That probably buys a bit more belief as well...!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 22, 2017, 10:20:42 PM
Its far to early to judge Steve Bruce, his backroom staff etc. 

What is clear  is that he was not satisfied  with the squad he took over.  Yes  he has made one or two surprising selection decisions, he needs the summer to recruit properly and commence on an honest challenge to get us out of this division.

I think this time next year we will be able to honestly assess, up to then got to give him some slack.

I know everyone is desperate to get back to the premiership but not even the likes of Houdini, Uri Geller etc can  force that.  We just need to be patient, otherwise we turn into a circus  like the Leeds  module was until Monk bedded in.

The only problem I have with this is where was this 'we need to give him at least a year' when RDM was around?  I get that Bruce got a bounce and that pulled us into midtable but 14 points from the last 10 games isn't a good record.  I also get that RDM had a full transfer window but I've seen people on here say that the club is in disarray and will take a while to turn around, if that's the case why is RDM a chancer, etc who deserved to go after 2 months?  It just feels like a lot of fans never warmed to RDM so he was crap in everything he did whereas Bruce has said a few nice things and pointed out a few problems and now everyone seems willing to have great patience for him to unveil his masterplan.

I don't even disagree with sacking RDM but I don't see why Bruce's place should shouldn't be under threat if we finish in the bottom half, for example.

Isn't it more that Bruce seems to have identified where the problems are, even if he hasn't fully resolved all of them. That in itself is a modicum of progress. Whereas Di Matteo (who I was in favour of employing) actually created more problems by buying in such an unbalanced fashion and showed no real signs of having identified any of the issues from last season. Also Bruce seems to care about his work, whereas Di Matteo quite frankly came over (whether it was true or not) of not really giving a stuff either way. That might just be down to personality of course but is bound to buy him more time. Part of  any managers job is to manage relationships with all involved - players, board and fans, and Bruce is simply better at this than RDM. Also, Bruce has won 47% of his games as opposed to 8%. That probably buys a bit more belief as well...!

I don't disagree, as I say I think sacking RDM when we did was harsh but understandable.  My point is that I've seen lots of comments about needing 12-18 months and I just think that's naive.  If we don't win another game until March (for example) then Bruce will be in just as poor a position as RDM.  The nature of the job is that you're only as safe as your last handful of games and Bruce needs a win or 2 quickly to get back on track, right now we're 3 games into our run of 6 winnable games in a row and we've got a point from them.


oh and in the original post i've fixed the obvious typo.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Harte on January 22, 2017, 10:29:20 PM
Roberto di Matteo - 1 win in eleven games.
Steve Bruce - 7 wins in sixteen games.

For me there is no comparison between the two.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 22, 2017, 10:33:35 PM
Roberto di Matteo - 1 win in eleven games.
Steve Bruce - 7 wins in sixteen games.

For me there is no comparison between the two.
Both achieved with RDM's team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Harte on January 22, 2017, 10:36:53 PM
Roberto di Matteo - 1 win in eleven games.
Steve Bruce - 7 wins in sixteen games.

For me there is no comparison between the two.
Both achieved with RDM's team.
And imagine what Bruce could achieve with his own team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 22, 2017, 10:48:07 PM
Good on ya Brucie.

Steve Bruce is angry at McCormack for his conduct
"Unless his attitude to work changes, I'm going to pick people who really want to turn up and play.

"If it repeatedly happens, I won't put up with it. If I do, I'll have the lunatics running the asylum. If I let people do what they want, we'll have anarchy."

Asked why McCormack keeps skipping training, Bruce replied: "The gates were stuck."

Bruce has denied interest in Burnley striker Ashley Barnes

Reports say Bruce has photographed McCormack's house to prove he could get out of his gates. McCormack now faces a fine for missing training.

"He will be fined, yes," said Bruce. "It's not like I'm asking them to play at the North Pole. We come in for 9.30am and start training and 10.30am each day."

Bruce denied interest in Burnley's Ashley Barnes but wants a new striker, adding: "My bid for Jordan Rhodes was turned down and we won't be going back to it. But we might have the new Thierry Henry coming in on loan this week."
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 23, 2017, 01:29:48 AM
Is the last bit a joke or are we really getting a forward in?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 23, 2017, 02:26:20 AM
Local rag

Quote
Steve Bruce is still hoping to sign a new striker and today joked that “Thierry Henry No.2 could be on his way!”

The Aston Villa manager was trying to make light news of the worrying situation surrounding his strikeforce.

With Ross McCormack axed for failing to turn up to training, Jonathan Kodjia and Jordan Ayew away on international duty and Gabby Agbonlahor without a goal in almost a year, Villa are short of options up front.

But Bruce said with a wry smile: “We might have the new Thierry Henry coming in on loan next week.”

Villa are looking at options after missing out on Jordan Rhodes.

They had a £6million bid rejected last week and are unlikely to go back in for the Middlesbrough striker.

Burnley’s Ashley Barnes is also unlikely to be pursued either and while a number of Premier League clubs have turned down loan approaches for their forwards, Villa could still pull something off in the next ten days.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 23, 2017, 08:16:30 AM
Have Arsenal got any decent kids? I seem to remember Bruce regularly loaning their players when he was down the road.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: robbo1874 on January 23, 2017, 08:28:39 AM
Was Forsell on loan at Blues or was he a permanent signing? He was actually a decent player for them. One of the few players from them
That would've improved our side
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 23, 2017, 09:15:15 AM
According to Wikipedia, he had two loan spells at The Sty before signing permanently for £3 million.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on January 23, 2017, 11:46:07 AM
You have to question the wisdom of publicly outing Ross Mccormack (a £12 million investment/asset??). Whilst it plays well to the fans to appear tough (and is a welcome distraction from squandering a 2-0 lead) it surely would have been wiser to keep quiet and flog him in the transfer window. This will only knock £ millions off any potential fee and weaken our position if anyone else was/is interested. Seems rather strange.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 23, 2017, 11:48:04 AM
Its far to early to judge Steve Bruce, his backroom staff etc. 

What is clear  is that he was not satisfied  with the squad he took over.  Yes  he has made one or two surprising selection decisions, he needs the summer to recruit properly and commence on an honest challenge to get us out of this division.

I think this time next year we will be able to honestly assess, up to then got to give him some slack.

I know everyone is desperate to get back to the premiership but not even the likes of Houdini, Uri Geller etc can  force that.  We just need to be patient, otherwise we turn into a circus  like the Leeds  module was until Monk bedded in.

The only problem I have with this is where was this 'we need to give him at least a year' when RDM was around?  I get that Bruce got a bounce and that pulled us into midtable but 14 points from the last 10 games isn't a good record.  I also get that RDM had a full transfer window but I've seen people on here say that the club is in disarray and will take a while to turn around, if that's the case why is RDM a chancer, etc who deserved to go after 2 months?  It just feels like a lot of fans never warmed to RDM so he was crap in everything he did whereas Bruce has said a few nice things and pointed out a few problems and now everyone seems willing to have great patience for him to unveil his masterplan.

I don't even disagree with sacking RDM but I don't see why Bruce's place should shouldn't be under threat if we finish in the bottom half, for example.

Isn't it more that Bruce seems to have identified where the problems are, even if he hasn't fully resolved all of them. That in itself is a modicum of progress. Whereas Di Matteo (who I was in favour of employing) actually created more problems by buying in such an unbalanced fashion and showed no real signs of having identified any of the issues from last season. Also Bruce seems to care about his work, whereas Di Matteo quite frankly came over (whether it was true or not) of not really giving a stuff either way. That might just be down to personality of course but is bound to buy him more time. Part of  any managers job is to manage relationships with all involved - players, board and fans, and Bruce is simply better at this than RDM. Also, Bruce has won 47% of his games as opposed to 8%. That probably buys a bit more belief as well...!

I don't disagree, as I say I think sacking RDM when we did was harsh but understandable.  My point is that I've seen lots of comments about needing 12-18 months and I just think that's naive.  If we don't win another game until March (for example) then Bruce will be in just as poor a position as RDM.  The nature of the job is that you're only as safe as your last handful of games and Bruce needs a win or 2 quickly to get back on track, right now we're 3 games into our run of 6 winnable games in a row and we've got a point from them.


oh and in the original post i've fixed the obvious typo.

There's no comparison between the two.

RDM spent a fortune, but mostly spent it badly, and failed to fix the midfield.
He had no discernible style of play, and the away performance at Preston was absoluteluy abject, the worst performance I've seen in 5 years, which is really saying something.
I'm not overly impressed by Bruce yet, but the points he's got are obviously much better than RDM's, and he has at least coaxed a few decent performances out of the team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on January 23, 2017, 12:14:50 PM
You have to question the wisdom of publicly outing Ross Mccormack (a £12 million investment/asset??). Whilst it plays well to the fans to appear tough (and is a welcome distraction from squandering a 2-0 lead) it surely would have been wiser to keep quiet and flog him in the transfer window. This will only knock £ millions off any potential fee and weaken our position if anyone else was/is interested. Seems rather strange.

I don't think it had anything to do with playing well to the fans. I think it had to do with setting down a marker to the rest of the team. If losing a few million on McCormack means finally pulling into line the parade of tossers who've 'graced' our side in the last few years, it will have been well worth it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Brend'Watkins on January 23, 2017, 12:16:35 PM
You have to question the wisdom of publicly outing Ross Mccormack (a £12 million investment/asset??). Whilst it plays well to the fans to appear tough (and is a welcome distraction from squandering a 2-0 lead) it surely would have been wiser to keep quiet and flog him in the transfer window. This will only knock £ millions off any potential fee and weaken our position if anyone else was/is interested. Seems rather strange.

There's two ways of looking at it.  Your way which I sort of agree with and the other way which is as Bruce has done.  If you read further into what he's said about the potential for anarchy within the club you can kind of understand where he's coming from. By going public he's addressing an issue which shows the rest of the squad he won't stand for such behaviour, It's not the first time as we now know so he had to do something.  He's also letting us the fans know and so prevents unwelcome speculation which could drag on and hinder what he might be trying to do in other areas. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on January 23, 2017, 12:20:13 PM
You have to question the wisdom of publicly outing Ross Mccormack (a £12 million investment/asset??). Whilst it plays well to the fans to appear tough (and is a welcome distraction from squandering a 2-0 lead) it surely would have been wiser to keep quiet and flog him in the transfer window. This will only knock £ millions off any potential fee and weaken our position if anyone else was/is interested. Seems rather strange.

From what he said it's not the first time he's missed training and Bruce has been in the game long enough to know how to handle such things. Obviously McCormack didn't take any notice so he went public, saves him having to email and ring all those Villa supporters demanding to know "why no McCormack FFS" etc each time a match thread is started.

It's also likely that plenty of people in the game know about what's going on. Look at how many people know how much Hull City pay Tom Huddlestone for example. £80,000 a week* in case you're wondering.





*They don't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on January 23, 2017, 12:21:07 PM
of course it also highlights a long standing problem of a culture of insurrection at the club which is deeply worrying. This sort of shady shit goes back to Fatty Dunne and Co.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 23, 2017, 12:28:07 PM
Bruce has done the right thing. No matter what your price tag or standing in the game, whether you're a junior or senior, if you're taking the piss you will be called out. The message finally has to sink in that Villa won't tolerate this kind of shit any more.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on January 23, 2017, 12:40:27 PM
Bruce has done the right thing. No matter what your price tag or standing in the game, whether you're a junior or senior, if you're taking the piss you will be called out. The message finally has to sink in that Villa won't tolerate this kind of shit any more.

Yet he continues to play Agbonlahor....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on January 23, 2017, 12:46:41 PM
Gabby much as i loathe the slippery fucker, has done everything Bruce has asked of him.  As such he is using him and he did pretty well at the weekend. 

McCormack has not, and is rightfully getting hammered for it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on January 23, 2017, 12:50:07 PM
Bruce has done the right thing. No matter what your price tag or standing in the game, whether you're a junior or senior, if you're taking the piss you will be called out. The message finally has to sink in that Villa won't tolerate this kind of shit any more.

Yet he continues to play Agbonlahor....

The difference is Agbonlahor isn't doing it under Bruce's watch. Bruce had to be pragmatic here, knowing that he would lose two strikers in January. He thought it was worth trying to get Gabby up to speed in the hope that he could fill a gap. The fact that he isn't filling the gap right at this moment is less down to his attitude, and more to do with his ability as a player.

If it were me, I'd tell Gabby to go fuck himself, but I can see why Bruce has tried what he's tried. I didn't see Gabby's performance on saturday, but some are saying it was vastly improved, which may suggest Bruce was onto something?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on January 23, 2017, 12:56:44 PM
Bruce has done the right thing. No matter what your price tag or standing in the game, whether you're a junior or senior, if you're taking the piss you will be called out. The message finally has to sink in that Villa won't tolerate this kind of shit any more.

Yet he continues to play Agbonlahor....

Because Agbonlahor has knuckled down and done a job for Bruce like he's been asked to do.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on January 23, 2017, 01:01:06 PM
Really? Bruce must have asked him to contribute nothing and continue to look half arsed then because, other than an hour against Preston, thats the only job that he's been doing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on January 23, 2017, 01:07:45 PM
Really? Bruce must have asked him to contribute nothing and continue to look half arsed then because, other than an hour against Preston, thats the only job that he's been doing.

Yawn.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on January 23, 2017, 01:07:54 PM
Gets my goat a little that people are still getting at Agbonlahor and comparing his situation to McCormacks. Bruce was very clear - slates are wiped clean. Work hard, train hard, do what you are asked on the pitch and you will be in. Gabby, Westwood and even Richards have obviously done that so will continue to get picked. McCormack has done the polar opposite so has been ejected. There may still be a footballer in agbonlahor if he gets a chance to keep this run in the side going
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on January 23, 2017, 01:09:31 PM
Really? Bruce must have asked him to contribute nothing and continue to look half arsed then because, other than an hour against Preston, thats the only job that he's been doing.

Yawn.

Care to tell me what he's actually contributed then instead of being a diva?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: peter w on January 23, 2017, 01:14:28 PM
Its not being a diva - he may not be playing well but he is doing a shift more often than not.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on January 23, 2017, 01:17:01 PM
Writing 'yawn' when you disagree with somebodys opinion is being a diva.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Oscar Arce on January 23, 2017, 01:19:12 PM
I dislike Agbonlahor as much as any for his petulance in recent seasons but he is at least trying now, which lardarse clearly is not.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on January 23, 2017, 01:22:49 PM
Ok I will try

I cannot stand what the useless fat prick has done to our club over recent years whilst taking a shit load of our money

But he was given a chance by getting to full fitness and on Saturday he actually worked his nads off. He made himself a forward focus point and ran the channels well. He will never be the player he once was, or more importantly the player we all hoped he would become, as he chose the ill disciplined version we have seen over recent years. I want him out of the club as it will feel like the last remnants of the bad times will go when he does (Guzan  / Lescott already gone) but we have to be fair he did well on Saturday
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nick harper on January 23, 2017, 01:27:43 PM
Ok I will try

I cannot stand what the useless fat prick has done to our club over recent years whilst taking a shit load of our money

But he was given a chance by getting to full fitness and on Saturday he actually worked his nads off. He made himself a forward focus point and ran the channels well. He will never be the player he once was, or more importantly the player we all hoped he would become, as he chose the ill disciplined version we have seen over recent years. I want him out of the club as it will feel like the last remnants of the bad times will go when he does (Guzan  / Lescott already gone) but we have to be fair he did well on Saturday

I agree. He turned back the clock a bit and the ball was sticking when it was played up to him which made a difference to the whole side. He also had the strange sight of midfielders running off him which also helped.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdward on January 23, 2017, 01:29:04 PM
I'm assuming that Bruce as would prefer it if McCormack lived up to his reputation and started scoring goals, rather than having to get rid of him and bring in a replacement striker.
So is he trying to goad him into the "i'll show them" mode, where McCormack takes the proverbial kick up arse, realises that Bruce has no problem calling him out, and comes back to work with a point to prove.

Or alternatively Bruce just wants rid, and would prefer to bring in his own striker (Rhodes).

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on January 23, 2017, 01:30:19 PM
Since mid December he has only completed more than 45 minutes in the league three times due to bruce bringing his back up to match sharpness. His whoscored rating has improved over that time by virtually two points and but for a couple of good saves he should have had a couple of goals. I think his shot may have been going in against Preston before Adomah got to it, but even so he grabbed his first assist of the season and carried on with his improvement

Almost everyone agrees our midfield doesnt create near enough chances which Bruce is trying to remedy. For an out of shape striker with off field issues, an entire fan base on his back, no confidence and no match fitness I dont know what more you are expecting  but kudos to Bruce and Agbonlahor as I thought the Gabby we saw on saturday was long gone.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 23, 2017, 01:57:10 PM
Its far to early to judge Steve Bruce, his backroom staff etc. 

What is clear  is that he was not satisfied  with the squad he took over.  Yes  he has made one or two surprising selection decisions, he needs the summer to recruit properly and commence on an honest challenge to get us out of this division.

I think this time next year we will be able to honestly assess, up to then got to give him some slack.

I know everyone is desperate to get back to the premiership but not even the likes of Houdini, Uri Geller etc can  force that.  We just need to be patient, otherwise we turn into a circus  like the Leeds  module was until Monk bedded in.

The only problem I have with this is where was this 'we need to give him at least a year' when RDM was around?  I get that Bruce got a bounce and that pulled us into midtable but 14 points from the last 10 games isn't a good record.  I also get that RDM had a full transfer window but I've seen people on here say that the club is in disarray and will take a while to turn around, if that's the case why is RDM a chancer, etc who deserved to go after 2 months?  It just feels like a lot of fans never warmed to RDM so he was crap in everything he did whereas Bruce has said a few nice things and pointed out a few problems and now everyone seems willing to have great patience for him to unveil his masterplan.

I don't even disagree with sacking RDM but I don't see why Bruce's place should shouldn't be under threat if we finish in the bottom half, for example.

Isn't it more that Bruce seems to have identified where the problems are, even if he hasn't fully resolved all of them. That in itself is a modicum of progress. Whereas Di Matteo (who I was in favour of employing) actually created more problems by buying in such an unbalanced fashion and showed no real signs of having identified any of the issues from last season. Also Bruce seems to care about his work, whereas Di Matteo quite frankly came over (whether it was true or not) of not really giving a stuff either way. That might just be down to personality of course but is bound to buy him more time. Part of  any managers job is to manage relationships with all involved - players, board and fans, and Bruce is simply better at this than RDM. Also, Bruce has won 47% of his games as opposed to 8%. That probably buys a bit more belief as well...!

I don't disagree, as I say I think sacking RDM when we did was harsh but understandable.  My point is that I've seen lots of comments about needing 12-18 months and I just think that's naive.  If we don't win another game until March (for example) then Bruce will be in just as poor a position as RDM.  The nature of the job is that you're only as safe as your last handful of games and Bruce needs a win or 2 quickly to get back on track, right now we're 3 games into our run of 6 winnable games in a row and we've got a point from them.


oh and in the original post i've fixed the obvious typo.

There's no comparison between the two.

RDM spent a fortune, but mostly spent it badly, and failed to fix the midfield.
He had no discernible style of play, and the away performance at Preston was absoluteluy abject, the worst performance I've seen in 5 years, which is really saying something.
I'm not overly impressed by Bruce yet, but the points he's got are obviously much better than RDM's, and he has at least coaxed a few decent performances out of the team.


Results wise I agree there's no comparison but I think the level of criticism aimed at RDM is over the top when there's now a "I always thought it'd be next season anyway" attitude developing. I'm not defending RDM I just think the difference in attitude from the some fan on here (and elsewhere) is bizarre, I just don't see how a bit of a new manager bounce has earned Bruce so much credit that people are happily talking of not even judging him until after the summer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 23, 2017, 02:01:37 PM
I'd personally like to see Bruce lead us into next season whatever league we're in. We need a bit of continuity and with his track record of getting teams promoted, I think it would make sense to stick with the guy if we don't make it back up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on January 23, 2017, 02:06:24 PM
I'd personally like to see Bruce lead us into next season whatever league we're in. We need a bit of continuity and with his track record of getting teams promoted, I think it would make sense to stick with the guy if we don't make it back up.

Although I am optimistic that we will go on a run between now and the end of the season and might, might end up in the play offs, it's looking increasingly likely that we will be in the Championship next season.  If we are, and we sign a few players in both January and a couple more in the summer, they need continuity.  I 100% agree with you Clampy.  Bruce will take this club forward.  He'll probably hit his own glass ceiling at some point, we'll cross that bridge when it happens, but I agree.  Keep Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ClaretAndBlueBlood on January 23, 2017, 02:17:13 PM
I'd personally like to see Bruce lead us into next season whatever league we're in. We need a bit of continuity and with his track record of getting teams promoted, I think it would make sense to stick with the guy if we don't make it back up.

even if its the third division?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 23, 2017, 02:18:30 PM
I'd personally like to see Bruce lead us into next season whatever league we're in. We need a bit of continuity and with his track record of getting teams promoted, I think it would make sense to stick with the guy if we don't make it back up.

even if its the third division?

I think even he'd expect the sack if we went down again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gareth on January 23, 2017, 02:25:13 PM
I think Bruce is doing a great job so far, the next week or so will shape if we are going to going to keep ploughing at the play offs, suspect come Feb 1st he'll have done more business than he anticipated in this window.

Summer is the acid test, it shouldn't need to be signing 8/9 players again it will be 2/3 first teamers & even more the opportunity to get a squad physically fit for this league, Lansbury dropping off on Sat was understandable having not played for a month but there is a squad there where very few are fit enough for 90 minutes flat out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on January 23, 2017, 02:27:41 PM
I think the one real discernible difference Bruce has made is with our defensive organisation and getting rid of that habit of 88th minute equalisers. It has given us a good base to work from and I think we saw the first signs of the next step in the first half on Saturday. RDM appeared to want to run before he could walk and it cost him his job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ClaretAndBlueBlood on January 23, 2017, 02:36:56 PM
I think Bruce is doing a great job so far, the next week or so will shape if we are going to going to keep ploughing at the play offs, suspect come Feb 1st he'll have done more business than he anticipated in this window.

Summer is the acid test, it shouldn't need to be signing 8/9 players again it will be 2/3 first teamers & even more the opportunity to get a squad physically fit for this league, Lansbury dropping off on Sat was understandable having not played for a month but there is a squad there where very few are fit enough for 90 minutes flat out.

the thing that I find strange is that the last 3 or 4 managers that we have employed have all said this so why haven't any of them sorted it out!!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 23, 2017, 02:37:30 PM
How about if the run of 3 defeats and 2 draws from the last 5  carries on for another 5-6 games and we're firmly bottom half with a third of the season to go?  Do you still stick with him despite him having half a season and nothing much having changed?  What I'm getting at is what would it take for people to change their minds? There were no thoughts of continuity when we sacked RDM or when we sacked Garde and let a fucking moron waste the rest of the season forcing us to watch a bunch of twats take us down without a care in the world?  Continuity works when you've got the club working towards a goal and you're looking for people to continue that/progress it.  Are we now saying that the way Bruce plays is something we want to embed in the club long term and therefore he gets far more patience than most managers would to do that?  Or is it that people are just convinced that he'll get another promotion and they don't care how long it takes or how it happens?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on January 23, 2017, 02:41:33 PM
the answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 23, 2017, 02:46:47 PM
People are just saying that we need a bit of continuity. If we were to sack Bruce for not getting us up, we'd be on our 4th manager since Lambert left (5 if you include Eric Black). Now we have a manager who has a good record of getting teams up, that's as good as reason as any for me to stick with it and see where it takes us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on January 23, 2017, 03:46:53 PM
How about if the run of 3 defeats and 2 draws from the last 5  carries on for another 5-6 games and we're firmly bottom half with a third of the season to go?  Do you still stick with him despite him having half a season and nothing much having changed?  What I'm getting at is what would it take for people to change their minds? There were no thoughts of continuity when we sacked RDM or when we sacked Garde and let a fucking moron waste the rest of the season forcing us to watch a bunch of twats take us down without a care in the world?  Continuity works when you've got the club working towards a goal and you're looking for people to continue that/progress it.  Are we now saying that the way Bruce plays is something we want to embed in the club long term and therefore he gets far more patience than most managers would to do that?  Or is it that people are just convinced that he'll get another promotion and they don't care how long it takes or how it happens?

Not at all, it's not the way he plays that I want embedded in the club long term, it's his discipline and his organisation.  Those are the things that have been lacking for years now.  It feels like Bruce is the first proper manager we've had for a very long time; after a string of chancers we've finally made an appointment that seems perfectly logical.  We've got a manager with the stature, the experience, the honesty and the balls to sort this mess out.  There are fundamental issues that will always hold us back until we eradicate them, and it would appear that he's recognised that and intends to do something about it.  That's why I'd give him more time than the others, because I trust him to get to grips with this, however long it takes; I haven't been able to say that about any of our managers for six years.  We can worry about his style of football later, but in the meantime I can put up with us muddling through if it means he's clearing the decks and laying the foundations for better times ahead, whether he's at the helm then or not.  Look around and see who else is available before you question whether a bad run should see him sacked this season; he's got a big job on his hands and I'd trust him to do it better than any Hasselbaink who might end up sniffing around.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on January 23, 2017, 03:49:27 PM
People who ask for Bruce to be sacked are idiots

Needs a bit of time and at least 2 windows
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on January 23, 2017, 03:51:14 PM
is anyone seriously suggesting we sack him now? Madness.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on January 23, 2017, 03:57:39 PM
is anyone seriously suggesting we sack him now? Madness.

People tweet Dr Tony saying sack him
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on January 23, 2017, 04:00:29 PM
His style of play isn't great but look what he inherited.  A rag tag bunch of players who hadn't been managed properly.A club where discipline was none existent. Probably the most poorly run club over the last few years in the top two divisions.He basically inherited a pile of shite  and it takes time to put shite through the water treatment works before you can get rid of the stench and the smell. He needs time and for now we need him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 23, 2017, 04:03:39 PM
People who ask for Bruce to be sacked are idiots

Needs a bit of time and at least 2 windows

Why didn't RDM need a bit of time and least 2 windows, that's the point.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 23, 2017, 04:25:39 PM
People who ask for Bruce to be sacked are idiots

Needs a bit of time and at least 2 windows

Why didn't RDM need a bit of time and least 2 windows, that's the point.
RDM presumably oversaw heavy spending in the transfer window and the way performances were going it looked like we were going to need to start worrying more about relegation than promotion.  With the same resources SB has clearly done infinitely better.  I guess that is why.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 23, 2017, 04:30:01 PM
People who ask for Bruce to be sacked are idiots

Needs a bit of time and at least 2 windows

Why didn't RDM need a bit of time and least 2 windows, that's the point.

That's a fair enough question because he was let go of early but 1 win in 11 and some truly woeful performances towards the end of his reign didn't help his cause. We have at least picked up some points under Bruce although we have thrown in some poor displays as well. It just makes sense to see what he can do with some of his own buys.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on January 23, 2017, 04:30:44 PM
Now is not the time for a change. Can we not be the fickle fans that our enemies love to brand us. There are strong signs that SB is getting somewhere. We looked really good in the first half on Saturday. Yes the wheels came off but there was some real positives. Outing McCormack was a sign that the days of taking the piss out of our club are over for players. Even Gabby put a shift in ffs! We're being linked with some talented players who are probably the best we can hope to attract in our current predicament. We need to be patient and wait to see what SB can achieve with in his own words "the kind of opportunity  I've waited a long time for"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 23, 2017, 04:39:34 PM
but RDM got 12 games in total, what people are talking about is not even reviewing how Bruce has done until he's been in the job for at least 2 windows which means, in reality about 50 games.  I don't even disagree I just don't get why so many people who wanted Sherwood, Garde and RDM out after far fewer games are suggesting sticking with Bruce even if we have a bad run and don't come anywhere near to achieving the job he came in to do.  I don't think he'll go anywhere before the summer and I don't want him to for exactly the reason given above but I want to see him address some of the problems that he can't just buy a solution to.  The midfield has been a solid reason for our problems for a while but if Hourihane does come in I don't think that will exist any more and how we perform from then will be all on Bruce.  Let's see how he does after 9-10 games where he's been able to reshape his squad a little before guaranteeing him the summer regardless.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on January 23, 2017, 04:43:48 PM
Now is not the time for a change. Can we not be the fickle fans that our enemies love to brand us. There are strong signs that SB is getting somewhere.

Strong signs? Really? I can't see any strong signs at all.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 23, 2017, 04:44:43 PM
People who ask for Bruce to be sacked are idiots

Needs a bit of time and at least 2 windows

Why didn't RDM need a bit of time and least 2 windows, that's the point.

That's a fair enough question because he was let go of early but 1 win in 11 and some truly woeful performances towards the end of his reign didn't help his cause. We have at least picked up some points under Bruce although we have thrown in some poor displays as well. It just makes sense to see what he can do with some of his own buys.

As above, that's exactly what I'm advocating, what I disagree with is the idea that he automatically gets the summer regardless.

Now is not the time for a change. Can we not be the fickle fans that our enemies love to brand us. There are strong signs that SB is getting somewhere. We looked really good in the first half on Saturday. Yes the wheels came off but there was some real positives. Outing McCormack was a sign that the days of taking the piss out of our club are over for players. Even Gabby put a shift in ffs! We're being linked with some talented players who are probably the best we can hope to attract in our current predicament. We need to be patient and wait to see what SB can achieve with in his own words "the kind of opportunity  I've waited a long time for"

I'm not calling for change though.  The bold bit is the key.  Most of us, at the time, were happy with the summer business, much the same as the summer before.  Most people (but not me to be fair) thought McCormack was a good signing but it turned out badly.  Signing players who have done well at other clubs is the easy bit.  Forming a team from the squad is what managers get paid to do and I have doubts about how he's done on that front so far.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on January 23, 2017, 04:46:09 PM
People who ask for Bruce to be sacked are idiots

Needs a bit of time and at least 2 windows


Why didn't RDM need a bit of time and least 2 windows, that's the point.

Because, after being given a lot of money to spend in the summer, he gave no indication that he knew what the problems were let alone how to fix them. Bruce, at the very least, gives the impression that he has a plan. He also communicates and is demonstrably a leader, again qualities that RDM never showed.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 23, 2017, 04:47:24 PM
People who ask for Bruce to be sacked are idiots

Needs a bit of time and at least 2 windows

Why didn't RDM need a bit of time and least 2 windows, that's the point.

Because he'd demonstrably failed at every single aspect of management.

Transfer policy - rubbish
Team selection and tactics - rubbish
Results - rubbish

Did you see the Preston game, his last before he was sacked?  It made Lambert's emergency efforts against Bradford look like a masterclass of tactical thinking and planning.  McCormack was playing as a one man midfielder, while all of the other attacking players ran around randomly in the vague direction of Preston's goal, like 5 year olds chasing a balloon.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on January 23, 2017, 04:48:29 PM
Its very simple. RDM was sacked because after a massive outlay on players he wanted we were nowhere near getting promotion and there were no real positive signs. At that point, swapping managers COULD have resulted in a massive change in fortunes and secured playoffs/promotion.
  The fact that a second, more experienced manager who came top of an extensive selection process and has multiple promotions on his CV isnt doing massively better, points to problems with the squad make up (be that personnel, fitness, balance). Swapping managers before next season would be lunacy.

And the hypothetical argument of us going down is a waste of time and effort. It will not happen in a million years
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 23, 2017, 04:52:35 PM
I'd still give him the summer and into next season. If we was to bring a new manager in during the close season, then you start all over again, with that man wanting his own players in and certain players out. It's time for the club to settle down and have an aim. More upheaval is the last thing we want.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 23, 2017, 05:07:06 PM
People who ask for Bruce to be sacked are idiots

Needs a bit of time and at least 2 windows

Why didn't RDM need a bit of time and least 2 windows, that's the point.

Because he'd demonstrably failed at every single aspect of management.

Transfer policy - rubbish
Team selection and tactics - rubbish
Results - rubbish

Did you see the Preston game, his last before he was sacked?  It made Lambert's emergency efforts against Bradford look like a masterclass of tactical thinking and planning.  McCormack was playing as a one man midfielder, while all of the other attacking players ran around randomly in the vague direction of Preston's goal, like 5 year olds chasing a balloon.

As I've said, I'm not trying to defend RDM in any way, I had supported him as much as possible unti lthat game but it was hard to see how he could continue after that and I think Xia saw that as well as we did.  I just want to see something to make me think Bruce is actually making a difference before we commit to him as the long term solution.  We've played badly far more often than we've played well in the last couple of months and now he has a couple of his own players that needs to change (and a couple more coming in before the next match), and not just for 60 minutes in a game where we throw away a 2 goal lead.  A run of 4-5 decent performances together between now and the summer will be enough but he really does need to show that's there's more to come than we've seen so far, even if he has got a few decent results.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 23, 2017, 05:10:53 PM
Its very simple. RDM was sacked because after a massive outlay on players he wanted we were nowhere near getting promotion and there were no real positive signs. At that point, swapping managers COULD have resulted in a massive change in fortunes and secured playoffs/promotion.
  The fact that a second, more experienced manager who came top of an extensive selection process and has multiple promotions on his CV isnt doing massively better, points to problems with the squad make up (be that personnel, fitness, balance). Swapping managers before next season would be lunacy.

And the hypothetical argument of us going down is a waste of time and effort. It will not happen in a million years

The bold bit is the logical fallacy that I'm worried about.  RDM was shit and it was entirely his own fault, Bruce is a little better but still shit and it's still RDM's fault.  This is the same argument as last season and in the end everyone wanted Garde out anyway even though he got fucked over in the window.  Bruce is being backed in the window and he has to show that it's the right call by showing some improvement or he's just as bad as the rest.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 23, 2017, 05:18:30 PM
Its very simple. RDM was sacked because after a massive outlay on players he wanted we were nowhere near getting promotion and there were no real positive signs. At that point, swapping managers COULD have resulted in a massive change in fortunes and secured playoffs/promotion.
  The fact that a second, more experienced manager who came top of an extensive selection process and has multiple promotions on his CV isnt doing massively better, points to problems with the squad make up (be that personnel, fitness, balance). Swapping managers before next season would be lunacy.

And the hypothetical argument of us going down is a waste of time and effort. It will not happen in a million years

The bold bit is the logical fallacy that I'm worried about.  RDM was shit and it was entirely his own fault, Bruce is a little better but still shit and it's still RDM's fault.  This is the same argument as last season and in the end everyone wanted Garde out anyway even though he got fucked over in the window.  Bruce is being backed in the window and he has to show that it's the right call by showing some improvement or he's just as bad as the rest.

Of course he has to show improvement so until then, how about letting the guy get on with it?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldtimernow on January 23, 2017, 05:22:22 PM
I'd still give him the summer and into next season. If we was to bring a new manager in during the close season, then you start all over again, with that man wanting his own players in and certain players out. It's time for the club to settle down and have an aim. More upheaval is the last thing we want.

the more I think of it the more the Villa reminds me of how the NHS is being run by this government,
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 23, 2017, 05:23:35 PM
What difference does it make if I say I don't think "he needs at least 2 windows" is the right idea though?

I'm saying judge him on what he actually does it's the people already talking about giving him the summer window that aren't doing that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 23, 2017, 05:31:53 PM
What difference does it make if I say I don't think "he needs at least 2 windows" is the right idea though?

I'm saying judge him on what he actually does it's the people already talking about giving him the summer window that aren't doing that.

Because like I've already said, some people, me included want some continuity. I don't see a problem with that. It also may be because he's got teams up before and they feel confident given time, he can do it again with us. It makes sense to me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on January 23, 2017, 06:28:42 PM
I'm happy with Steve Bruce at the moment. But if we did do the silly thing and get rid of him who the hell  would we appoint next ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tayls_7 on January 23, 2017, 06:32:37 PM
I'm happy with Steve Bruce at the moment. But if we did do the silly thing and get rid of him who the hell  would we appoint next ?

It's not something we need to contemplate for a good while yet.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 23, 2017, 08:41:30 PM
If we nose dive and finish just outside the relegation zone I'd have second thoughts.  But if we have a decent second half of the season, finish top half then I'd definitely give him another season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on January 23, 2017, 08:43:18 PM
I'm happy with Steve Bruce at the moment. But if we did do the silly thing and get rid of him who the hell  would we appoint next ?

Exactly Accrington Stanley
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on January 23, 2017, 09:03:39 PM
I don't think anyone should be asking for his head however people are concerned that we have accumulated 11 points from last 9 games. That's not good by any measure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on January 23, 2017, 09:16:13 PM
I'm happy with Steve Bruce at the moment. But if we did do the silly thing and get rid of him who the hell  would we appoint next ?

Exactly Accrington Stanley
We absolutely need stability for a considerable time...........and that will give him a chance to show what he can do, with the right players in the team, instead of this hotch-potch he has to re-assemble every week.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on January 23, 2017, 09:19:30 PM
How about if the run of 3 defeats and 2 draws from the last 5  carries on for another 5-6 games and we're firmly bottom half with a third of the season to go?  Do you still stick with him despite him having half a season and nothing much having changed?  What I'm getting at is what would it take for people to change their minds? There were no thoughts of continuity when we sacked RDM or when we sacked Garde and let a fucking moron waste the rest of the season forcing us to watch a bunch of twats take us down without a care in the world?  Continuity works when you've got the club working towards a goal and you're looking for people to continue that/progress it.  Are we now saying that the way Bruce plays is something we want to embed in the club long term and therefore he gets far more patience than most managers would to do that?  Or is it that people are just convinced that he'll get another promotion and they don't care how long it takes or how it happens?

Bruce is a bit more experienced than those two and it shows. Garde took on the dressing room very early on and lost thinking he had players coming in presumably. In hindsight he should have told the club from day one to prepare for relegation and he would gut the squad accordingly.

RDM and Clarke on paper looked an ideal appointment but results were shocking after the money spent on proven championship performers.

Bruce is playing the media game a bit better, calling out McCormack was brave but he isn't his player really. Also diverts attention from a fast failing playoff challenge...

I think Bruce has the gumption to turn the club around but he needs results soon with Kodjia, Ayew and the new signings bedded in. We haven't looked in any way convincing under him yet against some very average but well drilled sides. McClaren, Benitez, Hughton and Monk all doing better under similar or even worse constraints.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on January 24, 2017, 12:40:12 PM
Can we please have no more nonsense about whether or not Steve Bruce has the credentials to succeed at Villa Park.  His comment "there has been too much indiscipline at this club for far too long and I won't stand for it" tells me he is totally the right man for the club right now. There has to be a total change in the mentally of the players who have been given the honour of playing for Aston Villa Football Club. I trust Bruce to deliver this 100%. Whether he goes on to achieve honours for the club remains to be seen but let's be clear. It won't happen until he cuts out the rotten core that has prevailed at B6 for far too long. He deserves and needs our full backing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 24, 2017, 12:46:24 PM

sack him...

https://twitter.com/bruceatwedding/status/822494730848178176

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on January 24, 2017, 12:49:08 PM

sack him...

https://twitter.com/bruceatwedding/status/822494730848178176



He'll get sacked for underplaying it, it was of course the greatest day out ever, period.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 24, 2017, 12:49:31 PM

sack him...

https://twitter.com/bruceatwedding/status/822494730848178176



Some people have too much time on their hands. That twitter page is not even slightly funny.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on January 24, 2017, 01:44:14 PM

sack him...

https://twitter.com/bruceatwedding/status/822494730848178176



Some people have too much time on their hands. That twitter page is not even slightly funny.
I think it's hilarious!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on January 24, 2017, 01:45:34 PM

sack him...

https://twitter.com/bruceatwedding/status/822494730848178176



Some people have too much time on their hands. That twitter page is not even slightly funny.

Haven't looked at it in a while as it suddenly started tweeting adverts but it's certainly been funny.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 24, 2017, 02:06:17 PM
What difference does it make if I say I don't think "he needs at least 2 windows" is the right idea though?

I'm saying judge him on what he actually does it's the people already talking about giving him the summer window that aren't doing that.

I wouldn't put any rigid timescales on it, but take the common sense approach.  If, after signing Bree, Lansbury and Hairyhands, there's still no uplift in form or results, then questions will need to be asked, especially after the boys on African duty are back.  He will have fixed the immediate problem areas of the team, so I expect that there should be an improvement.  I do think we've probably left it too late for this season though, but as long as he's showing good form and results taking us towards the end of the season, that would be enough for me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 24, 2017, 03:02:43 PM
What difference does it make if I say I don't think "he needs at least 2 windows" is the right idea though?

I'm saying judge him on what he actually does it's the people already talking about giving him the summer window that aren't doing that.

I wouldn't put any rigid timescales on it, but take the common sense approach.  If, after signing Bree, Lansbury and Hairyhands, there's still no uplift in form or results, then questions will need to be asked, especially after the boys on African duty are back.  He will have fixed the immediate problem areas of the team, so I expect that there should be an improvement.  I do think we've probably left it too late for this season though, but as long as he's showing good form and results taking us towards the end of the season, that would be enough for me.

to be honest that's what I'm trying to suggest.  i understand that he's been promoted elsewhere but, ashas already been said in this discussion, he admits this is his biggest job.  We've seen other people wilt under the pressure and until he shows that he's not doing the same I don't think it's right for us to guarantee anything.  Once we see something to hold on to then we move forward but other than a bounce for 5-6 games I honestly don't think we've seen a huge change from anything else in the last 2 years and he needs to show he can bring that change.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on January 31, 2017, 09:44:00 PM
Well Steve thats last 10 played for 11 points. What do you say? We sacked the previous manager for similar results.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 31, 2017, 09:46:14 PM
Not good enough by a mile, sort it out Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villabear on January 31, 2017, 09:47:30 PM
I'd just like a glint of encouragement but we don't create chances let alone score goals. It's really fucking hard work watching us at the moment as it has been for the last five or so years. Grim.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 31, 2017, 09:47:45 PM
Really annoyed he waited so long to change anything and it's not the first time. All well and good post match saying how bad we were but how about you do your fucking job and fucking change it during a game.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ez on January 31, 2017, 09:49:20 PM
How long before he's leaning on the edge of the dugout expressionless like RDM, Garde, Lambert...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on January 31, 2017, 09:49:30 PM

sack him...

https://twitter.com/bruceatwedding/status/822494730848178176



Some people have too much time on their hands. That twitter page is not even slightly funny.
I think it's hilarious!

Me too, it's brilliant.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on January 31, 2017, 09:51:36 PM
Bye Bye Brucey, Bye Bye, as the BCR would sing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: David_Nab on January 31, 2017, 09:54:29 PM
Struggling to make a case for him already , like those before him we just get worse and worse with each game.


Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on January 31, 2017, 09:54:51 PM
All our away 'performances' are exactly the same, he does nothing to try and change it, i cant remember the last time we looked like scoring on the road.

People will say you've got to give him time etc but im bored shitless of him already.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on January 31, 2017, 09:57:18 PM
You must take the blame for that Mr.Bruce as that was a fucking low point in our recent poor history. Shameful and I hope you feel ashamed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 31, 2017, 10:13:49 PM
Well he apologised to fans and said it was embarrassing. Tomorrow we go back to basics and try and make ourselves hard to beat as it was far too easy for Brentford.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tuscans on January 31, 2017, 10:17:28 PM
I'm fine with Bruce, he see's it and says it before and after matches exactly like we do. I'm sure he'll get us ready by next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 31, 2017, 10:17:32 PM
Yes it was, now show you can do something about it Steve and change a game that isn't going your way.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ktvillan on January 31, 2017, 10:17:55 PM
There's an up and coming young manager who seems to have turned the corner for Wolves.  Er hang on a minute...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 31, 2017, 10:18:51 PM
I'm fine with Bruce, he see's it and says it before and after matches exactly like we do. I'm sure he'll get us ready by next season.

If only he was in a position to do something about it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Lizz on January 31, 2017, 10:19:24 PM

sack him...

https://twitter.com/bruceatwedding/status/822494730848178176



Some people have too much time on their hands. That twitter page is not even slightly funny.
I think it's hilarious!

Me too, it's brilliant.

It's made me literally laugh out loud.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on January 31, 2017, 10:20:05 PM
His honesty and common sense go a  long way. As David Nab noted, he seems to be on that downward trajectory of previous managers. I have no idea why it keeps happening, I do hope he can break the pattern though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 31, 2017, 10:21:11 PM
I'm fine with Bruce, he see's it and says it before and after matches exactly like we do. I'm sure he'll get us ready by next season.

If only he was in a position to do something about it.

Yep. If only he could do things like change tactics or make substitutions during the game. If he could do that we'd be loffing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Moose on January 31, 2017, 10:29:56 PM
That screeching sound, Mr Bruce, is the buck stopping. Over to you. Sort it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on January 31, 2017, 10:31:42 PM
Can't score and can't defend. He's had time to review the squad and prepare for a transfer window so he's got to start turning it around now. If it doesn't happen God only knows what we do after buying so many new players again...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on January 31, 2017, 10:35:50 PM
That screeching sound, Mr Bruce, is the buck stopping. Over to you. Sort it.

Surely the buck stops with xia who appoints the board and management and funds the deals?  Splashing the cash  was needed in the summer but went horribly wrong and I'm concerned that it all seems a bit too forced again, especially when we knew a fortnight ago that the playoffs were a big ask.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on January 31, 2017, 10:35:54 PM
We're in the very familiar place that:

(1) What he's saying is sound, but the players aren't listening.

Or

(2) The players are listening, but his tactics are shite.


Either way, we are shite.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 31, 2017, 11:25:28 PM
What sort of moron sticks a player in for his debut who hasn't played for 5 weeks?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 31, 2017, 11:30:22 PM
What sort of moron sticks a player in for his debut who hasn't played for 5 weeks?

In fairness to him on that, the only other options were Bacuna and Gardner.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on January 31, 2017, 11:31:39 PM
I listen to these post match conferences, and all I can think of is Big Ron's mantra...'Don't tell me, show me'
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 31, 2017, 11:34:30 PM
What sort of moron sticks a player in for his debut who hasn't played for 5 weeks?

In fairness to him on that, the only other options were Bacuna and Gardner.

Both of whom would have been better.  That was one of the worst debuts I've seen since Djemba Djemba.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on January 31, 2017, 11:38:11 PM
Very harsh for Bruce to shoulder the majority of the blame for what is going on right now.

First of  all  he took over a squad of individuals who were not jelling and has had to rebuild.  Yes one or two mistakes but he needs time the rest of this season  and  the whole  of next before knives and daggers are drawn.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on January 31, 2017, 11:39:56 PM
The rest of this season and the whole of next is a mind numbing thought to be honest. He's shown no signs that he knows how to take us forward.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 31, 2017, 11:40:08 PM
Easy with hindsight but you've said before how shit they both are so as I said, he wasn't exactly blessed with options. Whichever one he picked wouldn't have improved us much.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on January 31, 2017, 11:43:32 PM
Very harsh for Bruce to shoulder the majority of the blame for what is going on right now.

First of  all  he took over a squad of individuals who were not jelling and has had to rebuild.  Yes one or two mistakes but he needs time the rest of this season  and  the whole  of next before knives and daggers are drawn.

Yep, got to agree with this.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on January 31, 2017, 11:43:33 PM
Watching that shower tonight you'd honestly think that there were 11 debutants, and without a training session either. They were utterly clueless and outclassed by a well organised, drilled team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 31, 2017, 11:44:00 PM
They are all attacking midfielders though.  I definitely would've played either bacuna or Gardner as a holding player tonight.  They waltzed through our midfield like it wasn't there time and again.  Jedi for bjarnasson or indeed the ineffectual pseudo winger that is Albert.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on January 31, 2017, 11:44:21 PM
What sort of moron sticks a player in for his debut who hasn't played for 5 weeks?

If he had scored that early chance, then things would have turned out much differently.

The worrying thing is that SB has gone from being over cautious to chancing his hand. We have seen this pattern of behaviour before, and it has never turned out well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on January 31, 2017, 11:46:27 PM
That tonight was worse than Preston away under RDM. He'd had three months in the job, Bruce has had four. We're no better off now than we were then and still never look like we will win away.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on January 31, 2017, 11:47:08 PM
He can have rest of the season and the first 10 games of next season. If by then we not in the top 3 he can forget about travelling down from Chester every day.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on January 31, 2017, 11:47:42 PM
The rest of this season and the whole of next is a mind numbing thought to be honest. He's shown no signs that he knows how to take us forward.

Did you read Amfy's excellent account of her meeting with him at BH the other day? Plenty of signs there that he knows what's required. Whether he can put it in place is another matter, but it'll probably take more than one  game with his new signings to find out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 31, 2017, 11:49:55 PM
For me the season is over as we're not going up or down. So now it's up to Bruce to get us ready to smash this division next season. That means get them organised and most of all get us playing football as a team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on January 31, 2017, 11:50:44 PM
The rest of this season and the whole of next is a mind numbing thought to be honest. He's shown no signs that he knows how to take us forward.

Did you read Amfy's excellent account of her meeting with him at BH the other day? Plenty of signs there that he knows what's required. Whether he can put it in place is another matter, but it'll probably take more than one  game with his new signings to find out.

No i didn't, the only signs I've seen are of 5 identical away performances were by we haven't looked remotely like scoring.

He speaks a great game after each defeat but shows no signs of knowing how to change them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on January 31, 2017, 11:53:44 PM
The rest of this season and the whole of next is a mind numbing thought to be honest. He's shown no signs that he knows how to take us forward.

Did you read Amfy's excellent account of her meeting with him at BH the other day? Plenty of signs there that he knows what's required. Whether he can put it in place is another matter, but it'll probably take more than one  game with his new signings to find out.

No i didn't, the only signs I've seen are of 5 identical away performances were by we haven't looked remotely like scoring.
Before tonight it's a team built by 4 other managers. Tonight was a mess granted, but with so many new faces I can let it go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Billy Walker on January 31, 2017, 11:56:24 PM
Got to give him time now.  He has a proven track record at this level so stability and patience are key. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on January 31, 2017, 11:58:18 PM
The rest of this season and the whole of next is a mind numbing thought to be honest. He's shown no signs that he knows how to take us forward.

Did you read Amfy's excellent account of her meeting with him at BH the other day? Plenty of signs there that he knows what's required. Whether he can put it in place is another matter, but it'll probably take more than one  game with his new signings to find out.

No i didn't, the only signs I've seen are of 5 identical away performances were by we haven't looked remotely like scoring.

He speaks a great game after each defeat but shows no signs of knowing how to change them.

It's on the Fans Forum thread. You should read it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 01, 2017, 12:00:34 AM
Got to give him time now.  He has a proven track record at this level so stability and patience are key. 

I do take your point, but we have a proven track record of being a total basket case of a club that chews up decent or promising managers and excretes them into the football portaloo.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 01, 2017, 12:02:35 AM
I like a lot of what he says, and he seems to see all the problems we mention on here. But then he waits until we're 3-0 down and there's 15 mins left before making a change which is quite frankly, shit from a manager.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Fin Feds Dad on February 01, 2017, 12:04:06 AM
He can be as nice as he fucking likes - what worries me is his game management

We could all see his starting 11 wasn't working - but he didn't make a change until after their third went in .

Hopeless
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 01, 2017, 12:04:24 AM
Massively disappointed tonight. But he has to now use the rest of the season to fix this. It takes more than just adding more players or changing managers. We need to now settle down and get to a point of playing a certain way. He's not had that chance so it's not entirely shocking that tonight was bad. The team are strangers in many ways. It will get better.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 01, 2017, 12:06:09 AM
The rest of this season and the whole of next is a mind numbing thought to be honest. He's shown no signs that he knows how to take us forward.

Did you read Amfy's excellent account of her meeting with him at BH the other day? Plenty of signs there that he knows what's required. Whether he can put it in place is another matter, but it'll probably take more than one  game with his new signings to find out.

No i didn't, the only signs I've seen are of 5 identical away performances were by we haven't looked remotely like scoring.

He speaks a great game after each defeat but shows no signs of knowing how to change them.

It's on the Fans Forum thread. You should read it.

I imagine its an intriguing read were by he says all the right things, as he does in his post match interviews, I want to see it on the pitch though and unfortunately I've see next to  nothing to suggest that he can back the words up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 01, 2017, 12:16:32 AM
Well Brucey boy. 4-3-3 clearly doesn't and hasn't worked for us for years. Please can it now. Don't play Houlahane out of position. Drop Hutton and Amavi, they're shit. Hutton is passable in a poor side, Amavi couldn't give a fuck, he's all over the place. Sort it out, tonight was a mess, looked like the team had been prepared by a child after they'd all been out on the piss. 10 minute high then the downer hit and they all jogged around like they were hung over.

Up there with any of the crap performances we've shat out since 2010.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 01, 2017, 01:13:52 AM
I think it's slightly surprising to hear Villa fans complain about Bruce when I think we all knew before he joined us, he's "not a fan of tactics". Of course we expected at least the players would run through walls for him, maybe that will still happen but it needs to happen big time between tomorrow and the end of the season.

Nobody with less than half a brain ever imagined the Villa job isn't a big one. It really depends how hard you want to make it. Bruce, nice chap that he is, is maybe a repeat of what has gone previously. Maybe football has overtaken his hardwork alone ethic. I never wanted Moyes, nor RDM and was certainly not sold on the 'perfect fit' with Bruce. Let's hope he can at least keep us competitive until the end of the season and then we can look at the real options out there. Hopefully it won't be up for discussion.

I was a big fan of Wagner after RDM but there was no real chance he would leave Hudders mid-season. The summer could be the right time to make a new approach as I fear this season is over. Still, it could be worse, we could have Moyes in charge. Like Trump and Farage, he certainly had his fans.

2017 and we still have to discuss moving on into the 21st Century.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ROBBO on February 01, 2017, 05:47:52 AM
After some thought and a clear head I am thinking if Jedinak had played as the holding midfielder the outcome may have been different as it was we had three midfielders all attack minded who didn't track the opposition players.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 01, 2017, 06:10:43 AM
Bruce had Lansbury and the SonSon in the wrong positions, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on February 01, 2017, 06:50:24 AM
He definitely needs the chance to mould this team into a genuine promotion side over the ready of the season, ready for next year

But I'm alarmed by the lack of evidence that we're being coached into a good passing side
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on February 01, 2017, 06:53:56 AM
For all the Bruce knows what he is doing at this level - I have yet to be convinced

For me he needs to start to show the know how of what it takes to get us up the league- the pressure is starting to mount - have no doubt about it if there is no improvement in the team between now and the end of the season, the Dr will get rid!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on February 01, 2017, 07:12:36 AM
He definitely needs the chance to mould this team into a genuine promotion side over the ready of the season, ready for next year

But I'm alarmed by the lack of evidence that we're being coached.
Fixed
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on February 01, 2017, 07:20:26 AM
I think we are, but needed a lot of surgery and it has put us back.  Next summer we will have to get 3 or 4 very particular players in to compete at the top.  I think Brentford preyed on a grip that had never played together last night in the main, and Bruce probably should have mixed in the midfield a bit more with Gardner and Grealish playing. Bruce needs to be given the next 6 months to stabilise and build. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 01, 2017, 07:24:30 AM
I don't think I can stick another six months of what we were served up last night.  Seriously.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 01, 2017, 07:25:56 AM
And I don't think it's just me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on February 01, 2017, 07:30:12 AM
So change again Brian? We have a manager that has got our of this division 4 times, managed 800 games and speaks like he gets it, his transfers were on paper excellent.  Surely giving him since games to get it right is better than chopping again
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on February 01, 2017, 07:30:20 AM
I totally agree Brian, we were out passed and totally outclassed last night by BRENTFORD!!!!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ROBBO on February 01, 2017, 07:31:57 AM
Brian seriously we have had two trading periods where we have bought the better players from our rivals
those that have been prolific scorers and now midfielders that their clubs didn't want to lose, what is it about Villa that no manager seems to be able to get a decent side on the pitch. In my seven decades I have seen some dross from the Villa but never for this long.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 01, 2017, 07:54:47 AM
No, there are two parties in this love affair.  Aston Villa and me.  I have been a full on, home and away fan, never a an armchair pundit, for seven decades.  The load being imposed by such horrors as our centre forward not turning up for training because his gates are stuck is becoming too much to bear.  Steve Bruce? Go? Stay? Tony Xia? Go? Stay? Whatever.  I want an end to the misery their goings on inflict on fans in general and me in particular.  They have run out of time as far as I am concerned. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on February 01, 2017, 07:56:16 AM
The worst thing was the lack of decisions and changes from Bruce. Vibe said after the game that they changed their formation to combat our pressure and it changed the game. We did nothing until was it 83 minutes? Dreadful from Bruce regardless of whether he's had x number of training sessions.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on February 01, 2017, 08:06:51 AM
if you notice what Dean Smith said after the game he changed the way they were playing after 10 minutes, again as in the first game down Villa Park, I thought the ginger haired guy in midfield was very good for them.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 01, 2017, 08:06:52 AM
Pass and move.  Pass and move.   Do they practice knitting at BMH.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Three Spires Villa on February 01, 2017, 08:09:19 AM
That's the thing that annoys, no changes. At half time why not get Jack on and go 4-2-3-1, green, Jack, Adomah the 3, but to do nothing, dear me
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on February 01, 2017, 08:11:40 AM
When was the last time it seemed any of our players were coached? MON-era? Maybe McLeish who coached them to defend, defend, defend?

What our manager needs to do is coach these players over the last few months of the season, getting them ready for the next season.

No more spending and throwing money around to make it better, it's time to start managing and coaching players, which is what I'd always believed Steve Bruce to be good at. I'd always presumed that, whatever you got with a Steve Bruce team, at least they'd give it their all, pressure the opposition and never stop working. That hasn't happened, even when he went on a good run of games, but at that point I thought, maybe it'll come with time.

There's no point in keep changing managers, players and owners every two seconds. Steve Bruce has proven himself to be a decent manager in this league. There's quite a few players who have shown themselves to be decent players in this league. So let's keep it as it is, at least until Xmas I reckon, then see where we're at.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: DB on February 01, 2017, 08:13:56 AM
Lets face it we are re-building for next season. Too many new players to integrate last night
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on February 01, 2017, 08:18:20 AM
Bruce certainly scraping the egg off his face this morning. Big pressure on him now to show some proper signs of progress.  If it doesn't work out I genuinely think this club is destined to be the next Portsmouth/Leeds. We just seem to be a basket case.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 08:19:51 AM
We haven't got the balance right all season. From a midfield incapable of creating because there wasn't the quality to do so, to a midfield so open they couldn't retrieve the ball.or shield the back four.

We've a lot of very good players for this level. Identify a system for how we play at home and away and let them get their eye in.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 01, 2017, 08:28:57 AM
We haven't got the balance right all season. From a midfield incapable of creating because there wasn't the quality to do so, to a midfield so open they couldn't retrieve the ball.or shield the back four.

We've a lot of very good players for this level. Identify a system for how we play at home and away and let them get their eye in.

I agree with all of that but would add that it needs to happen fairly quickly, much more of the ineptitude they displayed last night will make everyone restless.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 01, 2017, 09:05:53 AM
After some thought and a clear head I am thinking if Jedinak had played as the holding midfielder the outcome may have been different as it was we had three midfielders all attack minded who didn't track the opposition players.

They didn't do any attacking either.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 01, 2017, 09:14:17 AM
we blamed RDM for a rubbish start and most people thought he should go because of the ineptitude of the team,
I don't know what his stats were but Bruce cant be a long way in front and with more games under his belt

I don't see any improvement at all since he came, not even 1% if i'm honest
even the games we have won we weren't very good, 'but hey we would have lost that before' comments made us think better times ahead, only to find out exactly the same times were ahead

i have not seen one not one decent performance under him as yet, which is a pretty ridiculous state of affairs

i read yesterday on here someone saying that if Bruce had been in charge from the start we would be comfortably in the top two,
i honestly do not see any evidence whatsoever for that sort of statement its almost Trump standard sycophantic stuff, when all the evidence points one way but you choose to believe the alternative facts

i don't know what the answer is, but its not Steve Bruce
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 01, 2017, 09:15:33 AM
well thanks for that glass of cold water in the face.

sobering.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 09:17:02 AM
That argument is couched on having the better quality midfielders in July and August rather than playing their first games at the back end of January.

I think we'd be top six if he'd have been here since June. The players would be more settled.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on February 01, 2017, 09:20:58 AM
Agree Ads. With the summer to work with them i think we would be top 6. We have had a poor month, but can get back on track quite quickly i reckon. A win will do us the world of good.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 09:24:31 AM
He's stated that he's had to adopt a style of play because we didn't have the pace or players to play 442 that he wants.

He's essentially had to rip it up and start again and parachuted a midfield in.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: fredm on February 01, 2017, 09:30:04 AM
Surely he has to be given the summer, when he can maybe bring in just 2 or 3 players to hopefully take us up another level together with a full pre-season, and then have till xmas to show that they are capable of being in the mix for promotion.  If this is not the case then I think Dr X will pull the trigger.  As others have said last night we did not have a natural defensive midfielder on the pitch, just 3 brand new players all trying to sort their own way out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 09:33:17 AM
Of course he needs the summer. We need to move away from being in a state of perpetual flux.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 01, 2017, 10:16:04 AM
Of course he needs the summer. We need to move away from being in a state of perpetual flux.



we need to move away from throwing good money after bad with managers who don't have the technical capacity to have a game plan or change things on the pitch other than just buying the best players in that particular league and hoping it comes right in the end

we need to move away from the most abject and shit performances week after week and then making a ton of excuses as to why it happened and believing the manager is still great

we need to move away from 'hes done it before (promotion) that means he will do it again' mentality when half the other managers in that league have also done it most of them we wouldn't touch with a messy stick

we need to move away from defending a failing manager who is not good enough to get us out of this mire, good bloke as well he may be but ultimately will leave us worse off from when he found us

just my opinion obviously




Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 10:18:48 AM
Of course he needs the summer. We need to move away from being in a state of perpetual flux.



we need to move away from throwing good money after bad with managers who don't have the technical capacity to have a game plan or change things on the pitch other than just buying the best players in that particular league and hoping it comes right in the end

we need to move away from the most abject and shit performances week after week and then making a ton of excuses as to why it happened and believing the manager is still great

we need to move away from 'hes done it before (promotion) that means he will do it again' mentality when half the other managers in that league have also done it most of them we wouldn't touch with a messy stick

we need to move away from defending a failing manager who is not good enough to get us out of this mire, good bloke as well he may be but ultimately will leave us worse off from when he found us

just my opinion obviously






Why would you discount his record? That makes no sense.

A manager who has promoted 4 clubs and one as recently as May 2016 has the exact credentials we need. If not him, then who exactly?

And failing? Really? After 20 games with somebody else's players?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 01, 2017, 10:22:33 AM
Of course he needs the summer. We need to move away from being in a state of perpetual flux.



we need to move away from throwing good money after bad with managers who don't have the technical capacity to have a game plan or change things on the pitch other than just buying the best players in that particular league and hoping it comes right in the end

we need to move away from the most abject and shit performances week after week and then making a ton of excuses as to why it happened and believing the manager is still great

we need to move away from 'hes done it before (promotion) that means he will do it again' mentality when half the other managers in that league have also done it most of them we wouldn't touch with a messy stick

we need to move away from defending a failing manager who is not good enough to get us out of this mire, good bloke as well he may be but ultimately will leave us worse off from when he found us

just my opinion obviously






Why would you discount his record? That makes no sense.

A manager who has promoted 4 clubs and one as recently as May 2016 has the exact credentials we need. If not him, then who exactly?

And failing? Really?


if you think he's doing well and not failing since he came then I cant argue with you,
 we obviously have different understandings of the words
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 10:25:50 AM
I think the difference is you'd like to be proved right on your initial objections and waste no time in saying it everytime we lose, so you lack objectivity.

I wouldn't say he's failing no, he's only just got his players in and we've suffered a bad month in form after a couple of good ones.

I'm willing to give him the chance to fail, you've already made your mind up before a ball was kicked against Wolves in October.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 01, 2017, 10:27:36 AM
Of course he needs the summer. We need to move away from being in a state of perpetual flux.



We need to get away from buying 1/2 a squad in the transfer window and changing managers. I'm glad we went and bought who we needed because it will help us immensely in the long run. But we now need a very settled period of developing chemistry and a playing style. If that means going up next season and not at the end of this, so be it. I'd rather us promoted as a cohesive unit than before we are ready and struggle again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 01, 2017, 10:28:24 AM
I'm getting a bit sick of him going on about games as "a horrible one" as if it's some random occurrence that he has no control over.  He needs to get his act together, because whatever the circumstances, last night was as far from acceptable as it's possible to get.  OK so it was 3 new players, diddums. Brentford were without their top scorer because we've bought him, but they still ripped us a new one, with a team that was assembled at a fraction of the costs of ours.

We are the lowest away scorers in the entire league, and Bruce is at least partly to blame for that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 01, 2017, 10:28:39 AM
we blamed RDM for a rubbish start and most people thought he should go because of the ineptitude of the team,
I don't know what his stats were but Bruce cant be a long way in front and with more games under his belt

I don't see any improvement at all since he came, not even 1% if i'm honest
even the games we have won we weren't very good, 'but hey we would have lost that before' comments made us think better times ahead, only to find out exactly the same times were ahead

i have not seen one not one decent performance under him as yet, which is a pretty ridiculous state of affairs

i read yesterday on here someone saying that if Bruce had been in charge from the start we would be comfortably in the top two,
i honestly do not see any evidence whatsoever for that sort of statement its almost Trump standard sycophantic stuff, when all the evidence points one way but you choose to believe the alternative facts

i don't know what the answer is, but its not Steve Bruce

Unfortunately I completely agree with you, fair play to the posters that are glass half full and say we need to give him more time etc, I wish I could share that enthusiasm but I see absolutely no signs that things will improve, I think we'll be no further forward in 18 months with Bruce leading us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 10:30:44 AM
The fact is everybody has failed at Villa since Martin O'Neill, and it could be argued he failed too. It's going to take steady, patient and measured rebuilding to change the toxic culture at the club, and whether or not Bruce ends up being the manager to do that, we have to give him time. We were never going up this season, and anyone who thought we would wasn't paying attention for the best part of the last decade.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on February 01, 2017, 10:32:26 AM
I was going to post on the pre-match thread that I was certain we'd lose, and badly. It's one thing inserting a single  quality player into a side that's already flying. Bruce was trying something much harder.

I'm still optimistic in the long term because I believe he has a vision and a strategy and that they're shared and supported by the chairman and the chief executive.

But unless the team is prepared to fight to win, all the strategies in the world are no good. I hope getting shot of a few non-tryers will improve morale and make us a better team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 10:32:47 AM
Like toxic Newcastle Circus FC are struggling as well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: montague on February 01, 2017, 10:34:55 AM
We cant keep changing manager and systems. Give him a summer then lets see how it stands at xmas. That will probably be in the championship now but fixing this club is not going to be an easy or quick job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 10:35:47 AM
Like toxic Newcastle Circus FC are struggling as well.

What has our unrivalled shitness over the last few years got to do with them?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 01, 2017, 10:38:11 AM
I think the difference is you'd like to be proved right on your initial objections and waste no time in saying it everytime we lose, so you lack objectivity.

I wouldn't say he's failing no, he's only just got his players in and we've suffered a bad month in form after a couple of good ones.

I'm willing to give him the chance to fail, you've already made your mind up before a ball was kicked against Wolves in October.

I accept that, maybe i do lack objectivity

 believe it or not i say to myself i'm not going to post stuff about Bruce because it will only come over the way you say, but then i cant help myself when i see the defence of the indefensible
your right i never wanted him but to be honest even i thought he was better than this

i actually don't give a shit in being proved right about Bruce i just want someone to come in and show me they know what they are doing,
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: berneboy on February 01, 2017, 10:39:18 AM
Of course he needs the summer. We need to move away from being in a state of perpetual flux.



we need to move away from throwing good money after bad with managers who don't have the technical capacity to have a game plan or change things on the pitch other than just buying the best players in that particular league and hoping it comes right in the end

we need to move away from the most abject and shit performances week after week and then making a ton of excuses as to why it happened and believing the manager is still great

we need to move away from 'hes done it before (promotion) that means he will do it again' mentality when half the other managers in that league have also done it most of them we wouldn't touch with a messy stick






Why would you discount his record? That makes no sense.

A manager who has promoted 4 clubs and one as recently as May 2016 has the exact credentials we need. If not him, then who exactly?

And failing? Really? After 20 games with somebody else's players?

Stop this calm and moderate approach. Stop it, I say!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 10:49:14 AM
Like toxic Newcastle Circus FC are struggling as well.

What has our unrivalled shitness over the last few years got to do with them?

You use an intangible buzzword as causation when the issues have been far more simple than that. As an example, Ashley Westwood, 4th division player, has played 150 odd times for us at the heart of midfield.

It's a lack of quality on the pitch and on the touch line and in the boardroom that has seen us reach where we are. You recruit badly players or managers then the outcomes are inevitable, only the timing is uncertain.

Newcastle are not all on the same page, yet they've recruited quality players and a manager who has had a full pre-season and they'll go up automatically. Their underlying issues at owner and board room level persist.

If we'd have picked the right manager, instead of a detached and aloof figure, with seldom clue how to set things up tactically, then maybe we'd be in a much stronger position and would not have wasted the money that we have. 

There's no gypsy curse. Good players don't become bad simply because they play for us. Not everybody will work out of course, but there's no miasma around Bodymoor Heath, there will always be issues of discipline at every club, sometimes they can be resolved like Gabby  (it's his lack of quality now, not his comittment) and sometimes not like McCormack.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 01, 2017, 10:51:41 AM
No, there are two parties in this love affair.  Aston Villa and me.  I have been a full on, home and away fan, never a an armchair pundit, for seven decades.  The load being imposed by such horrors as our centre forward not turning up for training because his gates are stuck is becoming too much to bear.  Steve Bruce? Go? Stay? Tony Xia? Go? Stay? Whatever.  I want an end to the misery their goings on inflict on fans in general and me in particular.  They have run out of time as far as I am concerned. 
Same here Brian. There appears to be no end in this misery being inflicted on us fans. Even when we buy better players from other teams we make other teams better.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: N'ZMAV on February 01, 2017, 10:54:26 AM
We cant keep changing manager and systems. Give him a summer then lets see how it stands at xmas. That will probably be in the championship now but fixing this club is not going to be an easy or quick job.


Agreed. :)

5 years of being dog-shit from top to bottom won't get resolved by throwing money and managers at it. We need some sort of stability over the next 18 months. The huge turnaround in players was required, but that sort of thing isn't a quick fix.

If we're still in the same sort of position in 12 months I'll be very worried for our future for the following decade.

 I back Tony & Brucie.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 01, 2017, 11:04:24 AM
My biggest concern is that we look as clueless now as we did under Sherwood who also had a very good start (with the added benefit of good performances as well) before his team dissolved into a disorganised rabble who looked like they'd never met.  Yes we played with a 3 who've barely trained together but no one forced him to do that and besides we've looked exactly the same with any other midfield h's put out in the last 3 months so blaming it on the players not being settled is both ignoring the fact that he made the decision to play them and that even players who aren't new to the squad look like they've never played together.

I completely agree that we need continuity I'm just not sure that we should be building our continuity around the mind-numbing shit that Bruce has served up so far.  One of the constants in this run of shit performances has been that the opposition can all keep the ball on the deck and pass and move to find gaps which is strange because some people seem to think that you can't win games in this league playing that way.

Playing shit, out-of-date football would've been acceptable if it was getting the results to drive us into the play offs but we're back down into the bottom half and we're getting worse to watch and the results have gone.  We have, in Hourihane and Lansbury, 2 midfielders who can be at the heart of a switch to playing style that creates chances and allows us to have more control on the game, Bruce NEEDS to show that he can use them that way and I honestly think it needs to happen by the end of March.  If by then we're still the disorganised disgrace that we have been for the last 2 months then questions will need to be asked and no amount of calls for giving him more time will stop that.  If we're showing some signs that he has the coaching know-how to get us back on track then fair enough we can give him the time but 6 months is more than enough time to shows signs of recovery, even if he has wasted the first 4 of them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 11:11:49 AM
Funny how we keep on recruiting shit board members, shit managers, shit coaches, shit scouts and shit players isn't it, Ads? And doesn't it strike you as slightly odd that when some of those shit people go to other (apparently shit) clubs they suddenly become not quite as shit as we all thought they were. Ciaran Clark and "Newcastle Circus FC" spring to mind.

But then you were the one who thought we were going to go to places like Griffin Park this season and smash all and sundry into pink mist as we marched back to our rightful place in the Premier League.

I don't believe in gypsy curses, but I do believe big organisations that stop trying, lose their way and go into freefall need a big change in culture to get them back to where they once were. One of the things that needs to change might be an insufferable arrogance and sense of entitlement that makes clubs like Brentford want to rub our noses in the shit, and apparently enables them to do so on a regular basis.

Something in the mindset has to change. I don't know exactly what it is. I don't know if anybody does. It isn't anything to do with sprigs of heather or corn dollies, though, I know that much.     
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 01, 2017, 11:23:48 AM
I agree with Jimbo and several others on here, today, who suggest that the focus now has to be on the culture-change scenario. And it is SB who has to look at what HE wants, and get his coaches - Clemence and Calderwood predominantly - to follow a pattern - set by him.
And he must stay involved to ensure it is being done the way he wants it.
Because he's the one who has to face the press making abject apologies for things he obviously has a big influence over.

I think we will go to forst with a different set-up and a different attitude........and win !

The future starts here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 11:24:20 AM
I predicted we'd go straight back up yes.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nelly on February 01, 2017, 11:29:30 AM
I think we will go to forst with a different set-up and a different attitude........and win !.

I feel like we've been saying this each game this season. "This next game, this is the one where it'll happen".
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 01, 2017, 11:32:12 AM
I agree.........but all we have got is hope. WE can't influence anything and so, we over-criticise what doesn't work and then should we deny ourselves the pleasure of what " might " happen?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on February 01, 2017, 11:33:39 AM
No supporter ever went to a game because he thought his* team would lose. Optimism is the basis of all this

*EDIT: or her (sexism)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nelly on February 01, 2017, 11:35:53 AM
No, you're right Bob, hope springs eternal and all that. I guess I'm just a bit worn out after repeatedly building myself up with the hope that Villa will turn up, only for them to redefine 'bollocks'.

We'll get there!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 01, 2017, 11:39:13 AM
Nelly, there is absolutely NO doubt that over many years the Hope Springs Eternal phrase has always been at the forefront of a Villa supporter's mind.
I can only remember a few seasons when we expected to win, based on the fact that we always win, don't we ? 'cos were the Villa.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 11:40:24 AM
No supporter ever went to a game because he thought his team would lose. Optimism is the basis of all this

But there's a difference between hope and optimism, and arrogance and hubris. If I prepare meticulously for a job interview, I can be optimistic that I will get the job. If I do the bare minimum of preparation, and still think I'm going to walk the interview, that might be seen as arrogance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on February 01, 2017, 11:49:42 AM
Nobody ever got a job by not believing they were the best candidate, if you want to use that analogy.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 01, 2017, 11:50:01 AM
Been there.

But you hit it on the head.

Poor Preparation.
Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nunkin1965 on February 01, 2017, 11:51:21 AM
I think its no time to put pressure on the manager. We've probably got the best equipped guy at this level. We have a huge and strong and proud history but that's all it is. History.

Bruce needs time to develop the side for next season. The additions in this window are good ones and will improve us but patience is needed here from us. I know its not popular but overnight solutions don't exist.

I think we've got to realise where we are because the weight of expectation for this club is clearly draining on the manager and players. This club is sinking in quicksand and the more we pile pressure on it by continually swapping managers and staff the lower we'll get. I swear that if we listened hard enough you could hear VP creaking under the weight of expectation! As Dave pointed out, we're slowly turning into Forest.

Our slide needs be arrested and surely somebody who achieved our goal as recent as last season is best equipped to do it?

We've clearly got an owner who cares for this club. Let's hope he is a patient man because its a critical time for this club that we all love.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on February 01, 2017, 11:54:18 AM
I think its no time to put pressure on the manager. We've probably got the best equipped guy at this level. We have a huge and strong and proud history but that's all it is. History.

Bruce needs time to develop the side for next season. The additions in this window are good ones and will improve us but patience is needed here from us. I know its not popular but overnight solutions don't exist.

I think we've got to realise where we are because the weight of expectation for this club is clearly draining on the manager and players. This club is sinking in quicksand and the more we pile pressure on it by continually swapping managers and staff the lower we'll get. I swear that if we listened hard enough you could hear VP creaking under the weight of expectation! As Dave pointed out, we're slowly turning into Forest.

Our slide needs be arrested and surely somebody who achieved our goal as recent as last season is best equipped to do it?

We've clearly got an owner who cares for this club. Let's hope he is a patient man because its a critical time for this club that we all love.
It certainly didn't look like he's well equipped. He looked clueless. He made no changes to the play or formation and waiting till the game was over before making a substitution. Charlatan
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 01, 2017, 11:57:46 AM
Having withdrawn his MidfieldDynamo Two in a previous farce, perhaps he though he should give them time....and then lost track of time himself. Those subs at 75mins plus, after we were well-and-truly out of the game, was strange and always destined to be ineffectual IMO.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 12:08:33 PM
Nobody ever got a job by not believing they were the best candidate, if you want to use that analogy.

Yes they do. People are surprised to get jobs they didn't think they would get all the time. And to counter your first analogy, lots of people go to football matches thinking their team will lose. Have you ever seen us play Man Utd in the last 20 years?

As I say, optimism is one thing, arrogance is another.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on February 01, 2017, 12:15:45 PM
Nobody ever got a job by not believing they were the best candidate, if you want to use that analogy.

Yes they do. People are surprised to get jobs they didn't think they would get all the time. And to counter your first analogy, lots of people go to football matches thinking their team will lose. Have you ever seen us play Man Utd in the last 20 years?

As I say, optimism is one thing, arrogance is another.

Yes. Optimism is one thing and arrogance is another. And you are determined to see arrogance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 12:28:14 PM
Nobody ever got a job by not believing they were the best candidate, if you want to use that analogy.

Yes they do. People are surprised to get jobs they didn't think they would get all the time. And to counter your first analogy, lots of people go to football matches thinking their team will lose. Have you ever seen us play Man Utd in the last 20 years?

As I say, optimism is one thing, arrogance is another.

Yes. Optimism is one thing and arrogance is another. And you are determined to see arrogance.

Where it exists, that's where I see it.

You said you believed Villa would lose against Brentford. You made that decision by assessing the possible team and its few-too-many new additions. You made a reasoned judgement. Nothing arrogant about that.

Some of us made the reasoned judgement that the club was in such bad health it would not bounce back to the PL at the first attempt. Others decided to disregard all that evidence and insist we would smash lesser clubs out the water because we are who we are. That's arrogance.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 01, 2017, 12:31:34 PM
I thought we'd beat lesser clubs because we had better players. Is that optimism, or arrogance?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on February 01, 2017, 12:33:03 PM
The word 'lesser' is the giveaway there. We're all in this division for a reason.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: N'ZMAV on February 01, 2017, 12:37:11 PM
I thought we'd beat lesser clubs because we had better players. Is that optimism, or arrogance?
that's a fair expectation.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 12:39:10 PM
I thought we'd beat lesser clubs because we had better players. Is that optimism, or arrogance?

Why do you think we're not beating them, and have consistently failed to beat them in the past even when they were in a 'lesser' division?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on February 01, 2017, 12:41:41 PM
Pass and move.  Pass and move.   Do they practice knitting at BMH.

Couldn't agree more. Football isn't that hard really. If people move then can be open for a pass, and when you pass it, you move and then become open for a pass. It's not difficult to do that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: simboy on February 01, 2017, 12:47:06 PM
Remember this at the Theatre of Wet Dreams?

 "Three years of excuses and it's still crap ... ta-ra Fergie."

 or in our case "Three months of excuses and its still crap ... ta-ra Brucey"

Now i am not quite stupid as to equate SAF with Bruce but i do think time is required to allow him to develop his side, get them playing his way and with his players. If this time next year there is no progress then we need to look again [assuming we don't get relegated!!] 

Just my view

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 01, 2017, 12:50:34 PM
The biggest worry for me is that bruce has made zero impact

Appalling away form and huffing and puffing at home

We still aint fit ffs
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: London Villan on February 01, 2017, 12:58:02 PM
Every department of the squad now has a good selection of players to choose from. We need to give Bruce the time to develop his team ethic and personality over the next 18 games, so we are in a position to hit the ground running next season. Talk of sacking another manager is ridiculous ,premature and unhelpful.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 12:58:57 PM
Nobody ever got a job by not believing they were the best candidate, if you want to use that analogy.

Is OK Damon, it's my fault for having a high opinion of the club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nunkin1965 on February 01, 2017, 01:02:42 PM
I think its no time to put pressure on the manager. We've probably got the best equipped guy at this level. We have a huge and strong and proud history but that's all it is. History.

Bruce needs time to develop the side for next season. The additions in this window are good ones and will improve us but patience is needed here from us. I know its not popular but overnight solutions don't exist.

I think we've got to realise where we are because the weight of expectation for this club is clearly draining on the manager and players. This club is sinking in quicksand and the more we pile pressure on it by continually swapping managers and staff the lower we'll get. I swear that if we listened hard enough you could hear VP creaking under the weight of expectation! As Dave pointed out, we're slowly turning into Forest.

Our slide needs be arrested and surely somebody who achieved our goal as recent as last season is best equipped to do it?

We've clearly got an owner who cares for this club. Let's hope he is a patient man because its a critical time for this club that we all love.
It certainly didn't look like he's well equipped. He looked clueless. He made no changes to the play or formation and waiting till the game was over before making a substitution. Charlatan

His record doesn't suggest that. His record suggests that he tends to get it right at this level. If after 3 months or whatever it is it's the majority view that we try somebody else then fine.

Lets ask this owner to start again and appoint a new manager with new staff and new players and try again on the proviso that the new boss has 3 months to get it right. Nice attractive offer there to seduce top managers.

We're fucked if this is how we're going to operate. Get used to the Championship at best because there's no way things will change unless we're patient.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SteveN on February 01, 2017, 01:07:44 PM
I have never been a great fan of Bruce, although definitely an upgrade on RDM.  He has a lot of friends in the media and amongst  ex-pros who talk him up as being better than he is.

I would put him in the group of British mansgers who hsve passed their best by date.  It was always going to be difficult to get out of this division, particularly after our poor start.  I hoped we would have given a younger man a chance, Rowett and Graham Alexander for instance.

Still  I assume Brice had a big say in who came in and it will be his team from now on.  I hope he proves me to be a naysayer of the first order and we end up in the play offs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 01, 2017, 01:08:28 PM
The biggest worry for me is that bruce has made zero impact

Appalling away form and huffing and puffing at home

We still aint fit ffs

But he has made a impact. There are small, positive shoots coming through. Green has broken into the first team. Baker looks a decent player. The midfield problems have been addressed - time will tell how successfully. Players that have offered very little to the team have been shipped out, most of which with financial returns. The first player to take the piss has been publicly shamed and fucked off out of the club, the first young player trying to hold the club to ransom has been bombed from the squad.
They are mainly small things and will hopefully snowball over time, but until they do we need to realize we are the big scalp of the division and will probably get beat a few times
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 01, 2017, 01:15:14 PM
As bad as last night was, the first half against Preston at VP was apparently excellent so we've proved we don't play like we did last night all time, although there have been one too many shockers away from home this season. I'm still happy to give Bruce into next season. I just don't see the point in starting all over again with another manager but obviously we have to improve. Last night was on a par with Preston away and I didn't think that was possible.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Lobsterboy on February 01, 2017, 01:27:43 PM
I'm getting somewhat tired of Bruce apologising for us being shit and it is in danger of becoming the new 'we go again'

Bruce has now got his own players in so I would expect to see a significant improvement on what we have seen over the preceding 4 months - failure to at least show some signs that we can challenge for promotion next season will potentially leave us going through the cycle of a new manager, new players fiasco again

Here's hoping SB can get it right starting this Saturday
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 01, 2017, 01:33:18 PM
No, there are two parties in this love affair.  Aston Villa and me.  I have been a full on, home and away fan, never a an armchair pundit, for seven decades.  The load being imposed by such horrors as our centre forward not turning up for training because his gates are stuck is becoming too much to bear.  Steve Bruce? Go? Stay? Tony Xia? Go? Stay? Whatever.  I want an end to the misery their goings on inflict on fans in general and me in particular.  They have run out of time as far as I am concerned. 
Same here Brian. There appears to be no end in this misery being inflicted on us fans. Even when we buy better players from other teams we make other teams better.
It just seems an odd time to chuck the towel in - when we've just spent 20 odd million on new players.  Last night was indefensibly bad, but the fact is we blooded 3 new players, two of whom had been at the club for less than a week and one of those in a new country and not having played for several weeks.

I understand the depression, but they've tried to do something about it this window, surely it's worth seeing if it makes a difference over the next few weeks?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 01, 2017, 01:36:30 PM
We have just backed him in the transfer window and his team has lost one game, not the time to panic.
There is however, a sneaking, nagging doubt that his tactical acumen and managerial ability might come up short. we are going to find out over the next 12 months.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: amfy on February 01, 2017, 01:38:06 PM
Of course it was an awful embarrassing performance once Brentford got at us but remember that we started brightly. Then under pressure the shape fell apart. Isn't that just symptomatic of a team that's been together less than a week against one that's been battling together all season?

People have said to wait and see how he gets on once he has his own players in. I didn't realise he only had until the day he finished doing that! Aren't we going to wait and see how they bed in before we order the executioner?

He said he wanted to get players in that could play a 442, yet he didn't do that last night. That's a clue that not all of the players he needs to do that were in, or in shape right now, to do that, but I reckon they will be, and as the team work together, gel, and those players who have been out for a few weeks get back into condition, the shape will start to hold.

FWIW I think our previous stagnant midfield protected our back 4 quite well, and last night we found out that when we've got a midfield who try something a little more imaginative, the back 4 look a tad more exposed. That's the issue he's got to sort, and as the team works together, I think that is sortable.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on February 01, 2017, 01:38:33 PM
We need continuity and stability, Bruce is proven at this level let's give him the chance.

In the current climate SGT would not have survived finishing 17th in 1988/89.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 01, 2017, 01:38:37 PM
Nobody ever got a job by not believing they were the best candidate, if you want to use that analogy.

Yes they do. People are surprised to get jobs they didn't think they would get all the time. And to counter your first analogy, lots of people go to football matches thinking their team will lose. Have you ever seen us play Man Utd in the last 20 years?

As I say, optimism is one thing, arrogance is another.

Yes. Optimism is one thing and arrogance is another. And you are determined to see arrogance.

Where it exists, that's where I see it.

You said you believed Villa would lose against Brentford. You made that decision by assessing the possible team and its few-too-many new additions. You made a reasoned judgement. Nothing arrogant about that.

Some of us made the reasoned judgement that the club was in such bad health it would not bounce back to the PL at the first attempt. Others decided to disregard all that evidence and insist we would smash lesser clubs out the water because we are who we are. That's arrogance.


Arrogance?

We had a new owner, had spent £50m on players and it was arrogant to think we may go back up?

Fucking hell...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 01:43:08 PM
No, chrisw1. Arrogant to think we'd smash all the little clubs in our path to glory because of who, rather than what we are. But if you think simply throwing money at a basket case of a club automatically turns everything around, carry on in your delusion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 01, 2017, 01:49:21 PM
No, chrisw1. Arrogant to think we'd smash all the little clubs in our path to glory because of who, rather than what we are. But if you think simply throwing money at a basket case of a club automatically turns everything around, carry on in your delusion.
I never thought we'd smash all and sundry, but believing we had a good chance of going up is with a new manager and new players who lots of people were excited about is hardly arrogant.

And like it or not, spending money in football very often leads to success.  It's hardly delusional to think that buying the best players available will ultimately lead to success. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 01, 2017, 01:49:36 PM
Pass and move.  Pass and move.   Do they practice knitting at BMH.

Couldn't agree more. Football isn't that hard really. If people move then can be open for a pass, and when you pass it, you move and then become open for a pass. It's not difficult to do that.

Ashley Westwood is good at pass and move but of itself it means nothing. It has to be allied with other aspects of the game.

I am prepared to take last night in isolation due to the circumstances but that excuse will soon wear thin.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 01, 2017, 01:59:38 PM
Probably wise to take it in isolation.  However, the fact that quite frankly Brentford literally played us off the park from the 15th minute onwards was alarming to say the least.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 01, 2017, 02:03:04 PM
Every department of the squad now has a good selection of players to choose from. We need to give Bruce the time to develop his team ethic and personality over the next 18 games, so we are in a position to hit the ground running next season. Talk of sacking another manager is ridiculous ,premature and unhelpful.
The central defence department doesn't have a good selection to choose from. They were woefully exposed by Brentfords movement around our box. I've been championing Baker for a while now but he looked clueless in trying to deal with a decent cross into our area or how to deal with little ferret like players that Brentford have. As for Chester his positional sense was amateurish at best last night.  This pair NEED Jedinak in front of them for protection. In fact I think Jedinak could well be a good centre half in the making.Also what the fuck happens to players once they train at Bodymoor Heath? Is there skulduggery at play? Traore looks 10 times the player he was for us now he's at Boro.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 02:05:33 PM
No, chrisw1. Arrogant to think we'd smash all the little clubs in our path to glory because of who, rather than what we are. But if you think simply throwing money at a basket case of a club automatically turns everything around, carry on in your delusion.
I never thought we'd smash all and sundry, but believing we had a good chance of going up is with a new manager and new players who lots of people were excited about is hardly arrogant.

And like it or not, spending money in football very often leads to success.  It's hardly delusional to think that buying the best players available will ultimately lead to success. 

Yet again, I didn't say thinking we might go up was arrogant (although given all the evidence of the past half a decade, it was perhaps a little foolhardy). I said thinking we'd batter lesser clubs because we're big Aston Villa was arrogant.

Yes, we spent a lot of money (although whether we bought the 'best players available' is questionable), but the figures aren't the important thing. The state of the club was. The culture of the club was.

We'd lost to 'lesser' clubs on a consistent basis for years. Many of them had spent less than us. Very few of them seemed intimidated by us. In fact many of them seemed to be pumped up by the prospect of giving us a bloody nose. It's still happening. And look where we are. No surprises here, no delusions.
 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 01, 2017, 02:08:40 PM
Of course it was an awful embarrassing performance once Brentford got at us but remember that we started brightly. Then under pressure the shape fell apart. Isn't that just symptomatic of a team that's been together less than a week against one that's been battling together all season?

People have said to wait and see how he gets on once he has his own players in. I didn't realise he only had until the day he finished doing that! Aren't we going to wait and see how they bed in before we order the executioner?

He said he wanted to get players in that could play a 442, yet he didn't do that last night. That's a clue that not all of the players he needs to do that were in, or in shape right now, to do that, but I reckon they will be, and as the team work together, gel, and those players who have been out for a few weeks get back into condition, the shape will start to hold.

FWIW I think our previous stagnant midfield protected our back 4 quite well, and last night we found out that when we've got a midfield who try something a little more imaginative, the back 4 look a tad more exposed. That's the issue he's got to sort, and as the team works together, I think that is sortable.

I'd have more sympathy and patience if we hadn't been so comprehensively played off the park last night, by a team who had a really bad record at home lately and who had just lost their best player to us.  Add in the fact that it comes off the back of a dismal set of performances and results away, and it's hard to see what Bruce is going to do to turn things round.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 01, 2017, 02:13:14 PM
No, chrisw1. Arrogant to think we'd smash all the little clubs in our path to glory because of who, rather than what we are. But if you think simply throwing money at a basket case of a club automatically turns everything around, carry on in your delusion.
I never thought we'd smash all and sundry, but believing we had a good chance of going up is with a new manager and new players who lots of people were excited about is hardly arrogant.

And like it or not, spending money in football very often leads to success.  It's hardly delusional to think that buying the best players available will ultimately lead to success. 

Yet again, I didn't say thinking we might go up was arrogant (although given all the evidence of the past half a decade, it was perhaps a little foolhardy). I said thinking we'd batter lesser clubs because we're big Aston Villa was arrogant.

Yes, we spent a lot of money (although whether we bought the 'best players available' is questionable), but the figures aren't the important thing. The state of the club was. The culture of the club was.

We'd lost to 'lesser' clubs on a consistent basis for years. Many of them had spent less than us. Very few of them seemed intimidated by us. In fact many of them seemed to be pumped up by the prospect of giving us a bloody nose. It's still happening. And look where we are. No surprises here, no delusions.
 
I'm not quite sure what we're arguing about here.  People who made a 'reasoned judgement' that we would carry on being shit is fine.  But people who made a reasoned judgement that a team with a new owner, new manager, £50m of new players (whilst retaining the likes of Ayew, Grealish, Amavi, Gestede etc) were likely to go up are arrogant? 

It turns out the pessimists were right - you must be delighted.  But labelling people who were optimistic as arrogant is a unfair.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 01, 2017, 02:16:05 PM
No, there are two parties in this love affair.  Aston Villa and me.  I have been a full on, home and away fan, never a an armchair pundit, for seven decades.  The load being imposed by such horrors as our centre forward not turning up for training because his gates are stuck is becoming too much to bear.  Steve Bruce? Go? Stay? Tony Xia? Go? Stay? Whatever.  I want an end to the misery their goings on inflict on fans in general and me in particular.  They have run out of time as far as I am concerned. 
Same here Brian. There appears to be no end in this misery being inflicted on us fans. Even when we buy better players from other teams we make other teams better.
It just seems an odd time to chuck the towel in - when we've just spent 20 odd million on new players.  Last night was indefensibly bad, but the fact is we blooded 3 new players, two of whom had been at the club for less than a week and one of those in a new country and not having played for several weeks.

I understand the depression, but they've tried to do something about it this window, surely it's worth seeing if it makes a difference over the next few weeks?
It's not just last night it's 11 points from last 10 games  bottom 3 form that's galling.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 01, 2017, 02:18:10 PM
The word 'lesser' is the giveaway there. We're all in this division for a reason.
May be but all Leagues are made up of lesser or greater clubs. Differentiator is the ability to make your greater wherewithal work for you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 02:18:23 PM
No, chrisw1. Arrogant to think we'd smash all the little clubs in our path to glory because of who, rather than what we are. But if you think simply throwing money at a basket case of a club automatically turns everything around, carry on in your delusion.
I never thought we'd smash all and sundry, but believing we had a good chance of going up is with a new manager and new players who lots of people were excited about is hardly arrogant.

And like it or not, spending money in football very often leads to success.  It's hardly delusional to think that buying the best players available will ultimately lead to success. 

Yet again, I didn't say thinking we might go up was arrogant (although given all the evidence of the past half a decade, it was perhaps a little foolhardy). I said thinking we'd batter lesser clubs because we're big Aston Villa was arrogant.

Yes, we spent a lot of money (although whether we bought the 'best players available' is questionable), but the figures aren't the important thing. The state of the club was. The culture of the club was.

We'd lost to 'lesser' clubs on a consistent basis for years. Many of them had spent less than us. Very few of them seemed intimidated by us. In fact many of them seemed to be pumped up by the prospect of giving us a bloody nose. It's still happening. And look where we are. No surprises here, no delusions.
 
I'm not quite sure what we're arguing about here.  People who made a 'reasoned judgement' that we would carry on being shit is fine.  But people who made a reasoned judgement that a team with a new owner, new manager, £50m of new players (whilst retaining the likes of Ayew, Grealish, Amavi, Gestede etc) were likely to go up are arrogant? 

It turns out the pessimists were right - you must be delighted.  But labelling people who were optimistic as arrogant is a unfair.

jesusc1. I give up. Try reading what I wrote, twice, again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tuscans on February 01, 2017, 02:23:15 PM
But it can't always be the manager, the coaches etc. 7 managers in 7 years, 4 in 2 years ... a skip load of assistants and coaches and one hell of a turnover of players. We can't always be making the same mistakes every single season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gareth on February 01, 2017, 02:26:07 PM
Obviously last night was a very poor performance and I think it's pretty obvious that it will take an amazing turnaround for us to get up to the top 6 however I am hoping the 2nd major surgery to the squad in 6 months will pay dividends come the summer.  Hopefully it will only be the case of needing to sort the goalkeepers and maybe add a centre half in the summer and this set of players will have 15+ games to develop an understanding and a pattern that will see us hit the ground running next season.

It has been pretty clear all season that the squad was not physically fit for the demands of this league so we haven't been able to play a style of pressing football or a system that would see us on the front foot not constantly fire fighting. 

Now Hogan is in Brucie can have the two up top that he wanted, whether he plays 4 in the middle or 3 & a number 10 is up to him but he has to find that right balance & he should be able to do that with the players he has now...important to remember that 3 of them have played 4 games between them so will take a few games to bed in.  Some of the reactions I was reading on Twitter last night were OTT it would have been amazing if it had been like flicking a switch....

Mentally there is still a concern, it has seemed a bit of a constant script this year - start well, miss a chance that should be buried, concede soft goal, fall apart - we are fragile and another challenge for Bruce is that we need that to be in the past when this season ends.

I still have full faith in Bruce, it would be foolhardy to change anything now...he needs to be able to work with this squad, make it more solid, more of a team that has a structure & like our opponents last night there was a level of trust amongst their players that they knew each other, what each other were doing that only comes with time & hard work on the training pitch.

As a fan base we are demanding and rightly so, we are big club however I think we have a percentage of fans who arrogantly thought we would steamroller this league by just turning up - this from a team that got relegated with such a shocking points tally was never likely - hopefully all the players signed were signed with the realism that this is an 18 month thing.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 01, 2017, 02:48:05 PM
We still haven't addressed the Goalkeeper situation - I don't think from the early signs he is much of an upgrade on Gollini.  The Central Defensive area is still wafer thin on quality.  And you could argue that (and that is unless RHM signs soon), the forward options are wafer thin also.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 01, 2017, 02:59:59 PM
Can someone tell me why, if us being shit away from home isn't because of the tactics chosen by Bruce, we've changed the midfield and attack almost completely (across the last 5 games) and yet players who have never played this way before are suddenly playing exactly like the players that weren't good enough?

If someone can explain that to me in a way that absolves Bruce of any responsibility then I'll accept the idea that we should give him at least until november/december to see where he can take things and if things are shit on the way then so be it but I just don't get why so many people are willing to separate us being shit from Bruce and put it down to anything else.

What the club has needed to do for a long long time is decide what it wants to be.  We have some fans who will see 3-4 passes and want to scream 'get it forward' and others who want us to be the barcelona of the midlands and plenty more who fill every space in between.  Then there are more still who couldn't give a shit so long as we score a few goals and win a few games.  There's just no expectation of what we're going to be so we don't know what type of manager we want so we just go for flavour of the month style appointments.  I don't see how Bruce is any different to Lambert, Sherwood, etc in that regard.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 03:22:23 PM
Chris he's on about me and won't let it drop because I was wrong. Flattering almost.

I hoped we'd batter everybody, who wouldn't? I wanted us to batter everybody. Again, who wouldn't? I get dismayed at unrelenting negativity, as that's just me in life and general. Cheer up, you only get one 1st February 2017 and all that jazz.

I thought it would be nice to be the big boys for a change and by and large we are. We take more away than anybody else and they get more turning up because it's us. Sheffield Wednesday had a bumper crowd and celebrated like they'd won the league, which was almost nice after half a decade of being a "so what?".

I don't like the other clubs. They're tin pot, they're Mickey Mouse. Fuck em' all, they should have washed away with the flood. Give me a club and I can find a reason to dislike them, even for just 2 days of the season.

Jimbo takes issue with this, but he liked the old library, so what does he know.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on February 01, 2017, 03:28:28 PM
And I would draw a big, thick line between the attitude of supporters towards the club, and players towards the opposition.

If you go onto that pitch in a claret and blue shirt, you have to believe you are going to win. You can't win without dominating. It's not like going to a job interview. If your profession is to compete, and to win, there has to be a rock-hard confidence in your ability somewhere or you are not going to survive.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 01, 2017, 03:32:24 PM
The word 'lesser' is the giveaway there. We're all in this division for a reason.
May be but all Leagues are made up of lesser or greater clubs. Differentiator is the ability to make your greater wherewithal work for you.

This comment shines through. Ain't no use in being a big club if you don't know how to behave like one on the pitch as well as off it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Brend'Watkins on February 01, 2017, 03:37:53 PM
I think it's fairly simple for Bruce.  Just think back to the performance against Brighton.  Tel the squad that's the minimum he wants from them and then work to steadily improve on that. How we have not managed to reproduce that display of form is puzzling.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 01, 2017, 03:39:50 PM
What sums us up was the 2 players Kodija and Adomah I think that go to ground and lie on the floor as Brentford win the ball and go on the attack and score.
They would rather act injured/aggrieved  because they did not get a decision from the ref.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 01, 2017, 03:42:58 PM
I think it's fairly simple for Bruce.  Just think back to the performance against Brighton.  Tel the squad that's the minimum he wants from them and then work to steadily improve on that. How we have not managed to reproduce that display of form is puzzling.
The first half against PNE? the problem seems to be,  that as soon as the opposition change or up their game he appears wanting/
This I believe is the criticism that Blose fans said of him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 01, 2017, 03:44:19 PM
Can someone tell me why, if us being shit away from home isn't because of the tactics chosen by Bruce, we've changed the midfield and attack almost completely (across the last 5 games) and yet players who have never played this way before are suddenly playing exactly like the players that weren't good enough?

If someone can explain that to me in a way that absolves Bruce of any responsibility then I'll accept the idea that we should give him at least until november/december to see where he can take things and if things are shit on the way then so be it but I just don't get why so many people are willing to separate us being shit from Bruce and put it down to anything else.

What the club has needed to do for a long long time is decide what it wants to be.  We have some fans who will see 3-4 passes and want to scream 'get it forward' and others who want us to be the barcelona of the midlands and plenty more who fill every space in between.  Then there are more still who couldn't give a shit so long as we score a few goals and win a few games.  There's just no expectation of what we're going to be so we don't know what type of manager we want so we just go for flavour of the month style appointments.  I don't see how Bruce is any different to Lambert, Sherwood, etc in that regard.

I actually agree Bruce does have to take a lot of responsibility for the poor performances.  He had the mitigation that he was working with someone else's team devoid of any quality in midfield.  Even so, he should have done better. 

Last night was diabolical.  But to not take into account the fact that two players arrived this week, one from abroad and having not played for several weeks and third last week with 70mins football under his belt is a bit silly.  We have invested heavily, Bruce now has his team.  It's unreasonable to demand instant success but there needs to be massive improvement between now and the summer for him to deserve another season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: RussellC on February 01, 2017, 03:51:01 PM
It's a mentality thing isn't it? He needs to get the players approaching each game like the underdog. Similar to how Ranieri galvanized Leicester last season.

After the first 10 minutes last season the players just expected to automatically win the game and stopped thinking for themselves. For all of the Captains that we've signed, we're still desperately short of some 'in-game management" in the side. A Petrov or a Barry would be invaluable at this stage. Jesus, even a player who ran the game like Ryan Woods did last night would be a huge help.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 01, 2017, 04:05:06 PM
You have to think that in buying Lansbury & Hourihane he thought he was doing just that.  Hopefully he was and they will grow into the role.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nick harper on February 01, 2017, 04:19:58 PM
Can someone tell me why, if us being shit away from home isn't because of the tactics chosen by Bruce, we've changed the midfield and attack almost completely (across the last 5 games) and yet players who have never played this way before are suddenly playing exactly like the players that weren't good enough?

If someone can explain that to me in a way that absolves Bruce of any responsibility then I'll accept the idea that we should give him at least until november/december to see where he can take things and if things are shit on the way then so be it but I just don't get why so many people are willing to separate us being shit from Bruce and put it down to anything else.

What the club has needed to do for a long long time is decide what it wants to be.  We have some fans who will see 3-4 passes and want to scream 'get it forward' and others who want us to be the barcelona of the midlands and plenty more who fill every space in between.  Then there are more still who couldn't give a shit so long as we score a few goals and win a few games.  There's just no expectation of what we're going to be so we don't know what type of manager we want so we just go for flavour of the month style appointments.  I don't see how Bruce is any different to Lambert, Sherwood, etc in that regard.

I actually agree Bruce does have to take a lot of responsibility for the poor performances.  He had the mitigation that he was working with someone else's team devoid of any quality in midfield.  Even so, he should have done better. 

Last night was diabolical.  But to not take into account the fact that two players arrived this week, one from abroad and having not played for several weeks and third last week with 70mins football under his belt is a bit silly.  We have invested heavily, Bruce now has his team.  It's unreasonable to demand instant success but there needs to be massive improvement between now and the summer for him to deserve another season.

To be fair, he was in a no win situation on that. If he'd played Bacuna and Gardener and eased the new players in as substitutes and we'd lost, he'd have been crucified. I was excited to see the new players in as were we all, but it was probably the wrong call given the amount of change in the transfer window.

He should have made a change at half time and after an hour. It was clearly not working.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 01, 2017, 04:24:32 PM
I predicted we'd go straight back up yes.

I still think there is enough time to make a playoff run. And if fall short I still believe we will have set in place a playing style at the club that can be carried into next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 04:31:16 PM
It's difficult to see the away form changing. We've played some pretty rank aides in Cardiff, Wolves and Brentford and conceded 5 without reply. We were OK second half against Cardiff and deserved a point. We were rank against Wolves and worse against Brentford, although 3 sitters were missed that would have changed the game perhaps, as that's what goals do.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rico on February 01, 2017, 04:38:52 PM
I believe that Bruce may have just about given up on this season, and has used the transfer window to start to assemble a squad that can mount a challenge next season. (That's the hope that I'm clinging to anyway). What he needs to be careful of is allowing us to get dragged into a relegation scrap again. If that scenario happens I don't think he'll be our manager at the start of next season.

We really need to get some momentum going though, because it's all getting a bit toxic .
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 01, 2017, 04:49:33 PM
I thought we would come straight back up as well,  no problems

I remember when people used to go on about us doing a Leeds or a Sheff Wednesday and staying down for years, I used to think they were crackers, absolutely off their heads and told them so

unfortunately i actually consider it a possibility now

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on February 01, 2017, 04:50:22 PM
I predicted 9th at the start of the season, even that looks optimistic. We won't finish top half.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on February 01, 2017, 04:52:27 PM
£77 million and we are mid table.  Beggars belief.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passport1 on February 01, 2017, 05:05:41 PM
I wonder what it will cost our glorious leader to get us to the top 5 in Europe if its £77m to get to mid table Championship. I daresay he has an equation he can Tweet to us to explain.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 01, 2017, 05:16:29 PM
Well let's hope he learns that middle three of the midfield won't work in that combination. Lansbury needs to be a creative force, as does Hourihane.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 01, 2017, 05:23:00 PM
Is this an appropriate time to mention that we are only two places better off than what Gollum predicted at the start of the season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bottom Right 89 on February 01, 2017, 05:27:46 PM
As much as I wanted to smash the screen in after last night's performance, in the cold light of day I think differently. We have through the course of a season completely overhauled our squad and gone through a change of coaching staff, the players we've bought in will come good but we need to cut Bruce some slack, to change a losing culture like we have is going to take time. This season is now effectively a free go to find our best team in the games remaining to challenge for automatics next term.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BC Villain on February 01, 2017, 05:40:29 PM
It literally looked as if no planning went into that game yesterday and that we decided to try and get through on a whim.  It was almost Sherwood-like planning where we just hoped to "get away with it".  That's one of the reasons we've ended up in this league to start with.

Cardiff, Wolves, Preston and now Brentford have quickly realised that all they need to do against Villa is bully us and we crumble.  There was no organisation, no-one showing leadership and trying to get others back into position, nobody was trying to get anyone going after the goals.  We were like rabbits stuck in the headlights, as was Bruce.  What was the point of changing something at 3 0 down with less than a quarter of an hour to go?

I can honestly say that it was one of the worst performances I've seen from a Villa side, ever.  Which is alarming given some of the bilge we've churned out since 2010.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tayls_7 on February 01, 2017, 05:45:47 PM
As much as I wanted to smash the screen in after last night's performance, in the cold light of day I think differently. We have through the course of a season completely overhauled our squad and gone through a change of coaching staff, the players we've bought in will come good but we need to cut Bruce some slack, to change a losing culture like we have is going to take time. This season is now effectively a free go to find our best team in the games remaining to challenge for automatics next term.

That basically mirrors my own feelings. I made the typical mistake last night of anticipating a vastly improved performance based on the euphoria of new signings. Watching Brentford school us hurt like a bastard. Being more pragmatic today I still see our future being much brighter under an astute chairman who seems to be organising the club from top to bottom for better days ahead. We'll get there we just need to get behind him now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on February 01, 2017, 05:51:16 PM
My issue with his post game comments last night was his moaning about their mental fragility. I could buy that when he first took over and had to use lots of players long used to losing. But not now.

The only player on the park last night that spent any time around our first team last season was Hutton. It doesn't explain why this new bunch dissolve like a Berocca in a pint of water at the first sign of adversity.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bottom Right 89 on February 01, 2017, 06:10:22 PM
My issue with his post game comments last night was his moaning about their mental fragility. I could buy that when he first took over and had to use lots of players long used to losing. But not now.

The only player on the park last night that spent any time around our first team last season was Hutton. It doesn't explain why this new bunch dissolve like a Berocca in a pint of water at the first sign of adversity.
I sort of agree but then i would suggest that there is also an added pressure for any player coming to our club which a lot of them are not prepared for. When they're big fish in little ponds there is no pressure, all of a sudden they have 100k twitter followers that analyse every touch they make in a game and 30k+ on a Saturday demanding results. Confidence can easily disappear with a few bad results at Villa Park.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: achilles on February 01, 2017, 06:21:58 PM
My issue with his post game comments last night was his moaning about their mental fragility. I could buy that when he first took over and had to use lots of players long used to losing. But not now.

The only player on the park last night that spent any time around our first team last season was Hutton. It doesn't explain why this new bunch dissolve like a Berocca in a pint of water at the first sign of adversity.
I sort of agree but then i would suggest that there is also an added pressure for any player coming to our club which a lot of them are not prepared for. When they're big fish in little ponds there is no pressure, all of a sudden they have 100k twitter followers that analyse every touch they make in a game and 30k+ on a Saturday demanding results. Confidence can easily disappear with a few bad results at Villa Park.

You mean actually arriving at BMH seems too much for most of them!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 01, 2017, 06:47:29 PM
My worst fear, of many, is that next August is going to be yet another false dawn.  Bruce will get them playing a bit when this season draws to a close.  We will allow our hopes to rise for the new season and the whole cycle of dreams unfulfilled will engulf us.  Sorry to be so negative but I have had my hopes raised and dashed so many times including yesterday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clark W Griswold on February 01, 2017, 06:54:02 PM
My worst fear, of many, is that next August is going to be yet another false dawn.  Bruce will get them playing a bit when this season draws to a close.  We will allow our hopes to rise for the new season and the whole cycle of dreams unfulfilled will engulf us.  Sorry to be so negative but I have had my hopes raised and dashed so many times including yesterday.

True but we shouldn't really need to add that much in the summer. A stand in CB, a wide player to compete and of course the goalkeeper situation. This would be the thing that might derail us a bit if we do start to get it together. I said this at the start of Jan when we decided to make another temporary change to this critical position by deciding to train Man Utd's 3rd choice goalkeeper. It's my only gripe of an excellent window but it would be a real pisser if the rest of the team sorts itself out only to have problems caused by another change there.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on February 01, 2017, 07:00:56 PM
It was a tactical fuck up from the start, blooding too many players at once, who couldnt possibly have had an instilled game plan, to his inability to change things until a whole fucking hour too late. You dont know what youre doing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on February 01, 2017, 07:02:54 PM
My worst fear, of many, is that next August is going to be yet another false dawn.  Bruce will get them playing a bit when this season draws to a close.  We will allow our hopes to rise for the new season and the whole cycle of dreams unfulfilled will engulf us.  Sorry to be so negative but I have had my hopes raised and dashed so many times including yesterday.

I think he saw yesterday as a free hit. Change the shit midfield the fans don't like against a team on a bad run and hopefully it comes off for 3 points. It isn't the long term plan.

Thar is 442 more often than not and the odd horses for courses changes. My spirit has not been destroyed just yet. If we are still playing like this in 4 weeks I reserve the right to change my mind however.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 01, 2017, 07:07:40 PM
My worst fear, of many, is that next August is going to be yet another false dawn.  Bruce will get them playing a bit when this season draws to a close.  We will allow our hopes to rise for the new season and the whole cycle of dreams unfulfilled will engulf us.  Sorry to be so negative but I have had my hopes raised and dashed so many times including yesterday.

I think he saw yesterday as a free hit. Change the shit midfield the fans don't like against a team on a bad run and hopefully it comes off for 3 points. It isn't the long term plan.

Thar is 442 more often than not and the odd horses for courses changes. My spirit has not been destroyed just yet. If we are still playing like this in 4 weeks I reserve the right to change my mind however.

If that's true and he basically gambled away 3 points on a whim then he's more incompetent than I ever imagined, we don't have anything like enough points or form to treat any game as a 'free hit'.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 01, 2017, 07:09:12 PM
My spirit is fine, unbreakable.  It is the collateral damage Villa does to the better things in my life that is so destructive.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 07:09:33 PM
We're not getting relegated or going to be close to it. Everything is a gamble, you let the dice fly and see how they fall. I thought he shoe horned too many in and didn't have the balance right, albeit with a promising start.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on February 01, 2017, 07:11:19 PM
My worst fear, of many, is that next August is going to be yet another false dawn.  Bruce will get them playing a bit when this season draws to a close.  We will allow our hopes to rise for the new season and the whole cycle of dreams unfulfilled will engulf us.  Sorry to be so negative but I have had my hopes raised and dashed so many times including yesterday.

I think he saw yesterday as a free hit. Change the shit midfield the fans don't like against a team on a bad run and hopefully it comes off for 3 points. It isn't the long term plan.

Thar is 442 more often than not and the odd horses for courses changes. My spirit has not been destroyed just yet. If we are still playing like this in 4 weeks I reserve the right to change my mind however.

If that's true and he basically gambled away 3 points on a whim then he's more incompetent than I ever imagined, we don't have anything like enough points or form to treat any game as a 'free hit'.

I certainly don't know but reckon he has given up on this season. This window has been about him putting next year's team together with an outside chance of a run at the end of this year.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 01, 2017, 07:32:02 PM
the first 10 minutes were the best I've seen under Bruce,
I honestly thought we were starting to turn that very long corner, and my hopes were up

I know it was only 10-15 minutes but at least we know we can play a bit
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 01, 2017, 07:34:22 PM
We were excellent in the first half against Preston.  We started very well against Leeds at home. There have been a few good starts but we've lacked the consistency so far.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 01, 2017, 07:37:54 PM
I want Bruce to succeed and i'm fed up of constantly changing the manager. Plus new manager will want his own players and not want some already here and again we're trying to replace half a side and there is zero continuity.

However Bruce as to show he's the man to trust in the summer and next season. IMO we're not going up down this season so he has  another 18 games to get us playing football and looking like a unit from 1-11 rather than 3 separate units and each one filled with individuals. If we are still scrapping wins and playing shit by May then he probably has to go. We have a squad of players now that should be winning a lot more than they lose. He also needs to show he can change things during a game. The difference between Preston at VP when 2 down at HT and us last night when 2 down at HT was shocking. Preston changed things and tried to get something out the game, we actually seemed more interested in keeping the score down. No changes until the 76th minute when it's 0-3 and 10 minutes after their third was extremely piss poor management.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on February 01, 2017, 07:45:25 PM
My issue with his post game comments last night was his moaning about their mental fragility. I could buy that when he first took over and had to use lots of players long used to losing. But not now.

The only player on the park last night that spent any time around our first team last season was Hutton. It doesn't explain why this new bunch dissolve like a Berocca in a pint of water at the first sign of adversity.
100% this. I'm sick of hearing about mentality. They are professionals but they perform and are managed like pub players.
Everyone could see Thor was nowhere near the game after 40 mins and it took 70 mins to change anything.

Wtf do they actually do behind the scenes
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on February 01, 2017, 07:50:37 PM
Lansbury started well then got a smack and was not in it. I actually thought he looked to get booked so misses going back to forest
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 01, 2017, 07:59:23 PM
My issue with his post game comments last night was his moaning about their mental fragility. I could buy that when he first took over and had to use lots of players long used to losing. But not now.

The only player on the park last night that spent any time around our first team last season was Hutton. It doesn't explain why this new bunch dissolve like a Berocca in a pint of water at the first sign of adversity.
100% this. I'm sick of hearing about mentality. They are professionals but they perform and are managed like pub players.
Everyone could see Thor was nowhere near the game after 40 mins and it took 70 mins to change anything.

Wtf do they actually do behind the scenes

Ive thought that for years

Getting players to move for a throw in would be a start

I especially would like to know what our fitness coaches do and as an aside saw tony daley at sir grahams funeral today, why dont we poach him?

Having a team that could run their knackers off for 90 mins would go a long way in this league
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 01, 2017, 08:13:20 PM
Lansbury started well then got a smack and was not in it. I actually thought he looked to get booked so misses going back to forest

He avoided the match against Newcastle due to injury/wanting away/cowardice, he's no doubt saving the booking to avoid our match up there where he's sure of a warm reception.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 01, 2017, 08:19:53 PM
There doesn't seem to be a single individual on the park who is receiving SB's orders/instructions  - should surely be the Captain Chester last night and recently - and seemed to be no-one shouting.
No-one actually  giving a lead, showing an example and barking out at fellow players to keep shape or close players or space. And, of course, Chester had his worst game in Claret & Blue to boot.

Five Captains and no leaders. Not even any messengers now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dribbler on February 01, 2017, 08:50:48 PM
£77 million and we are mid table.  Beggars belief.

Not really, i think there's a common oversight that more often than not a well drilled side of lesser players who have played together in a a familiar system, and know their roles in that system, will beat a side of better (more expensive) players that have hardly played together before etc.

You might just be able to put 11 players on a pitch and call it a team, but it takes time to actually build a proper well functioning team, time to train, train some more, and then time to actually try and implement that against another team that is trying to do the same back to you: and there's some good solid teams in the championship. For that you need consistency.

We've already had 2 managers this season, with a big turn around of staff in the summer with RDM and his player choices, and again this January, but now with Bruce's choices. That's a hell of a lot of inconsistency in a short period of time, and so we are essentially where we are because of that. If we'd had a good spine of a team when we were relegated then we might have been able to do a Newcastle, but we didn't, we've had a broken or virtually non existent spine for a long time, and the 'midfield problem' was never really addressed by RDM, and so we've suffered even though we've brought some good players in. Last night against Brentford just adumbrated that, especially with a whole new midfield just thrown into the mix.

I think this is pretty much it now though, we've cleared a lot of the deadwood, with more lined up to depart in the summer, and brought in a lot of good players, and now Bruce needs to get them to gel and show hat he and they can do. I think the structure of the club is sound now, that's been shown over the summer and January with some financial support, some good dealings and good communication. I think Bruce has the remit to try and get us up this year, but will be given until next year, but only if we start to significantly improve in the 2nd half of this season. We really need to start putting a good run together now and probably at least get to the play offs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 01, 2017, 08:54:44 PM
That level of team-development, removing the so-called " mental fragility " and all playing the same tune to get as far as the experience of the play-offs, would be a great leap forward for Villa-kind. I'm all for it, myself.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 01, 2017, 09:16:56 PM
Lansbury started well then got a smack and was not in it. I actually thought he looked to get booked so misses going back to forest

He avoided the match against Newcastle due to injury/wanting away/cowardice, he's no doubt saving the booking to avoid our match up there where he's sure of a warm reception.
Is he gonna take the flack now Westwoods gone? Let's give him a chance and get behind him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 01, 2017, 09:39:53 PM
Bruce is out of order on blaming this on mental fragility/losing mentality. He has been in-charge for 16 games enough time to remove that and there were not many on the pitch anyway last night who are afflicted from previous seasons.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 01, 2017, 09:42:35 PM
Bruce is out of order on blaming this on mental fragility/losing mentality. He has been in-charge for 16 games enough time to remove that and there were not many on the pitch anyway last night who are afflicted from previous seasons.


Exactly.  Of the starting line up, only Hutton has played a significant amount of games over the last couple of seasons, and he's not mentally weak, just crap.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Allan C on February 01, 2017, 09:47:09 PM
£77 million and we are mid table.  Beggars belief.
[/quote
No it shows how horrendously bad we were before the £77 million. By far the worst team in the Premier League. Rebuilding on that level isn't instant no matter how much you spend.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on February 01, 2017, 11:41:33 PM
I want Bruce to succeed and i'm fed up of constantly changing the manager. Plus new manager will want his own players and not want some already here and again we're trying to replace half a side and there is zero continuity.

However Bruce as to show he's the man to trust in the summer and next season. IMO we're not going up down this season so he has  another 18 games to get us playing football and looking like a unit from 1-11 rather than 3 separate units and each one filled with individuals. If we are still scrapping wins and playing shit by May then he probably has to go. We have a squad of players now that should be winning a lot more than they lose. He also needs to show he can change things during a game. The difference between Preston at VP when 2 down at HT and us last night when 2 down at HT was shocking. Preston changed things and tried to get something out the game, we actually seemed more interested in keeping the score down. No changes until the 76th minute when it's 0-3 and 10 minutes after their third was extremely piss poor management.

I agree to an extent. But 4-5 managers now seem to be out thought during games when we lead, and it has to run deeper than that. Bruce has been there and done it, his assistant was at the side currently top of the table for the last 2 years, it is not a completely unknown quantity. I just want him to get a team shape and style together and foster a bit of team spirit for the rest of the season. Then give him the summer to finish off the squad, 4-5 will arrive and 3-4 will leave, and then be in a position to fight for the automatic positions next season. Removing a manager like Bruce would be a big mistake and cause a whole new reshuffle. Someone has to get a good amount of time to sort it out, might as well be the one with a track record of achieving promotion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 01, 2017, 11:52:58 PM
I think 30+ league games is a decent amount of time to show you're taking a side in the right direction. By then we should be seeing us actually playing football and capable of passing to a team mate on a regular basis. As I said, I want Bruce to succeed and for us to stop changing manager so often but if by May we've still been putting in regular performances like the last month or so then I think questions will need to be asked of the manager and coaches.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 02, 2017, 12:59:10 AM
The worry is (and I'm not saying that I definitely think it's the case) that all the major signings, players, managers and coaches alike - coming as they do from the second tier (or below), nationally or internationally - see us as their pension plan: the one thing that guarantees their future. If any or some of them are thinking like that then we'll get nowhere. Their ambition is behind them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 02, 2017, 07:15:54 AM
I am sorry to go on about it but the concept of the team needing to "gel" is stretching my comprehension.  All the time, all over the threads and posts the need for the team to gel is seen as central to our future prospects of improvement.

If there is such a group accomplishment as gelling it must be definable.  If it is definable it must be coachable.  That being the case we need not to stand in hope of this epiphany but need to be making it happen on the training ground.

If the evidence of "no gel" is Hutton getting stranded out of position, or the goalkeeper (Johnstone or Gollini or Bunn) punching or slapping the ball into danger areas or Adomah not winning foot races or Jedinak making clumsy easily intercepted passes - the coaches should work on those faults to eliminate them.  To bundle it all together as "not gelling" is a lazy cop out.

If you are a parent and your child is not making progress at school, you don't ignore the problem and leave the passage of time to solve it.  You talk to the teachers and get to the roots of the problem.

As an example, we seemed at Brentford to have gone back to floaty corners.  Proper corner delivery can be taught.  Our future progress must have its foundations laid by hard work by the players and coaches at Bodymoor Heath, not by hoping for Gel Day.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rigadon on February 02, 2017, 07:17:15 AM
The worry is (and I'm not saying that I definitely think it's the case) that all the major signings, players, managers and coaches alike - coming as they do from the second tier (or below), nationally or internationally - see us as their pension plan: the one thing that guarantees their future. If any or some of them are thinking like that then we'll get nowhere. Their ambition is behind them.

I've read this a few times and it is a compelling argument.  One thing though, how do you account for players who go to top clubs elsewhere and perform like, er, top players?  I think we have signed better players in midfield than we had before.  Bruce will find a way to make them play as a team and we will be there or there about by may and promoted next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 02, 2017, 07:21:18 AM
Of course it needs to gel Brian. You don't buy as many players as Bruce as and expect them to start understanding each other and taking teams apart straight away. That works needs to be done on the training ground like you said. That's where it will gel. It's a perfectly adequate word to use.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nunkin1965 on February 02, 2017, 07:33:35 AM
Lansbury started well then got a smack and was not in it. I actually thought he looked to get booked so misses going back to forest

He avoided the match against Newcastle due to injury/wanting away/cowardice, he's no doubt saving the booking to avoid our match up there where he's sure of a warm reception.
Is he gonna take the flack now Westwoods gone? Let's give him a chance and get behind him.

Agreed. Bloody hell. He's played 1 1/2 games.

Why does everyone think professional football is like FIFA 17? Just parachute someone in and they're up to speed. I can tell you Lansbury won't be the type to bottle anything. He'll struggle with discipline and get frustrated.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 02, 2017, 07:43:30 AM
You may consider the word gel to be a satisfactory word to use but I do not.  It is far too abstract a concept to apply to the very real problems of playing performance we are experiencing.  I am NOT suggesting lack of patience nor lack of confidence in our coaching staff, I am advocating direct and effective evaluation of where we are failing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on February 02, 2017, 07:53:23 AM
Brian  - I should imagine that the Dr is asking the same type of questions?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 02, 2017, 08:00:17 AM
I hope so Sid.  I know I would be if it were my money that had been invested in the players.  For what it is worth, I think it has been an excellent transfer window.  We are putting together a sound squad.  It is now up to them to repay the club by hard work, respect for the club and the manager
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KRS on February 02, 2017, 08:21:53 AM
I would have thought that Bruce, Round and any others advising on transfer policy, would have identified the types of players that we need to suit the style of play that they were looking for rather than roll the dice and shoehorn a bunch of random players into a team and hopefully come up with some kind of formation and tactics to utilise them. It was never likely that all our problems would be solved in a single January transfer window, but common sense would dictate that Bruce has a plan to accommodate each of these players to remedy a number of issues and in balance in the squad, and make us into a strong Championship team capable of securing promotion. If they've done the latter and just bought a bunch of random players without any thought of balance to the team then we're still going to be inconsistent and results wont meet expectations even if they do settle quickly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 02, 2017, 08:30:11 AM
The worry is (and I'm not saying that I definitely think it's the case) that all the major signings, players, managers and coaches alike - coming as they do from the second tier (or below), nationally or internationally - see us as their pension plan: the one thing that guarantees their future. If any or some of them are thinking like that then we'll get nowhere. Their ambition is behind them.

What kind of gypsy magic is this? On second thoughts, perhaps you have a point on why successive waves of expensive players are failing to resemble footballers at Villa, despite new owners, managers and coaches? I don't know, I don't work there, but something isn't right.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldtimernow on February 02, 2017, 08:42:07 AM
I think the term gelling is that final piece of the jigsaw that some very good managers are able to bring to their team.

Think of it as a food additive that makes that sauce so much more substantial than the watery slop you have without it. Some managers know about this ingredient and can use it to make  good wholesome ingredients into a better product.
You have good basic  ingredients  but if you don't know what this magic gel is then your end product will end up in the bin as unpalatable
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 02, 2017, 09:05:44 AM
I think it is much more like going to the doctor and telling him/her you don't feel well.  The competent doctor pursues a diagnosis.  Where is the pain? What sort of pain? Does it come and go?  In that way the root cause of your lack of wellness is identified and addressed.  Us and the manager and the coaches watching a gelled team is no more than the sprinkles on the doughnut of hard work.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldtimernow on February 02, 2017, 09:13:43 AM
Agree hard work and the attention to detail in the production process, with correct handling.

Then the sprinkles can make that final difference.

Sprinkling them too early can mean you end up with something you'll want to bin.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 02, 2017, 09:52:09 AM
I think it is much more like going to the doctor and telling him/her you don't feel well.  The competent doctor pursues a diagnosis.  Where is the pain? What sort of pain? Does it come and go?  In that way the root cause of your lack of wellness is identified and addressed.  Us and the manager and the coaches watching a gelled team is no more than the sprinkles on the doughnut of hard work.

I think efficient work more than hard work.  Hard graft is for the summer, training during the season is about setting standards and ensuring they're met.  I don't know what our standards are and neither do the players.  They need to be told and they need to be measured against them quickly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Small Rodent on February 02, 2017, 10:12:59 AM
He's kind of given himself a little problem with being faced with possibly dropping some of his new signings already for Saturday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on February 02, 2017, 10:36:02 AM
He's kind of given himself a little problem with being faced with possibly dropping some of his new signings already for Saturday.
I think that would be a mistake. What they need is more training sessions, and to actually be told who is picking up which runners, because no one seemed to know on tuesday and we got shredded to pieces. Managers have to remember that footballers aren't capable of independent thought or initiative. If someones tea bagging them the whole game, they'll keep on enduring it until the manager tells them to move their face to the left a bit.

I honestly have no idea what happens at Bodymoor these days. Maybe it's a hippy crack den.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 02, 2017, 10:48:59 AM
I am sorry to go on about it but the concept of the team needing to "gel" is stretching my comprehension.  All the time, all over the threads and posts the need for the team to gel is seen as central to our future prospects of improvement.

If there is such a group accomplishment as gelling it must be definable.  If it is definable it must be coachable.  That being the case we need not to stand in hope of this epiphany but need to be making it happen on the training ground.

If the evidence of "no gel" is Hutton getting stranded out of position, or the goalkeeper (Johnstone or Gollini or Bunn) punching or slapping the ball into danger areas or Adomah not winning foot races or Jedinak making clumsy easily intercepted passes - the coaches should work on those faults to eliminate them.  To bundle it all together as "not gelling" is a lazy cop out.

If you are a parent and your child is not making progress at school, you don't ignore the problem and leave the passage of time to solve it.  You talk to the teachers and get to the roots of the problem.

As an example, we seemed at Brentford to have gone back to floaty corners.  Proper corner delivery can be taught.  Our future progress must have its foundations laid by hard work by the players and coaches at Bodymoor Heath, not by hoping for Gel Day.

I would take issue with the corner thing Brian. I saw an interview recently when one of our coaches explained a 'fluke' set piece Baker goal as deliberate and planned. To me, it looked like our coaching staff had identified a back post weakness and were trying to exploit it by getting Baker round the back post to win the first header and get it back in the danger zone. Hang the ball in the air and give him a chance to attack it maybe?
I dont know, It just jumped out at me when watching the game. Maybe not, maybe we were just hitting floaty corners again....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 02, 2017, 11:01:02 AM
Isn't the word 'gel' just a way of describing a unit of players who know their roles inside out, and the roles of other players as a team? Behind all that is hard work, but not necessarily the huff and puff kind of hard work. It's about being totally committed to that team - and its aims and goals - in learning, attention and application. You can see it in teams that attack with fluidity and defend with discipline. We haven't seen much of that for a long time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Small Rodent on February 02, 2017, 11:04:55 AM
He's kind of given himself a little problem with being faced with possibly dropping some of his new signings already for Saturday.
I think that would be a mistake. What they need is more training sessions, and to actually be told who is picking up which runners, because no one seemed to know on tuesday and we got shredded to pieces. Managers have to remember that footballers aren't capable of independent thought or initiative. If someones tea bagging them the whole game, they'll keep on enduring it until the manager tells them to move their face to the left a bit.

I honestly have no idea what happens at Bodymoor these days. Maybe it's a hippy crack den.

Good analogy!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldtimernow on February 02, 2017, 11:52:22 AM
Isn't the word 'gel' just a way of describing a unit of players who know their roles inside out, and the roles of other players as a team? Behind all that is hard work, but not necessarily the huff and puff kind of hard work. It's about being totally committed to that team - and its aims and goals - in learning, attention and application. You can see it in teams that attack with fluidity and defend with discipline. We haven't seen much of that for a long time.

I think it's when every player knows their role, the team ethic, performs to their expected level with regard to fitness and skill.(That's where the manager plays his role.)

and then they begin to know what is in the mind of their team mates ....that's the gel, sprinkles sparkles whatever you want to descibe it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: damon loves JT on February 02, 2017, 11:59:20 AM
£77 million and we are mid table.  Beggars belief.

Not really, i think there's a common oversight that more often than not a well drilled side of lesser players who have played together in a a familiar system, and know their roles in that system, will beat a side of better (more expensive) players that have hardly played together before etc.

You might just be able to put 11 players on a pitch and call it a team, but it takes time to actually build a proper well functioning team, time to train, train some more, and then time to actually try and implement that against another team that is trying to do the same back to you: and there's some good solid teams in the championship. For that you need consistency.

We've already had 2 managers this season, with a big turn around of staff in the summer with RDM and his player choices, and again this January, but now with Bruce's choices. That's a hell of a lot of inconsistency in a short period of time, and so we are essentially where we are because of that. If we'd had a good spine of a team when we were relegated then we might have been able to do a Newcastle, but we didn't, we've had a broken or virtually non existent spine for a long time, and the 'midfield problem' was never really addressed by RDM, and so we've suffered even though we've brought some good players in. Last night against Brentford just adumbrated that, especially with a whole new midfield just thrown into the mix.

I think this is pretty much it now though, we've cleared a lot of the deadwood, with more lined up to depart in the summer, and brought in a lot of good players, and now Bruce needs to get them to gel and show hat he and they can do. I think the structure of the club is sound now, that's been shown over the summer and January with some financial support, some good dealings and good communication. I think Bruce has the remit to try and get us up this year, but will be given until next year, but only if we start to significantly improve in the 2nd half of this season. We really need to start putting a good run together now and probably at least get to the play offs.

Shout out for the first recorded use of the word 'adumbrated' on H&V
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on February 02, 2017, 01:33:54 PM
I think it is much more like going to the doctor and telling him/her you don't feel well.  The competent doctor pursues a diagnosis.  Where is the pain? What sort of pain? Does it come and go?  In that way the root cause of your lack of wellness is identified and addressed.  Us and the manager and the coaches watching a gelled team is no more than the sprinkles on the doughnut of hard work.

Your recent posts seem to indicate an extraordinary degree of frustration at a couple of very understandable problems.

The doctor (SB) has made his diagnosis; the full backs and goalkeepers are poor, the midfield was non existent and the forwards don't score enough goals.   He couldn't do much about it until the transfer window, so he tried to the best he could with a curate's egg of a squad which on the whole was not fit for purpose.

OK some tactical decisions seem strange, eg floaty corners, but I'm not sure you can coach incompetents to compete at this level on a regular basis.  If it could be done, then I'd be playing the play maker role in central midfield.

He's now brought together his new players and put them onto the field for the first time and they failed to 'gel'. 
Why do you have an issue the word gel?  Isn't it merely short hand for understanding how you fit in with your team mates, under standing the positions they take up and how you form effective partnerships with them?

I'm not sure that can accelerated to any great degree by coaching or training ground sessions - I would imagine it takes match time.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on February 02, 2017, 01:46:39 PM
Lansbury started well then got a smack and was not in it. I actually thought he looked to get booked so misses going back to forest

He avoided the match against Newcastle due to injury/wanting away/cowardice, he's no doubt saving the booking to avoid our match up there where he's sure of a warm reception.

Can someone who has his number tell Chris that Danlanza has hacked his account, please?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdward on February 02, 2017, 02:50:39 PM
QPR Boss Ian Holloway speaking after his side came from behind twice, to earn a 2-2 draw at Newcastle

"I've brought a whole load of new people in. That group has done us all proud."
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: achilles on February 02, 2017, 03:20:39 PM
QPR Boss Ian Holloway speaking after his side came from behind twice, to earn a 2-2 draw at Newcastle

"I've brought a whole load of new people in. That group has done us all proud."


Impossible to do, you need time to gel!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 02, 2017, 04:27:31 PM
Afternoon.
some new players just seem to fit in imperceptibly and " get on with it "........but I guess that's A) if they're playing the same role they've been used to ...and B) if its not the Villa. [ with all the added hype, pressure, attention, or call it what you will]
I reckon it is a case that SB now has the pegs in appropriate shaped holes and just has to make them repeat their work like their times-tables ad nauseam.

I also reckon that Hourihane will develop into the natural on-pitch leader, maybe even captain and start a revolution that will eventually lead us to promotion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Salsa Party Animal on February 02, 2017, 07:39:52 PM
Think we should make a move for Frank Lampard Jr and get him to do coaching ;) Just a thought.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 02, 2017, 08:36:05 PM
£77 million and we are mid table.  Beggars belief.

Not really, i think there's a common oversight that more often than not a well drilled side of lesser players who have played together in a a familiar system, and know their roles in that system, will beat a side of better (more expensive) players that have hardly played together before etc.

You might just be able to put 11 players on a pitch and call it a team, but it takes time to actually build a proper well functioning team, time to train, train some more, and then time to actually try and implement that against another team that is trying to do the same back to you: and there's some good solid teams in the championship. For that you need consistency.

We've already had 2 managers this season, with a big turn around of staff in the summer with RDM and his player choices, and again this January, but now with Bruce's choices. That's a hell of a lot of inconsistency in a short period of time, and so we are essentially where we are because of that. If we'd had a good spine of a team when we were relegated then we might have been able to do a Newcastle, but we didn't, we've had a broken or virtually non existent spine for a long time, and the 'midfield problem' was never really addressed by RDM, and so we've suffered even though we've brought some good players in. Last night against Brentford just adumbrated that, especially with a whole new midfield just thrown into the mix.

I think this is pretty much it now though, we've cleared a lot of the deadwood, with more lined up to depart in the summer, and brought in a lot of good players, and now Bruce needs to get them to gel and show hat he and they can do. I think the structure of the club is sound now, that's been shown over the summer and January with some financial support, some good dealings and good communication. I think Bruce has the remit to try and get us up this year, but will be given until next year, but only if we start to significantly improve in the 2nd half of this season. We really need to start putting a good run together now and probably at least get to the play offs.
That's very we'll put Dribbler and my thoughts on it all too.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VILLA MOLE on February 02, 2017, 08:41:10 PM
£77 million and we are mid table.  Beggars belief.

Not really, i think there's a common oversight that more often than not a well drilled side of lesser players who have played together in a a familiar system, and know their roles in that system, will beat a side of better (more expensive) players that have hardly played together before etc.

You might just be able to put 11 players on a pitch and call it a team, but it takes time to actually build a proper well functioning team, time to train, train some more, and then time to actually try and implement that against another team that is trying to do the same back to you: and there's some good solid teams in the championship. For that you need consistency.

We've already had 2 managers this season, with a big turn around of staff in the summer with RDM and his player choices, and again this January, but now with Bruce's choices. That's a hell of a lot of inconsistency in a short period of time, and so we are essentially where we are because of that. If we'd had a good spine of a team when we were relegated then we might have been able to do a Newcastle, but we didn't, we've had a broken or virtually non existent spine for a long time, and the 'midfield problem' was never really addressed by RDM, and so we've suffered even though we've brought some good players in. Last night against Brentford just adumbrated that, especially with a whole new midfield just thrown into the mix.

I think this is pretty much it now though, we've cleared a lot of the deadwood, with more lined up to depart in the summer, and brought in a lot of good players, and now Bruce needs to get them to gel and show hat he and they can do. I think the structure of the club is sound now, that's been shown over the summer and January with some financial support, some good dealings and good communication. I think Bruce has the remit to try and get us up this year, but will be given until next year, but only if we start to significantly improve in the 2nd half of this season. We really need to start putting a good run together now and probably at least get to the play offs.
That's very we'll put Dribbler and my thoughts on it all too.


very well put but had to look up the word adumbrated though
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dribbler on February 02, 2017, 08:43:50 PM
Shout out for the first recorded use of the word 'adumbrated' on H&V

I'm going to try and get 'discombobulated' into the next post match thread...  :o
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 03, 2017, 02:51:21 AM
Shout out for the first recorded use of the word 'adumbrated' on H&V

I'm going to try and get 'discombobulated' into the next post match thread...  :o

You could have used that on many occasions over the past 6-7 years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 03, 2017, 04:15:18 AM
Cool. I had never heard of 'adumbrate' before. Thanks for adding to my vocab!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 03, 2017, 05:05:52 AM
Shout out for the first recorded use of the word 'adumbrated' on H&V

I'm going to try and get 'discombobulated' into the next post match thread...  :o

I was more impressed with your 'Show hat'.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on February 03, 2017, 11:35:48 AM
Cool. I had never heard of 'adumbrate' before. Thanks for adding to my vocab!

What does it mean? Is it a Trump tweet regarding a policy enacted by Obama?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 03, 2017, 01:00:20 PM
QPR Boss Ian Holloway speaking after his side came from behind twice, to earn a 2-2 draw at Newcastle

"I've brought a whole load of new people in. That group has done us all proud."


Impossible to do, you need time to gel!

QPR lost to Burton at home last match before Newcastle which is pretty hard to do.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: boozey182 on February 03, 2017, 01:00:43 PM
I didn't intend this to be as long as it ended up, apologies for rambling on:

It's far too early to judge Bruce as Villa manager. He's not yet had a match where he's been able to pick 'his' players, so he needs chance to do that, and only then will we really know whether he's got the ability to get the most expensively assembled team in the league promoted.

And I should prefix what I say below with: I want him to succeed. Scrap that, I'm desperate for him to succeed. We're expecting our first child in May and I'm starting to genuinely worry whether I can justify inflicting Villa on it's life, which is something I never thought would ever cross my mind. So I really want Bruce to turn this around.

I'm worried though. Tuesday night was abysmal, and not all of it can be put down to the new players 'gelling', 'bedding in', 'getting up to speed', or 'adjusting to the speed of the game'. We looked underprepared, which is unforgivable. We looked incapable of reacting to their tactics. Again, unforgivable. Not making a sub until the 75th minute?! This was an actual match that meant something, not a preseason friendly. All the positive enthusiasm from the transfer window evaporated in 90 minutes of staggering ineptitude.

There are other nagging doubts I have as well though. His belief that 4-4-2 is the way out of this division seems based on years of experience that few can rival. He's been there and done it. It just seems a bit odd that when presented with a task at a new company, rather that assess what you have, what needs to be done and what the competition are doing, you strip everything back to exactly what's worked for you in the past elsewhere. Also, and I might be a lone voice here, I think we've just done too much in the January transfer window. Too much chopping and changing. Two midfielders and a right back would have been fine. Maybe a striker to replace Rab C Nisbett. Now how long do we have to wait for everything to settle again?

I'm worried he's too old school and his style (I'm being generous there) is being left behind. I know he got Hull promoted last season, but was that a massive achievement? (I ask this genuinely, I didn't follow the Championship at all last season. But I assume they had one of the best squads with one of the best budgets). Watching Brentford pass round us the other night, and countless other 'nothing' sides play much more attractive football than us is soul destroying. And yes, I'm fickle. I wouldn't care if his style was working. But at the moment it's not and it makes my eyes bleed.

We were awful under Di Matteo. Undoubtedly. But have we improved under Bruce? We did, yes, for a little while. While we were conceding late goals under RDM, we were scoring them under Bruce, so draws and losses became draws and wins for a month or two. Incredibly fine margins though. A goalkeeper error in our favour against Fulham, one not in our favour against Huddersfield. One manager is solid and organised, the other doesn't know what he's doing. Of course there is much more to judge them on.

How many of our individual players have improved since Bruce took over? Maybe Chester (if we forget about Tuesday and God knows I wish I could), maybe Kodjia although he started okay under RDM and he is still quite hit and miss, and definitely Gabby (hooray!). Perhaps Jedinak for a while but again he's gone off the boil. My point is, I'm not sure many of them are getting any better. With better coaching and management, you want to see better performance and I'm not convinced we have. And I don't think I'm blinded by the recent dip in form, even when we were in our mini run of form, no one was putting in '7 or8 out of 10' performances. We were plodding along. This might be good, it shows there is plenty of room for improvement. But when? And how?

The new signings all look great. They all look like they could transform the team in exactly the same way I thought the last few window's transfers could (last January was the only window in living memory where I've accurately predicted the consequences of our actions). So who knows? Not me, is the answer. I hope they all work out. Odds are some will, some won't. Some of the players we let go will be mistakes, some will be great deals. I hope for once it's more in our favour. Surely we're due a good one?

I've been suffering from migraines for the last year (another thing that might be clouding my usually positive point of view) and am currently going through various medications; each takes a few months to get in to the system, and only then will we know if it is working. It feels like the perfect metaphor for Villa at the moment. All I want (irrational and impatient as it may be) is something that works now. I dont want to have to wait any longer, I've been waiting for what feels like forever and nothing seems to be working. I want some signs that this is going to be the one, some signs that we're getting somewhere. A sign that all of this is going to stop, that we've finally hit rock bottom and things are improving. No false dawns, this is it, we're on the up. I thought Tuesday would offer those signs, which is probably why it hit me so hard.

I like Bruce, and I think he talks a good game. But I liked Remi Garde and couldn't stand Alex Ferguson. I don't want to hear him apologise to the fans anymore, because I don't want him to have any reason to. I want some heroes, on the pitch and in the dugout that will drag us up, and put the same amount of effort and passion in that the people above and below them seem to. It seems I'm always incredibly proud of everything about the club, from the fans through the staff to most of what happens involving the boardroom; it's just the massive chunk in the middle that consistently lets the rest of us down.

It starts tomorrow. Over to you Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 03, 2017, 01:03:44 PM
I didn't quite get the losing mentality comment he made.

I think that's too easy to use and after all Sherwood said it two years ago and got panned for it and you look at all the changes since.

Look at the results though...15 games we've taken the lead in this season and we've only lost once (Bristol) yet we've also only won once when we've conceded first in a game (Blackburn).

Too often our players just give up as soon as we go 1 nil down even if we're playing o.k as we saw the other night.

To get promoted you need to turn losing positions into wins and then the points add up so we need to get that fighting mentality into this group before next season starts.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 03, 2017, 01:28:29 PM
While I agree with this and appreciate his honesty he should have known better

Bruce: "I threw three people in (at Brentford) thinking that it could just happen straight away. I was wrong." [bbc wm] #avfc
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 03, 2017, 01:29:33 PM
You might be onto something here, SHQ. If it's not a 'losing mentality' it might be the fact that we don't have a winning at all costs mentality?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 03, 2017, 01:33:51 PM

Look at the results though...15 games we've taken the lead in this season and we've only lost once (Bristol) yet we've also only won once when we've conceded first in a game (Blackburn).

Too often our players just give up as soon as we go 1 nil down even if we're playing o.k as we saw the other night.

.

This for me is a huge issue, as soon as we conceed our heads collectively drop, it doesn't matter how well we are playing up to that point either, panic and hoofing will set in, if we conceed the first goal we have no chance of getting back into it and is one of the reasons we've ended on 0 in so many away games this season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bottom Right 89 on February 03, 2017, 01:52:31 PM
You should never underestimate a wounded animal. Brentford having known that there best player was off to Villa before the match played like their lives depended on it.

Let's not over analyse and keep dwelling on this performance if we get 3 or 4 of these in a row then yes it's time to question but for now write it off as a bad day and concentrate on putting Forest on the canvas.

What does disappoint me and has done for a few years is how easy we concede goals on the break and then let in another one soon after. I put it down to poor team work not backing each other up when someone moves forward to cover his position, bound to be the case when you are playing with a new team. Once our starting line up settles down we'll improve.

Having said that we've had a poor run of results since Colin Calderwood came in maybe the players haven't warmed to his training methods.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 03, 2017, 01:57:05 PM
You might be onto something here, SHQ. If it's not a 'losing mentality' it might be the fact that we don't have a winning at all costs mentality?
You guys have pinned it down.
It isn't a " losing mentality " at all..........it Absolutely Is, the absence of anyone within the team who demonstrates that " win at all costs mentality ".
We might hope that Lansbury will have that, but his poorly disguised block-offs on Tuesday night seemed more to show a different attitude. One of, well, " at least I'll take out a couple anyway.......".
Negativity rather than Positivity.
We need a good influence on the park to bring that transformation about. Maybe Conor H will do that ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 04, 2017, 08:04:04 PM
My patience is beginning to run out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on February 04, 2017, 08:15:50 PM
Get fucked Bruce
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on February 04, 2017, 08:16:24 PM
Why the fuck do we play so deep? We cannot get anywhere near our two forwards to support them and we are not quick enough on the break to outpace teams.  I do worry about a manager who constantly changes the shape of the side, it tells me that he doesn't know his best 11. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 04, 2017, 08:17:42 PM
Putting every player back when we defend a corner is pure idiocy.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on February 04, 2017, 08:17:50 PM
Get your fuckin  finger out of your arse  Bruce
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SteveN on February 04, 2017, 08:17:58 PM
My patience is beginning to run out.

Mine has run out.  Not sure what the answer is though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on February 04, 2017, 08:19:02 PM
I knew this division wouldn't be a walk in the park but surely not this difficult.  Do  what Hull are doing cancel their days off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 04, 2017, 08:21:56 PM
I honestly thought he'd sort this fucking shower out, we look like a bunch of players who have just been thrown together.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve kirk on February 04, 2017, 08:22:09 PM
For the first time since he took over Steve Bruce will be walking out the tunnel under real pressure in the Ipswich game, suddenly things feel serious, beat Ipswich and we calm down and he can breathe easier but fuck it up and I fear for him and us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VinnieChase84 on February 04, 2017, 08:23:29 PM
He has lost the plot imo. Playing hourihane right when he's left sided is mental. He seems to be putting square pegs in round holes which suggests he hasn't a clue. If had had a long term plan of us playing 352 then he w9udl have bought the players for us to do it. As it stands one injury at CD then we are seeing Hutton as a venture back
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyh on February 04, 2017, 08:23:56 PM
For the first time since he took over Steve Bruce will be walking out the tunnel under real pressure in the Ipswich game, suddenly things feel serious, beat Ipswich and we calm down and he can breathe easier but fuck it up and I fear for him and us.
Are you suggestioing we will be able to breath easier because it widens the gap between us and the relegation places?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on February 04, 2017, 08:25:10 PM
We could easily slip in to a relegation scrap here. The Doc must be wondering what more he needs to do.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve kirk on February 04, 2017, 08:28:17 PM
For the first time since he took over Steve Bruce will be walking out the tunnel under real pressure in the Ipswich game, suddenly things feel serious, beat Ipswich and we calm down and he can breathe easier but fuck it up and I fear for him and us.
Are you suggestioing we will be able to breath easier because it widens the gap between us and the relegation places?


Sadly yes, apologies for my lack of faith.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on February 04, 2017, 08:29:47 PM
Looking like he's struggling with the pressure of a big club. Lots of worrying decisions but need to give him rest of season as the core of our problem is a losing mentality which he's inherited.  Making another change could get us relegated
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 04, 2017, 08:31:47 PM
He has lost the plot imo.

You're assuming he had a plot to begin with. The best we've looked since he's been here was the first couple of games but that was more down to improved effort than any type of plan. Since then it's been anarchy on the pitch give or take 5-10 minutes per game.

Time to assess Bruce will be at the end of the season. His record, not his football, deserves that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: frank black on February 04, 2017, 08:32:03 PM
Looking like he's struggling with the pressure of a big club. Lots of worrying decisions but need to give him rest of season as the core of our problem is a losing mentality which he's inherited.  Making another change could get us relegated

Same loosing mentality different players
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 04, 2017, 08:32:10 PM
Looking like he's struggling with the pressure of a big club. Lots of worrying decisions but need to give him rest of season as the core of our problem is a losing mentality which he's inherited.  Making another change could get us relegated

He's got to get past negative thinking. Bringing all the players back at corners and taking both strikers off at 1-1, even with 10 men, inevitably invites waves of pressure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on February 04, 2017, 08:32:27 PM
We could easily slip in to a relegation scrap here. The Doc must be wondering what more he needs to do.

Xia hasn't covered himself in glory either. His choice of managers and his decision to back them. If he is building up debt against the club it could get very messy
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 04, 2017, 08:33:56 PM
The biggest worry is that in what 17 games bruce has made fuck all difference

tactically clueless and he aint got a clue as to what his best side or formation is

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on February 04, 2017, 08:34:56 PM
Disgraceful, craven, cowardly substitutions. I've turned against him now. He needs to win me back with some decent results but I don't see it happening.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 04, 2017, 08:35:07 PM
On the list of people to blame for us being shit in Division 2, Xia would be pretty much bottom of the list atm.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on February 04, 2017, 08:37:08 PM
We could easily slip in to a relegation scrap here. The Doc must be wondering what more he needs to do.

Xia hasn't covered himself in glory either. His choice of managers and his decision to back them. If he is building up debt against the club it could get very messy
This worries me too.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VinnieChase84 on February 04, 2017, 08:37:21 PM
Disgraceful, craven, cowardly substitutions. I've turned against him now. He needs to win me back with some decent results but I don't see it happening.

Massive two home matches coming up. They dont go well then i don't think he will see out the month
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 04, 2017, 08:39:15 PM
On the list of people to blame for us being shit in Division 2, Xia would be pretty much bottom of the list atm.

Indeed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyh on February 04, 2017, 08:39:56 PM
We need to cement our place in this division for next year.
That is the main job now.

Revisit his situation in the summer.
If we end the season on a high, winning some games and looking like we can hit the ground running next season, then keep him.

If we limp to the end of season............
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 04, 2017, 08:43:03 PM
Just get it turned round Bruce please.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Harte on February 04, 2017, 08:43:45 PM
I feel that we have to stick with Bruce. Give him this season and next. We can't just keep changing managers.

I know there have been some on-the-face-of-it odd decisions (Agbon's return to the team, swapping Gollini for the United keeper) but none of that would have mattered had we had a decent run. We have four games in February. I'm certain we won't be looking over our shoulders at the end of those. I feel that promotion has been beyond us for a while now but then you have to remember that the chancer RdM had put us on the back foot anyway.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 04, 2017, 08:44:16 PM
On the list of people to blame for us being shit in Division 2, Xia would be pretty much bottom of the list atm.

Aren't you forgetting 'his' choice of manager in the summer?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on February 04, 2017, 08:50:06 PM
On the list of people to blame for us being shit in Division 2, Xia would be pretty much bottom of the list atm.

Indeed.


There was was me thinking he had appointed the two managers who've got us into this predicament. Not much different to Randolph thus far, save for his bizarre messages are regularly posted on twitter and we don't know where his money is coming from
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KRS on February 04, 2017, 09:26:18 PM
I get the feeling that Bruce is out of his depth at Villa and for all his brave talk of turning things around, I genuinely don't think he knows what to do and how to sort it. I wouldn't advocate sacking him as he has to be given time now, but he appears clueless and tactically inept.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 04, 2017, 09:36:34 PM
11 points from 11 games we sacked the previous manager for that🤔
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 04, 2017, 09:39:22 PM
I get the feeling that Bruce is out of his depth at Villa and for all his brave talk of turning things around, I genuinely don't think he knows what to do and how to sort it. I wouldn't advocate sacking him as he has to be given time now, but he appears clueless and tactically inept.

I've been impressed with how Bruce has taken control of the team and also delighted with every signing in the winter window.
He has a lot of wriggle room at the moment. Give the spud a chance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 04, 2017, 09:44:44 PM
11 points from 11 games we sacked the previous manager for that🤔

And if we bring in another manager and he gets 11 points from 11 games, do we sack him as well? We've got time, it's only February.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on February 04, 2017, 09:51:35 PM
11 points from 11 games we sacked the previous manager for that🤔

And if we bring in another manager and he gets 11 points from 11 games, do we sack him as well?

Yes.

Not good enough.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 04, 2017, 09:51:48 PM
I didn't say sack him now it was an observation.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 04, 2017, 09:52:45 PM
On the list of people to blame for us being shit in Division 2, Xia would be pretty much bottom of the list atm.

Indeed.


There was was me thinking he had appointed the two managers who've got us into this predicament. Not much different to Randolph thus far, save for his bizarre messages are regularly posted on twitter and we don't know where his money is coming from

Yes what a bellend hiring two managers who had got teams promoted from the division we're in at the moment. Yes we don't know where the money is coming from, but for that very reason it's hardly fair to criticise him about that at the moment.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 04, 2017, 09:53:44 PM
If we don't take at least 4 points from Ipswich and Barnsley at home I think he'll be under pressure from a lot of fans plus those above him. I really hope he kicks us on as I don't want to be on the 6th manager in 2 years by the time next season comes around.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 04, 2017, 09:54:37 PM
11 points from 11 games we sacked the previous manager for that🤔

And if we bring in another manager and he gets 11 points from 11 games, do we sack him as well?

Yes.

Not good enough.

Then it's a never ending rotation of managers instead of showing some patience to a manger who's just brought in 8 players.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 04, 2017, 09:56:50 PM
It's been poor. Results have turned now we've started gifting soft as shit goals away again, the standard of football is terrible and the money spent is staggering. Some of his selections are dodgy to say the least.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Brend'Watkins on February 04, 2017, 09:57:36 PM
This squad of players in this division should need minimum management. If we can't win our next two games with the squad we now have he as no excuse.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 04, 2017, 10:01:28 PM
My issue is that we havent had a settled line up, bizarre tactics, no fight and shit fitness

having a well drilled side costs fuck all
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on February 04, 2017, 10:07:43 PM
Let's be honest even when we were winning we weren't playing well. I said once the luck ran out the wins would dry up.

I'd give him 8-10 games next season. Top four and playing much better and more attractive football or he's gone.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 04, 2017, 10:09:23 PM
Games we've played well under him? Answers on the back of a stamp please.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 04, 2017, 10:09:49 PM
The next time three games are key.  Poor results and he is toast.   I would get Rowett in. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on February 04, 2017, 10:10:22 PM
Games we've played well under him? Answers on the back of a stamp please.
Brighton away, and we didn't even win that. That's your lot.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 04, 2017, 10:10:30 PM
Let's be honest even when we were winning we weren't playing well. I said once the luck ran out the wins would dry up.

I'd give him 8-10 games next season. Top four and playing much better and more attractive football or he's gone.

I thought we were the better side personally. Hogan, Chester and Ephick all had decent chances. It's not as if we were shit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 04, 2017, 10:11:34 PM
My issue is that we havent had a settled line up, bizarre tactics, no fight and shit fitness

having a well drilled side costs fuck all

Now he's brought in his own players, it's his chance to.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 04, 2017, 10:12:34 PM
Games we've played well under him? Answers on the back of a stamp please.
Brighton away, and we didn't even win that. That's your lot.

Agree with that
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on February 04, 2017, 10:12:44 PM
Let's be honest even when we were winning we weren't playing well. I said once the luck ran out the wins would dry up.

I'd give him 8-10 games next season. Top four and playing much better and more attractive football or he's gone.

I thought we were the better side personally. Hogan, Chester and Ephick all had decent chances. It's not as if we were shit.

I think we're in the minority because I thought we should have won. Yeah they had more possession, but they're st home so that was to be expected. We made more clear cut chances and should have put them away and won the game.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 04, 2017, 10:14:20 PM
I don't want him sacked yet but it's clear his streak of wins was more luck than judgment. I haven't seen much evidence that he's an upgrade on RDM and the football is ugly as sin.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 04, 2017, 10:16:19 PM
My issue is that we havent had a settled line up, bizarre tactics, no fight and shit fitness

having a well drilled side costs fuck all

Now he's brought in his own players, it's his chance to.

So for the 16 odd games previously why didnt he?

has our fitness got any better? No
does our defence look better? No
do we work throw ins any better? No
have we got more fight and passion? No
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KRS on February 04, 2017, 10:17:49 PM
The next time three games are key.  Poor results and he is toast.   I would get Rowett in. 
Agree with this. Rowett may have less experience but I think he'd get more out of these players.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 04, 2017, 10:19:08 PM
I am/was a Bruce fan, but to say anything other than the football under him has been crap and the results not much better would be a lie.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 04, 2017, 10:20:50 PM
My issue is that we havent had a settled line up, bizarre tactics, no fight and shit fitness

having a well drilled side costs fuck all
Yep.  Rowett for me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldham_villa on February 04, 2017, 10:25:47 PM
i've been a massive backer of Steve Bruce - i wanted him in the summer.

I have to say that my memories my have been tainted, as he's been awful. I recall seeing Hull beat Sheffield Wed in the playoffs, and the standard of football was shocking. As it happens, on a par with what we are seeing now: just sitting back and then HOOF

I regret to say that it's only a question of time until the axe falls. Tony won't fuck about.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on February 04, 2017, 10:26:19 PM
And  when Rowett doesn't perform a miracle who and when next?  5 managers in 2 years  plus 2 interim head coaches  is not the Villa way
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on February 04, 2017, 10:26:28 PM
With this squad (on paper) we should be dominating games and controlling them. We had 29% possession against a piss poor Forest team. At Brentford we sat off them and let them have the ball, why? Press them and make them worry about us and the players we've spent millions on. As soon as we went 1-0 down at Wolves you knew we'd lost and didn't do a thing to get back into the game; no change in tactics, no high tempo. Preston at home 2-0 up, go for the jugular and kill them off. We came our second half and retreated and gave them hope. His tactics leave a lot to be desired, and his lack of subs are as frustrating as O'Neill.

It's one thing managing Small Heath and Hull, it's another managing Aston Villa. We won't accept going away from home and playing negatively hoping to nick a goal and win 1-0, especially not in this league and not with the money we've spent.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on February 04, 2017, 10:27:00 PM
It's way too soon to think about changing the manager, but fcuk me he's pushing his luck with these performances and results. He's been superbly backed by the chairman and up until now has had the support of the fans but if things continue like they are, he'll be up shit creek.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on February 04, 2017, 10:29:28 PM
Any notion of sacking him is ridiculous. We need to evaluate again in the summer. The rest of the season is all about building for next. Can we start gelling? Can we see a plan in place and a clear footballing style? Can we begin to improve on performances? Can we look well drilled and organised?

Answer yes to most come May then Bruce continues over the summer. Fine tunes the squad with 2-3 signings, and a slicing of dead wood (get rid of cock wombles like McCormack and Gabby).

If things don't improve then it's clear Bruce needs to jog on once the final whistle of the last game blows. Bring in a new man. Full pre-season and then start building again.

As crap as it could possibly get, sacking Bruce during the run-in is pointless. No one will come in worthy of the job, and no one will improve things, and there's also nothing left to salvage. Granted worse case is, we start fighting relegation again. But we'll still scrape by enough from our home form to finish in mid-table.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 04, 2017, 10:30:04 PM
My issue is that we havent had a settled line up, bizarre tactics, no fight and shit fitness

having a well drilled side costs fuck all
Yep.  Rowett for me.

Motivate what you have, instill some self belief and pride, get them doing the basics over and over again, stick to a solid formation, get them fit and running their bollocks off
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on February 04, 2017, 10:33:20 PM
I think fitness is a good point. Who is our fitness coach? Our pressing is non existent and we struggle to play at a high tempo for more than five minutes.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 04, 2017, 10:37:16 PM
This squad should be top 3.   Instead we get worse.  The players simply don't know what system they are supposed to be playing. It's so amateurish it's embarrassing.   And that's the managers fault.  Rowett would fix this. 


Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 04, 2017, 10:38:56 PM
I think i trust our fitness team as much as i would harold shipman to give my nan her flu jab

fuck me gabby put on two stone mid season with no one noticing and mcfatso being blatently unfit this season
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 04, 2017, 10:40:08 PM
Change tactics - check
Change manager - check check check check check check
Change coaches - check check check check check
Change owner - check
Invest in infrastructure - check
Spend way more money than other teams at our level - check check
Get rid of bad players - check check check check check check check check
Get in proven good players - check check check check check
Replace entire squad -check check

Results - Same ALWAYS THE DAMN SAME.

What on earth is it going to take???
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 04, 2017, 10:45:04 PM
This squad should be top 3.   Instead we get worse.  The players simply don't know what system they are supposed to be playing. It's so amateurish it's embarrassing.   And that's the managers fault.  Rowett would fix this. 



Will he? I doubt it. For some reason managers and players are under the impression they can rock up at Villa Park and make zero effort. It also appears we have a self fulfilling prophecy to find a way to lose every game.
We're going to be in a relegation battle make no mistake.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 04, 2017, 10:46:38 PM
We got a washed out Bruce. Need a Wagner type at our club sooner or later.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 04, 2017, 10:47:29 PM
We got a washed out Bruce. Need a Wagner type at our club sooner or later.

Wagner would be music to my ears.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VinnieChase84 on February 04, 2017, 10:47:43 PM
I dont think he will see out the month
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 04, 2017, 10:54:59 PM
We got a washed out Bruce. Need a Wagner type at our club sooner or later.

Wagner is a good shout

apart from opening a new timpsons in rhyl he hasnt had much on since the x factor and could get the bus from pensnett
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 04, 2017, 10:57:02 PM
A recording of the phrase 'pass and move' played on repeat at Bodymoor would be more effective than whatever is currently being done.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 04, 2017, 10:57:48 PM
And "look up". 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 04, 2017, 11:10:30 PM
We got a washed out Bruce. Need a Wagner type at our club sooner or later.

Wagner is a good shout

apart from opening a new timpsons in rhyl he hasnt had much on since the x factor and could get the bus from pensnett
WTF?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on February 04, 2017, 11:11:02 PM
Had a massive discussion in the pub earlier.

People claiming Leeds, Hudds, reading etc have had sides built on a shoestring.  I agree but if you had money, would you want better players?  Of course you would.

Would anyone swap our players with any others from the other teams above us?

If not then the buck stops with Bruce.

Next question, how long do we give him?

He has not been convincing thus far.  People claim he is a "lucky" manager.  e all know that luck helps but it takes a lot more as well.

This season is now written off.  Fpr me, Bruce has to at least show signs of a plan - Currently, there is no system, no shape and no continuity,

I was all for Bruce joining but he has delivered next to nothing thus far.  I will re-evaluate my opinion in the summer
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 04, 2017, 11:17:03 PM
Had a massive discussion in the pub earlier.

People claiming Leeds, Hudds, reading etc have had sides built on a shoestring.  I agree but if you had money, would you want better players?  Of course you would.

Would anyone swap our players with any others from the other teams above us?

If not then the buck stops with Bruce.

Next question, how long do we give him?

He has not been convincing thus far.  People claim he is a "lucky" manager.  e all know that luck helps but it takes a lot more as well.

This season is now written off.  Fpr me, Bruce has to at least show signs of a plan - Currently, there is no system, no shape and no continuity,

I was all for Bruce joining but he has delivered next to nothing thus far.  I will re-evaluate my opinion in the summer

Yeah, season is written off now which is a disgrace given the budget RDM and Bruce have been given. I'm all for more time but so far Bruce, and his coaching team, appear the tactical dinosaurs his critics had him pegged for.

We aren't improving at all. Hourihane as the right central midfielder boils my piss for one. Letting Forest have easy posession from their keeper all game despite having two forwards another huge error
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 04, 2017, 11:20:34 PM
We got a washed out Bruce. Need a Wagner type at our club sooner or later.

Wagner is a good shout

apart from opening a new timpsons in rhyl he hasnt had much on since the x factor and could get the bus from pensnett
WTF?

(http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1462305.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/I121128_135908_192504.jpg)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mossie Hennebry on February 04, 2017, 11:27:53 PM
Change the manager now and the new guy will want to spend another 50m to create 'his' team. It's a no from me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: David_Nab on February 04, 2017, 11:30:05 PM
Spend all that money in January and set up to defend against a team below us in the league whose captain we just signed...he is already in self preservation mode in my eyes

Our style of play is dreadful and we have no ability to control games.This new midfield are all over the place and after binning off one dodgy keeper he has brought in another.Was it that hard to find an experianced keeper ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT Villan on February 04, 2017, 11:32:29 PM
I've got a cunning plan...we typically get a nice, new manager bounce, that lasts for a few games, so why not just change the manager every time it wears off ? We will be top of the league by May.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 04, 2017, 11:36:35 PM
Or just for the hell of it, find out what the world record is for number of managers employed by a club in a season and smash it out of site. Fuck being on Sky in the PL, we could be on Record Breakers!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on February 04, 2017, 11:50:28 PM
Have not read all but last few posts. I think Bruce has been less than average, but lets give him a chance with his own players. Do think that game was there for the taking and we just let them come back into it. Not sure why he allowed that to happen
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on February 05, 2017, 12:10:53 AM
What worries me is that I can not for the life of me see us improving by anything like enough to get anywhere near the play offs.

We struggle to play acceptably well with any consistency at all.

To make it worse, Bruce is starting to look distinctly like he's trying any old shit just in case it works.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on February 05, 2017, 12:13:33 AM
We should have bossed that game and that does concern me. There again we were in control until the goalie error and the crowd then got involved. Then we were starting to take control until the pathetic sending off
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 05, 2017, 12:13:35 AM
As poor as we are now and by god we are damm depressing atm (at a much worse level of opposition than anything we've encountered in the last 5 years) I still think he needs to be properly judged next season.

The signs aren't looking good atm of course but hopefully eventually we can at least finish with a good run which would hint at better things to come.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Billy Walker on February 05, 2017, 12:28:12 AM
Get rid of Bruce after, what, sixteen or so games? Madness.  It's this kind of pressure that we are placing on managers that is making the club a poisoned chalice.  We have to allow the new owner, his backroom team and manager the time and space to build something.   Bruce needs the Summer window, a pre-season and at least until Christmas before we can reasonably judge him, surely? 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: papa lazarou on February 05, 2017, 12:30:16 AM
There's no need to change the manager but please, stop being cautious. Playing a team like Forest and only having 30% possession is an insult.
Running is a part of the game, do some. Let the players express themselves. 
Aaaaaaarghhhhhh.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 05, 2017, 12:40:33 AM
This season is a right off.   So if you are sure he can take us up next season then all is well.  But if you don't then he should go as if we don't go up next season then we will get stuck in this division.  I would given him a few more games to look for any signs of any sort of game plan.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on February 05, 2017, 12:44:47 AM
11 points from 11 games we sacked the previous manager for that🤔

And if we bring in another manager and he gets 11 points from 11 games, do we sack him as well?

Yes.

Not good enough.

Then it's a never ending rotation of managers instead of showing some patience to a manger who's just brought in 8 players.

Well, no. It's not "never ending". We are in a Mickey Mouse League spending loads of money.

It's effectively playing Football Manager in cheat mode.

It's far from unreasonable to think we might have a  manager capable of getting more than one point per game in a shit league with the biggest club in England and loads of money.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Pete3206 on February 05, 2017, 12:45:12 AM
Why even get upset? Short term, gets these players working together.

In the summer, spend wisely.

Nest season - Title challenge
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VinnieChase84 on February 05, 2017, 02:23:47 AM
Having just listened to then read SB's comments I am even more pissed off than earlier.
Out his depth with us? Comments like "at least we took part in the game"..... boils my piss. I should fucking think so Steve, Jesus Christ
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on February 05, 2017, 05:08:10 AM
I was happy with Bruce's appointment but since the Norwich performance in particular, its steadily gone downhill. We can forget any notion of the play-offs now. Fortunately we have 10 at home from the last 17 games. If it doesn't work after the first dozen or so games next season we could do worse and go for someone like Dean Smith at Brentford.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 05, 2017, 07:14:00 AM
Making the same mistakes as so many other dull hards we have had through the door at Villa Park over the last 7 years, get a plan as to how you want to play and stick with it, not throw any old thing up the wall and sees what sticks.

He is an experienced manager, he has a team around him that should be able to see the ability of the squad he has, play a system that suits them best and stick to it.

New players in will take time to gel, accepted, but he made the choice to get so many in, I would say as a way of getting something sorted for next season not this, but obviously not willing to admit that, what he may not have allowed for is Dr Tony's impatience and also the good Dr liking to listen to the supporters. Think he is safe at the moment, but would be very worried if the Doctor makes any unscheduled visits in the next couple of weeks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: QuintonVilla on February 05, 2017, 07:37:13 AM
We haven't played well since Calderwood joined. Coincidence?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy65 on February 05, 2017, 07:58:34 AM
I think he is tactically inept, but let him see the season out and then decide. How we fare the last 17 games will dictate his future. Only 8 points above the drop is worrying
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 05, 2017, 08:25:39 AM
Having just listened to then read SB's comments I am even more pissed off than earlier.
Out his depth with us? Comments like "at least we took part in the game"..... boils my piss. I should fucking think so Steve, Jesus Christ

His comments about the new formation don't fill me with confidence either. He sounds like a chancer making it up as he goes along.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy65 on February 05, 2017, 08:28:27 AM
We haven't played well since Calderwood joined. Coincidence?

If Calderwood is a problem he is only part of it. We have played poorly since SB arrived bar a couple of decent halves against Brighton and Preston
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Abbeyfealeavfc on February 05, 2017, 08:33:54 AM
Does Bruce know what he's doing?
8 away points out of a possible 30 is a poor return.
Up until the transfer window he had to find a system that suited the players he inherited. He didn't always do this eg playing Kodjia (our main goalscorer) wide left.
With the transfer window he had the opportunity to decide on a system he wants to play and to bring players in who would fit into that system. Since it closed we have played 2 different systems in 2 games and played most of the midfielders we bought out of their natural positions. What's that about?
Also why take 2  forwards off when reduced to 10 men depriving the team of an outlet? One I can understand but not 2!!!
I'm certainly not advocating getting rid of Bruce because I'm sick of the vicious cycle of changing managers and consequently teams (because someone new wants their own players). But for f-ck sake Bruce get a f-cking grip of the situation and f-cking do the job your f-cking paid to do!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 05, 2017, 08:34:25 AM
I think he is tactically inept, but let him see the season out and then decide. How we fare the last 17 games will dictate his future. Only 8 points above the drop is worrying

The tactics didn't cost us yesterday, sitting deep to deny them space to play in and then using the pace up front meant that, despite the possession stats, their keeper was far busier than ours. It was individual errors that cost us, most notably from Johnstone and Grealish, nothing else.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 05, 2017, 08:38:11 AM
Somebody needs to tell Bruce it's possible to win a game with 10 men. Especially when the side you're playing is shit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on February 05, 2017, 08:52:29 AM
I think he is tactically inept, but let him see the season out and then decide. How we fare the last 17 games will dictate his future. Only 8 points above the drop is worrying

Have to agree.  I'm personally in favour of giving him to the end of the season at least, but if this continues then it might be time to look at it then.  If someone like Wagner is available at that point, then who knows?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ROBBO on February 05, 2017, 09:03:16 AM
Surely if results don't improve we would replace Bruce a few weeks before the end of the season to give any new manager games to assess the squad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 09:03:31 AM
I think he is tactically inept, but let him see the season out and then decide. How we fare the last 17 games will dictate his future. Only 8 points above the drop is worrying

The tactics didn't cost us yesterday, sitting deep to deny them space to play in and then using the pace up front meant that, despite the possession stats, their keeper was far busier than ours. It was individual errors that cost us, most notably from Johnstone and Grealish, nothing else.

I am in complete agreement Chris. I don't know who Sky gave it too, but their keeper was man of the match as awarded by the locals, which tells you everything about the balance of chances.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 05, 2017, 09:20:11 AM
I'm fully expecting to see Gary Rowett spotted in the crowd sometime soon
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: frank black on February 05, 2017, 09:20:29 AM
I like him, but got to be honest he has yet to discover his first team or a pattern of play. Initially he steadied the ship and in the last half dozen games he looked at a loss about what to do during games.

I hope he settles and we finish top 10 rather than flirting with the bottom. I wouldn't be calling for his head at this stage and I'm fed up getting my pitch fork out every few months.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 09:22:57 AM
I can fathom the thinking that we get rid of him after 16 or 17 games.

Let's see how the team gel's and I fully expect us to have a strong finish, go into the summer and rid the squad of more rubbish and have a pop at the title.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on February 05, 2017, 09:33:28 AM
Getting rid of Bruce NoNo.  He is the mechanic who has been commission to clean up O'Neills mess it is complecated and he needs time.  To sack him his season is lunacy
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on February 05, 2017, 09:36:23 AM
It is pointless considering sacking Bruce before the end of the season and both he and the new players deserve a chance to get it right.  We now have 3 months whereby we will be playing for little else other than pride.  There is absolutely nothing to gain by replacing Bruce but we do stand to gain, if he gets it right in those 3 months.

I have been unimpressed with him so far.  Many of our wins have been lucky or ground out.  Only twice have we had back to back wins, whereas other teams have strung together 4,5 or even 6 wins on the trot.  Apart from Brighton, we have looked far from convincing.

If nothing changes between now and the end of the season, in Xia's shoes, I would get rid.  We cannot afford to go into next season with what we have experienced so far under Bruce.  I know it is drastic but we cannot afford to hang around in this division.  The players are in place and the team only need minor tweaking in the summer, it would not be a case of the new manager coming in and needing to rip the squad apart again.

This simply is not good enough, nor is it acceptable.  Yes, I get that it is going to take time to gel but there has been no indication in the previous 3 months that we are anywhere near  what is required, nor have we moved anywhere nearer since Bruce has arrived.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Axl Rose on February 05, 2017, 09:40:25 AM
It is pointless considering sacking Bruce before the end of the season and both he and the new players deserve a chance to get it right.  We now have 3 months whereby we will be playing for little else other than pride.  There is absolutely nothing to gain by replacing Bruce but we do stand to gain, if he gets it right in those 3 months.

I have been unimpressed with him so far.  Many of our wins have been lucky or ground out.  Only twice have we had back to back wins, whereas other teams have strung together 4,5 or even 6 wins on the trot.  Apart from Brighton, we have looked far from convincing.

If nothing changes between now and the end of the season, in Xia's shoes, I would get rid.  We cannot afford to go into next season with what we have experienced so far under Bruce.  I know it is drastic but we cannot afford to hang around in this division.  The players are in place and the team only need minor tweaking in the summer, it would not be a case of the new manager coming in and needing to rip the squad apart again.

This simply is not good enough, nor is it acceptable.  Yes, I get that it is going to take time to gel but there has been no indication in the previous 3 months that we are anywhere near  what is required, nor have we moved anywhere nearer since Bruce has arrived.

Excellent post and sums up my exact feelings. I've never liked Bruce as a manager. His teams play boring, archaic football. And so do we, now he's in charge. I believe he should be given to the end of the season, however. Very few teams benefit from constant upheaval, and I think any more might see us dangerously close to League One.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 09:43:40 AM
The Doc saying his expectations were that we'd regroup this season and go up next.

Bruce is rightly going nowhere.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 05, 2017, 10:13:43 AM
The Doc saying his expectations were that we'd regroup this season and go up next.

Bruce is rightly going nowhere.

I'm glad to hear that, it makes perfect sense. Sacking managers every time we have bad run of form is not going to get us anywhere. Let this group of players and manager have some time to 'gel', instead of hiring someone else and throwing another £50m at it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Walmley_Villa on February 05, 2017, 10:14:37 AM
Needs a formation and to stick with it for a few games to give it chance to develop and for the players to understand their roles. He runs the risk of doing a Sherwood and constantly rolling the dice which will lead to the same conclusion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on February 05, 2017, 10:16:10 AM
Of the next 6 games 4 are at home and another is the, surely even for us, away banker at Rotherham. We need to build some momentum during this upcoming spell just to get some positivity going.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on February 05, 2017, 10:22:19 AM
We've gotta go up next season and he has to be given till then. All this talk of getting rid is nonsense at the moment
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on February 05, 2017, 10:22:38 AM
And I'm far from happy by the way
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: auntiesledd on February 05, 2017, 11:46:25 AM
I'm fully expecting to see Gary Rowett spotted in the crowd sometime soon

Indeed, although I'd be very surprised if he'd risk his reputation by drinking from this poisoned chalice. I guess a large wad of money might just make it a little more worthwhile, mind...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 05, 2017, 11:49:42 AM
Trouble is as much as I rate someone like Rowett let's remember he's a counter attack manager so while our away form would improve home form would probably dip.

There is no manager out there who we could realistically attract who'd get us winning the next 12 in the row or something, anyone else would probably win one, draw one and then lose one.

Given where we are in the league now I'd say it would all be a bit pointless.

Think SB needs to be properly judged next season as disappointing as it is to see us fall away over the last 6 weeks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on February 05, 2017, 11:57:17 AM
We need stability, chairman, manager and players who understand each other. Yes it's disappointing, we ain't going up this season. Use this season to bed all the new acquisitions in and become a team and look forward to next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 05, 2017, 12:13:43 PM
I'm fully expecting to see Gary Rowett spotted in the crowd sometime soon

Indeed, although I'd be very surprised if he'd risk his reputation by drinking from this poisoned chalice. I guess a large wad of money might just make it a little more worthwhile, mind...

Job is far too big for him at the moment. He had low expectations down the road, the pressure of working in B6 is another level completely.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on February 05, 2017, 12:38:02 PM
Bruce should take the shackles off the players and let them play more naturally. We have two of the best midfielders in the division in Hourihane and Lansbury, two of the best forwards in Kodjia and Hogan and yet we play in handcuffs. Do we play so deep because Bruce is worried about the lack of pace at the back?  Having Jedinak back might help shore things up to allow the two midfielders to get forward more. I would have thought that 352 would really suit Amavi but Bruce chose the right footed, only played once BB? Weird one that!  We have nothing to lose now, this season is a write off. Lay the foundations, have some fun, sign a keeper and centre back in the summer and, er, go again!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: montague on February 05, 2017, 12:51:54 PM
Dr Tony effectively tweeted this season is WIP for next season
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Axl Rose on February 05, 2017, 01:04:48 PM
Bruce should take the shackles off the players and let them play more naturally. We have two of the best midfielders in the division in Hourihane and Lansbury, two of the best forwards in Kodjia and Hogan and yet we play in handcuffs. Do we play so deep because Bruce is worried about the lack of pace at the back?  Having Jedinak back might help shore things up to allow the two midfielders to get forward more. I would have thought that 352 would really suit Amavi but Bruce chose the right footed, only played once BB? Weird one that!  We have nothing to lose now, this season is a write off. Lay the foundations, have some fun, sign a keeper and centre back in the summer and, er, go again!

There are alot of people on here speaking sense. You included, Newby.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 05, 2017, 01:12:15 PM
My concern now is that it will take a Tim Sherwood style mentality change to kick start our season. But I don't think Bruce is capable of being that way in terms of just letting the team play. We won't go down so we almost need to accept that we are building for a run at this next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on February 05, 2017, 01:15:13 PM
I have a theory that after how poor Amavi was for the last few games Bruce just took him out of the firing line.

The formation was right last night and there were good signs in the performance too in patches.  Stick with Bruce and keep this squad with 3 or 4 tinkering changes we will get automatic next season. I reckon a fullly fit Jedinak in the last 3 games we take 7 points too. Genuinely think we are 2 or 3 key players from being really decent. Keeper and holding midfielder to start.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 05, 2017, 01:29:51 PM
We are always 2 or 3 key players from being half decent. We've signed players for the best part of £70m and still can't put together a functioning side that works together as a team, lasts 90 minutes, scores some goals and doesn't gift comedy errors all the time. It's pathetic. Bruce so far has been much worse than I expected.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 05, 2017, 01:31:02 PM
Since we signed Steve Bruce I have believed that we will win promotion in the medium term of 2-5 seasons. When we win promotion we will win ugly.  I can accept that.  I may well not be around to see it but my children and my grandchildren will.  It will be bump and grind all the way with Steve Bruce.  The last half dozen games have been hard to take but Steve Bruce is an old school manager who will hack a couple of wins from the bleeding carcase of the Championship and things will get better.
The big, big downer we have to prepare ourselves for is a bad start to next season.  Shit happens.  You scoop it up and  chuck it back.  We have done it before, we can do it again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Allan C on February 05, 2017, 01:31:53 PM
I don't know why people expected any different from a Steve Bruce team. Dour football that will never be pretty to watch. But he "knows this league" so it's ok? For me he was an uninspiring choice anyway because he is limited to this (poor) level but sacking him now would be just more unnecessary upheaval.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: auntiesledd on February 05, 2017, 01:36:00 PM
I'm fully expecting to see Gary Rowett spotted in the crowd sometime soon

Indeed, although I'd be very surprised if he'd risk his reputation by drinking from this poisoned chalice. I guess a large wad of money might just make it a little more worthwhile, mind...

Job is far too big for him at the moment. He had low expectations down the road, the pressure of working in B6 is another level completely.

You could well be right. That said, I expected a manager with SB's experience and Championship record would have had a more positive impact by now - but it's beginning to look like the inherent problems that have infested the club are even beyond his ability to bring about a palpably positive change. I'd like to see him given time to turn us into a team capable of promotion, but it's all about the patience of Dr Tone in the end. He who pays the piper...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 05, 2017, 01:44:24 PM
Correct Auntie.  Dr Tony is the single most important person by a million miles.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: auntiesledd on February 05, 2017, 01:51:50 PM
Correct Auntie.  Dr Tony is the single most important person by a million miles.

Thanks Brian, it happens occasionally.  ;)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 05, 2017, 02:12:26 PM
Dr Tony effectively tweeted this season is WIP for next season
Really Dr Xia? If so what was the point of sacking RDM!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 02:16:11 PM
As he was a buffoon that would have relegated us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 05, 2017, 02:17:01 PM
A lazy buffoon.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on February 05, 2017, 02:24:51 PM
Bruce needs to decide on his formation and team and keep it the same for a long succession of games. Don't keep messing with it.

(But if it's 5-3-2, that means playing Amavi, Hourihane is left-footed so play him left-sided and by playing 5-3-2 it means you probably won't start with Adomah, who, after Kodjia, looks about the best player we've had going forward (also does his fair share of getting back)).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 05, 2017, 02:32:11 PM
Bruce needs to decide on his formation and team and keep it the same for a long succession of games. Don't keep messing with it.

(But if it's 5-3-2, that means playing Amavi, Hourihane is left-footed so play him left-sided and by playing 5-3-2 it means you probably won't start with Adomah, who, after Kodjia, looks about the best player we've had going forward (also does his fair share of getting back)).

His comments about 5-3-2 suggest he hasn't got much of a plan and that's he's making it up as he goes along.

What happens to the 5-3-2 the first time that Baker gets one of his many and regular knocks?  It would either have to be abandoned as we don't have any other central defenders, or you have to stick Jedinak there, and his lack of mobility in central defence would be terrifying.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 05, 2017, 02:52:26 PM
He didn't buy any of the players with the idea of playing them as 5-3-2, that has come on after a major panic attack when we got completely fucking destroyed by Brentford. It's ridiculous, another manager shitting himself with no philosophy of how he wanted the team to play and signing a bunch of players then playing them in different positions.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 05, 2017, 02:59:51 PM
He didn't buy any of the players with the idea of playing them as 5-3-2, that has come on after a major panic attack when we got completely fucking destroyed by Brentford. It's ridiculous, another manager shitting himself with no philosophy of how he wanted the team to play and signing a bunch of players then playing them in different positions.

Totally agree

he has had plenty of time to assess what we have and the new signings should have been signed with a formation in mind

then stick to that formation and actually coach the players so everyone knows their roles

3 5 2 is nonsense as elphick is shit and baker is due a boot in the face soon so then its back to another formation

bruce needs to start earning his wages and quickly
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 05, 2017, 03:03:29 PM
He tried something different which didn't come off result wise but we played reasonably well I thought. I hope he tries it again away from home at some point.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JJ-AV on February 05, 2017, 04:01:47 PM
I think he probably has had 352 in his mind for a while. He's played it everywhere he's been since Wigan and has just signed 2 wing backs in January.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ad@m on February 05, 2017, 04:04:20 PM
He tried something different which didn't come off result wise but we played reasonably well I thought. I hope he tries it again away from home at some point.

Did you? I thought for the most part it looked like what it was, a bunch of strangers on completely different wavelengths to one another. Epitomised when Grealish dummied a ball during a promising counter attack only to see it roll out of play.

Bruce royally fucked yesterday up. His many errors included playing wing backs but dropping Amavi, playing a right footed central midfielder at left wing back, taking all our strikers off when we were drawing against a pretty shit Forest side, telling the team to sit back - again - and invite pressure on ourselves, etc, etc.

He's got no excuses now as he's spent a fortune. How hard can it be to get a manager in who looks like he's made more of the players at his disposal rather than looking like he creates a team which is less than the sum of its parts.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 05, 2017, 04:31:45 PM
He tried something different which didn't come off result wise but we played reasonably well I thought. I hope he tries it again away from home at some point.

Did you? I thought for the most part it looked like what it was, a bunch of strangers on completely different wavelengths to one another. Epitomised when Grealish dummied a ball during a promising counter attack only to see it roll out of play.

Bruce royally fucked yesterday up. His many errors included playing wing backs but dropping Amavi, playing a right footed central midfielder at left wing back, taking all our strikers off when we were drawing against a pretty shit Forest side, telling the team to sit back - again - and invite pressure on ourselves, etc, etc.

He's got no excuses now as he's spent a fortune. How hard can it be to get a manager in who looks like he's made more of the players at his disposal rather than looking like he creates a team which is less than the sum of its parts.

I won't argue about the subs he made, I've no idea what he was thinking but yes, I thought we played pretty well overall.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 05, 2017, 04:38:03 PM
How hard can it be to get a manager in who looks like he's made more of the players at his disposal rather than looking like he creates a team which is less than the sum of its parts.

The last time we did it was November 1994.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 04:41:16 PM
I thought we played alright too

There was nothing wrong with the system.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Virgil Caine on February 05, 2017, 04:51:59 PM
He tried something different which didn't come off result wise but we played reasonably well I thought. I hope he tries it again away from home at some point.

Did you? I thought for the most part it looked like what it was, a bunch of strangers on completely different wavelengths to one another. Epitomised when Grealish dummied a ball during a promising counter attack only to see it roll out of play.

Bruce royally fucked yesterday up. His many errors included playing wing backs but dropping Amavi, playing a right footed central midfielder at left wing back, taking all our strikers off when we were drawing against a pretty shit Forest side, telling the team to sit back - again - and invite pressure on ourselves, etc, etc.

He's got no excuses now as he's spent a fortune. How hard can it be to get a manager in who looks like he's made more of the players at his disposal rather than looking like he creates a team which is less than the sum of its parts.

I had suggested a 3-5-2 formation in the pre match thread as a cure to being overrun in midfield as we had against Brentford. There is nothing at all wrong with the system as it seems to work ok for Chelsea. However it is your comment regarding a 'bunch of strangers' which is surely meant in irony as the team included 6 new signings. I am confident that the game against Ipswich will show marked improvement.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: frank black on February 05, 2017, 04:53:29 PM
TONY just tweeted in response to someone saying that there were Bruce out banners at forest. "No more Sh*t rumors "
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 05, 2017, 04:56:10 PM
I thought we played alright too

There was nothing wrong with the system.

For the system to really work it helps to have the ball.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 05, 2017, 05:07:32 PM
I thought we played alright too

There was nothing wrong with the system.

For the system to really work it helps to have the ball.

We had enough of it to make the chances that should have won us the game. We have seen in the past that just keeping hold of the ball in itself is meaningless. It was pretty irrelevant to the result yesterday; it wasn't lack of possession that caused the keeper to fumble or chances to be missed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 05, 2017, 05:11:22 PM
What do people think of playing 442 for the rest of the season?

The Kodjia/ Hogan partnership seemed to have some hope with good interplay on Saturday.

The defence generally looks better with four in it, than 5 or 3.

My only concern is whether just two in the middle is enough. But both Hourihane and Lansbury seem to have the legs to do it. And Hourihane could be moved left, if we need to bring Jedinak in for a bit of midfield bite.

I think it could help players to play in a formation they understand with some clearly defined positions to build up a run of momentum.

The risk is when playing against a 451, that the midfield gets swamped.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 05, 2017, 05:18:38 PM
I thought we played alright too

There was nothing wrong with the system.

For the system to really work it helps to have the ball.

We had enough of it to make the chances that should have won us the game. We have seen in the past that just keeping hold of the ball in itself is meaningless. It was pretty irrelevant to the result yesterday; it wasn't lack of possession that caused the keeper to fumble or chances to be missed.

Counter attacking will only work if you take your chances and have a very solid defence. Inviting teams to constantly come at you, even poor teams like Forest, is only asking for trouble as we found out yesterday. What was needed was to press them higher up the pitch. I hate the way we back off teams, giving them so much respect not to mention space, we really did make it easy for them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 05, 2017, 05:24:06 PM
I thought we played alright too

There was nothing wrong with the system.

For the system to really work it helps to have the ball.

We had enough of it to make the chances that should have won us the game. We have seen in the past that just keeping hold of the ball in itself is meaningless. It was pretty irrelevant to the result yesterday; it wasn't lack of possession that caused the keeper to fumble or chances to be missed.

Counter attacking will only work if you take your chances and have a very solid defence. Inviting teams to constantly come at you, even poor teams like Forest, is only asking for trouble as we found out yesterday. What was needed was to press them higher up the pitch. I hate the way we back off teams, giving them so much respect not to mention space, we really did make it easy for them.

It was pressing high that caught us out at Brentford so it would have been suicidal to just blindly follow the same plan. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 05, 2017, 05:32:39 PM
I thought we played alright too

There was nothing wrong with the system.

For the system to really work it helps to have the ball.

We had enough of it to make the chances that should have won us the game. We have seen in the past that just keeping hold of the ball in itself is meaningless. It was pretty irrelevant to the result yesterday; it wasn't lack of possession that caused the keeper to fumble or chances to be missed.

Counter attacking will only work if you take your chances and have a very solid defence. Inviting teams to constantly come at you, even poor teams like Forest, is only asking for trouble as we found out yesterday. What was needed was to press them higher up the pitch. I hate the way we back off teams, giving them so much respect not to mention space, we really did make it easy for them.

It was pressing high that caught us out at Brentford so it would have been suicidal to just blindly follow the same plan. 

Inviting them on worked a treat didn't it? Five in midfield and we stand off them. With the players we now have we should be able to battle in the midfield. It's what I expected from a Bruce team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 05, 2017, 05:34:07 PM
I thought we played alright too

There was nothing wrong with the system.

For the system to really work it helps to have the ball.

We had enough of it to make the chances that should have won us the game. We have seen in the past that just keeping hold of the ball in itself is meaningless. It was pretty irrelevant to the result yesterday; it wasn't lack of possession that caused the keeper to fumble or chances to be missed.

Counter attacking will only work if you take your chances and have a very solid defence. Inviting teams to constantly come at you, even poor teams like Forest, is only asking for trouble as we found out yesterday. What was needed was to press them higher up the pitch. I hate the way we back off teams, giving them so much respect not to mention space, we really did make it easy for them.

It was pressing high that caught us out at Brentford so it would have been suicidal to just blindly follow the same plan.

From what I saw at Brentford there was no evidence of any sort of pressing, and especially not high pressing.

We lost because we invited pressure on to us, couldn't hold onto the ball and our players didn't track opposition movement.

There was no urgency in terms of trying to regain possession.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on February 05, 2017, 06:02:41 PM
Judging by SB's comments as reported in the Brum Mail, he is going to persist with the 3-5-2 formation.

Quote
Steve Bruce will persevere with Aston Villa's new system despite failing to find a winning formula against Nottingham Forest.

Bruce introduced a 3-5-2 formation for the trip to the City Ground, which ultimately ended in an agonising 2-1 defeat.

After a flurry of transfer window signings, Bruce is determined to hit upon a style of play which brings out the best in his talented squad.

And the manager intends to work on the new shape in training at Bodymoor Heath again this week after admitting there was not much time to perfect it between the Brentford and Forest defeats.

"We’ve only tried it for two days so we’ll work at it and it will get better," said Bruce. "There’s things we have got to improve on.

"Up until they scored our goalkeeper hasn’t really had a save to make and once again we’ve been punished.

"Sometimes it’s cruel. When you’re in a run like this, everything seems to be going against you.

"We were in on Wednesday to work on it, we will get better. It’s a system I’ve used before and one I quite enjoy.

"I think with what we’ve got up front now it will work."

"We have to stay strong with it and dust ourselves down.

"There were big improvements today. I thought we looked a real threat on the counter.

"We’ve tried to devise a new system within two or three days so the longer we work on it we’ll get better. There were better signs today."
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 06:04:54 PM
I thought we played alright too

There was nothing wrong with the system.

For the system to really work it helps to have the ball.

We had enough of the ball to create enough chances to have buried them.

Did you watch the game, as looking at your few replies I'm unconvinced.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 05, 2017, 06:09:04 PM
I thought we played alright too

There was nothing wrong with the system.

For the system to really work it helps to have the ball.

We had enough of it to make the chances that should have won us the game. We have seen in the past that just keeping hold of the ball in itself is meaningless. It was pretty irrelevant to the result yesterday; it wasn't lack of possession that caused the keeper to fumble or chances to be missed.

Counter attacking will only work if you take your chances and have a very solid defence. Inviting teams to constantly come at you, even poor teams like Forest, is only asking for trouble as we found out yesterday. What was needed was to press them higher up the pitch. I hate the way we back off teams, giving them so much respect not to mention space, we really did make it easy for them.

It was pressing high that caught us out at Brentford so it would have been suicidal to just blindly follow the same plan. 

Inviting them on worked a treat didn't it? Five in midfield and we stand off them. With the players we now have we should be able to battle in the midfield. It's what I expected from a Bruce team.

It only didn't work because we failed to take our chances, not because of the system of itself.

The other night there was always a gap for Brentford to play in as we were too spaced out. We stayed compact and reduced that yesterday and consequently we created more and conceded fewer chances. Perhaps when the players get to know each other's game in midfield it will evolve but at the moment I thing the pragmatic approach is the way to go, particularly away from home.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 06:22:33 PM
Brentford murdered us in the space that Lansbury would vacate as he was out of his natural position. They had a player capable of using the ball well and on occasions could have driven a bus through us. Our back four was routinely exposed. Chris is spot on.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 05, 2017, 06:28:16 PM
My concern now is that it will take a Tim Sherwood style mentality change to kick start our season. But I don't think Bruce is capable of being that way in terms of just letting the team play. We won't go down so we almost need to accept that we are building for a run at this next season.

Let's just have a pre season where we have a settled team (no more bringing in 6-7 players), a settled formation and let's get a good start to next season and take it from there. None of this 1 win in our opening 11 games nonsense that pretty much killed our season straight away.

Let's be at the top right from the off next season and we can build from there although I get the feeling the football still wouldn't be anything to write home about but I wouldn't have an issue.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 05, 2017, 06:36:11 PM
Brentford murdered us in the space that Lansbury would vacate as he was out of his natural position. They had a player capable of using the ball well and on occasions could have driven a bus through us. Our back four was routinely exposed. Chris is spot on.

Pressing only works and is only really pressing if a whole team does it as a tactic. If it's just one player pressing, then they are just running around like a madman and it isn't really pressing.

You are right though the gaps Lansbury left were well and truly exploited.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sirlordbaltimore on February 05, 2017, 06:46:24 PM


SB still has my backing 100%
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 05, 2017, 06:48:16 PM
I thought we played alright too

There was nothing wrong with the system.

For the system to really work it helps to have the ball.

We had enough of the ball to create enough chances to have buried them.

Did you watch the game, as looking at your few replies I'm unconvinced.

I did. I can only assume you were wearing your beer goggles, either that or you're very easily pleased. There were real positives to take from the game; the fluid move for the goal, Hogan's run that deserved a goal and the great move leading up to Kodja's miss before Grealish got sent off. What those three examples show is that we can play football but we rarely looked like trying to repeat them preferring to sit back and defend in numbers. Why? I have no idea.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 05, 2017, 06:58:17 PM
The only time we sat back and defended in numbers was when the two strikers went off and by then we were down to 10 men.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 05, 2017, 07:07:20 PM
He tried something different which didn't come off result wise but we played reasonably well I thought. I hope he tries it again away from home at some point.

Did you? I thought for the most part it looked like what it was, a bunch of strangers on completely different wavelengths to one another. Epitomised when Grealish dummied a ball during a promising counter attack only to see it roll out of play.

Bruce royally fucked yesterday up. His many errors included playing wing backs but dropping Amavi, playing a right footed central midfielder at left wing back, taking all our strikers off when we were drawing against a pretty shit Forest side, telling the team to sit back - again - and invite pressure on ourselves, etc, etc.

He's got no excuses now as he's spent a fortune. How hard can it be to get a manager in who looks like he's made more of the players at his disposal rather than looking like he creates a team which is less than the sum of its parts.
Correct.    The next 6 games should see Bruce find a formation or perhaps a new job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 07:14:28 PM
If we're going to pick and choose an away game to dish one out, I'd love it to be the Horse Punchers.

I'd look forward to walking out and having the polyester tracksuit clad hordes babbling incoherently, shouting abuse and offering us out while they film it on their phones.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 05, 2017, 07:19:57 PM
Judging by SB's comments as reported in the Brum Mail, he is going to persist with the 3-5-2 formation.

Quote
Steve Bruce will persevere with Aston Villa's new system despite failing to find a winning formula against Nottingham Forest.

Bruce introduced a 3-5-2 formation for the trip to the City Ground, which ultimately ended in an agonising 2-1 defeat.

After a flurry of transfer window signings, Bruce is determined to hit upon a style of play which brings out the best in his talented squad.

And the manager intends to work on the new shape in training at Bodymoor Heath again this week after admitting there was not much time to perfect it between the Brentford and Forest defeats.

"We’ve only tried it for two days so we’ll work at it and it will get better," said Bruce. "There’s things we have got to improve on.

"Up until they scored our goalkeeper hasn’t really had a save to make and once again we’ve been punished.

"Sometimes it’s cruel. When you’re in a run like this, everything seems to be going against you.

"We were in on Wednesday to work on it, we will get better. It’s a system I’ve used before and one I quite enjoy.

"I think with what we’ve got up front now it will work."

"We have to stay strong with it and dust ourselves down.

"There were big improvements today. I thought we looked a real threat on the counter.

"We’ve tried to devise a new system within two or three days so the longer we work on it we’ll get better. There were better signs today."
He has lost the plot, time to start thinking of a replacement.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Holte132 on February 05, 2017, 07:30:02 PM
If we're going to pick and choose an away game to dish one out, I'd love it to be the Horse Punchers.

I'd look forward to walking out and having the polyester tracksuit clad hordes babbling incoherently, shouting abuse and offering us out while they film it on their phones.

Excuse my ignorance - who are the horse punchers?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on February 05, 2017, 07:33:00 PM
To me he's a busted flush. Never thought he was the right choice but was willing to put up with the duff abysmal football if the pay-off was he got us up. He's not going to, so he's now pointless. Another season on the off-chance he'll hoof us into the premiership? Nah, give the job to someone who can build something based on quality football.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Stu on February 05, 2017, 07:33:55 PM
If we're going to pick and choose an away game to dish one out, I'd love it to be the Horse Punchers.

I'd look forward to walking out and having the polyester tracksuit clad hordes babbling incoherently, shouting abuse and offering us out while they film it on their phones.

Excuse my ignorance - who are the horse punchers?

Newcastle. Remember one of their fans was arrested for punching a police horse?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on February 05, 2017, 07:53:27 PM
I think he probably has had 352 in his mind for a while. He's played it everywhere he's been since Wigan and has just signed 2 wing backs in January.

If Thor is a wing-back, Donald Trump is the resurrection and the light and will bring peace, love and harmony to all mankind.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 05, 2017, 08:02:03 PM
I think he probably has had 352 in his mind for a while. He's played it everywhere he's been since Wigan and has just signed 2 wing backs in January.

If Thor is a wing-back, Donald Trump is the resurrection and the light and will bring peace, love and harmony to all mankind.
He means Taylor
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 08:07:09 PM
Taylor can play as a third centre half too. He did with the Welsh didn't he?

Thor did well considering he was well out of position.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Taylor on February 05, 2017, 08:20:24 PM
Judging by SB's comments as reported in the Brum Mail, he is going to persist with the 3-5-2 formation.

Quote
Steve Bruce will persevere with Aston Villa's new system despite failing to find a winning formula against Nottingham Forest.

Bruce introduced a 3-5-2 formation for the trip to the City Ground, which ultimately ended in an agonising 2-1 defeat.

After a flurry of transfer window signings, Bruce is determined to hit upon a style of play which brings out the best in his talented squad.

And the manager intends to work on the new shape in training at Bodymoor Heath again this week after admitting there was not much time to perfect it between the Brentford and Forest defeats.

"We’ve only tried it for two days so we’ll work at it and it will get better," said Bruce. "There’s things we have got to improve on.

"Up until they scored our goalkeeper hasn’t really had a save to make and once again we’ve been punished.

"Sometimes it’s cruel. When you’re in a run like this, everything seems to be going against you.

"We were in on Wednesday to work on it, we will get better. It’s a system I’ve used before and one I quite enjoy.

"I think with what we’ve got up front now it will work."

"We have to stay strong with it and dust ourselves down.

"There were big improvements today. I thought we looked a real threat on the counter.

"We’ve tried to devise a new system within two or three days so the longer we work on it we’ll get better. There were better signs today."
He has lost the plot, time to start thinking of a replacement.
Is this a joke?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 05, 2017, 08:47:32 PM
If we're going to pick and choose an away game to dish one out, I'd love it to be the Horse Punchers.

I'd look forward to walking out and having the polyester tracksuit clad hordes babbling incoherently, shouting abuse and offering us out while they film it on their phones.
Who's the horse punchers?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on February 05, 2017, 08:48:46 PM
If we're going to pick and choose an away game to dish one out, I'd love it to be the Horse Punchers.

I'd look forward to walking out and having the polyester tracksuit clad hordes babbling incoherently, shouting abuse and offering us out while they film it on their phones.
Who's the horse punchers?

Newcastle pet
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 05, 2017, 08:52:17 PM
So after signing nearly another first 11, he's determined to hit on a formation that they might be able to play well in? Bonkers.

Here's an idea, before signing the players, maybe have an idea what formation you want them to play in and sign players who are used to and play well in that formation.

This has the markings of another cluster fuck.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 05, 2017, 08:52:26 PM
I like the system and agree it's really worth sticking too and giving it a go.

We need to have a bit of patience, it's a new side, new players right across the field and a new system. I really don't know what some expect, a miracle cure, a magic wand?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 05, 2017, 08:53:15 PM
If we're going to pick and choose an away game to dish one out, I'd love it to be the Horse Punchers.

I'd look forward to walking out and having the polyester tracksuit clad hordes babbling incoherently, shouting abuse and offering us out while they film it on their phones.

I think we can put to  bed the ''someones gonna get it'' that we've been hanging on to since pretty much the start of the season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 05, 2017, 08:55:44 PM
If we're going to pick and choose an away game to dish one out, I'd love it to be the Horse Punchers.

I'd look forward to walking out and having the polyester tracksuit clad hordes babbling incoherently, shouting abuse and offering us out while they film it on their phones.
Who's the horse punchers?
Don't matter I scrolled down and saw the answer now!
For the record I think we have the players now to form a really good team and someone is going to get proper stuffed by us in the near future. And I can't think of a better club to dish it out to 😉
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 05, 2017, 08:57:32 PM
I can.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 05, 2017, 09:03:32 PM
If we're going to pick and choose an away game to dish one out, I'd love it to be the Horse Punchers.

I'd look forward to walking out and having the polyester tracksuit clad hordes babbling incoherently, shouting abuse and offering us out while they film it on their phones.

I think we can put to  bed the ''someones gonna get it'' that we've been hanging on to since pretty much the start of the season.
I actually think it is going to happen. Things have changed. I really believe we have the players who can finally deliver for us. Just keep the faith.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 05, 2017, 09:05:00 PM
I can.
I forgot Small Heath lol
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 05, 2017, 09:10:41 PM
Taylor can play as a third centre half too. He did with the Welsh didn't he?

Don't think so.

Seem to remember Davies, Chester and Williams in the middle, Taylor and Gunter out wide.

In the Euros, anyway.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 09:16:19 PM
If we're going to pick and choose an away game to dish one out, I'd love it to be the Horse Punchers.

I'd look forward to walking out and having the polyester tracksuit clad hordes babbling incoherently, shouting abuse and offering us out while they film it on their phones.

I think we can put to  bed the ''someones gonna get it'' that we've been hanging on to since pretty much the start of the season.

Why? Last season aside somebody invariably does.

Even under Taylor second time round, we were shocking on the road yet still managed to put 5 past Boro one cold mid week evening.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 05, 2017, 09:23:17 PM
I can.
I forgot Small Heath lol

If we're honest with ourselves, that's what the rest of the season boils down to.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 05, 2017, 09:27:17 PM
Already missed our chance away from home which is what I was referring to.

Never quite sure if I want us to bladder the Noses (bear with me) as I think it would be funnier to fluke it in the 95th minute with an offside and a handball. The sense of injustice would be comedy gold.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 05, 2017, 09:46:19 PM
If we're going to pick and choose an away game to dish one out, I'd love it to be the Horse Punchers.

I'd look forward to walking out and having the polyester tracksuit clad hordes babbling incoherently, shouting abuse and offering us out while they film it on their phones.

I think we can put to  bed the ''someones gonna get it'' that we've been hanging on to since pretty much the start of the season.

Why? Last season aside somebody invariably does.

Even under Taylor second time round, we were shocking on the road yet still managed to put 5 past Boro one cold mid week evening.

Only Wigan and Rotherham have scored less. We aren't creating and missing chances, Bruce has shit himself and gone 5 at the back, lots of reasons really. We just don't look capable of tearing anyone a new arsehole but ourselves.

I hope it changes obviously but the Brentford hammering and the Forest set up has given me an almighty kick in the bollocks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 05, 2017, 10:06:25 PM
Judging by SB's comments as reported in the Brum Mail, he is going to persist with the 3-5-2 formation.

Quote
**SNIP**
He has lost the plot, time to start thinking of a replacement.
Is this a joke?

I don't think he's lost the plot but I do think he's at the stage where he's getting a bit desperate.  I hate wing backs because it turns far too quickly into 532 and from there turns far too quickly into 5212 where 2 of your midfield are dropping ever deeper to help out the fullback who is constantly faced with a 2 on 1 and doesn't get forward because they're marking the opposition winger.  20 years ago it worked because fullbacks were defenders first and they struggled with the idea of pushing your wingback deeper by overlapping their winger time after time.  It's because of this formation that incredibly attacking fullbacks started to be common because they had no defensive responsibilities that couldn't be covered by a very disciplined defensive midfielder.


As I've said, it can still be effective but only if you have the right players for it: a big nasty bastard up front (Costa), 2 quick players behind him who can push onto the fullbacks and force them deep but also have the ability to come in field and be an extra centre-mid (pedro, hazard, willian) and 2 wing backs who are able to beat a man or 2 easily and have the pace to get away once they get in behind their fullback (Alonso, Moses).  A couple of dominating midfielders who can sit and dictate play and break things up for you as well helps a loo as well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on February 05, 2017, 10:57:17 PM
The things that worry me about Bruce is possible being obstinate and not willing to learn from mistakes.

I hope that all of the players brought in during this transfer window were his choices.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 05, 2017, 11:34:28 PM
Steve Bruce used the 3-5-2 to very good effect at Hull.

Hull players were very effective in it and indeed have continued using it this season.

We need to shape a system the players are comfortable in and drill them into it.

I've long thought the 3-5-2 would suit us but the problem always seems to be we suddenly starting playing it without any prior warning.

Think back to the Newcastle home game this season when RDM seemingly woke on the morning of the game and decided to play it and the players were clueless.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on February 06, 2017, 01:11:30 AM
Brum Mail

Quote
Steve Bruce on the new system his Aston Villa side are adapting to

Villa are a club in transition, but Bruce says they have the makings of a good side

ByGregg Evans
22:30, 5 FEB 2017


 Only a huge run will save us now, said Steve Bruce as Aston Villa’s season took another low blow over the weekend.

The Villa boss has done it before, most notably at Birmingham City, when he inspired the Blues to a second-half-of-the-season turnaround and then play-off joy.

But time is running out for him to get Villa where they desperately want to be.

“We will never ever give up, we can’t,” he said.

“But we’ve got to be realistic, we’ve got to put something of a huge run together. A huge run.

“It’s up to me now to try and get a bit of stability in the team.”

Bruce made drastic changes to the set-up at Nottingham Forest on Saturday but it made no difference to the result as Villa were beaten 2-1.

It was harsh on the claret and blues, who reverted to a three-man backline and two-pronged attack that caused Forest no end of problems.

“It was cruel but we know we need to be better in some areas,” Bruce added.

“We’ve now got the makings of a very decent team I think.

“We’ve got two at the top who are a threat to anybody in this division.

“We’ve got to be defensively better.

“If you look at 29 games, we’ve only had six clean sheets.

“We need to be defensively better and give them the platform and at Forest we nearly got there.”

Tommy Elphick returned to the team and was particularly impressive.

He played alongside Nathan Baker and James Chester in a change of shape that suited Villa.

Their only downfall was two individual errors - one from Sam Johnstone who gifted Forest an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, and a double-mistake from Jack Grealish who was sent off for two bookings, leaving Villa at a disadvantage in the closing stages.

“It’s difficult for us at the moment and so now it is my time to work with the players week in and week out and throw a new system to them which they’ve only took part in for two days.

“We keep working on that and hopefully get better.

“Certainly with what we’ve got in terms of the squad I think we are suited to it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 06, 2017, 05:22:29 AM
3-5- 2 is fine if you have the defenders to play it and have cover if anything happens to them, our problem, Elphick, Glass jaw Baker, one is not good enough and one can be out for weeks, if so who do we replace them with, how he can say Elphick was particularly impressive, beggars belief and also on that, are we going to be fitting square pegs in round holes like he did on Saturday as for the midfield placements.

Up to Saturday he has had the excuse of having another managers players to make the most of, hope he gets it right, as that means the Villa are getting it right, but I have serious doubts that he will.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 06, 2017, 05:50:19 AM
I dont find much to argue with in that Bruce interview.

Damn him and his sane sensible answers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on February 06, 2017, 09:46:56 AM
3-5- 2 is fine if you have the defenders to play it and have cover if anything happens to them, our problem, Elphick, Glass jaw Baker, one is not good enough and one can be out for weeks, if so who do we replace them with, how he can say Elphick was particularly impressive, beggars belief and also on that, are we going to be fitting square pegs in round holes like he did on Saturday as for the midfield placements.

I don't think he did say Elphick was impressive. That part was a comment from Gregg Evans, not a quote from Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 06, 2017, 10:16:37 AM
There's no reason why we can't go on a run. Looking at our remaining fixtures, only the Barcodes, Hudders and Fulham away look like games where we might drop points, all the others are very winnable.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 06, 2017, 10:16:39 AM
A depressing quote I saw on Twitter this morning:

Paul Lambert is still our best manager in the last five years.

*shoots self in face*
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 06, 2017, 10:20:49 AM
There's no reason why we can't go on a run. Looking at our remaining fixtures, only the Barcodes, Hudders and Fulham away look like games where we might drop points, all the others are very winnable.

Not to be billy big bollocks, but all of our games should be winnable.  We've got just about the most expensively assembled squad in the division (possibly with the exception of Newcastle), a manager with lots of promotions under his belt, a supportive new owner and and a huge (for the division) following home and away.  Yet we've just been played off the park by Brentford and beaten by Forest.  We haven't played well under Bruce for more than a couple of halves of football.  We can't score away, or keep a clean sheet, so I think any talk of going on a run is hugely premature.  We SHOULD be capable of it, but we're not, and we won't.  I think we'll bumble along for the rest of the season winning maybe one game in 4, and finish lower mid table.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AV82EC on February 06, 2017, 10:26:03 AM
There's no reason why we can't go on a run. Looking at our remaining fixtures, only the Barcodes, Hudders and Fulham away look like games where we might drop points, all the others are very winnable.

Not to be billy big bollocks, but all of our games should be winnable.  We've got just about the most expensively assembled squad in the division (possibly with the exception of Newcastle), a manager with lots of promotions under his belt, a supportive new owner and and a huge (for the division) following home and away.  Yet we've just been played off the park by Brentford and beaten by Forest.  We haven't played well under Bruce for more than a couple of halves of football.  We can't score away, or keep a clean sheet, so I think any talk of going on a run is hugely premature.  We SHOULD be capable of it, but we're not, and we won't.  I think we'll bumble along for the rest of the season winning maybe one game in 4, and finish lower mid table.

Yep. Unpalatable though it is there is no quick fix in football if you're planning for the long term. Yes Bruce could be doing more but it takes time. Can you imagine the internet reaction to scoring 1 goal in 10 games a la Big Ron in 91-92.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 06, 2017, 10:58:14 AM
There's no reason why we can't go on a run. Looking at our remaining fixtures, only the Barcodes, Hudders and Fulham away look like games where we might drop points, all the others are very winnable.

Not to be billy big bollocks, but all of our games should be winnable.  We've got just about the most expensively assembled squad in the division (possibly with the exception of Newcastle), a manager with lots of promotions under his belt, a supportive new owner and and a huge (for the division) following home and away.  Yet we've just been played off the park by Brentford and beaten by Forest.  We haven't played well under Bruce for more than a couple of halves of football.  We can't score away, or keep a clean sheet, so I think any talk of going on a run is hugely premature.  We SHOULD be capable of it, but we're not, and we won't.  I think we'll bumble along for the rest of the season winning maybe one game in 4, and finish lower mid table.

I know what you mean but the next two games could change everything. A couple of convincing wins at home would set us up nicely for the Barcodes where I'd fancy us to come away with something. Thereafter, anything is possible. You may be right but right now I don't believe we're half as bad as we pretend to be and a bit of confidence would go a hell of a long way.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JUAN PABLO on February 06, 2017, 11:02:19 AM
Tommy Elphick returned to the team and was particularly impressive.


that is worrying
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 06, 2017, 11:11:34 AM
There's no reason why we can't go on a run. Looking at our remaining fixtures, only the Barcodes, Hudders and Fulham away look like games where we might drop points, all the others are very winnable.

Not to be billy big bollocks, but all of our games should be winnable.  We've got just about the most expensively assembled squad in the division (possibly with the exception of Newcastle), a manager with lots of promotions under his belt, a supportive new owner and and a huge (for the division) following home and away.  Yet we've just been played off the park by Brentford and beaten by Forest.  We haven't played well under Bruce for more than a couple of halves of football.  We can't score away, or keep a clean sheet, so I think any talk of going on a run is hugely premature.  We SHOULD be capable of it, but we're not, and we won't.  I think we'll bumble along for the rest of the season winning maybe one game in 4, and finish lower mid table.

Yep. Unpalatable though it is there is no quick fix in football if you're planning for the long term. Yes Bruce could be doing more but it takes time. Can you imagine the internet reaction to scoring 1 goal in 10 games a la Big Ron in 91-92.

It hasn't taken Jaap Stam or Garry Monk very long to turn things around.  Even the likes of Wagner hasn't been in place for much more than a year.


Also, I think the internet reaction to that scenario would have been one of bewilderment in 91/91, seeing as that never happened!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: RussellC on February 06, 2017, 11:17:40 AM
Putting a side capable of not losing back-to-back games to Brentford and Forest (in the manner that we have done) should be an achievable 'quick fix' though.

I'm not expecting Bruce to turn us into Promotion certainties overnight, but do expect him to have enough tactical nous and motivational ability to not have to watch 73 year-old David Vaughn completely overrun our midfield.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 06, 2017, 11:29:16 AM
Putting a side capable of not losing back-to-back games to Brentford and Forest (in the manner that we have done) should be an achievable 'quick fix' though.

I'm not expecting Bruce to turn us into Promotion certainties overnight, but do expect him to have enough tactical nous and motivational ability to not have to watch 73 year-old David Vaughn completely overrun our midfield.

The worrying thing for me so far is that bruce has made zero impact

fitness levels are inexcusable, he was a top defender in his day yet our defence look like they met on the pub car park ten mins before kick off

he's got his own players now so im hoping he has a vague idea of a formation and to play them in their right positions
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 06, 2017, 11:33:11 AM
Putting a side capable of not losing back-to-back games to Brentford and Forest (in the manner that we have done) should be an achievable 'quick fix' though.

I'm not expecting Bruce to turn us into Promotion certainties overnight, but do expect him to have enough tactical nous and motivational ability to not have to watch 73 year-old David Vaughn completely overrun our midfield.

The worrying thing for me so far is that bruce has made zero impact

fitness levels are inexcusable, he was a top defender in his day yet our defence look like they met on the pub car park ten mins before kick off

One of the more over the top things i've read on here for a while.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Brend'Watkins on February 06, 2017, 11:39:01 AM
Defending as deep as we did against Forest resulting with all our forward presence being removed is the reason we got nothing out of the game. That was Bruce's decision.  He could easily have kept our shape as Grealish was more of a hindrance 2nd half than anything else such was his impact.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 06, 2017, 11:41:26 AM
There's no reason why we can't go on a run. Looking at our remaining fixtures, only the Barcodes, Hudders and Fulham away look like games where we might drop points, all the others are very winnable.

Not to be billy big bollocks, but all of our games should be winnable.  We've got just about the most expensively assembled squad in the division (possibly with the exception of Newcastle), a manager with lots of promotions under his belt, a supportive new owner and and a huge (for the division) following home and away.  Yet we've just been played off the park by Brentford and beaten by Forest.  We haven't played well under Bruce for more than a couple of halves of football.  We can't score away, or keep a clean sheet, so I think any talk of going on a run is hugely premature.  We SHOULD be capable of it, but we're not, and we won't.  I think we'll bumble along for the rest of the season winning maybe one game in 4, and finish lower mid table.

a good summary of exactly where we are
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 06, 2017, 11:49:32 AM
Bruce is onto a free pass for the rest of the season as long as we start showing some progress and clock up a few wins here and there. BUT he will have maybe 10games next year to show why  he is in the business. Two transfer windows, 2/3rds of a season to experiment and a preseason to prep the team as he sees fit means he will have absolutely zero excuses. That is when we will see how good he is
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on February 06, 2017, 11:50:38 AM
There's no reason why we can't go on a run. Looking at our remaining fixtures, only the Barcodes, Hudders and Fulham away look like games where we might drop points, all the others are very winnable.

Not to be billy big bollocks, but all of our games should be winnable.  We've got just about the most expensively assembled squad in the division (possibly with the exception of Newcastle), a manager with lots of promotions under his belt, a supportive new owner and and a huge (for the division) following home and away.  Yet we've just been played off the park by Brentford and beaten by Forest.  We haven't played well under Bruce for more than a couple of halves of football.  We can't score away, or keep a clean sheet, so I think any talk of going on a run is hugely premature.  We SHOULD be capable of it, but we're not, and we won't.  I think we'll bumble along for the rest of the season winning maybe one game in 4, and finish lower mid table.

I think players thinking we're billy big bollocks is part of the reason we've done so bad this season (not the only reason). Turning up and thinking they're good enough to play for Aston Villa so therefore good enough to turn up and win.

Neil Taylor commented about how Villa deserve to be in the Premier League. Now, I know he has to say that to appease the fans, but maybe if more of our players didn't actually believe that, we might be doing better. We deserve to be where we are.

I just think the attitude of players goes a long way. There's a difference in having confidence you're going to win and being cocky enough to think you're going to win by just turning up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 06, 2017, 12:00:24 PM
Putting a side capable of not losing back-to-back games to Brentford and Forest (in the manner that we have done) should be an achievable 'quick fix' though.

I'm not expecting Bruce to turn us into Promotion certainties overnight, but do expect him to have enough tactical nous and motivational ability to not have to watch 73 year-old David Vaughn completely overrun our midfield.

The worrying thing for me so far is that bruce has made zero impact

fitness levels are inexcusable, he was a top defender in his day yet our defence look like they met on the pub car park ten mins before kick off

One of the more over the top things i've read on here for a while.

So how have we improved? Its not away games is it

Norwich
wolves
Cardiff
brentford
forest

Do we look better at the back?
More competitive?
fitter?
have a stable formation?
more motivated?
able to kill a game off?

Im intrigued to know what all of our improvements are and saying its too early to judge after 18 games isnt an answer
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 06, 2017, 12:09:08 PM
Agree.  Most of all we continue to lack discipline.  Discipline imposed by the manager and coaches and probably more important self discipline.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 06, 2017, 12:25:11 PM
Agree.  Most of all we continue to lack discipline.  Discipline imposed by the manager and coaches and probably more important self discipline.

I'd add we have so many (former) captains in the team but no leaders.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on February 06, 2017, 12:50:22 PM
So what makes a good captain of a team??

May be the reason they were made Captains of their previous clubs is due to them being fans favourite player  / been at the club along time (and it is now there turn), those reasons for me don't make a good captain!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 06, 2017, 01:11:02 PM
Putting a side capable of not losing back-to-back games to Brentford and Forest (in the manner that we have done) should be an achievable 'quick fix' though.

I'm not expecting Bruce to turn us into Promotion certainties overnight, but do expect him to have enough tactical nous and motivational ability to not have to watch 73 year-old David Vaughn completely overrun our midfield.

The worrying thing for me so far is that bruce has made zero impact

fitness levels are inexcusable, he was a top defender in his day yet our defence look like they met on the pub car park ten mins before kick off

One of the more over the top things i've read on here for a while.

So how have we improved? Its not away games is it

Norwich
wolves
Cardiff
brentford
forest

Do we look better at the back?
More competitive?
fitter?
have a stable formation?
more motivated?
able to kill a game off?

Im intrigued to know what all of our improvements are and saying its too early to judge after 18 games isnt an answer

There was an initial impact when he first came in but it's levelled out now and away from home it's not really improved at all of late.

I wouldn't say it's too early to judge because he has fucked up a few times but I think it's only fair to see what he does now he's got his own players in but it has got to improve, of course it has.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 06, 2017, 01:33:24 PM
The reason we can't go on an incredible run is because we are not good enough. Otherwise we wouldn't be where we are, scoring and winning as few as we have.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 06, 2017, 01:34:38 PM
So what makes a good captain of a team??

May be the reason they were made Captains of their previous clubs is due to them being fans favourite player  / been at the club along time (and it is now there turn), those reasons for me don't make a good captain!

Someone who actually gives a shit about the club and demands high standards.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 06, 2017, 01:34:44 PM
Not been really discussed but if i was going to pick fault in his work so far it would have to be substitutions. Always seem to be 10-15mins too late and rarely seems to influence the game. We have so many like for like players and several options to give teams a fresh headache we just never seem to do so. Saturday I thought Grealish was poor second half, why didnt he bring green or adomah on straight swap and try and push them back. We didnt really seem to need 3cbs for asombalonga, I would have trield to go 4-4-2 on 60mins when the inevitable seemed to be looming
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on February 06, 2017, 01:47:06 PM
He didn't buy any of the players with the idea of playing them as 5-3-2, that has come on after a major panic attack when we got completely fucking destroyed by Brentford. It's ridiculous, another manager shitting himself with no philosophy of how he wanted the team to play and signing a bunch of players then playing them in different positions.

Totally agree

he has had plenty of time to assess what we have and the new signings should have been signed with a formation in mind

then stick to that formation and actually coach the players so everyone knows their roles

3 5 2 is nonsense as elphick is shit and baker is due a boot in the face soon so then its back to another formation

bruce needs to start earning his wages and quickly

this 1000%

He is tactically no better or worse than Sherwood
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 06, 2017, 02:00:58 PM
Just on Saturday, our approach is negative we drop deep inviting attacks and to play on the counter.
We go to 3 5 2 and drop the most suitable left back for that system and play a midfielder there.
We make no substitutes to try to change the game at 1 1 and when we do make subs too late we take off our attack,signaling to the opposition we are trying to protect a draw in a game we need to win.
The inevitable happens.
Sadly his managerial incompetance is a weekly occurrence.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 06, 2017, 02:47:58 PM
Putting a side capable of not losing back-to-back games to Brentford and Forest (in the manner that we have done) should be an achievable 'quick fix' though.

I'm not expecting Bruce to turn us into Promotion certainties overnight, but do expect him to have enough tactical nous and motivational ability to not have to watch 73 year-old David Vaughn completely overrun our midfield.

The worrying thing for me so far is that bruce has made zero impact

fitness levels are inexcusable, he was a top defender in his day yet our defence look like they met on the pub car park ten mins before kick off

One of the more over the top things i've read on here for a while.

So how have we improved? Its not away games is it

Norwich
wolves
Cardiff
brentford
forest

Do we look better at the back?
More competitive?
fitter?
have a stable formation?
more motivated?
able to kill a game off?

Im intrigued to know what all of our improvements are and saying its too early to judge after 18 games isnt an answer

There was an initial impact when he first came in but it's levelled out now and away from home it's not really improved at all of late.

I wouldn't say it's too early to judge because he has fucked up a few times but I think it's only fair to see what he does now he's got his own players in but it has got to improve, of course it has.

Bugger me i agree with you!

New players now he has got to perform
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: He wears a magic hat on February 06, 2017, 03:33:21 PM
As individuals we are all guilty of believing that we are the greatest football tacticians and that the manager of our team whoever it has been is tactically naïve.

Steve Bruce has 4 promotions to his name. Surely you don't get 4 teams promoted by being tactically naïve. The problems we have are far greater than that. Bruce has taken steps to address what he sees are the problems within the side. Granted the initial performances since ALL the signing does not bode well but we have to give this guy some time.

I desperately want to see improvements but I also accept that it's going to take more than a few month and its certainly harder than all the wishful thinking that we are all guilty of
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: stewartm on February 06, 2017, 03:35:54 PM
Just on Saturday, our approach is negative we drop deep inviting attacks and to play on the counter.
We go to 3 5 2 and drop the most suitable left back for that system and play a midfielder there.
We make no substitutes to try to change the game at 1 1 and when we do make subs too late we take off our attack,signaling to the opposition we are trying to protect a draw in a game we need to win.
The inevitable happens.
Sadly his managerial incompetance is a weekly occurrence.
The reason we can't go on an incredible run is because we are not good enough. Otherwise we wouldn't be where we are, scoring and winning as few as we have.

Brucey needs to be given more time. I know we are struggling of late and the weekend was disappointing AND promotion looks out of reach this season but I think we need to give Bruce some time. He has shown and lot of success in this league before and can get us out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 06, 2017, 03:38:28 PM
Yep. Unpalatable though it is there is no quick fix in football if you're planning for the long term. Yes Bruce could be doing more but it takes time. Can you imagine the internet reaction to scoring 1 goal in 10 games a la Big Ron in 91-92.

It hasn't taken Jaap Stam or Garry Monk very long to turn things around.  Even the likes of Wagner hasn't been in place for much more than a year.

Also, I think the internet reaction to that scenario would have been one of bewilderment in 91/91, seeing as that never happened!

Correct, it was 1 goal in 11 league games in 91/92.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 06, 2017, 03:56:55 PM
It has been covered above but the biggest mark against Bruce IMO is the sudden change to 3 centre halves, which immediately makes us look light on numbers again, when we just had a transfer window in which to fix this and an owner with his chequebook ready.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 06, 2017, 04:00:00 PM
As individuals we are all guilty of believing that we are the greatest football tacticians and that the manager of our team whoever it has been is tactically naïve.

Steve Bruce has 4 promotions to his name. Surely you don't get 4 teams promoted by being tactically naïve. The problems we have are far greater than that. Bruce has taken steps to address what he sees are the problems within the side. Granted the initial performances since ALL the signing does not bode well but we have to give this guy some time.

I desperately want to see improvements but I also accept that it's going to take more than a few month and its certainly harder than all the wishful thinking that we are all guilty of

Those 4 promotions got him the job, our performances and results being good enough are what keep him in the job and on that front, right now, he's failing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: RussellC on February 06, 2017, 04:16:31 PM
As individuals we are all guilty of believing that we are the greatest football tacticians and that the manager of our team whoever it has been is tactically naïve.

Steve Bruce has 4 promotions to his name. Surely you don't get 4 teams promoted by being tactically naïve. The problems we have are far greater than that. Bruce has taken steps to address what he sees are the problems within the side. Granted the initial performances since ALL the signing does not bode well but we have to give this guy some time.

I desperately want to see improvements but I also accept that it's going to take more than a few month and its certainly harder than all the wishful thinking that we are all guilty of

Those 4 promotions got him the job, our performances and results being good enough are what keep him in the job and on that front, right now, he's failing.

Exactly this. I'm past caring what managers have achieved elsewhere, in years gone by. Here and now is what matters and the reality is that we are doing very, very badly. What really worries me is that Bruce as a Manager seems to be doing everything badly. Getting the line-up wrong, getting the formation wrong, making substitutions that don't affect the game, etc. The team look more planless than they ever did under Lambert or RDM, and the work-rate seems to have dropped to an all-time low.

What's really bizarre is that we actually looked quite decent for his first couple of games...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clark W Griswold on February 06, 2017, 04:33:26 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rico on February 06, 2017, 04:36:59 PM
I'd expect that Steve Bruce must be looking over his shoulder right now. If the current form continues to the end of the season then we could find ourselves in league one, which would surely, and quite rightly end in him being relieved of his duties at B6.

The problem as I see it is what happens if we just keep bimbling along, doing enough to avoid relegation, but not troubling the top half of the table. Do we stick with him and give him ten or so games next season and hope for the best. Again I would have to say a bottom half finish should probably result in the sack.

I really hope the above scenario doesn't pan out because I like Steve Bruce and I'm fed up with changing managers, but the current form is unacceptable considering how much we have spent.

Best case scenario is that starting from our next game we have a massive upturn in form and scrape into the play offs and everyone is happy. I hope this is the case, because like I've said I'm fed up with changing managers, and I really don't like being in this division.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 06, 2017, 04:42:32 PM
I really don't think the threat to Bruce's security comes from us, the fans, certainly not from me, though I see his time with us littered with unforced mistakes.  His biggest worry has to be Tony Xia.  The owner has done everything expected of him.  I could not blame him if he turned his back on us, or turned his back on Bruce.  Regardless of what Bruce supporters like me think, he, without Xia behind him will be toast.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: RussellC on February 06, 2017, 04:43:04 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?

Well, for a start, any of the Managers of the 13 clubs above us in the second tier of English football are currently doing a better job than he is. In all but 1 case, I'd guess for considerably lower salaries too.

Besides, I haven't suggested sacking him at this stage, and am not doing. However, the idea that there isn't a long list of potential improvements doesn't currently carry much weight.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: manic-road on February 06, 2017, 05:22:40 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?

Well, for a start, any of the Managers of the 13 clubs above us in the second tier of English football are currently doing a better job than he is. In all but 1 case, I'd guess for considerably lower salaries too.

Besides, I haven't suggested sacking him at this stage, and am not doing. However, the idea that there isn't a long list of potential improvements doesn't currently carry much weight.

So according to your logic Zola is doing a better job than Bruce because Blose are above Villa? In my opinion that is total bollox.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 06, 2017, 05:27:08 PM
It has been covered above but the biggest mark against Bruce IMO is the sudden change to 3 centre halves, which immediately makes us look light on numbers again, when we just had a transfer window in which to fix this and an owner with his chequebook ready.

That and the wispy-washy, half-hearted way he describes the reasons for trying it, to paraphrase:  "I quite like it, I've used it before and it worked quite well, so we'll give it a go and try hard to make it better."  Hardly a ringing endorsement and not much of a sign that his signings were made with any particular style of play in mind.  It'll also be bollocksed the first time that any of the three central defenders are injured or suspended.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 06, 2017, 05:35:04 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?

Well, for a start, any of the Managers of the 13 clubs above us in the second tier of English football are currently doing a better job than he is. In all but 1 case, I'd guess for considerably lower salaries too.

Besides, I haven't suggested sacking him at this stage, and am not doing. However, the idea that there isn't a long list of potential improvements doesn't currently carry much weight.

So according to your logic Zola is doing a better job than Bruce because Blose are above Villa? In my opinion that is total bollox.


No because I think he actually states 'in all but one case' in his post
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nick harper on February 06, 2017, 05:40:59 PM
It has been covered above but the biggest mark against Bruce IMO is the sudden change to 3 centre halves, which immediately makes us look light on numbers again, when we just had a transfer window in which to fix this and an owner with his chequebook ready.
That and the wispy-washy, half-hearted way he describes the reasons for trying it, to paraphrase:  "I quite like it, I've used it before and it worked quite well, so we'll give it a go and try hard to make it better."  Hardly a ringing endorsement and not much of a sign that his signings were made with any particular style of play in mind.  It'll also be bollocksed the first time that any of the three central defenders are injured or suspended.

Managers stumble on formations far more often than some magical tactical insight. He has made the change because he wants to play Hogan and Kodija together. That makes sense. He also wants to retain 3 in the middle to enable Jedinak to play the holding role and let Hourihane and Lansbury more freedom. This also makes sense.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 06, 2017, 05:42:40 PM
No because I think he actually states 'in all but one case' in his post

To being paid less than Bruce, the one being Rafa.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Taylor on February 06, 2017, 05:42:58 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?

Well, for a start, any of the Managers of the 13 clubs above us in the second tier of English football are currently doing a better job than he is. In all but 1 case, I'd guess for considerably lower salaries too.

Besides, I haven't suggested sacking him at this stage, and am not doing. However, the idea that there isn't a long list of potential improvements doesn't currently carry much weight.

So according to your logic Zola is doing a better job than Bruce because Blose are above Villa? In my opinion that is total bollox.


No because I think he actually states 'in all but one case' in his post
I think that refers to Newcastle paying more than us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: manic-road on February 06, 2017, 05:43:42 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?

Well, for a start, any of the Managers of the 13 clubs above us in the second tier of English football are currently doing a better job than he is. In all but 1 case, I'd guess for considerably lower salaries too.

Besides, I haven't suggested sacking him at this stage, and am not doing. However, the idea that there isn't a long list of potential improvements doesn't currently carry much weight.

So according to your logic Zola is doing a better job than Bruce because Blose are above Villa? In my opinion that is total bollox.


No because I think he actually states 'in all but one case' in his post
That is the start of the next sentence as in, all on lower wages apart from one.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 06, 2017, 05:47:45 PM
When Bruce gave his first press interview didn't he say that he was working on the same sort of basis MON did' as in having some sort of rolling contract?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 06, 2017, 06:01:37 PM
ok looks like I read that wrong

grammar not my strongest point obviously
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 06, 2017, 06:09:31 PM
to be honest I don't know who to replace him with if he's sacked but if it happens (and I don't think it should yet but I think we need to improve massively in the next couple of months for him not to deserve it) but I do know that I'd rather we went big (like Newcastle) instead of 'who can we get who's never managed a big club and therefore is available for us'.  We talk about being a big club and we have an owner who wants us to be a massive club but all too often we go for the obvious choice (lives locally, has done a decent job for the level we're at, his teams have played well against us before).

I want us to find someone who is out of our depth and convince them that we're on the up, a manager who's too good for where we are.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: frankmosswasmyuncle on February 06, 2017, 06:23:47 PM
to be honest I don't know who to replace him with if he's sacked but if it happens (and I don't think it should yet but I think we need to improve massively in the next couple of months for him not to deserve it) but I do know that I'd rather we went big (like Newcastle) instead of 'who can we get who's never managed a big club and therefore is available for us'.  We talk about being a big club and we have an owner who wants us to be a massive club but all too often we go for the obvious choice (lives locally, has done a decent job for the level we're at, his teams have played well against us before).

I want us to find someone who is out of our depth and convince them that we're on the up, a manager who's too good for where we are.
Pretty much this!


That's what sends out a statement of intent and will attract good quality players.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 06, 2017, 06:32:20 PM
to be honest I don't know who to replace him with if he's sacked but if it happens (and I don't think it should yet but I think we need to improve massively in the next couple of months for him not to deserve it) but I do know that I'd rather we went big (like Newcastle) instead of 'who can we get who's never managed a big club and therefore is available for us'.  We talk about being a big club and we have an owner who wants us to be a massive club but all too often we go for the obvious choice (lives locally, has done a decent job for the level we're at, his teams have played well against us before).

I want us to find someone who is out of our depth and convince them that we're on the up, a manager who's too good for where we are.
Pretty much this!


That's what sends out a statement of intent and will attract good quality players.

Sacking a highly-respected manager after four months won't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: frankmosswasmyuncle on February 06, 2017, 06:37:25 PM
to be honest I don't know who to replace him with if he's sacked but if it happens (and I don't think it should yet but I think we need to improve massively in the next couple of months for him not to deserve it) but I do know that I'd rather we went big (like Newcastle) instead of 'who can we get who's never managed a big club and therefore is available for us'.  We talk about being a big club and we have an owner who wants us to be a massive club but all too often we go for the obvious choice (lives locally, has done a decent job for the level we're at, his teams have played well against us before).

I want us to find someone who is out of our depth and convince them that we're on the up, a manager who's too good for where we are.
Pretty much this!


That's what sends out a statement of intent and will attract good quality players.

Sacking a highly-respected manager after four months won't.
Not what I'm suggesting Dave...I want Bruce to be successful...I had my doubts about his appointment but I'll be delighted if he starts to turn things around now he's got some of the players he wants.
My concern/expectation, similar to many on here, is that IF we do go up next season we will be looking for a "bigger" manager and "better" players....more change that we don't want/need.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 06, 2017, 06:41:14 PM
to be honest I don't know who to replace him with if he's sacked but if it happens (and I don't think it should yet but I think we need to improve massively in the next couple of months for him not to deserve it) but I do know that I'd rather we went big (like Newcastle) instead of 'who can we get who's never managed a big club and therefore is available for us'.  We talk about being a big club and we have an owner who wants us to be a massive club but all too often we go for the obvious choice (lives locally, has done a decent job for the level we're at, his teams have played well against us before).

I want us to find someone who is out of our depth and convince them that we're on the up, a manager who's too good for where we are.
Pretty much this!


That's what sends out a statement of intent and will attract good quality players.

Sacking a highly-respected manager after four months won't.
Not what I'm suggesting Dave...I want Bruce to be successful...I had my doubts about his appointment but I'll be delighted if he starts to turn things around now he's got some of the players he wants.

It amuses me the amount of people who have said that but still rant and rave about him on a daily basis.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 06, 2017, 06:44:16 PM
Why is that amusing? We all want him to succeed, but at the moment he isn't, not everybody shares your everythings rosey in the garden attitude.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 06, 2017, 06:47:00 PM
Why is that amusing? We all want him to succeed, but at the moment he isn't, not everybody shares your everythings rosey in the garden attitude.

If you can point out where I have said everything is rosy, then please do so.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 06, 2017, 06:52:13 PM

It amuses me the amount of people who have said that but still rant and rave about him on a daily basis.

I fail to see what's amusing.  People want him to do well, but are cross that he isn't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 06, 2017, 06:52:35 PM
I don't think a charge of the garden not being rosy is merited but the roses need dead heading. Expertly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on February 06, 2017, 06:52:44 PM
to be honest I don't know who to replace him with if he's sacked but if it happens (and I don't think it should yet but I think we need to improve massively in the next couple of months for him not to deserve it) but I do know that I'd rather we went big (like Newcastle) instead of 'who can we get who's never managed a big club and therefore is available for us'.  We talk about being a big club and we have an owner who wants us to be a massive club but all too often we go for the obvious choice (lives locally, has done a decent job for the level we're at, his teams have played well against us before).

I want us to find someone who is out of our depth and convince them that we're on the up, a manager who's too good for where we are.
Pretty much this!


That's what sends out a statement of intent and will attract good quality players.

Sacking a highly-respected manager after four months won't.
Not what I'm suggesting Dave...I want Bruce to be successful...I had my doubts about his appointment but I'll be delighted if he starts to turn things around now he's got some of the players he wants.

It amuses me the amount of people who have said that but still rant and rave about him on a daily basis.

We're all Villa fans and we all want us to do well. Are you suggesting they're fans on here who secretly want us to fail?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: frankmosswasmyuncle on February 06, 2017, 06:55:47 PM
to be honest I don't know who to replace him with if he's sacked but if it happens (and I don't think it should yet but I think we need to improve massively in the next couple of months for him not to deserve it) but I do know that I'd rather we went big (like Newcastle) instead of 'who can we get who's never managed a big club and therefore is available for us'.  We talk about being a big club and we have an owner who wants us to be a massive club but all too often we go for the obvious choice (lives locally, has done a decent job for the level we're at, his teams have played well against us before).

I want us to find someone who is out of our depth and convince them that we're on the up, a manager who's too good for where we are.
Pretty much this!


That's what sends out a statement of intent and will attract good quality players.

Sacking a highly-respected manager after four months won't.
Not what I'm suggesting Dave...I want Bruce to be successful...I had my doubts about his appointment but I'll be delighted if he starts to turn things around now he's got some of the players he wants.

It amuses me the amount of people who have said that but still rant and rave about him on a daily basis.
No ranting and raving from me Clampy...I genuinely think - and hope - that now that he's got some of the players that he's identified as being able to do the job he wants them to do, that we will improve and I'm happy to give him credit for it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 06, 2017, 07:03:03 PM
to be honest I don't know who to replace him with if he's sacked but if it happens (and I don't think it should yet but I think we need to improve massively in the next couple of months for him not to deserve it) but I do know that I'd rather we went big (like Newcastle) instead of 'who can we get who's never managed a big club and therefore is available for us'.  We talk about being a big club and we have an owner who wants us to be a massive club but all too often we go for the obvious choice (lives locally, has done a decent job for the level we're at, his teams have played well against us before).

I want us to find someone who is out of our depth and convince them that we're on the up, a manager who's too good for where we are.
Pretty much this!


That's what sends out a statement of intent and will attract good quality players.

Sacking a highly-respected manager after four months won't.
Not what I'm suggesting Dave...I want Bruce to be successful...I had my doubts about his appointment but I'll be delighted if he starts to turn things around now he's got some of the players he wants.

It amuses me the amount of people who have said that but still rant and rave about him on a daily basis.

We're all Villa fans and we all want us to do well. Are you suggesting they're fans on here who secretly want us to fail?

No, I'm not suggesting that at all. Where have I said that?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 06, 2017, 07:08:06 PM
I think the words "rant" and "rave" hardly describe the vast majority of us who, while very loyal to Steve Bruce, reserve the right to comment on things we see as mistakes.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 06, 2017, 07:21:11 PM
It has been covered above but the biggest mark against Bruce IMO is the sudden change to 3 centre halves, which immediately makes us look light on numbers again, when we just had a transfer window in which to fix this and an owner with his chequebook ready.

Agree with that

we dont have the personnel to play with 3 centre halves, baker is injury prone and elphick is shit

relying on jedinak to feature regularly is also a dodgy road to go down given his injury record, international duty and fitness levels

we need to have a settled side
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 06, 2017, 07:28:10 PM
I think the words "rant" and "rave" hardly describe the vast majority of us who, while very loyal to Steve Bruce, reserve the right to comment on things we see as mistakes.

Oh, absolutely and I think I fall into that category.

Maybe rant and rave were a bad choice of words. My point was there are some who say they don't want Bruce sacked but seem to go out of their way on a daily basis to tell us what a terrible job he's doing. That was the point I was originally trying to make.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on February 06, 2017, 07:37:45 PM
I think the words "rant" and "rave" hardly describe the vast majority of us who, while very loyal to Steve Bruce, reserve the right to comment on things we see as mistakes.

Oh, absolutely and I think I fall into that category.

Maybe rant and rave were a bad choice of words. My point was there are some who say they don't want Bruce sacked but seem to go out of their way on a daily basis to tell us what a terrible job he's doing. That was the point I was originally trying to make.

Well he's hardly gonna be praised on a daily basis considering the team is bottom half of the Championship is he? What do you expect?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 06, 2017, 08:06:09 PM
In fairness, I think we agree about much more than we disagree.  The more I meet the people on here in the flesh the more I realise how much we have in common. Like some fans tick off grounds visited, I tick off H and V ers met.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clark W Griswold on February 06, 2017, 09:15:29 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?

Well, for a start, any of the Managers of the 13 clubs above us in the second tier of English football are currently doing a better job than he is. In all but 1 case, I'd guess for considerably lower salaries too.

Besides, I haven't suggested sacking him at this stage, and am not doing. However, the idea that there isn't a long list of potential improvements doesn't currently carry much weight.

Sure.
But who specifically do you, or does anyone else for that matter think is the man to take us forward if we're taking it that Bruce is likely to not be that man?

Not having a go at you in particular but I'd suggest at the moment (and for a long time now) we're going around in circles manager wise and I'm interested in people's views on this.

I'm also not suggesting that anyone is hoping he fails any more than anyone who is critical of Grealish hopes he fails as I think that type of thing is just being silly. We're all genuine Villa fans here and people are entitled to their opinions.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on February 06, 2017, 09:21:45 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?

Well, for a start, any of the Managers of the 13 clubs above us in the second tier of English football are currently doing a better job than he is.
Zola it is, then 😮
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nastylee on February 06, 2017, 09:26:03 PM
Yes, the season's a right off. But what will we do? Sack another manager? Have another squad turnover? What we need is some stability as the above will never solve our situation. This season's aim should be finishing above the shite and trying to find a system that we can start next season with and run away with the league. Yes, it's not great but did anyone really think signing some players was going to result in the 15 straight wins needed to get near the play offs?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 06, 2017, 09:31:20 PM
I think the words "rant" and "rave" hardly describe the vast majority of us who, while very loyal to Steve Bruce, reserve the right to comment on things we see as mistakes.

Oh, absolutely and I think I fall into that category.

Maybe rant and rave were a bad choice of words. My point was there are some who say they don't want Bruce sacked but seem to go out of their way on a daily basis to tell us what a terrible job he's doing. That was the point I was originally trying to make.

I assume I'm near the top of that list and I accept it but I honestly don't want him sacked, I just want him to do the job he was supposed to be an expert at and I genuinely think the playoffs should've been possible this season.  I don't know why we aren't as organised at the back as I expected but something isn't right and I think if we get to him having been here for 30 games or so with no evidence that he can fix it then he'll have no excuses.  My other big problem is that I don't think Bruce is being judged to the same standards as any of previous 4-5 managers.  A run like our last 6-7 games should be alarming for anyone, we've seen a realistic chance of a playoff spot slip away and lots of posters seem to have the attitude that they didn't want to go back up this year anyway.  It's all a little bit like being dumped by the girl of your dreams and telling everyone you were going to dump her anyway because her tits were too big.  That's the bit that really gets to me, seeing someone like Chris Smith defend him is fine, I'd expect nothing less, but other people who were calling for RDM to be sacked after about 6-7 games doing it is just strange.

I'm generally a positive person and my history on here will back that up (other than in the rugby threads where Lancaster got both barrels from me regularly) I just think the only reason to make a change as quickly as we did with RDM is if you want the new guy to get you promotion at the first shot so my expectation was to be going into the last 4-5 games with a realistic chance of the playoffs.  For that reason this idea that he went into the play offs getting the work done early for next season and we shouldn't be judging him until Christmas just doesn't fit with my view of why he's here.  I was quite clear when he joined that I expected the playoffs, I understood that people disagreed with me over it but I'm not enough of a hypocrite to not be critical when he seems to be missing my expectation by quite a distance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 06, 2017, 09:50:37 PM
Yes, the season's a right off. But what will we do? Sack another manager? Have another squad turnover? What we need is some stability as the above will never solve our situation. This season's aim should be finishing above the shite and trying to find a system that we can start next season with and run away with the league. Yes, it's not great but did anyone really think signing some players was going to result in the 15 straight wins needed to get near the play offs?

but we didn't need 15 straight wins and suggesting that was the requirement is just being silly.  We were 6 points behind 6th after the win against Burton.  6th place went up by 9 points over the next 6 games, we got 2, that run (even if we stop it now) will have as big a bearing on our season as the RDM games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nastylee on February 06, 2017, 10:08:09 PM
But the squad was not good enough to cope with the loss of our only scoring striker. We were relying on a contract rebel, a washed up Gabby and a player that couldn't be arsed to train. You could argue Bruce did well to get us that close in the first place with such a woefully unbalanced squad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nastylee on February 06, 2017, 10:11:49 PM
Yes, the season's a right off. But what will we do? Sack another manager? Have another squad turnover? What we need is some stability as the above will never solve our situation. This season's aim should be finishing above the shite and trying to find a system that we can start next season with and run away with the league. Yes, it's not great but did anyone really think signing some players was going to result in the 15 straight wins needed to get near the play offs?

but we didn't need 15 straight wins and suggesting that was the requirement is just being silly.

By the time the reinforcements arrived it wasn't that silly to suggest that is what was needed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Meanwood Villa on February 06, 2017, 10:17:55 PM
From Di Matteo's 11 league games he got 10 points. We also went out of the cup at the first hurdle to a League Two side. Bruce's last 11 league games have yielded 11 points and we went out of a cup at the first hurdle to a Premier League side. So he's definitely doing better.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on February 06, 2017, 10:20:06 PM
I think the words "rant" and "rave" hardly describe the vast majority of us who, while very loyal to Steve Bruce, reserve the right to comment on things we see as mistakes.

Oh, absolutely and I think I fall into that category.

Maybe rant and rave were a bad choice of words. My point was there are some who say they don't want Bruce sacked but seem to go out of their way on a daily basis to tell us what a terrible job he's doing. That was the point I was originally trying to make.

With the resources he has at his disposal I think he is doing a terrible job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 06, 2017, 10:26:24 PM
There's no reason why we can't go on a run. Looking at our remaining fixtures, only the Barcodes, Hudders and Fulham away look like games where we might drop points, all the others are very winnable.

Not to be billy big bollocks, but all of our games should be winnable.  We've got just about the most expensively assembled squad in the division (possibly with the exception of Newcastle), a manager with lots of promotions under his belt, a supportive new owner and and a huge (for the division) following home and away.  Yet we've just been played off the park by Brentford and beaten by Forest.  We haven't played well under Bruce for more than a couple of halves of football.  We can't score away, or keep a clean sheet, so I think any talk of going on a run is hugely premature.  We SHOULD be capable of it, but we're not, and we won't.  I think we'll bumble along for the rest of the season winning maybe one game in 4, and finish lower mid table.

Yep. Unpalatable though it is there is no quick fix in football if you're planning for the long term. Yes Bruce could be doing more but it takes time. Can you imagine the internet reaction to scoring 1 goal in 10 games a la Big Ron in 91-92.

It hasn't taken Jaap Stam or Garry Monk very long to turn things around.  Even the likes of Wagner hasn't been in place for much more than a year.


Also, I think the internet reaction to that scenario would have been one of bewilderment in 91/91, seeing as that never happened!

Didn't Wagner take over Huddersfield last season at a similar stage to SB did this year and Huddersfield's results weren't great?

Jaap Stam's done a brilliant job though, that Reading squad is nothing special looking at it,

Monk should still be managing in the premier league.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 06, 2017, 10:30:50 PM
Steve Bruce is one of a small group of managers that I never wanted at the club
the others would be Alardyce, Pulis, Warnock, Mcliesh, I realise Pulis is the manager of a team in the top half of the prem but I still don't want him

so I'm not going to lie and say i will be sorry to see Bruce go whenever that may be

it doesn't matter if we were in the top 6 or the bottom 6 i just don't like the football those mangers play and the old fashioned British up and at em throw a load of cash around and hope for the best type of systems they all play, i recognise that they can all do a job, but its not the sort of job i want to see at Villa

i accept other people see things very different to me, but asking me to accept Bruce and give him a chance is like asking a demorcrat to give Trump a go, and it would be exactly the same with the other managers mentioned

the problem is i still support Villa so i still want us to win every game and still get pissed of when we lose (Saturday being the latest example) because of the above its probably harder for me than most on here who can throw their wholehearted support behind Bruce,

but i cant be a hypocrite and pretend i want him to be given more time because i don't,
 i want him away, if that means taking another risk on another manager then so be it,
 sometimes you've got to keep taking the risk until it comes right and not keep on prevailing with something that in my humble opinion will not work long term for Aston Villa

i was the last man standing on here with Lambert, i also supported Houlier, Garde and Sherwood so i haven't got a track record of any sort of wanting managers out,

but many of you can remember what it was like having Mcliesh in charge, you wanted Villa to do well and supported the team whilst the whole time thinking the managers appointment was a big mistake, well its exactly like that for me now

i respect all the views of posters calling for stability and stating his promotional record,
but he is not an unknown quantity where we can see how he develops we know what he is and what he can do, and for me i'd rather go with someone else





Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 06, 2017, 10:37:12 PM
I think the words "rant" and "rave" hardly describe the vast majority of us who, while very loyal to Steve Bruce, reserve the right to comment on things we see as mistakes.

Oh, absolutely and I think I fall into that category.

Maybe rant and rave were a bad choice of words. My point was there are some who say they don't want Bruce sacked but seem to go out of their way on a daily basis to tell us what a terrible job he's doing. That was the point I was originally trying to make.

He is doing a terrible job. Saying that, yet wishing that he weren't and hoping that he stops doing a terrible job aren't really strange viewpoints to have.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on February 06, 2017, 10:41:39 PM
But the squad was not good enough to cope with the loss of our only scoring striker. We were relying on a contract rebel, a washed up Gabby and a player that couldn't be arsed to train. You could argue Bruce did well to get us that close in the first place with such a woefully unbalanced squad.

I wonder what RHM's and RM's attitude would have been like if Agbonlahor had not have been brought back into the team.

Bruce has got to stop chopping and changing the team and playing players out of the natural position.  Playing a winger on the opposite side so that he can cut in is one thing but playing midfield players who have limited ability and clearly one footed is another thing. 

I am concerned about Grealish as he looks as though he doesn't know where he is supposed to play.  I think he needs a spell out of the team and to come back when we have a settled improved side.

Like others, I am not sure why Bruce has gone to three at the back when we only have three fit central defenders.  If it was in his mind, another central defender should have been brought in during the transfer window.

Bruce is making some strange decisions and I can only think it is due to pressure on him starting to mount.  He needs to start bringing some organisation to the team, one of the main attributes he was hired for.  His substitutions on Saturday were bizarre, considering the need to keep it tight.  To use 3 substitutes at that stage of the match, completely disrupted our play.

He now has two very good forwards and has to set the team up to play to their strengths, which means more front foot football.  That does not mean long ball from the back.  We need to be playing at a higher tempo.  faster in our thinking and faster in the passing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 06, 2017, 11:21:21 PM
I think we have a natural tendency to micro analyse what happens at our club, so we attach significance to each step along the journey rather than wait to see where that journey ends. This isn't a criticism! I do it as do most fans at most clubs. However, a byproduct of that is that we can lose some perspective.

I think we will only be able to properly judge Bruce when he has had time to implement the style he wants with players he has picked. We have bumbled along so far with an unbalanced squad and a midfield not fit for purpose. He has taken the first steps to rectifying that and we will now see where that takes us.

I was chatting with another season ticket holder today at work who is very much at the pessimistic end of the spectrum but we both broadly felt that he had to be allowed time to either succeed or fail and that we could only start drawing any real conclusions at the end of the season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 07, 2017, 04:29:13 AM
Give him time, but that time to me would be at the end of the season if it continues as it is, lower half of the table finish, or just scrapping into the top half with the money invested, to me states 'not good enough for where we want to be" bye bye.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: manic-road on February 07, 2017, 07:05:48 AM
Steve Bruce is one of a small group of managers that I never wanted at the club
the others would be Alardyce, Pulis, Warnock, Mcliesh, I realise Pulis is the manager of a team in the top half of the prem but I still don't want him

so I'm not going to lie and say i will be sorry to see Bruce go whenever that may be

it doesn't matter if we were in the top 6 or the bottom 6 i just don't like the football those mangers play and the old fashioned British up and at em throw a load of cash around and hope for the best type of systems they all play, i recognise that they can all do a job, but its not the sort of job i want to see at Villa

i accept other people see things very different to me, but asking me to accept Bruce and give him a chance is like asking a demorcrat to give Trump a go, and it would be exactly the same with the other managers mentioned

the problem is i still support Villa so i still want us to win every game and still get pissed of when we lose (Saturday being the latest example) because of the above its probably harder for me than most on here who can throw their wholehearted support behind Bruce,

but i cant be a hypocrite and pretend i want him to be given more time because i don't,
 i want him away, if that means taking another risk on another manager then so be it,
 sometimes you've got to keep taking the risk until it comes right and not keep on prevailing with something that in my humble opinion will not work long term for Aston Villa

i was the last man standing on here with Lambert, i also supported Houlier, Garde and Sherwood so i haven't got a track record of any sort of wanting managers out,

but many of you can remember what it was like having Mcliesh in charge, you wanted Villa to do well and supported the team whilst the whole time thinking the managers appointment was a big mistake, well its exactly like that for me now

i respect all the views of posters calling for stability and stating his promotional record,
but he is not an unknown quantity where we can see how he develops we know what he is and what he can do, and for me i'd rather go with someone else






So who would you like to see in the job then if you want Bruce out? After just being in the job for a few weeks and getting the start of  a new team in personally I think it would be ludicrous to change yet again after a short period in charge. I have never known us get rid of so many managers in such a short space of time we need a strong figure running the team not everything will smell of roses but we can't keep moaning about the manager after a few weeks in charge.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on February 07, 2017, 08:27:37 AM
"Even if you're the best player in the world and you're being attacked by three players, you lose the ball,": Ralf Rangnick, manager of 2nd place RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

I share his thoughts. So why don't we do it against Championship opposition? If you press the opposition, like teams do to us, then you panic and lose the ball. Brentford did exactly that to us, whilst we gave them all the time in the world.

(There's an article on the rise of "Germany's most hated club" on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38802113 - wasn't here talk one time of Red Bull being interested in us? May be wrong, or just BS)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 07, 2017, 08:48:09 AM
red bullshit?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on February 07, 2017, 08:53:20 AM
Give him time, but that time to me would be at the end of the season if it continues as it is, lower half of the table finish, or just scrapping into the top half with the money invested, to me states 'not good enough for where we want to be" bye bye.

ABSOLUTELY, because with a stupid owner (lerner) and successive wannabe managers (rabbits in headlights) has got us where we are now, to P45 Bruce at the end of the season, because he only succeeded in getting us into the top half of the league would just carry on the lerner style, Steve Bruce is a good football manager, and I for one wil support him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 07, 2017, 09:11:49 AM
"Even if you're the best player in the world and you're being attacked by three players, you lose the ball,": Ralf Rangnick, manager of 2nd place RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

I share his thoughts. So why don't we do it against Championship opposition? If you press the opposition, like teams do to us, then you panic and lose the ball. Brentford did exactly that to us, whilst we gave them all the time in the world.

(There's an article on the rise of "Germany's most hated club" on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38802113 - wasn't here talk one time of Red Bull being interested in us? May be wrong, or just BS)

It is a system that relies on everyone knowing their roles, working as a unit, trusting each other and requires sustained coaching to achieve. You cannot just impose it on a new midfield after a few sessions of working together.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on February 07, 2017, 10:16:58 AM
"Even if you're the best player in the world and you're being attacked by three players, you lose the ball,": Ralf Rangnick, manager of 2nd place RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

I share his thoughts. So why don't we do it against Championship opposition? If you press the opposition, like teams do to us, then you panic and lose the ball. Brentford did exactly that to us, whilst we gave them all the time in the world.

(There's an article on the rise of "Germany's most hated club" on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38802113 - wasn't here talk one time of Red Bull being interested in us? May be wrong, or just BS)

It is a system that relies on everyone knowing their roles, working as a unit, trusting each other and requires sustained coaching to achieve. You cannot just impose it on a new midfield after a few sessions of working together.

Maybe. But is it that hard to tell someone to close another player down quickly?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ClaretAndBlueBlood on February 07, 2017, 10:24:09 AM
"Even if you're the best player in the world and you're being attacked by three players, you lose the ball,": Ralf Rangnick, manager of 2nd place RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

I share his thoughts. So why don't we do it against Championship opposition? If you press the opposition, like teams do to us, then you panic and lose the ball. Brentford did exactly that to us, whilst we gave them all the time in the world.

(There's an article on the rise of "Germany's most hated club" on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38802113 - wasn't here talk one time of Red Bull being interested in us? May be wrong, or just BS)

It is a system that relies on everyone knowing their roles, working as a unit, trusting each other and requires sustained coaching to achieve. You cannot just impose it on a new midfield after a few sessions of working together.

Maybe. But is it that hard to tell someone to close another player down quickly?

no but the whole team needs to do it as a group, if players do it in isolation, teams will be able to pass the ball around them
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 07, 2017, 10:24:29 AM
In that sentence Chris you have defined why I hate the concept of the team "gelling".  It is all about hard work, coaching, training, discipline and stability.
There is no reason why we cannot do what Leicester did, but it is all down to everybody at the club, including the players, knowing what they have to do and doing it to the very best of their ability.  No more scouts living in Australia, no more managers ring fencing their careers, no more jammed gates, no more shishka pipes, no more agents trawling clubs for loan moves.  Just hard graft.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passport1 on February 07, 2017, 10:28:40 AM
When Lord Ron was interviewed a while back and was asked the most important thing he replied " shape".

I'll stick with that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jimbo on February 07, 2017, 10:40:03 AM
Hard graft and a change of attitude.

Not "We're Aston Villa and hopefully you're going to let us play football against you, elegantly, if you don't mind," but "We're Aston Villa and we're going to get right up in your shit no matter how small and gritty a club you are, and we're going to win ugly at all costs because winning is all that matters."

See every single club's determination to give us a bloody nose, and raise it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 07, 2017, 10:41:57 AM
When you hear Steve Bruce wittering something unconvincing about giving 5-3-2 a go it's hard to have confidence that he has a set way he wants this team to play. Or that he has bought players with a defined style of play in mind.  Looks like he's been playing Championship Top Trumps and buying players just for their stats rather than where they'll fit in and play as a unit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 07, 2017, 11:17:49 AM
"Even if you're the best player in the world and you're being attacked by three players, you lose the ball,": Ralf Rangnick, manager of 2nd place RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

I share his thoughts. So why don't we do it against Championship opposition? If you press the opposition, like teams do to us, then you panic and lose the ball. Brentford did exactly that to us, whilst we gave them all the time in the world.

(There's an article on the rise of "Germany's most hated club" on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38802113 - wasn't here talk one time of Red Bull being interested in us? May be wrong, or just BS)

It is a system that relies on everyone knowing their roles, working as a unit, trusting each other and requires sustained coaching to achieve. You cannot just impose it on a new midfield after a few sessions of working together.

Indeed it is, it's also a system that you can train poor quality players to perform to a decent level.  If Bruce had wanted to get us playing that way he had enough time before the window opened to get the squad he had working that way.  If you sign players and they join a squad all setup to play a certain way and where everyone knows their role it's much easier to find your own place and get up to speed.  That's the problem Villa have had for years, if we want to change style our managers think with the cheque book to buy a solution rather than put in the work in training to make their own.  Bruce is no different to the rest of the useless fuckers in that regard.

All the talk of sacking him meaning more upheaval is rubbish as well.  If it happens the interview should go as "This squad should be good enough to get out of this division so we'll let you trade 3-4 in and out but if you take the job you need to work with what you have in the main".

When you hear Steve Bruce wittering something unconvincing about giving 5-3-2 a go it's hard to have confidence that he has a set way he wants this team to play. Or that he has bought players with a defined style of play in mind.  Looks like he's been playing Championship Top Trumps and buying players just for their stats rather than where they'll fit in and play as a unit.

Absolutely agree with that last line, when McLeish signed Nzogbia it felt like it was because he'd wanted him at Blues and when he had the extra credibility he went back to get him.  This time round Bruce has said similar about Hogan and I get the feeling the Lansbury deal is down to him wanting him at Hull and going back for him now.  There's some sense in signing players you like but it doesn't feel like Bruce has really thought about why he needs them or how they fit in.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 07, 2017, 11:49:34 AM
"Even if you're the best player in the world and you're being attacked by three players, you lose the ball,": Ralf Rangnick, manager of 2nd place RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

I share his thoughts. So why don't we do it against Championship opposition? If you press the opposition, like teams do to us, then you panic and lose the ball. Brentford did exactly that to us, whilst we gave them all the time in the world.

(There's an article on the rise of "Germany's most hated club" on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38802113 - wasn't here talk one time of Red Bull being interested in us? May be wrong, or just BS)

It is a system that relies on everyone knowing their roles, working as a unit, trusting each other and requires sustained coaching to achieve. You cannot just impose it on a new midfield after a few sessions of working together.

Indeed it is, it's also a system that you can train poor quality players to perform to a decent level.  If Bruce had wanted to get us playing that way he had enough time before the window opened to get the squad he had working that way.  If you sign players and they join a squad all setup to play a certain way and where everyone knows their role it's much easier to find your own place and get up to speed.  That's the problem Villa have had for years, if we want to change style our managers think with the cheque book to buy a solution rather than put in the work in training to make their own.  Bruce is no different to the rest of the useless fuckers in that regard.

All the talk of sacking him meaning more upheaval is rubbish as well.  If it happens the interview should go as "This squad should be good enough to get out of this division so we'll let you trade 3-4 in and out but if you take the job you need to work with what you have in the main".

When you hear Steve Bruce wittering something unconvincing about giving 5-3-2 a go it's hard to have confidence that he has a set way he wants this team to play. Or that he has bought players with a defined style of play in mind.  Looks like he's been playing Championship Top Trumps and buying players just for their stats rather than where they'll fit in and play as a unit.

Absolutely agree with that last line, when McLeish signed Nzogbia it felt like it was because he'd wanted him at Blues and when he had the extra credibility he went back to get him.  This time round Bruce has said similar about Hogan and I get the feeling the Lansbury deal is down to him wanting him at Hull and going back for him now.  There's some sense in signing players you like but it doesn't feel like Bruce has really thought about why he needs them or how they fit in.
I disagree. Steve Bruce has always bought players that he thinks will fit in. Look at Lily Savage at SHA. He knew that a nasty little bastard who riles up the opposition would be what they needed and he was right. So what if he goes back to players he's tried to sign previously? That's obviously because he rates them. I'm prepared to give him chance because I think he can get us back to the Prem.  After that who knows?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Boz on February 07, 2017, 12:12:18 PM
Give him time, but that time to me would be at the end of the season if it continues as it is, lower half of the table finish, or just scrapping into the top half with the money invested, to me states 'not good enough for where we want to be" bye bye.

Totally agree, the end of season is the time for Dr X to judge.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 07, 2017, 12:18:01 PM
"Even if you're the best player in the world and you're being attacked by three players, you lose the ball,": Ralf Rangnick, manager of 2nd place RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

I share his thoughts. So why don't we do it against Championship opposition? If you press the opposition, like teams do to us, then you panic and lose the ball. Brentford did exactly that to us, whilst we gave them all the time in the world.

(There's an article on the rise of "Germany's most hated club" on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38802113 - wasn't here talk one time of Red Bull being interested in us? May be wrong, or just BS)

It is a system that relies on everyone knowing their roles, working as a unit, trusting each other and requires sustained coaching to achieve. You cannot just impose it on a new midfield after a few sessions of working together.

Indeed it is, it's also a system that you can train poor quality players to perform to a decent level.  If Bruce had wanted to get us playing that way he had enough time before the window opened to get the squad he had working that way.  If you sign players and they join a squad all setup to play a certain way and where everyone knows their role it's much easier to find your own place and get up to speed.  That's the problem Villa have had for years, if we want to change style our managers think with the cheque book to buy a solution rather than put in the work in training to make their own.  Bruce is no different to the rest of the useless fuckers in that regard.

All the talk of sacking him meaning more upheaval is rubbish as well.  If it happens the interview should go as "This squad should be good enough to get out of this division so we'll let you trade 3-4 in and out but if you take the job you need to work with what you have in the main".

When you hear Steve Bruce wittering something unconvincing about giving 5-3-2 a go it's hard to have confidence that he has a set way he wants this team to play. Or that he has bought players with a defined style of play in mind.  Looks like he's been playing Championship Top Trumps and buying players just for their stats rather than where they'll fit in and play as a unit.

Absolutely agree with that last line, when McLeish signed Nzogbia it felt like it was because he'd wanted him at Blues and when he had the extra credibility he went back to get him.  This time round Bruce has said similar about Hogan and I get the feeling the Lansbury deal is down to him wanting him at Hull and going back for him now.  There's some sense in signing players you like but it doesn't feel like Bruce has really thought about why he needs them or how they fit in.
I disagree. Steve Bruce had always bought players that he thinks will fit in. Look at Lily Savage at SHA. He knew that a nasty little bastard who riles up the opposition would be what they needed and he was right. So what if he goes back to players he's tried to sign previously? That's obviously because he rates them. I'm prepared to give him chance because I think he can get us back to the Prem.  After that who knows?

ha ha, is that supposed to be a post of support for Steve Bruce
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: RussellC on February 07, 2017, 12:41:21 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?

Well, for a start, any of the Managers of the 13 clubs above us in the second tier of English football are currently doing a better job than he is. In all but 1 case, I'd guess for considerably lower salaries too.

Besides, I haven't suggested sacking him at this stage, and am not doing. However, the idea that there isn't a long list of potential improvements doesn't currently carry much weight.

So according to your logic Zola is doing a better job than Bruce because Blose are above Villa? In my opinion that is total bollox.

No, not Zola, but Rowett had certainly been doing impressive things before him.

The point still stands; there are plenty of other Managers in the World of Football who I would expect to achieve more than we currently are with the tolls available, who I'm sure would all jump at the chance to manage us.

However, and to clarify for the second time, I'm not suggesting that we sack Bruce at this stage. If we don't see a significant improvement by the end of the season though, I would certainly be looking down that list.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 07, 2017, 12:47:49 PM
As crap as things are right now with 6 defeats from 7, Bruce has a great opportunity to turn our season around between now and the end of the season. We've all seen even if it's just for a few minutes, when we're good, we're bloody brilliant. Maybe with promotion looking extremely unlikely he'll feel the freedom to get us playing more consistently. Fail and he'll only have himself to blame but with two home games coming up, I very much doubt he will.

For all the stick he's getting, most of it deserved, it's worth remembering the players he's added and traded in January whilst spending very little. I'm more than happy with the squad and even though results have been poor, he deserves credit on that front.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: RussellC on February 07, 2017, 12:51:53 PM
If we've been "bloody brilliant" this season, then I've missed it, even if it was only for a few minutes. The best that I can remember us playing was that last 20 minutes away at Brighton, but even then I'd only stretch to a "pretty good".

As for giving him credit for the squad, despite the results...? Isn't there a point being wildly missed here...?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 07, 2017, 01:03:42 PM
If we've been "bloody brilliant" this season, then I've missed it, even if it was only for a few minutes. The best that I can remember us playing was that last 20 minutes away at Brighton, but even then I'd only stretch to a "pretty good".

There was a very decent 20 minutes in the second half against Newcastle as well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on February 07, 2017, 01:10:18 PM
The time to review where we are, is at the end of the season. That doesn't mean if we haven't achieved our aims for the season, we look for a new manager. Provided there is progression between now and the end of the season and we are not requiring a high turnover of players again, there should be no reason why we shouldn't continue with Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clark W Griswold on February 07, 2017, 01:10:24 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?

Well, for a start, any of the Managers of the 13 clubs above us in the second tier of English football are currently doing a better job than he is. In all but 1 case, I'd guess for considerably lower salaries too.

Besides, I haven't suggested sacking him at this stage, and am not doing. However, the idea that there isn't a long list of potential improvements doesn't currently carry much weight.

So according to your logic Zola is doing a better job than Bruce because Blose are above Villa? In my opinion that is total bollox.

No, not Zola, but Rowett had certainly been doing impressive things before him.

The point still stands; there are plenty of other Managers in the World of Football who I would expect to achieve more than we currently are with the tolls available, who I'm sure would all jump at the chance to manage us.

However, and to clarify for the second time, I'm not suggesting that we sack Bruce at this stage. If we don't see a significant improvement by the end of the season though, I would certainly be looking down that list.

So are you saying Rowett then?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 07, 2017, 01:13:04 PM
The time to review where we are, is at the end of the season. That doesn't mean if we haven't achieved our aims for the season, we look for a new manager. Provided there is progression between now and the end of the season and we are not requiring a high turnover of players again, there should be no reason why we shouldn't continue with Bruce.

That's more or less where I am as well. After the turmoil of the last few years, it's a logical approach.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on February 07, 2017, 01:21:20 PM
The time to review where we are, is at the end of the season. That doesn't mean if we haven't achieved our aims for the season, we look for a new manager. Provided there is progression between now and the end of the season and we are not requiring a high turnover of players again, there should be no reason why we shouldn't continue with Bruce.

That's more or less where I am as well. After the turmoil of the last few years, it's a logical approach.

I agree, we need stability and patience. Otherwise we will continue in this vicious circle of change for years to come. IMO, a manager needs at least 1 season to get his team performing to their full potential.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Lobsterboy on February 07, 2017, 01:21:55 PM
Given that this season looks like being a complete write off (or to put a positive spin on it 'transitional') then happy to give SB the next 17 games to find a system that works, to work out his best XI and most importantly to have us playing good football and winning games

If he fails to do so in that time frame then we need to write him off and get someone in who can work with most expensively ever assembled squad in The Championship. It beggars belief we are 14th in this bastard division!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clark W Griswold on February 07, 2017, 01:23:26 PM
Yep, Bruce has got enough experience and credit in the bank to deserve a decent shot at it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 07, 2017, 01:28:54 PM
I dislike the idea that he is now going to 3 5 2 which will inevitably become 5 3 2.
Unless you have the right players this system is easily nullified.
Simply post wide midfielder or forward in the vicinity of the full back. Use the diagonal ball to exploit space behind ful back. 1 striker can occupy 3 centre halves.
Bruce uses it as another counter attacking format, sit deep, filll up the area in front of the deep lying defence and try and spring the full backs.
It's ugly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on February 07, 2017, 01:36:20 PM
I dislike the idea that he is now going to 3 5 2 which will inevitably become 5 3 2.
Unless you have the right players this system is easily nullified.
Simply post wide midfielder or forward in the vicinity of the full back. Use the diagonal ball to exploit space behind ful back. 1 striker can occupy 3 centre halves.
Bruce uses it as another counter attacking format, sit deep, filll up the area in front of the deep lying defence and try and spring the full backs.
It's ugly.

It can work if the 3 at the back are ball players but not with 2 of our 3.  That and the fact we don't have a 4th to replace one of the 3 when required.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 07, 2017, 01:40:55 PM
Yep, Bruce has got enough experience and credit in the bank to deserve a decent shot at it.

I think it would be very difficult to find someone who could do a worse job if it so far
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 07, 2017, 01:44:31 PM
Yep, Bruce has got enough experience and credit in the bank to deserve a decent shot at it.

I think it would be very difficult to find someone who could do a worse job if it so far
There's plenty.  RDM, Eric Black and Reme Garde spring to mind.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: achilles on February 07, 2017, 02:11:55 PM
I dislike the idea that he is now going to 3 5 2 which will inevitably become 5 3 2.
Unless you have the right players this system is easily nullified.
Simply post wide midfielder or forward in the vicinity of the full back. Use the diagonal ball to exploit space behind ful back. 1 striker can occupy 3 centre halves.
Bruce uses it as another counter attacking format, sit deep, filll up the area in front of the deep lying defence and try and spring the full backs.
It's ugly.

It can work if the 3 at the back are ball players but not with 2 of our 3.  That and the fact we don't have a 4th to replace one of the 3 when required.

Richards?  :P
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 07, 2017, 02:14:42 PM
Yep, Bruce has got enough experience and credit in the bank to deserve a decent shot at it.

I think it would be very difficult to find someone who could do a worse job if it so far
There's plenty.  RDM, Eric Black and Reme Garde spring to mind.

Black was a caretaker, Garde got absolutely no backing to fix a squad which wasn't fit for purpose (the complete opposite of Bruce in this window) and RDM got 11 games when, according to this thread:

a manager needs at least 1 season to get his team performing to their full potential.

That's not to say that Garde and RDM didn't deserve to be sacked just pointing out that using them as examples of doing a worse job when both of them can legitimately feel hard done by over the support they got in the job doesn't really help the argument that even if things are a bit shit Bruce deserves time to see if he can turn it round, that's something neither of them were afforded in the same circumstances.  The only real difference is that Bruce got a bit of a new manager bounce and those 2 didn't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 07, 2017, 02:24:27 PM
Yep, Bruce has got enough experience and credit in the bank to deserve a decent shot at it.

I think it would be very difficult to find someone who could do a worse job if it so far
There's plenty.  RDM, Eric Black and Reme Garde spring to mind.

he's got no problems feeling right at home in that company
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: RussellC on February 07, 2017, 02:47:57 PM
Who should we bring in to replace him then?

Well, for a start, any of the Managers of the 13 clubs above us in the second tier of English football are currently doing a better job than he is. In all but 1 case, I'd guess for considerably lower salaries too.

Besides, I haven't suggested sacking him at this stage, and am not doing. However, the idea that there isn't a long list of potential improvements doesn't currently carry much weight.

So according to your logic Zola is doing a better job than Bruce because Blose are above Villa? In my opinion that is total bollox.

No, not Zola, but Rowett had certainly been doing impressive things before him.

The point still stands; there are plenty of other Managers in the World of Football who I would expect to achieve more than we currently are with the tolls available, who I'm sure would all jump at the chance to manage us.

However, and to clarify for the second time, I'm not suggesting that we sack Bruce at this stage. If we don't see a significant improvement by the end of the season though, I would certainly be looking down that list.

So are you saying Rowett then?

If Bruce doesn't improve this season, then yes- Rowett would be a credible candidate to replace him.

For some reason though, I feel I need to clarify for a third time; I am not suggesting that we should sack him at this point in time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 07, 2017, 02:50:40 PM
Rowett would be a big no from me, he's not what we need at all.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: RussellC on February 07, 2017, 02:52:51 PM
Rowett would be a big no from me, he's not what we need at all.

I'm not putting him forward as my ideal candidate. Just saying that on recent history he's a more-than-credible candidate to do a better job than Bruce currently is.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 07, 2017, 02:54:07 PM
Rowett would be a big no from me, he's not what we need at all.

I think he'd do a good job. Genuinely interested to know what you think the problem with him would be?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 07, 2017, 02:57:11 PM
Dean Smith
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 07, 2017, 03:33:29 PM
Rowett would be a big no from me, he's not what we need at all.

I think he'd do a good job. Genuinely interested to know what you think the problem with him would be?

His experience and qualifications for the job are less than Lambert had when he was appointed. He's slightly improved a struggling championship club and we really should be setting our sights a little higher.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 07, 2017, 03:40:48 PM
Experience is over rated, we've currently gone for the manager with the most experience at achieving our goals and thats not exactly going how we'd have liked. For me whats more important is somebody who can come in and combine a modern approach with getting what the club is all about, for me Bruce gets the club, but his methods are outdated and negative.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 07, 2017, 03:43:05 PM
Experience is over rated, we've currently gone for the manager with the most experience at achieving our goals and thats not exactly going how we'd have liked. For me whats more important is somebody who can come in and combine a modern approach with getting what the club is all about, for me Bruce gets the club but his methods are outdated.

He got promoted in May 2016 and his methods have become outdated within nine months?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 07, 2017, 03:48:43 PM
Rowett would be a big no from me, he's not what we need at all.
Who is Paul?  Because the way I see it if RDM & Bruce get sacked in a single season I can't see many credible candidates likely to be kicking our door down.

We've tried hungry successful British - Lambert, refreshing foreign with ideas - Garde, Tub-thumping young British - Sherwood, fairly experienced foreign - RDM with no success.

So who would follow?  Dean Smith, Rowett etc - not enough experience.  A foreign Wagner type?  Again not much experience and the Garde experiment failed - would we go down that route again?

I honestly think if someone like Bruce can't steady the ship people will start to see us an an unmanageable basket case.

The ideal scenario has to be that Bruce gets us back on track and promoted and if at that point he isn't the right fit at least the next candidate will be working with a functional team.  I just can't see how dropping another name into the clusterfuck we are right now is going to do anything other than a further two steps backwards.

With that said, I agree if there isn't considerable improvement by the summer we should look again.  But he should be at least allowed that time to work with his new buys and see if he can find a winning formula. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 07, 2017, 03:52:29 PM
The guy at Hull is a good example of casting the net a little wider and landing someone who looks pretty clued up whilst not on the usual suspects list
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 07, 2017, 03:53:19 PM
The guy at Hull is a good example of casting the net a little wider and landing someone who looks pretty clued up whilst not on the usual suspects list
What like Garde you mean?  Because that's exactly the type of gamble that would be.  And if we get something like that wrong we could be relegated again before you know it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 07, 2017, 03:53:44 PM
Experience is over rated, we've currently gone for the manager with the most experience at achieving our goals and thats not exactly going how we'd have liked. For me whats more important is somebody who can come in and combine a modern approach with getting what the club is all about, for me Bruce gets the club but his methods are outdated.

He got promoted in May 2016 and his methods have become outdated within nine months?

To be honest I think his methods were outdated last season too, Hull stumbled across the line and fair play to them for that but the teams that missed out on promotion in place of Hull last season are the ones currently up there chasing promotion while Bruce is mid table with a torn fan base.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 07, 2017, 03:57:25 PM
Experience is over rated, we've currently gone for the manager with the most experience at achieving our goals and thats not exactly going how we'd have liked. For me whats more important is somebody who can come in and combine a modern approach with getting what the club is all about, for me Bruce gets the club but his methods are outdated.

He got promoted in May 2016 and his methods have become outdated within nine months?

To be honest I think his methods were outdated last season too, Hull stumbled across the line and fair play to them for that but the teams that missed out on promotion in place of Hull last season are the ones currently up there chasing promotion while Bruce is mid table with a torn fan base.


Does it not occur to you that if they were chasing promotion last year they had a massive head start on us.  Bruce came into what is widely considered a dysfunctional club with a disastrous team.  It's hardly a comparison with teams who were flying in the division last season.  He has just started to put his stamp on the team, the next few months are the time to judge him not 2 games post transfer window.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 07, 2017, 04:02:30 PM
I'm trying to work out how not getting promoted is a bigger success and proves you're a better manager than getting promoted.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 07, 2017, 04:10:54 PM
I'm trying to work out how not getting promoted is a bigger success and proves you're a better manager than getting promoted.
Well I clearly didn't say that. If you have seen anything in our matches that make you believe that Bruce is the man to get us out of this division then fair play because I haven't seen a single thing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 07, 2017, 04:14:45 PM
Rowett would be a big no from me, he's not what we need at all.

I think he'd do a good job. Genuinely interested to know what you think the problem with him would be?

He's got no profile outside the championship and we'd be a huge step up.  As I said, if we were to replace Bruce it needs to be with someone too good for where we are rather than with someone who has done ok at this level.  Gambling on an up and coming manager is fine if the club is stable and has a solid foundation for that guy to come into, we don't have that and I think the sheer weight of the job would be too much for someone like Rowett.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 07, 2017, 04:18:18 PM
Experience is over rated, we've currently gone for the manager with the most experience at achieving our goals and thats not exactly going how we'd have liked. For me whats more important is somebody who can come in and combine a modern approach with getting what the club is all about, for me Bruce gets the club but his methods are outdated.

He got promoted in May 2016 and his methods have become outdated within nine months?

To be honest I think his methods were outdated last season too, Hull stumbled across the line and fair play to them for that but the teams that missed out on promotion in place of Hull last season are the ones currently up there chasing promotion while Bruce is mid table with a torn fan base.


Does it not occur to you that if they were chasing promotion last year they had a massive head start on us.  Bruce came into what is widely considered a dysfunctional club with a disastrous team.  It's hardly a comparison with teams who were flying in the division last season.  He has just started to put his stamp on the team, the next few months are the time to judge him not 2 games post transfer window.

Unless a manager has won his last 5 games he will always have a torn fan base because there will always be a percentage of football fans that dont live in the real world. There are man city fans wanting pep out, united fans who wanted mourinho out 5 games ago, baggies fans who want pulis sacked. West ham fans wanted allardyce sacked because he didnt get the west ham way....the list goes on. Quite how you have come to the conclusion thtat his methods are outdated I have no idea - He has so far experimented with 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 5-3-2 and 3-5-2. he has hired fitness coaches as well as young and upcoming first team coaches like clemence and calderwood.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 07, 2017, 04:20:20 PM
I'm trying to work out how not getting promoted is a bigger success and proves you're a better manager than getting promoted.
Well I clearly didn't say that. If you have seen anything in our matches that make you believe that Bruce is the man to get us out of this division then fair play because I haven't seen a single thing.

What did you say then? So far I've seen a couple of good months and a couple of bad. It's not as good as I'd hoped but someone with his track record of success deserves time to put things right.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 07, 2017, 04:23:18 PM
Experience is over rated, we've currently gone for the manager with the most experience at achieving our goals and thats not exactly going how we'd have liked. For me whats more important is somebody who can come in and combine a modern approach with getting what the club is all about, for me Bruce gets the club but his methods are outdated.

He got promoted in May 2016 and his methods have become outdated within nine months?

To be honest I think his methods were outdated last season too, Hull stumbled across the line and fair play to them for that but the teams that missed out on promotion in place of Hull last season are the ones currently up there chasing promotion while Bruce is mid table with a torn fan base.


Does it not occur to you that if they were chasing promotion last year they had a massive head start on us.  Bruce came into what is widely considered a dysfunctional club with a disastrous team.  It's hardly a comparison with teams who were flying in the division last season.  He has just started to put his stamp on the team, the next few months are the time to judge him not 2 games post transfer window.

Unless a manager has won his last 5 games he will always have a torn fan base because there will always be a percentage of football fans that dont live in the real world. There are man city fans wanting pep out, united fans who wanted mourinho out 5 games ago, baggies fans who want pulis sacked. West ham fans wanted allardyce sacked because he didnt get the west ham way....the list goes on. Quite how you have come to the conclusion thtat his methods are outdated I have no idea - He has so far experimented with 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 5-3-2 and 3-5-2. he has hired fitness coaches as well as young and upcoming first team coaches like clemence and calderwood.

You have answered your own question there, why is an experienced manager with 4 promotions experimenting with 4 different formations in 16 matches if his methods are not outdated? He's throwing formations together in the hope that one of them clicks rather than putting any thought into picking a formation that will click.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 07, 2017, 04:26:01 PM
I'm trying to work out how not getting promoted is a bigger success and proves you're a better manager than getting promoted.
Well I clearly didn't say that. If you have seen anything in our matches that make you believe that Bruce is the man to get us out of this division then fair play because I haven't seen a single thing.

What did you say then? So far I've seen a couple of good months and a couple of bad. It's not as good as I'd hoped but someone with his track record of success deserves time to put things right.

Couple of good months? Come off it! I'd agree that any manager needs time but we need to see signs that we are progressing and all i'm seeing is that we are stagnating, Unfortunaty I think we'll see the Bruce experiment as a wasted 6/12/18 months.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on February 07, 2017, 04:29:32 PM
"Even if you're the best player in the world and you're being attacked by three players, you lose the ball,": Ralf Rangnick, manager of 2nd place RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

I share his thoughts. So why don't we do it against Championship opposition? If you press the opposition, like teams do to us, then you panic and lose the ball. Brentford did exactly that to us, whilst we gave them all the time in the world.

(There's an article on the rise of "Germany's most hated club" on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38802113 - wasn't here talk one time of Red Bull being interested in us? May be wrong, or just BS)

It is a system that relies on everyone knowing their roles, working as a unit, trusting each other and requires sustained coaching to achieve. You cannot just impose it on a new midfield after a few sessions of working together.

Maybe. But is it that hard to tell someone to close another player down quickly?

no but the whole team needs to do it as a group, if players do it in isolation, teams will be able to pass the ball around them

So tell them all to do it. I'm talking from the front so the opposition don't have time to pass it out. It really isn't that hard.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 07, 2017, 04:33:19 PM
Rowett would be a big no from me, he's not what we need at all.
Who is Paul?  Because the way I see it if RDM & Bruce get sacked in a single season I can't see many credible candidates likely to be kicking our door down.

We've tried hungry successful British - Lambert, refreshing foreign with ideas - Garde, Tub-thumping young British - Sherwood, fairly experienced foreign - RDM with no success.

So who would follow?  Dean Smith, Rowett etc - not enough experience.  A foreign Wagner type?  Again not much experience and the Garde experiment failed - would we go down that route again?

I honestly think if someone like Bruce can't steady the ship people will start to see us an an unmanageable basket case.

The ideal scenario has to be that Bruce gets us back on track and promoted and if at that point he isn't the right fit at least the next candidate will be working with a functional team.  I just can't see how dropping another name into the clusterfuck we are right now is going to do anything other than a further two steps backwards.

With that said, I agree if there isn't considerable improvement by the summer we should look again.  But he should be at least allowed that time to work with his new buys and see if he can find a winning formula. 

We've tried 'meat and potatoes British' with McLeish and that failed but we're trying it again with Bruce so just because a 'type' of manager doesn't work you don't decide that all managers like that are a waste of space, it's just not that simple.  As I've said I want someone who has worked at a club with big expectations and done a good job.  Of the last 5 managers the only one who has been at a club where he was expected to win things was Sherwood and that was 6months and they sacked him at the first real opportunity.  Someone who's managed a club like Ajax or Benfica where they're expected to achieve big things but aren't at one of the clubs that will always be in the champions league quarter finals, etc.  I know that's ridiculously ambitious but that's the point, if Xia is everything he seems to be and their 10 year plan is what we've been led to believe then we need to act like a champions league club in the making, and that means setting our sights far higher than someone who did an ok job at the club a few miles down the road.


Once again though, I'd rather see Bruce sort his shit out and deliver what I expected him too so when we go for that manager we're a midtable premier league team, but I don't think we can afford to wait too long to get there if Bruce isn't delivering.  Lots of people have stated that this season was a bust before Bruce arrived because of the start we had under RDM and they may well be right, the issue is Bruce has to show that he can deliver much more than RDM did in the first 2months of next season or we'll be staring down the barrel of a 3rd season in this league.  That's why there need to be very clear signs that Bruce knows how to fix this in the next couple of months, if they're not visible then keeping him is a gamble we just can't afford to lose.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 07, 2017, 04:37:52 PM
Paul - I agree with your second paragraph. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 07, 2017, 04:40:37 PM
"Even if you're the best player in the world and you're being attacked by three players, you lose the ball,": Ralf Rangnick, manager of 2nd place RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

I share his thoughts. So why don't we do it against Championship opposition? If you press the opposition, like teams do to us, then you panic and lose the ball. Brentford did exactly that to us, whilst we gave them all the time in the world.

(There's an article on the rise of "Germany's most hated club" on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38802113 - wasn't here talk one time of Red Bull being interested in us? May be wrong, or just BS)

It is a system that relies on everyone knowing their roles, working as a unit, trusting each other and requires sustained coaching to achieve. You cannot just impose it on a new midfield after a few sessions of working together.

Indeed it is, it's also a system that you can train poor quality players to perform to a decent level.  If Bruce had wanted to get us playing that way he had enough time before the window opened to get the squad he had working that way.  If you sign players and they join a squad all setup to play a certain way and where everyone knows their role it's much easier to find your own place and get up to speed.  That's the problem Villa have had for years, if we want to change style our managers think with the cheque book to buy a solution rather than put in the work in training to make their own.  Bruce is no different to the rest of the useless fuckers in that regard.

All the talk of sacking him meaning more upheaval is rubbish as well.  If it happens the interview should go as "This squad should be good enough to get out of this division so we'll let you trade 3-4 in and out but if you take the job you need to work with what you have in the main".

When you hear Steve Bruce wittering something unconvincing about giving 5-3-2 a go it's hard to have confidence that he has a set way he wants this team to play. Or that he has bought players with a defined style of play in mind.  Looks like he's been playing Championship Top Trumps and buying players just for their stats rather than where they'll fit in and play as a unit.

Absolutely agree with that last line, when McLeish signed Nzogbia it felt like it was because he'd wanted him at Blues and when he had the extra credibility he went back to get him.  This time round Bruce has said similar about Hogan and I get the feeling the Lansbury deal is down to him wanting him at Hull and going back for him now.  There's some sense in signing players you like but it doesn't feel like Bruce has really thought about why he needs them or how they fit in.
I disagree. Steve Bruce had always bought players that he thinks will fit in. Look at Lily Savage at SHA. He knew that a nasty little bastard who riles up the opposition would be what they needed and he was right. So what if he goes back to players he's tried to sign previously? That's obviously because he rates them. I'm prepared to give him chance because I think he can get us back to the Prem.  After that who knows?

ha ha, is that supposed to be a post of support for Steve Bruce
Your point is?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 07, 2017, 04:44:57 PM
Experience is over rated, we've currently gone for the manager with the most experience at achieving our goals and thats not exactly going how we'd have liked. For me whats more important is somebody who can come in and combine a modern approach with getting what the club is all about, for me Bruce gets the club but his methods are outdated.

He got promoted in May 2016 and his methods have become outdated within nine months?
Nailed him lol.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 07, 2017, 04:48:17 PM
Experience is over rated, we've currently gone for the manager with the most experience at achieving our goals and thats not exactly going how we'd have liked. For me whats more important is somebody who can come in and combine a modern approach with getting what the club is all about, for me Bruce gets the club but his methods are outdated.

He got promoted in May 2016 and his methods have become outdated within nine months?

To be honest I think his methods were outdated last season too, Hull stumbled across the line and fair play to them for that but the teams that missed out on promotion in place of Hull last season are the ones currently up there chasing promotion while Bruce is mid table with a torn fan base.


Does it not occur to you that if they were chasing promotion last year they had a massive head start on us.  Bruce came into what is widely considered a dysfunctional club with a disastrous team.  It's hardly a comparison with teams who were flying in the division last season.  He has just started to put his stamp on the team, the next few months are the time to judge him not 2 games post transfer window.

Unless a manager has won his last 5 games he will always have a torn fan base because there will always be a percentage of football fans that dont live in the real world. There are man city fans wanting pep out, united fans who wanted mourinho out 5 games ago, baggies fans who want pulis sacked. West ham fans wanted allardyce sacked because he didnt get the west ham way....the list goes on. Quite how you have come to the conclusion thtat his methods are outdated I have no idea - He has so far experimented with 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 5-3-2 and 3-5-2. he has hired fitness coaches as well as young and upcoming first team coaches like clemence and calderwood.

You have answered your own question there, why is an experienced manager with 4 promotions experimenting with 4 different formations in 16 matches if his methods are not outdated? He's throwing formations together in the hope that one of them clicks rather than putting any thought into picking a formation that will click.

Off the top of my head....Inheriting a defence that shipped goals, inheriting a weak midfield, inheriting a woefully unfit squad, a 12m striker that couldnt be arsed turning up for training, injuries/sickness to Baker, Adomah and more importantly Jedinak, Men coming back from international duty on the other side of the world,an unprecedented 6 signings in january and two of our best players going to AFCON.

Saw this quote - direct from sky sports article this week "Pep Guardiola is renowned for his flexibility when it comes to formations - but this season he has already tried out eight different systems in just 26 games at Manchester City"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 07, 2017, 05:01:26 PM
I'm trying to work out how not getting promoted is a bigger success and proves you're a better manager than getting promoted.
Well I clearly didn't say that. If you have seen anything in our matches that make you believe that Bruce is the man to get us out of this division then fair play because I haven't seen a single thing.

What did you say then? So far I've seen a couple of good months and a couple of bad. It's not as good as I'd hoped but someone with his track record of success deserves time to put things right.

Couple of good months? Come off it! I'd agree that any manager needs time but we need to see signs that we are progressing and all i'm seeing is that we are stagnating, Unfortunaty I think we'll see the Bruce experiment as a wasted 6/12/18 months.

24 points from his first twelve matches. Is that good enough for you?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 07, 2017, 05:05:24 PM
I'm not disputing the fact we had the new manager bounce when he first came in, we were still awful to watch though and it soon wore off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 07, 2017, 05:08:58 PM
Wins don't count if they're not the right type of wins then.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 07, 2017, 05:09:49 PM

Off the top of my head....
Inheriting a defence that shipped goals - and he's not fixed it
inheriting a weak midfield - and rather than try to work with them he decided to sign an entire midfield
inheriting a woefully unfit squad - every manager says this but I honestly don't see us as being any fitter now than we were when he arrived
a 12m striker that couldnt be arsed turning up for training - that appears to have only happened since Bruce arrived and coincides with Bruce deciding to rehabilitate a striker who had taken the piss just as much.
injuries/sickness to Baker, Adomah and more importantly Jedinak - every team has injuries
Men coming back from international duty on the other side of the world - people being full internationals in the championship is a nice problem to have so long as they deliver in the 35-40 games where they're not jet-lagged or travelling
an unprecedented 6 signings in january and two of our best players going to AFCON. - First bit, this was his choice, 2nd bit as above

answered in line but what I'm getting at here is that any manager who joins a club to repalce a sacked manager will have problems to deal with, it's why they got the job and fixing those problems is the core part of the job for the first year.

I've been a little harsh on purpose because he's paid a fortune to fix the problems and improve us, he really doesn't need to have excuses made for him, and most of those are excuses not explanations.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 07, 2017, 05:14:44 PM
Wins don't count if they're not the right type of wins then.

Putting things in my mouth again that I didn't say. If we had kept up that win rate then the way we play becomes secondary and we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 07, 2017, 05:19:33 PM
Wins don't count if they're not the right type of wins then.


Putting things in my mouth again that I didn't say. If we had kept up that win rate then the way we play becomes secondary and we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Therefore it was a couple of good months, and there was no need for me to "come off it".
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on February 07, 2017, 05:20:30 PM
I'm trying to work out how not getting promoted is a bigger success and proves you're a better manager than getting promoted.
Well I clearly didn't say that. If you have seen anything in our matches that make you believe that Bruce is the man to get us out of this division then fair play because I haven't seen a single thing.

What did you say then? So far I've seen a couple of good months and a couple of bad. It's not as good as I'd hoped but someone with his track record of success deserves time to put things right.

Couple of good months? Come off it! I'd agree that any manager needs time but we need to see signs that we are progressing and all i'm seeing is that we are stagnating, Unfortunaty I think we'll see the Bruce experiment as a wasted 6/12/18 months.

24 points from his first twelve matches. Is that good enough for you?

It was a good start and more than just a new manager bounce. He identified problems and seemed to have solutions.  What I do not understand is how he has let it slip. One player out of what he considered his best team away at AFCON should not have been insurmountable.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 07, 2017, 05:23:43 PM
Rowett would be a big no from me, he's not what we need at all.

I think he'd do a good job. Genuinely interested to know what you think the problem with him would be?

He's got no profile outside the championship and we'd be a huge step up.  As I said, if we were to replace Bruce it needs to be with someone too good for where we are rather than with someone who has done ok at this level.  Gambling on an up and coming manager is fine if the club is stable and has a solid foundation for that guy to come into, we don't have that and I think the sheer weight of the job would be too much for someone like Rowett.

Cheers, all decent points.

I think we all just need to get comfortable with the fact that we're cursed, and whoever we try, is doomed to failure.

We've tried the up and coming British manager in Lambert, the respected continental manager in Houllier, the up and coming foreign manager in Garde, the not-actually-a-manager-Adebayor-saluting-brain-donor manager in Sherwood, the something to prove ex Premier League guy in di Matteo, and now the old school meat and 4-4-2 veg British manager in Bruce, and they've all been found massively wanting.  What else is there left to try?  They all have stuff on their CV that they could be proud of, and fairly recent relative success in most cases, but for all of them it's gone to ratshit at Villa.

Not sure therefore, that Rowett would be any worse.  He did at least, get an absolute basket case of a club like Blues into the top 6 or so, and wasn't too Pulis-like in going about it.

I'd still like to see Bruce do well, as he seems like a genuinely nice guy, but it's starting to look like he's massively lost the plot, with shit formations and even worse substitutions, all the time repeating the same tired cliches after yet another poor result.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on February 07, 2017, 05:30:52 PM
Rowett.... Everyone would be complaining about his style of football or lack of.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 07, 2017, 05:43:10 PM
Rowett.... Everyone would be complaining about his style of football or lack of.

It all depends on results.  Even the Stripey twats have piped down about Pulis now he's won a few games.  I am so sick of losing games, that any sort of style of play that ends with us putting the ball in the opposition's net more times than we concede would do me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 07, 2017, 07:28:44 PM
Rowett.... Everyone would be complaining about his style of football or lack of.

I have no idea how he plays, I've seen his team play once and I was too busy being frustrated by us sitting off them to notice if they were any good.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 07, 2017, 07:30:58 PM
Rowett plays counter attacking football home and away.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on February 07, 2017, 07:34:56 PM
If we were in the business of replacing Steve, which I have no interest in whatsoever I might add, my pick would be Dean Jones.
That's without the fact he's one of us, the occasions I've witnessed his modestly assembled team they've played with skill and conviction, and appear to be very well organised.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 07, 2017, 07:46:09 PM
If we were in the business of replacing Steve, which I have no interest in whatsoever I might add, my pick would be Dean Jones.
That's without the fact he's one of us, the occasions I've witnessed his modestly assembled team they've played with skill and conviction, and appear to be very well organised.


He got Herbie going well but has been dead a while so it's a no from me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 07, 2017, 08:24:20 PM
If we were in the business of replacing Steve, which I have no interest in whatsoever I might add, my pick would be Dean Jones.
That's without the fact he's one of us, the occasions I've witnessed his modestly assembled team they've played with skill and conviction, and appear to be very well organised.
Once Hogan has " adjusted " ( another word for gelled ) he will take over the striker role for sure. His play off the ball was great for making space into which Kodjia could go. He did all he could to be deferential - but now he has realised that Kodjia isn't that sort of team player, he will make the striker role his own IMO.
Steve Bruce…..
I think some contributors have missed a few things here…….
SB inherited a barrow load of problem child-type non-players that he couldn’t get rid of, so was forced to try to work with.
He walked into a situation where two of our best players were out for weeks in Africa and had no reasonable reserves (kids mostly)
He got badly let down by McCormack who is having whatever problems, but can’t be bothered to turn up for training
He had to wait for the January window  - I am sure he was pleased with the acquisitions – and then try to make it all work within 3 days.
His new left back has a broken face and is not match-ready.
His “ established “ left back has had a succession of mares and ( perhaps ) he thought should be rested.
His new left wing back – Thor – played himself into the role by the second half and was quite good first time around.
His returning African CF had claimed the prize for greedy B of the week and his new partner Hogan was too willing to give him “ seniority “ ( one time offer only, I think )
His glamour star Grealish was booked for something he should know better and then sent off for a half-hearted tackle, when he was clearly not taking part any longer.
Most of this side haven’t played together for more than one game …..and after all that, we think the Manager should be sacked.
Come on!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 07, 2017, 08:26:03 PM
We've had two games so far with a huge turnover of playing staff with very little preparation with these players. Why don't we just let Bruce have time with this squad and work on getting a system and team plan together to conquer the league next season. I can't believe we're even talking about replacement if I'm Perfectly honest.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 07, 2017, 08:31:51 PM
I'm with you, mate. Stability and patience is what we need. Unfortunately the dream immediate return is probably out of reach. Let's support what we've got, till we can't any longer. Next Christmas - minimum - for me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on February 07, 2017, 08:32:23 PM
If we were in the business of replacing Steve, which I have no interest in whatsoever I might add, my pick would be Dean Jones.
That's without the fact he's one of us, the occasions I've witnessed his modestly assembled team they've played with skill and conviction, and appear to be very well organised.
Once Hogan has " adjusted " ( another word for gelled ) he will take over the striker role for sure. His play off the ball was great for making space into which Kodjia could go. He did all he could to be deferential - but now he has realised that Kodjia isn't that sort of team player, he will make the striker role his own IMO.
Steve Bruce…..
I think some contributors have missed a few things here…….
SB inherited a barrow load of problem child-type non-players that he couldn’t get rid of, so was forced to try to work with.
He walked into a situation where two of our best players were out for weeks in Africa and had no reasonable reserves (kids mostly)
He got badly let down by McCormack who is having whatever problems, but can’t be bothered to turn up for training
He had to wait for the January window  - I am sure he was pleased with the acquisitions – and then try to make it all work within 3 days.
His new left back has a broken face and is not match-ready.
His “ established “ left back has had a succession of mares and ( perhaps ) he thought should be rested.
His new left wing back – Thor – played himself into the role by the second half and was quite good first time around.
His returning African CF had claimed the prize for greedy B of the week and his new partner Hogan was too willing to give him “ seniority “ ( one time offer only, I think )
His glamour star Grealish was booked for something he should know better and then sent off for a half-hearted tackle, when he was clearly not taking part any longer.
Most of this side haven’t played together for more than one game …..and after all that, we think the Manager should be sacked.
Come on!

Totally agree Bob, patience is what is required, not "sack Bruce"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 07, 2017, 08:35:17 PM
There is hardly any one advocating him getting the sack, I do not see however why on a fans forum we are not supposed to discuss this managers, results, performances and decisions.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 07, 2017, 08:38:11 PM
There is hardly any one advocating him getting the sack, I do not see however why on a fans forum we are not supposed to discuss this managers, results, performances and decisions.

Quite. A few have said that if the next three and a half months are anything like the last two then he won't really have shown enough to warrant being given next season.

Which isn't a particularly controversial position to take.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on February 07, 2017, 08:42:41 PM
If we were in the business of replacing Steve, which I have no interest in whatsoever I might add, my pick would be Dean Jones.
That's without the fact he's one of us, the occasions I've witnessed his modestly assembled team they've played with skill and conviction, and appear to be very well organised.


He got Herbie going well but has been dead a while so it's a no from me.

Where in the name of God did I get Jones from?!?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 07, 2017, 08:50:09 PM
I'm with you, mate. Stability and patience is what we need. Unfortunately the dream immediate return is probably out of reach. Let's support what we've got, till we can't any longer. Next Christmas - minimum - for me.

Why wait two months into the new season or Christmas to replace a manager? Indifferent to who the manager is, the summer should be the time to review and replace if necessary. The choice is far greater, he is allowed to work with the squad preseason, we won't hear about "oh wait until he has his own players", unfit players will be his responsibility, he has the greater selection in the transfer market and more time to prepare for the new season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on February 07, 2017, 08:57:26 PM
Again, I'm confident he'll get us sorted but if we started poorly next season, it's tatty-bye.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 07, 2017, 09:02:10 PM
I'm with you, mate. Stability and patience is what we need. Unfortunately the dream immediate return is probably out of reach. Let's support what we've got, till we can't any longer. Next Christmas - minimum - for me.

Why wait two months into the new season or Christmas to replace a manager? Indifferent to who the manager is, the summer should be the time to review and replace if necessary. The choice is far greater, he is allowed to work with the squad preseason, we won't hear about "oh wait until he has his own players", unfit players will be his responsibility, he has the greater selection in the transfer market and more time to prepare for the new season.

Exactly, this is why the next 2-3 months is so important for him and is the point I've been trying to make all along when people are saying he needs at least a year and that we should give him the summer and then see how he starts the season.  I want that but he needs to earn that right and pointing at 4 promotions elsewhere means fuck all if we don't see a big improvement now that he has his own players and has been here long enough for his training methods to be well established.  He's got rid of 'problem' players and should have a coaching team that is entirely his.  From here he has no excuses (I don't particularly like the current one about his new players need to settle/gel, that's a cop out for me) and the results need to come.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 07, 2017, 09:07:49 PM
Like I've said a few times, providing we don't nosedive down the league or he doesn't lose the dressing room, he's my choice to take us into next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 07, 2017, 09:19:30 PM
There is hardly any one advocating him getting the sack, I do not see however why on a fans forum we are not supposed to discuss this managers, results, performances and decisions.

Quite. A few have said that if the next three and a half months are anything like the last two then he won't really have shown enough to warrant being given next season.

Which isn't a particularly controversial position to take.

It's a valid enough point, even if some on here make the same point over and over again day after day.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on February 07, 2017, 09:23:19 PM
Like I've said a few times, providing we don't nosedive down the league or he doesn't lose the dressing room, he's my choice to take us into next season.

I'm afraid I will need to see quite a bit more than that.  I want to see consistency and a spark that gives me confidence that will see us on the right track for next season.  Next season starts with what remains of this one.  Bruce will still need to add one or two players (and clear out a few) in the Summer but this squad should be good enough if coached and managed properly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 07, 2017, 09:23:24 PM
There is hardly any one advocating him getting the sack, I do not see however why on a fans forum we are not supposed to discuss this managers, results, performances and decisions.

Quite. A few have said that if the next three and a half months are anything like the last two then he won't really have shown enough to warrant being given next season.

Which isn't a particularly controversial position to take.

It's a valid enough point, even if some on here make the same point over and over again day after day.

It's a bit ironic that your post directly above this one starts "Like I've said a few times..."
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 07, 2017, 09:26:24 PM
There is hardly any one advocating him getting the sack, I do not see however why on a fans forum we are not supposed to discuss this managers, results, performances and decisions.

Quite. A few have said that if the next three and a half months are anything like the last two then he won't really have shown enough to warrant being given next season.

Which isn't a particularly controversial position to take.

It's a valid enough point, even if some on here make the same point over and over again day after day.
Yep, I agree with that. Maybe like you say as some people just repeat the same point over and over again it makes it seem there is more than there actually is who want him out, where really it's only a few. Especially when I only skim through the thread in the morning and night.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 07, 2017, 09:30:33 PM
There is hardly any one advocating him getting the sack, I do not see however why on a fans forum we are not supposed to discuss this managers, results, performances and decisions.

Quite. A few have said that if the next three and a half months are anything like the last two then he won't really have shown enough to warrant being given next season.

Which isn't a particularly controversial position to take.

It's a valid enough point, even if some on here make the same point over and over again day after day.

It's a bit ironic that your post directly above this one starts "Like I've said a few times..."

A few times is a little different to 6 times a day and sometimes more. Ian J makes a better point of it than me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 07, 2017, 09:30:59 PM
There is hardly any one advocating him getting the sack, I do not see however why on a fans forum we are not supposed to discuss this managers, results, performances and decisions.

Quite. A few have said that if the next three and a half months are anything like the last two then he won't really have shown enough to warrant being given next season.

Which isn't a particularly controversial position to take.

It's a valid enough point, even if some on here make the same point over and over again day after day.

Like you make the same pro points over and over again, thats generally how forums work.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 07, 2017, 09:32:41 PM
There is hardly any one advocating him getting the sack, I do not see however why on a fans forum we are not supposed to discuss this managers, results, performances and decisions.

Quite. A few have said that if the next three and a half months are anything like the last two then he won't really have shown enough to warrant being given next season.

Which isn't a particularly controversial position to take.

It's a valid enough point, even if some on here make the same point over and over again day after day.

Like you make the same pro points over and over again, thats generally how forums work.

What pro points have I made?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 07, 2017, 09:33:49 PM
I don't see why unless we get even worse than we currently are he should automatically get next season. By the end of this season he'll have had 35 league games in charge. More than enough time to show he's actually improving us, and improving us enough that we'll be capable of mounting a title challenge next year. If we're still playing much as we have since he arrived i'd replace him. We've already seen how a shit first couple of months can totally screw up your season.

And I say all the above as someone that really wants him to succeed as I like him and really i'm sick of constantly replacing managers, but managerial stability is only worth it if you have right manager in place in the first place.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 07, 2017, 09:39:48 PM
Like I've said a few times, providing we don't nosedive down the league or he doesn't lose the dressing room, he's my choice to take us into next season.

Does 2 points from 6 games and  1 win a 6 defeats in 7 away games not count as nosediving?  That's why I'm posting on this thread so often, I can't work out why there aren't a lot more people who are concerned by this.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on February 07, 2017, 09:44:23 PM
Like I've said a few times, providing we don't nosedive down the league or he doesn't lose the dressing room, he's my choice to take us into next season.

Does 2 points from 6 games and  1 win a 6 defeats in 7 away games not count as nosediving?  That's why I'm posting on this thread so often, I can't work out why there aren't a lot more people who are concerned by this.
I want him gone now but cant be arsed to argue why, lifes too short and all that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 07, 2017, 09:48:02 PM
I think it's because the majority, although obviously disappointed at some of the results and that we're not nearer the play off spots, are happy to see how things pan out with his own players in, because he's got a decent track record of getting teams up. It's looking like it may not be this season, but it doesn't mean it can't be next.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 07, 2017, 09:55:25 PM
Like I've said a few times, providing we don't nosedive down the league or he doesn't lose the dressing room, he's my choice to take us into next season.

Does 2 points from 6 games and  1 win a 6 defeats in 7 away games not count as nosediving?  That's why I'm posting on this thread so often, I can't work out why there aren't a lot more people who are concerned by this.

Bruce has succeeded in dumbing down expectations. Shit performances, results in a tail spin and throwing the cheque book at the problem.

Changing to 343 was particularly worrying at the weekend, as others have said we barely have three centre halves on the books so the recent transfer plunge surely should have considered another centre half.

Like any manager he needs results to improve but some consistency of tactics and team selection would surely help.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 07, 2017, 09:57:50 PM
I think it's because the majority, although obviously disappointed at some of the results and that we're not nearer the play off spots, are happy to see how things pan out with his own players in, because he's got a decent track record of getting teams up. It's looking like it may not be this season, but it doesn't mean it can't be next.

As I've said, his record for getting teams promoted got him the job but he needs to start showing signs that he can replicate that here.  What I can't face is us stumbling through to a midtable finish, giving him the summer and then stumbling along in midtable for a few more months before we change again in october/november because we really can't be in this league in 18/19 if we don't want this to turn into an extended visit.  We need to see something to suggest that isn't going to happen and for me it starts with breaking the run of shitty away performances and panicky home games and getting ourselves firmly into the top half of the table. I want a run of 3-4 wins on the bounce just to show that we can do it and create a bit of optimism, something to make me want to look at the league table or check a score for a game I'm not followed without a knot in the pit of my stomach.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 07, 2017, 10:02:26 PM
I think it's because the majority, although obviously disappointed at some of the results and that we're not nearer the play off spots, are happy to see how things pan out with his own players in, because he's got a decent track record of getting teams up. It's looking like it may not be this season, but it doesn't mean it can't be next.
I am ok with that however we will need to see a match by match improvement between now and end of the season otherwise I am afraid we can not risk 10 points from 10 games start next season. If that happens it will be another season in the second division.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 07, 2017, 10:15:01 PM
Wager didn't improve Huddersfield an iota when he took over in December last season. We'd have been clamouring for his neck on the block in the Revolving Door FC.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dribbler on February 07, 2017, 10:19:53 PM
Like I've said a few times, providing we don't nosedive down the league or he doesn't lose the dressing room, he's my choice to take us into next season.

Does 2 points from 6 games and  1 win a 6 defeats in 7 away games not count as nosediving?  That's why I'm posting on this thread so often, I can't work out why there aren't a lot more people who are concerned by this.

Bruce has succeeded in dumbing down expectations. Shit performances, results in a tail spin and throwing the cheque book at the problem.

Changing to 343 was particularly worrying at the weekend, as others have said we barely have three centre halves on the books so the recent transfer plunge surely should have considered another centre half.

Like any manager he needs results to improve but some consistency of tactics and team selection would surely help.

You do realise we've had 9 players come in, in the January transfer window alone, don't you? We've also had 8 out i think, with 3 sold and 5 loaned. I'd suggest it's pretty difficult given those numbers alone, to pick a consistent team. When some players have only actually been here for 1 or 2 games.

He experimented with what he inherited to try and get the best out of it, but the team was obviously not good enough in several areas, and we all knew it. He had a good initial effect but the same old problems kept cropping up. Injuries also dictated teams and tactics too.

Now he's had a fairly good transfer window with his choice of players, given the obvious constraints, and now he has to be given time to work with them. Personally i think we've now got a pretty good group of players, we messed up at Forrest (mostly through individual errors) but i saw a lot of potential in some of the performances and the partnerships that can be struck up.

I think the Dr is doing exactly the right thing too with his latest comments about using this season now as a springboard for the next. It takes the pressure off of the manager and players for a bit, which i think affects a lot of people when they come here, and will allow them to play with a bit more freedom and fluency. If we hit a good run and make the play offs all well and good, if not, we consolidate in the summer by shifting some more of the deadwood, get a few more shrewd acquisitions in and really go for it next season.

Obviously if things continue as they have and don't tangibly improve before the end of the season, then he has to go, but i just can't see that happening with his track record.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 07, 2017, 11:50:57 PM
Wager didn't improve Huddersfield an iota when he took over in December last season. We'd have been clamouring for his neck on the block in the Revolving Door FC.

Before Wagner they had 3 wins, 6 draws and 8 losses in 17 games.

Between 5 December and 12 Jan they won 5 out of 9.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 08, 2017, 12:07:51 AM
He also didn't have the talent available to Bruce, he had Wells, Jed Steer and a bunch of players most of us had never heard of, and quite possibly still haven't. He had them playing how he wanted to though and has continued that this season. We still look as disjointed as a team as ever. And that's what, for me at least, Bruce needs to show by the end of the season that he has fixed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 08, 2017, 05:59:37 AM
I am with aftab on this.  An improving curve of results is what we must see, not the day of instant coming together and smashing the Championship at some unspecified future date.   We must have tangible evidence in the form of goals scored, clean sheets kept and points accumulated long before the start of next season if August is not to be a repeat of last year.
It is all speculation on our part anyway because the one who has to be convinced by Bruce is Tony Xia not us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on February 08, 2017, 07:08:40 AM
I agree with what you say Brian, however the fans will play a massive part in whether Bruce is allowed to remain our Manager. If the current run of form continues, attendances will start to drop and then the fans will turn against him between now and the end of the season, this could have a major say on what Dr Tony decides to do at the end of the season

He has probably already thrown £50 million+ at the team, would he trust Bruce with another £10 million in the summer?, if there is no improvement in form or league position. I am not so sure he would.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 08, 2017, 07:18:49 AM
I agree with what you say Brian, however the fans will play a massive part in whether Bruce is allowed to remain our Manager. If the current run of form continues, attendances will start to drop and then the fans will turn against him between now and the end of the season, this could have a major say on what Dr Tony decides to do at the end of the season

He has probably already thrown £50 million+ at the team, would he trust Bruce with another £10 million in the summer?, if there is no improvement in form or league position. I am not so sure he would.

But if he changes manager, he'll probably have to throw a lot more than another £10m at it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 08, 2017, 07:19:19 AM
Wager didn't improve Huddersfield an iota when he took over in December last season. We'd have been clamouring for his neck on the block in the Revolving Door FC.

Before Wagner they had 3 wins, 6 draws and 8 losses in 17 games.

Between 5 December and 12 Jan they won 5 out of 9.

He took over with them 19th. Have a guess where they finished.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 08, 2017, 07:22:30 AM
I agree with you Sid.  The subtle difference is that we the fans have had six years of becoming numb/hardened to failure.  Tony might be less forgiving than we have been obliged to become in recent years. Don't get me wrong, I am no apologist for MON, Houllier, Lambert, McLeish, KMac, Sherwood, Garde, Black or RDM, I think we have had to grow thick skins to still keep coming back for more of the same.
Brentford, even allowing for mitigating circumstances, was as bad as anything we have seen post MON.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on February 08, 2017, 07:31:14 AM
I agree with you Sid.  The subtle difference is that we the fans have had six years of becoming numb/hardened to failure.  Tony might be less forgiving than we have been obliged to become in recent years. Don't get me wrong, I am no apologist for MON, Houllier, Lambert, McLeish, KMac, Sherwood, Garde, Black or RDM, I think we have had to grow thick skins to still keep coming back for more of the same.
Brentford, even allowing for mitigating circumstances, was as bad as anything we have seen post MON.
I'd put it in the top 2-3 worst results as a fan since 94.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: boozey182 on February 08, 2017, 08:06:13 AM
Bruce has an almost unprecedented opportunity now, it seems. Dr X has given him a backing and, with the playoffs out of reach, he has three months of matches to help prepare for next season. Get his preferred formation sorted, bleed in a few youngsters (RHM, Green, Bedeau), assess exactly what needs to be done in the summer...you know, exactly the type of thing that we should have done this time last year and what Newcastle are currently benefiting from. While I remain unconvinced by Bruce, this is the best strategy for getting us up next season, and he'll know what a great opportunity it is, and what a great advantage he'll have over the teams scrapping over the playoff places and fighting relegation in the Premier League at the moment. They'll all have major upheaval in the summer based on the outcome of this season, whereas I imagine we'll be pretty settled. The next few months will be up and down, but they might be the most important we've had in a long time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 08, 2017, 08:12:12 AM
I agree with you Sid.  The subtle difference is that we the fans have had six years of becoming numb/hardened to failure.  Tony might be less forgiving than we have been obliged to become in recent years. Don't get me wrong, I am no apologist for MON, Houllier, Lambert, McLeish, KMac, Sherwood, Garde, Black or RDM, I think we have had to grow thick skins to still keep coming back for more of the same.
Brentford, even allowing for mitigating circumstances, was as bad as anything we have seen post MON.
I'd put it in the top 2-3 worst results as a fan since 94.

I thought it was a very good Brentford performance. We were poor but they played exceptionally well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 08, 2017, 08:18:53 AM
Our best hope for promotion next season is that Bruce is still with us rather than face another summer of upheaval and the inevitable settling in period required for a new manager. Therefore setting artificial targets is counter productive, it will be obvious to everyone if it is working but saying we must win x number of points stifles any thoughts of experimentation or risk taking.

Clearly, if he we lose every game and the new players all turn out to be duds then he will have to go but it will be back to the drawing board and potentially another wasted year.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on February 08, 2017, 08:32:10 AM
I can't say that I have studied Bruce's way of playing at his past clubs but my impression is that, as they have been lesser teams, he has had to play defensive and counterattacking football through necessity.  Can he turn this mentality around to develop dominating play.  As if he doesn't, promotion next season will not be a certainty.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villatillidie25 on February 08, 2017, 08:38:20 AM
I agree with you Sid.  The subtle difference is that we the fans have had six years of becoming numb/hardened to failure.  Tony might be less forgiving than we have been obliged to become in recent years. Don't get me wrong, I am no apologist for MON, Houllier, Lambert, McLeish, KMac, Sherwood, Garde, Black or RDM, I think we have had to grow thick skins to still keep coming back for more of the same.
Brentford, even allowing for mitigating circumstances, was as bad as anything we have seen post MON.
I'd put it in the top 2-3 worst results as a fan since 94.

Really?! Somewhat melodramatic... it was bad but we've seen really bad in the past 5 years - Luton, Bradford x 2, Milwall, Arsenal, Chelsea etc etc
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 08, 2017, 08:43:19 AM
I agree with you Sid.  The subtle difference is that we the fans have had six years of becoming numb/hardened to failure.  Tony might be less forgiving than we have been obliged to become in recent years. Don't get me wrong, I am no apologist for MON, Houllier, Lambert, McLeish, KMac, Sherwood, Garde, Black or RDM, I think we have had to grow thick skins to still keep coming back for more of the same.
Brentford, even allowing for mitigating circumstances, was as bad as anything we have seen post MON.
I'd put it in the top 2-3 worst results as a fan since 94.

Really?! Somewhat melodramatic... it was bad but we've seen really bad in the past 5 years - Luton, Bradford x 2, Milwall, Arsenal, Chelsea etc etc

There were a few last season as well. Liverpool at home for one but the one that always sticks in my head was Lambert's last game away at Hull.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 08, 2017, 08:54:12 AM
To argue with ibrvilla for a moment, it did underline where we are as a club perhaps a little more than others because of its nature. In the league level we play at, expectation, play style, player effort, manager choices and opposition. That kind of convergence from many differing shards of awfulness tends to make a mark.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 08, 2017, 09:24:35 AM

Off the top of my head....
Inheriting a defence that shipped goals - and he's not fixed it
inheriting a weak midfield - and rather than try to work with them he decided to sign an entire midfield
inheriting a woefully unfit squad - every manager says this but I honestly don't see us as being any fitter now than we were when he arrived
a 12m striker that couldnt be arsed turning up for training - that appears to have only happened since Bruce arrived and coincides with Bruce deciding to rehabilitate a striker who had taken the piss just as much.
injuries/sickness to Baker, Adomah and more importantly Jedinak - every team has injuries
Men coming back from international duty on the other side of the world - people being full internationals in the championship is a nice problem to have so long as they deliver in the 35-40 games where they're not jet-lagged or travelling
an unprecedented 6 signings in january and two of our best players going to AFCON. - First bit, this was his choice, 2nd bit as above

answered in line but what I'm getting at here is that any manager who joins a club to repalce a sacked manager will have problems to deal with, it's why they got the job and fixing those problems is the core part of the job for the first year.

I've been a little harsh on purpose because he's paid a fortune to fix the problems and improve us, he really doesn't need to have excuses made for him, and most of those are excuses not explanations.

If you read through the thread that lead up to my post you would see i was not putting together a list of excuses for him, I was taking issue with LukeJames' claim that A) SB's methods were outdated when he had absolutely nothing to back it up and B) That he was hopelessly throwing formations at a wall and hoping one would stick. I was arguing that there were several reasons why we haven't got a settled team or formation yet.  Im in complete agreement that progress is limited at the moment and we have really stunk for a few games BUT im firmly in the camp that a manager has to be given a transfer window and a preseason (just like RDM was) before a judgement on his performance and our long term progress should be made
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: UK Redsox on February 08, 2017, 09:50:56 AM
I agree with you Sid.  The subtle difference is that we the fans have had six years of becoming numb/hardened to failure.  Tony might be less forgiving than we have been obliged to become in recent years. Don't get me wrong, I am no apologist for MON, Houllier, Lambert, McLeish, KMac, Sherwood, Garde, Black or RDM, I think we have had to grow thick skins to still keep coming back for more of the same.
Brentford, even allowing for mitigating circumstances, was as bad as anything we have seen post MON.
I'd put it in the top 2-3 worst results as a fan since 94.

Really?! Somewhat melodramatic... it was bad but we've seen really bad in the past 5 years - Luton, Bradford x 2, Milwall, Arsenal, Chelsea etc etc

There were a few last season as well. Liverpool at home for one but the one that always sticks in my head was Lambert's last game away at Hull.

It was right up there (down there?) for me.

Yes, the Chelsea games were absolute batterings but they looked like batterings from early on.

Brentford was an in-game collapse from the position of being the totally dominant team to "squeal like a pig" all within the space of half an hour or so.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 08, 2017, 10:03:44 AM
Like I've said a few times, providing we don't nosedive down the league or he doesn't lose the dressing room, he's my choice to take us into next season.

Does 2 points from 6 games and  1 win a 6 defeats in 7 away games not count as nosediving?  That's why I'm posting on this thread so often, I can't work out why there aren't a lot more people who are concerned by this.

Bruce has succeeded in dumbing down expectations. Shit performances, results in a tail spin and throwing the cheque book at the problem.

Changing to 343 was particularly worrying at the weekend, as others have said we barely have three centre halves on the books so the recent transfer plunge surely should have considered another centre half.

Like any manager he needs results to improve but some consistency of tactics and team selection would surely help.

You do realise we've had 9 players come in, in the January transfer window alone, don't you? We've also had 8 out i think, with 3 sold and 5 loaned. I'd suggest it's pretty difficult given those numbers alone, to pick a consistent team. When some players have only actually been here for 1 or 2 games.

He experimented with what he inherited to try and get the best out of it, but the team was obviously not good enough in several areas, and we all knew it. He had a good initial effect but the same old problems kept cropping up. Injuries also dictated teams and tactics too.

Now he's had a fairly good transfer window with his choice of players, given the obvious constraints, and now he has to be given time to work with them. Personally i think we've now got a pretty good group of players, we messed up at Forrest (mostly through individual errors) but i saw a lot of potential in some of the performances and the partnerships that can be struck up.

I think the Dr is doing exactly the right thing too with his latest comments about using this season now as a springboard for the next. It takes the pressure off of the manager and players for a bit, which i think affects a lot of people when they come here, and will allow them to play with a bit more freedom and fluency. If we hit a good run and make the play offs all well and good, if not, we consolidate in the summer by shifting some more of the deadwood, get a few more shrewd acquisitions in and really go for it next season.

Obviously if things continue as they have and don't tangibly improve before the end of the season, then he has to go, but i just can't see that happening with his track record.

Im aware of the recent transfer business, yes.

However I dont buy it as an excuse, it was Bruce's decision to change keepers, the entire midfield and swap Hogan for McCormack and Ayew. Bruce has been with us for a decent run of it now and I for one see no improvement whatsoever. There was very little improvement in performances either lets be honest in the good run points wise we had at the start of his reign.

I'm not calling for his (potato) head yet but I do think he is seriously underachieving as a manager so far at the club. Our budget dwarfs most other clubs in this division combined yet they are still making mugs of us on a weekly basis. The thought of Bruce being allowed to spend more money in the summer is bonkers.

The state of the team lineup v Forest, Hourihane on the right of Lansbury again ffs, if we were playing wing backs how come they were not playing at least 10 yards further up the pitch, failing to hook Grealish early on, sitting back into our own half against the might of Forest who are so potless they have loaned two of our castoffs

the mind boggles as to what tactics Bruce is attempting to deploy
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 08, 2017, 10:33:30 AM
Why are you complaining about the line up at Forest? Elphick missed two sitters, as did Hogan. They couldn't have complained if they'd been shoveled 3 or 4. I know you like to complain about nigh on everything, he's a coward, that players ghastly and all that, but I cannot "fathom" what you're on about in respect of the line up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nick harper on February 08, 2017, 11:08:43 AM
Why are you complaining about the line up at Forest? Elphick missed two sitters, as did Hogan. They couldn't have complained if they'd been shoveled 3 or 4. I know you like to complain about nigh on everything, he's a coward, that players ghastly and all that, but I cannot "fathom" what you're on about in respect of the line up.

Agree, until the sending off, there was only one team likely to score the second. Football is fine margins and results accentuate the negatives. 3-1 wouldn't have flattered us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on February 08, 2017, 11:30:20 AM
There is no way on earth we'd have lost that game with 11 men.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on February 08, 2017, 11:44:12 AM
Things have been underwhelming thus far, to say the least, but I don't think changing the manager is going to solve anything. We've tried that several times in the last five or six years.

To enable him to do what we need him to do, we are going to have to give him time.

Yes, he makes mistakes, yes, certain errors have been directly attributable to him, but really, changing manager any time soon would just be one more step towards turning into the new Leeds (of recent years) - risible and desperate.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on February 08, 2017, 12:20:05 PM
Things have been underwhelming thus far, to say the least, but I don't think changing the manager is going to solve anything. We've tried that several times in the last five or six years.

To enable him to do what we need him to do, we are going to have to give him time.

Yes, he makes mistakes, yes, certain errors have been directly attributable to him, but really, changing manager any time soon would just be one more step towards turning into the new Leeds (of recent years) - risible and desperate.

Agree with that.  I still maintain that the first thing he needs to do is find a formation that makes us balanced and fluent.  I would argue that up until the end of the window, he just hasn't had the personnel to do that.  When we tried to get more attacking options in the side, it left us weak in midfield and when we tried to bolster the midfield, we looked very light up top. 

He's now got a more balanced squad though and needs to be given time to find a way of playing that is going to work.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on February 08, 2017, 12:35:46 PM
I'm slightly confused as to how you achieve 'consistency of team selection' when we've had our (latest) full new squad for one game.

However I dont buy it as an excuse, it was Bruce's decision to change keepers, the entire midfield and swap Hogan for McCormack and Ayew.

What, you think he was wrong to change the midfield and bring in a striker who might, just might, score some goals? Because you can't have it both ways. Either he had a consistent line-up and carried on with the same squad which had been proven inadequate, or he bought in players which is going to mean changing the line-up.

Changing eight players, most of them first team players is naturally going to need a bedding in period. That's not an excuse, that's just the way it is. Only a complete loon would have carried on with the squad we had.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KRS on February 08, 2017, 12:47:23 PM
I seem to remember Bruce saying something along the lines of not being able to play the way he wanted with the squad he had at his disposal pre-January window and he managed to squeeze out some results where others had failed. Having had what most of us would describe as a good transfer window and that it will take time to integrate these new players, what boils my piss is that Bruce doesn't seem to have a plan (formation and tactics) in place for when these targets were secured. I'm presuming most of the players were of his choice, or at the very least had a strong say in who we signed, so to be seemingly clueless as to how best utilise them (including playing some of them out of position) doesn't really make sense to me...the fact that he didn't sign another centre half then switching to 352 only seems to support this.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 08, 2017, 12:47:34 PM
The next excuse will be bedding in the new system 3 5 2.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dribbler on February 08, 2017, 01:08:23 PM
The next excuse will be bedding in the new system 3 5 2.

When is an excuse not an excuse? When it's a valid reason.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 08, 2017, 01:25:47 PM
The next excuse will be bedding in the new system 3 5 2.

When is an excuse not an excuse? When it's a valid reason?
Good question, I will get back to you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dribbler on February 08, 2017, 01:27:14 PM
Quote from: brontebilly
Im aware of the recent transfer business, yes.

However I dont buy it as an excuse, it was Bruce's decision to change keepers, the entire midfield and swap Hogan for McCormack and Ayew.

Yes, personally i'd have kept Tish and Westwood in there for this game... oh yes, wait a minute... they've left.

Quote from: brontebilly
Bruce has been with us for a decent run of it now and I for one see no improvement whatsoever. There was very little improvement in performances either lets be honest in the good run points wise we had at the start of his reign.

'No improvement whatsoever'... really? Well points wise we certainly improved to start with, but i agree regarding overall performances, i actually think we played some good stuff under RDM at times, and we've played worse under Bruce in the main, given a few exceptions. The biggest improvement now is the squad and the squad balance.

Quote from: brontebilly
I'm not calling for his (potato) head yet but I do think he is seriously underachieving as a manager so far at the club. Our budget dwarfs most other clubs in this division combined yet they are still making mugs of us on a weekly basis. The thought of Bruce being allowed to spend more money in the summer is bonkers.

Considering he's only actually spent money in the last month, budget is irrelevant until he's had time to show what he can do with those purchases. Plus the reason we keep doing so badly despite our budget... because we have no consistency and keep chopping and changing managers, players and systems.

Quote from: brontebilly
The state of the team lineup v Forest, Hourihane on the right of Lansbury again ffs, if we were playing wing backs how come they were not playing at least 10 yards further up the pitch, failing to hook Grealish early on, sitting back into our own half against the might of Forest who are so potless they have loaned two of our castoffs

the mind boggles as to what tactics Bruce is attempting to deploy

My mind certainly didn't 'boggle'... maybe there's something you can get for that! (Ask the Dr  ;D)

I could see what he was trying to do, and to an extant it was working.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 08, 2017, 01:40:09 PM
The new system does not make sense, it takes a long time to bed in 3 at the back which will be 5, if the intention was allways to do this why go into the rest of the season with 3 centre backs including one that is made of glass and Elphick who is crap.
Players generally do not like this system because they do not get brought up playing it, the players that like it least are defenders.
So is the whole club now moving to this system?
The way Bruce deploys it is counter attacking, you would have thought with the money spent and players now at his disposal that Villa should be a team looking to out play opposition and win matches.
Enjoy the ride.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 08, 2017, 01:48:53 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 08, 2017, 01:53:04 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?

The problem is that he seems to have done his transfer business based on 4 at the back and has then changed to 3/5 after 1 game.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 08, 2017, 01:59:57 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?

The problem is that he seems to have done his transfer business based on 4 at the back and has then changed to 3/5 after 1 game.

He just wanted to try a different formation. Like I said, it's fine by me, I don't have a problem with it at all.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KRS on February 08, 2017, 02:11:37 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?
The main problem with changing to 352 after just one game is that we don't have any backup CBs apart from Richards. Try to imagine Richards, Elphick + one other at the back...it would be a cluster fuck of epic proportions. Another problem is that unless the mindset changes from the Forest game, then it's going to be utilised more as a defensive and negative tactic where we sit back, concede possession and try to counter.

The only logic I can see to this is that he saw what a mess the team was against Brentford and has resorted to emergency surgery to stop us haemorrhaging goals and keep us tight at the back as a foundation to build upon whilst the new players bed in and get used to playing with each other.  If the performance at Brentford wasn't so bad (or even if Jedi was there to strengthen the back four) then I doubt he would have resorted to 352 so it seems to be more reactionary than a plan.

We have the personnel to play 442 and he should persist with that by using our strengths and putting players in their correct positions. If he doesn't think that Jedi is going to be able to play that many games and/or we haven't got anyone else to play as a holding midfielder then that is another error by Bruce as he should have brought someone in who can play that role when he had the chance in January.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 08, 2017, 02:24:36 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?

The problem is that he seems to have done his transfer business based on 4 at the back and has then changed to 3/5 after 1 game.

He just wanted to try a different formation. Like I said, it's fine by me, I don't have a problem with it at all.

You've literally just said that we won't know unless we give it a few games and my point is that he doesn't appear to have given plan a that. Can you honestly not see why some people see that as him not having any plan at all?

I personally think that the Brentford result scared him and he's switched to make us better at the back whilst the midfield settles, not something I agree with but not as alarming as the Sherwood throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks approach.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 08, 2017, 02:27:06 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?

The problem is that he seems to have done his transfer business based on 4 at the back and has then changed to 3/5 after 1 game.

He's shit his pants after a trouncing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 08, 2017, 02:33:23 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?

The problem is that he seems to have done his transfer business based on 4 at the back and has then changed to 3/5 after 1 game.

He just wanted to try a different formation. Like I said, it's fine by me, I don't have a problem with it at all.

You've literally just said that we won't know unless we give it a few games and my point is that he doesn't appear to have given plan a that. Can you honestly not see why some people see that as him not having any plan at all?

I personally think that the Brentford result scared him and he's switched to make us better at the back whilst the midfield settles, not something I agree with but not as alarming as the Sherwood throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks approach.

Your second paragraph is exactly what I was going to suggest. Whilst his new midfielders get to know each other, maybe he's decided to tighten things up at the back to take the pressure off a little? Again, I don't have a problem with that if that's the case. Like a few people have said, had we stuck our chances away, it would have worked.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on February 08, 2017, 02:45:03 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?

The problem is that he seems to have done his transfer business based on 4 at the back and has then changed to 3/5 after 1 game.

He's shit his pants after a trouncing.

The trouncing where you said this, asking for a formation change? Seems to me he did exactly as you wanted.

Well Brucey boy. 4-3-3 clearly doesn't and hasn't worked for us for years. Please can it now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 08, 2017, 02:48:34 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?

The problem is that he seems to have done his transfer business based on 4 at the back and has then changed to 3/5 after 1 game.

He's shit his pants after a trouncing.

The trouncing where you said this, asking for a formation change? Seems to me he did exactly as you wanted.

Well Brucey boy. 4-3-3 clearly doesn't and hasn't worked for us for years. Please can it now.

So 5-3-2 hasn't worked since the 90's and 4-3-3 hasn't worked for years either. Hmm.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 08, 2017, 02:51:05 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?

The problem is that he seems to have done his transfer business based on 4 at the back and has then changed to 3/5 after 1 game.

He's shit his pants after a trouncing.

The trouncing where you said this, asking for a formation change? Seems to me he did exactly as you wanted.

Well Brucey boy. 4-3-3 clearly doesn't and hasn't worked for us for years. Please can it now.

And what? How many good performances have we seen with the 4-3-3? One? If you're being kind. We are shit playing 4-3-3 aswell. If you have any supporting evidence that he had 5-3-2 in mind when he signed all those players in January then I'd love to see it as it would help clear the picture a little.

He signed a horde of players, then immediately started tinkering with them, playing them in unnatural positions that are alien to them, in a squad of players that have barely met each other. It will only end in one way.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on February 08, 2017, 02:52:19 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?

The problem is that he seems to have done his transfer business based on 4 at the back and has then changed to 3/5 after 1 game.

He's shit his pants after a trouncing.

The trouncing where you said this, asking for a formation change? Seems to me he did exactly as you wanted.

Well Brucey boy. 4-3-3 clearly doesn't and hasn't worked for us for years. Please can it now.

And what? How many good performances have we seen with the 4-3-3? One? If you're being kind. We are shit playing 4-3-3 aswell. If you have any supporting evidence that he had 5-3-2 in mind when he signed all those players in January then I'd love to see it as it would help clear the picture a little.

He signed a horde of players, then immediately started tinkering with them, playing them in unnatural positions that are alien to them, in a squad of players that have barely met each other. It will only end in one way.

Well, 'what' is that you wanted him to change the formation, and then complained that he 'shit his pants' and changed the formation.  It almost makes one think you wouldn't be happy whatever he did.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 08, 2017, 02:53:49 PM
I think you may be right Sheffield.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 08, 2017, 02:59:02 PM
Just a guess, but I'd say the majority of fans are delighted with the January signings, even the Bruce critics.

We need to give him a chance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 08, 2017, 03:03:57 PM
Just a guess, but I'd say the majority of fans are delighted with the January signings, even the Bruce critics.

We need to give him a chance.

The signings are all bang on the money. We could have done with another center back for sure but that's nit picking. If we cannot perform with this current squad in this tripe division and spend the rest of the season flip flopping between formations hoping to hit on something then it's pretty clear what the problem is. Bruce has been a good manager, this is his biggest test.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on February 08, 2017, 04:14:36 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?

The problem is that he seems to have done his transfer business based on 4 at the back and has then changed to 3/5 after 1 game.

He just wanted to try a different formation. Like I said, it's fine by me, I don't have a problem with it at all.

You've literally just said that we won't know unless we give it a few games and my point is that he doesn't appear to have given plan a that. Can you honestly not see why some people see that as him not having any plan at all?

I personally think that the Brentford result scared him and he's switched to make us better at the back whilst the midfield settles, not something I agree with but not as alarming as the Sherwood throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks approach.

Disagree a bit with that Paul.  After signing Hogan, he had to find a formation that had two up front, but also incorporated three in midfield.  It was a diamond or 3-5-2 really.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 08, 2017, 04:21:01 PM
I'm slightly confused as to how you achieve 'consistency of team selection' when we've had our (latest) full new squad for one game.

However I dont buy it as an excuse, it was Bruce's decision to change keepers, the entire midfield and swap Hogan for McCormack and Ayew.

What, you think he was wrong to change the midfield and bring in a striker who might, just might, score some goals? Because you can't have it both ways. Either he had a consistent line-up and carried on with the same squad which had been proven inadequate, or he bought in players which is going to mean changing the line-up.

Changing eight players, most of them first team players is naturally going to need a bedding in period. That's not an excuse, that's just the way it is. Only a complete loon would have carried on with the squad we had.

The line up should be relatively consistent in terms of shape and at least attempt to suit the players at his disposal. Particularly players only brought in a couple of weeks ago. I'm not against three at the back as a formation, look at Chelsea for example, but you need to be comfortable on the ball at the back. Neither Elphick or Baker are, and we have no-one else. Any further attempts to continue to play this formation will ultimately end badly for Bruce and AVFC.

This is Sherwood-esque stuff from an experienced manager that should know a lot better. I firmly disagree that we played well at Forest and were unlucky. The possession stats were a disgrace given the players at our disposal. We should be dominating the ball, not punting the ball up to a hiding Kodjia and looking for Hogan to get on a break.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 08, 2017, 04:34:25 PM
We've got no right to be expecing to be dominating the ball, especially away from home. As for playing on the break, if it catches teams out now and again, then fine.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 08, 2017, 04:36:26 PM
He's trying something different, I don't see what the problem is. Who knows, it might have been something the players have talked about. He's tried it once so far, it might end up being the best or worst idea he's ever had. We won't know unless we give it a go for a few games will we?
You are right, it might work.
He is the manager, it is his decision.
I don't like the idea and based on the players he has got I do not think it will work.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 08, 2017, 04:58:01 PM
If after the amount of money we've spent we can't dominate the ball we may as well give up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 08, 2017, 04:58:45 PM
I'm slightly confused as to how you achieve 'consistency of team selection' when we've had our (latest) full new squad for one game.

However I dont buy it as an excuse, it was Bruce's decision to change keepers, the entire midfield and swap Hogan for McCormack and Ayew.

What, you think he was wrong to change the midfield and bring in a striker who might, just might, score some goals? Because you can't have it both ways. Either he had a consistent line-up and carried on with the same squad which had been proven inadequate, or he bought in players which is going to mean changing the line-up.

Changing eight players, most of them first team players is naturally going to need a bedding in period. That's not an excuse, that's just the way it is. Only a complete loon would have carried on with the squad we had.

The line up should be relatively consistent in terms of shape and at least attempt to suit the players at his disposal. Particularly players only brought in a couple of weeks ago. I'm not against three at the back as a formation, look at Chelsea for example, but you need to be comfortable on the ball at the back. Neither Elphick or Baker are, and we have no-one else. Any further attempts to continue to play this formation will ultimately end badly for Bruce and AVFC.

This is Sherwood-esque stuff from an experienced manager that should know a lot better. I firmly disagree that we played well at Forest and were unlucky. The possession stats were a disgrace given the players at our disposal. We should be dominating the ball, not punting the ball up to a hiding Kodjia and looking for Hogan to get on a break.

Possession stats are totally meaningless it is what you do with that is important. Until the sending off we had used the pace in our side to create more chances than them and their keeper was having a blinder. It wasn't "punting the ball" but rather sitting deep to give us the space to break into. So as far as that game went it was fine until the sending off. We have used that formation once, it was the first game that all the new signings had played together, he might well try something different next time so trying to draw any wider conclusions is pointless.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 08, 2017, 05:03:10 PM
The possession stats were a disgrace given the players at our disposal. We should be dominating the ball, not punting the ball up to a hiding Kodjia and looking for Hogan to get on a break.

Who cares about the possession stats? They had a lot of ball and were experts at going square or back with not an ounce of penetration.

We on the other hand should have scoured 3 or 4.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 08, 2017, 05:03:19 PM
Possession stats are totally meaningless it is what you do with that is important.

In this particular case though, isn't the problem that what they did with the ball was "score more goals with it than we did"?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on February 08, 2017, 05:14:57 PM
Maybe he's trying out a few different formations to see what works best. Or maybe he's trying to familiarise the players with several different formations so he can change according to the opposition. Or maybe something he tried didn't work out so he's trying something else. Maybe he's trying something that's worked for him before but it takes a while to implement. Maybe he knows what he's doing. Maybe he's such a genius that we just don't understand him. Maybe he's lost his mind! Maybe he thinks he's a satsuma!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned in the miles and miles of angsty waffle on this thread in the last few days is that whatever he does, whoever he buys, whoever he picks and wherever he plays them, there's always another bloody team on the pitch trying their best to play better than them and scupper his plans! Every single week! The bloody nerve!

It's almost as if it's not straightforward.

Sport, eh?

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tayls_7 on February 08, 2017, 05:38:37 PM
Maybe he's trying out a few different formations to see what works best. Or maybe he's trying to familiarise the players with several different formations so he can change according to the opposition. Or maybe something he tried didn't work out so he's trying something else. Maybe he's trying something that's worked for him before but it takes a while to implement. Maybe he knows what he's doing. Maybe he's such a genius that we just don't understand him. Maybe he's lost his mind! Maybe he thinks he's a satsuma!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned in the miles and miles of angsty waffle on this thread in the last few days is that whatever he does, whoever he buys, whoever he picks and wherever he plays them, there's always another bloody team on the pitch trying their best to play better than them and scupper his plans! Every single week! The bloody nerve!

It's almost as if it's not straightforward.

Sport, eh?

The bastards!

(http://www.aveleyman.com/Gallery/ActorsB/tve2325-897-104-0.jpg)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 08, 2017, 07:38:56 PM
Possession stats are totally meaningless it is what you do with that is important.

In this particular case though, isn't the problem that what they did with the ball was "score more goals with it than we did"?

Yes, but anyone arguing that being as a result of the formation would have a hard job convincing me. Missing chances and Grealish getting sent off were the major factors from my perspective.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 08, 2017, 09:02:22 PM
One thing that hasn't been mentioned in the miles and miles of angsty waffle on this thread in the last few days is that whatever he does, whoever he buys, whoever he picks and wherever he plays them, there's always another bloody team on the pitch trying their best to play better than them and scupper his plans! Every single week! The bloody nerve!

It's almost as if it's not straightforward.

Sport, eh?

Out of all the reasons, Pro and Anti Bruce, over the past few days, this is by far the weirdest.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 08, 2017, 09:19:53 PM
Possession stats are totally meaningless it is what you do with that is important.

In this particular case though, isn't the problem that what they did with the ball was "score more goals with it than we did"?

Yes, but anyone arguing that being as a result of the formation would have a hard job convincing me. Missing chances and Grealish getting sent off were the major factors from my perspective.

They were certainly factors. But if what we did with the ball was miss chances when what they did with the ball was score their chances, the argument of "it's not how much of the ball you have it's what you do with it" can't really be used in Bruce's favour in this instance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 08, 2017, 09:56:26 PM
Possession stats are totally meaningless it is what you do with that is important.

In this particular case though, isn't the problem that what they did with the ball was "score more goals with it than we did"?

Yes, but anyone arguing that being as a result of the formation would have a hard job convincing me. Missing chances and Grealish getting sent off were the major factors from my perspective.

They were certainly factors. But if what we did with the ball was miss chances when what they did with the ball was score their chances, the argument of "it's not how much of the ball you have it's what you do with it" can't really be used in Bruce's favour in this instance.

Nor can it be used as a criticism, it is hardly his fault if a player doesn't take a chance in a particular match, or their keeper makes a series of good saves, if he has picked a side that has resulted in getting into those positions in the first place. Over a period of time it's a different matter but surely that was what the transfer window was about.

Some of the criticism going levelled might turn out to be warranted but at the moment it is premature and smacks of not giving the bloke a chance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: maigrait on February 08, 2017, 10:03:09 PM
Maybe he's trying out a few different formations to see what works best. Or maybe he's trying to familiarise the players with several different formations so he can change according to the opposition. Or maybe something he tried didn't work out so he's trying something else. Maybe he's trying something that's worked for him before but it takes a while to implement. Maybe he knows what he's doing. Maybe he's such a genius that we just don't understand him. Maybe he's lost his mind! Maybe he thinks he's a satsuma!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned in the miles and miles of angsty waffle on this thread in the last few days is that whatever he does, whoever he buys, whoever he picks and wherever he plays them, there's always another bloody team on the pitch trying their best to play better than them and scupper his plans! Every single week! The bloody nerve!

It's almost as if it's not straightforward.

Sport, eh?

Didn't want to quote everything but it was hilarious. Bravo!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 08, 2017, 10:07:25 PM
Won't quote but in reply to Chris, under RDM we had more shots per game than anyone in the league, does that mean it wasn't his fault that we didn't take them and couldn't make it count?  Again I ask because of the inconsistent approach to the 2 most recent managers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 08, 2017, 10:09:37 PM
Selfish selfish Villa fans, wanting more than one half decent performance in four months (and even that was a game we didn't actually win).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on February 08, 2017, 10:29:50 PM
One thing that hasn't been mentioned in the miles and miles of angsty waffle on this thread in the last few days is that whatever he does, whoever he buys, whoever he picks and wherever he plays them, there's always another bloody team on the pitch trying their best to play better than them and scupper his plans! Every single week! The bloody nerve!

It's almost as if it's not straightforward.

Sport, eh?

Out of all the reasons, Pro and Anti Bruce, over the past few days, this is by far the weirdest.

Genuinely not sure if you're being ironic or if I should employ a 'whoosh'.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 08, 2017, 10:45:33 PM
Won't quote but in reply to Chris, under RDM we had more shots per game than anyone in the league, does that mean it wasn't his fault that we didn't take them and couldn't make it count?  Again I ask because of the inconsistent approach to the 2 most recent managers.

No, it wasn't his fault that we didn't take chances. I would argue though that is was his responsibility to address the problem of us repeatedly conceding late goals. That, to me, suggests a lack of fitness and that is a serious failing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 08, 2017, 10:49:25 PM
Won't quote but in reply to Chris, under RDM we had more shots per game than anyone in the league, does that mean it wasn't his fault that we didn't take them and couldn't make it count?  Again I ask because of the inconsistent approach to the 2 most recent managers.

No, it wasn't his fault that we didn't take chances. I would argue though that is was his responsibility to address the problem of us repeatedly conceding late goals. That, to me, suggests a lack of fitness and that is a serious failing.

But if we'd taken our chances we'd have been in the clear and won regardless of late goals.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on February 08, 2017, 10:49:30 PM
Won't quote but in reply to Chris, under RDM we had more shots per game than anyone in the league, does that mean it wasn't his fault that we didn't take them and couldn't make it count?  Again I ask because of the inconsistent approach to the 2 most recent managers.

No, it wasn't his fault that we didn't take chances. I would argue though that is was his responsibility to address the problem of us repeatedly conceding late goals. That, to me, suggests a lack of fitness and that is a serious failing.

Lack of fitness and dropping deeper and deeper which was a major tactical shortcoming.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 08, 2017, 10:56:49 PM
Won't quote but in reply to Chris, under RDM we had more shots per game than anyone in the league, does that mean it wasn't his fault that we didn't take them and couldn't make it count?  Again I ask because of the inconsistent approach to the 2 most recent managers.

No, it wasn't his fault that we didn't take chances. I would argue though that is was his responsibility to address the problem of us repeatedly conceding late goals. That, to me, suggests a lack of fitness and that is a serious failing.

Lack of fitness and dropping deeper and deeper which was a major tactical shortcoming.

The latter is something we're still doing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 08, 2017, 11:17:54 PM
Won't quote but in reply to Chris, under RDM we had more shots per game than anyone in the league, does that mean it wasn't his fault that we didn't take them and couldn't make it count?  Again I ask because of the inconsistent approach to the 2 most recent managers.

No, it wasn't his fault that we didn't take chances. I would argue though that is was his responsibility to address the problem of us repeatedly conceding late goals. That, to me, suggests a lack of fitness and that is a serious failing.

Lack of fitness and dropping deeper and deeper which was a major tactical shortcoming.

The latter is something we're still doing.

I disagree, Saturday was atypical because of the sending off but generally we have been less vulnerable (not perfect but better) in the latter stages of games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 08, 2017, 11:53:39 PM
I mean dropping deeper, which we've done a number of times recently.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 09, 2017, 06:53:10 AM
Plus the never ending problem of coming onto the pitch for the second half half asleep. Other teams know we do it and exploit it to turn games around.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 09, 2017, 07:38:13 AM
Plus the never ending problem of coming onto the pitch for the second half half asleep. Other teams know we do it and exploit it to turn games around.

Surely by bringing in so many new players he has recognised that there are issues that needed addressing and that despite trying to improve what we had the midfield was not fit for purpose.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dribbler on February 09, 2017, 03:53:16 PM

...in the miles and miles of angsty waffle on this thread in the last few days...


Quote of the day for me, so true, funny, and kind of makes me hungry at the same time!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 09, 2017, 04:07:51 PM
There was an interesting table the other day that showed the times we score and concede goalsbroken down into 10 minute chunks.  From memory, up to the 30 minute mark, we're pretty decent at both scoring and not conceding goals.  After that, it all goes to shite, and the second half stats perfectly sum up how dreadful we are as games progress.  Fitness, concentration, tactics and substitutions must all play a part in that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 09, 2017, 05:29:43 PM
I haven't checked the statistics, but I am sure I heard someone commentating on the Brentford game say that we have lost over 20 points from winning positions this season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 10, 2017, 01:00:54 PM
Possession stats are totally meaningless it is what you do with that is important.

In this particular case though, isn't the problem that what they did with the ball was "score more goals with it than we did"?

Yes, but anyone arguing that being as a result of the formation would have a hard job convincing me. Missing chances and Grealish getting sent off were the major factors from my perspective.

They were certainly factors. But if what we did with the ball was miss chances when what they did with the ball was score their chances, the argument of "it's not how much of the ball you have it's what you do with it" can't really be used in Bruce's favour in this instance.

Nor can it be used as a criticism, it is hardly his fault if a player doesn't take a chance in a particular match, or their keeper makes a series of good saves, if he has picked a side that has resulted in getting into those positions in the first place. Over a period of time it's a different matter but surely that was what the transfer window was about.

Some of the criticism going levelled might turn out to be warranted but at the moment it is premature and smacks of not giving the bloke a chance.

It's very difficult to score a goal if you haven't got the ball, but it is a lot easier to let one in. That's pretty straight forward.

Also I tend to enjoy the parts of the game more where my team have the ball than the parts where the opposition do.

Whether you want good or winning football or  preferably both having the ball in your possession is crucial
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 10, 2017, 01:11:31 PM
I assume it's a fairly recent development publishing the possession stats, never tells the whole story though. For example Liverpool had 72% possession, 22 shots and 15 corners to Hull's 1 on Saturday but ended up losing 2-0.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 10, 2017, 01:22:00 PM
I agree it doesn't tell the whole story. But on the whole teams that have more of the ball win. Check out these possession stats for the prem -


http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/ballbesitz/wettbewerb/GB1#ath

Possession stats show a massive correlation with league position. Winning teams keep the ball.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 10, 2017, 01:55:37 PM
I assume it's a fairly recent development publishing the possession stats, never tells the whole story though. For example Liverpool had 72% possession, 22 shots and 15 corners to Hull's 1 on Saturday but ended up losing 2-0.

Absolutely. The most important thing is that you win, regardless of how much of the ball you have.

It's just odd that the "it's not how much of the ball you have it's what you do with it" argument is being used in a match in which Forest had more possession than we did and scored more goals than we did.

As they ultimately did more with it than us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 10, 2017, 03:15:26 PM
With more men.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 10, 2017, 04:18:19 PM
I assume it's a fairly recent development publishing the possession stats, never tells the whole story though. For example Liverpool had 72% possession, 22 shots and 15 corners to Hull's 1 on Saturday but ended up losing 2-0.

Absolutely. The most important thing is that you win, regardless of how much of the ball you have.

It's just odd that the "it's not how much of the ball you have it's what you do with it" argument is being used in a match in which Forest had more possession than we did and scored more goals than we did.

As they ultimately did more with it than us.

It's not odd at all, one match in isolation only tells you about that match you cannot extrapolate it further. Neither does it take into account the performance of their keeper or the impact of the sending off.

With half a new team to integrate it will take several weeks for us to get an idea of what impact they have and begin to make an informed judgement.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 10, 2017, 04:37:35 PM
I assume it's a fairly recent development publishing the possession stats, never tells the whole story though. For example Liverpool had 72% possession, 22 shots and 15 corners to Hull's 1 on Saturday but ended up losing 2-0.

Absolutely. The most important thing is that you win, regardless of how much of the ball you have.

It's just odd that the "it's not how much of the ball you have it's what you do with it" argument is being used in a match in which Forest had more possession than we did and scored more goals than we did.

As they ultimately did more with it than us.

It's not odd at all, one match in isolation only tells you about that match you cannot extrapolate it further.

Yes, it only tells you about that one match.

But when the conversation was about what Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest did with the ball in that one match, it doesn't really need much further extrapolation.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 10, 2017, 05:38:05 PM
I assume it's a fairly recent development publishing the possession stats, never tells the whole story though. For example Liverpool had 72% possession, 22 shots and 15 corners to Hull's 1 on Saturday but ended up losing 2-0.

Absolutely. The most important thing is that you win, regardless of how much of the ball you have.

It's just odd that the "it's not how much of the ball you have it's what you do with it" argument is being used in a match in which Forest had more possession than we did and scored more goals than we did.

As they ultimately did more with it than us.

It's not odd at all, one match in isolation only tells you about that match you cannot extrapolate it further.

Yes, it only tells you about that one match.

But when the conversation was about what Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest did with the ball in that one match, it doesn't really need much further extrapolation.

It needs more fleshing out when a poster states that having the ball in possession is crucial. It is a factor; just as having the same number of players for 90 minutes is a factor and the performance of specific individuals in the game are factors. The relative importance of each is wholly a matter of opinion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 10, 2017, 05:49:59 PM
Chris, simple question, would you prefer we had more or less possession or don't you care?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: manic-road on February 10, 2017, 06:04:07 PM
Possession can be a very misleading stat, teams that tend to play on the break and try and soak up pressure will have lower possession like we did under MON. The only stat that matters is the number of goals for and against.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 10, 2017, 06:13:17 PM
What Aston Villa did was create enough chances, clear cut golden ones, to win the game by 3 or 4. Their keeper was man of the match. One keeper error, one silly challenge and a lapse of concentration cost us, together with poor finishing.

They did nothing with their possession. They exerted not a shred of pressure and looked blunt and devoid of any ideas. Losing to shite like that happens and it's monsterously frsutrating. Play that game again tomorrow and again for the nect weeks and we'd win far more often than not.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 10, 2017, 06:15:28 PM
Chris, simple question, would you prefer we had more or less possession or don't you care?

I can't answer for Chris, but I care about what we do with it. Forest possession, where they were only a back pass to the centre half from the goal kick away from.looking like Lambert, then no chance.

I want us to look like scoring. With less of the ball we created far, far more and looked the only team capable of winning the game.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tayls_7 on February 10, 2017, 06:26:29 PM
It would be nice to have the option to play possession football but surely that would require players who look comfortable on the ball, who recognise their team mates and have team mates who realise the importance of finding space. I haven't even mentioned looking up when in control of the ball and being aware of the picture around them before receiving it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 10, 2017, 06:27:33 PM
Chris, simple question, would you prefer we had more or less possession or don't you care?

What Ads said.

When we have loads of the ball people say it doesn't matter it is what we do with it that counts; when we have less of it then people will say we need to keep it more. In and of itself it is fairly meaningless, making the most of the it is what counts. In some games sitting deep and using the pace of your forwards can be the way to go, other times pressing high can be the best approach.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 10, 2017, 06:30:18 PM
We never had much of the ball under MON but (putting the fact he's a cock aside) his team at many times was exciting too watch.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 10, 2017, 06:46:56 PM
Chris, simple question, would you prefer we had more or less possession or don't you care?
When we have loads of the ball people say it doesn't matter it is what we do with it that counts; when we have less of it then people will say we need to keep it more. In and of itself it is fairly meaningless, making the most of the it is what counts. In some games sitting deep and using the pace of your forwards can be the way to go, other times pressing high can be the best approach.

I agree, especially that last sentence. The 'sitting deep and using the pace of your forwards' (counter attacking) is mainly used when playing against superior teams, whilst 'pressing high' (possession) we can generalise as taking the game to the opposition, not Lambert square ball/passing it back bollocks as some on here seem to struggle understand. As you rightly say, both can work but what's important is that you can actually play both when needed. We're never going to get out of this division if we can't play both.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 10, 2017, 07:29:39 PM
Chris, simple question, would you prefer we had more or less possession or don't you care?

What Ads said.

When we have loads of the ball people say it doesn't matter it is what we do with it that counts; when we have less of it then people will say we need to keep it more. In and of itself it is fairly meaningless, making the most of the it is what counts.

Absolutely. And scoring two goals with it is better than scoring one goal with it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 10, 2017, 08:02:08 PM
9 times out 10 we'd win that game. With 11 men we certainly wouldn't have lost it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 10, 2017, 08:16:45 PM
This has the makings of a classic everlasting thread.  That is not criticism.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard E on February 10, 2017, 08:18:23 PM
This has the makings of a classic everlasting thread.  That is not criticism.

What percentage possession did we have in the game when Barry didn't take the penalty?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 10, 2017, 08:24:09 PM
We never had much of the ball under MON but (putting the fact he's a cock aside) his team at many times was exciting too watch.

His home record was poor despite the money and players available to him. A great example though of only knowing how to play one way. Son of Clough, my arse.

I'm expecting after tomorrow's win, all this discussion to be put to bed for a few months, hopefully until next season or beyond. We have an exciting squad and we'll start showing what they are capable of. If Bruce fails to deliver he'll only have himself to blame. Fortunately I don't think he will.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 10, 2017, 08:30:34 PM
I agree after tomorrow this thread will go quiet as we do have a great looking side now. If he can't get this side playing over the next few games then it will be time to start worrying but I don't think that will happen though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 10, 2017, 08:33:36 PM
We were very good at counter attacking football and the fundamentals; defending, pressing in out half and contracting space, set pieces and delivery into the box.

What let us down at home was the absence of a player that could unlock things centrally. 442 wasn't a problem, as the year Spurs came 4th they played 442 or its bastard son 4411 and won 14 home games to our 7.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on February 10, 2017, 09:26:41 PM
And we were the dead ball experts as well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 10, 2017, 09:52:52 PM
9 times out 10 we'd win that game.

Sounds like the Post-Match Thread of Di Matteo's first dozen games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 10, 2017, 09:54:51 PM
Whatever you say Dave.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 10, 2017, 09:57:35 PM
Whatever you say Dave.

No, I'm sure you're right. We were desperately unlucky, the better side and it was just fate and circumstance conspiring against us.

Like all those other games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 10, 2017, 10:11:51 PM
Whatever you say Dave.

No, I'm sure you're right. We were desperately unlucky, the better side and it was just fate and circumstance conspiring against us.

Like all those other games.

Dont worry someone is due a tonking  ::)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 10, 2017, 10:16:07 PM
Generally, the more people say "if we play like that [half] for the rest of the season, we'll be alright", the less alright we actually are.  Somebody has been overdue a thrashing for about 5 years now, as well, if it's like the Euromillions rolling up each week, we're going to thrash somebody about 185 nil.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 10, 2017, 10:19:18 PM
Somebody has been overdue a thrashing for about 5 years now

To be fair, I reckon we used that chip up in that Sunderland game a couple of years back.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 10, 2017, 10:20:02 PM
9 times out 10 we'd win that game.

Sounds like the Post-Match Thread of Di Matteo's first dozen games.

This has been my point for a week. I just don't get why rdm got shit for late defeats and Bruce gets excuses.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 10, 2017, 10:23:52 PM
9 times out 10 we'd win that game.

Sounds like the Post-Match Thread of Di Matteo's first dozen games.

This has been my point for a week. I just don't get why rdm got shit for late defeats and Bruce gets excuses.

Without wanting to completely cross the floor in this discussion, when Bruce has had his fifth, sixth and seventh draw-turning-into-a-defeat or win-turning-into-draw in the 89th minute, he'll probably see more stick than he currently attracts.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Exeter 77 on February 10, 2017, 10:37:42 PM
Bruce built up some goodwill with the results from his first few games which is why he will be afforded a bit more patience than Di Matteo. Villa cannot sack yet another manager Bruce has to be given time to build his own squad. This season can probably be written off which gives him another transfer window to get the players he wants (or doesn't) allowing for the depth of the owner's pockets and FFP. If we are still in this position in December it will understandable if Bruce's position is under pressure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: purpletrousers on February 10, 2017, 11:51:08 PM
9 times out 10 we'd win that game.

Sounds like the Post-Match Thread of Di Matteo's first dozen games.

This has been my point for a week. I just don't get why rdm got shit for late defeats and Bruce gets excuses.

One man's excuse is another man's patience etc. Why are more patient? We've got some results. He's bought with logic. He seems genuine, honest, he's likeable,  we can connect with him, understand him.
That and we can't twist every 2months, we need to give time and patience when it is merited. There were no signs of positive change with his predecessor, and a lack of some of  these other qualities
Of course things need to move in the right direction, but I'm still glad we got him, even after exhausting myself getting to that game at Brentford.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 11, 2017, 01:40:00 AM
Whatever you say Dave.

No, I'm sure you're right. We were desperately unlucky, the better side and it was just fate and circumstance conspiring against us.

Like all those other games.

Wyrd bið ful aræd.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 11, 2017, 06:59:11 AM
Whatever you say Dave.

No, I'm sure you're right. We were desperately unlucky, the better side and it was just fate and circumstance conspiring against us.

Like all those other games.

Wyrd bið ful aræd.
I agree
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 11, 2017, 08:24:51 AM
9 times out 10 we'd win that game.

Sounds like the Post-Match Thread of Di Matteo's first dozen games.

This has been my point for a week. I just don't get why rdm got shit for late defeats and Bruce gets excuses.

One man's excuse is another man's patience etc. Why are more patient? We've got some results. He's bought with logic. He seems genuine, honest, he's likeable,  we can connect with him, understand him.
That and we can't twist every 2months, we need to give time and patience when it is merited. There were no signs of positive change with his predecessor, and a lack of some of  these other qualities
Of course things need to move in the right direction, but I'm still glad we got him, even after exhausting myself getting to that game at Brentford.

That's exactly how I feel Purpletrousers and very well explained.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 11, 2017, 08:58:35 AM
Forest was the first late goal we've conceded under Bruce wasn't it? Scored quite a few ourselves in three last 5 or 10 minutes of games under him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 11, 2017, 09:04:12 AM
Leeds away, and I think Spurs second was with about 10 to go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 11, 2017, 09:44:10 AM
We were already 1 down at Leeds and Spurs though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on February 11, 2017, 09:51:45 AM
I don't think we've played anything close to well under Bruce yet. We've managed 6/10 at best, and maybe one half of said game.

Hopefully that changes today. We've been saying it for far, far too long, but it's about time we really todgered someone royally.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 11, 2017, 09:54:23 AM
I don't think we've played anything close to well under Bruce yet. We've managed 6/10 at best, and maybe one half of said game.

Hopefully that changes today. We've been saying it for far, far too long, but it's about time we really todgered someone royally.

I thought we played really well down at Brighton and apparently we were very good in the first half against Preston. We've seen spells of good football but overall, it's been ok with utter shite thrown in now and again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 11, 2017, 09:57:52 AM
9 times out 10 we'd win that game.

Sounds like the Post-Match Thread of Di Matteo's first dozen games.

This has been my point for a week. I just don't get why rdm got shit for late defeats and Bruce gets excuses.

One man's excuse is another man's patience etc. Why are more patient? We've got some results. He's bought with logic. He seems genuine, honest, he's likeable,  we can connect with him, understand him.
That and we can't twist every 2months, we need to give time and patience when it is merited. There were no signs of positive change with his predecessor, and a lack of some of  these other qualities
Of course things need to move in the right direction, but I'm still glad we got him, even after exhausting myself getting to that game at Brentford.

That's exactly how I feel Purpletrousers and very well explained.

Seconded.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on February 11, 2017, 10:13:44 AM
I'm optimistic about this side. They have pretty much all the right ingredients, perhaps with a better keeper and another centre back, which can happen in the summer. But we do need a bit of time for them to feel comfortable in their own skin because playing for Villa seems to suck the life out of players at the moment, never mind what it's doing to us fans! Sticking with Bruce is the right thing to do, although I do have a wonder about the coaching at the minute. Play with more freedom, further up the pitch.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 11, 2017, 11:29:06 AM
It's goes with out saying that we lack consistency from half to half of games.  But you don't need a counsel of perfection and to criticise based on that mythical standard is wrong.

What we need is results. Some times twenty minutes good play is enough, so times 20 seconds.

Wednesday were abysmal last night, their captain echoed my thoughts, yet the did Small Heath 3-0.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 11, 2017, 12:56:59 PM
You can win games whilst playing badly for the majority of a game. You can also win games when you only have the ball for a small proportion of the game. This can happen if you take your chances and get lucky.

But the arguaments on here for this are getting a bit much. Generally the team with most of the ball and that plays better wins. There are exceptions like Sheffield Weds at Blues.

Under O'Neill we did well with less possession, but we had some very good players including some rapid attackers.

I don't want Bruce gone, we need to gel. But to start consistently winning we need to hold onto the ball more. We had incredible players under MON, but even with him you could begin to see the cracks appearing towards the end.

It's simplistic but if the opposition don't have the ball then they can't score (unless you have an own goal expert like Richard Dunne).


If the opposition have the ball for most of the game, then your players need to be incredibly fit and deadly in attacking areas. We are neither of these things, so I think we should be building a system where we hold the ball and build chances.

Low possession tactics, don't have sustainability even when they are initially effective. Opposition teams will suss you out and nullify your counter attacking threat. If you build a possession based, attacking side, then they can always switch to direct tactics if needed. But this type of football needs to be trained and practiced. If you build a low possession/ counter attacking team, then there is no way they can switch to a passing/ possession based game as the players won't have built the skills to do it.

The team has many more options and possibilities if training and tactics are built around holding onto the ball along with passing and movement.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: GordonCowansisthegreatest on February 11, 2017, 01:36:48 PM
You can win games whilst playing badly for the majority of a game. You can also win games when you only have the ball for a small proportion of the game. This can happen if you take your chances and get lucky.

But the arguaments on here for this are getting a bit much. Generally the team with most of the ball and that plays better wins. There are exceptions like Sheffield Weds at Blues.

Under O'Neill we did well with less possession, but we had some very good players including some rapid attackers.

I don't want Bruce gone, we need to gel. But to start consistently winning we need to hold onto the ball more. We had incredible players under MON, but even with him you could begin to see the cracks appearing towards the end.

It's simplistic but if the opposition don't have the ball then they can't score (unless you have an own goal expert like Richard Dunne).


If the opposition have the ball for most of the game, then your players need to be incredibly fit and deadly in attacking areas. We are neither of these things, so I think we should be building a system where we hold the ball and build chances.

Low possession tactics, don't have sustainability even when they are initially effective. Opposition teams will suss you out and nullify your counter attacking threat. If you build a possession based, attacking side, then they can always switch to direct tactics if needed. But this type of football needs to be trained and practiced. If you build a low possession/ counter attacking team, then there is no way they can switch to a passing/ possession based game as the players won't have built the skills to do it.

The team has many more options and possibilities if training and tactics are built around holding onto the ball along with passing and movement.
Sorry, but we don't do common sense much on this thread!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 11, 2017, 02:02:04 PM
if you rely on a counter attacking system you are basically saying we arn't as good as you,
 you have better players than us, we cant compete with you at the game of playing football
so we will just try and catch you out
and sometimes it works

I don't think that Bruce wants us to play this way though
and any team with the money we've spent in the league we're in shouldn't need to,
every team scores goals on the counter attack it doesn't mean its the only plan like it was under MON
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 11, 2017, 02:08:37 PM
if you rely on a counter attacking system you are basically saying we arn't as good as you,
 you have better players than us, we cant compete with you at the game of playing football
so we will just try and catch you out
and sometimes it works

I don't think that Bruce wants us to play this way though
and any team with the money we've spent in the league we're in shouldn't need to,
every team scores goals on the counter attack it doesn't mean its the only plan like it was under MON

Agree entirely.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 11, 2017, 02:35:15 PM
if you rely on a counter attacking system you are basically saying we arn't as good as you,
 you have better players than us, we cant compete with you at the game of playing football
so we will just try and catch you out
and sometimes it works

I don't think that Bruce wants us to play this way though.


That would be unusual, as all his other teams have been set up to kill them game as a spectacle and nick something on the counter or from a set piece.

He might *want* to change; in the same way that McLeish probably did want to move away from dour, defensive football and play with attacking full-backs. But it was in him to the marrow.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 11, 2017, 02:53:41 PM
He has a relative huge amount of resource here, compared to his previous clubs. I'm interested to find out whether his approach to football is practical depending on what he has or ideological.

 I'm really hoping he is practical at using what he has, I like the guy and really want him to succeed with good and winning football.

He has the players and money to do it here. If he doesn't nail it, it will be a shame for him and us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 11, 2017, 03:00:35 PM
and not least, the good Doctor
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 11, 2017, 04:21:45 PM
(http://thumb.ibb.co/mCaABF/IMG_3086.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mCaABF)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 11, 2017, 04:26:11 PM
Worrying stuff today. If home form goes we're in a relegation fight. Who'd have thought hey, Bruce turning us into a turgid anti football outfit that never scores.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JUAN PABLO on February 11, 2017, 04:43:13 PM
Ipswich scored
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JUAN PABLO on February 11, 2017, 04:43:27 PM
elphick is a fucking nightmare
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 11, 2017, 04:58:38 PM
Does Bruce have a good record of promotion from league 1 and can he do it with a £50m team?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 11, 2017, 04:58:46 PM
Hopefully that's the end of 3-5-2 (5-3-2).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mellin on February 11, 2017, 05:03:05 PM
Indeed. We don't have the players for it. Means Tommy bombscare Elphick plays and Hutton sees far too much of the ball.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 11, 2017, 05:05:11 PM
Coming next week: I've always liked 1-2-1-3-1-1-1 and wor going to give that a little try, and hope that it can give us that little bit extra to stay above Rotherham.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 11, 2017, 05:05:25 PM
It's some going to spend the money we do and be worse than when you started. Players that have torn up this division at other clubs and just about any side in this division would want, fail to score or get assists as soon as they are in B6. 16th in Division 2, and only the bottom three have won less games, only the bottom two have scored less, both one less. Rejoice, we've spent a fortune and have scored 1 goal more than Rotherham!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 11, 2017, 05:09:24 PM
I actually think he is on a colossal wind up now. 

All the potatohead barbs over the years must have really gotten to him.  And was just at the games. 

I wouldn't have put it past some of our scamps to give him both barrels when he was out and about in Solihull. He remembered all that, it clearly cut him to the bone and now he is fucking us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: in the blood on February 11, 2017, 05:09:55 PM
Dead man walking
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 11, 2017, 05:10:20 PM
A few of us have been calling it for weeks now, he hasn't a clue what he's doing, people will still reel off the excuses for him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passport1 on February 11, 2017, 05:11:31 PM
he said at his weeks press conference that he never expected to have seven new players and that it was now his job to fit them into the team. It begs the question what exactly is our player signing policy if  the manager doesn't know who is coming in.

The chaos on  the pitch is probably reflecting what is happening behind the scenes.


Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 11, 2017, 05:11:55 PM
Current league run

PL7 W0 D2 L5 F4 A11 GD-7 Pts 2
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 11, 2017, 05:17:22 PM
he said at his weeks press conference that he never expected to have seven new players and that it was now his job to fit them into the team. It begs the question what exactly is our player signing policy if  the manager doesn't know who is coming in.

The chaos on  the pitch is probably reflecting what is happening behind the scenes.

If the Doc was picking our transfers it would be the least surprising thing in the world. But then why is Bruce playing a formation that gets the least out of what he's got?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 11, 2017, 05:17:49 PM
Current league run

PL7 W0 D2 L5 F4 A11 GD-7 Pts 2

Gosh, we're living the dream aren't we?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: avfcpg on February 11, 2017, 05:20:19 PM
he said at his weeks press conference that he never expected to have seven new players and that it was now his job to fit them into the team. It begs the question what exactly is our player signing policy if  the manager doesn't know who is coming in.

The chaos on  the pitch is probably reflecting what is happening behind the scenes.

If the Doc was picking our transfers it would be the least surprising thing in the world. But then why is Bruce playing a formation that gets the least out of what he's got?

I'm not buying that..he admitted the midfield needed sorting and so it has been..with some decent players, plus chuck in a right back and a forward. He has absolutely no excuse imo. This falls firmly on Bruce for me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 11, 2017, 05:21:10 PM
Maybe Bruce meant he wasn't expecting to be able to bring in 7 players rather than he had 7 foisted on him? I reckon nearly every side in this division would have loved to be able to bring in any of our Jan signings.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 11, 2017, 05:21:21 PM
Let's get Trevor Francis in next, I'm thinking about moving to Bridgend.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 11, 2017, 05:22:52 PM
he said at his weeks press conference that he never expected to have seven new players and that it was now his job to fit them into the team. It begs the question what exactly is our player signing policy if  the manager doesn't know who is coming in.

The chaos on  the pitch is probably reflecting what is happening behind the scenes.

Nonsense, another excuse merchant taking the piss out of the club. 2 games more and unless there is an improvement then fuck him off. His tactics are straight out of the Mike basset school. Can't see him turning around this to be honest.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 11, 2017, 05:29:47 PM
I suppose one reason to stick rather than twist is that Nigel f******g Pearson will be the first name that comes up as a potential replacement.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on February 11, 2017, 05:35:41 PM
3 managers in one season is a recipe for disaster though. The sort of thing Leeds have been doing for years in the doldrums.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passport1 on February 11, 2017, 05:37:33 PM
he said at his weeks press conference that he never expected to have seven new players and that it was now his job to fit them into the team. It begs the question what exactly is our player signing policy if  the manager doesn't know who is coming in.

The chaos on  the pitch is probably reflecting what is happening behind the scenes.

Nonsense, another excuse merchant taking the piss out of the club. 2 games more and unless there is an improvement then fuck him off. His tactics are straight out of the Mike basset school. Can't see him turning around this to be honest.

Not defending him but as little as I believe in Bruce I have just as little faith in Dr X
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 11, 2017, 05:37:48 PM
Sticking with the wrong manager is as bad though. I still hope Bruce can sort it out but he's not doing much at the moment to think he can. I really hope that next season we're celebrating promotion with Bruce in charge, i'm just struggling to see it at present.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Woofles The Wonder Dog on February 11, 2017, 05:39:38 PM
I'm baffled.

Money spent- check
Good players bought - check
Every crap player (bar Hutton) sold or sidelined - check
Manager with outstanding track record in this division - check
Superb support home and away - check
A team - err...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 11, 2017, 05:39:49 PM
Terrible today, 5 at the back at home just not acceptable unless you're playing to attacking full backs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 11, 2017, 05:39:50 PM
With an Asian owner, I don't think Pearson will be darkening our door anytime soon thankfully. 

Warburton and Rowett are out of work, so they're the only possible candidates. It's the Villa way.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on February 11, 2017, 05:40:26 PM
You can have messi, George best, ponging waring all in the same side if you send them out without a game plan than you are on a loser. Today was like kids on a football pitch I pick him he picks that kid and you are left with 11 strangers not knowing each other's game Terrible
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 11, 2017, 05:40:39 PM
At this point there's an argument Bruce deserves the sack at least as much as RDM did when he went.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 11, 2017, 05:40:50 PM
he said at his weeks press conference that he never expected to have seven new players and that it was now his job to fit them into the team. It begs the question what exactly is our player signing policy if  the manager doesn't know who is coming in.

The chaos on  the pitch is probably reflecting what is happening behind the scenes.

Nonsense, another excuse merchant taking the piss out of the club. 2 games more and unless there is an improvement then fuck him off. His tactics are straight out of the Mike basset school. Can't see him turning around this to be honest.

Not defending him but as little as I believe in Bruce I have just as little faith in Dr X

I really dislike seeing your posts. How has Xia not supported his manager?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on February 11, 2017, 05:42:47 PM
At this point there's an argument Bruce deserves the sack at least as much as RDM did when he went.

Perhaps. Or maybe we should realise just how big a job it is to turn around the mess that is Aston Villa?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 11, 2017, 05:45:10 PM
Its a huge job, hes showing no signs at all that hes capable of it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 11, 2017, 05:47:21 PM
We should be thinking about it now, at least.

If that run stretches to 10 games without a win and no prospect of improvement, there is a decision to be taken. If performance levels have picked up and we're still narrowly missing out, I'd still stick with him.  But Christ, he's making it tough.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 11, 2017, 05:47:41 PM
At this point there's an argument Bruce deserves the sack at least as much as RDM did when he went.

Perhaps. Or maybe we should realise just how big a job it is to turn around the mess that is Aston Villa?

Well given that Bruce is doing just as bad a job why weren't you putting up the same argument for keeping Di Matteo?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 11, 2017, 05:48:41 PM
You can have messi, George best, ponging waring all in the same side if you send them out without a game plan than you are on a loser. Today was like kids on a football pitch I pick him he picks that kid and you are left with 11 strangers not knowing each other's game Terrible

At least one of them will be beyond ponging by now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Fin Feds Dad on February 11, 2017, 05:51:22 PM
He's clueless - makes Tactics Tim look like Cesar Menotti

3 at the back clearly not working - why not try 4-4-2

Taylor was finished on 60 mins - took ages to replace him.

No doubt he will come out with some nice sound bites after the match .

His game management is pathetic
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 11, 2017, 05:53:04 PM
FFS what were those subsitutions all about? And I thought this bloke knew about setting teams up etc etc
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 11, 2017, 05:55:33 PM
Hopefully that's the end of 3-5-2 (5-3-2).

what I don't get is that he talked about favouring 4-4-2 and then pays 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 (It's actually more the former with Hutton/Taylor). He's gone ultra conservative when he should encouraging open play and then tightening it up late in games. This is dreadful now and we have completely stifled any attacking intent and sapping the life and confidence out of the players and fans.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passport1 on February 11, 2017, 06:00:49 PM
he said at his weeks press conference that he never expected to have seven new players and that it was now his job to fit them into the team. It begs the question what exactly is our player signing policy if  the manager doesn't know who is coming in.

The chaos on  the pitch is probably reflecting what is happening behind the scenes.

Nonsense, another excuse merchant taking the piss out of the club. 2 games more and unless there is an improvement then fuck him off. His tactics are straight out of the Mike basset school. Can't see him turning around this to be honest.

Not defending him but as little as I believe in Bruce I have just as little faith in Dr X

I really dislike seeing your posts. How has Xia not supported his manager?


I never said he wasn't supporting Bruce and I couldn't care less whether you dislike my posts or not. A few years ago when I was expressing doubts about Lerner I used to hear the same old tut.

Dr X is one of those that thinks if you chuck enough money at the problem it all magically comes good. No evidence of a structured approach .What happens when the money wherever it comes from dries up because its all been pissed away on his latest whim. Probably stamp his foot and disappear as quickly as he appeared.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 11, 2017, 06:03:30 PM
Hopefully that's the end of 3-5-2 (5-3-2).

what I don't get is that he talked about favouring 4-4-2 and then pays 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 (It's actually more the former with Hutton/Taylor). He's gone ultra conservative when he should encouraging open play and then tightening it up late in games. This is dreadful now and we have completely stifled any attacking intent and sapping the life and confidence out of the players and fans.

Yup, the plan seems to be to try and nick it rather than go for a more open game and score a shed load. Maybe his 3-5-2 could work but that totally depends on him selecting the right players to make it work, something he completely failed again to do today against one of the poorest teams I've seen this season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 11, 2017, 06:05:09 PM
he said at his weeks press conference that he never expected to have seven new players and that it was now his job to fit them into the team. It begs the question what exactly is our player signing policy if  the manager doesn't know who is coming in.

The chaos on  the pitch is probably reflecting what is happening behind the scenes.

Nonsense, another excuse merchant taking the piss out of the club. 2 games more and unless there is an improvement then fuck him off. His tactics are straight out of the Mike basset school. Can't see him turning around this to be honest.

Not defending him but as little as I believe in Bruce I have just as little faith in Dr X

I really dislike seeing your posts. How has Xia not supported his manager?


I never said he wasn't supporting Bruce and I couldn't care less whether you dislike my posts or not. A few years ago when I was expressing doubts about Lerner I used to hear the same old tut.

Dr X is one of those that thinks if you chuck enough money at the problem it all magically comes good. No evidence of a structured approach .What happens when the money wherever it comes from dries up because its all been pissed away on his latest whim. Probably stamp his foot and disappear as quickly as he appeared.



How do you know how he thinks or what he will do? The man has done exactly what he has said, so far. Give him the benefit of the doubt perhaps?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on February 11, 2017, 06:06:30 PM
Maybe Bruce himself will realise he doesnt know what he is doing and just walk away. Stranger things have happened.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ldavfc4eva on February 11, 2017, 06:13:02 PM
It sounded like we bossed them today so perhaps the formation does work, just stupid mistakes from individuals that are costing us points.

We need to keep going with Bruce and the formation of this is what he thinks is the right thing to do, we need stability.

For me though I don't see why he would switch from a settled 4 at the back just to accomadate Elphick, who has been pretty shite since he came.

4-3-3 should be the formation of choice though (am I contradicting myself here?)

I'd go for

Johnstone

Taylor/amavi
Baker
Chester
BRee/bacuna (why does Hutton still get in the team??)

Jedinak
Hourihane and Lansbury pushed further forward

Kodjia
Adomah

Hogan
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 11, 2017, 06:18:55 PM
Hopefully that's the end of 3-5-2 (5-3-2).

what I don't get is that he talked about favouring 4-4-2 and then pays 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 (It's actually more the former with Hutton/Taylor). He's gone ultra conservative when he should encouraging open play and then tightening it up late in games. This is dreadful now and we have completely stifled any attacking intent and sapping the life and confidence out of the players and fans.

Yup, the plan seems to be to try and nick it rather than go for a more open game and score a shed load. Maybe his 3-5-2 could work but that totally depends on him selecting the right players to make it work, something he completely failed again to do today against one of the poorest teams I've seen this season.

3 at the back will never work for us given how poor Baker and Elphick are with the ball. Bruce never had any intention of going with three until after Brentford hammered us, if he did he would have seen the money in January spent elsewhere.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on February 11, 2017, 06:21:00 PM
Lots of strange decisions and I'm losing faith rapidly but I agree a change now could be suicide as half the team could rebel like last year.  If we don't tun this run around in next 5 though it may have to happen  - another big payout in compo!

Why in God's name has he brought Elphick back in? If he wants to go 352 surely he buys a centre half in the window?  The pressure is clearly getting to him.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 11, 2017, 06:31:47 PM
The big advantage of Bruce was that he was a 'promotion specialist', safe pair of hands type that would get the most out of his team and give us a chance of the playoffs this season.

If we're now saying it's a long term rebuilding project and promotion this year was never on the cards then to be honest I want a more progressive manager that won't have us playing football that makes my eyes bleed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on February 11, 2017, 06:39:18 PM
I support Steve Bruce, but we looked poor today, and I do agree with a comment above elthic why?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ronshirt on February 11, 2017, 06:40:18 PM
I think it's a confidence thing. Big fishes in little pools come to the Villa and then bottle it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tugby Villain on February 11, 2017, 06:42:13 PM
Give him until Wigan away, March 18th.  No win by then and he'll have to go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Salsa Party Animal on February 11, 2017, 06:47:40 PM
Think we need a Ron Atkinson type for manager not him. We need someone who can make us click and play football properly but who is the next Ron Atkinson. We need to look at the like of Rowett, Smith and co. Any good ex Villa Player managing these days.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on February 11, 2017, 06:49:00 PM
3 at the back looked dreadful - Gaps all over the place and very little options as the midfield looked transparent.

This simply is not good enough.  Talk about RDM being tactically naive, at least the football was better to watch.

The one positive for me (again) was Lansbury.  He looked totally isolated in this formation though.  I hope to God that Bruce doesn't plan to play Jedinak there when he's fit again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 11, 2017, 06:50:21 PM
He's managed to turn 2 very attacking goalscoring midfielders into Gary Gardner and Ashley Westwood.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 11, 2017, 06:52:30 PM
Give him until Wigan away, March 18th.  No win by then and he'll have to go.

He has to be given until the end of the season. After that we can review and if needs must, select from a far larger pool.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Three Spires Villa on February 11, 2017, 06:54:31 PM
Bruce is so negative and so disappointing
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 11, 2017, 06:55:38 PM
I bet he calls it a "horrible day" or "it's a horrible one".  There have been a lot of horrible ones lately Steve, you useless arse.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on February 11, 2017, 06:55:57 PM
He's managed to turn 2 very attacking goalscoring midfielders into Gary Gardner and Ashley Westwood.
A most remarkable feat, 2 decent centre halfs next Bruce, but who are the candidates?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on February 11, 2017, 06:57:40 PM
Think we need a Ron Atkinson type for manager not him. We need someone who can make us click and play football properly but who is the next Ron Atkinson. We need to look at the like of Rowett, Smith and co. Any good ex Villa Player managing these days.
You've clearly not seen a Rowette team have you?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on February 11, 2017, 06:58:23 PM
Give him until Wigan away, March 18th.  No win by then and he'll have to go.

He has to be given until the end of the season. After that we can review and if needs must, select from a far larger pool.
Lose the next two and he has to be toast.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on February 11, 2017, 07:04:20 PM
How many managers are we going to sack. I sai it then it was a mistake to get rid of Rdm at least his teams played football. Bruce got lucky to begin with was given his biggest lottery win of all time and is looking like a viv Nicholson spend spend spend. Not sure where this is taking us but definitely not back up
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 11, 2017, 07:12:46 PM
I said at the time bringing in Bruce would be a good decision if he got us in the promotion battle. We're getting steadily further away from that and it's becoming harder to see any reason to suggest Bruce can do anything about it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: DeKuip on February 11, 2017, 07:14:59 PM
Changing manager again isn't the answer and I'm saying that as someone who hates the dinosaur type football we try and play under Bruce. I'm sure he'll steady what has been a sinking ship for a while and put us on the road to recovery even if it ends up being someone else who eventually finishes the job. I never predicted anything more than mid table at the start of the season, and that's where we'll finish.
What I can't understand though is why people think Rowett should be brought in. He played boring negative football with Small Heath, grinding out results, but hardly attractive to watch. He'd be no different to what we have.

Four home games in a month but the only chance of seeing any decent football at Villa Park in February will be when Man City come in the FA Youth Cup on the 22nd. Now if you want enjoyment and entertainment from your football more than results, like I do, then get down the Villa that night and watch City's Brahim Diaz - now there's a lad who can do more with a ball than just hoof it down field.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on February 11, 2017, 07:17:40 PM
We simply have to stick with Bruce. He was on the back foot from day one after RDM's awful start. He needs a clean slate for next season. He's got 4 teams promoted in this hard League. I still think he's the Manager to get us promoted.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 11, 2017, 07:19:13 PM
I'm starting to think we need a few years at this level to rebuild. In which we can afford to get a much more promising manager than Bruce and give him time. Bruce only works as part of a pact with the devil, quick fix strategy and he's already failed from that angle.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 11, 2017, 07:21:53 PM
I'm starting to think we need a few years at this level to rebuild. In which we can afford to get a much more promising manager than Bruce and give him time. Bruce only works as part of a pact with the devil, quick fix strategy and he's already failed from that angle.

A few years in this league will kill us

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 11, 2017, 07:22:47 PM
We simply have to stick with Bruce. He was on the back foot from day one after RDM's awful start. He needs a clean slate for next season. He's got 4 teams promoted in this hard League. I still think he's the Manager to get us promoted.
All the evidence game after game and people still come out with this?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 11, 2017, 07:24:05 PM
I'm starting to think we need a few years at this level to rebuild. In which we can afford to get a much more promising manager than Bruce and give him time. Bruce only works as part of a pact with the devil, quick fix strategy and he's already failed from that angle.

A few years in this league will kill us



Yep, it a few years never helps anything.  Look at Leeds, Sheff Weds etc.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Three Spires Villa on February 11, 2017, 07:24:22 PM
Bruce isn't on the back foot, if anything he's very lucky, whatever happens this season (bar relegation) he can say not my fault etc. Promotion / play offs long gone so at the very least some kind of formation, can any one see that? Any half decent manager would not have us in this position, very very poor
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 11, 2017, 07:27:33 PM
Every one still happy with 5 3 2?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on February 11, 2017, 07:28:25 PM
I'm starting to think we need a few years at this level to rebuild. In which we can afford to get a much more promising manager than Bruce and give him time. Bruce only works as part of a pact with the devil, quick fix strategy and he's already failed from that angle.

A few years in this league will kill us



Yep, it a few years never helps anything.  Look at Leeds, Sheff Weds etc.

I genuinely believe that is where we are heading.

Once the parachute payments run out, there's no inherent reason why we should expect to get promoted any more than the likes of those clubs.

This is the continuation of the results of the utter neglect of the latter Lerner years. Neglect and decline, the after effects are lingering even now.

That man has ruined this club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Three Spires Villa on February 11, 2017, 07:31:15 PM
What Learner was the manager today grrrrrr
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 11, 2017, 07:31:48 PM
I'm starting to think we need a few years at this level to rebuild. In which we can afford to get a much more promising manager than Bruce and give him time. Bruce only works as part of a pact with the devil, quick fix strategy and he's already failed from that angle.

A few years in this league will kill us



Yep, it a few years never helps anything.  Look at Leeds, Sheff Weds etc.

I genuinely believe that is where we are heading.

Once the parachute payments run out, there's no inherent reason why we should expect to get promoted any more than the likes of those clubs.

This is the continuation of the results of the utter neglect of the latter Lerner years. Neglect and decline, the after effects are lingering even now.

That man has ruined this club.
it shouldn't be though, there has been enough investment and changes to arrest the terrible decline bought about by Lerner.
I think the more recent problem has been terrible managerial appointments and I am far from convinced we have got the right one now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on February 11, 2017, 07:32:18 PM
I'm starting to think we need a few years at this level to rebuild. In which we can afford to get a much more promising manager than Bruce and give him time. Bruce only works as part of a pact with the devil, quick fix strategy and he's already failed from that angle.

A few years in this league will kill us



Yep, it a few years never helps anything.  Look at Leeds, Sheff Weds etc.

I genuinely believe that is where we are heading.

Once the parachute payments run out, there's no inherent reason why we should expect to get promoted any more than the likes of those clubs.

This is the continuation of the results of the utter neglect of the latter Lerner years. Neglect and decline, the after effects are lingering even now.

That man has ruined this club.
Scary stuff that Paulie, we have 18 months however to turn it round, Bruce, though, is not the answer. Im still not convinced Dr x is who we think he is either,
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 11, 2017, 07:34:38 PM
I've lost the ability to imagine any new manager or player succeeding here. We turn winners into losers. Hope has pretty much been extinguished.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 11, 2017, 07:37:37 PM
Now we're losing to late goals what differences are left between Bruce and rdm?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on February 11, 2017, 07:40:18 PM
Now we're losing to late goals what differences are left between Bruce and rdm?
European Cup Winners medals?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Three Spires Villa on February 11, 2017, 07:40:49 PM
None, football was better and his record is as bad (!) If not worse poor manager + poor team
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 11, 2017, 07:43:06 PM
Now we're losing to late goals what differences are left between Bruce and rdm?

Terrible, terrible football and Gabby being given his 57th chance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on February 11, 2017, 07:44:23 PM
Every one still happy with 5 3 2?

If he wants this formation why not buy another central defender in the window? Bringing Elphick back in has been  another idiotic decision
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 11, 2017, 07:45:08 PM
Surely Bruce had to deal with a worse hand at Hull last time. Fans in open revolt against chairman, no money to spend, Livermore drugs ban and yet he got them back up with players like his son, Curtis Davies and David Meyler in the team.

It's like he has lost his bottle.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 11, 2017, 07:46:54 PM
Surely Bruce had to deal with a worse hand at Hull last time. Fans in open revolt against chairman, no money to spend, Livermore drugs ban and yet he got them back up with players like his son, Curtis Davies and David Meyler in the team.

It's like he has lost his bottle.
Or the plot.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on February 11, 2017, 07:51:48 PM
He's defo lost plot. Gabby, Elphick, no idea about formation, Johnstone.  I'm praying he comes to his senses to keep us up
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tugby Villain on February 11, 2017, 07:56:45 PM
Give him until Wigan away, March 18th.  No win by then and he'll have to go.

He has to be given until the end of the season. After that we can review and if needs must, select from a far larger pool.

You know what, I agree with you.  That was a bit daft of me.  We need stability at some point else we'll never be successful.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 11, 2017, 07:58:32 PM
I think we're going to have an exciting finish to the season and it could go to the last day.

I just hope we stay up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 11, 2017, 07:59:25 PM
The suggestion that he gets the summer and next season is bonkers.
Unless he looks like he has got a handle on the job, performances and results.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tugby Villain on February 11, 2017, 08:00:32 PM
I think we're going to have an exciting finish to the season and it could go to the last day.

I just hope we stay up.

I laughed, but not without realising that it's genuinely possible we could be playing Plymouth and Wycombe in the league next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 11, 2017, 08:01:42 PM
The suggestion that he gets the summer and next season is bonkers.
Unless he looks like he has got a handle on the job, performances and results.

Correct, he has shown absolutely nothing since he has been here that shows he can get us up next season, its a daft suggestion.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 11, 2017, 08:15:21 PM
When he initially came in, he started doing seemingly wacky things like benching Grealish and Ayew.

I liked Ayew as a player, and he was in good form then.  But for a team that was continuously on the backfoot from about the 70th minute mark waiting for the inevitable goal against, that strategy did seem to work. We were still stretching teams in the latter stages, giving them something to think about. Rather than all hands to the pump near our own penalty area and throwing the game away anyway. Due to suspect fitness, mentality or whatever.

Since then, nothing, nada.

As per Tim Sherwood and the various other charlatans who have blagged their way into the job since, we might start a game reasonably well. But once the opposition step it up or switch things around, we have no response.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on February 11, 2017, 08:31:54 PM
I'm starting to think we need a few years at this level to rebuild. In which we can afford to get a much more promising manager than Bruce and give him time. Bruce only works as part of a pact with the devil, quick fix strategy and he's already failed from that angle.

A few years in this league will kill us



Yep, it a few years never helps anything.  Look at Leeds, Sheff Weds etc.

I genuinely believe that is where we are heading.

Once the parachute payments run out, there's no inherent reason why we should expect to get promoted any more than the likes of those clubs.

This is the continuation of the results of the utter neglect of the latter Lerner years. Neglect and decline, the after effects are lingering even now.

That man has ruined this club.

Not 100% of this mess can  be pointed at Lerner.  Look the way  O'Neill spent Lerner's  money and then jumped ship.  No wonder the owner lost interest. 

Yes he should have sold up and got out earlier.

I am sure Dr Tony is already looking to lock up his money until such time as he can see anything positive on the pitch.  If not then I wonder how he ever made it in business.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on February 11, 2017, 08:37:52 PM
Still think it was a big mistake to sell Ayew. He has the ability to change a game. You need that extra quality at this level. I'll be glad when Jedi returns - we really miss him; Lansbury and Hourihane will surely benefit from his powerful presence?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 11, 2017, 08:42:27 PM
Pinning our hopes on a 32 year old whose legs have gone and cant cope with the rigours of this league just about sums it all up
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 11, 2017, 09:14:52 PM
Still think it was a big mistake to sell Ayew. He has the ability to change a game. You need that extra quality at this level. I'll be glad when Jedi returns - we really miss him; Lansbury and Hourihane will surely benefit from his powerful presence?

How many times did Ayew change a game though?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on February 11, 2017, 09:21:43 PM
I think we need to stick with Bruce. Sure this is a horrendous run and yes, it's easy to say when you're not shelling out week in week out for such 'entertainment' but I think it'd be a mistake to roll the dice again right now. And for what, Dean Smith, Gary Rowett?

I'd give him the rest of this season and the first dozen games next, then see where we're at.

We arn't going down this season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 11, 2017, 09:36:01 PM
I think we need to stick with Bruce. Sure this is a horrendous run and yes, it's easy to say when you're not shelling out week in week out for such 'entertainment' but I think it'd be a mistake to roll the dice again right now. And for what, Dean Smith, Gary Rowett?

I'd give him the rest of this season and the first dozen games next, then see where we're at.

We arn't going down this season.

Wow, we should all be eternally grateful!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 11, 2017, 09:45:56 PM
I'd give him the rest of this season and the first dozen games next, then see where we're at.

We arn't going down this season.
Two things. If after 12 games we have 12 points next season  that would be another season in the second division and don't be so sure of us not going down this season. We have collected 1 point out of last 18 and are just 7 points  from the drop zone. Be scared very scared.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on February 11, 2017, 10:01:52 PM
I'd give him the rest of this season and the first dozen games next, then see where we're at.

We arn't going down this season.
Two things. If after 12 games we have 12 points next season  that would be another season in the second division and don't be so sure of us not going down this season. We have collected 1 point out of last 18 and are just 7 points  from the drop zone. Be scared very scared.

Ofcourse if those scenarios played out then you'd get shot now but I dont think we would be 12 points after 12 games with 7 months including per-season and another transfer window with the current management team and squad.

We are on a horrendous run granted, but I just don't see this team getting relegated. We may be poor but we're better than that........ cue sarcastic reply from Risso. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 11, 2017, 10:04:45 PM
We should be better than that, but we're not currently and haven't been for most of the season. I don't think we'll drop, but when after two thirds of the season only the bottom 3 have won less games and only the bottom 2 have scored less (both 1 less) then I don't think you can help looking at the bottom of the table.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 11, 2017, 10:09:45 PM
8 points from 10 games, rdm was sacked for a better record than that.  We're 14 points away from the 50 point mark that is mentioned as the safety level. Extend this run for the rest of the season and we won't make that.

Despite all this people are still willing to give him the summer and a third of next season. I get that people want stability but is 5 at the back against a Mccarthy team the sort of performance that suggests he just needs time?

He can have a little longer but no win in the next 3 would be close to him forcing Xia to react because 10 league games without a win is relegation form by any measure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passport1 on February 11, 2017, 10:30:23 PM
I would like to see him win some games if only to avoid Dr X making his third managerial appointment this season. A prospect which makes me shudder.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Abbeyfealeavfc on February 11, 2017, 10:33:52 PM
Clueless!
Why does a team who are unbeaten at home all season suddenly revert to 5 at the back?
Hutton and Taylor are not wing backs!
In effect because Lansbury was playing as the holding midfielder we were playing with 6 at the back. The return of Jedi will only ensure this even more if we persist with 5 at the back, because he's been playing as an extra centre half anyway. Why do we play with a holding midfielder if we've got 3 centre backs? It's a contradictory tactic and reduces our attacking intent by 1.
On 60 minutes today, Ipswich were taking a throw-in just to the left of the Villa bench. We had 9 outfield players including Kodjia in and around our 18yard box, leaving only Hogan up front. Ridiculous!!!
What were those substitutions about? Having started the game with 5 at the back we ended up with just 2 (Chester and Baker) with Adomah and Green playing wing backs (I think?!?!)  and bacuna being bacuna. This was a shambles of a formation today and only served to neutralise our attacking intent. Little wonder we lost! Incidentally when I told my wife that we played with 5 at the back today, she said "isn't that defensive?" For someone who knows little about football she hit the nail on the head!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ez on February 11, 2017, 10:38:32 PM
I would like to see him win some games if only to avoid Dr X making his third managerial appointment this season. A prospect which makes me shudder.

Me too but if the bad run continues he's going to leave Xia with little choice. I hope he does enough to stay but he really must get off to a flyer next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on February 11, 2017, 10:40:55 PM
He seems to have identified the lack of mobility and tempo in midfield then bought players no better than what we already had.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on February 11, 2017, 11:04:34 PM
I would like to see him win some games if only to avoid Dr X making his third managerial appointment this season. A prospect which makes me shudder.

Me too but if the bad run continues he's going to leave Xia with little choice. I hope he does enough to stay but he really must get off to a flyer next season.

Next three weeks we have 5 games, 3 at home and an away trip to rotherham. Obviously we'll get done at Newcastle. Anything less than 7 points from this lot and he should be sacked.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on February 11, 2017, 11:08:17 PM
I wouldn't replace him but I don't think that I could put together a good argument against someone that did. He just doesn't seem to be able to out out an energetic team who can dominate in a game.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rigadon on February 11, 2017, 11:13:42 PM
I'm fearful of who we'd appoint if we were daft enough to sack Bruce. 

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on February 11, 2017, 11:47:17 PM
This is his team. He's had time to assess and gauge who he wants and how we play. Yet still they turn out such mind numbing shit that even he can't justify.

Steve, do yourself a favour mate and get it sorted.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: David_Nab on February 11, 2017, 11:53:21 PM
Has any villa manager in recent times resorted to 3 at the back and managed to not be sacked ..

IIRC Lambert ,Sherwood ,Garde , RDM all resorted to it in desperation ..and sack followed.

What's utterly mysterfying about it is he has gone to it after spending a small fortune on players who it don't fit into this type of system.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 12, 2017, 12:51:36 AM
No,5 the back is the first sign of a manager shitting himself and clutching at straws. Most of the players have never even played the fucking formation consistently.

Forget about 1996, it's 2017 and for one we didn't even sign them with this horse shit in mind.

Fucking clueless. Thought we were nailed on today for a 0-0 after seeing the teams.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: gpbarr on February 12, 2017, 01:01:33 AM
When will those who advocate yet another management change, realize that's why this club is in the shit it's in?

There was broad agreement on here that January was one of the better transfer months in recent history - now give the guy, and the new players, time to settle down, learn to play with one another, and start to turn this around.

This was never going to happen overnight.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 12, 2017, 01:03:14 AM
It doesn't matter who you sign, if you are going to play them in new positions they aren't accustomed to it isn't going to work.

I believe Bruce can turn it around, but the football is dire and the selections leave a lot of room for people to question them.

He's doing shit, that's undeniable.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 12, 2017, 03:17:35 AM
No,5 the back is the first sign of a manager shitting himself and clutching at straws. Most of the players have never even played the fucking formation consistently.


Exactly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on February 12, 2017, 03:32:26 AM
Can play whatever formation, can pick whatever players, but simply  send them out without instructions  now  that is lunacy. 

The look that Hogan gave Kodja in  the second half when Kodja tried to do it by  himself  speaks a thousand stories.

I am  not one for changing  the manager every  5 minutes but we need better leadership than what was shown today. 

As  for  continuing to pick Hutton at right back sorry but he is pub standard not league standard.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villafirst on February 12, 2017, 05:44:30 AM
Almost too many changes in January. Not really enough time to gel. Lansbury has been the best signing. Hope the others come good soon, it's worrying. Barnsley is now massive.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 12, 2017, 06:15:26 AM
As I stated in the post match, for those not wanting continual change, the only thing we are doing now, is continually getting worse.
There is no way on this earth that the players bought in January were bought to play a 3-5-2- / 5-3-2, so his players not his players, yada yada, it his bloody system.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 12, 2017, 06:16:27 AM
I think we need to stick with Bruce. Sure this is a horrendous run and yes, it's easy to say when you're not shelling out week in week out for such 'entertainment' but I think it'd be a mistake to roll the dice again right now. And for what, Dean Smith, Gary Rowett?

I'd give him the rest of this season and the first dozen games next, then see where we're at.

We arn't going down this season.

I reckon thats about right.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 12, 2017, 06:19:48 AM
If he gets the rest of this season, that could be bad, but to then give him the first 12 games of next season, oh my god when are we going to learn.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave P on February 12, 2017, 06:41:33 AM
This is his team. He's had time to assess and gauge who he wants and how we play. Yet still they turn out such mind numbing shit that even he can't justify.

Steve, do yourself a favour mate and get it sorted.

As much as I agree with the sentiment, and the point you make is reasonable, we have to remember he's been our manager for only 4 months and has had "his team" for a fortnight.

He needs a full season and I will only judge him if we are in a similar position this time next year.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave P on February 12, 2017, 06:43:45 AM
If he gets the rest of this season, that could be bad, but to then give him the first 12 games of next season, oh my god when are we going to learn.

When are we also going to learn that just sacking managers is not necessarily the answer?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 12, 2017, 06:55:37 AM
No Dave P just sacking managers is not the answer, Just sacking bad ones maybe.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on February 12, 2017, 07:09:55 AM
Make no mistake, we're on a relegation battle.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rotterdam on February 12, 2017, 07:23:47 AM
I think we need to stick with Bruce. Sure this is a horrendous run and yes, it's easy to say when you're not shelling out week in week out for such 'entertainment' but I think it'd be a mistake to roll the dice again right now. And for what, Dean Smith, Gary Rowett?

I'd give him the rest of this season and the first dozen games next, then see where we're at.

We arn't going down this season.

I reckon thats about right.

Ditto. Sacking SB means we go back to square one. Give him the opportunity to gel the team and the players to know each other and what's required, then we must hit the ground running in the first couple of months of next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 12, 2017, 07:32:08 AM
I hope you are right - to me it's looking like 69/70 all over again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 12, 2017, 08:51:02 AM
If this form continues for much longer the Doc will have no choice but to roll the dice and sack him because we will be heading for relegation. We will have had more managers this season than wins away from home
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave P on February 12, 2017, 08:51:25 AM
No Dave P just sacking managers is not the answer, Just sacking bad ones maybe.

I agree but I think it's a bit harsh labelling Bruce as a bad manager just yet.

He is trying to change it but nothing has worked yet and he has also been struck with bad luck on injuries in the past few weeks, mainly Bree and Jedinak yesterday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 12, 2017, 08:55:07 AM
after our spend we should have a squad capable of coping with that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 12, 2017, 08:55:31 AM
No Dave P just sacking managers is not the answer, Just sacking bad ones maybe.

I agree but I think it's a bit harsh labelling Bruce as a bad manager just yet.

He is trying to change it but nothing has worked yet and he has also been struck with bad luck on injuries in the past few weeks, mainly Bree and Jedinak yesterday.
There was no excuse for playing 5 defenders at home when you are unbeaten. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw the same again on Tuesday He's in panic mode.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on February 12, 2017, 08:57:34 AM
Im sorry but Steve Bruce is not a bad manager. You don't get his record at different clubs by being a bad manager.

He's a limited manager I'd grant you as are the likes of MON, Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew but he's certainly not a bad manager.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Three Spires Villa on February 12, 2017, 09:00:46 AM
I hope he's not a silly manager and realises that 5 at the back at home isn't right. Drops Thor and plays to our strengths. Maybe 4-4-2, with width and get the ball into the front two
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: four fornicholl on February 12, 2017, 09:03:37 AM
I think he has now become a very bad manager, why go into panic formation mode with the options he has and an unbeaten home record to continue.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: St AustellAVFC on February 12, 2017, 09:07:12 AM
To pissed off to read the thread so no idea on the general feeling after yesterday. I keep changing my mind every five minutes about keep him or get rid. I didn't want him in the first place but grew to liking him after our first few results, now though the footballs shit and the results are shit too. Why keep him? Get rid now, replace him with somebody who will have the rest of the season and summer to work with a group of players who should be good enough for the top 4 at an absolute minimum. Or keep him, hope we get a lucky win then go on a run to lift confidence through the summer and into next season? Sensible head says keep, but there's something in me that says it will be best to get rid.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 12, 2017, 09:11:49 AM
Im sorry but Steve Bruce is not a bad manager. You don't get his record at different clubs by being a bad manager.

But then a good manager doesn't play five at the back at home to a side that doesn't really score goals.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on February 12, 2017, 09:12:42 AM
I honestly don't know if he told Houlihane and Bjarni to stay withdrawn so we would limit chances against us or if they just did so of their own accord.

He obviously sees the same problems in the midfield that the rest of us so hence buying an entirely new one in January, that two of them played at such a pedestrian pace with so little attacking intent and still stayed on at the pitch was a puzzle and one that would lead you to think they were doing what they were told. Five at the back and three defensive midfielders isn't what I want to see at home against Ipswich.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 12, 2017, 09:27:17 AM
His past record suggests he is not a bad manager, nothing special but not a bad manager, his recent record at Villa Park suggests he is a very bad manager, 2 points from the last 7 games, a squad that most managers in this division would give their right arms for, we have spent more on strikers this season than some teams in this division have spent in 5 seasons and yet there are only two teams I think that have scored fewer goals, his style of play is negative and that is just about acceptable when things are going right, you balance on a very thin line when things start to go wrong and yet his answer to our problems is to go 5 at the back at home. No not a bad manager at all !!!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on February 12, 2017, 09:34:38 AM
Before this time yesterday Jurgen Klopp had taken 3 points from the previous 15 and went out of the LC Semi against lower opposition.  He must also be a 'bad manager'.

Yes I know I'm being mischievous but you can see my point. Let's judge him over time, not just the last 7/8 games.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 12, 2017, 09:44:48 AM
That is time. There is nothing more unforgiving than a league table and we are at the wrong end of it after spending more money than any team in the also ran league's history.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 12, 2017, 09:49:30 AM
Im not judging him on 7 games, we have had one half of decent football since he has been here, whilst he may have a record for getting teams promoted, he has also taken teams down, or got out before they went down. He is a bog standard British Manager that is always seen as being better than he is, when he is out of work, more by his mates in the media than for any previous trophys he has won.
I was never one of the "We will tear this league up" club last season, but did think with the right investment, which we have had, we may, just may be at the right end of the table.
It is horrible to be seen as a club that changes it's manager god knows how many times a season, but it is even worse to employ one that thinks going to a back 5 at home to the might of Ipswich is acceptable.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Archie on February 12, 2017, 09:51:30 AM
I haven't see many games but for my vision of football, if you have a good bunch of players and you don't take from them at least the 90% that they can give, you earned 2 points in the last 7 games, and you play with 5 defenders at home, the manager is not doing a good work.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 12, 2017, 09:54:22 AM
The 3-5-2 didn't work but the idea is that it is supposed to supplement the attack by giving the wing backs more freedom to go forward. On the evidence of yesterday neither of the wing backs picked is comfortable in the role and judging by Bruce's post match comments it will not be happening again.

We had a lot of the ball yesterday but wasted the majority of it and when we did make chances did not look threatening. Kodija frustrates the hell of me and Hogan's touch was suspect all game although his movement was good. Lansbury again looked a cut above everyone else on the pitch.

I agree with those saying we need to tough it out, stick with Bruce and trust that his experience will help him turn this around.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on February 12, 2017, 09:57:40 AM
The 3-5-2 didn't work but the idea is that it is supposed to supplement the attack by giving the wing backs more freedom to go forward. On the evidence of yesterday neither of the wing backs picked is comfortable in the role and judging by Bruce's post match comments it will not be happening again.

We had a lot of the ball yesterday but wasted the majority of it and when we did make chances did not look threatening. Kodija frustrates the hell of me and Hogan's touch was suspect all game although his movement was good. Lansbury again looked a cut above everyone else on the pitch.

I agree with those saying we need to tough it out, stick with Bruce and trust that his experience will help him turn this around.

Sounds like the game we saw. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Old Kodjia on February 12, 2017, 09:58:49 AM
Before this time yesterday Jurgen Klopp had taken 3 points from the previous 15 and went out of the LC Semi against lower opposition.  He must also be a 'bad manager'.

Yes I know I'm being mischievous but you can see my point. Let's judge him over time, not just the last 7/8 games.

That is a good point but Klopp has got Liverpool into a great position.

Bruce has not improved Villa one iota.  We might just as well have stuck with RDM and seen some better football to boot.

Bruce has previously succeeded with teams by getting them very workmanlike and grinding out results.  With the players at his disposal here, we don't have to go down that road-We can take games to the opposition, like Newcastle do.  Currently, the tactics are abysmal, the team is all over the shop and apart from 45 minutes at Brighton and 45 minutes against Preston, the football has been dire.

How much time do we give him?  For me it is either until the end of this season or a similar time that RDM was afforded, if we go into next season.  The money is not going to last for ever, we had 3 bites at the cherry with the parachute payments.  We've just lost the first one, so we now have 2 more seasons in which to exploit our financial advantage over our competitors.  After that, we become a Leeds or a Notts Forest.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 12, 2017, 10:00:57 AM
I think the 5-3-2 might have worked had he picked different full backs but after an hour he should have took one of the centre halves off and put Adomah on.

As for sticking with Bruce, I think we should too, for mainly the reason's Chris has said.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 12, 2017, 10:05:44 AM
I bet he calls it a "horrible day" or "it's a horrible one".  There have been a lot of horrible ones lately Steve, you useless arse.

Sorry to quote myelf, but:

"We've had no real luck. Again we make one mistake and we've been punished and it's one of those horrible afternoons that turns it into an awful weekend."

Yes, it's all just bad luck and "horrible" weekends.  The man has lost the plot.  It wasn't bad luck that we played 5 at the back at home against Ipswich, with two shit non-attacking full backs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 12, 2017, 10:11:51 AM
The worrying thing is thou Clampy, I believe it is part his experience that is causing some of the problem, take the 5-3-2 yesterday, if you are going to play that as has been stated the full backs must be comfortable pushing on and also have some end result, i.e. be able to cross. Hutton is never ever going to be that player, Tommy has been a disaster more or less every time he puts on a Villa shirt, but his experience (stubborness) thought he knew better.
It is fine to admit your mistakes after a game, but his experience should really ensure those mistakes are not made to start with, too many times this season he has sent out the team to play in a manner they are not comfortable with, then his experience should also allow for changes whether in formation or subs when it is not working, at the moment his experience is not worth diddly squat.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 12, 2017, 10:14:55 AM
The worrying thing is thou Clampy, I believe it is part his experience that is causing some of the problem, take the 5-3-2 yesterday, if you are going to play that as has been stated the full backs must be comfortable pushing on and also have some end result, i.e. be able to cross. Hutton is never ever going to be that player, Tommy has been a disaster more or less every time he puts on a Villa shirt, but his experience (stubborness) thought he knew better.
It is fine to admit your mistakes after a game, but his experience should really ensure those mistakes are not made to start with, too many times this season he has sent out the team to play in a manner they are not comfortable with, then his experience should also allow for changes whether in formation or subs when it is not working, at the moment his experience is not worth diddly squat.

I've said that about the full backs on the post match thread, it was ridiculous playing Hutton there. The fact that he took both of them off yesterday says it all really. I would like us to stick with him though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 12, 2017, 10:22:06 AM
Was Bree injured?

Hutton is abysmal. The amount of crosses or opportunities to cross he wasted was ridiculous.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 12, 2017, 10:23:09 AM
Apart from Brighton the football has been dire,  no tactics, no formation,  clueless basically.  And that the manager.   I'd get rid.   
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 12, 2017, 10:26:02 AM
Unfortunately we're not in the luxurious position to give him time. Lose on Tuesday and we're firmly in a relegation battle. A further run of shit results and he will be gone. We can only hope he can turn it around because if we're having to employ a third manager then that will mean relegation has become a real possibility
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on February 12, 2017, 10:26:22 AM
Was Bree injured?

Hutton is abysmal. The amount of crosses or opportunities to cross he wasted was ridiculous.

Yes, knee knack.

Hutton was again poor in advanced positions but I can't help but like him, he's one of the few that know the tempo is wrong and tries to do something to gee up the side and the crowd, normally some kind of foul play.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Allan C on February 12, 2017, 10:29:00 AM
Im not judging him on 7 games, we have had one half of decent football since he has been here, whilst he may have a record for getting teams promoted, he has also taken teams down, or got out before they went down. He is a bog standard British Manager that is always seen as being better than he is, when he is out of work, more by his mates in the media than for any previous trophys he has won.
I was never one of the "We will tear this league up" club last season, but did think with the right investment, which we have had, we may, just may be at the right end of the table.
It is horrible to be seen as a club that changes it's manager god knows how many times a season, but it is even worse to employ one that thinks going to a back 5 at home to the might of Ipswich is acceptable.

This is exactly how I feel to the word. I felt at the time it was an uninspiring appointment because this is his limit IMO.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 12, 2017, 10:45:04 AM
Was Bree injured?

Hutton is abysmal. The amount of crosses or opportunities to cross he wasted was ridiculous.

Yes, knee knack.

Hutton was again poor in advanced positions but I can't help but like him, he's one of the few that know the tempo is wrong and tries to do something to gee up the side and the crowd, normally some kind of foul play.

He could whip the crowd up by knocking in a decent cross or two, not mistiming tackles or shanking the ball out of play. He's fucking shit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on February 12, 2017, 10:46:47 AM
Its like playing with 10 men  at times, teams don't mind when he is on the ball simply  because he does nothing with it (Hutton).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 12, 2017, 10:50:26 AM
It's frustrating as hell as most of the play goes down the right. Whoever plays the ball to Hutton should just bypass him and chin it out for a goal kick.

Hutton should never wear a Villa shirt again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 12, 2017, 10:51:35 AM
Hutton on the ball in an advanced position is a pass back to the opposition goalie.

So now Bruce has wasted another 2 games trying a random formation what does he plan on moving on to now? Is there a plan? Is it random? Is it pin the tail on the donkey stuff? What did he have in mind when he brought all those players? It wasn't 5-3-2 was it, come on Bruce stick true to yourself we need a manager to be strong in his beliefs on how to play not flip flop between formations never building anything.

The 5-3-2 was always going to be garbage, he did not spend the millions thinking about 5-3-2. Play the team you envisaged, if you didn't envisage one then you shoudn't be managing Aston Villa.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on February 12, 2017, 10:59:54 AM
We have to stick with Bruce till the end of the season. However we really need to be getting results between now and may. If we we are still in the same league position come the end of the season how the hell can we expect to get promoted next season.After yesterday's team selection and set up i'm very concerned about the abilities of Mr.Bruce to eventually get us promoted.  Posters on here seem to have more tactical nous than our manager. Frightening.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 12, 2017, 11:17:52 AM
I bet he calls it a "horrible day" or "it's a horrible one".  There have been a lot of horrible ones lately Steve, you useless arse.

Or...I won't accept that from any team of mine.  It's not acceptable and the fans won't accept it.  The owner won't accept it shouldn't have to accept it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 12, 2017, 11:22:34 AM
As much as the results have been really poor since xmas I just fail to see what good sacking Bruce would do.

No way are we getting relegated (how depressing to even type that at this season of the season) and I fail to see how things would significantly improve under Rowett after the initial honeymoon period for him wears off.

This season is a write off, it's disappointing but that's the way it is I'm afraid.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 12, 2017, 11:25:43 AM
I can quite easily see us flirt with the spectre of relegation. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 12, 2017, 11:26:05 AM
He's the in the same league as Mcliesh as a manager apart from Mcliesh has been more successful overall
both nice enough blokes, honest, friendly talk a good game make people feel warm inside

unfortunatly they are also both negative tactically,
old fashioned British principled fully paid up members of the old boys network, loads of mates who are pundits always bigging them up and telling everyone who will listen that they will 'turn it round given time' ( and we laughed at Sherwood)
archetypal championship managers who yo yo about playing the shitest football known to man

I agree we need stability but why do we have to stick with the worst most boring manager we ever had to get this stability thing going

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 12, 2017, 11:28:20 AM
Its like playing with 10 men  at times, teams don't mind when he is on the ball simply  because he does nothing with it (Hutton).

Ditto Baker, defensively he was fine but he struggled to find a Villa shirt every single time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rigadon on February 12, 2017, 11:28:40 AM
Agree with soccer HQ.  As for Hutton, we've tried to replace him twice this season alone.  Yet still he plays!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 12, 2017, 11:29:35 AM
I think we need a poll. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bestmate on February 12, 2017, 11:29:58 AM
As much as the results have been really poor since xmas I just fail to see what good sacking Bruce would do.

No way are we getting relegated (how depressing to even type that at this season of the season) and I fail to see how things would significantly improve under Rowett after the initial honeymoon period for him wears off.

This season is a write off, it's disappointing but that's the way it is I'm afraid.

With the huge benefit of hindsight maybe this season was always going to be a write off. Maybe we are all coming to terms with the true extent of the defeatist culture caused by five years increasingly evident harmful neglect.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rigadon on February 12, 2017, 11:30:03 AM
In fact, Hutton has been replaced more times this season than his crosses have found a man
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 12, 2017, 11:30:17 AM
I thought Lansbury was our best player by a mile yesterday. He did a lot of tracking back as well which was good to see.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on February 12, 2017, 11:31:11 AM
I thought Ipswich set up so Baker had a lot of the ball and was often left with little choice but to thump it long. At times he did a lot better with the ball than we've seeen in the past, as ever it's a confidence thing.

One thing I can't see mentioned is that we didn't cause them too many problems despite them losing both their centre halves in the first half.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 12, 2017, 11:33:44 AM
Hopefully James Brittle sorry James Bree won't be as lightweight as Bennett was who seemed to miss so many games with cut knees or broken fingernails.

We need him fit as I agree even at this level Hutton is a completely mediocre player.

In fairness to the club De Laet was signed as the first choice RB so it was very unlucky to lose him for the season after he played one game.

I assume Hutton is out of contract end of season so can get shot of him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 12, 2017, 11:36:43 AM
The Norwich manager lost five games on the bounce earlier this season and thereafter only one in God knows how long. 

They then had an episode of 'get your season back track week' against who I can't quite remember oh yes that would be us.  Now look at them.  As much as I hate what's happening at the minute we are just going to become the Midlands equivalent of a Cellini owned club if we keep sacking managers and expecting stability the latest buzzword.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oswald funkletrumpet on February 12, 2017, 11:43:17 AM
Before this time yesterday Jurgen Klopp had taken 3 points from the previous 15 and went out of the LC Semi against lower opposition.  He must also be a 'bad manager'.

Yes I know I'm being mischievous but you can see my point. Let's judge him over time, not just the last 7/8 games.

That is a good point but Klopp has got Liverpool into a great position.

Bruce has not improved Villa one iota.  We might just as well have stuck with RDM and seen some better football to boot.

Bruce has previously succeeded with teams by getting them very workmanlike and grinding out results.  With the players at his disposal here, we don't have to go down that road-We can take games to the opposition, like Newcastle do.  Currently, the tactics are abysmal, the team is all over the shop and apart from 45 minutes at Brighton and 45 minutes against Preston, the football has been dire.

How much time do we give him?  For me it is either until the end of this season or a similar time that RDM was afforded, if we go into next season.  The money is not going to last for ever, we had 3 bites at the cherry with the parachute payments.  We've just lost the first one, so we now have 2 more seasons in which to exploit our financial advantage over our competitors.  After that, we become a Leeds or a Notts Forest.

Agree with most of that, however the parachute money is only 13 million in season 3 so it must be next season
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 12, 2017, 11:45:48 AM
Straight away if we get rid, the names Rowett, I am sure Warburton will come to the fore, the first major ability that should be looked for is a manager, prospective manager that has a proven talent for progressing players on a training pitch, teaching basics like movement, being able to make time to find a pass, playing at a speed that is faster than pedestrian, knowing a left sided midfield player is best played on the left, simple things really.
The major factor that has seen to be the major requirement for the last two is that they know the championship, well Rafa did not know the championship, the guy at Wednesday did not know the championship, Wagner did not know the championship, they should be told this season is there to get a pattern of play established, in the summer the only buying will be funded by outgoings because I still hold fears as to where the money Dr X is spending is actually coming from.
Who, well that is why Wyness and the likes of Round are employed, but for god sake think, no more TSM1, 2, Tactics Tim, Eric Black and Steve Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 12, 2017, 11:55:49 AM
The Norwich manager lost five games on the bounce earlier this season and thereafter only one in God knows how long. 

They then had an episode of 'get your season back track week' against who I can't quite remember oh yes that would be us.  Now look at them.  As much as I hate what's happening at the minute we are just going to become the Midlands equivalent of a Cellini owned club if we keep sacking managers and expecting stability the latest buzzword.

Alex Neil didn't have a fraction of the budget both RDM and Bruce have been given. If he did then he would have got the boot deservedly too.

Coaching at the club is the big problem. Players seem to improve a lot after leaving us.

Ciaran Clark for one is making a mockery of our decision to get rid of him and get Elphick in or Baker back from loan.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 12, 2017, 12:00:02 PM
Clark benefits from not being placed under pressure. He's still a mistake a game player given the opportunity.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on February 12, 2017, 12:02:36 PM
A decent team can carry a player or 2 as error prone as Clark as Newcastle are proving. Our problem was that our entire team was error prone.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 12, 2017, 12:15:07 PM
To drag this thread back a few hours, I think the idea of him being a good or bad manager is missing the point really.  It's about beign an effective manager for the club you're at.  This is why i keep saying his record of promotions means nothing now he's here.  He has done well in the past by making teams solid at the back and sneaking a goal and his 'experience' is telling him to do the same here because it's worked for him elsewhere.  The problem is that he's ignoring the fact that all of our quality is in the other half of the pitch, buying Hourihane and Lansbury and then having them both sit deep and hold their position is a terrible decision, buying Hogan and then providing him with very little service is a terrible decision.  To  me his signings show that he can see where the problems are but his tactics show that he can't fix them.

The one that's really getting to me is the constant references to him needing time for the team to gel which just makes me want to ask what will change?  Maybe we'll look a little stronger in defence and maybe Kodjia and Hogan will start to work better together but will it make the wing backs play 20 yards further forward, will it give the midfield the freedom to get into the box?  Those things aren't signs that the team hasn't gelled, their signs that what it doing is the job Bruce is giving them.

Even if everything starts to click my worry is that any goals we score are going to be down to errors or individual brilliance rather than any set plan.  If you setup that way you're always going to face the problem that if your strikers lose some form or are unavailable you're fucked and the last 7 games are a clear sign that losing Kodjia for a few games and then him coming back in worse form than when he left has destroyed everything we have to offer in attack.  To make it worse people are starting to blame Kodjia for it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: steamer on February 12, 2017, 12:21:22 PM
RDM was a disaster, but not the first.
I did not want Bruce and struggled to accept it.
However, if we were to fire him, Then what ?
Another out of work Manager who has failed elsewhere.
He has to have the rest of the season, (tears run down my cheeks) and the chance to get his team playing.
If the season continues as it has, then end of the year P45 for Mr Bruce.
And I guess as any good management team the back office are playing the, what if game.
If he turns things around with his new team then its Tonys decision at year end to add a couple more and give him another chance.
My opinion, has not changed, he is transitory to do a job, I can not picture him creating a dynasty.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 12, 2017, 12:52:10 PM
at the moment I see him as yet another footnote in our history
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KRS on February 12, 2017, 01:10:18 PM
There is a certainly a strong case to roll the dice and sack Bruce particularly as he seems to be completely clueless even though he's brought in some very attack minded players yet plays them defensively and out of position. His decision making on the pitch seems to contradict the decision making off the pitch.

Perhaps the strongest argument not to sack him though is the question of who to replace him with...Rowett speaks a good game but for all the good things he did at Blose with limited resources, the performances on the pitch were apparently turgid shite to watch (which could be a symptom of the players at his disposal). Warburton and Smith are other options but I wouldn't have much confidence if either of those were appointed either.

I wasn't a Bruce fan when he came, I was impressed with the results he managed to get despite poor performances initially, but it has now all turned to shit and he genuinely appears clueless and clutching at straws. We don't have much choice to give him at least another 4 or 5 games, and hope that he can turn this shitfest around by playing a decent formation and selecting players in their correct positions...if we slip further down the table, then Dr X has a decision to make.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 12, 2017, 01:29:37 PM
I can imagine the shitstorm that would erupt if we appointed a third Fukkinbluenose. What I can't imagine is what decent manager would want to be our sixth in two years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: steamer on February 12, 2017, 01:32:41 PM
I can imagine the shitstorm that would erupt if we appointed a third Fukkinbluenose. What I can't imagine is what decent manager would want to be our sixth in two years.
Agreed
That he why he has to see the season out.
Unless we are plummeting for relegation.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on February 12, 2017, 01:35:56 PM
He could help himself immensely by finding a decent coaching team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: N'ZMAV on February 12, 2017, 01:52:31 PM
Bruce isn't getting sacked any time soon.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 12, 2017, 01:59:43 PM
Bruce isn't getting sacked any time soon.
He will be if he carries on losing games
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on February 12, 2017, 02:00:17 PM
End of the season. And then, let's see.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on February 12, 2017, 02:01:04 PM
The disappointment yesterday - apart from conceding a poxy goal - was that we had nothing on the bench to bring in to make a difference.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: auntiesledd on February 12, 2017, 03:03:33 PM
The disappointment yesterday - apart from conceding a poxy goal - was that we had nothing on the bench to bring in to make a difference.

Well Bruce could have taken Mutton & Taylor off and replaced them with Adomah & Bacuna. At least the latter pair might've provided more pace & better quality delivery to the forwards, but I suspect the manager was relatively content to carry on with his starting 11 all the time we weren't losing. Cue the late(ish) Ipswich goal - & very little remaining time to resort to a Plan B (assuming he ever had one). Quite how this guy has achieved the amount of prior Championship success is a mystery to me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 12, 2017, 03:09:39 PM
Hopefully James Brittle sorry James Bree won't be as lightweight as Bennett was who seemed to miss so many games with cut knees or broken fingernails.

We need him fit as I agree even at this level Hutton is a completely mediocre player.

In fairness to the club De Laet was signed as the first choice RB so it was very unlucky to lose him for the season after he played one game.

I assume Hutton is out of contract end of season so can get shot of him.

Why are you calling a new player who's missed 1 game  Brittle?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 12, 2017, 03:17:25 PM
Spot on Auntie.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ez on February 12, 2017, 03:28:09 PM
I can imagine the shitstorm that would erupt if we appointed a third Fukkinbluenose. What I can't imagine is what decent manager would want to be our sixth in two years.

Before McLeish we must have gone nearly 20 years without sacking a manager. It's a bit different now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 12, 2017, 03:41:37 PM
well, a slight exaggeration, I think
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on February 12, 2017, 03:43:22 PM
Terrible panic appointment. Instead of finding someone who suits the club and vice-versa and build for the long term (like a certain Mr Taylor all those years ago), we jumped at "Mr guaranteed promotion" and his dark ages football, but hey-ho we can get rid once he gets us promot...


oh.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on February 12, 2017, 03:43:35 PM
I can imagine the shitstorm that would erupt if we appointed a third Fukkinbluenose. What I can't imagine is what decent manager would want to be our sixth in two years.

I really haven't seen much evidence that managers care about that sort of thing anymore. Impatient sacking is such a part of the game now that they're happy so long as they're guaranteed a chunky severance package.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 12, 2017, 03:48:32 PM
Terrible panic appointment. Instead of finding someone who suits the club and vice-versa and build for the long term (like a certain Mr Taylor all those years ago), we jumped at "Mr guaranteed promotion" and his dark ages football, but hey-ho we can get rid once he gets us promot...


oh.

I don't see anything wrong with employing a manager who's got a track record of getting teams promoted. Isn't that what Sir Graham did with Watford after all?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 12, 2017, 03:49:34 PM
We can't win at fucking home, even in the 2nd Division.  Taylor out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 12, 2017, 03:50:59 PM
Terrible panic appointment. Instead of finding someone who suits the club and vice-versa and build for the long term (like a certain Mr Taylor all those years ago), we jumped at "Mr guaranteed promotion" and his dark ages football, but hey-ho we can get rid once he gets us promot...


oh.
It was hardly a panic appointment He was the obvious choice at the time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on February 12, 2017, 03:52:40 PM
Bruce wasn't my choice because he didn't seem like a long-term rebuild kind of guy, but of course it made sense from a short-term point of view. The problem I have is that this is the short-term, and it's looking a little grim - and frankly, given the state of the club, it might actually take a long-term rebuilder to actually turn us around and get us up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 12, 2017, 03:54:23 PM
I can imagine the shitstorm that would erupt if we appointed a third Fukkinbluenose. What I can't imagine is what decent manager would want to be our sixth in two years.

I really haven't seen much evidence that managers care about that sort of thing anymore. Impatient sacking is such a part of the game now that they're happy so long as they're guaranteed a chunky severance package.
I think Dave has a point, the media would be all over this if he was fired within a few games of having finally been able to bring his own players in.They would have a point and I am someone who has serious concerns with Bruce.
He has to be given to the end of the season to see if he can find the plot.
If results and performances by then have not improved significantly we should be giving the next manager the summer to work on the squad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on February 12, 2017, 03:54:36 PM
Terrible panic appointment. Instead of finding someone who suits the club and vice-versa and build for the long term (like a certain Mr Taylor all those years ago), we jumped at "Mr guaranteed promotion" and his dark ages football, but hey-ho we can get rid once he gets us promot...


oh.
It was hardly a panic appointment He was the obvious choice at the time.

Obvious - lazy. We're not some hull or blose who can hire some rent-a-promotion manager in the style of bruce/pullis/fat sam. The problems were ingrained and needed a guy who could sort us out from top to bottom. Obviously not Bruce who tends never to stay long anywhere
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on February 12, 2017, 03:56:20 PM
I can imagine the shitstorm that would erupt if we appointed a third Fukkinbluenose. What I can't imagine is what decent manager would want to be our sixth in two years.

I really haven't seen much evidence that managers care about that sort of thing anymore. Impatient sacking is such a part of the game now that they're happy so long as they're guaranteed a chunky severance package.
I think Dave has a point, the media would be all over this if he was fired within a few games of having finally been able to bring his own players in.They would have a point and I am someone who has serious concerns with Bruce.
He has to be given to the end of the season to see if he can find the plot.
If results and performances by then have not improved significantly we should be giving the next manager the summer to work on the squad.

Oh, if we sack him now we look deranged, I agree. If it doesn't improve by the end of the season, though, and we finish lower-midtable playing depressing stuff, I don't think anybody would really be that surprised if he was gently unmoored and pushed out to sea.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ez on February 12, 2017, 04:01:44 PM
well, a slight exaggeration, I think

Well 18 years then. From Atkinson to McLeish.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 12, 2017, 04:03:39 PM
The reality is deadly probably fired a god few more regardless of terming departures resignations
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on February 12, 2017, 04:03:47 PM
Terrible panic appointment. Instead of finding someone who suits the club and vice-versa and build for the long term (like a certain Mr Taylor all those years ago), we jumped at "Mr guaranteed promotion" and his dark ages football, but hey-ho we can get rid once he gets us promot...


oh.

I don't see anything wrong with employing a manager who's got a track record of getting teams promoted. Isn't that what Sir Graham did with Watford after all?


big difference is Taylor became Mr watford - he understood the club. Then he joined us and became Mr. Villa  and did the same. Both clubs he was in it for the long term and moulded it in his image. Only thing Bruce moulds is his hair.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tony scott on February 12, 2017, 04:05:07 PM
As anyone considered that Dr Tony would be quite cool not being Promoted this season , thus S B. Having time to prepare for next year, due the Promotion Financial clause implemented by Randy Learner
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 12, 2017, 04:10:16 PM
Hopefully James Brittle sorry James Bree won't be as lightweight as Bennett was who seemed to miss so many games with cut knees or broken fingernails.

We need him fit as I agree even at this level Hutton is a completely mediocre player.

In fairness to the club De Laet was signed as the first choice RB so it was very unlucky to lose him for the season after he played one game.

I assume Hutton is out of contract end of season so can get shot of him.

Why are you calling a new player who's missed 1 game  Brittle?
#
It's harsh but I don't want yet another injury prone FB as we've had plenty over the years especially one who can keep Hutton out of the team.

He's only been here two weeks and is already injured so not a good sign.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 12, 2017, 04:10:41 PM
Terrible panic appointment. Instead of finding someone who suits the club and vice-versa and build for the long term (like a certain Mr Taylor all those years ago), we jumped at "Mr guaranteed promotion" and his dark ages football, but hey-ho we can get rid once he gets us promot...


oh.

I don't see anything wrong with employing a manager who's got a track record of getting teams promoted. Isn't that what Sir Graham did with Watford after all?


big difference is Taylor became Mr watford - he understood the club. Then he joined us and became Mr. Villa  and did the same. Both clubs he was in it for the long term and moulded it in his image. Only thing Bruce moulds is his hair.

So we can only employ managers who are engrained with other clubs and who might just understand ours? Is that what you are suggesting?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 12, 2017, 04:12:25 PM
Hopefully James Brittle sorry James Bree won't be as lightweight as Bennett was who seemed to miss so many games with cut knees or broken fingernails.

We need him fit as I agree even at this level Hutton is a completely mediocre player.

In fairness to the club De Laet was signed as the first choice RB so it was very unlucky to lose him for the season after he played one game.

I assume Hutton is out of contract end of season so can get shot of him.

Why are you calling a new player who's missed 1 game  Brittle?
#
It's harsh but I don't want yet another injury prone FB as we've had plenty over the years especially one who can keep Hutton out of the team.

He's only been here two weeks and is already injured so not a good sign.

Injury prone? Because he's missed one game?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 12, 2017, 04:17:33 PM
Is Rowett's football really much better?

I admired the job he did at SHA but really it was counter attacking stuff that worked much better away from home with goals from corners and penalties.

Let's not fall into the trap of thinking he'd play better stuff with more money as other managers we've had in the last 5 years have claimed that and it hasn't happened.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on February 12, 2017, 04:18:59 PM
Terrible panic appointment. Instead of finding someone who suits the club and vice-versa and build for the long term (like a certain Mr Taylor all those years ago), we jumped at "Mr guaranteed promotion" and his dark ages football, but hey-ho we can get rid once he gets us promot...


oh.

I don't see anything wrong with employing a manager who's got a track record of getting teams promoted. Isn't that what Sir Graham did with Watford after all?


big difference is Taylor became Mr watford - he understood the club. Then he joined us and became Mr. Villa  and did the same. Both clubs he was in it for the long term and moulded it in his image. Only thing Bruce moulds is his hair.

So we can only employ managers who are engrained with other clubs and who might just understand ours? Is that what you are suggesting?


We've had a long sustained period of things not being right at the club from the owner down. A very strong personality was/is needed to turn that mindset round. I don't get the feeling Bruce understands the club anymore than the previous managers, just that he was parachuted in to "get promotion" and is now realising its not that simple.. you need a man with clout to turn a big club round - a SGT, dare i say it a MON even. We're not blose or Hull.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sirlordbaltimore on February 12, 2017, 04:19:17 PM

As annoyed and bewildered as I am with recent form, i'm absolutely 100% sure changing yet another manager, coaching staff and playing staff is not the answer to our ongoing problems.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 12, 2017, 04:22:26 PM
Terrible panic appointment. Instead of finding someone who suits the club and vice-versa and build for the long term (like a certain Mr Taylor all those years ago), we jumped at "Mr guaranteed promotion" and his dark ages football, but hey-ho we can get rid once he gets us promot...


oh.

I don't see anything wrong with employing a manager who's got a track record of getting teams promoted. Isn't that what Sir Graham did with Watford after all?


big difference is Taylor became Mr watford - he understood the club. Then he joined us and became Mr. Villa  and did the same. Both clubs he was in it for the long term and moulded it in his image. Only thing Bruce moulds is his hair.

So we can only employ managers who are engrained with other clubs and who might just understand ours? Is that what you are suggesting?


We've had a long sustained period of things not being right at the club from the owner down. A very strong personality was/is needed to turn that mindset round. I don't get the feeling Bruce understands the club anymore than the previous managers, just that he was parachuted in to "get promotion" and is now realising its not that simple.. you need a man with clout to turn a big club round - a SGT, dare i say it a MON even. We're not blose or Hull.

So who do suggest out of interest?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 12, 2017, 04:24:57 PM
Hopefully James Brittle sorry James Bree won't be as lightweight as Bennett was who seemed to miss so many games with cut knees or broken fingernails.

We need him fit as I agree even at this level Hutton is a completely mediocre player.

In fairness to the club De Laet was signed as the first choice RB so it was very unlucky to lose him for the season after he played one game.

I assume Hutton is out of contract end of season so can get shot of him.

Why are you calling a new player who's missed 1 game  Brittle?
#
It's harsh but I don't want yet another injury prone FB as we've had plenty over the years especially one who can keep Hutton out of the team.

He's only been here two weeks and is already injured so not a good sign.

Injury prone? Because he's missed one game?

According to the report when he signed he was injured for Barnsley this season from August to October and I believe he had issues last season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on February 12, 2017, 04:26:43 PM
Terrible panic appointment. Instead of finding someone who suits the club and vice-versa and build for the long term (like a certain Mr Taylor all those years ago), we jumped at "Mr guaranteed promotion" and his dark ages football, but hey-ho we can get rid once he gets us promot...


oh.

I don't see anything wrong with employing a manager who's got a track record of getting teams promoted. Isn't that what Sir Graham did with Watford after all?


big difference is Taylor became Mr watford - he understood the club. Then he joined us and became Mr. Villa  and did the same. Both clubs he was in it for the long term and moulded it in his image. Only thing Bruce moulds is his hair.

So we can only employ managers who are engrained with other clubs and who might just understand ours? Is that what you are suggesting?


We've had a long sustained period of things not being right at the club from the owner down. A very strong personality was/is needed to turn that mindset round. I don't get the feeling Bruce understands the club anymore than the previous managers, just that he was parachuted in to "get promotion" and is now realising its not that simple.. you need a man with clout to turn a big club round - a SGT, dare i say it a MON even. We're not blose or Hull.

So who do suggest out of interest?




Personally it would be Howe.Give him carte blanche to run the club how he wants.  I don't think persuading SGT to join us was any easier than Howe would be. There's other names but he would be gettable imo.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 12, 2017, 04:27:16 PM
Hopefully James Brittle sorry James Bree won't be as lightweight as Bennett was who seemed to miss so many games with cut knees or broken fingernails.

We need him fit as I agree even at this level Hutton is a completely mediocre player.

In fairness to the club De Laet was signed as the first choice RB so it was very unlucky to lose him for the season after he played one game.

I assume Hutton is out of contract end of season so can get shot of him.

Why are you calling a new player who's missed 1 game  Brittle?
#
It's harsh but I don't want yet another injury prone FB as we've had plenty over the years especially one who can keep Hutton out of the team.

He's only been here two weeks and is already injured so not a good sign.

Injury prone? Because he's missed one game?

According to the report when he signed he was injured for Barnsley this season from August to October and I believe he had issues last season.

He's played 19 games for them this season i think.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 12, 2017, 05:05:25 PM
I can imagine the shitstorm that would erupt if we appointed a third Fukkinbluenose. What I can't imagine is what decent manager would want to be our sixth in two years.

I really haven't seen much evidence that managers care about that sort of thing anymore. Impatient sacking is such a part of the game now that they're happy so long as they're guaranteed a chunky severance package.

Swansea haven't had a problem attracting managers and they've had 18 in 17 years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 12, 2017, 05:16:32 PM
On top of that I think even failing with a club isn't enough to put a manager into being unemployable, Lambert has had 2 jobs since we sacked him for example.

I honestly think we need a change in approach though, someone happy to work with what he has rather than wanting to make a huge number of changes every window.  A coach who can genuinely improve our players and start getting them looking like a team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 12, 2017, 06:18:51 PM
Not keen on another change again so soon, but Dean Smith or Warburton would fit that criteria. 

However, part of the appeal to most managers/ head coaches will be that a club like ours has bigger resources than clubs they have previously been used to.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 12, 2017, 06:35:23 PM
Not keen on another change again so soon, but Dean Smith or Warburton would fit that criteria. 

However, part of the appeal to most managers/ head coaches will be that a club like ours has bigger resources than clubs they have previously been used to.



Is that necessarily a good thing? I would rather a manager with the requisite experience than one who is stepping into the unknown. As we see with players the level of expectation at Villa can weigh heavy.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 12, 2017, 06:54:20 PM
I can imagine the shitstorm that would erupt if we appointed a third Fukkinbluenose. What I can't imagine is what decent manager would want to be our sixth in two years.

I really haven't seen much evidence that managers care about that sort of thing anymore. Impatient sacking is such a part of the game now that they're happy so long as they're guaranteed a chunky severance package.

Swansea haven't had a problem attracting managers and they've had 18 in 17 years.

I'm sure we were told that nobody would want the job if RDM was sacked so soon after being backed by Xia, and yet here we are with Steve Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on February 12, 2017, 07:12:26 PM
5-3-2 at home to Ipswich. I want Bruce to succeed I really do, but just for that decision alone he can fuck the fuck off to the ends of the fucking Earth. Potato for a head and mash for bloody brains. He's lost me and short of 16 wins on the trot he'll struggle to win me back around.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 12, 2017, 07:14:31 PM
I really don't know why people are so worried about what the media or anyone else will think of us if we sack another manager

we are lying 16th in the championship with no hope of even a play of place, playing the worst football known to man after spending the most money that's ever been spent in this league

and people are worried that sacking another useless manager will make us look like a laughing stock !

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 12, 2017, 07:21:29 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

It hasn't worked for us, Bruce has said as much himself, but that doesn't mean that trying it was a crazy, off the wall, aberrant experiment.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 12, 2017, 07:46:14 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

It hasn't worked for us, Bruce has said as much himself, but that doesn't mean that trying it was a crazy, off the wall, aberrant experiment.

But it's not just a quality of player thing, it's using the wrong type player specifically playing defensive full backs just will never work.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on February 12, 2017, 07:49:52 PM
I think the system is a bit of a red herring. If you want to play good football it's got enough by way of numbers in midfield, width if the strikers break wide correctly, plenty for playing from the back or counterattacking or whatever it is you want to do. I doubt it's particularly the system's fault if the football is muddled and incoherent.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 12, 2017, 07:51:19 PM
Said it previously when people in dreamland brought him up but why on earth would Eddie Howe leave Bournemouth for a basket case like Aston Villa?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 12, 2017, 07:53:40 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

It hasn't worked for us, Bruce has said as much himself, but that doesn't mean that trying it was a crazy, off the wall, aberrant experiment.

Just about everybody could see that it was doomedd to failure before kick off.  No decent wing backs and therefore no balls into the box for the forward players.  Comparing it to Chelsea is utterly irrelevant.  It was a terrible decision, and got what it deserved, ie nowt.  Your post is like saying "now I know that putting my hand in the oven when it's on is going to hurt, I won't be stupid enough to do it again".  It was a dreadful deciion from a bloke who has sadly lost the plot.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 12, 2017, 07:57:46 PM
3-5-2 is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 12, 2017, 07:58:58 PM
3-5-2 is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings.

Conte is being found out this season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on February 12, 2017, 08:00:19 PM
I really don't know why people are so worried about what the media or anyone else will think of us if we sack another manager

we are lying 16th in the championship with no hope of even a play of place, playing the worst football known to man after spending the most money that's ever been spent in this league

and people are worried that sacking another useless manager will make us look like a laughing stock !

But perceptions are important. My worry is that sacking another manager makes us look like a basket case with a trigger-happy chairman, and I can't see that being remotely attractive to any top class manager.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on February 12, 2017, 08:02:06 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

It hasn't worked for us, Bruce has said as much himself, but that doesn't mean that trying it was a crazy, off the wall, aberrant experiment.

Just about everybody could see that it was doomedd to failure before kick off.  No decent wing backs and therefore no balls into the box for the forward players.  Comparing it to Chelsea is utterly irrelevant.  It was a terrible decision, and got what it deserved, ie nowt.  Your post is like saying "now I know that putting my hand in the oven when it's on is going to hurt, I won't be stupid enough to do it again".  It was a dreadful deciion from a bloke who has sadly lost the plot.
If you've got the right players and a good manager, and it's a system he's comfortable, and his players are comfortable with playing then it works.
With us, under Lamberk, Sherwood, Bruce, and every other manager post O Neill who has gone to it, it's a move of desperation. It's not a plan B, it's that desperate fuck brained scramble in the dark for anything approaching a plan A.
I'm delighted for Chelsea that it works for them (no I'm not). But whenever I see it for Villa it just sends shivers down my spine because it basically means that nothing is going right. It's the telling admission that a manager is signing his death warrant and has bought his one way ticket to palookaville.

I don't want us to sack him now because frankly it will solve nothing. But Bruce has got the run in to save his job. If we finish   reasonably well and look like we have a system that works, then he gets the summer and the start of next season. If we're still abominable, then he gets the bullet. Simple.

I don't want to see us treading water in the bottom half for season upon season here, because we've already seen how that goes, and where that leads. We won't go down this season. We won't go down next season. But fuck knows what happens after that if things haven't improved. We seem incapable of hosing off the stink of failure here though and it's always the wrong manager at the wrong time, or right manager at the wrong time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 12, 2017, 08:03:07 PM
we say that every six months and yet like actors auditioning for a role, they still keep coming. One day the auditioned and the part will marry up
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 12, 2017, 08:03:18 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

It hasn't worked for us, Bruce has said as much himself, but that doesn't mean that trying it was a crazy, off the wall, aberrant experiment.

Just about everybody could see that it was doomedd to failure before kick off.  No decent wing backs and therefore no balls into the box for the forward players.  Comparing it to Chelsea is utterly irrelevant.  It was a terrible decision, and got what it deserved, ie nowt.  Your post is like saying "now I know that putting my hand in the oven when it's on is going to hurt, I won't be stupid enough to do it again".  It was a dreadful deciion from a bloke who has sadly lost the plot.
Exactly this, if you have the right players to occupy the back 5 positions then you have a chance of making it work, he didn't and then played other players out of position to accommodate.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 12, 2017, 08:03:25 PM
I don't have a problem with 3-5-2, it can work when deployed right, what I have a problem with is he used it without the right players because he hadn't previously planned to use it, now if reports are correct he is going to ditch it again? As I said last week he is throwing shit at a dart board and hoping one sticks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on February 12, 2017, 08:04:06 PM
we say that every six months and yet like actors auditioning for a role, they still keep coming. One day the auditioned and the part will marry up
And they leave their brains at home and their guts, given how gutless we seem to be in recent years.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: UK Redsox on February 12, 2017, 08:08:37 PM
3-5-2 is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings.

Conte is being found out this season.

Yep, it's a bit different playing three at the back with Luiz and Cahill than it is with Bakerbauer and Mad Tom
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 12, 2017, 08:15:03 PM
I really don't know why people are so worried about what the media or anyone else will think of us if we sack another manager

we are lying 16th in the championship with no hope of even a play of place, playing the worst football known to man after spending the most money that's ever been spent in this league

and people are worried that sacking another useless manager will make us look like a laughing stock !

But perceptions are important. My worry is that sacking another manager makes us look like a basket case with a trigger-happy chairman, and I can't see that being remotely attractive to any top class manager.

yeah let's send out the right perceptions and people might not notice the shit football and the team boshing about in the lower reaches of the championship
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on February 12, 2017, 08:20:09 PM
3-5-2 is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings.

Conte is being found out this season.

Yep, it's a bit different playing three at the back with Luiz and Cahill than it is with Bakerbauer and Mad Tom
Having a CH who can come out with the ball comfortably also helps. Sideshow Luiz is more than comfortable enough to play midfield and loves having a maraud, whilst Cahill is fucking Pele compared to any defender at the club. And this is before you consider the actual art of defending.

When we played it under Little we had Southgate who was decent on the ball. Then under Gregory we had Barry who was also good on the ball. It means one of your CH's can push up into midfield as an extra, deep option when you're on the front foot.
Chester is the closest to being able to do this, but he's okay at best, and defensively he's all over the shop at the moment unfortunately. Again, the problem with the system is that it's a too many cooks scenario when tactically the system isn't clearly understood by manager and/or players. You're better off simplifying matters and playing four at the back.

In addition, we're not terrible defensively anyway. Brentford aside we've not got roasted. Our problem is midfield and attack. We can't keep clean sheets no, but with the attacking quality we have, we should be average 2 goals a game comfortably. We toothless. Concentrate on the midfield and attacking tactics. Do some actual training in the art of passing and moving. Supply the strikers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passport1 on February 12, 2017, 08:23:56 PM
Not sure we are on the radar of most people anymore. We are irrelevant other than being a text book case of how not to run a football club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 12, 2017, 08:24:59 PM
Supertom for manager. That's how I see it too.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 12, 2017, 08:30:00 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

It hasn't worked for us, Bruce has said as much himself, but that doesn't mean that trying it was a crazy, off the wall, aberrant experiment.

Just about everybody could see that it was doomedd to failure before kick off.  No decent wing backs and therefore no balls into the box for the forward players.  Comparing it to Chelsea is utterly irrelevant.  It was a terrible decision, and got what it deserved, ie nowt.  Your post is like saying "now I know that putting my hand in the oven when it's on is going to hurt, I won't be stupid enough to do it again".  It was a dreadful deciion from a bloke who has sadly lost the plot.

The post was nothing of the sort, it was just a response to people condemning the formation when it was the performance that was the problem. Would Kodjia have learned how to link with others just because there were no wing backs, for instance? We had more possession and many more attempts on goal but didn't make anything of them. That is down to the players themselves.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on February 12, 2017, 08:50:25 PM
I really don't know why people are so worried about what the media or anyone else will think of us if we sack another manager

we are lying 16th in the championship with no hope of even a play of place, playing the worst football known to man after spending the most money that's ever been spent in this league

and people are worried that sacking another useless manager will make us look like a laughing stock !

But perceptions are important. My worry is that sacking another manager makes us look like a basket case with a trigger-happy chairman, and I can't see that being remotely attractive to any top class manager.

yeah let's send out the right perceptions and people might not notice the shit football and the team boshing about in the lower reaches of the championship

Whereas we sack another one and people notice the shit football and the team boshing about in the lower reaches of the championship and they say I'm not bloody surprised if they're going to sack their manager every five minutes. And, as I said, that would be the perception of potential candidates too, and that's the worry. Who on earth, of any great quality, is going to leave a decent job and a stable club to come here if it looks like they'll be clearing their desk in weeks if they don't get it right immediately?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 12, 2017, 08:51:55 PM
Point for me is that 3 at the back is not terrible in and of itself but when combined with Bruce's transfer dealings and player picks he starts to look clueless. If this was his grand plan then he needed, as a bare minimum, to replace elphick and probably buy more CB cover.  If we get the players successfully settled in this formation (unlikely) what happens when Baker has one of his inevitable injured for 2 out of 3 games periods?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 12, 2017, 09:11:38 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

It hasn't worked for us, Bruce has said as much himself, but that doesn't mean that trying it was a crazy, off the wall, aberrant experiment.

Just about everybody could see that it was doomedd to failure before kick off.  No decent wing backs and therefore no balls into the box for the forward players.  Comparing it to Chelsea is utterly irrelevant.  It was a terrible decision, and got what it deserved, ie nowt.  Your post is like saying "now I know that putting my hand in the oven when it's on is going to hurt, I won't be stupid enough to do it again".  It was a dreadful deciion from a bloke who has sadly lost the plot.

The post was nothing of the sort, it was just a response to people condemning the formation when it was the performance that was the problem. Would Kodjia have learned how to link with others just because there were no wing backs, for instance? We had more possession and many more attempts on goal but didn't make anything of them. That is down to the players themselves.

What concerns me is Bruce was saying in the week it's his favoured formation having used it at several clubs. Then he makes a team selection like that of a novice, they lose their two centre halves, things are not going to plan and yet he fails again to change things around.

My expectations of Bruce were never high as he himself admitted, he "doesn't like tactics" but I was expecting to at least to win ugly. Now I don't know what to think. Maybe as somebody suggested on here, he watches the game from the stands, gets to see the bigger picture because right now he's doing nothing from the dugout.

Any other manager looking at our play and results must be thinking how the hell are Villa managing to mess up given the players they have. I'd imagine there'd be plenty lining up to be given the chance to fix things should we decide to look to replace Bruce in the summer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 12, 2017, 09:21:20 PM
Bruce stated his preferred formation was 442.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on February 12, 2017, 09:32:57 PM
Bruce stated his preferred formation was 442.

That's not particularly reassuring either.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 12, 2017, 09:35:07 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

It hasn't worked for us, Bruce has said as much himself, but that doesn't mean that trying it was a crazy, off the wall, aberrant experiment.

Just about everybody could see that it was doomedd to failure before kick off.  No decent wing backs and therefore no balls into the box for the forward players.  Comparing it to Chelsea is utterly irrelevant.  It was a terrible decision, and got what it deserved, ie nowt.  Your post is like saying "now I know that putting my hand in the oven when it's on is going to hurt, I won't be stupid enough to do it again".  It was a dreadful deciion from a bloke who has sadly lost the plot.

The post was nothing of the sort, it was just a response to people condemning the formation when it was the performance that was the problem. Would Kodjia have learned how to link with others just because there were no wing backs, for instance? We had more possession and many more attempts on goal but didn't make anything of them. That is down to the players themselves.

Yep, it's all down to the players and nothing to do with the manager, we should replace the lot of them again in the summer.

Facetious baiting out of the way it's all part of the same problem, the players aren't being trained properly, changing the system and forcing them to learn that from scratch when there were so many other obvious issues to handle first is why it's a panic move.  You're sort of right that the formation itself isn't the problem, it's more that it's indicative that Bruce doesn't appear to know what he's doing and is firmly into the 'see what sticks' phase of management that almost always fails.  That's the problem, he shit himself because we got battered by Brentford and is flailing about for anything to stop us going on a horror run.  I want a manager with his sort of experience to be much calmer than this.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 12, 2017, 09:36:07 PM
He clearly doesn't know which way to turn right now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: amfy on February 12, 2017, 09:40:15 PM
Bruce stated his preferred formation was 442.

He said that's how you play to get out of this league. Look at the teams that have done it, and the teams that are doing ti, and that is how they play.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 12, 2017, 09:43:00 PM
Bruce stated his preferred formation was 442.

He said that's how you play to get out of this league. Look at the teams that have done it, and the teams that are doing ti, and that is how they play.

So why has he tried everything except that?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 12, 2017, 09:44:04 PM
Didn't he also say that the players we were signing in Jan were identified as the players to play 442 and add pace etc?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 12, 2017, 09:52:28 PM
Yes Chelsea play 3-5-2/5-3-2 but they spent pre season drilling the players as to what it entails. We threw it together in a panicky few days. After our usual money up the wall trick.

The answer to this problem is all on the training field. We won't solve this current problem with more money. We've signed a lot of the divisions better players. The talent is there, is the mental fortitude from those above?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on February 12, 2017, 09:55:08 PM
We can't take the few chances we create and we can't defend competently.  So the coaching staff....yep I know...could start working on those two areas to start with before we get into the complicated things like tactics. Well tactics may not be complicated for other teams but they are for us. On fact everything seems bloody complicated for us. A simple game ? Not at villa park it isn't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 12, 2017, 09:57:01 PM
RDM did exactly the same v Newcastle....played 3-5-2 (didn't Adomah and Amavi play wing backs that day) and it seemed the players had only been told an hour before the game and so we spent the first half clueless as to how to play it.

Bruce did get Hull playing it to good effort...I feel we should keep it for away games where we have more space on the break but don't think it's the solution for home games. We have been unbeaten playing 4-3-3 after all.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on February 12, 2017, 10:03:53 PM
He's made a rod for his own back now. He's got the players he wanted but won't play them they way WE want because he's not getting it to click. Therefore gone all defensive to try not to lose, rather than to go all out for the win. He can't keep changing formation every other week as it smacks of panic and not knowing his best team.  I don't really want him sacked unless THE most amazing candidate is available, who ever that may be. We need to get through what is left of this yet another dire season and hope we've finally bottomed out. It's utter shite at the moment despite the money spent but we could be a really good side with another couple of tweaks in the summer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 12, 2017, 10:06:19 PM
Yes Chelsea play 3-5-2/5-3-2 but they spent pre season drilling the players as to what it entails. We threw it together in a panicky few days. After our usual money up the wall trick.

The answer to this problem is all on the training field. We won't solve this

That's not right actually, they changed a few games into the season because of a couple of losses. It worked for them, it hasn't for us.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 12, 2017, 10:12:20 PM
Yes Chelsea play 3-5-2/5-3-2 but they spent pre season drilling the players as to what it entails. We threw it together in a panicky few days. After our usual money up the wall trick.

The answer to this problem is all on the training field. We won't solve this

That's not right actually, they changed a few games into the season because of a couple of losses. It worked for them, it hasn't for us.



Fair enough, players at his disposal and quality of coaching will be a lot higher than here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: manic-road on February 12, 2017, 10:14:03 PM
Yes Chelsea play 3-5-2/5-3-2 but they spent pre season drilling the players as to what it entails. We threw it together in a panicky few days. After our usual money up the wall trick.

The answer to this problem is all on the training field. We won't solve this

That's not right actually, they changed a few games into the season because of a couple of losses. It worked for them, it hasn't for us.



Chris that is correct, Chelsea didn't start the season in a 3/5/2 or 5/3/2 at all. Due to injuries and suspensions they had to change it and got results so they stuck with it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on February 12, 2017, 10:19:31 PM
Sky just put up a graphic showing the four leagues form table. We are 91st with only Leicester below us in 92nd. I hadn't realized is was quite that bad!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: clash city rocker on February 12, 2017, 10:24:34 PM
Einstein said...learn from yesterday. Live for today.hope for tomorrow. .....if he watched the villa he would never have said that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 12, 2017, 10:47:29 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

It hasn't worked for us, Bruce has said as much himself, but that doesn't mean that trying it was a crazy, off the wall, aberrant experiment.

Just about everybody could see that it was doomedd to failure before kick off.  No decent wing backs and therefore no balls into the box for the forward players.  Comparing it to Chelsea is utterly irrelevant.  It was a terrible decision, and got what it deserved, ie nowt.  Your post is like saying "now I know that putting my hand in the oven when it's on is going to hurt, I won't be stupid enough to do it again".  It was a dreadful deciion from a bloke who has sadly lost the plot.

If you are playing Hutton in any system at all you are asking for trouble. As soon as Bree went down it should have been Bacuna if he was to keep going with 3-5-2 or a different system. And Amavi for sure on the other side. I'd much prefer he played a diamond or something that employs width than have to accommodate Elphick who clearly isn't the player we hoped he'd be.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 12, 2017, 10:50:19 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

Chelsea haven't played 3-5-2 at any point this season. They're playing 3-4-3, with two wingers either side of Costa, or occasionally Hazard.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 12, 2017, 10:56:20 PM
Bruce stated his preferred formation was 442.

"It’s a system (3-5-2) I’ve used before and one I quite enjoy. I think with what we’ve got up front now it will work."
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 12, 2017, 11:11:59 PM
Bruce stated his preferred formation was 442.

"It’s a system (3-5-2) I’ve used before and one I quite enjoy. I think with what we’ve got up front now it will work."

He's said both which is fine. Right now it appears he is somewhere in the middle of the two which is precisely the mess it appears on the pitch. He needs to commit to one or the other. Personally with the players we have I don't see how 3-5-2 really works. I'd much rather a system that 4-4-2, straight up, diamond, or two holding with two wide depending on the situation. It's all a bit chaotic right now and feels like square pegs round holes which has completely made us inept in all areas of the pitch.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 12, 2017, 11:47:06 PM
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift which is why it's called the present.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Des Little on February 12, 2017, 11:47:57 PM
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift which is why it's called the present.

Right on, man.  Cosmic

Edit - don't you mean Tuesday is a misery?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 12, 2017, 11:51:47 PM
Today is today.   Tuesday is the day after tomorrow.  Let's hope we we win on Tuesday. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 12, 2017, 11:56:01 PM
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift which is why it's called the present.

Right on, man.  Cosmic

Edit - don't you mean Tuesday is a misery?

Ah yes.  That's it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gareth on February 13, 2017, 02:27:35 AM
One thing I do find odd is that we had Lambert, Sherwood & RdM who were all v good midfielders yet between them couldn't sign or coach a half decent midfielder now Brucie who was an excellent centre back in a flat back four couldn't a) find a decent centre back to sign in Jan and b) is presiding over a jibbering wreck of a defence since he decided to revert to back 3 to accommodate Elphick....

To paraphrase Mike Bassett....Villa WiLL be playing four, four f***ing two

Anyone got the numbers for Benson or Hedges....?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tayls_7 on February 13, 2017, 08:21:38 AM
Today is today.   Tuesday is the day after tomorrow.  Let's hope we we win on Tuesday.

I'm reading this Monday morning. It makes no sense.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 13, 2017, 08:34:32 AM
The day after tomorrow is today.  It is Groundhog Day at Villa Park.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 13, 2017, 09:32:18 AM
Xia agrees six million deal for Punxsutawney Phil.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 13, 2017, 12:20:34 PM
I think we will win handsomely tomorrow night......said no one ever.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 13, 2017, 12:25:11 PM
Sky just put up a graphic showing the four leagues form table. We are 91st with only Leicester below us in 92nd. I hadn't realized is was quite that bad!
Well one draw and 5 defeats in last 6 so you should have known.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 13, 2017, 12:29:38 PM
Strange how 3-5-2 has been condemned as some sort of spawn of Satan formation, as though of itself it condemns a manager. Stranger still when you note that Chelsea, 10 points clear at the top of the PL, have been using it for the majority of the season. Now obviously they have much, much better players but that isn't the point when it is the fact of the formation not the players that is being ridiculed.

Chelsea haven't played 3-5-2 at any point this season. They're playing 3-4-3, with two wingers either side of Costa, or occasionally Hazard.
And that's where it went wrong on Saturday specially after subs. Adomah and Green came on  and we should have had a perfect 343 but they both had no idea what they were doing and Adomah went missing big time for their goal.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on February 13, 2017, 12:44:36 PM
I agree olaftab, but according to a lot on here it was all Elphicks fault
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dribbler on February 13, 2017, 12:56:27 PM
I agree olaftab, but according to a lot on here it was all Elphicks fault

By my reckoning there were at least 4 of our players that could and should have done better to stop that goal: Elphick slipped allowing the man to get past, Chester when tracking back should have stopped the cross coming in, Baker should have intercepted the cross after that, and Hourihane should have been closer to Huws to stop him getting the shot off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on February 13, 2017, 12:59:29 PM
Yes Chelsea play 3-5-2/5-3-2 but they spent pre season drilling the players as to what it entails. We threw it together in a panicky few days. After our usual money up the wall trick.

The answer to this problem is all on the training field. We won't solve this

That's not right actually, they changed a few games into the season because of a couple of losses. It worked for them, it hasn't for us.



Chris that is correct, Chelsea didn't start the season in a 3/5/2 or 5/3/2 at all. Due to injuries and suspensions they had to change it and got results so they stuck with it.

But Conte had history with Juventus with that system and Italian national side
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 13, 2017, 01:12:11 PM
Conte said he changed the system when they were 3-0 down at half time at Arsenal and said none of the players had tried it previously.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 13, 2017, 01:14:41 PM
Adomah is the only winger I have ever seen that doesn't try and beat a man.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ClaretAndBlueBlood on February 13, 2017, 01:39:11 PM
Adomah is the only winger I have ever seen that doesn't try and beat a man.

you haven't been watching the same games as me then, I have seen him try to beat his man plenty of times, including on Saturday. Not much end result though unfortunately
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Singapore Villa on February 13, 2017, 02:05:44 PM
Bruce needs to get his shit together and quickly.

As others have said, why play 5 at the back and then use our most defensive fullbacks?
Why sign new creative (hopefully) midfielders then ask the defenders to hoof long balls and bypass midfield all together?
Why replace an inexperienced keeper with another young inexperienced one?
Why do you make subs either too late or too randomly, either having no impact or causing the team to lose shape?

I do think that he deserves time but there has to be some shred of positivity to hang some hope on surely.  Get a grip Steve and grow a pair of bollocks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on February 13, 2017, 02:08:39 PM
Adomah is the only winger I have ever seen that doesn't try and beat a man.

you haven't been watching the same games as me then, I have seen him try to beat his man plenty of times, including on Saturday. Not much end result though unfortunately

The trouble with Adomah is that he can beat one man but then gets carried away and thinks he can beat the entire team, then invariably loses the ball. I'm not a fan.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 13, 2017, 02:19:32 PM
I have seen him play quite a bit this season and he's nowhere near as bad as some say.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: amfy on February 13, 2017, 02:23:07 PM
I think we always look more dynamic with him on the pitch
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 13, 2017, 02:31:44 PM
Doesn't really prove anything but, possibly, interesting.

Our league record when Albert starts W6 D6 L5, when he doesn't W2 D6 L5.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 13, 2017, 02:54:12 PM
Adomah has 3 goals and 5 assists this season, isn't he comfortably our most productive midfielder?
'
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 13, 2017, 03:09:58 PM
I like him. I'm going to bring my night vision glasses tomorrow and thoroughly sweep the stadium for glimpses of Gary or Mark
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gareth on February 13, 2017, 03:21:57 PM
Adomah is the only winger I have ever seen that doesn't try and beat a man.

I think the opposite, he always tries to beat them three or four times & loses it sooooo often
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: in exile on February 13, 2017, 04:39:58 PM
I often struggle to understand Bruce's substitutions
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 13, 2017, 05:38:02 PM
Adomah is fine for this division imo.

I'd change the formation and get him back in the team. Kodjia isn't the same when he doesn't play.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 13, 2017, 05:45:50 PM
Adomah is okay ish but is not aggressive enough in possession.  In one on one runs he gets jocked off the ball too easily.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 13, 2017, 05:51:10 PM
I still think we cary more of a threat though, Brian, when he plays
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 13, 2017, 06:43:05 PM
We are top of the league I said we are top of the league!


(http://thumb.ibb.co/nnCzov/16684340_1825835921019503_1178434829049791841_n.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nnCzov)

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Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT Villan on February 13, 2017, 06:45:59 PM
Bruce, like every other recent manager before him, is resorting to negative tactics to try and keep it tight and play for a point. Ironically, I think we would be better served to go at teams and get them by the throat and batter the living crap out of them. We play like a deep-lying, counter-attacking team, and a very poor one at that, and the results are clear to see. I don't want Sherwood back, but the one thing he did bring initially was to put us on the front foot. What's Keegan up to these days ?  :)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 13, 2017, 06:54:56 PM
Bruce, like every other recent manager before him, is resorting to negative tactics to try and keep it tight and play for a point. Ironically, I think we would be better served to go at teams and get them by the throat and batter the living crap out of them. We play like a deep-lying, counter-attacking team, and a very poor one at that, and the results are clear to see. I don't want Sherwood back, but the one thing he did bring initially was to put us on the front foot. What's Keegan up to these days ?  :)

I am not sure that is true, I think the idea of playing wing backs is that you can get more numbers forward so isn't set up to be negative. It just didn't work that well for us, I think maybe down to the players not being familiar with each other. Hope we have seen the last of it for now and that we go 4-3-3 tomorrow.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Boz on February 13, 2017, 07:02:03 PM
Bruce, like every other recent manager before him, is resorting to negative tactics to try and keep it tight and play for a point. Ironically, I think we would be better served to go at teams and get them by the throat and batter the living crap out of them. We play like a deep-lying, counter-attacking team, and a very poor one at that, and the results are clear to see. I don't want Sherwood back, but the one thing he did bring initially was to put us on the front foot. What's Keegan up to these days ?  :)

I am not sure that is true, I think the idea of playing wing backs is that you can get more numbers forward so isn't set up to be negative. It just didn't work that well for us, I think maybe down to the players not being familiar with each other. Hope we have seen the last of it for now and that we go 4-3-3 tomorrow.

But Bruce's team selection on Saturday didn't play his attacking wing backs because he was being negative. We need to be more on the front foot but our players don't seem fit enough to sustain this style of football for even 45 minutes.
   
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 13, 2017, 07:56:33 PM
I agree we do look better with Adomah, Mr U, but that is the width he brings.  We looked less bad when he came on on Saturday but that was because he ran the line.  Trouble is he does not run it at sufficient pace.  He has to get the ball wide and early so he does not get bullied elbow to elbow because he never fancies it.  Wait till RHM gets the chance he deserves.  He is a pocket firecracker of a player.  He loves to mix it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on February 13, 2017, 08:11:49 PM
I feel a bit funny being the one saying that people are overstating the role of the formation in how we play, but aside from the individual catastrophe of Tommy Elphick - a stumble in human form - there's nothing necessarily against us playing good football in the 3-5-2 like there might be in, say, a 4-4-2. You can play flexibly or rigidly, possession or counter, whatever you want with the 3-5-2. It fills up the pitch nicely and gives midfielders options in how to move off the ball, which is what really makes the difference I think.

The problems are probably elsewhere - perhaps not being used to the formation, or indeed to each other at all (that's a lot of new faces in important positions on the pitch). Or perhaps the manager is to blame for a lack of ambition or subtlety, though that we probably won't be able to discern until the end of the season at the earliest.

Basically, I want the 3-5-2 gone too, but I can see a way in which we can play well with it - and getting rid of it won't solve all our problems either.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: class-of-82 on February 13, 2017, 08:18:58 PM
surely if you play 3-5-2 at home the wing backs have to be bacuna and amavi
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 13, 2017, 08:31:54 PM
We are top of the league I said we are top of the league!


(http://thumb.ibb.co/nnCzov/16684340_1825835921019503_1178434829049791841_n.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nnCzov)

upload facebook photos (http://imgbb.com/)

Well that explains why we are struggling. Only spent 12 million that's a disgrace come back Randy we need you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AV82EC on February 13, 2017, 09:13:43 PM
Let's be honest the reason we're shit at 3-5-2 is because invariably the ball ends up at Bakers feet and a ball playing centre back he ain't, neither is Elphick and Chester is only just this side of acceptable when it comes to distrIbution. I lost count of the times Baker hoofed it forwards on saturday to no one in particular, the useless great lummox.

Bruce needs to get back to the drawing board with this one, we haven't got the ability at the back to play this way.

The biggest thing for me is yet again our lack of competitive ball winners in the middle of the Pitch. Every time a knock down went loose, there was an Ipswich (substitute Brentford, Forest, Wolves, Preston) player winning the ball and looking forwards to play football.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 13, 2017, 09:25:46 PM
So, let's get this straight...

We are not a ball-playing Barcelona or Arsenal
We are not a crunching Stoke
We are not a team full of individuals who can make stuff happen on their own, a la ManYu
We do not have anyone (good and confident ) with scintillating pace to get in behind, like when Agbonlahor was invented after Daley and others...

Therefore, we are where we are........with a cobbled together side full of strangers who need time to work out how to play together in whatever system. He has a choices now, at least !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 13, 2017, 09:32:12 PM
Let me rephrase what I said. He tries but rarely beats a man.  He does try.  Albert that is not Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 13, 2017, 09:43:28 PM
he's like N'zogbia but with a lot better attitude
I don't reckon he's that good but I can't dislike him
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 13, 2017, 10:31:31 PM
Let's call a spade a spade. It's 5-3-2, not 3-5-2.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on February 13, 2017, 10:37:27 PM
Let's call a spade a spade. It's 5-3-2, not 3-5-2.

Depends whether you have the ball. Did Mourinho's Chelsea play 4-5-1 or 4-3-3?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 13, 2017, 10:50:30 PM
We are definitely playing 5-3-2 Chelsea are  playing 4-3-3. Chelsea re fluid we are turgid.

It's down to personnel and tactics. We're employing Hutton and Taylor in those positions. Then have 3 centre backs sitting deep, as well as Lansbury sitting deep.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 13, 2017, 11:23:36 PM
We are definitely playing 5-3-2 Chelsea are  playing 4-3-3. Chelsea re fluid we are turgid.

It's down to personnel and tactics. We're employing Hutton and Taylor in those positions. Then have 3 centre backs sitting deep, as well as Lansbury sitting deep.

Chelsea play there across the back, the manager has spoken about if frequently. They are well clear at the top of the PL so obviously they are going to be better at it. However, that isn't the point; it's about the validity of using that particular formation which demonstrably has some merit, the fact that it has been shown not to suit our players is another argument entirely.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 13, 2017, 11:33:34 PM
Sorry my mistake on Chelsea, I took it from Monty's post.

My point stands on us. We are not playing 3-5-2 as we sit so deep that it can only be described as 5-3-2. The difference is the instructions from the manager that sit alongside the team set up., and at the moment they are either being instructed to sit deep or are ignoring the managers instructions and sitting deep. The formation won't work, as happened at the weekend we are placing 3 centre backs up against minimal opposition attacking prowess and therefore do not have enough players in other areas of the field to build and finish attacks.

I don't think the formation is good and we are also carrying it out very ineffectively. I think 442 or 451 would be much more useful to us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gareth on February 14, 2017, 12:11:34 AM
For large parts of Saturday I'd argue it was 8-2 which makes the fact we failed to keep a clean sheet even more annoying. 

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 14, 2017, 04:22:12 AM
Whether it is Bacunna, Amavi, or Hutton, Taylor, the problem with 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 is that it requires 3 centre half's which we do not have, or not 3 capable of keeping clean sheets, add to the mix a dodgy keeper and it is plain to see why it is not a system suited to the personnel he has available.
The only person who does not seem able to see that is Brucey boy, buy in the window a upgrade on the midfield options, then play a system that encourages your worse footballers Baker, Boon and Chester to have more of the ball and totally go pass the midfield.
Angela, up for it in their face, can spot a pass, likes to push forward, but ask him to supplement your back 3 as you know not one of them can pass a ball, fing lunacy.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 14, 2017, 07:41:38 AM
Let's call a spade a spade. It's 5-3-2, not 3-5-2.

Depends whether you have the ball. Did Mourinho's Chelsea play 4-5-1 or 4-3-3?

4-3-3. Regardless of whether they had the ball or where they were on the pitch, Duff and Robben were in the team to play as wide attackers not midfielders.

Hutton and Taylor are not in the team to do anything but defend, as they can't do anything apart from defend.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 14, 2017, 07:45:38 AM
To paraphrase Mr Woodhall, I don't know much about football.  All these combinations of numbers are, when picked apart endlessly Greek to me, while admiring the football acuity of those that can do it.  I found myself after Ipswich, under the Holte listening to friends extolling two diamonds with Jedinak at the bottom of one and BB at the point of the other.  I was like Donald Trump listening to the Japanese Prime Minister, smiling and trying to nod in the right places.

Like Gareth above, my meat and two veg reading of Ipswich was that we played 8-2.  The 8 being a disorganised rabble.

Like I say, I know nothing about football.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Richard on February 14, 2017, 08:43:58 AM
It's not rocket science. Play 4 at the back as long as they aren't called Hutton or Elphick, have Jedi or Gardner holding, 3 more attack minded midfielders in front and the two up top.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 14, 2017, 09:17:21 AM
We are definitely playing 5-3-2 Chelsea are  playing 4-3-3. Chelsea re fluid we are turgid.

It's down to personnel and tactics. We're employing Hutton and Taylor in those positions. Then have 3 centre backs sitting deep, as well as Lansbury sitting deep.

Chelsea play there across the back, the manager has spoken about if frequently. They are well clear at the top of the PL so obviously they are going to be better at it. However, that isn't the point; it's about the validity of using that particular formation which demonstrably has some merit, the fact that it has been shown not to suit our players is another argument entirely.

It's not another argument, it's THE argument. Have you got the right players to make a formation work? If not, only an idiot would persevere with it. Anybody playing 5 at the back with Hutton and Taylor as wing backs is a bit dim.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 14, 2017, 09:24:16 AM
It's not rocket science. Play 4 at the back as long as they aren't called Hutton or Elphick, have Jedi or Gardner holding, 3 more attack minded midfielders in front and the two up top.

Quite why Mr Bruce doesnt see this i dont know. If fit, the back six should be exactly like this every week. The front 5 can then be chopped, changed, shuffled round and adapted mid game to best exploit who we have in front of them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 14, 2017, 09:31:04 AM
It's not rocket science. Play 4 at the back as long as they aren't called Hutton or Elphick, have Jedi or Gardner holding, 3 more attack minded midfielders in front and the two up top.
Simples isn't it?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 14, 2017, 09:38:12 AM
I still don't believe all the answers lie in what formation we play
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: chrisw1 on February 14, 2017, 09:41:05 AM
I still don't believe all the answers lie in what formation we play
Got to start somewhere.  We need the right formation to get the right players on the pitch and unfortunately at the moment I don't think Elphick is one of them.  For me that means whatever we do has to start with 4 at the back.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 14, 2017, 09:44:18 AM
I still don't believe all the answers lie in what formation we play

I don't think they do either, the instructions that sit alongside those formations are also very important.

Mindset is crucial, a defensive mindset very easily turns into a defeatist mindset - a self perpetuating cycle.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 14, 2017, 09:46:32 AM
I still don't believe all the answers lie in what formation we play
Got to start somewhere.  We need the right formation to get the right players on the pitch and unfortunately at the moment I don't think Elphick is one of them.  For me that means whatever we do has to start with 4 at the back.

theres always a player we don't like, most of the others are now playing in the prem, but that's as maybe
with the money spent and the players we have we should be playing far more fluid attacking football than we are,
that wont change with a formation it will change with confidence and a different attitude to the game
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 14, 2017, 09:47:48 AM
Both will have to change.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 14, 2017, 11:17:30 AM
I think those saying about it not being the formation are not totally incorrect, but what Bruce has done is fall back onto a defensive mindset and tryed to shoehorn extra defenders into the team to solidify, but as someone stated a defensive line up can soon turn into a defeatist mindset. I know our goals for does not show it, but I do believe given some freedom and encouraged to play at a higher tempo, bring in someone like RHM wide, Green or Adomah other side and have a go. Naff all to lose this season now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 14, 2017, 11:18:06 AM
surely if you play 3-5-2 at home the wing backs have to be bacuna and amavi

We tried that v Newcastle did we not.....
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on February 14, 2017, 01:33:16 PM
Let's call a spade a spade. It's 5-3-2, not 3-5-2.

Depends whether you have the ball. Did Mourinho's Chelsea play 4-5-1 or 4-3-3?

4-3-3. Regardless of whether they had the ball or where they were on the pitch, Duff and Robben were in the team to play as wide attackers not midfielders.

Hutton and Taylor are not in the team to do anything but defend, as they can't do anything apart from defend.

That is just not true - every player in a Mourinho team is in it to defend, and only about half are in it to attack. When Chelsea didn't have the ball Robben and Duff tucked in, dropped back, and got rigidly in a (quite deep) position. They then led the counters, but they had a big defensive role to play.

Hutton and Taylor, I agree, can't do much beyond defending. That doesn't mean they weren't asked to. Which would show the manager has problems other than the formation.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gareth on February 14, 2017, 01:39:26 PM

Like Gareth above, my meat and two veg reading of Ipswich was that we played 8-2.  The 8 being a disorganised rabble.

Like I say, I know nothing about football.

Me neither Brian :-)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gareth on February 14, 2017, 01:51:23 PM
I've thought for a long time that playing for Villa is too easy, the ire always gets focused on the manager with the players only getting the occasional tutting & low frequency booing at half time when they've been bobbins.  I'd love to hear 'attack, attack, attack' screamed around the ground when we go into that negative, bottle job mentality like we did on Saturday, it wasn't terrible, we were more than competitive in the game but we completely bottled trying to win it....players & manager have to realise particularly at Villa Park that risk averse Pulis football should never be tolerated
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 14, 2017, 02:01:46 PM
This 442 quote. Not that I'm doubting it but I think I've only read it on here. Does anyone have a link to the original article/quote? Context might help as otherwise that combined with his transfer dealings and his recent formations suggest he has lost it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 14, 2017, 02:05:31 PM
This 442 quote. Not that I'm doubting it but I think I've only read it on here. Does anyone have a link to the original article/quote? Context might help as otherwise that combined with his transfer dealings and his recent formations suggest he has lost it.

He said it at a meeting with supporters.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Lobsterboy on February 14, 2017, 02:11:41 PM
I know I am only rehashing a lot of what has been said before but it is staggering that a manager of Bruce's calibre and experience thinks that we have the personnel to play 3-5-2 and that those personnel include Baker and Elphick as ball playing centre halves and Hutton and Taylor wing backs

Utter madness
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 14, 2017, 02:14:47 PM
I'm not sure why he needs to state his position on formations and how long we will be playing using them. He's paid to pick formations that work for each game. I don't know why he feels he needs to tell us that now we're playing 532 or now we're playing 442 or 451.

He just needs to pick winning formations, tactics and players.

I think we are making a big deal about it (me included) because he is, and also of course that we lose week in week out.

I don't like 532, but probably would be thinking about something else if he hadn't drawn attention to it and if we could score a goal/ win a game.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 14, 2017, 02:58:39 PM
I don't like 532 in the main because, whilst it doesn't have to be defensive, it easily becomes that and turns into a flat 5 and 3 defensive midfielders in front.  If we had a manager that I trusted to really push the wing backs up (like Chelsea for example) and get at least 1 of the midfielders into the box then I'd accept it and I'd see the value but when you have a naturally conservative manager and a formation that lends itself so easily to being ultra-defensive you're just going to get what we've seen the last couple of games.  Yes we have a bit of quality in midfield and up front which will mean we can create a few chances and if we took them we might get some points but I find the whole 'you lot defend and hold position, you 2-3 try to win us the game' the lowest of barrel-scrapping management you get.

Now to contradict myself somewhat my broader view is that tactics are mainly about how you defend.  Getting the right people in the right places to stop the opposition from playing.  If that means 5 at the back then that's ok but only if you're trying to get the ball back and have plans to do it.  Just putting numbers in there and letting things happen doesn't work for me.  I've said for years that the real key to the success Pep Guardiola has had isn't his attacking play, it's all about how his teams turn over possession.  Man City are taking a little longer to adapt to his 'way' than he'd like but the fundamental of it is that defending isn't about stopping the opposition from playing, it's about letting them draw themselves out of position and then winning the ball and exploiting the gaps they've made for you.  His Barca team get all the plaudits because they were so devastating in attack but his Bayern team was the one where the defensive part just worked perfectly, if you watch a lot of their games teams resorted to long balls because they were scared to commit players into attacks, having that sort of control over your opposition is what tactics should be about.  This is all about working with the players so they all understand what the aim is and how they fit into it and it becomes prescribed.

Attacking can also be prescribed and for some things it makes sense to do just that, such as working on set plays (not set pieces, different thing) defining how you counter attack from a defensive corner.  To use rugby terminology this is 'first phase' play and can cover pretty much any transition from defence to attack or set pieces because in both cases you can work on them in training with everyone knowing when and where to run, etc.  After that attacking play falls into 2 categories for me, individual brilliance and team cohesion.  At Villa we have spent lots of money trying to buy the first of those but no one has tried to work with the squad to develop the 2nd and unfortunately the 2nd one is far more important.

Ramble over, tl;dr version - I'm not a fan of the formation but if Bruce and his coaches worked with the players, explained what they're supposed to do and had a plan for how to win the ball and how to use it once we had it I wouldn't give a shit what the numbers were.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rico on February 14, 2017, 03:00:58 PM
Ever since TSM1 we have set up to be ultra defensive. Why is that? If we're going to lose at least go down fighting. Remember when Sherwood was sitting in the stands during the Leicester match in the FA Cup. He immediately Identified the problem and got us playing further up the pitch with a higher tempo. Now I'm not trying to stick up for Tim Sherwood here, but for those last few months of watching Villa that season it was exciting again (FA Cup final apart). Yes we lost some games, but we also won a fair few too. So the message to Steve Bruce should be get on the front foot from the off. Enough of this ultra defensive crap (quite frankly our defenders are not good enough anyway to be trying to play out from the back.) Get some pace into the team, give some of the youngsters a go. We might not win every game, but at least it will be more entertaining. After all, what have you got to lose, because carry on as you are, Steve, and you'll be out of a job soon enough and we could end up in league 1.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 14, 2017, 03:18:29 PM
Ramble over, tl;dr version - I'm not a fan of the formation but if Bruce and his coaches worked with the players, explained what they're supposed to do and had a plan for how to win the ball and how to use it once we had it I wouldn't give a shit what the numbers were.

I'd settle for a plan right now too. Big night tonight for Manager Bruce so let's pray he finally gets it right.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 14, 2017, 04:35:41 PM
Agree Rudy and Paul.  I think the players just don't know how they are supposed to play.  They must be getting so much instruction but so little freedom to play the way they have to get where they are. We have proven talented players.  Just let them play.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 14, 2017, 04:35:57 PM
This 442 quote. Not that I'm doubting it but I think I've only read it on here. Does anyone have a link to the original article/quote? Context might help as otherwise that combined with his transfer dealings and his recent formations suggest he has lost it.

He said it at a meeting with supporters.

Cheers Dave. Direct from source then. Even if he meant it in a disparaging 'the championship is rubbish' way, him persisting with another formation that isn't working is baffling.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheTimVilla on February 14, 2017, 04:44:44 PM
On the one hand, changing managers every six months is too destabilising. On the other hand, isn't Steve Round here to help overcome such a scenario? On the one hand, getting rid of Bruce just after backing him in the transfer window would be counterintuitive. On the other hand, we don't look like scoring let alone winning. And then I've got four hands.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on February 14, 2017, 05:15:09 PM
On the one hand, changing managers every six months is too destabilising. On the other hand, isn't Steve Round here to help overcome such a scenario? On the one hand, getting rid of Bruce just after backing him in the transfer window would be counterintuitive. On the other hand, we don't look like scoring let alone winning. And then I've got four hands.


GOALIE !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on February 14, 2017, 06:26:16 PM
I like the idea of a Goalkeeper who studied at Galaxy High School (one for the youngsters).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheTimVilla on February 14, 2017, 06:55:20 PM
On the one hand, changing managers every six months is too destabilising. On the other hand, isn't Steve Round here to help overcome such a scenario? On the one hand, getting rid of Bruce just after backing him in the transfer window would be counterintuitive. On the other hand, we don't look like scoring let alone winning. And then I've got four hands.


GOALIE !

Two hands to fumble and flap, two to collect the rebound. Why didn't anybody think of this sooner?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 14, 2017, 09:29:54 PM
Fucking terrible. I hate the thought of yet another change but just like the last days of RDM it's getting worse or the manager simply cannot get the team to work cohesively. Yes we've had some bad luck but this is way beyond poor now. He won't get fired tonight but it can't be that far off if things stay like this.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JUAN PABLO on February 14, 2017, 09:30:01 PM
think you should sack Calderwood or you will be gone.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jon Crofts on February 14, 2017, 09:34:53 PM
He should resign why should we have to pay another chancer off?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT on February 14, 2017, 09:36:51 PM
There will be a long list of candidates.

The chance to be fucking hopeless for six months and then get a massive pay off.

It's sickening.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on February 14, 2017, 09:38:58 PM
Gotta wonder what Xia is thinking right now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 14, 2017, 09:39:48 PM
Gotta wonder what Xia is thinking right now.

Melting Bruce in a vat of acid.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 14, 2017, 10:01:46 PM
Gotta wonder what Xia is thinking right now.

"I thought I mugged that Lerner guy. Maybe he mugged me....."
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 14, 2017, 10:05:39 PM
He is rightly going to be very pissed off. I would try and get either Warburton or Rowett in on a shot term  basis until may
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dante Lavelli on February 14, 2017, 10:58:49 PM
Yes Chelsea play 3-5-2/5-3-2 but they spent pre season drilling the players as to what it entails. We threw it together in a panicky few days. After our usual money up the wall trick.

The answer to this problem is all on the training field. We won't solve this

That's not right actually, they changed a few games into the season because of a couple of losses. It worked for them, it hasn't for us.



Chris that is correct, Chelsea didn't start the season in a 3/5/2 or 5/3/2 at all. Due to injuries and suspensions they had to change it and got results so they stuck with it.

From what I've read, Conte's preferred system at Juve/Italy was always 352 but he allowed the players to dictate otherwise.  Results were not great so he changed everything to his preferred system and hey presto...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VinnieChase84 on February 14, 2017, 11:03:49 PM
He is done for now. Especially if Newcastle and Derby go the way most are expecting. It's his players now. If he can't find a system then he shouldn't have wanted people who couldn't play his way. Plus the football is horrible. Absolutely no style of play or tempo (except slow). If we were clearly trying to play an entertaining way and these results were the same then he'd be given the good grace of bedding it all in.
We have none of that! As things stand, there's a good possibility that come Bristol city at home, we could be bottom 3. He cannot survive all the above, 6 loses in a row.....
We're unfortunately in a perpetual cycle of turmoil and transition.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on February 14, 2017, 11:23:23 PM
It's really not a fantastic run of results is it? The question for Tony is: is this just a product of Bruce not having his players, or them switching off because r season's over, or what have you; or, are we underperforming because Bruce is a manager whose time is now past? For me, that's a question that still can't be answered.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 14, 2017, 11:24:29 PM
It's really not a fantastic run of results is it? The question for Tony is: is this just a product of Bruce not having his players, or them switching off because r season's over, or what have you; or, are we underperforming because Bruce is a manager whose time is now past? For me, that's a question that still can't be answered.
None of the above.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 14, 2017, 11:26:34 PM
I still don't believe all the answers lie in what formation we play
Got to start somewhere.  We need the right formation to get the right players on the pitch and unfortunately at the moment I don't think Elphick is one of them.  For me that means whatever we do has to start with 4 at the back.

I agree with John....formations are reasonably important but mentality in the 11 is more vital and we just don't have that in our mindset.

Barnsley and many other clubs at this level do and we are seeing it every week on the grass as we fail to win yet another game.

How many times have Reading and Huddersfield to name two teams been losing in games and turned it round with injury time winners? Both turned 1-2s with 20 minutes left into 3-2 wins.

We can't even get draws in games when we concede first.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 14, 2017, 11:29:01 PM
 It's been so long since we've had a Winning mentality as a club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 14, 2017, 11:29:55 PM
I still don't believe all the answers lie in what formation we play
Got to start somewhere.  We need the right formation to get the right players on the pitch and unfortunately at the moment I don't think Elphick is one of them.  For me that means whatever we do has to start with 4 at the back.

I agree with John....formations are reasonably important but mentality in the 11 is more vital and we just don't have that in our mindset.

Barnsley and many other clubs at this level do and we are seeing it every week on the grass as we fail to win yet another game.

How many times have Reading and Huddersfield to name two teams been losing in games and turned it round with injury time winners? Both turned 1-2s with 20 minutes left into 3-2 wins.

We can't even get draws in games when we concede first.
Changing the formation and players then playing out of position sends a signal to the players.
Just adds to the mentality problem.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 14, 2017, 11:33:14 PM
This will go down welll with the players.

Steve Bruce explains what his big money players must do now

The manager was speaking after the defeat to Barnsley tonight

23:08, 14 FEB 2017Updated23:09, 14 FEB 2017
Steve Bruce has told his multi-million pound players to show some fight and start earning their money.

Villa suffered a crushing 3-1 defeat at Barnsley, three days after losing to Ipswich at Villa Park.

It’s now eight games without a win and Villa’s season is imploding as the under-performing players struggle to cut out costly individual errors.

A frustrated Bruce said: “The reason why we’ve got one of the biggest wage bills in the division is to deal with the mentality and expectation at this club.

“That’s why the players get paid more than anyone else in this division to handle the expectation.

“The crowd have been nothing short of magnificent in the last two games when it has been difficult for them, too.


Jack Grealish
“Some of the stuff has been difficult for them to watch as we have been making mistake after mistake.

“We haven’t been good enough for the last five weeks and it’s difficult for me to face it.

“But I’m determined to get it right and now is where we must show some balls.”
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: FrankyH on February 14, 2017, 11:36:32 PM
Start earning yours Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Gareth on February 14, 2017, 11:36:49 PM
To formations and mentality I would add desire....I chose not to go tonight because frankly I was totally bored on Saturday so all I have seen is the goals as they were shown on SSN.  The 2nd goal Amavi just ambled towards the attacker, time & again our full backs do not show enough desire to close down players wanting to cross the ball...too much ball gets into the box, asking for trouble.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 14, 2017, 11:43:55 PM
It's already over isn't it for Bruce. I remember Gordon Strachan at Boro leaving without taking a penny, would have a lot of respect for Bruce if he did likewise.

I respected the pragmatic choice of Bruce. I thought he would have the experience and backbone to make hard decisions to get us results. Initially results were in his favour but the performances I felt were as bad as ever. The late home wins v Wigan and Burton only glossing over the cracks. I'm not sure why he felt it necessary to completely change the squad in the last weeks of Jan. I'd give him a pass on McCormack while giving Flabby and Richards another go was inevitable.

But after spending all that money on basically a new team, to go to 3 at the back v Forest and Ipswich only confirmed he was already into the drunken gambler state. No tactics, no defined style of play, no clear instructions given to players, just another busted flush British manager needing just another three players.

There is more wrong with the club than just RDM and Bruce. They have taken tin pot clubs with a fraction of the budget up previously. It's before my time but I'm assuming the club needs a visionary like GT1 coming in. I honestly think the club would destroy the likes of Howe, Rowett etc

I'd start in the summer with gutting the coaching staff at every level and scaling back the budget available to first team coaches The club needs to develop a football philosophy like Southampton and effectively go again. Ive suggested numerous times that we should consider the likes of Nicola Cortese, ex Southampton chairman in to run the club asap.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 14, 2017, 11:45:35 PM
You do wonder whether the McCormack episode has had an effect on the other players.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 15, 2017, 12:07:42 AM
I said the other day we need a minimum of 4 points from Ipswich and Barnsley, we got 0 and 1 goal. I genuinely don't know what the problem is any more. Even with a totally shit manager we should be winning games at this level with the players we have.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 15, 2017, 12:13:14 AM
I said 6 games.  But after tonight and then the Newcastle hammering. Then he Will be sacked
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Monty on February 15, 2017, 12:32:48 AM
It's really not a fantastic run of results is it? The question for Tony is: is this just a product of Bruce not having his players, or them switching off because r season's over, or what have you; or, are we underperforming because Bruce is a manager whose time is now past? For me, that's a question that still can't be answered.
None of the above.

Ha, fair enough! Sport of a thousand opinions etc (including typos, apparently). What I'd say is, if Bruce isn't a problem, then what is?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 15, 2017, 01:13:54 AM
I think accepting failure is how big clubs become small clubs.

If getting through another manager makes us look like a basket case trigger happy club with zero tolerance for failure I am fine with that.

Sorry but its results time. No more "build for the future" no more "long term plans". We have spent and spent on some very good players. There is no reason why they shouldn't be doing better and we need someone who can make that happen. Now.

We do not belong in the Championship. If that sounds arrogant then so be it but its also backed up by facts, like this is the most expensive squad in the history of this second rate league and yet we are STILL losing. No we shouldn't put up with it regardless of how intelligent, insightful and likeable Bruce is (and he is all three of those things imho).

It just hasn't worked out with us. Lovely guy, I wish him well but its time to change again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 15, 2017, 01:37:24 AM
It's really not a fantastic run of results is it? The question for Tony is: is this just a product of Bruce not having his players, or them switching off because r season's over, or what have you; or, are we underperforming because Bruce is a manager whose time is now past? For me, that's a question that still can't be answered.
None of the above.

Ha, fair enough! Sport of a thousand opinions etc (including typos, apparently). What I'd say is, if Bruce isn't a problem, then what is?
We can cite history but the current mess is down to him, reading your post again, is what you are saying I think.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: garyfouroaks on February 15, 2017, 01:43:19 AM
I think accepting failure is how big clubs become small clubs.

If getting through another manager makes us look like a basket case trigger happy club with zero tolerance for failure I am fine with that.

Sorry but its results time. No more "build for the future" no more "long term plans". We have spent and spent on some very good players. There is no reason why they shouldn't be doing better and we need someone who can make that happen. Now.

We do not belong in the Championship. If that sounds arrogant then so be it but its also backed up by facts, like this is the most expensive squad in the history of this second rate league and yet we are STILL losing. No we shouldn't put up with it regardless of how intelligent, insightful and likeable Bruce is (and he is all three of those things imho).

It just hasn't worked out with us. Lovely guy, I wish him well but its time to change again.

Wrong. What makes big clubs small clubs is making the same mistake again, and again.

At some point you draw a line, and give the manager three years. that is what we should do with Bruce. There are multiple reasons why Bruce has not effected an immediate improvement, the effects of constant change being one of them.

We do belong in the Championship. Our results determine that.

Suggesting that the answer to our malaise is more change is madness.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 15, 2017, 02:08:22 AM
I can't help thinking what will make a big club small is having 21-22K home fans fans watching as Barnsley twat you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 15, 2017, 02:08:43 AM
I think accepting failure is how big clubs become small clubs.

If getting through another manager makes us look like a basket case trigger happy club with zero tolerance for failure I am fine with that.

Sorry but its results time. No more "build for the future" no more "long term plans". We have spent and spent on some very good players. There is no reason why they shouldn't be doing better and we need someone who can make that happen. Now.

We do not belong in the Championship. If that sounds arrogant then so be it but its also backed up by facts, like this is the most expensive squad in the history of this second rate league and yet we are STILL losing. No we shouldn't put up with it regardless of how intelligent, insightful and likeable Bruce is (and he is all three of those things imho).

It just hasn't worked out with us. Lovely guy, I wish him well but its time to change again.

Wrong. What makes big clubs small clubs is making the same mistake again, and again.

At some point you draw a line, and give the manager three years. that is what we should do with Bruce. There are multiple reasons why Bruce has not effected an immediate improvement, the effects of constant change being one of them.

We do belong in the Championship. Our results determine that.

Suggesting that the answer to our malaise is more change is madness.

So you think we should have just stuck with Sherwood then? Give him the three years?

edit: That could come across as snarky it is not intended to be. I have been on the same ride you have been and frankly my "Bruce out" is just I am desperate for this rot to end. I just dont know what distinguishes Bruce from Sherwood or Garde or RDM in terms of time. If your stance is that we should just give all our new managers more time then thats perfectly fair but I am curious what your thinking is.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villadelph on February 15, 2017, 04:44:22 AM
I can't help thinking what will make a big club small is having 21-22K home fans fans watching as Barnsley twat you.

truth.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave17 on February 15, 2017, 06:08:45 AM
I can't help thinking what will make a big club small is having 21-22K home fans fans watching as Barnsley twat you.
yup
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AV82EC on February 15, 2017, 06:41:25 AM
I think accepting failure is how big clubs become small clubs.

If getting through another manager makes us look like a basket case trigger happy club with zero tolerance for failure I am fine with that.

Sorry but its results time. No more "build for the future" no more "long term plans". We have spent and spent on some very good players. There is no reason why they shouldn't be doing better and we need someone who can make that happen. Now.

We do not belong in the Championship. If that sounds arrogant then so be it but its also backed up by facts, like this is the most expensive squad in the history of this second rate league and yet we are STILL losing. No we shouldn't put up with it regardless of how intelligent, insightful and likeable Bruce is (and he is all three of those things imho).

It just hasn't worked out with us. Lovely guy, I wish him well but its time to change again.

Wrong. What makes big clubs small clubs is making the same mistake again, and again.

At some point you draw a line, and give the manager three years. that is what we should do with Bruce. There are multiple reasons why Bruce has not effected an immediate improvement, the effects of constant change being one of them.

We do belong in the Championship. Our results determine that.

Suggesting that the answer to our malaise is more change is madness.

So you think we should have just stuck with Sherwood then? Give him the three years?

edit: That could come across as snarky it is not intended to be. I have been on the same ride you have been and frankly my "Bruce out" is just I am desperate for this rot to end. I just dont know what distinguishes Bruce from Sherwood or Garde or RDM in terms of time. If your stance is that we should just give all our new managers more time then thats perfectly fair but I am curious what your thinking is.

I can't answer for GFO but I'd have thought he seems to be suggesting that ridding the club of yet another manager and coaching team is just adding fuel to the fire rather than putting it out. I absolutely accept though that others feel differently.

Unbelievably I saw enough last night to suggest that if he sticks with those tactics we'll turn this around. It's hard to stomach but at some point you can't just keep overhauling your mgmt team and squad, you have to have some constants otherwise it won't improve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villabear on February 15, 2017, 06:43:09 AM
Just watched some of his post match comments.

"Roll our sleeves up, blah blah. Tough time at the moment, blah blah. Can't fault the support"

"We go again". 

I did think he looked a bit shocked about what's going on at the moment. He certainly doesn't look the 'new leaner ready to go Steve Bruce we saw before he took over.

There must be some underlying reason to all of this, wether it's the 'stink' of all the previous shenanigans?  I don't think as other posters have said the McCormack incident has helped but why was that allowed to happen and carry on for so long?

The constant changing of formations, tactics and personnel is all a bit scattergun to me. Pick a first 11, a formation and stick with it. Messing about every game knee jerk isn't the answer.

Paul Merson on Talksport this morning thinks one of the main problems is we've bought players from smaller teams who aren't used to playing in front of big crowds. They won't have to worry about that soon if it carries on like this.

I didn't go last night and will need some persuading to go again anytime soon. I don't think I'd ever hear myself think that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 15, 2017, 06:44:58 AM
But what if those "constants' are causing more damage and however long you persevere with those constants, there are no improvements, mainly because the person in charge is incapable of improving the resources he has.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AV82EC on February 15, 2017, 06:47:27 AM
I'd suggest that we don't known if he can fix the resources. I'm willing to give him time. Ultimately that may end up in relegation. I'll have to accept I was wrong if it happens.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 15, 2017, 06:51:37 AM
AV each to their own, but to me he is flailling, great excuses after games, but nothing being done to change attitudes, determination, bottle whatever you want to call it, we go a goal down we lose, players looking like they have not got a clue and these are players that none of us moaned about when they came in the door.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on February 15, 2017, 06:59:01 AM
Paul Merson on Talksport this morning thinks one of the main problems is we've bought players from smaller teams who aren't used to playing in front of big crowds. They won't have to worry about that soon if it carries on like this
I don't buy that logic at all. There may be a minor effect of playing in front of a bigger crowd in a venerable old stadium but it doesn't wash for me.
The more obvious issue is that Bruce has not worked out the way in which this group of players can be most effectively deployed: how can each of these players be best utilised such that they can do what they do best?
For example, since neither Hogan nor Kodjia are strong in the air - particularly in this division where all the CB seem to be giants - the wingers / fullbacks should be encouraged to play low hard crosses into the 'zone of uncertainty'. Or, we shouldn't try and play wingers, instead pushing passes through the channels for Hogan to use his speed and Kodjia to use his body-strength.
I don't see the tactics; I don't sense the chosen game-strategies; I don't feel that there is good game-management.
I think we have some good players and a decent squad; it ain't being maximised by the current coaching staff.

Is the timing of Calderwood's arrival a coincidence?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on February 15, 2017, 07:09:34 AM
I think the Calderwood thing is a red herring. Brighton were pretty decent before he came to us.

More i think about the more for me it comes down to bot having an identity or style that is worked on consistently on the training ground. Last night should have been a flat 4 4 2, but he tried to shoehorn in Grealish and played Kodjia left side. No need. Grealish should primarily be able to play as a left winger and be disciplined there. If he can't, bench him. Green can. At least all would know their roles in that setup. No ambiguity. And then stick to it for the next 10 games. Same team, same formation. No frills, etc...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 15, 2017, 07:14:06 AM
Mister E the coaches should be coaching a style that has been agreed and approved by the Manager, now if Calderwood is following instruction and not allowed to express his own thoughts and preferences, as he did not seem out of touch with Houghton at Brighton and they could not be talked of as a negative team, I think you may find he will go off his own accord. Again football matters, coaching, playing style, motivation, character building at a club are down to one person and one person only.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 15, 2017, 07:18:12 AM
Bruce is gone isn't he? It might not be this week or next or the one after, but he's gone.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on February 15, 2017, 07:18:23 AM
They are. Maybe he needs to get Mike Phelan in to help him out, he is out of work and at least knows Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 15, 2017, 07:59:57 AM
Barring an incredible turnaround from this point on, I reckon he is toast come the summer.

The one thing that might save us this season is we still have games against struggling sides we have already beaten; Rotherham, Burton, QPR, Blackburn and Wigan.

The way we're playing at the moment it's hard to see where the next point will come from. But hopefully by the time we approach those games, we'll be  slightly less shit.  Whether that's with Jedinak returning (I struggle with that concept, TBH) or Bruce playing formation lucky dip and striking gold, I'm not sure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 15, 2017, 12:31:50 PM
Mail

Quote
Your thoughts on this run?

“It’s been a tough few weeks there’s no disputing that.

“The last two games in particular.

“It seems a carbon copy, we start the game brightly, create chances, make a mistake and the roof caves in.

“It makes it a tough evening.

“It’s one of those real tough periods at the moment.

“It’s been a tough six weeks but we have to be determined enough to see it through.

“That’s our aim now."

Thoughts on the penalty?

“If it is a penalty it’s very harsh. I’ve watched it five times.

“I’m not going to make that as an excuse but it was harsh.

“One mistake, like we did on Saturday, then we make it hard.

“The third goal, some of the defending was calamitous, mistake after mistake. That’s crept into us over the last five weeks or so.

“Every mistake we make is being punished. It was pretty evident again tonight.

“Just when we get in to 2-1, within six or seven minutes it goes to 3-1. It’s very difficult from there.”

Is it a mental problem now?

“The reason why we’ve got one of the biggest wage bills in the division is to deal with his mentality and expectation.

“That’s why they get paid more than anyone else in this division to handle the expectation.

“I have to say the crowd have been nothing short of magnificent in the last two games when it has been difficult for them, too. It’s hard to watch some of the stuff that we’ve been doing where we’re making mistake after mistake.

Is it fair to say the team is struggling for an identity?

“Yes, that’s fair to say.

“We seemed to have found it a few weeks ago.

“We changed a few things. Maybe there was too much change, at the wrong time.

“I thought we needed it.

“With that it’s my responsibility.

“It’s very difficult now to make change. You need time to work with it.

“It was easy persuading them to come, now they realise how difficult it is.

“But I’m convinced they are made of the right stuff and I think they will get better. It’s up to me to make them better and help them."

What’s happened to Jack Grealish?

“I’m never going to criticise individuals, that’s not me.

“It’s a team and the team didn’t function well enough.

“It would be unfair of me to criticise any individual. As a team and a manager, then we simply haven’t been good enough over the last five weeks.

Are you looking over your shoulder at the relegation zone now?

“I’ve been accused of not caring, my body language is supposed to be c***.

“It’s the best club and biggest club I’ve had for 20 years but it’s arguably the toughest to turn around.

“Given time I know for a fact I’ll get it right,

“It’s difficult at the minute. We’re up against it.

“Now we have to roll our sleeves up and try to ride the storm, because there will be.

“Every man and his dog will have their say but I’m determined.

“I know what’s required in this division, I’ve been around it long enough.

“We’re short of it at the moment, I know what is required in the Championship.

“We’ve seen it tonight.”

Is it time to go back to basics?

“We’ve got the big name and the stadium and the big crowd and all the rest of it.

“For the best part of two months we mounted a challenge and were just short of the play-offs.

“Then change happened.

“For the sake of the club I thought it was the right thing to do.

“I know for the sake of the club it will make us better.

“We’ve got two full-backs waiting in the wings who will make us better.

“They will bring competition for Hutton and Amavi.

“There’s been big change for far too long.

“You need to stick your chest out and see it through.

“It’s tough for me to come in and do the television and tough but that’s what it is.

“Now we show our balls."

Are the players letting you down?

“That’s for you to write.

“I feel for them at the minute because they’re bright to start with.

“But collectively and individually, when it’s up against it, then they have to do the basics better.

“We make too many mistakes and get caught up in it.

“Then the mentality kicks in.

“But throughout it the crowd have been terrific,

“The crowd have been great. Of course there’s disappointed people but they’ve been magnificent."

Goals a major problem?

“There’s a lack of goals but we can’t keep a clean sheet either.

“It’s why we’re where we are.

“We have to give ourselves a base and do the basics well.

“That’s what the Championship is.

“They’ve had five attempts at goal and scored three. We’ve had almost 30."

How big of a shock has this come?

“I was under no illusion how difficult it was even though we had a difficult start.

“It still is.

“Hopefully we’ll be given time to turn it around. We’ve only been here for four months.

“It’s been tough. I will try to see it through."

Are you already in a relegation battle?

“I haven’t seen the table tonight, I just go by results and I don’t fear that.

“But you can’t dismiss it."
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 15, 2017, 12:41:08 PM
Don't sound like a man who is confident in his own mind that he can turn it around. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 15, 2017, 01:31:17 PM
hasn't seen the table my arse. Doomed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nelly on February 15, 2017, 01:53:13 PM
Mail
Quote
“Now we show our balls."

Wowzers.

To be fair, all of that made sense for me. We did have a lot of shots and for the first part of the game, we seemed in total control. We let them in and caved yet again.

How do you restore people's confidence, though. We need time that we don't seem to have any more.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Allan C on February 15, 2017, 01:59:24 PM
I think accepting failure is how big clubs become small clubs.

If getting through another manager makes us look like a basket case trigger happy club with zero tolerance for failure I am fine with that.

Sorry but its results time. No more "build for the future" no more "long term plans". We have spent and spent on some very good players. There is no reason why they shouldn't be doing better and we need someone who can make that happen. Now.

We do not belong in the Championship. If that sounds arrogant then so be it but its also backed up by facts, like this is the most expensive squad in the history of this second rate league and yet we are STILL losing. No we shouldn't put up with it regardless of how intelligent, insightful and likeable Bruce is (and he is all three of those things imho).

It just hasn't worked out with us. Lovely guy, I wish him well but its time to change again.

Wrong. What makes big clubs small clubs is making the same mistake again, and again.

At some point you draw a line, and give the manager three years. that is what we should do with Bruce. There are multiple reasons why Bruce has not effected an immediate improvement, the effects of constant change being one of them.

We do belong in the Championship. Our results determine that.

Suggesting that the answer to our malaise is more change is madness.
Sorry but I have to disagree. The time to draw the line is when we get the right manager in place. Bruce is not that man IMO. Even if we turn the corner and get promotion next season, Bruce has shown he is totally out of his depth in the PL. We want a top manager now to be given those three years. If Newcastle can do it so can we.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 16, 2017, 05:24:11 AM
Bruce is a really hard man to dislike. Even though I think his time is up I thought his post match comments were once again insightful & honest.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 16, 2017, 07:43:38 AM
What's all this Bruce has got a big job on his hands?

I was totally all for Bruce coming in but frankly this is crap. He has literally been given a blank cheque book to buy who he wants and has already had time with the players that weren't his.
He's never been in this position before and he's cracking under the pressure.

Sort it out pronto Bruce or ship out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 16, 2017, 07:47:48 AM
Of course it's a big job. Just because he's spent money doesn't mean it's not a big job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 16, 2017, 08:01:42 AM
Of course it's a big job. Just because he's spent money doesn't mean it's not a big job.
So is Leeds but Monk seems to be doing ok with a fraction of resources They started poorly but then he found his own system and stuck to it. Bruce bleating about bringing too many into the team at once is nobody's fault but his own. He's not showing his experience at all as he's not been in this position before and it shows
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 16, 2017, 08:53:46 AM
once panic sets in, it's hard to break away from
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 16, 2017, 08:56:30 AM
Of course it's a big job. Just because he's spent money doesn't mean it's not a big job.
So is Leeds but Monk seems to be doing ok with a fraction of resources They started poorly but then he found his own system and stuck to it. Bruce bleating about bringing too many into the team at once is nobody's fault but his own. He's not showing his experience at all as he's not been in this position before and it shows

And how long have Leeds been out of the top flight? How many managers have they got through over the last few years? Yes it's a big job, but so is this one. Just throwing money at it doesn't make it less of one.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 16, 2017, 10:10:11 AM
Of course it's a big job. Just because he's spent money doesn't mean it's not a big job.
So is Leeds but Monk seems to be doing ok with a fraction of resources They started poorly but then he found his own system and stuck to it. Bruce bleating about bringing too many into the team at once is nobody's fault but his own. He's not showing his experience at all as he's not been in this position before and it shows

And how long have Leeds been out of the top flight? How many managers have they got through over the last few years? Yes it's a big job, but so is this one. Just throwing money at it doesn't make it less of one.
No sign of progress. We're actually getting worse.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 16, 2017, 10:17:12 AM
Of course it's a big job. Just because he's spent money doesn't mean it's not a big job.
So is Leeds but Monk seems to be doing ok with a fraction of resources They started poorly but then he found his own system and stuck to it. Bruce bleating about bringing too many into the team at once is nobody's fault but his own. He's not showing his experience at all as he's not been in this position before and it shows

And how long have Leeds been out of the top flight? How many managers have they got through over the last few years? Yes it's a big job, but so is this one. Just throwing money at it doesn't make it less of one.
No sign of progress. We're actually getting worse.

I agree but chopping and changing managers is not necessarily going to change anything.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 16, 2017, 10:26:41 AM
Of course it's a big job. Just because he's spent money doesn't mean it's not a big job.
So is Leeds but Monk seems to be doing ok with a fraction of resources They started poorly but then he found his own system and stuck to it. Bruce bleating about bringing too many into the team at once is nobody's fault but his own. He's not showing his experience at all as he's not been in this position before and it shows

And how long have Leeds been out of the top flight? How many managers have they got through over the last few years? Yes it's a big job, but so is this one. Just throwing money at it doesn't make it less of one.
No sign of progress. We're actually getting worse.

I agree but chopping and changing managers is not necessarily going to change anything.
If this form continues much longer he will be sacked. There will be little choice as we will be hurtling towards League 1 and it will be shit or bust time. He has to start turning things round from now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 16, 2017, 10:31:05 AM
Did Lambert or anyone else in recent history have a run like the one Bruce is on at the moment? I realize our form's been shit since Boxing Day but has it been shitter under anyone else since MON left?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 16, 2017, 10:32:47 AM
Of course it's a big job. Just because he's spent money doesn't mean it's not a big job.
So is Leeds but Monk seems to be doing ok with a fraction of resources They started poorly but then he found his own system and stuck to it. Bruce bleating about bringing too many into the team at once is nobody's fault but his own. He's not showing his experience at all as he's not been in this position before and it shows

And how long have Leeds been out of the top flight? How many managers have they got through over the last few years? Yes it's a big job, but so is this one. Just throwing money at it doesn't make it less of one.
No sign of progress. We're actually getting worse.

I agree but chopping and changing managers is not necessarily going to change anything.

Keeping this one definately isn't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 16, 2017, 10:34:08 AM
Of course it's a big job. Just because he's spent money doesn't mean it's not a big job.
So is Leeds but Monk seems to be doing ok with a fraction of resources They started poorly but then he found his own system and stuck to it. Bruce bleating about bringing too many into the team at once is nobody's fault but his own. He's not showing his experience at all as he's not been in this position before and it shows

And how long have Leeds been out of the top flight? How many managers have they got through over the last few years? Yes it's a big job, but so is this one. Just throwing money at it doesn't make it less of one.
No sign of progress. We're actually getting worse.

I agree but chopping and changing managers is not necessarily going to change anything.

Keeping this one definately isn't.

And no doubt you'll say the same if the next one has a bad run of results, and the next one.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 16, 2017, 10:39:41 AM
That really depends on a number of things, the most important being can I see progress despite the results.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 16, 2017, 11:20:18 AM
Did Lambert or anyone else in recent history have a run like the one Bruce is on at the moment? I realize our form's been shit since Boxing Day but has it been shitter under anyone else since MON left?

Serious?

You've already forgotten Sherwood picking up 1 point or something in the first 10 last season? Remi Garde, horrendously long run of defeats? Alex McCleish winning, what was it? 1 of his last 15? Paul Lambert, the king of the long winless run got so bored with those runs and we got so immune to them that he developed the long winless and goalless run to give us something new to think about.

This current run is nothing new at all, the last 6/7 years have been seeded with numerous terrible runs. The club has been a joke.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: maigrait on February 16, 2017, 11:28:45 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/feb/16/aston-villa-relegation-championship-steve-bruce-league-one?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_WhatsApp

Decent article I think... kinda lays the stats out anyway.... If he had started the season I'd say he'd be gone already.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 16, 2017, 11:31:58 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/feb/16/aston-villa-relegation-championship-steve-bruce-league-one?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_WhatsApp

Decent article I think... kinda lays the stats out anyway.... If he had started the season I'd say he'd be gone already.

You can't say that really though. We might have started the season well with a pre-season with his own players.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 16, 2017, 11:37:09 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/feb/16/aston-villa-relegation-championship-steve-bruce-league-one?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_WhatsApp

Decent article I think... kinda lays the stats out anyway.... If he had started the season I'd say he'd be gone already.
That might be true who knows? Fact is we're on our second manager this season. Another sacking would be desperation time and imho a big mistake. I really think we have to hold our nerve and things will change for the better.
Bit like in poker.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: maigrait on February 16, 2017, 11:37:14 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/feb/16/aston-villa-relegation-championship-steve-bruce-league-one?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_WhatsApp

Decent article I think... kinda lays the stats out anyway.... If he had started the season I'd say he'd be gone already.

You can't say that really though. We might have started the season well with a pre-season with his own players.

Based on his current stats and what RDM was binned for statswise - he would have been gone...

For the record - I don't want him gone. I'd rather he worked out... but you have to admit its painful to watch and we've... erm... been here before.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: auntiesledd on February 16, 2017, 11:55:36 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/feb/16/aston-villa-relegation-championship-steve-bruce-league-one?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_WhatsApp

Decent article I think... kinda lays the stats out anyway.... If he had started the season I'd say he'd be gone already.
That might be true who knows? Fact is we're on our second manager this season. Another sacking would be desperation time and imho a big mistake. I really think we have to hold our nerve and things will change for the better.
Bit like in poker.

I've a feeling that a right gubbing at St James' Park will see Bruce's chips being had. Given the likelihood of a pasting, I think Bruce will do well to avoid a nervous breakdown after the deluge of shit that'll be coming his way (and that's just from the Jardees).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 16, 2017, 12:07:14 PM
I guess managers and Prime Ministers must have the same Fears.

"Events dear boy Events"
H.Macmillan.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 16, 2017, 02:23:58 PM
Kodjia, McCormack and Hogan cost well over £40m? I think he'll find they didn't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nelly on February 16, 2017, 02:48:09 PM
The stats from that article:

(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b272dcf57d70a66b9aedb6bd92154b3c177dba6b/0_0_650_694/master/650.jpg?w=620&q=55&auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=bf0b7c28383d456754d3253ecc191da1)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wince on February 16, 2017, 06:23:17 PM
I say stick for now. Weather the storm and see if we can turn things around. I know we have had some shit times but the turnaround of managers becomes comical and lets be fair, what manager will want to come here knowing that since Mr mumbles, no manager has lasted longer than about 9 months? I have faith in Bruce more than I did with the others. What we need is a playing style and an attitude that gets us winning. The elements are there but the formula just isn't right. We are where we are because we deserve to be here. However changing managers hasn't worked for us on more than one occasion and some stability and time are needed. I mentioned in another post its up to Bruce. I just want to get begin the boys and get us winning games again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 16, 2017, 09:03:25 PM
Lies, damned lies and statistics !
If RDM had bought a midfield, they would be well integrated by now and even if he had still been dumped, SB would have had a better platform from which to star and to progress.
Now he's having to do it all from scratch again........and I still say his "backroom staff " are not good enough to keep him in this job. It's not him IMHO.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 17, 2017, 03:58:34 AM
Lies, damned lies and statistics !
If RDM had bought a midfield, they would be well integrated by now and even if he had still been dumped, SB would have had a better platform from which to star and to progress.
Now he's having to do it all from scratch again........and I still say his "backroom staff " are not good enough to keep him in this job. It's not him IMHO.
So who appointed the backroom stafff?
Who instructs the "backroom staff"?
What do you know about the responsibilities of the "back room staff"?
Please enlighten us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 17, 2017, 04:09:11 AM
The stats from that article:

(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b272dcf57d70a66b9aedb6bd92154b3c177dba6b/0_0_650_694/master/650.jpg?w=620&q=55&auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=bf0b7c28383d456754d3253ecc191da1)

Absurd comparison time frames designed to show bruce in the worst possible light. If you took Bruces first 11 games he would be one of the best managers we have had.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 17, 2017, 09:56:12 AM
The time frame is entirely to highlight how poor things have been for the last 2 months, that we've been so bad that's it's unavoidable that it makes Bruce look bad is pretty much impossible.  If you have such a problem though we can compare their entire records.  Bruce's overall record is barely a step up on any of the previous 5 managers (back to McLeish) and is falling back all the time.  Bruce had an amazing start and it's only a completely unsustainable collapse in form that could've led to people being so unhappy, graphics that highlight just have far things have dropped are simply highlighting how much of a mess we've been since the start of December.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ClaretAndBlueBlood on February 17, 2017, 10:03:52 AM
The stats from that article:

(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b272dcf57d70a66b9aedb6bd92154b3c177dba6b/0_0_650_694/master/650.jpg?w=620&q=55&auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=bf0b7c28383d456754d3253ecc191da1)

Absurd comparison time frames designed to show bruce in the worst possible light. If you took Bruces first 11 games he would be one of the best managers we have had.



its not really absurd though is it, managers are only ever as good as their most recent results, that's why people like Wenger are under pressure etc
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 17, 2017, 10:11:35 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/feb/16/aston-villa-relegation-championship-steve-bruce-league-one?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_WhatsApp

Decent article I think... kinda lays the stats out anyway.... If he had started the season I'd say he'd be gone already.
That might be true who knows? Fact is we're on our second manager this season. Another sacking would be desperation time and imho a big mistake. I really think we have to hold our nerve and things will change for the better.
Bit like in poker.

I've a feeling that a right gubbing at St James' Park will see B
https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/feb/16/aston-villa-relegation-championship-steve-bruce-league-one?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_WhatsApp

Decent article I think... kinda lays the stats out anyway.... If he had started the season I'd say he'd be gone already.
That might be true who knows? Fact is we're on our second manager this season. Another sacking would be desperation time and imho a big mistake. I really think we have to hold our nerve and things will change for the better.
Bit like in poker.

I've a feeling that a right gubbing at St James' Park will see Bruce's chips being had. Given the likelihood of a pasting, I think Bruce will do well to avoid a nervous breakdown after the deluge of shit that'll be coming his way (and that's just from the Jardees).
. Given the likelihood of a pasting, I think Bruce will do well to avoid a nervous breakdown after the deluge of shit that'll be coming his way (and that's just from the Jardees).

Providing he gets to have them with mixed meat and chilli sauce, i dont think he will be too bothered
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 17, 2017, 10:12:40 AM
DP
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 17, 2017, 10:09:49 PM
Hi Chicago Lion.
I must freely admit to not " knowing " his backroom staff, personally and otherwise I would be able to answer you more clearly, but I think it is perhaps indicative of SB's desire to be " seen " as being " hands-on " that he strongly mentioned it in his interview on the official site and (perhaps) convinced them to post a photo of himself (only) in " coaching garb " to indicate as much.
He also said he knows fully about all the crap that has surrounded Villa in recent years because he lives in the area and couldn't miss it. So he knows we are not fickle, as such. He is taking steps to position himself as Action Man.
I truly hope he succeeds and I believe he ultimately will..........but changes need to be made IMO.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 17, 2017, 11:30:58 PM
Christ, Bruce is now banging on about Micah Richards being a certainty to start when he's fit. Does Bruce even want the job any more?!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 17, 2017, 11:36:27 PM
The stats from that article:

(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b272dcf57d70a66b9aedb6bd92154b3c177dba6b/0_0_650_694/master/650.jpg?w=620&q=55&auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=bf0b7c28383d456754d3253ecc191da1)

Absurd comparison time frames designed to show bruce in the worst possible light. If you took Bruces first 11 games he would be one of the best managers we have had.

It's almost as if the way we are playing at the moment is more important than how we were playing three months ago.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on February 17, 2017, 11:37:44 PM
Christ, Bruce is now banging on about Micah Richards being a certainty to start when he's fit. Does Bruce even want the job any more?!

Doesn't look like it does it. Worse record than RDM AND he thinks that Richards is a saviour. Deranged thinking, fast losing the plot. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 17, 2017, 11:48:09 PM

Absurd comparison time frames designed to show bruce in the worst possible light. If you took Bruces first 11 games he would be one of the best managers we have had.

It's almost as if the way we are playing at the moment is more important than how we were playing three months ago.

Of course it is. But deliberately hiding his actual record is just sleazy af.

I think the man should be out and there is no need to hide his good results to make that case.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 18, 2017, 12:20:48 AM
Christ, Bruce is now banging on about Micah Richards being a certainty to start when he's fit. Does Bruce even want the job any more?!

Brain damage, that's all it can be.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 18, 2017, 12:23:02 AM
Christ, Bruce is now banging on about Micah Richards being a certainty to start when he's fit. Does Bruce even want the job any more?!

Brain damage, that's all it can be.

I am beginning to wonder if he has access to last years match videos. I mean a few hours of his time would answer all his questions about Richards, Gabby etc.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 18, 2017, 12:28:23 AM
There are very few Villa players I've actually hated, I've even stuck up for Gabby due the years of lack of service but apart from N'Zogbia, Richards is right up there, top of the list and I was there to witness Hodge. Bruce will lose whatever patience I have left remaining if he thinks Richards can ever pull on a claret & blue shirt again. The man-child is an absolute waster. Don't even think it, Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 18, 2017, 12:36:25 AM
Hopefully both of them will be chancing it at some other mug club next season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 18, 2017, 06:45:00 AM
I can, just about take a Bruce-knows-best-the-fans-can-just-suck-it-up attitude towards Gabby but if he is going to pull the same trick with Richards my vote for giving Bruce a bit more time will become a vote for getting rid of him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 18, 2017, 07:07:18 AM
Steve's decent into madness has well and truly begun - it's now only a matter of time before he goes.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rico on February 18, 2017, 09:28:16 AM
I want Steve Bruce to succeed, I really do, but for McGrath's sake! Micah Richards. Don't do it Steve, just Don't! You already pissed off a fair proportion of the fan base by bringing fat boy Gabby back, but please just don't go there with this bloke.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on February 18, 2017, 09:56:25 AM
Steve's decent into madness has well and truly begun - it's now only a matter of time before he goes.
You may well be right
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 18, 2017, 10:12:35 AM
I really dislike Micah and think Big Steve's lost it if he brings him back.

But I'm not sure if the consensus of this forum always aligns with the wider support at home but also particularly away.

For me Hutton stinks as a player. But when I went to the Brentford game, not all but a fair few of the fans seem to be right behind him. There's even a song for him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 18, 2017, 10:20:03 AM
He's big he's tattooed

He's always being booed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 18, 2017, 10:24:35 AM
I really dislike Micah and think Big Steve's lost it if he brings him back.

But I'm not sure if the consensus of this forum always aligns with the wider support at home but also particularly away.

For me Hutton stinks as a player. But when I went to the Brentford game, not all but a fair few of the fans seem to be right behind him. There's even a song for him.

I know what you mean, i think Hutton is gash too but there was a few renditions of the 500 miles song in the Holte against Barnsley, this was when the score was 1-3. he seems to have a bit of a cult hero status amongst some of our support, I'm guessing its because of his effort.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: A Northern Soul on February 18, 2017, 10:30:45 AM
He's big he's tattooed

He's always being booed.

😆👍
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: A Northern Soul on February 18, 2017, 10:44:36 AM
You have to start with a baseline assumption that the manager always knows better than the fan base, he is the one paid hundreds of thousands to deliver and should have broad experience and relationships to make him better placed than the masses to make it happen. If not, why not just have a popular vote on signings, tactics, substitutions, etc.
HOWEVER, we seem to be intent on employing managers who choose to make absurd decisions and statements that, at the very least, undermine the views of the support.
Bruce doesn't need to delve too far into the past to make a call on Richards - highlights of the Luton game alone should suffice!!
He does seem set on a shit or bust approach at Villa in terms of decision making. And we know which way that usually ends up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 18, 2017, 11:19:49 AM
I really dislike Micah and think Big Steve's lost it if he brings him back.

But I'm not sure if the consensus of this forum always aligns with the wider support at home but also particularly away.

For me Hutton stinks as a player. But when I went to the Brentford game, not all but a fair few of the fans seem to be right behind him. There's even a song for him.

I know what you mean, i think Hutton is gash too but there was a few renditions of the 500 miles song in the Holte against Barnsley, this was when the score was 1-3. he seems to have a bit of a cult hero status amongst some of our support, I'm guessing its because of his effort.

I like him. He gives his all and looks as though he cares. He also never hides. If some of those with more ability showed the same attitude and application then we might not be having such a tough time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ASHTONVILLA on February 18, 2017, 12:01:18 PM
I can't recall a Villa player I have ever disliked more than Micah Richards.

If Bruce picks him again I want his P45 issued before kick off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 18, 2017, 12:09:56 PM
I can't recall a Villa player I have ever disliked more than Micah Richards.

If Bruce picks him again I want his P45 issued before kick off.
Turning to the likes of Richards is a sign of desperation and signals the end of the road. No coincidence that things turned to shit once Gabby came back into the fold and we started to show the same frailties as last season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 18, 2017, 12:17:34 PM
I really dislike Micah and think Big Steve's lost it if he brings him back.

But I'm not sure if the consensus of this forum always aligns with the wider support at home but also particularly away.

For me Hutton stinks as a player. But when I went to the Brentford game, not all but a fair few of the fans seem to be right behind him. There's even a song for him.

I only go to VP a couple of times a season, and to the London aways, but I agree. I mentioned on here that I was staggered at QPR when Tim Sherwood got a standing ovation and a song when he walked past the away end.

As for Hutton, I'm with Chris Smith.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on February 18, 2017, 12:19:22 PM
I really dislike Micah and think Big Steve's lost it if he brings him back.

But I'm not sure if the consensus of this forum always aligns with the wider support at home but also particularly away.

For me Hutton stinks as a player. But when I went to the Brentford game, not all but a fair few of the fans seem to be right behind him. There's even a song for him.

I only go to VP a couple of times a season, and to the London aways, but I agree. I mentioned on here that I was staggered at QPR when Tim Sherwood got a standing ovation and a song when he walked past the away end.

As for Hutton, I'm with Chris Smith.

For all of Sherwood's faults he did keep us up that first season and gave us our only couple of genuine bright spots in the last 7 years or so. Maybe that's why some fans still like him a bit?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 18, 2017, 12:29:50 PM
I really dislike Micah and think Big Steve's lost it if he brings him back.

But I'm not sure if the consensus of this forum always aligns with the wider support at home but also particularly away.

For me Hutton stinks as a player. But when I went to the Brentford game, not all but a fair few of the fans seem to be right behind him. There's even a song for him.

I only go to VP a couple of times a season, and to the London aways, but I agree. I mentioned on here that I was staggered at QPR when Tim Sherwood got a standing ovation and a song when he walked past the away end.

As for Hutton, I'm with Chris Smith.

For all of Sherwood's faults he did keep us up that first season and gave us our only couple of genuine bright spots in the last 7 years or so. Maybe that's why some fans still like him a bit?

Lambert kept us up every season that he was here. It shouldn't be considered an achievement.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: saunders_heroes on February 18, 2017, 12:34:17 PM
I really dislike Micah and think Big Steve's lost it if he brings him back.

But I'm not sure if the consensus of this forum always aligns with the wider support at home but also particularly away.

For me Hutton stinks as a player. But when I went to the Brentford game, not all but a fair few of the fans seem to be right behind him. There's even a song for him.

I only go to VP a couple of times a season, and to the London aways, but I agree. I mentioned on here that I was staggered at QPR when Tim Sherwood got a standing ovation and a song when he walked past the away end.

As for Hutton, I'm with Chris Smith.

For all of Sherwood's faults he did keep us up that first season and gave us our only couple of genuine bright spots in the last 7 years or so. Maybe that's why some fans still like him a bit?

Lambert kept us up every season that he was here. It shouldn't be considered an achievement.

I don't think there's even a comparison. The club was in free fall and was getting worse with every season that went by. Lambert played is part in that, especially made worse with the diabolical negative football he played. Sherwood played some decent stuff and lifted the club albeit for a short time only.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 18, 2017, 12:39:00 PM
Fair enough. We won't agree and the arguments have been rinsed dry.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Exeter 77 on February 18, 2017, 12:48:35 PM
Steve Bruce is having a bit if a disagreement with Paul McGrath over his perceived commitment.  I can't see that ending well for Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on February 18, 2017, 12:56:47 PM
I really dislike Micah and think Big Steve's lost it if he brings him back.

But I'm not sure if the consensus of this forum always aligns with the wider support at home but also particularly away.

For me Hutton stinks as a player. But when I went to the Brentford game, not all but a fair few of the fans seem to be right behind him. There's even a song for him.

I know what you mean, i think Hutton is gash too but there was a few renditions of the 500 miles song in the Holte against Barnsley, this was when the score was 1-3. he seems to have a bit of a cult hero status amongst some of our support, I'm guessing its because of his effort.

I like him. He gives his all and looks as though he cares. He also never hides. If some of those with more ability showed the same attitude and application then we might not be having such a tough time.

Same here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 18, 2017, 01:03:01 PM
Steve Bruce is having a bit if a disagreement with Paul McGrath over his perceived commitment.  I can't see that ending well for Bruce.

Where's this?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Exeter 77 on February 18, 2017, 01:10:35 PM
Steve Bruce is having a bit if a disagreement with Paul McGrath over his perceived commitment.  I can't see that ending well for Bruce.

Where's this?

That font of truth that is the Birmingham Mail - shouldn't have clicked on the link really.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 18, 2017, 01:11:52 PM
Steve Bruce is having a bit if a disagreement with Paul McGrath over his perceived commitment.  I can't see that ending well for Bruce.

Where's this?

That font of truth that is the Birmingham Mail - shouldn't have clicked on the link really.

Ta.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: markeeeebeeee2005 on February 18, 2017, 01:17:56 PM
I really dislike Micah and think Big Steve's lost it if he brings him back.

But I'm not sure if the consensus of this forum always aligns with the wider support at home but also particularly away.

For me Hutton stinks as a player. But when I went to the Brentford game, not all but a fair few of the fans seem to be right behind him. There's even a song for him.

I know what you mean, i think Hutton is gash too but there was a few renditions of the 500 miles song in the Holte against Barnsley, this was when the score was 1-3. he seems to have a bit of a cult hero status amongst some of our support, I'm guessing its because of his effort.

I like him. He gives his all and looks as though he cares. He also never hides. If some of those with more ability showed the same attitude and application then we might not be having such a tough time.

Same here.

For me he's constantly out of position. I think a better way of showing application and attitude would be showing some tactical nous, supporting team mates by being in position and getting back a bit quicker after losing the ball while the opposition start another attack.

I don't think the bonkers runs that open up acres of space for the opposition show application or endeavour. While I like a hard tackle, I would take 90 minutes of good positioning as a better sign of good attitude than a 1 second leg breaking tackle.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Tony Erdington on February 18, 2017, 01:32:45 PM
Steve Bruce is having a bit if a disagreement with Paul McGrath over his perceived commitment.  I can't see that ending well for Bruce.

Where's this?

That font of truth that is the Birmingham Mail - shouldn't have clicked on the link really.

fuck me not like the mail (shit) to be divisive.

Ta.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 19, 2017, 11:43:02 AM
So he states he lives in the area and has done for a while, so he knows what the support has been through, then he glory's up Micah Richards. What you may have not grasped, is were not fickle, but if we do not like you, your days are numbered. Micak fing Richards help!!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on February 19, 2017, 11:46:12 AM
If he honestly thinks Micah Richards is going to be the answer he's in for a huge disappointment.

I'm very surprised at Bruce, thought he had more nous than this tbh.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ez on February 19, 2017, 11:58:02 AM
I think he's just saying it because we're stuck with him for the moment. Same with Agbonlahor.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 19, 2017, 11:59:55 AM
Sometimes silence is golden.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Drummond on February 19, 2017, 01:49:32 PM
Or maybe he's trying to motivate Hutton and Bree.

Or, Richards may actually be trying really hard in training and is a positive dressing room influence.

Or Bruce, like many before him,  fall for the experience thing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 19, 2017, 02:57:59 PM
or just go bonkers like many before him
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: old man villa fan on February 19, 2017, 03:34:23 PM
Or maybe he's trying to motivate Hutton and Bree.

Or, Richards may actually be trying really hard in training and is a positive dressing room influence.

Or Bruce, like many before him,  fall for the experience thing.

What managers sometimes misjudge is the effect on other players by bringing players back.  You may win with the player in question but you lose the team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eamonn on February 19, 2017, 04:48:39 PM
To any non-Villa fan I don't think Richards has been castigated in the same vein as Lescott and Agbonlahor for their conduct last season.
Bruce will see in him a player he remembers with proven pedigree so I'm not sure why people are so surprised that he rates him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JJ-AV on February 19, 2017, 05:20:46 PM
Chinese whispers are a laugh - a mate of mine has been doing work with an ex footballer who played under Bruce and is friends with him still and has done scouting for him. The player said that Bruce had said there are 'that many' bad eggs he needs 'at least 3 more transfer windows' to sort it completely. The impression my mate got was that Bruce rates very few of (if any) of the crop he inherited.

Which I suppose we knew anyway but it doesn't sound like he's even confident of being able to fix it in the Summer. If it's true and then you can see why he's bringing the likes of Richards and Gabby in, just to break up the cycle and try and change it.

/

Losing is like a virus and the habit is going to spread on to the new boys, so maybe we will need another influx in the Summer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 19, 2017, 05:47:14 PM
What a load of shady shit - if he doesn't rate Kodjia,at least, he deserves the tin tack
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passport1 on February 19, 2017, 06:11:05 PM
Its true my neighbours brother  is a friend of Calderwood he said  that they were  amazed at the lack of natural ability in the squad they inherited.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 19, 2017, 06:14:56 PM
Agreed, sounds like the desperate ramblings of a man who knows his days are numbered, has cannily figured out the prevailing narrative and wants to pin it all on the players. How many managers get backed in January to replace half the team with some of the reputed best players in their division? He needs to STFU and fix his decisions around team selection and game management instead of chucking the players under the bus (oh, except the ones that have most blatantly taken the piss out of us for the last 2 years).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Confusious says on February 19, 2017, 06:20:32 PM
Has Steve Bruce resigned? Only a friend just said he saw it on Facebook
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 19, 2017, 07:40:23 PM
Chinese whispers are a laugh - a mate of mine has been doing work with an ex footballer who played under Bruce and is friends with him still and has done scouting for him. The player said that Bruce had said there are 'that many' bad eggs he needs 'at least 3 more transfer windows' to sort it completely. The impression my mate got was that Bruce rates very few of (if any) of the crop he inherited.

Which I suppose we knew anyway but it doesn't sound like he's even confident of being able to fix it in the Summer. If it's true and then you can see why he's bringing the likes of Richards and Gabby in, just to break up the cycle and try and change it.

/

Losing is like a virus and the habit is going to spread on to the new boys, so maybe we will need another influx in the Summer.

Well this window he signed7 new players, 5 of them you'd expect to be first team regulars next season (Taylor, Hourhane, Hogan, Bree and Lansbury).

Also add Chester to that who played for Bruce at Hull and has been made captain here during SB's tenure and Kodjia and that's 7 players.

There is no way you need 3 more transfer windows to sort that out ffs. Just excuses for me.

Whoever the bad apples are the perceived ones like Gabby and Richards he's brought back into the squad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 19, 2017, 07:45:26 PM
Plus, if you assume McCormack is the no. 1 suspect in the shitty attitude stakes, Xia has allowed him to shuffle out an expensive asset, presumably to our financial disadvantage. Either way, if this is true Bruce is dodging taking responsibility in worrying ways.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 19, 2017, 07:48:40 PM
McCormack won't be at the club next season.

Surely Gabby and Richards can be loaned out somewhere at the very least?

Beyond that I'm failing to see who are the players with a poor attitude, maybe Jack but Bruce has been starting him most games so it can't be a major issue.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 19, 2017, 07:52:06 PM
McCormack won't be at the club next season.

Surely Gabby and Richards can be loaned out somewhere at the very least?

Beyond that I'm failing to see who are the players with a poor attitude, maybe Jack but Bruce has been starting him most games so it can't be a major issue.

McCormack might be if Bruce isn't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 19, 2017, 07:57:14 PM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bottom Right 89 on February 19, 2017, 08:06:06 PM
Has Steve Bruce resigned? Only a friend just said he saw it on Facebook
No chance, if you had worked all your career to get an opportunity like this you wouldn't quit at the first sign of trouble. The club from what I can see have been more supportive to Steve than any manager in the past 10 years, he will be given time to put things right and he will put things right.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 19, 2017, 08:32:30 PM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?
Fucking Bruce and his shit Chinese whispers, he can't even do them properly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 19, 2017, 08:36:40 PM
What a load of shady shit - if he doesn't rate Kodjia,at least, he deserves the tin tack

Where does it say anywhere on the whole wide interweb that he doesn't rate Kodjia?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 19, 2017, 08:38:20 PM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?

I know, it's unbelievable what people fall for sometimes.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 19, 2017, 08:39:09 PM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?
Fucking Bruce and his shit Chinese whispers, he can't even do them properly.
Guilty feet have got no rhythm, er
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 19, 2017, 08:43:10 PM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?

I know, it's unbelievable what people fall for sometimes.

what isn't unbelievable is that a Bruce would throw the players in the bus to protect himself given the run we're on.  He's pretty much following the script for managers in a rut in every other way.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 19, 2017, 08:56:41 PM
Who's he blaming?  Have I missed any particular name? Or is this still the name he's apparently said to someone else?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 19, 2017, 08:57:38 PM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?

I know, it's unbelievable what people fall for sometimes.

what isn't unbelievable is that a Bruce would throw the players in the bus to protect himself given the run we're on.  He's pretty much following the script for managers in a rut in every other way.

So not only is he being slagged for something he hasn't said, he's also getting it for something he hasn't done.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 19, 2017, 09:03:50 PM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?

I know, it's unbelievable what people fall for sometimes.

what isn't unbelievable is that a Bruce would throw the players in the bus to protect himself given the run we're on.  He's pretty much following the script for managers in a rut in every other way.

So not only is he being slagged for something he hasn't said, he's also getting it for something he hasn't done.

Makes you sick, probably not saying something to somebody who knows somebody who might know somebody and then to make things even worse if that is possible, not doing something that somebody has made up in their own imagination. Sickening behaviour. Amazed he's not been sacked.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 19, 2017, 09:33:07 PM
Hope he hasn't.............
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: themossman on February 19, 2017, 09:36:33 PM
The original comment might or might not be bollocks, but I assume all the responses to it were made on the proviso that it is true. As paul_e says, given the run Bruce is on it wouldn't be the most surprising thing in the world if he was framing our situation as a continuing players-with-shit-attitudes one. I probably expressed the same views about Sherwood briefing his mates in the media before he left, and had/have no idea if that is a verified fact or just message board speculation.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BOB MANSFIELD on February 19, 2017, 09:46:54 PM
Part of the " problem " surrounding SB now is surely the fact that he has lived locally for so long that there is a whole bunch of ITK's who know someone who knows something. Even his wife Janet's hairdresser and someone who went to several schools with Alex ??
At times like this they come out of the woodwork with a nod in the direction and we are all keen to see where that nod leads.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 19, 2017, 10:53:38 PM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?

I know, it's unbelievable what people fall for sometimes.

what isn't unbelievable is that a Bruce would throw the players in the bus to protect himself given the run we're on.  He's pretty much following the script for managers in a rut in every other way.

So not only is he being slagged for something he hasn't said, he's also getting it for something he hasn't done.

I'd have assumed that the 'if this is true then...' at the start of all of these comments would be implied.

I don't know if it's true or not, all i'm saying is that it's the kind of story you always hear from managers under pressure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: passport1 on February 19, 2017, 11:03:08 PM
Calderwood made the comment Xmas before the new players were signed. I daresay Bruces comment was made even earlier.

Interesting the responses on here , though probably typical of a fans site.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 20, 2017, 01:57:50 AM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?

I know, it's unbelievable what people fall for sometimes.

what isn't unbelievable is that a Bruce would throw the players in the bus to protect himself given the run we're on.  He's pretty much following the script for managers in a rut in every other way.

So not only is he being slagged for something he hasn't said, he's also getting it for something he hasn't done.
And we haven't even considered things we think he might have thought of doing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 20, 2017, 08:19:35 AM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?

I know, it's unbelievable what people fall for sometimes.

what isn't unbelievable is that a Bruce would throw the players in the bus to protect himself given the run we're on.  He's pretty much following the script for managers in a rut in every other way.

Maybe that's true, but idiotic quotes like 'he deserves the sack if he doesn't rate Kodjia' is what I was referring to on the back of someone posting that he heard something that someone had said who heard someone else say it etc.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 20, 2017, 09:57:39 AM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?

I know, it's unbelievable what people fall for sometimes.

what isn't unbelievable is that a Bruce would throw the players in the bus to protect himself given the run we're on.  He's pretty much following the script for managers in a rut in every other way.

Maybe that's true, but idiotic quotes like 'he deserves the sack if he doesn't rate Kodjia' is what I was referring to on the back of someone posting that he heard something that someone had said who heard someone else say it etc.

I agree that one in particular is silly but in general the idea that he's privately blaming the players doesn't surprise me at all.  However if this one is true:

Calderwood made the comment Xmas before the new players were signed. I daresay Bruces comment was made even earlier.

That changes things.  To me that fits with what we've seen.  I suspect Bruce made this decision in about mid November because there was a point about then when we stopped looking like we knew what we were doing and the poor performances became the default.  If Bruce had decided that there was nothing he could do with this squad that would've become apparent to the players fairly quickly because his body language, etc would've changed.  The obvious follow on from that is that everyone's performance levels drop a touch and we go on a run from the start of December of 2 wins and 2 draws in 11.

We don't see training so knowing the level this squad is at is tough outside of games but, on that basis, if there really was an absence of natural talent I find it strange that he decided to get rid of Ayew and laud the qualities of Gabby, the latter being one of the most technically limited players I've ever seen.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on February 20, 2017, 10:16:23 AM
Is Bruce now being criticised for something he might not have actually said to somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody?

I know, it's unbelievable what people fall for sometimes.

what isn't unbelievable is that a Bruce would throw the players in the bus to protect himself given the run we're on.  He's pretty much following the script for managers in a rut in every other way.

So not only is he being slagged for something he hasn't said, he's also getting it for something he hasn't done.

Makes you sick, probably not saying something to somebody who knows somebody who might know somebody and then to make things even worse if that is possible, not doing something that somebody has made up in their own imagination. Sickening behaviour. Amazed he's not been sacked.

The club need to make a statement, NOW.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 20, 2017, 10:19:20 AM
December wasn't too bad. Wins against Wigan, Burton and QPR. Poor one at Leeds, although we should have put our chances away as we were the better side until they scored and a very poor one at Norwich. Again at home to Leeds we should have won in the last minute with Green making a wonder save.

I think there's a red herring here. The real change came in January when Kodjia went and our momentum slumped. I thought on balance of the 2nd half at Cardiff we were worthy of a point, but without Kodjia it was a struggle. That loss of momentum has hit us and we've perhaps tried to change too much too quickly at the wrong time, although its a poison pill, I think it was necessary.

Wolves was dire, although an open goal again missed and equally Jedinak's absence has seen us leak goals from then.

That said, I thought against Barnsley we were actually the better side for the first hour and were well on top until they scored from a gift and a second equally as against the run of play as you can get. We should have beat Forrest and Ipswich.

For me Brentford and Norwich stand out as the really desperate performances and results, which can happen I suppose.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 20, 2017, 10:36:51 AM
December wasn't too bad. Wins against Wigan, Burton and QPR. Poor one at Leeds, although we should have put our chances away as we were the better side until they scored and a very poor one at Norwich. Again at home to Leeds we should have won in the last minute with Green making a wonder save.

I think there's a red herring here. The real change came in January when Kodjia went and our momentum slumped. I thought on balance of the 2nd half at Cardiff we were worthy of a point, but without Kodjia it was a struggle. That loss of momentum has hit us and we've perhaps tried to change too much too quickly at the wrong time, although its a poison pill, I think it was necessary.

Wolves was dire, although an open goal again missed and equally Jedinak's absence has seen us leak goals from then.

That said, I thought against Barnsley we were actually the better side for the first hour and were well on top until they scored from a gift and a second equally as against the run of play as you can get. We should have beat Forrest and Ipswich.

For me Brentford and Norwich stand out as the really desperate performances and results, which can happen I suppose.

I think that's a fair summary. If I had to give us a mark out of 10, I'd say 5. There's been some good performances (not enough of them though), there's been games we've been ok but should have won and there's been some absolute shockers. The fragility of last season has crept back in lately which is frustrating. Some of Bruce's subs have been baffling and maybe he did doo too much in the January window. I still hope we persevere with it though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 20, 2017, 10:54:08 AM
December wasn't too bad. Wins against Wigan, Burton and QPR. Poor one at Leeds, although we should have put our chances away as we were the better side until they scored and a very poor one at Norwich. Again at home to Leeds we should have won in the last minute with Green making a wonder save.

I think there's a red herring here. The real change came in January when Kodjia went and our momentum slumped. I thought on balance of the 2nd half at Cardiff we were worthy of a point, but without Kodjia it was a struggle. That loss of momentum has hit us and we've perhaps tried to change too much too quickly at the wrong time, although its a poison pill, I think it was necessary.

Wolves was dire, although an open goal again missed and equally Jedinak's absence has seen us leak goals from then.

That said, I thought against Barnsley we were actually the better side for the first hour and were well on top until they scored from a gift and a second equally as against the run of play as you can get. We should have beat Forrest and Ipswich.

For me Brentford and Norwich stand out as the really desperate performances and results, which can happen I suppose.

December was the start of the decline for me, yes we got 3 wins but they were nervy performances with late goals saving us and were all against teams that were in the mix for relegation at the time.  I think Leeds battered us in both games and we were lucky to get nil against Norwich.

I agree that Kodjia going had an effect but it was the straw that broke the camels back rather than a single hammer blow that ruined our momentum.

What I can't agree with you on is accepting the wins against Burton for example and then moan that we 'deserved' to win in other games.  When Bruce came in I expressed concerns about the performances because we were far from good value for the wins we were getting and you, amongst others, were adamant that it was all about results but now the results aren't there you've switched to 'we deserved something'.  I agree that there's elements of our recent performances that are better but I don't believe we were the better team in any of the last 3.  I think all 3 have been fairly even games and we've made mistakes at bad times to give away the points.  I think when you really want to see the positives (which I normally do) and back the manager it's easy to pick 2-3 moments in most games and say 'if we'd scored that one it'd all be different' and in 1 off games I can accept that. However if it becomes a pattern that we miss chances, let them in to score and then fail to change things up until it's too late that becomes a pattern and stops being down to individual moments.

For example we've missed a few decent chances in the last few weeks, have the coaches seen that and spent time working on it?  We've fallen into the old habit of dropping too deep, have the coaches done anything to address that?  We're making individual errors (particularly in goal) is anything being done about those, are they working on the mental strength of our players, are they working on concentration levels?

This is the point, if it's true that Bruce decided months ago that the squad are shit and that he'd need 3-4 windows to fix things then is he putting in hours to make the most of the squad and see if he can get something more out of them or is he hiding behind excuses?  I don't know the answer but I do know that right now our coaching team aren't doing a good enough job in making us look like a team that knows what they're doing and I do know that when stories like this start circulating it's usually because a manager realises he's in the shit and he's trying to protect his reputation. We all saw through it with Sherwood I hope the fact that Bruce comes across as a better person doesn't stop us seeing the same pattern.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 20, 2017, 10:57:20 AM
before branding posts idiotic Clampy, to reiterate I was responding to someone who inferred that Bruce didn't rate any of the players he inherited. That includes Kodjia  and if true, was a ridiculous stance to take for obvious reasons. Less of the personal criticism please.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 20, 2017, 11:06:49 AM
before branding posts idiotic Clampy, to reiterate I was responding to someone who inferred that Bruce didn't rate any of the players he inherited. That includes Kodjia  and if true, was a ridiculous stance to take for obvious reasons. Less of the personal criticism please.

I'm sure when a manager joins a club, there will be players who he does not rate and bearing in mind he's got rid of a few in January, we know who a few of those were. You brought up the fact that one of them may be Kodjia with absolutely no proof of that whatsoever, so yes it was an idiotic post.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 20, 2017, 11:12:10 AM
5 out of 10 when we are 17th having spent a fortune? Very Generous. I'd put us closer to 3/10 seeing as the results have been shit, the performances just as bad and there still doesn't look any idea as to where we are heading and continuity of selection and formation.

Very, very poor season so far.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 20, 2017, 11:29:18 AM
before branding posts idiotic Clampy, to reiterate I was responding to someone who inferred that Bruce didn't rate any of the players he inherited. That includes Kodjia  and if true, was a ridiculous stance to take for obvious reasons. Less of the personal criticism please.

It was pure speculation though, he might as well have said Bruce doesn't like the Villa colours or the fact they have to play their home matches at Villa Park.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AV82EC on February 20, 2017, 12:15:38 PM
before branding posts idiotic Clampy, to reiterate I was responding to someone who inferred that Bruce didn't rate any of the players he inherited. That includes Kodjia  and if true, was a ridiculous stance to take for obvious reasons. Less of the personal criticism please.

It was pure speculation though, he might as well have said Bruce doesn't like the Villa colours or the fact they have to play their home matches at Villa Park.

Speculation would suggest there was some element of logic to it. Let's call it out for what it was internet bullshit and bollocks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on February 20, 2017, 12:35:15 PM
Said it previously when people in dreamland brought him up but why on earth would Eddie Howe leave Bournemouth for a basket case like Aston Villa?

Because they're Bournemouth and we are Aston Villa.

Why did Graham Taylor leave Watford?

Exactly the same reason.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on February 20, 2017, 01:03:48 PM
Why leave 10,000 capacity, tiny, provincial minnows, who's almost definite peak is staying in the Premier League for a few more years before and let's be realistic they sink again and with the possibility without much finance back to where they came from, leaving a few memories of when they came 15th but most likely forgotten about by all except the few, very few, Bournemouth fans that are on the ride with them.

Or come to without a doubt one of the 10 biggest clubs in the country, who are down on their knees, waiting to be rebuilt, who attract national attention.

Claret and Blue spectacles off and I'm a miserable bastard about the Villa most of the time lately(lately being most of this decade) but if you have any kind of real ambition to test yourself and leave a lasting impression of your skills you are not going to do it at Bournemouth, whereas here there is a possibility. If you can look beyond the immediate predicament of us being below them.

Anyway, if Howe is likely to leave at any time soon then there would be big fish in for him too.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 20, 2017, 01:24:49 PM
And much as I hate to think it, the allure of the other big, less chaotic fish, would see him cast his lines in calmer waters
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 20, 2017, 01:44:41 PM
Said it previously when people in dreamland brought him up but why on earth would Eddie Howe leave Bournemouth for a basket case like Aston Villa?

Because they're Bournemouth and we are Aston Villa.


17th in the Championship and on to their 8th manager in the last 6 years. He didn't stay long at Burnley and i'm sure if he were to leave Bournemouth he wouldn't be heading to the Championship. Or League One.

Football has changed an awful lot since Graham Taylor managed Watford.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villatillidie25 on February 20, 2017, 04:00:36 PM
Said it previously when people in dreamland brought him up but why on earth would Eddie Howe leave Bournemouth for a basket case like Aston Villa?

Because they're Bournemouth and we are Aston Villa.


17th in the Championship and on to their 8th manager in the last 6 years. He didn't stay long at Burnley and i'm sure if he were to leave Bournemouth he wouldn't be heading to the Championship. Or League One.

Football has changed an awful lot since Graham Taylor managed Watford.


If we look at the smaller, less established, clubs up there at the moment, there isn't a single one of them who would come to us right now imo - few ramblings below

Eddie Howe - doing a great job at Bournemouth and surely, if he were to leave Bournemouth, it would be to a higher placed Premiership team - an Everton or maybe even Spurs (if and when Pochetino gets poached by Madrid/Barca)
Dyche - probably the only one on the list who might but only if it goes v. pear shaped at Burnley as I think both they and he seem v. comfortable with things there. (and would we want him if it goes really pear shaped!?)
Allardyce - only just joined Palace and if he were to leave it would be for next seasons relegation favourites not for an aspiring Championship promotion team
Marcos Silva - looks to be turning things around at Hull with a desperately poor side. Has probably impressed a few people here and abroad and is unlikely to want to step down a league. Could be the sort of person, if he continues to flourish, that we could go for if and when we get up and want to try to take the so-called next step but that feels so far away right now it probably isn't worth talking about
Ranieri - if/when Leicester pull the trigger he will go back to italy
Karanka - seems to have a bit of money up in the north east and has a good opportunity to consolidate Boro in the top flight. Unlikely to give that gig up while it is mutually beneficial. Rumours last season of him quitting though might suggest he could be persuaded but it wouldn't be by us
Clement - only just joined and doing a great job. Seems to be settling in and given his job at Derby is likely to want to see out the Swansea gig in order to establish himself as more than a good number 2
Mazzari - would never drop down to the second tier of English football. if/when he leaves Watford, he will go back to Italy or for a big pay day somewhere else
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Reuben on February 20, 2017, 04:09:58 PM
“I found when I arrived that it was difficult to hand out advice or ­criticism without getting something back. People felt like it was a personal attack." - James Chester

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-skipper-james-chester-9854822
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 20, 2017, 04:21:49 PM
Said it previously when people in dreamland brought him up but why on earth would Eddie Howe leave Bournemouth for a basket case like Aston Villa?

Because they're Bournemouth and we are Aston Villa.


17th in the Championship and on to their 8th manager in the last 6 years. He didn't stay long at Burnley and i'm sure if he were to leave Bournemouth he wouldn't be heading to the Championship. Or League One.

Football has changed an awful lot since Graham Taylor managed Watford.


If we look at the smaller, less established, clubs up there at the moment, there isn't a single one of them who would come to us right now imo - few ramblings below

Eddie Howe - doing a great job at Bournemouth and surely, if he were to leave Bournemouth, it would be to a higher placed Premiership team - an Everton or maybe even Spurs (if and when Pochetino gets poached by Madrid/Barca)
Dyche - probably the only one on the list who might but only if it goes v. pear shaped at Burnley as I think both they and he seem v. comfortable with things there. (and would we want him if it goes really pear shaped!?)
Allardyce - only just joined Palace and if he were to leave it would be for next seasons relegation favourites not for an aspiring Championship promotion team
Marcos Silva - looks to be turning things around at Hull with a desperately poor side. Has probably impressed a few people here and abroad and is unlikely to want to step down a league. Could be the sort of person, if he continues to flourish, that we could go for if and when we get up and want to try to take the so-called next step but that feels so far away right now it probably isn't worth talking about
Ranieri - if/when Leicester pull the trigger he will go back to italy
Karanka - seems to have a bit of money up in the north east and has a good opportunity to consolidate Boro in the top flight. Unlikely to give that gig up while it is mutually beneficial. Rumours last season of him quitting though might suggest he could be persuaded but it wouldn't be by us
Clement - only just joined and doing a great job. Seems to be settling in and given his job at Derby is likely to want to see out the Swansea gig in order to establish himself as more than a good number 2
Mazzari - would never drop down to the second tier of English football. if/when he leaves Watford, he will go back to Italy or for a big pay day somewhere else


To me this seems a bit like "know your place, we're shit".  I get that self-deprecation and talking ourselves down i a brummie thing but why do we get upset about comments like 'half-arsed club that used to be famous' and then come out with things like this?  By being afraid to even suggest we might get a decent manager or that we could play good football, or that good players might stay for a while (look how many of our own fans had Benteke down as sold before the end of his first season) we consign ourselves to our fate.  Some posters would like us to go the other way and act like the plucky underdogs but the truth is we should be a big deal in this league and we need to understand that and start acting appropriately.  That's not just about throwing money around and taking teams best players, lets take their coaches as well and start playing a way to blow them away.  Lets aim for managers and players who are too good for this league and need to be convinced that we're going to be the bollocks once we get our act together (which is happening NOW!), that's how we use our size and history to our advantage, we don't hide from it or ignore it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on February 20, 2017, 04:23:13 PM
From the same Moxley piece in The Mirror:

Quote
Back-to-back home defeats have led to ­grumbles in the stands. But Chester says that is understandable and, if anything, the supporters have been too soft on the players.

He added: “Villa fans have suffered. They’ve been in and around the bottom of the Premier League for a number of years – and now they are in the Championship.

“With the form we’ve shown over the last six weeks, they could have made it worse for the players.

“They are well within their rights to be having a moan and, if I’m honest, they’ve been gentle on us.

“It certainly wouldn’t have been unwarranted given the results against Ipswich and Barnsley in the past week.

Stick that up your pipe Cyril Lord Balti More.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 20, 2017, 04:31:05 PM
Said it previously when people in dreamland brought him up but why on earth would Eddie Howe leave Bournemouth for a basket case like Aston Villa?

Because they're Bournemouth and we are Aston Villa.


17th in the Championship and on to their 8th manager in the last 6 years. He didn't stay long at Burnley and i'm sure if he were to leave Bournemouth he wouldn't be heading to the Championship. Or League One.

Football has changed an awful lot since Graham Taylor managed Watford.


If we look at the smaller, less established, clubs up there at the moment, there isn't a single one of them who would come to us right now imo - few ramblings below

Eddie Howe - doing a great job at Bournemouth and surely, if he were to leave Bournemouth, it would be to a higher placed Premiership team - an Everton or maybe even Spurs (if and when Pochetino gets poached by Madrid/Barca)
Dyche - probably the only one on the list who might but only if it goes v. pear shaped at Burnley as I think both they and he seem v. comfortable with things there. (and would we want him if it goes really pear shaped!?)
Allardyce - only just joined Palace and if he were to leave it would be for next seasons relegation favourites not for an aspiring Championship promotion team
Marcos Silva - looks to be turning things around at Hull with a desperately poor side. Has probably impressed a few people here and abroad and is unlikely to want to step down a league. Could be the sort of person, if he continues to flourish, that we could go for if and when we get up and want to try to take the so-called next step but that feels so far away right now it probably isn't worth talking about
Ranieri - if/when Leicester pull the trigger he will go back to italy
Karanka - seems to have a bit of money up in the north east and has a good opportunity to consolidate Boro in the top flight. Unlikely to give that gig up while it is mutually beneficial. Rumours last season of him quitting though might suggest he could be persuaded but it wouldn't be by us
Clement - only just joined and doing a great job. Seems to be settling in and given his job at Derby is likely to want to see out the Swansea gig in order to establish himself as more than a good number 2
Mazzari - would never drop down to the second tier of English football. if/when he leaves Watford, he will go back to Italy or for a big pay day somewhere else


balls to that load of losers, just get Wenger when he leaves at the end of the season

PSG, maybe Barca, other top clubs around Europe won't stand a chance if he thinks there's a smidgen of a chance of becoming the manager of the greatest club ever invented
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villatillidie25 on February 20, 2017, 05:32:09 PM
Said it previously when people in dreamland brought him up but why on earth would Eddie Howe leave Bournemouth for a basket case like Aston Villa?

Because they're Bournemouth and we are Aston Villa.


17th in the Championship and on to their 8th manager in the last 6 years. He didn't stay long at Burnley and i'm sure if he were to leave Bournemouth he wouldn't be heading to the Championship. Or League One.

Football has changed an awful lot since Graham Taylor managed Watford.


If we look at the smaller, less established, clubs up there at the moment, there isn't a single one of them who would come to us right now imo - few ramblings below

Eddie Howe - doing a great job at Bournemouth and surely, if he were to leave Bournemouth, it would be to a higher placed Premiership team - an Everton or maybe even Spurs (if and when Pochetino gets poached by Madrid/Barca)
Dyche - probably the only one on the list who might but only if it goes v. pear shaped at Burnley as I think both they and he seem v. comfortable with things there. (and would we want him if it goes really pear shaped!?)
Allardyce - only just joined Palace and if he were to leave it would be for next seasons relegation favourites not for an aspiring Championship promotion team
Marcos Silva - looks to be turning things around at Hull with a desperately poor side. Has probably impressed a few people here and abroad and is unlikely to want to step down a league. Could be the sort of person, if he continues to flourish, that we could go for if and when we get up and want to try to take the so-called next step but that feels so far away right now it probably isn't worth talking about
Ranieri - if/when Leicester pull the trigger he will go back to italy
Karanka - seems to have a bit of money up in the north east and has a good opportunity to consolidate Boro in the top flight. Unlikely to give that gig up while it is mutually beneficial. Rumours last season of him quitting though might suggest he could be persuaded but it wouldn't be by us
Clement - only just joined and doing a great job. Seems to be settling in and given his job at Derby is likely to want to see out the Swansea gig in order to establish himself as more than a good number 2
Mazzari - would never drop down to the second tier of English football. if/when he leaves Watford, he will go back to Italy or for a big pay day somewhere else


To me this seems a bit like "know your place, we're shit".  I get that self-deprecation and talking ourselves down i a brummie thing but why do we get upset about comments like 'half-arsed club that used to be famous' and then come out with things like this?  By being afraid to even suggest we might get a decent manager or that we could play good football, or that good players might stay for a while (look how many of our own fans had Benteke down as sold before the end of his first season) we consign ourselves to our fate.  Some posters would like us to go the other way and act like the plucky underdogs but the truth is we should be a big deal in this league and we need to understand that and start acting appropriately.  That's not just about throwing money around and taking teams best players, lets take their coaches as well and start playing a way to blow them away.  Lets aim for managers and players who are too good for this league and need to be convinced that we're going to be the bollocks once we get our act together (which is happening NOW!), that's how we use our size and history to our advantage, we don't hide from it or ignore it.

It wasn't meant as that. I am definitely an advocate of us trying to throw our weight around and act like a club of the stature that we should demand.
It was more an attempt at objective reflection on the current crop of Premier league managers and whether or not we could get them. Nor was it a reflection on whether we should go for any of them because I'm not actually sure we should do given that (imo) the more exciting prospects (Howe, Silva, Clement) are all v. inexperienced and would be something of a gamble right now and, personally, I wouldn't particularly want any of the others, despite the relative successes/experience.

I do, however, think it is harder to prize managers away from clubs (in comparison to players), particularly when you are in a lower league. It's also fair to say that not that many managers are poached from a club (as a percentage) but should any of these individuals become jobless, I would see absolutely no reason why they wouldn't be tempted by the Villa job, assuming we were looking!

John E is probably on to something though, lets just go for Wenger :)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 20, 2017, 05:41:35 PM
His quotes are becoming a bit worrying. He sounds rather like he can't see where we're going wrong.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 20, 2017, 05:52:31 PM
as we know money talks in football
if you pay the money you can get anyone you want within reason

the manager is the most important person at a club so why not overspend in that direction rather than shitarse  players like Mcormac for 12 million quid now farmed out to Forest
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on February 20, 2017, 05:53:09 PM
“I found when I arrived that it was difficult to hand out advice or ­criticism without getting something back. People felt like it was a personal attack." - James Chester

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-skipper-james-chester-9854822

Fair fucks to Chester for that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AV82EC on February 20, 2017, 06:23:13 PM
“I found when I arrived that it was difficult to hand out advice or ­criticism without getting something back. People felt like it was a personal attack." - James Chester

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-skipper-james-chester-9854822

Fair fucks to Chester for that.

Yep, one of the few players whose been reasonably consistent and deserves his say. He must have wondered what he'd wandered into after he experience with the close bonded Welsh team.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 20, 2017, 06:41:12 PM
as we know money talks in football
if you pay the money you can get anyone you want within reason

the manager is the most important person at a club so why not overspend in that direction rather than shitarse  players like Mcormac for 12 million quid now farmed out to Forest


exactly right, we keep giving average managers massive wages and then being surprised when they sign average players on massive wages.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on February 20, 2017, 06:46:21 PM
as we know money talks in football
if you pay the money you can get anyone you want within reason

the manager is the most important person at a club so why not overspend in that direction rather than shitarse  players like Mcormac for 12 million quid now farmed out to Forest


exactly right, we keep giving average managers massive wages and then being surprised when they sign average players on massive wages.

As it goes, I wouldn't pot Bruce yet but will go with that. I wanted a 2 year step change type appointment like Bielsa. We don't have it though so time to mend and make do with him having some very important KPI's put in front of him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 20, 2017, 06:56:14 PM
The way I see it even if someone massive came in because we paid top dollar and after 15-20 games it wasn't working would we still be hanging the fella on here? Or would he have more slack because they cost more and look more attractive? I reckon if we had Rafa last season instead of Remi and got relegated he'd have had as much stick.

Bruce needs this season and the summer to get this working with the squad we have now with maybe a small adjustment this summer. The squad looks very good now.
He's got a very good record in management at this level, he needs time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 20, 2017, 09:05:15 PM
The way I see it even if someone massive came in because we paid top dollar and after 15-20 games it wasn't working would we still be hanging the fella on here? Or would he have more slack because they cost more and look more attractive? I reckon if we had Rafa last season instead of Remi and got relegated he'd have had as much stick.

Bruce needs this season and the summer to get this working with the squad we have now with maybe a small adjustment this summer. The squad looks very good now.
He's got a very good record in management at this level, he needs time.

I think it would depend on seeing if there was a plan, any sort of improvement, some system that you could see formulating
you know the feeling if something is heading in the right direction even if results don't always show that

You really can't say that with Bruce it's all over the place bad at every level possible
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 20, 2017, 09:09:29 PM
From that Chester interview, a bit different to it being a weight off the shoulders when relegation was confirmed.

Quote
It’s a huge privilege to be playing for this club. We need to turn around the embarrassment and suffering that the fans have felt for a long time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wince on February 20, 2017, 09:15:03 PM
Been supporter of Bruce but think we need to make a change. Negative football, no tactics......
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 20, 2017, 09:28:41 PM
Again, this is what a Bruce team looks like, take away the comedy defending and this is limit of what he brings, no tactics, no creativity, just blood and thunder and hope to sneak one.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wince on February 20, 2017, 09:34:56 PM
Paul_e you have taken a lot of flak bur reading through your posts and watching this turgid shit, I find myself agreeing with you. There is nothing there is there? No plan other than 'ive got teams out of this division'. We are shit and need a miracle
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 20, 2017, 09:37:07 PM
To stay up yes we do
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 20, 2017, 09:38:29 PM
It's the utter cluelessness that is very worrying.He looks totally lost.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 20, 2017, 09:41:10 PM
We are sleep walking into League 1 and its blindly accepted, anybody that still supports him is living in a fantasy land.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on February 20, 2017, 09:42:54 PM
I agree we look terrible

But we just can't keep on changing the manager

He's unquestionably good enough at this level. But he's not doing a good job at all at the moment
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: MarkM on February 20, 2017, 09:43:00 PM
Maybe he is like Sampson but his strength is food rather than his hair!

Get him a season pass to Mcdonalds asap
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 20, 2017, 09:45:24 PM
As much as I want him to succeed, if he can't manage a win out of Bristol or Rotherham he should be sacked.

Just stick to death of abysmal form....it shouldn't be the case at this level.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 20, 2017, 09:47:07 PM
I agree we look terrible

But we just can't keep on changing the manager

He's unquestionably good enough at this level. But he's not doing a good job at all at the moment

He's unquestionably not good enough at the moment. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dave on February 20, 2017, 09:48:58 PM
I agree we look terrible

But we just can't keep on changing the manager

We can if the manager is fucking rubbish.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 20, 2017, 09:50:49 PM
I'm nonplussed at how many people on this site still actually believe that Steve Bruce is going to turn this around
there is literally zero evidence whatsoever that that is going to happen
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on February 20, 2017, 09:51:03 PM
Get Mr. Potato Head out the club now. He understands us as much as O'leary did. You'd think there's three worse teams than us in this league but i'm not so sure, and i don't want to give him the time to turn it around next season. Just admit he was a mistake and move on
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 20, 2017, 09:51:04 PM
I agree we look terrible

But we just can't keep on changing the manager

He's unquestionably good enough at this level. But he's not doing a good job at all at the moment

See I'd agree if it was bad luck, but he is just is making the same mistakes. All our players look terrible at the moment and he can't set up a team right or make any sort of positive change.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wince on February 20, 2017, 09:55:17 PM
Bruce needs to go as we look gash
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 20, 2017, 09:56:44 PM
Even when he picks the right players he's got them playing in the wrong positions or not playing as a team.  Even when we were ok in the first 40 we created very little and it never looked like anything more than individual quality.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 20, 2017, 09:57:27 PM
"We'll be fine when we gel". Problem is there is zero evidence we are a single step closer to it. Defense is still a shambles and is an accident waiting to happen, midfield creates virtually nothing and struggle to pass to each other, strikers rarely look like scoring on the odd occasion they get the ball. At our best just lately we look a bit organised before falling apart. Bruce continually waits until 10 minutes after a game is lost before changing anything. Despite the amount spent on players we look one of the worst sides in division sodding 2.

Current run PL10 W0 D2 L8 F5 A18 (includes Spurs cup game)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on February 20, 2017, 09:58:10 PM
He's going to take us down again at this rate.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on February 20, 2017, 09:58:23 PM
You can see the Reaper over his shoulder. He's gone past the point of salvation now. He's gone. Whether now or May, he's gone. But for the sake of staying up, he may have to go now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ez on February 20, 2017, 09:59:29 PM
5 games to turn it around?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 20, 2017, 09:59:50 PM
He's going to take us down again at this rate.

unfortunately he's ever so good at that as well as getting teams up
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 20, 2017, 10:01:40 PM
The only stability and continuity we have at the minute is that of losing games, he's not changing this round, he doesn't know how.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: supertom on February 20, 2017, 10:03:27 PM
Just remember it wasn't too long ago that Man City were in the third tier, and they came back and ended up...

oh...just...fuck it...

I'll get me coat...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 20, 2017, 10:03:57 PM
I'm nonplussed at how many people on this site still actually believe that Steve Bruce is going to turn this around
there is literally zero evidence whatsoever that that is going to happen
I agree there is zero evidence on display right now, I completely get that and am as pissed off with it as everyone else. However on past jobs there is evidence Bruce can do a good job here.

Fucking hell what is it that's so bloody wrong with the managers who take the job here? I just don't get it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on February 20, 2017, 10:04:06 PM
He's like the anti-SGT.  Whereas the former managed to get rid of the crap and improve the players who stayed from the relegated side with some astute signings, Bruce buys a whole new team who don't perform and manages to alienate the existing players. At least half that dressing room aren't playing for him and the other half may as not be either
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rigadon on February 20, 2017, 10:04:10 PM
You can see the Reaper over his shoulder. He's gone past the point of salvation now. He's gone. Whether now or May, he's gone. But for the sake of staying up, he may have to go now.

I saw that too...  Good lord, another one.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 20, 2017, 10:04:35 PM
He's not the major problem, but we won't fix what's wrong at the club without someone better than him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 20, 2017, 10:04:48 PM
Well his managed to make us look fragile at the back and toothless up front. If you're those two things in combination you're in a lot of trouble. His inability to apparently change anything means it's time to go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wince on February 20, 2017, 10:06:35 PM
Fuck him off
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 20, 2017, 10:07:14 PM
5 games to turn it around?

I think he's done if we don't beat Rotherham away as they really are hopeless and all but down.

Even if he wins that he's probably on probation until end of March as there's an international break then and following is I think 7 games in April so if we wanted to make a change to give another short term lift that would be the time I'd suspect.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 20, 2017, 10:08:28 PM
We started the season with what we felt was an embarrassment of riches up front that would destroy this league. We probably now have no fit strikers as the second lowest scorers in the division try and avoid relegation.

What a time to be a Villa fan!
Title: Steve Bruce After Match Cliche Watch.
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 20, 2017, 10:08:28 PM
'Wor luck has to change soon.'
'He's had a horrible one there'
'You can't give a team like Newcastle two goal starts.'
'We've had a horrible one'
'We were in the game and two basic errors have cost us.'
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT on February 20, 2017, 10:10:34 PM
Reading stuff about him and Jedi being held back from each other?!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wince on February 20, 2017, 10:11:47 PM
Get him gone now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VILLA MOLE on February 20, 2017, 10:13:05 PM
'Wor luck has to change soon.'
'He's had a horrible one there'
'You can't give a team like Newcastle two goal starts.'
'We've had a horrible one'
'We were in the game and two basic errors have cost us.'

thank you for making me laugh at this shit time
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LukeJames on February 20, 2017, 10:13:19 PM
He's bemoaning the penalty, "I didnt think scotty was offside"..

He was mate. Dead man walking.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 20, 2017, 10:14:02 PM
Reading stuff about him and Jedi being held back from each other?!!

Where?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 20, 2017, 10:26:05 PM
it's right up there with the worst football I've ever seen since i started supporting Villa back in the 70's

it's right on par with Eric Blacks efforts and he was only caretaker, Mcliesh stuff was rubbish but no worse

it is without doubt the lowest I've ever felt about the club I support
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: A Northern Soul on February 20, 2017, 10:34:44 PM
He looked like he was about to burst into tears tonight. Hate to say it but he has one foot out of the door and we have to start again, again
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 20, 2017, 10:36:26 PM
Well probably end up throwing 10 million at Pulis or some other fucking idiot like that
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: myf on February 20, 2017, 10:42:08 PM
It's all looking utterly desperate. Frankly I'm shocked that a manager of his experience has taken us into this position. I knew wed be an ugly side under him but thought we'd be solid and hard to beat. Instead we're the softest villa team I've ever seen and struggling to see how he can get us out of this rut. Next 3 games will be painful I fear and the end of Bruce
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ciggiesnbeer on February 20, 2017, 10:44:16 PM
I stopped listening at 1 nil. It is now completely predictable what happens after we concede and of course how we concede, a little while after one of our several badly taken corners, their decent one goes straight in, naturally.

Our managers dont change this kind of poor form around. We have seen it all before. Its just a matter of Xia deciding when he is worried enough about relegation to pull the trigger.

So Dr.X..... Had enough yet?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Marton on February 20, 2017, 10:52:17 PM
Bruce tends to do "something" that seems to be progress. But in the very same game he does "something else" that cancels out the previous progress.
Then he seems very confused about what was the positive and what was the negative and ends up drawing the wrong conclusion.
Next week he tries something entirely different...its like he can't learn from experience.

Like when he did the 4-1-4-1  using Jedinak as the defensive midfielder to stabilize a very shaky defensive...it worked. But then the 4 in front (using Westwood and Gardner in some constellation behind Kodjia) wasnt creative enough. So he breaks up the solid back 5 to fix the offensive 5. That doesn't work so he abandons the whole build and eventually we degrade to the same comical defense we had from the outset. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 20, 2017, 11:28:14 PM
When he joined us he looked the healthiest i've seen him since his playing days. He looks ill and overweight again now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TonyD on February 20, 2017, 11:32:36 PM
When he joined us he looked the healthiest i've seen him since his playing days. He looks ill and overweight again now.
Something is wrong at VP. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 20, 2017, 11:38:24 PM
Well probably end up throwing 10 million at Pulis or some other fucking idiot like that

Pulis instead of RDM last summer and we would be chasing Newcastle at the top of table now.

The one thing he does is ensures every player in his team knows exactly what their role is and at this level with our budget it would have been enough.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VillaAlways on February 20, 2017, 11:40:24 PM
Well probably end up throwing 10 million at Pulis or some other fucking idiot like that

Pulis instead of RDM last summer and we would be chasing Newcastle at the top of table now.

The one thing he does is ensures every player in his team knows exactly what their role is and at this level with our budget it would have been enough.
I thought that's what Bruce did too
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: avfcpg on February 20, 2017, 11:45:47 PM
Reading stuff about him and Jedi being held back from each other?!!

Probably made up but someone on twitter said that Bruce has traveled back alone away from the squad and coaching staff.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on February 20, 2017, 11:49:01 PM
Reading stuff about him and Jedi being held back from each other?!!

Probably made up but someone on twitter said that Bruce has traveled back alone away from the squad and coaching staff.


well that's a start. now just need him to keep away in training and match days
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on February 20, 2017, 11:56:08 PM
Well probably end up throwing 10 million at Pulis or some other fucking idiot like that

Pulis instead of RDM last summer and we would be chasing Newcastle at the top of table now.

The one thing he does is ensures every player in his team knows exactly what their role is and at this level with our budget it would have been enough.
I thought that's what Bruce did too

Me too mate but the club has sunk him without trace. His career won't recover from this either.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SheffieldVillain on February 21, 2017, 03:41:28 AM
Reading stuff about him and Jedi being held back from each other?!!

Probably made up but someone on twitter said that Bruce has traveled back alone away from the squad and coaching staff.

It's the same person who said earlier that Jedinak had to hold back Doctor Tony from getting at Bruce outside the dressing room, and that he had just seen Colin Calderwood pushing Bruce off the coach as he tried to get on it. He's a Newcastle fan. And a twat.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 21, 2017, 05:14:24 AM
I posted in the summer that all we were doing this season after the monumental fuck up of the one before, was to fight to stay in the Championship, and it looks like even that might be beyond us. I can't help but think this morning that we would have been better off with a relegation thwarting specialist like Warnock rather than Bruce. Look what he did last season to help Rotherham and this term with Cardiff. Long term no, but a short term stabilization deal might have been the way to go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ian. on February 21, 2017, 07:02:27 AM
I posted in the summer that all we were doing this season after the monumental fuck up of the one before, was to fight to stay in the Championship, and it looks like even that might be beyond us. I can't help but think this morning that we would have been better off with a relegation thwarting specialist like Warnock rather than Bruce. Look what he did last season to help Rotherham and this term with Cardiff. Long term no, but a short term stabilization deal might have been the way to go.
That's what we thought we was getting with Bruce. Most were happy as his record in this league is good, not so good in the top division. It was generally said long term he might not be the man.
For some reason or another Bruce is not delivering what's written on the tin.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 21, 2017, 07:18:51 AM
The game plan last night was to frustrate them and the crowd and up until we conceded that corner, it was working. As for the second goal, a manager must tear his hair out when he sees his team concede a goal like that.

My own personal view is for us to try and have as strong as finish to the season as possible, and give him pre-season. I think that's what Dr Tony will want to try and do as well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ROBBO on February 21, 2017, 07:22:08 AM
He walked from his last club without a payout.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on February 21, 2017, 07:30:13 AM
I would not be surprised if Bruce did not travel back with the team, he said before the game that members of his family where at the ground watching the game, maybe he stayed over with them

For all the criticism of all the other players last night, can someone please tell me what Lansbury did?? for me he is a real let down, at least Conor, was still running around trying to get involved in the game, I cannot remember a decent thing that Lansbury did last night (apart from play like a Sunday morning league player trying to clear the ball off the goal line, he was woeful!)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nev on February 21, 2017, 07:44:06 AM
The game plan last night was to frustrate them and the crowd and up until we conceded that corner, it was working. As for the second goal, a manager must tear his hair out when he sees his team concede a goal like that.

My own personal view is for us to try and have as strong as finish to the season as possible, and give him pre-season. I think that's what Dr Tony will want to try and do as well.

Agreed. One would hope that we can amass enough points to stay up without too much trouble but it is difficult to see that at the moment such is the gloom created by such continual and indeed, identical performances. But football can change quickly and the next three games present opportunities that must not be spurned this time around.

We do seem to be in a "lets get this season over and done with" situation again though, a lot sooner than any of us would've imagined I'm sure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: puppyfeat on February 21, 2017, 07:45:58 AM
I posted in the summer that all we were doing this season after the monumental fuck up of the one before, was to fight to stay in the Championship, and it looks like even that might be beyond us. I can't help but think this morning that we would have been better off with a relegation thwarting specialist like Warnock rather than Bruce. Look what he did last season to help Rotherham and this term with Cardiff. Long term no, but a short term stabilization deal might have been the way to go.
Agreed. Warnock wasn't available when we appointed Bruce - and we wouldn't have gone for him anyway - but he'd have been my choice, and I'd go for him now if I thought there was any chance of getting him. Although why he'd leave a club he's done a great job of turning round and is now aiming towards the play-offs and join our trainwreck of a club is another matter - I'm sure he's got more sense than that. Personally I can't stand the man, but at this level he does have a knack of quickly organising an underperforming squad and getting results out of them. And that's just what we need right now, because I don't see Bruce being able to do that, much as I want him to.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 21, 2017, 07:58:03 AM
I feel the same way - Warnock's a prize cock but I'm convinced he would have organised us better
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: A Northern Soul on February 21, 2017, 03:38:52 PM
Just seen Bruce at Euston station. Clearly no double training then today...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 21, 2017, 03:46:43 PM
is any London club currently in the market?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on February 21, 2017, 03:48:28 PM
Just seen Bruce at Euston station. Clearly no double training then today...

Did he have a Hawaiian shirt on?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on February 21, 2017, 03:52:02 PM
Just seen Bruce at Euston station. Clearly no double training then today...

was he wearing a white carnation ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 21, 2017, 03:52:41 PM
no but he was waving a white flag
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: adrenachrome on February 21, 2017, 03:54:52 PM
Just seen Bruce at Euston station. Clearly no double training then today...

was he wearing a white carnation ?

Heading for Burger King?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 21, 2017, 03:57:04 PM
what division do they play in?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 21, 2017, 04:03:53 PM
The game plan last night was to frustrate them and the crowd and up until we conceded that corner, it was working. As for the second goal, a manager must tear his hair out when he sees his team concede a goal like that.

My own personal view is for us to try and have as strong as finish to the season as possible, and give him pre-season. I think that's what Dr Tony will want to try and do as well.

Agreed. One would hope that we can amass enough points to stay up without too much trouble but it is difficult to see that at the moment such is the gloom created by such continual and indeed, identical performances. But football can change quickly and the next three games present opportunities that must not be spurned this time around.

We do seem to be in a "lets get this season over and done with" situation again though, a lot sooner than any of us would've imagined I'm sure.

Yes, me too.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: A Northern Soul on February 21, 2017, 04:42:27 PM
Just seen Bruce at Euston station. Clearly no double training then today...

Did he have a Hawaiian shirt on?

He was with someone who looked old enough to be his Dad, so he may have been shoring up our central defence or may have been out with his Dad
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 21, 2017, 04:49:36 PM
Just seen Bruce at Euston station. Clearly no double training then today...

Did he have a Hawaiian shirt on?
He was with someone who looked old enough to be his Dad, so he may have been shoring up our central defence or may have been out with his Dad

Charlie Hughes is 87, maybe Bruce was in the Smoke for a tactical refresher course.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on February 22, 2017, 06:09:56 AM
Of course no double training sessions, we can not do anything to upset the poor professional footballers we employ, it might upset team spirit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on February 22, 2017, 01:39:03 PM
It's Wednesday. They'll be training, regardless of whether Steve Bruce is in attendance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on February 22, 2017, 02:16:32 PM
is he still at Euston then?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eamonn on February 22, 2017, 02:17:53 PM
It's Wednesday. They'll be training, regardless of whether Steve Bruce is in attendance.

Aren't Wednesday's players days off? Though as we played Mon night, presumably they were off yesterday instead.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on February 22, 2017, 03:17:03 PM
Just seen Bruce at Euston station. Clearly no double training then today...

Did he have a Hawaiian shirt on?
He was with someone who looked old enough to be his Dad, so he may have been shoring up our central defence or may have been out with his Dad

Charlie Hughes is 87, maybe Bruce was in the Smoke for a tactical refresher course.

You might mock, but our main problem at the moment is that we fanny around missing chance after chance to get the ball into the 'danger zone'.

You only had to look at Barnsley 2nd and 3rd goals - first time balls back into the box - may not be the highest quality but it works in this league.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 22, 2017, 03:56:18 PM
Just seen Bruce at Euston station. Clearly no double training then today...

Did he have a Hawaiian shirt on?
He was with someone who looked old enough to be his Dad, so he may have been shoring up our central defence or may have been out with his Dad

Charlie Hughes is 87, maybe Bruce was in the Smoke for a tactical refresher course.

You might mock, but our main problem at the moment is that we fanny around missing chance after chance to get the ball into the 'danger zone'.

You only had to look at Barnsley 2nd and 3rd goals - first time balls back into the box - may not be the highest quality but it works in this league.

Big difference is, Barnsley got players into the box. We had Hogan alone in there with 6 or seven opposition players.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on February 22, 2017, 03:58:11 PM
Maybe if plan was to get the ball in the box somebody might make the effort to meet it?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 22, 2017, 04:01:41 PM
When he joined us he looked the healthiest i've seen him since his playing days. He looks ill and overweight again now.

I agree. It happened to Lambert, Sherwood, Garde and now Bruce. The job literally destroyed them. I still have no idea how I've stayed this good looking throughout the past 7 years given what us fans have been put through.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itbrvilla on February 22, 2017, 04:03:52 PM
Maybe if plan was to get the ball in the box somebody might make the effort to meet it?
[Like]
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 22, 2017, 05:04:07 PM
Maybe if plan was to get the ball in the box somebody might make the effort to meet it?

You think we had a plan?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on February 22, 2017, 05:23:13 PM
When he joined us he looked the healthiest i've seen him since his playing days. He looks ill and overweight again now.

I agree. It happened to Lambert, Sherwood, Garde and now Bruce. The job literally destroyed them. I still have no idea how I've stayed this good looking throughout the past 7 years given what us fans have been put through.

I reckon that Kellyanne Conway is a secret Villa fan.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on February 22, 2017, 05:27:47 PM
Donna on Suits certainly is.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 22, 2017, 05:31:31 PM
When he joined us he looked the healthiest i've seen him since his playing days. He looks ill and overweight again now.

I agree. It happened to Lambert, Sherwood, Garde and now Bruce. The job literally destroyed them. I still have no idea how I've stayed this good looking throughout the past 7 years given what us fans have been put through.

I reckon that Kellyanne Conway is a secret Villa fan.

She might be though she might have converted from being Nose given how destroyed she looks.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on February 22, 2017, 05:48:49 PM
Maybe if plan was to get the ball in the box somebody might make the effort to meet it?

You think we had a plan?

Do you think the plan that works for most in this division is too base for us?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldhill_avfc on February 22, 2017, 05:50:43 PM
apologies just re-read what you said ...

we seem to have carried on with the old plan - pass - pass - loose the ball - no end product
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 22, 2017, 06:11:53 PM
Maybe if plan was to get the ball in the box somebody might make the effort to meet it?

You think we had a plan?

Do you think the plan that works for most in this division is too base for us?

We've certainly ignored the 'hard work' that every other team in this league seem to have as the first item of their plan.
Agree about the old plan though. It's been in practice at Villa Park since at least 2006. I really feel for the younger Villa fans who must think it's the norm and nothing better exists.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on March 12, 2017, 10:58:00 AM
Bumping the actual Bruce thread as I think any talk of him leaving should be put to one side now. We have seen the seeds of recovery and it's important for the fan base to get behind the manager now. He will be here till at least next Christmas I think. I hope it's much longer
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Drummond on March 13, 2017, 10:29:24 AM
I think in our heart of hearts we all hope he'll be here forever, because it will mean he's doing a fantastic bloody job.

A record of 4 wins out of 5 with only 1 goal conceded shows that things are heading in the right direction after a really bad run.

I'm happy that we appear far more solid at the back as that's where all the best teams have started.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on March 13, 2017, 06:06:15 PM
We've got a very comfortable run in and I expect us to pick up maximum points from the next 4 games. Then we have Reading at home and you'd hope confidence will be shy high and we can beat them. Then follows the trip to Fulham that looks the toughest remaining game as they will have replaced injury hit Sheff Weds in the play off positions.

Then we have the Rags at Villa Park that should be a nailed on 3 points with the added attraction of pushing them closer to relegation. Blackburn away should also be very winnable before the final game against Brighton who will be on the pebbled beach. 24 more points between now and the end of the season is certainly not out of our reach and will be a great way to finish what has been a very ugly season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: eamonn on March 13, 2017, 07:32:01 PM
We've got a very comfortable run in and I expect us to pick up maximum points from the next 4 games. Then we have Reading at home and you'd hope confidence will be shy high and we can beat them. Then follows the trip to Fulham that looks the toughest remaining game as they will have replaced injury hit Sheff Weds in the play off positions.

Then we have the Rags at Villa Park that should be a nailed on 3 points with the added attraction of pushing them closer to relegation. Blackburn away should also be very winnable before the final game against Brighton who will be on the pebbled beach. 24 more points between now and the end of the season is certainly not out of our reach and will be a great way to finish what has been a very ugly season.

That would see us in 7th and cursing our lot.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on March 14, 2017, 07:08:12 AM
if we finish seventh after the total clusterfucks of recent years I will be delighted
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on March 14, 2017, 07:38:46 AM
*Kevin Keegan voice*. I would really really love it if we beat Brighton after hammering them at their god forsaken flat pack Ikeadrome and the journey from hell getting to and from it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nigel on March 14, 2017, 08:30:36 AM
if we finish seventh after the total clusterfucks of recent years I will be delighted

Hard not to agree with that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Drummond on March 14, 2017, 10:10:09 AM
*Kevin Keegan voice*. I would really really love it if we beat Brighton after hammering them at their god forsaken flat pack Ikeadrome and the journey from hell getting to and from it.

 :) Like
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jon Crofts on October 12, 2017, 12:48:28 PM
Happy 1 year anniversary Steve Bruce.

Already won more games than Sherwood, Matteo & Garde combined, more wins than TSM & Houllier, has served up some horrendous games & performances in 12 months but may well have turned the corner. A win this weekend starts breaking the kind of records we should have been more used to than those we set under Garde, Sherwood, Lamberk.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on October 12, 2017, 01:56:38 PM
OK winning is always good but it's an unfair comparison as  SB's wins have been achieved in much lower standard of football. However having said I like turning up at VP and seeing us win  and I don't care who we are playing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 12, 2017, 08:40:51 PM
I wish my wife was pleased as easily as some of you guys
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on October 12, 2017, 08:49:22 PM
Happy 1 year anniversary Steve Bruce.

Already won more games than Sherwood, Matteo & Garde combined, more wins than TSM & Houllier, has served up some horrendous games & performances in 12 months but may well have turned the corner. A win this weekend starts breaking the kind of records we should have been more used to than those we set under Garde, Sherwood, Lamberk.

And a loss and you're out on your arse, Potatohead!

*wink*
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on October 12, 2017, 09:24:10 PM
I think he has stabilized us but he would only get a B - B+ in my book at the moment.  No real correction plan when things start to go wrong  in a game, some good, some not so good buys and loans.

He is now at a very big club , an institution in the British game expectations are high so he still has to rank it up somewhat in my book.  I would be so so happy if I had him aloft on my shoulders at the end of this season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 12, 2017, 09:32:24 PM
I think overall he's done ok. He's made mistakes but he's also had some unfair stick.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: nodge on October 12, 2017, 10:03:04 PM
(http://thumb.ibb.co/d1wcJw/IMG_2130.jpg) (http://ibb.co/d1wcJw)

lightshot (http://imgbb.com/)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Meanwood Villa on October 12, 2017, 10:15:29 PM
If he gets us promoted this season he's done well, if he doesn't he hasn't. Simple as that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 12, 2017, 10:54:15 PM
Steve Bruce weeding crasher is an amusing meme.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: darren woolley on October 13, 2017, 11:04:03 AM
I think he's done well a few mistakes and I like the winning feeling which we haven't had a long run of them so long may it continue.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on October 13, 2017, 02:35:26 PM
C-
Should do better.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on October 13, 2017, 03:01:29 PM
Agree with that. He's been his own worst enemy. Let's see what October brings.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on October 13, 2017, 04:19:58 PM
Yep, I agree and I'd have that as a step up from the D he was hovering around for the first 5-6 games of the season.

I've seen a few comments about his win percentage and using that to claim he's doing really well and anyone who wanted him out was wrong but that completely misses the fact that getting out of this league means a 55-60% win record for a season and that's the job he's here to do.  35-40% in the premier league is enough to keep you up which is why we have so many managers floating around that sort of mark but that's not the job he's here for.  If he can keep runs of 4-5 victories being the norm and avoid runs of 4-5 without a win then he'll be doing the job he's here for and we'll all be happy but he's not managed it in the year he's had so far.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 13, 2017, 07:25:18 PM
C for me, where we are at this current moment is acceptable and no more.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 13, 2017, 08:00:38 PM
have we ever even been in the top 6 in the whole time he’s been here ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tony scott on October 13, 2017, 09:18:48 PM
C+ For me,we could easily come away pointless from the next three fixtures 'that's ok if he gets another unbeaten run going in November . Hi
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on October 13, 2017, 09:51:50 PM
have we ever even been in the top 6 in the whole time he’s been here ?

We were in the bottom three when he took over
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 13, 2017, 10:21:51 PM
have we ever even been in the top 6 in the whole time he’s been here ?

We were in the bottom three when he took over

he’s a right little miracle worker
could be in the top 6 tomorrow night
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 14, 2017, 09:02:58 AM
I hope so.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 14, 2017, 09:22:48 AM
I hope so.

And me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villa75 on October 14, 2017, 10:29:59 AM
If he wins this he goes a long way to getting a 'clean sheet' from me.

Win the next three and I'll be singing his name from the Holte, on my next visit against Sheffield Wednesday.

Come on Bruce. Complete my birthday weekend!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Drummond on October 14, 2017, 10:43:42 AM
have we ever even been in the top 6 in the whole time he’s been here ?

We were in the bottom three when he took over

he’s a right little miracle worker
could be in the top 6 tomorrow night

And 2 points off top spot. Shit isn't it?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on October 14, 2017, 10:51:02 AM
have we ever even been in the top 6 in the whole time he’s been here ?

We were in the bottom three when he took over

he’s a right little miracle worker
could be in the top 6 tomorrow night

And 2 points off top spot. Shit isn't it?

I agree with you it really has been garbage so far
but hopefully in his second year he can get us into the top six starting today
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Drummond on October 14, 2017, 12:01:15 PM
How many unbeaten would be acceptable?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on October 14, 2017, 12:12:19 PM
An unbeaten run is nice, but not the be all and end all. League position is sacrosanct. We could draw the next twenty and be on an amazing unbeaten run, but nowhere near our aim of promotion. Conversely, we could lose five of our next twenty, win all the others, and be top of the league.

At present our position, outside the top six, isn't good enough. We have taken massive strides in recent weeks to improve our standing, and long may it continue. If we go up, Bruce will have succeeded. If we finish lower than sixth, he'll have failed. Anywhere else and his performance is open to debate.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pauliewalnuts on October 14, 2017, 01:32:37 PM
He just needs to get our league position more or less reflecting the strength of our squad, really.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on October 14, 2017, 02:31:54 PM
An unbeaten run is nice, but not the be all and end all. League position is sacrosanct. We could draw the next twenty and be on an amazing unbeaten run, but nowhere near our aim of promotion. Conversely, we could lose five of our next twenty, win all the others, and be top of the league.

At present our position, outside the top six, isn't good enough. We have taken massive strides in recent weeks to improve our standing, and long may it continue. If we go up, Bruce will have succeeded. If we finish lower than sixth, he'll have failed. Anywhere else and his performance is open to debate.
Anything other than top 2 is a failure, there really is no excuse with the resources and time he has been given.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: rob_bridge on October 14, 2017, 02:53:59 PM
C- for me thus far this season. August was D- and September and B. A draw/win today can turn the minus into a C/C+ mind. A loss keeps him where he is.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villa75 on October 14, 2017, 03:09:19 PM
7 out of 10, so far this season.

Win today and he's up to an 8, as it's a big game away from home.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on October 14, 2017, 04:09:05 PM
An unbeaten run is nice, but not the be all and end all. League position is sacrosanct. We could draw the next twenty and be on an amazing unbeaten run, but nowhere near our aim of promotion. Conversely, we could lose five of our next twenty, win all the others, and be top of the league.

At present our position, outside the top six, isn't good enough. We have taken massive strides in recent weeks to improve our standing, and long may it continue. If we go up, Bruce will have succeeded. If we finish lower than sixth, he'll have failed. Anywhere else and his performance is open to debate.
Anything other than top 2 is a failure, there really is no excuse with the resources and time he has been given.

I'd accept going up through the plays offs if it happened.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on October 14, 2017, 04:15:58 PM
An unbeaten run is nice, but not the be all and end all. League position is sacrosanct. We could draw the next twenty and be on an amazing unbeaten run, but nowhere near our aim of promotion. Conversely, we could lose five of our next twenty, win all the others, and be top of the league.

At present our position, outside the top six, isn't good enough. We have taken massive strides in recent weeks to improve our standing, and long may it continue. If we go up, Bruce will have succeeded. If we finish lower than sixth, he'll have failed. Anywhere else and his performance is open to debate.
Anything other than top 2 is a failure, there really is no excuse with the resources and time he has been given.

I'd accept going up through the plays offs if it happened.
I would take it, if the alternative is staying.
Each year getting out of this league is going to get more difficult.
It also makes preparation for the PL much more difficult.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 14, 2017, 07:01:46 PM
Fucking pathetic tonight. Did nothing to respond. Awful.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on October 14, 2017, 07:03:24 PM
As soon as we play a decent team in this division all last season's problems come to the fore again.

Really annoyed how he set us up from the first whistle today. For what we've spent just playing for a 0-0 and barely crossing the halfway line isn't good enough. We're not playing away to Barcelona ffs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT on October 14, 2017, 07:03:43 PM
First acid test and we failed miserably.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 14, 2017, 07:11:58 PM
Didn't just fail, got pissed on the way their and ended up asleep in a field somewhere covered in our own shit. Reality check, diabolical performance, comprehensively out played and out thought. Clogger Bruce has spent 2 weeks doing fuck all, again.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villa75 on October 14, 2017, 07:17:29 PM
We've 'turned a corner', and fallen into an open beer cellar, a la Uncle Albert.

At least he knew what he was doing though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PaulWinch again on October 14, 2017, 07:17:32 PM
This performance has been that bad that even with our recent run he should be back under pressure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aj2k77 on October 14, 2017, 07:21:03 PM
This performance has been that bad that even with our recent run he should be back under pressure.

He should always be under pressure when we are pissing around outside the play off positions. Play offs were/are a bare minimum, so he's failing to achieve the bare minimum. Quite simply the 12 months under him have been nowhere near good enough. Whatever spin he likes to put on it, results and performances have been shite.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villa75 on October 14, 2017, 07:24:59 PM
6/10 for the season. Schooled by Wolves.

Not good enough Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 15, 2017, 05:26:09 AM
has he gone yet?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: OzVilla on October 15, 2017, 06:14:19 AM
So much for his pre-match comments about last years game, it looked like a fairly routine 2-0 home win to me.
 
A disappointing reality check. Luckily results went our way elsewhere.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on October 15, 2017, 09:12:15 AM
7/24.

About 5 points and places for where we ought to be.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: JUAN PABLO on October 15, 2017, 10:02:19 AM
The bolton and forest results just covered the cracks. He still aint that good.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: wittonwarrior on October 15, 2017, 10:28:40 AM
The next couple  of weeks will sort a lot of things out one way or the other.   Fail to get more than 2 points from the next three games and I am  sure Bruce will walk.  Two games against possible promotion rivals and the local derby.  I just hope he can rank it up more than a  few notches.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on October 15, 2017, 11:37:35 AM
Witton , Bruce won't walk, he is well aware that this is the biggest gig he is ever likely to get, this has to come down to the Doctor saying enough is enough, thank you but I have not seen my investment produce results that for that amount should be expected. He has one of his largest investments playing Aussie Rules and another one who cant get into the starting 11 and when he comes on the pitch looks like he has won the Argus competition to be a Villa player for a day.
Scoring him:
As a person = 6
Tactically = 2
Value for money = 4
Entertainment value = -1
Ability to cut it if we do go up = -50
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on October 15, 2017, 12:15:18 PM
generous, I'd say.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on October 15, 2017, 02:06:28 PM
Love the Argus Villa player for a day.
 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on October 15, 2017, 02:43:38 PM
Love the Argus Villa player for a day.
 

Who is that a reference to Bjarnason? Hogan?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on October 15, 2017, 02:45:23 PM
Love the Argus Villa player for a day.
 

Who is that a reference to Bjarnason? Hogan?
The sausage.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: in exile on October 15, 2017, 03:23:24 PM
Love the Argus Villa player for a day.
 

Who is that a reference to Bjarnason? Hogan?
The sausage.

Nope, that's me totally lost
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pbavfckuwait on October 16, 2017, 01:14:05 PM
Both and at times you could place the Slug Glen in there as well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve kirk on November 02, 2017, 12:01:15 AM
I think this is the alternative Steve Bruce thread that DW is referring to, Steve you have your critics and I have doubted you in the past but it does feel like you are finally turning my beloved club around.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on November 02, 2017, 12:46:36 AM
Is this finally the New Dawn?
I hope so.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on January 31, 2018, 10:00:29 PM
Come on Bruce, let's funeral every team we meet from now until May!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brian green on January 31, 2018, 10:29:08 PM
Agree except every game until May 2020 when we will subject PSG to Funeral in Berlin.  Bruce can be Harry Palmer making his entrance in a ready mix concrete hopper.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on January 31, 2018, 10:31:09 PM
No relaxing, no switching off, go after every team we play against. We have second place firmly in our sights. Grab it and don't let go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Confusious says on February 01, 2018, 10:08:30 AM
Looking at events since Steve Bruce came in, he inherited a total mess where if not handled correctly could have seen us drop through the trap door to Div 1. He has stuck to his job despite criticism from a few quarters. His Signing & persuasion to get John Terry here was superb, he has bought in other experienced players to help our promotion push Snodgrass being major. The whole club appears to have now shaken off the last 4 - 5 years disappointment, so well done Steve Bruce
and here's hoping for an automatic promotion place
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on February 01, 2018, 10:12:42 AM
Amen.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mattjpa on February 01, 2018, 10:23:17 AM
The irony that the Bruce out brigade have gone from calling for his head to begrudgingly admitting he is the man to take us up but wont keep us in the prem and should be sacked after achieving his remit is not lost.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: GarTomas on February 01, 2018, 10:35:34 AM
The irony that the Bruce out brigade have gone from calling for his head to begrudgingly admitting he is the man to take us up but wont keep us in the prem and should be sacked after achieving his remit is not lost.

Pretty much where my opinion lies.

The recent turnaround has convinced me he will get us promoted this year. Ideally top 2. It even so I think the experience we have from Terry, Snodgrass et al would get us over the line in the playoffs.

Long term I’m not convinced he’s the right man to take us into the top half of the prem when we get there. That being said it would be harsh to not give him the chance to lead us in the top flight.

Where I think it will get interesting is for all the talk of the Villa engine there could come a point where the signings Bruce is looking to make are not deemed in the long term benefit of the club. From reading between the lines Wyness and Round are looking for a system whereby a change in manager/coach doesn’t lead to total upheaval which suggests Bruce may have the final say on who we sign but we won’t necessarily sign all the players he wants.

Given his reasons for leaving Hull would he stick around in that situation?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dougs Socks on February 01, 2018, 02:44:25 PM
Our results and attacking play has improved since we appointed Agnew. I dont think thats a coincidence either, since before he arrived all our first team coaches (including Bruce) were defensive.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: olaftab on February 01, 2018, 02:57:26 PM
Bruce has so far been an up and down manager. Good runs followed by some very poor results. I am hoping the good stuff will stay now till the end of the season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 01, 2018, 04:07:56 PM
I hope this thread doesn’t take over the Bruce Out one. That thread has been the single overwhelming reason for our turnaround. I want Bruce to remain on the precipice of dismissal from this point onwards.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Smith on February 01, 2018, 04:26:01 PM
Our results and attacking play has improved since we appointed Agnew. I dont think thats a coincidence either, since before he arrived all our first team coaches (including Bruce) were defensive.

I think that has helped but more importantly I think are Terry and  Grealish being fit. One goal conceded on this winning run and a renewed spark to our attack.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on February 01, 2018, 06:40:03 PM
I hope this thread doesn’t take over the Bruce Out one. That thread has been the single overwhelming reason for our turnaround. I want Bruce to remain on the precipice of dismissal from this point onwards.
There you go. You bump a thread and the fans are hysterical. Tsk!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on February 03, 2018, 07:41:28 AM
I remember Damon saying the the 'things that make you smile' thread would never be as popular as the moaning one. I think the same applies here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 04, 2018, 08:38:45 AM
We have scored 11 in 3 home games and conceded 3. We could have scored a lot more too. Away from home we've shown some real quality and game management.

The improvement is stark.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on February 04, 2018, 02:44:52 PM
If we keep it up there will not be much to complain about. But we will find something.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 04, 2018, 02:57:20 PM
If we keep it up there will not be much to complain about. But we will find something.

I'm already preparing my 'what's he looking so smug about? Villa being in the PL is the least we should expect' moan* for mid-May.


*I'm not.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on February 04, 2018, 03:29:29 PM
Looking at events since Steve Bruce came in, he inherited a total mess where if not handled correctly could have seen us drop through the trap door to Div 1. He has stuck to his job despite criticism from a few quarters. His Signing & persuasion to get John Terry here was superb, he has bought in other experienced players to help our promotion push Snodgrass being major. The whole club appears to have now shaken off the last 4 - 5 years disappointment, so well done Steve Bruce
and here's hoping for an automatic promotion place
I’d agree to a point, however we do not know whether he had any involvement in the Terry signing; I expect he did, but it is not clear. Also, he is prone to throwing his toys out at any hint of criticism or suggestion of error: good managers roll with that and let their team do the talking.
His poor record in the Premier League is possibly partly to do with him being relatively thin-skinned when things aren’t going that well. And, his tactical limitations.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 04, 2018, 03:59:15 PM
He doesn't have a poor record in the Premier League.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Three Spires Villa on February 04, 2018, 05:05:50 PM
I didn’t want Bruce & have been critical & complementary. It’s going well at the moment. I can only comment on what I see at the game, so keep it up Steve & the lads
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Matt Collins on February 04, 2018, 05:25:54 PM
Looking at events since Steve Bruce came in, he inherited a total mess where if not handled correctly could have seen us drop through the trap door to Div 1. He has stuck to his job despite criticism from a few quarters. His Signing & persuasion to get John Terry here was superb, he has bought in other experienced players to help our promotion push Snodgrass being major. The whole club appears to have now shaken off the last 4 - 5 years disappointment, so well done Steve Bruce
and here's hoping for an automatic promotion place
I’d agree to a point, however we do not know whether he had any involvement in the Terry signing; I expect he did, but it is not clear. Also, he is prone to throwing his toys out at any hint of criticism or suggestion of error: good managers roll with that and let their team do the talking.
His poor record in the Premier League is possibly partly to do with him being relatively thin-skinned when things aren’t going that well. And, his tactical limitations.

We signed Terry after Bruce nabbed him on the golf course in Portugal

He’s never managed a club in the premier league that you’d expect to do well
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 04, 2018, 05:51:21 PM
But got clubs like Wigan, Sunderland, Small Heath and Hull mid-table.

Why does he have a bad top flight record?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on February 04, 2018, 06:21:54 PM
Given the clubs he’s managed in the top flight I’d say he did well. Look where they are now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 04, 2018, 06:43:28 PM
One in the third division and the over three on their way there. Bruceball indeed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Damo70 on February 04, 2018, 07:02:31 PM
But got clubs like Wigan, Sunderland, Small Heath and Hull mid-table.

Why does he have a bad top flight record?

Small Heath - 13th, 10th, 12th, relegated
Wigan 14th, 11th
Sunderland 13th, 10th, 13th
Hull 16th, relegated

Given that his managerial career has been a mixture of promotions, seasons of survival and relegations you could spin it either way. Those who are for him will point out the promotions and mid table finishes with clubs who have traditionally never been particularly successful in the top flight. Those who are against him will focus on the relegations.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Bad English on February 05, 2018, 12:18:21 PM
To be fair, I'd be quite happy if he got us 13th in the Premier League next year. It would be quite stunning.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 05, 2018, 12:30:49 PM
But got clubs like Wigan, Sunderland, Small Heath and Hull mid-table.

Why does he have a bad top flight record?

Small Heath - 13th, 10th, 12th, relegated
Wigan 14th, 11th
Sunderland 13th, 10th, 13th
Hull 16th, relegated

Given that his managerial career has been a mixture of promotions, seasons of survival and relegations you could spin it either way. Those who are for him will point out the promotions and mid table finishes with clubs who have traditionally never been particularly successful in the top flight. Those who are against him will focus on the relegations.

Going back to the discusison on the other Bruce thread what I'd like to see alongside this is how much money he spent in each of those seasons.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 06, 2018, 01:53:05 PM
Sad news that Bruce’s dad passed away. He’s taken a few days off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 06, 2018, 02:36:31 PM
Sad news that Bruce’s dad passed away. He’s taken a few days off.

Ah, is that what the issue has been?  I thought somebody said his mum was ill.  Anyway, best wishes to him and his family at this sad time.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: darren woolley on February 06, 2018, 02:40:35 PM
Sad news for him my condolences to his family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 06, 2018, 02:46:02 PM
Sad news that Bruce’s dad passed away. He’s taken a few days off.

Ah, is that what the issue has been?  I thought somebody said his mum was ill.  Anyway, best wishes to him and his family at this sad time.

His mom is ill as well, in hospital apparently.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave shelley on February 06, 2018, 02:47:56 PM
A double whammy for him.  I would imagine the stress he's feeling at the moment is pretty heavy.  Condolences to him, his family and friends.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 06, 2018, 02:50:49 PM
Sad news that Bruce’s dad passed away. He’s taken a few days off.

Ah, is that what the issue has been?  I thought somebody said his mum was ill.  Anyway, best wishes to him and his family at this sad time.

His mom is ill as well, in hospital apparently.

Thanks Clampy, sounds like a hard time all round for the Bruce family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: AsTallAsLions on February 06, 2018, 03:05:02 PM
That's awful. RIP.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Damo70 on February 06, 2018, 03:37:40 PM
But got clubs like Wigan, Sunderland, Small Heath and Hull mid-table.

Why does he have a bad top flight record?

Small Heath - 13th, 10th, 12th, relegated
Wigan 14th, 11th
Sunderland 13th, 10th, 13th
Hull 16th, relegated

Given that his managerial career has been a mixture of promotions, seasons of survival and relegations you could spin it either way. Those who are for him will point out the promotions and mid table finishes with clubs who have traditionally never been particularly successful in the top flight. Those who are against him will focus on the relegations.

Going back to the discusison on the other Bruce thread what I'd like to see alongside this is how much money he spent in each of those seasons.


I think the only time he spent quite big money might have been the season at Small Heath when they had had a season or two in the top flight and he splashed out on the likes of Nicky Butt and Muzzy Izzet (there were others but I can't remember off hand). They ended up having awful luck with injuries (some of them long term). Then Portsmouth under 'Arry, who had looked dead and buried had a phenomenal run towards to end of the season to stay up at Small Heath's expense.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Diablo on February 06, 2018, 03:55:47 PM
Awful news. Thoughts are with him and his family. I'd have thought he's going to have to have some time off and won't be there on Sunday now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Oscar Arce on February 06, 2018, 04:10:14 PM
Condolences.
No Bruce on Sunday, team will be managed by Calderwood presumably.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Nelly on February 06, 2018, 04:10:22 PM
Horrible to read this, must be a terrible thing to have to deal with. Best wishes to Steve Bruce and family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Dr Butler on February 06, 2018, 04:24:11 PM
yes very sad news and my condolences to the Bruce family and friends.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on February 06, 2018, 05:32:02 PM
Best wishes to the Bruce family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 06, 2018, 06:03:44 PM
Losing a father and a mother ill. Poor fella. Condolences to the family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT on February 06, 2018, 06:39:32 PM
Such sad news, to be honest, with the health of his Mum too, I'd say stay away for a week or two.

Let the other coaches deal with Sunday, what he's going through makes football just pale into insignificance.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 06, 2018, 07:11:48 PM
I've always preferred to be busy myself. Stepping away from it just leaves you with more time alone with your thoughts.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villa `cross the mersey on February 06, 2018, 07:42:03 PM
Such sad news, to be honest, with the health of his Mum too, I'd say stay away for a week or two.

Let the other coaches deal with Sunday, what he's going through makes football just pale into insignificance.

My sentiments too - tough emotional time for the big fella - my sincere condolences to him and his family



Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 06, 2018, 08:55:18 PM
Sad news that Bruce’s dad passed away. He’s taken a few days off.

Ah, is that what the issue has been?  I thought somebody said his mum was ill.  Anyway, best wishes to him and his family at this sad time.

His mom is ill as well, in hospital apparently.

Thanks Clampy, sounds like a hard time all round for the Bruce family.
That’s awful, reallly feel for him and the family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Louzie0 on February 06, 2018, 09:12:17 PM
What a dreadful time for him and the family. RIP Joe Bruce.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Smirker on February 06, 2018, 09:14:38 PM
Best wishes to Steve x

Sorry to hear this news.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Zouch Villa on February 06, 2018, 09:26:06 PM
Sad news, RIP Bruce senior.

Family is what is most important at times like this, and hopefully he has all the support available to take whatever time he needs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Lizz on February 06, 2018, 09:39:40 PM
Thinking of him and his family, sad news.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on February 06, 2018, 09:57:15 PM
Best wishes Steve Bruce and family. God bless.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Villa Lew on February 06, 2018, 11:05:28 PM
Very sad news, thoughts are with Steve and his family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: gpbarr on February 07, 2018, 12:02:29 AM
Tragic turn of events. RIP and condolences to all in the Bruce family
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on February 07, 2018, 12:20:07 AM
Commiserations to the Bruce family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Archivist on February 07, 2018, 12:23:05 AM
Puts football in its place, thinking of you and your family
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: oldtimernow on February 07, 2018, 07:49:11 AM
My thoughts are with Steve  and his family, sorry for their loss, never easy losing a parent.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on February 07, 2018, 08:53:32 AM
Very sad news, thoughts are with Steve and his family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Hookeysmith on February 07, 2018, 01:57:46 PM
Come on the players / coaches etc - give SB something to lighten his spirits by putting in a shift against that lot

Tragic news - all the best for the Bruce family at this time. Losing one parent is bad enough but to do so with the other already very ill must be awful to contend with.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cheltenhamlion on February 07, 2018, 05:28:17 PM
On a tangent, but this brings back horrible memories of Pulis and that game we lost to Stoke.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: FanNOTCustomer on February 07, 2018, 08:25:07 PM
I've always preferred to be busy myself. Stepping away from it just leaves you with more time alone with your thoughts.

Sure other family members involved who Steve will have to support etc. Must be a very emotionally stressful time. Some things are more important than football and I wish the Bruce family all the best.

He needs to take as long as he needs, naturally.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on February 07, 2018, 08:59:33 PM
Everybody deals with it in their own way. Whatever is easiest.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 07, 2018, 09:02:54 PM
But got clubs like Wigan, Sunderland, Small Heath and Hull mid-table.

Why does he have a bad top flight record?

Small Heath - 13th, 10th, 12th, relegated
Wigan 14th, 11th
Sunderland 13th, 10th, 13th
Hull 16th, relegated

Given that his managerial career has been a mixture of promotions, seasons of survival and relegations you could spin it either way. Those who are for him will point out the promotions and mid table finishes with clubs who have traditionally never been particularly successful in the top flight. Those who are against him will focus on the relegations.

Going back to the discusison on the other Bruce thread what I'd like to see alongside this is how much money he spent in each of those seasons.


I think the only time he spent quite big money might have been the season at Small Heath when they had had a season or two in the top flight and he splashed out on the likes of Nicky Butt and Muzzy Izzet (there were others but I can't remember off hand). They ended up having awful luck with injuries (some of them long term). Then Portsmouth under 'Arry, who had looked dead and buried had a phenomenal run towards to end of the season to stay up at Small Heath's expense.

Just to go over this again...

Summer 2004, he signed Heskey for 6m (big fee in those days), Jesper Gronkjaer, Mario Melchiot and Muzzy Izzet so SHA's wage bill went up a fair bit.

Summer 2011 at Sunderland he signed John O'Shea, Craig Gardner, Wes Brown and Connor Wickham for a ridiculous 12m. Sacked four months later.

Summer 2014 at Hull he signed Snograss, Michael Dawson, Jake Livermore and Tom Ince for big amounts. Hull were relegated end of season.

Anyway this all pales into insignificance with the sad news regarding his family so hopefully we can get a win on Sunday for him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on February 07, 2018, 09:10:05 PM
I don't remember Izzet playing for that lot
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 07, 2018, 09:13:51 PM
I don't remember Izzet playing for that lot


Sporting the "what the fuck have I done?" look

(https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article305427.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Muzzy%20Izzet)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on February 07, 2018, 09:17:21 PM
Even seeing that I still don't remember it, did he ever play against us?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Damo70 on February 07, 2018, 09:20:47 PM
Even seeing that I still don't remember it, did he ever play against us?


I think Izzet got a bad back injury early in his first season with them and ended up having to quit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 07, 2018, 11:42:01 PM
I don't remember Izzet playing for that lot


Sporting the "what the fuck have I done?" look

(https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article305427.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Muzzy%20Izzet)


Sporting the "what the fuck am I wearing?" court jester look.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 08, 2018, 12:06:33 AM
Izzet signed for them summer 2004. He played a few games in 2004, picked up an injury and then retired.

We were in for him that summer, he went round O'Leary's house for talks (Doug was also there) but apparently we were trying to get him on the cheap and SHA offered him a bigger wage.

Wasn't he someone John Gregory wanted just before he resigned aswell?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 08, 2018, 12:41:49 AM
Izzet signed for them summer 2004. He played a few games in 2004, picked up an injury and then retired.

We were in for him that summer, he went round O'Leary's house for talks (Doug was also there) but apparently we were trying to get him on the cheap and SHA offered him a bigger wage.

Wasn't he someone John Gregory wanted just before he resigned aswell?

He was half of the the "Every manager wants another two players" argument between Doug and Gregory, which was responsible for the classic line from the late, great M. McColgan, "If Muzzy Izzet's the answer it's a fucking stupid question". 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ad@m on February 08, 2018, 06:31:38 AM
the late, great M. McColgan

Eh?! Have I missed something?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: dave.woodhall on February 08, 2018, 08:32:47 AM
the late, great M. McColgan

Eh?! Have I missed something?

He's never on here so he doesn't officially exist.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on February 08, 2018, 09:11:12 AM
Izzet signed for them summer 2004. He played a few games in 2004, picked up an injury and then retired.

We were in for him that summer, he went round O'Leary's house for talks (Doug was also there) but apparently we were trying to get him on the cheap and SHA offered him a bigger wage.

Wasn't he someone John Gregory wanted just before he resigned aswell?

He was half of the the "Every manager wants another two players" argument between Doug and Gregory, which was responsible for the classic line from the late, great M. McColgan, "If Muzzy Izzet's the answer it's a fucking stupid question". 

£8m I seem to remember being the figure bandied about.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Towser on February 08, 2018, 11:29:18 AM
the late, great M. McColgan

Eh?! Have I missed something?

He's never on here so he doesn't officially exist.

Always on Twitter though complaining about trains!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 08, 2018, 10:19:27 PM
Nominated for the manager off the month award for Jan, up against Farke, Jokanovic and Cotterill.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 08, 2018, 10:38:33 PM
Nominated for the manager off the month award for Jan, up against Farke, Jokanovic and Cotterill.

Who the farke is Fuck?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: LeeB on February 08, 2018, 10:41:29 PM
Nominated for the manager off the month award for Jan, up against Farke, Jokanovic and Cotterill.

Who the farke is Fuck?

The bloke at Norwich that sounds like the German character out of The League of Gentlemen.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 08, 2018, 10:46:55 PM
Nominated for the manager off the month award for Jan, up against Farke, Jokanovic and Cotterill.

Who the farke is Fuck?

The bloke at Norwich that sounds like the German character out of The League of Gentlemen.

Thank you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 08, 2018, 10:54:17 PM
Nominated for the manager off the month award for Jan, up against Farke, Jokanovic and Cotterill.

Done well for himself, well done Mac.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: andyh on February 09, 2018, 07:18:06 AM
Confirmed winner for January.

Well done.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chris Jameson on February 09, 2018, 07:24:40 AM
Well done Mac.

Mac out.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CT on February 11, 2018, 04:15:27 PM
The mark of the man was that he was there today, during what must be an awful time for his family.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: thick_mike on February 11, 2018, 04:18:54 PM
And avoided the curse of the MotM award
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithesShin on February 11, 2018, 04:21:00 PM
I've given him plenty of stick at times, fair play Brucey, you're rightly now getting plenty of praise.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ASHTONVILLA on February 11, 2018, 06:51:37 PM
Doing really well ATM, hats off to him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 11, 2018, 07:04:47 PM
I've given him plenty of stick at times, fair play Brucey, you're rightly now getting plenty of praise.

That's just it. I agree and like you have given him plenty of grief. And well deserved too. But he's turned it around and all of the credit should go to him for doing so. Furthermore, not since 2008 or so have I felt that players care so much about each and the club. That's down to Bruce too as well as his staff and some very strong characters at the club. Not just Terry who has been immense but the likes of Snoddy, Chester, Hutton and Jedinak. They are all leaders. And even the fringe players like Whelan has been a positive influence.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: tomd2103 on February 11, 2018, 07:19:36 PM
Deserves huge credit for just being there on the sidelines after the week he has had.  Also deserves credit for the decision to play Jedinak. It was tough on Bjarnason, but professional sport is tough and I thought it was the right call.  Jedinak hardly lost a header in front of the back four today and seeing as most of the challenges were with Gallagher, it gave Chester and Terry the chance to drop off and sweep up. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Three Spires Villa on February 11, 2018, 07:21:16 PM
I've given him plenty of stick at times, fair play Brucey, you're rightly now getting plenty of praise.

Are my thoughts completely
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on February 11, 2018, 07:42:37 PM
I've given him plenty of stick at times, fair play Brucey, you're rightly now getting plenty of praise.

That's just it. I agree and like you have given him plenty of grief. And well deserved too. But he's turned it around and all of the credit should go to him for doing so. Furthermore, not since 2008 or so have I felt that players care so much about each and the club. That's down to Bruce too as well as his staff and some very strong characters at the club. Not just Terry who has been immense but the likes of Snoddy, Chester, Hutton and Jedinak. They are all leaders. And even the fringe players like Whelan has been a positive influence.

Yep, I agree, this is the way to stop people calling for you to be sacked, which only happened because we knew these performances were in the squad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: villan from luton on February 11, 2018, 07:47:44 PM
I really hope the managers Mum is improving and so sorry for his sad loss. Emotion took over after the first goal and totally understandable. I have given Steve Bruce stick, but he is proving me wrong and what I like about him more is what a nice human being he seems to be. Long my he continue to make us a better team
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kieron on February 11, 2018, 08:08:21 PM
It is unquestionably long overdue that the 'Out' thread is consigned to the internet topic forum archive in the sky. After two thirds of the 2017/18 season, and with us now sitting in the automatic promotion spots, how that thread can currently still gain more traction than this one, even after an occasion like today, is absolute beggars belief.

We've just won our 7th league fixture in a row.

Please allow me to put that into a little bit of perspective from a personal angle:

The last time we embarked on a run of 7 straight league wins was when I went to my very first Villa game as a 14 year old lad, sat in the old Witton Lane at home to Arsenal on a boxing day in 1989 whereby we won 2-1. A few days later I went to my second Villa game, whereby we beat Manchester United 3-0. Who'd have known that such a run would take a further 29 years, one failed marriage and two kids to achieve.

Steve has had his critics, but blimey, the run of form we're in, the feel good factor, the group of players he's assembled, the passion they give and the drive and determination we're witnessing lately makes me feel that he's been the best manager we've had for many a year. For the first time in a long time, and I'm sure I can speak for many, it's actually enjoyable to head down to Villa Park knowing there is palpable optimism within the B6 postcode. You just can't put that level of hope and expectation into a few sentences, but that's what we have now, and who can argue?

Steve's had well documented personal tragedy this week and he didn't need to be anywhere near Villa Park today, let alone the dug out, whatsoever. The fact that he was there, feeling every emotion that we did today should hold him in even higher esteem among us. Not only for that, but we all saw how emotional he was when Albert scored. If anyone can go up several virtual 'opinion notches' in a one day, I hope that for those who may like to keep the kindling alive on the 'Out' thread will put that to one side for a change and see that he cares about Aston Villa's performance out there just as much as we do.


Bruce, unequivocally IN.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on February 11, 2018, 08:08:36 PM
I'm glad he's doing what I thought he would do and that is have us challenging. Who knows what's going to happen but it's looking good. Fair play Brucey.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: exiled on the wirral! on February 11, 2018, 08:14:59 PM
Fair play to Brucey today..i welled up when I saw his reaction. Top man doing a great job.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: KevinGage on February 11, 2018, 08:15:22 PM
It's a measure of the man that he has been on the edge of the tin tack twice this season and toughed it out. 

Not only that, but we actually hammered Barnsley and got one of our best results of the season away to Boro (even if we didn't look to clever in that game) when it mattered.

Whatever other concerns I may have had (or still have) about the style of play, it's difficult to argue after those scenarios and today that the players aren't playing for him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 11, 2018, 08:45:46 PM
Steve's had well documented personal tragedy this week and he didn't need to be anywhere near Villa Park today, let alone the dug out, whatsoever. The fact that he was there, feeling every emotion that we did today should hold him in even higher esteem among us. Not only for that, but we all saw how emotional he was when Albert scored. If anyone can go up several virtual 'opinion notches' in a one day, I hope that for those who may like to keep the kindling alive on the 'Out' thread will put that to one side for a change and see that he cares about Aston Villa's performance out there just as much as we do.

I'll save the last sentence for another day but you've nailed it with the rest. As Calderwood mentioned post match, the players wanted to give him a performance he'd be proud of and boy did they give it. As I mentioned on the Match Thread, it was for me the best performance of the season. There have been those on here that try and defend our good half - crap half. Today we were bloody brilliant for 94 minutes. Bruce has manages these last few week to do something that's been missing for far too long and despite us having arguably the best squad in the division - a collective mentality. It will be that more than anything that will see us stay strong for the rest of the season. It's also a bloody great place to build for the next step up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: SoccerHQ on February 11, 2018, 09:32:59 PM
Keep this run of form and I will change my mind about wanting him out at the end of the season. We romp to second in convincing fashion and he'll get the start of next season as little chance we'd make a change.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 11, 2018, 09:41:57 PM
If we get promoted he'll be manager next season. There is no chance on earth he'll be fired. And as much as I am concerned about his ability to invest in players and compete at that level he'll get the opportunity to do both. And given our turnaround of late it's hard to deny him that if he ultimately delivers on his objective.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on February 12, 2018, 02:35:45 AM
Kieron, great post, I totally agree as I am one of the "many". Fair play to SB, he has brought much needed stability and more recently, through what ever means, a style of play which is exciting to watch, onwards and upwards
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on February 12, 2018, 07:52:51 AM
If we get promoted he'll be manager next season. There is no chance on earth he'll be fired. And as much as I am concerned about his ability to invest in players and compete at that level he'll get the opportunity to do both. And given our turnaround of late it's hard to deny him that if he ultimately delivers on his objective.
This for me and maybe, just maybe he knows this is the chance at the biggest job he'll ever have to prove he can cut it at the top level, I think we've seen him change slightly and the recognition of needing help with Agnew coming in has been revolutionary!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: jwarry on February 12, 2018, 09:24:38 AM
If we get promoted he'll be manager next season. There is no chance on earth he'll be fired. And as much as I am concerned about his ability to invest in players and compete at that level he'll get the opportunity to do both. And given our turnaround of late it's hard to deny him that if he ultimately delivers on his objective.
This for me and maybe, just maybe he knows this is the chance at the biggest job he'll ever have to prove he can cut it at the top level, I think we've seen him change slightly and the recognition of needing help with Agnew coming in has been revolutionary!

I agree. I’m surprised Mr Agnew hasn’t got his own thread on here.  Since his arrival we have gone up several notches
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: stubbsyandy on February 12, 2018, 09:33:33 AM
Just a personal thanks to Steve for being there on Sunday, it displays enormous character and commitment under such sad private circumstances. A great example of a man.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: MoetVillan on February 12, 2018, 10:03:28 AM
Just a personal thanks to Steve for being there on Sunday, it displays enormous character and commitment under such sad private circumstances. A great example of a man.

I was incredibly touched and impressed that Steve was there yesterday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Smirker on February 12, 2018, 10:19:25 AM
Well said.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Edge on February 12, 2018, 10:29:32 AM
The mark of the man was that he was there today, during what must be an awful time for his family.
Well said.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Confusious says on March 12, 2018, 02:14:47 PM
Really satisfying to see the celebrations amongst the coaches & Steve for Barny's 4th goal.
Given what Steve has been through of late, what a great show of unity & togetherness.
Well done Steve Bruce and finally the supporters seem to be coming round to appreciate your efforts for the club. Management, Players & fans together.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Smirker on May 15, 2018, 10:27:31 PM
In.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: West Derby Villan on May 15, 2018, 11:35:04 PM
Thank you Steve Bruce for steadying a sinking ship and bringing the pride back to our famous old club,no matter the result on the 26th
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Confusious says on May 16, 2018, 02:09:10 AM
Steve Bruce. Thanks for your handling of our club which was in freefall, the climax of this season is our trip to meet Fulham at Wembley here's hoping of a win & return to the premiership.
The going this season has been hard with injuries to key players which without that we could have made automatic promotion, also the way you have conducted yourself when you have had terrible
Personal problems. One can only thank & admire you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdbearsfan on May 16, 2018, 08:47:27 AM
After all the shit that Bruce has suffered this season, it would be massively ace if we can deliver promotion for him. Come on you Lions.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on May 16, 2018, 09:34:47 AM
absolutely agree - he'll want this one as much for his parents as anything else.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: manic-road on May 16, 2018, 01:17:29 PM
Well done Steve Bruce, I thought tactically he was head and shoulders better than Tiny over the two legs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdward on January 02, 2019, 03:54:29 PM
Steve Bruce: Sheffield Wednesday appoint new manager
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46660813

Let's hope he comes shopping at B6
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on January 02, 2019, 04:00:47 PM
*sprays Pledge on Elmo's/Whelan's legs and starts polishing*
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on January 02, 2019, 04:12:34 PM
I feel sorry for their fans.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: The Man With A Stick on January 02, 2019, 04:14:18 PM
So he takes charge on 1st February, with Agnew and Clemence running things in the meantime?  Bet the Wednesday fans are delighted about that.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on January 02, 2019, 04:16:52 PM
Is that so they don't have to let him spend/waste any money in January window?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on January 02, 2019, 04:20:11 PM
I know he's not the most photogenic bloke but that photo they're using...…. Looks like he's been stung on the face by a wasp and is having an allergic reaction



Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 02, 2019, 04:41:47 PM
So he takes charge on 1st February, with Agnew and Clemence running things in the meantime?  Bet the Wednesday fans are delighted about that.

seen a lot of fans saying exactly what we were saying

4 promotions, play offs, win percentage record, difficult to beat

which is all true, it just depends on whether you want to get there the way he does it and in our case don’t quite make it in the end and have to be continually rebuilding

no doubt  they are banging in about stability as well
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on January 02, 2019, 04:53:16 PM
I wouldn't be  that surprised if they did go up. Still doesn't change the fact that they'd be either nailed to bottom 3 this time next season or starting the first of a 2 or 3 season premier survival minibreak while playing soul-destroying football and making no impression on anyone anywhere before disappearing back to the championship. Getting to the premiership is a means to an end, not the end in itself. Which was mine and other's argument against him before he came here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheMalandro on January 02, 2019, 04:59:53 PM
Glenn Whelan in a Wednesday shirt would be very pleasing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: footyskillz on January 02, 2019, 05:00:21 PM
The best thing about this news is that Paul Lambert thread less likely to be on first page and consign to yetster year
.

The worst thing about Bruce appointment people will have this thread on the first page all the start of this year if not all season.

Having to see Steve Bruce appointment nearly as annoying as Paul Lambert.

Both have passing interest as they manage clubs in the league villa occupy but I hope come next year we won't still be talking about him !

Even I'm not naive enough to know even by after Easter this thread will be alive and well in run up to the match against him.

A hesitant good luck to him but I just glad we have Dean Smith in and hope football winner come April !
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pooligan on January 02, 2019, 05:01:43 PM
Glenn Whelan and Alan Hutton please
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TopDeck113 on January 02, 2019, 05:03:17 PM
One thing I can safely predict is that when it eventually turns sour, his friends in the media will be touting the line that Wednesday fans never gave him a chance because he once managed the Blades.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 02, 2019, 05:03:32 PM
yeah but footy it gives us all something to get in a fuss about without it directly affecting us anymore
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ozzjim on January 02, 2019, 06:16:11 PM
What's with the 1st Feb thing??
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: TheTimVilla on January 02, 2019, 06:24:22 PM
What's with the 1st Feb thing??

Is it do to with compo from us? That he’d get less than if he started before 1st Feb?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: PeterWithe on January 02, 2019, 06:25:39 PM
I read somewhere that he didn’t want to start until he’d completed an already arranged family holiday.

Good luck to him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Clampy on January 02, 2019, 06:56:00 PM
Haven't really got anything against Sheffield Wednesday apart from that bleeding drum. Hope he does well, apart from when they play us of course.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 02, 2019, 06:59:22 PM
Racist northern twats.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on January 02, 2019, 07:20:21 PM
All the best to Bruce and Sheff Wed. Elmo bound to be getting a call and maybe the likes of Hogan and Nyland whom he apparently was scouting for years. Out of the more recent previous managers I'd have a lot more time for Bruce than the others, his limitations notwithstanding.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: BC Villain on January 02, 2019, 07:32:46 PM
So he takes charge on 1st February, with Agnew and Clemence running things in the meantime?  Bet the Wednesday fans are delighted about that.

Read somewhere that he forfeits his severance package from us if he takes another job before 1st February.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sirlordbaltimore on January 02, 2019, 07:37:12 PM
All the best to Bruce and Sheff Wed. Elmo bound to be getting a call and maybe the likes of Hogan and Nyland whom he apparently was scouting for years. Out of the more recent previous managers I'd have a lot more time for Bruce than the others, his limitations notwithstanding.

Pretty much this. Wish him well 44 games of the season
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on January 02, 2019, 07:55:44 PM
So he takes charge on 1st February, with Agnew and Clemence running things in the meantime?  Bet the Wednesday fans are delighted about that.

Read somewhere that he forfeits his severance package from us if he takes another job before 1st February.


That sounds about right......
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jon Crofts on January 02, 2019, 08:05:03 PM
So he takes charge on 1st February, with Agnew and Clemence running things in the meantime?  Bet the Wednesday fans are delighted about that.

Read somewhere that he forfeits his severance package from us if he takes another job before 1st February.


That sounds about right......

Oh come off it with the holier than thou bullshit, if you were looking at a fat payoff don’t tell me you’d forfeit it by breaking a contractual clause. Maybe just maybe our savvy new CEO wrote the clause in so he wouldn’t get a January transfer window in.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: VILLA MOLE on January 02, 2019, 08:08:03 PM
So he takes charge on 1st February, with Agnew and Clemence running things in the meantime?  Bet the Wednesday fans are delighted about that.

Read somewhere that he forfeits his severance package from us if he takes another job before 1st February.


That sounds about right......

Oh come off it with the holier than thou bullshit, if you were looking at a fat payoff don’t tell me you’d forfeit it by breaking a contractual clause. Maybe just maybe our savvy new CEO wrote the clause in so he wouldn’t get a January transfer window in.


I think Wednesday would probably cover the difference considering the value of promotion ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 02, 2019, 08:12:41 PM
So he takes charge on 1st February, with Agnew and Clemence running things in the meantime?  Bet the Wednesday fans are delighted about that.

Read somewhere that he forfeits his severance package from us if he takes another job before 1st February.


That sounds about right......

Oh come off it with the holier than thou bullshit, if you were looking at a fat payoff don’t tell me you’d forfeit it by breaking a contractual clause. Maybe just maybe our savvy new CEO wrote the clause in so he wouldn’t get a January transfer window in.

wouldn’t we want him to have a window considering the expensive overage overpayed shit he buys
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on January 02, 2019, 08:17:52 PM
So he takes charge on 1st February, with Agnew and Clemence running things in the meantime?  Bet the Wednesday fans are delighted about that.

Read somewhere that he forfeits his severance package from us if he takes another job before 1st February.


That sounds about right......

Oh come off it with the holier than thou bullshit, if you were looking at a fat payoff don’t tell me you’d forfeit it by breaking a contractual clause. Maybe just maybe our savvy new CEO wrote the clause in so he wouldn’t get a January transfer window in.

Isn't that the point though? If you were excited about returning a big-(ish) club to the premier, then missing out on a important transfer window to keep your pay-off doesn't sound that committed to the cause to me. Just talk to them end of January if its that important to you and the job is still available. I have no real axe to grind with Bruce really apart from the crap football and his media friends making excuses for him all the time, but throughout his career he's jumped ship or looked for a better gig if it suited him either pay-wise or a bigger transfer budget. That's fine but it probably explains why he's one of the  mercurial merry-go-round managers who never gets the big job, rather than someone who builds something long term
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: itmustbe_it is! on January 02, 2019, 08:21:12 PM
I read somewhere that he didn’t want to start until he’d completed an already arranged family holiday.

Good luck to him.

I believe the suggestion its more about the compensation from us.
It's about what I'd have expected.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 02, 2019, 08:21:21 PM
Never liked Wednesday, always preferred Sheff Utd but tonight Wednesday have my sympathy.

Oh and if they're looking for a wonderful right back/wing back/right winger, we have one called Elmo going cheap. The gifted Lansbury would fit in well with their midfield and Scott Hogan up front would score a load.*


*Edit: I can't promise Wednesday fans that Bruce would play the above in positions mentioned.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Jon Crofts on January 02, 2019, 08:27:40 PM
Never liked Wednesday, always preferred Sheff Utd but tonight Wednesday have my sympathy.

Oh and if they're looking for a wonderful right back/wing back/right winger, we have one called Elmo going cheap. The gifted Lansbury would fit in well with their midfield and Scott Hogan up front would score a load.*


*Edit: I can't promise Wednesday fans that Bruce would play the above in positions mentioned.

Christ you could add so much more absolute shite to that list, a whole starting 11 bought by Bruce for well above their value.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 02, 2019, 08:56:05 PM
He’ll do fine there. Modest expectations and no money.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Steve67 on January 02, 2019, 09:00:14 PM
How ironic would it be that he signed the bloke who got him sacked from the Villa,  Step forward, penalty king, Sir Whelan of Glen. On a free, obviously!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sickbeggar on January 02, 2019, 09:02:12 PM
How ironic would it be that he signed the bloke who got him sacked from the Villa,  Step forward, penalty king, Sir Whelan of Glen. On a free, obviously!

eh? Glen Whelan threw the cabbage?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: CJ on January 02, 2019, 11:57:46 PM
I think the idea behind Agnew and Clemence going there now is that they can spend 4 weeks ingraining Bruce's training methods into the players so that when he arrives on 1st February they're fully proficient in rolling their sleeves up and putting their boots on
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 03, 2019, 12:02:48 AM
I don’t wish him well Idont wish him anything, I just wish he had not fucked our club up.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Deano's Mullet on January 03, 2019, 12:06:27 AM
Good luck to him. Last season wasn't the worst we've ever had was it, he was just too negative at Wembley and as good as we were were were still too inconsistent.  He definitely lost it the start of this season with his pop at the fans and his tactical fuck ups and selections but hes not the O'Leary pantomime villain some would have you believe.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on January 03, 2019, 06:51:05 AM
however, if the theory that he isn't taking up his post until Feb 1st is because he would forfeit his compensation from us, then Brian Green is totally vindicated in his view.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Duncan Shaw on January 03, 2019, 08:43:46 AM
Surely if Bruce was embargoed until 1st Feb, the same deal would have applied to his backroom team?  I would have thought they would all get similar severance agreements?  I reckon he just doesn't want to leave Vilamoura just yet!!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Abbeyfealeavfc on January 03, 2019, 09:19:59 AM
I've got nothing against bruce personally only what he failed to do with my club despite resources and time afforded to him. He failed to make the play-offs in his first year. He failed to make the autos in his second year and then subsequently failed in the play-off final. He blamed the fans and coerced his media buddies to do likewise. He failed to set up his teams with any attacking intent and then blatantly ripped up our defence and goalkeeping positions ahead of his impending departure following our new owners' arrival. If its true he's not starting until 1st Feb at sheff wed that for me shows his lack of commitment to his new club and smacks of getting his excuses in early why they won't be making the playoffs. It doesn't surprise me that he's trying to squeeze every last penny he can from Villa cause he's got to subsidise that waste of space of a son, in continuing to be his mouthpiece. It will be interesting to see what sheff wed fans are saying after a shortwhile of bruceball, because it isn't going to end well with him in charge irrespective of whether he fails to win promotion with them or if he does, his inevitable relegation from the premiershite.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: mr underhill on January 03, 2019, 09:22:29 AM
say what you see, see what you say!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mortimer's Bear on January 03, 2019, 09:54:54 AM
I don’t wish him well Idont wish him anything, I just wish he had not fucked our club up.

Our club was fucked up long before Steve Bruce came along. I'm far from his biggest fan but he was a decent guy who was massively out of his depth.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: cdward on January 03, 2019, 10:12:46 AM
Steve Bruce brought stability to us at a time when we could easily have done what Sunderland did, and fell through the Championship to the 3rd division.
He then turned us around and got us close enough to promotion to deserve another go at it this season.
However his shortcomings caught up with him, and it was time to go.
However he remains a decent bloke. It is all in the past and i wish him well in his new club.

As for the Feb 1st thing being some kind of an enforced transfer embargo, surely if he wants to buy Elmo/Whelan/Hutton, he just says it to the Sheff Wed board and they sign them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ktvillan on January 03, 2019, 10:19:06 AM
Bruce will turn up in Rotherham on a Tuesday and say "Well it's there or thereabouts".
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Marlon From Bearwood on January 03, 2019, 10:29:11 AM
According to a journalist on Twitter, the reason Bruce isn’t starting until 1st Feb is because he’s going to the West Indies for the Test match in late January!

Kind of mind boggling but not surprising, both at the same time.

Really showing his commitment to the cause at SWFC.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Lastfootstamper on January 03, 2019, 10:36:09 AM
Steve Bruce brought stability to us at a time when we could easily have done what Sunderland did, and fell through the Championship to the 3rd division.
He then turned us around and got us close enough to promotion to deserve another go at it this season.
However his shortcomings caught up with him, and it was time to go.
However he remains a decent bloke. It is all in the past and i wish him well in his new club.

As for the Feb 1st thing being some kind of an enforced transfer embargo, surely if he wants to buy Elmo/Whelan/Hutton, he just says it to the Sheff Wed board and they sign them.

Right then, own up. Who on here does the best impression of him? We're a resourceful bunch, we can get hold of the right number somehow. Gotta be worth a phone call...
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on January 03, 2019, 10:43:23 AM
According to a journalist on Twitter, the reason Bruce isn’t starting until 1st Feb is because he’s going to the West Indies for the Test match in late January!

Kind of mind boggling but not surprising, both at the same time.

Really showing his commitment to the cause at SWFC.

I've seen some Wednesday fans claiming that Bruce is having surgery on his knee, hence the Feb start.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: aldridgeboy on January 03, 2019, 11:11:59 AM
Steve Bruce brought stability to us at a time when we could easily have done what Sunderland did, and fell through the Championship to the 3rd division.
He then turned us around and got us close enough to promotion to deserve another go at it this season.
However his shortcomings caught up with him, and it was time to go.
However he remains a decent bloke. It is all in the past and i wish him well in his new club.

As for the Feb 1st thing being some kind of an enforced transfer embargo, surely if he wants to buy Elmo/Whelan/Hutton, he just says it to the Sheff Wed board and they sign them.

Pretty much my thoughts as well
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 03, 2019, 11:14:54 AM
I don’t wish him well Idont wish him anything, I just wish he had not fucked our club up.

Our club was fucked up long before Steve Bruce came along. I'm far from his biggest fan but he was a decent guy who was massively out of his depth.
Sorry I don’t buy the decent guy stuff.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 03, 2019, 11:23:11 AM
Just hilarious if true.

Ian Baker
@ianbakersport
 It appears as if Steve Bruce’s arrival as new #swfc boss has been delayed as he wants to tick off an item on his bucket list: seeing an England cricket test in West Indies (they play in Barbados starting on January 23)

248
6:46 AM - Jan 3, 2019
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Damo70 on January 03, 2019, 11:23:32 AM
I would say he is a decent enough guy who, like a lot of managers who have lost their way at a club sounded like a twat in his latter stages at Villa by blaming everyone else and everything else apart from himself for the poor performances and results.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Ads on January 03, 2019, 11:23:42 AM
I think his short comings were exposed at the end of the season from March onwards. Our record was very poor in the latter games and whatever the outcome I felt he ought to have been sacked in the summer.

He certainly steadied the ship though.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 03, 2019, 11:29:33 AM
Just hilarious if true.

Ian Baker
@ianbakersport
 It appears as if Steve Bruce’s arrival as new #swfc boss has been delayed as he wants to tick off an item on his bucket list: seeing an England cricket test in West Indies (they play in Barbados starting on January 23)

248
6:46 AM - Jan 3, 2019
Is that the same bucket he gets his KFC in?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2019, 11:35:24 AM
I don't buy the decent guy thing, never have, he's always been too quick to blame other people for his own failings.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mortimer's Bear on January 03, 2019, 11:40:14 AM
I don’t wish him well Idont wish him anything, I just wish he had not fucked our club up.

Our club was fucked up long before Steve Bruce came along. I'm far from his biggest fan but he was a decent guy who was massively out of his depth.
Sorry I don’t buy the decent guy stuff.

Good for you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 03, 2019, 11:41:12 AM
The idiots here are the Shef Weds board for sanctioning such a thing.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 03, 2019, 11:42:16 AM
I don't buy the decent guy thing, never have, he's always been too quick to blame other people for his own failings.

Agreed. Add to that being a Man Utd 'legend' and all the self-righteousness bollocks that go with that, I'd rather have a pint with all previous Villa managers, including Lambert than with Bodger Bruce with the possible exception of O'Leary. Bruce by a broken nose wins it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 03, 2019, 11:42:44 AM
I don’t wish him well Idont wish him anything, I just wish he had not fucked our club up.

Our club was fucked up long before Steve Bruce came along. I'm far from his biggest fan but he was a decent guy who was massively out of his depth.
Sorry I don’t buy the decent guy stuff.

Good for you.
Maybe if you dug a bit deeper you would work out why.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Risso on January 03, 2019, 11:43:26 AM
I don't buy the decent guy thing, never have, he's always been too quick to blame other people for his own failings.

Nor do I.  Nor the stability thing.  The bloke was an arse who left us on the brink of ruin, with a hugely disjointed squad.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: john e on January 03, 2019, 11:49:04 AM
that he bought stability is the biggest delusion ever imo
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mortimer's Bear on January 03, 2019, 12:03:17 PM
I don’t wish him well Idont wish him anything, I just wish he had not fucked our club up.

Our club was fucked up long before Steve Bruce came along. I'm far from his biggest fan but he was a decent guy who was massively out of his depth.
Sorry I don’t buy the decent guy stuff.

Good for you.
Maybe if you dug a bit deeper you would work out why.

I don't need to. I speak as I find and having had various interactions with him (including a few occasions where my young boy wanted to meet him) I found him to be a decent bloke who made a fuss of my lad and always made time to chat to him about football, school etc.

Crap manager but a decent bloke.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: pooligan on January 03, 2019, 12:05:40 PM
I have always thought of Bruce as a decent bloke but a manager who has failed to move with the changes the game has made .I  will remember him more than anything  for the awful mess he left our goalkeeping and defence in and for paying a fortune for Hogan,who he had no idea of how to use
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: in exile on January 03, 2019, 12:33:46 PM
Can't we move this thread now?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2019, 12:37:53 PM
Can't we move this thread now?

Why? If people still want to talk about him, espeially when he's just agreed to take over a new club, then why shouldn't be keep a thread for him? If you don't care then just don't read it.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: brontebilly on January 03, 2019, 12:43:11 PM
I have always thought of Bruce as a decent bloke but a manager who has failed to move with the changes the game has made .I  will remember him more than anything  for the awful mess he left our goalkeeping and defence in and for paying a fortune for Hogan,who he had no idea of how to use

All true, though I'm sure Bruce would have brought Johnstone back if the takeover had happened earlier. Nyland was a big gamble that backfired massively on Bruce/Walsh, a solid experienced keeper is what we needed. Moreira is on Purslow 100%. Going after Bolasie and Abraham when our defensive options were so threadbare was eventually what finished him, again Purslow was also shown up massively there for sanctioning it.

Give Bruce free reign with a cheque book and that's when the trouble starts. He doesn't really have a strategy for putting together a cohesive team as seen in his chaotic first transfer window and again in the last few weeks of the summer. It's old school approach to bring in good players (mostly on loan) and they will figure it out, that day is gone. Hogan was his huge mistake unfortunately, managers rarely get away with a flop that bad in our division.

I doubt Sheff Wed will have much money so he might do ok there getting in lads on loan and short term deals. Decent man manager too, as seen with turning Grealish's career around. Might do similar with Onomoah for example.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: sid1964 on January 03, 2019, 12:57:34 PM
I cannot how he will not be working for Sheff Wed before Feb 1st - he will be watching there games, chatting to his mates about what to do etc...(if they are to buy anyone, he will decide)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: Mister E on January 03, 2019, 01:01:58 PM
I don't buy the decent guy thing, never have, he's always been too quick to blame other people for his own failings.
Yup - that's where I am.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Clampy on January 03, 2019, 01:08:17 PM
He's always come across as a likeable enough chap to me. I didn't mind him when he was at Blues either.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 03, 2019, 01:13:09 PM
I got why we brought him in. I'm delighted he's gone. I don't wish ill on him personally as he's had plenty of that. Professionally I hope he's as colossal a failure at Sheff Wed as he was with us. He got a dream job with us and when it stopped going his way it was everyone else's fault and never, ever his.

In the end he became David O'Leary metaphorically pumping his chest and telling us to curb our expectations after we sneaked past Real Rotherham. Fuck right off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Clampy on January 03, 2019, 01:17:37 PM
Being relegated was a collossal failure. Billy McNiell was a collossal failure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: TheTimVilla on January 03, 2019, 01:21:20 PM
I cannot how he will not be working for Sheff Wed before Feb 1st - he will be watching there games, chatting to his mates about what to do etc...(if they are to buy anyone, he will decide)

If it is to do with compo, then he must be breaking the terms of the contract if he communicates with his coaches?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Ger Regan on January 03, 2019, 01:30:03 PM
Being relegated was a collossal failure. Billy McNiell was a collossal failure.
Considering that we gambled everything on promotion (and would have been in a world of pain had the new owners not turned up), it's not a stretch to say that his failures at villa could have been catastrophic.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 03, 2019, 01:31:17 PM
Being relegated was a collossal failure. Billy McNiell was a collossal failure.

Not getting promoted across essentially two seasons despite having more resources at his disposal relative to the competition was a colossal failure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 03, 2019, 01:34:04 PM
I don’t wish him well Idont wish him anything, I just wish he had not fucked our club up.

Our club was fucked up long before Steve Bruce came along. I'm far from his biggest fan but he was a decent guy who was massively out of his depth.
Sorry I don’t buy the decent guy stuff.

Good for you.
Maybe if you dug a bit deeper you would work out why.

I don't need to. I speak as I find and having had various interactions with him (including a few occasions where my young boy wanted to meet him) I found him to be a decent bloke who made a fuss of my lad and always made time to chat to him about football, school etc.

Crap manager but a decent bloke.
Good for you.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2019, 01:35:47 PM
Being relegated was a collossal failure. Billy McNiell was a collossal failure.
Considering that we gambled everything on promotion (and would have been in a world of pain had the new owners not turned up), it's not a stretch to say that his failures at villa could have been catastrophic.

Yep, lets not forget there were genuine concerns on here about administration and winding-up. That's not all his fault but he was part of a group that gambled everything on promotion and failed, we're pretty lucky that new owners were found so quickly or he could've been the guy who took us to our lowest point in our history, I think that's a pretty big failure.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: JUAN PABLO on January 03, 2019, 01:37:14 PM
hes already got Onomah , lets hope Elmo and Whelan join him.

and his son hopefully
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Clampy on January 03, 2019, 01:37:22 PM
I don’t wish him well Idont wish him anything, I just wish he had not fucked our club up.

Our club was fucked up long before Steve Bruce came along. I'm far from his biggest fan but he was a decent guy who was massively out of his depth.
Sorry I don’t buy the decent guy stuff.

Good for you.
Maybe if you dug a bit deeper you would work out why.

I don't need to. I speak as I find and having had various interactions with him (including a few occasions where my young boy wanted to meet him) I found him to be a decent bloke who made a fuss of my lad and always made time to chat to him about football, school etc.

Crap manager but a decent bloke.
Good for you.

You didn't like him, others found him a reasonable bloke. What's the problem?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Hookeysmith on January 03, 2019, 01:39:47 PM
I think I have mentioned this before but Bruce's playing career ended in 1995 when he joined the rags.
Before that he has all his schooling under Fergerson who was never considered a tactician but one of the last "old school" managers who relied on the hairdryer treatment as a motivator. I am not sure Bruce has ever seen any other type of football management so its not surprising he apes that what he knows to a degree. Fergie had a formula for playing and trusted his coaches to install that into the players - it was often claimed that Fergie did not attend training every day.

He is not on his own

Ince
Pallister
Hughes
Keane
Robson
Sheringham
Gary Neville
Phelan
Robbins

I am sure there are more


Have all found the modern game, and more importantly the modern footballer, to be beyond them now. The game changes and those that do not change with it get found out

Same for Mourhinio, Wenger, Alladyce etc
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Clampy on January 03, 2019, 01:44:05 PM
Being relegated was a collossal failure. Billy McNiell was a collossal failure.

Not getting promoted across essentially two seasons despite having more resources at his disposal relative to the competition was a colossal failure.

I think we will have to agree to disagree on that one but personally I think finishing bottom and being taken apart most weeks is a bit more collossal than losing a play off final. It cost him his job eventually anyway.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Ger Regan on January 03, 2019, 01:48:55 PM
Being relegated was a collossal failure. Billy McNiell was a collossal failure.

Not getting promoted across essentially two seasons despite having more resources at his disposal relative to the competition was a colossal failure.

I think we will have to agree to disagree on that one but personally I think finishing bottom and being taken apart most weeks is a bit more collossal than losing a play off final. It cost him his job eventually anyway.
There have been plenty of colossal failures at the club over the last few years. Bruce's only target was promotion and the club's future was gambled on him achieving it. He failed, and without the new owners stepping in there was a very real threat of the club being wound up. That wasn't entirely of his making, but the "promotion specialist" must take far more responsibility for it than he has ever seemed prepared to do.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: ozzjim on January 03, 2019, 02:37:17 PM
Apparently he is going to a test match in the West Indies so can't start to Feb! The usual level of Bruce commitment to the role.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: villa `cross the mersey on January 03, 2019, 02:42:14 PM
To be fair , if I had millions in the bank and time on my hands I'd be off to the West Indies rather than sitting in a cold, windswept Yorkshire football stadium
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: mr underhill on January 03, 2019, 03:24:41 PM
so would I but he's supposed to be their manager. At the moment this reminds me of that chief scout we had that lived in Australia and did all his research on FIFA 98 or some shit.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: cdward on January 03, 2019, 03:24:56 PM
(https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p720x720/39989485_10156100781732599_4372779334465748992_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=c55271e87694e56c4c1ad9acf78027bc&oe=5C8BCE48)
I'm sure the Wednesday fans will be delighted to see him drinking cold beers, sitting in a pitch side jacuzzi with the Barmy Army, instead of being in the stands away at Hull.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: passport1 on January 03, 2019, 04:41:00 PM
Excellent they've found a new stick to beat an ex manager with.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: ronshirt on January 03, 2019, 05:38:38 PM
[...] if he communicates with his coaches?

He's hardly likely to start doing that this late in his managerial career.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: mallo on January 03, 2019, 05:48:24 PM
I'll bet when it all goes a bit sour (as it inevitably will) he'll blame the fans for not really accepting him because he managed United... If we're here next season then with a quick midfield we'll run them ragged like we did Middlesbrough.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Rigadon on January 03, 2019, 06:37:46 PM
I don't get wound up by former managers in the same way I do with players.  I couldn't give a monkeys how he does at Sheffield Wednesday so long as it doesn't get in our way. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: sickbeggar on January 03, 2019, 07:53:31 PM
 i'd agree that Bruce did turn the atmosphere around at the club. Obviouslly not every player at Villa was unhappy he got the boot, but overall most players seem to have a good opinion of him. I'm not so sure he was totally responsible for the turn-around in our playing form in his first season though. He just got the time that RDM didn't. Players who made a big difference to the team that season like Kodjia, adomah and Jedinak didn't arrive till 5 games into the season. Given the prolonged arrival of key players and the sheer numbers of new players overall, i'm not surprised it took till Bruce arrived for them to find their feet personally
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Pat McMahon on January 03, 2019, 08:30:54 PM
Apparently he is going to a test match in the West Indies so can't start to Feb! The usual level of Bruce commitment to the role.

I was listening to 5Live on New Year’s Day and they were focused on the championship. They said Bruce being appointed at Wednesday was a certainty but he had made a family commitment so couldn’t start until end January. When first approached by Wednesday he ruled himself out because of said commitment but they surprised him by saying they were prepared to wait. All courtesy of Mark Clemmett IIRC.

Steven Warnock was on the same programme and said that when Lambert arrived at Villa he was told to look for another club in the summer without being given a chance. Never heard that before.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: paul_e on January 03, 2019, 08:36:35 PM
i'd agree that Bruce did turn the atmosphere around at the club. Obviouslly not every player at Villa was unhappy he got the boot, but overall most players seem to have a good opinion of him. I'm not so sure he was totally responsible for the turn-around in our playing form in his first season though. He just got the time that RDM didn't. Players who made a big difference to the team that season like Kodjia, adomah and Jedinak didn't arrive till 5 games into the season. Given the prolonged arrival of key players and the sheer numbers of new players overall, i'm not surprised it took till Bruce arrived for them to find their feet personally

Exactly, that's why I think the work to turn us round was mostly done when he arrived, other than a really poor central midfield I think that squad was at least good enough for the playoffs that year.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: sickbeggar on January 03, 2019, 09:16:40 PM
i'd agree that Bruce did turn the atmosphere around at the club. Obviouslly not every player at Villa was unhappy he got the boot, but overall most players seem to have a good opinion of him. I'm not so sure he was totally responsible for the turn-around in our playing form in his first season though. He just got the time that RDM didn't. Players who made a big difference to the team that season like Kodjia, adomah and Jedinak didn't arrive till 5 games into the season. Given the prolonged arrival of key players and the sheer numbers of new players overall, i'm not surprised it took till Bruce arrived for them to find their feet personally

Exactly, that's why I think the work to turn us round was mostly done when he arrived, other than a really poor central midfield I think that squad was at least good enough for the playoffs that year.

yep its an interesting season to look back on in hindsight.  I mean, we didn't finish in mid-table just because of the 1 win in 11 at start of the season. It was more due to the 7 losses in 11 in December - February.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: mike on January 03, 2019, 10:43:57 PM
I think Steve was a poor manager and i was heartily glad to see him gone but the 'bad' things he did were 1) not publicly admit he was shit 2) turn his back on a shitload of cash. I wouldn't have done either of those things.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Allan C on January 03, 2019, 11:14:57 PM
Personally I don’t care what he does now and I won’t cheer him or boo him when he comes to VP. He was never the right man for us and IMO he held us back and his tenure was wasted time. But like him or loathe him, he is part of our rich history now like all the rest.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: footyskillz on January 04, 2019, 12:13:08 AM
I wished for his own sake and then how it worked out that he had left end of season .
Fair play and all that but failed in promo. Club wants new direction.

Anyway mildly  interesting from afar on how he performs with Wednesday both in results and also performance and playing style wise

They got the  coaching team minus Calderwood (who was never an original bruce follower from clubs) Agnew and Clem

I ll have a wry smile  when hear him in interview and sure  ::) just like lambo but no malice here.

I get why so feel super annoyed about him and why I guess .


We moved on , our football has moved on

We can put up with his 'brutal honesty' from afar now !

Side note:  Josh Onomah ! Back playing under him

Steve Bruce is an amazing guy, on and off the pitch he always made sure that I was feeling good,” Onomah said before the match earlier this season


A major noticeable thing is that bruce is respected in game and clearly a reputable chap.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: adrenachrome on January 28, 2019, 10:45:22 AM
From a Birmingham Online article which opens with the sentence "Alan Shearer has claimed Steve Bruce can’t take over at Sheffield Wednesday until next month because Aston Villa are still paying him."

Quote
However, Shearer - who is a close friend of Bruce - claims his fellow Geordie is unable to take over at Wednesday until February because he’s still tied to Villa.

Wading into the debate surrounding Bruce on Twitter, Newcastle United and England legend Shearer explained why his pal won’t take over until Friday.

“Because as part of his severance he can’t work until 1st Feb that’s why,” Shearer said.

Bruce’s first game in charge of Wednesday sees the Owls take on Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: chrisw1 on January 28, 2019, 10:59:30 AM
What a bollocks excuse.  How does Shearer think this reflects well on Bruce?  If he wanted to I'm pretty fucking sure we would have knocked a a couple of weeks pay off the severance package and allowed him to move on early.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: TheMalandro on January 28, 2019, 11:02:23 AM
He’s found another mug chairman, good for Bruce.
Fancy having to wait for the shit he serves.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 28, 2019, 11:07:51 AM
I see the England cricket team were inspired by his presence.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: robleflaneur on January 28, 2019, 11:30:53 AM
What a bollocks excuse.  How does Shearer think this reflects well on Bruce?  If he wanted to I'm pretty fucking sure we would have knocked a a couple of weeks pay off the severance package and allowed him to move on early.
Spot on.His son also mentioned his loss of his parents and that Steve's health had also suffered and so he deserved a break.So why didn't he leave us at the start of the season or reject the Sheffield W. job  and have  a good break to fully recover.
All to do with grabbing another million or two .
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: ASHTONVILLA on January 28, 2019, 11:40:21 AM
What a bollocks excuse.  How does Shearer think this reflects well on Bruce?  If he wanted to I'm pretty fucking sure we would have knocked a a couple of weeks pay off the severance package and allowed him to move on early.

I suspect we were paying more than he will be getting there, so he would lose out on a two weeks higher pay.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Damo70 on January 28, 2019, 11:42:42 AM
I see the England cricket team were inspired by his presence.

That isn't fair. I believe the England cricket team have given him credit for being such a good sight screen.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Risso on January 28, 2019, 12:15:47 PM
Sheffield Wednesday fans were falling over themselves to ingratiate themselves with Alex Bruce, saying that they understood his need for a break and that they disagreed with the comments from Danny Murphy et al.  They'll learn the hard way, the fucking numpties.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: mallo on January 28, 2019, 01:02:50 PM
I wonder if he'll know if Forestieri is injured?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Hookeysmith on January 28, 2019, 01:14:57 PM
Sheffield Wednesday fans were falling over themselves to ingratiate themselves with Alex Bruce, saying that they understood his need for a break and that they disagreed with the comments from Danny Murphy et al.  They'll learn the hard way, the fucking numpties.

Agreed

Great signature by the Risso
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: old man villa fan on January 28, 2019, 01:27:01 PM
I have often wondered whether Bruce was first choice rather than RDM but said he wanted time off after leaving Hull.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Damo70 on January 28, 2019, 01:28:09 PM
If he planned to make out he was on a fact finding mission to find out if he could pick up some tips on how the England cricket team operate it hasn't worked out very well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Marlon From Bearwood on January 28, 2019, 01:30:01 PM
I have often wondered whether Bruce was first choice rather than RDM but said he wanted time off after leaving Hull.

Pretty sure he hadn’t left Hull yet when we chose RDM. I doubt Bruce would’ve turned us down.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 28, 2019, 08:22:45 PM
Quote
Steve Bruce has defended his decision to delay starting work as Sheffield Wednesday manager, insisting it had been done with the club’s blessing and was due to health concerns.

Bruce, who was heavily criticised for taking the time off by BBC pundits Danny Murphy and Ruud Gullit on Sunday during coverage of Wednesday’s FA Cup tie against Chelsea, has had two operations since leaving Aston Villa in October and needed time to recuperate before he returned to the stress and strain of day-to-day management.

The former Manchester United captain, who has been in Barbados following the second round of surgery, had also promised his family that he would take a break after the trauma of losing both parents, in quick succession last year, took a huge toll.

However, the 58-year-old did not hide anything from Wednesday when discussing whether he would replace Jos Luhukay and, although his appointment was announced at the start of the month, his new employers were happy to for him to begin when he was fit and ready.

“I have had two operations and I’ve been recovering in Barbados,” Bruce told Telegraph Sport. “I did not hide anything from Sheffield Wednesday and they were perfectly happy with the plan. It was done with their full support.

“I wouldn’t have taken the job if they were not aware of the situation and what I needed to have done. I was completely open and honest with them when we talked about me taking the job. It is extremely disappointing that people have tried to make something negative out of it.

“People also have to realise that I had an extremely tough year in 2018, losing both my parents and I’d promised those close to me that I’d take a break. It took a lot out of me emotionally, it really did, and this is something I needed to do.”

It is also understood that Bruce was unable to begin a new job because of the terms of his severance package from Aston Villa. He had not intended to even look for work, but was approached by Wednesday before Christmas and was persuaded to accept their offer by owner Dejphon Chansiri.

“The fact I’ve also had surgery and was in not a condition to start work immediately, meant I postponed my first day as Sheffield Wednesday’s manager,” Bruce continued. “But that does not mean I’m not excited about starting. I’m fit and I’m raring to go.

“I don’t want this to drag on and on. I don’t want to be answering questions about this in the days and weeks to come. What I’ve had done in terms of my operations is also a private matter. I hope people can understand what has happened and can let me concentrate on managing the team. That is all I’m thinking about. I can’t wait to get started now.”

Bruce, who left his coaches Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence in charge of the team while he has been in the Caribbean, spent much of last week watching the England cricket team lose to the West Indies. But he was more than just a spectator.

“They may have lost the first Test but being able to speak to the coaching staff, learn about how they do things and the way they prepare, that can only be useful to me as a manager,” he added. “It’s a different sport but they have been extremely successful over the last few years and I wanted to tap into that.”

Bruce, who has previously managed three other Yorkshire clubs, including Sheffield United, will take charge of the Wednesday team for the first time when they travel to Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 28, 2019, 08:30:06 PM
Whatever his merits or otherwise as a manager, I can't see much wrong in someone putting themselves and their family first after the most traumatic twelve months of their life.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: VILLA MOLE on January 28, 2019, 08:33:42 PM
Whatever his merits or otherwise as a manager, I can't see much wrong in someone putting themselves and their family first after the most traumatic twelve months of their life.



yes also Wednesday agreed to all this
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Steve67 on January 28, 2019, 08:34:23 PM
Very true Dave.  I think he did a poor job at Villa and somehow manages to fall on his feet, however, I wish him no ill and fully recognise his losses as highly traumatic.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 28, 2019, 08:36:25 PM
I'd agree if the break wasn't exactly how long it appears he had to wait before he could start at another club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Clampy on January 28, 2019, 08:39:02 PM
Whatever his merits or otherwise as a manager, I can't see much wrong in someone putting themselves and their family first after the most traumatic twelve months of their life.

Agree entirely.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Chinchilla Bathhouse on January 28, 2019, 08:45:07 PM
I'm more intrigued with the news that he's been picking up tips from the England cricket coaches. Am now very much looking forward to seeing Forestieri playing at silly mid off.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Ian. on January 28, 2019, 08:47:12 PM
Whatever his merits or otherwise as a manager, I can't see much wrong in someone putting themselves and their family first after the most traumatic twelve months of their life.

Agree entirely.
Absolutely.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Lastfootstamper on January 28, 2019, 08:53:50 PM
Whatever his merits or otherwise as a manager, I can't see much wrong in someone putting themselves and their family first after the most traumatic twelve months of their life.

Then why didn't he walk away at the time? Why wait?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 28, 2019, 09:00:16 PM
Whatever his merits or otherwise as a manager, I can't see much wrong in someone putting themselves and their family first after the most traumatic twelve months of their life.

Then why didn't he walk away at the time? Why wait?

Possibly because part of the trauma was down to losing his job. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: hilts_coolerking on January 28, 2019, 09:06:34 PM
I'm more intrigued with the news that he's been picking up tips from the England cricket coaches.

He'll probably play three goalkeepers.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: luke95 on January 28, 2019, 09:08:01 PM
Whatever his merits or otherwise as a manager, I can't see much wrong in someone putting themselves and their family first after the most traumatic twelve months of their life.


Then why didn't he walk away at the time? Why wait?

Possibly because part of the trauma was down to losing his job. 

Or more likely wouldve cost him heavily financially.

Him losing his job was probably the least stressful thing of his last 18 months or so
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Sexual Ealing on January 28, 2019, 09:11:20 PM
Whatever his merits or otherwise as a manager, I can't see much wrong in someone putting themselves and their family first after the most traumatic twelve months of their life.


Then why didn't he walk away at the time? Why wait?

Possibly because part of the trauma was down to losing his job. 

Or more likely wouldve cost him heavily financially.

Him losing his job was probably the least stressful thing of his last 18 months or so

I was no fan of him as a manager here, but even if it was partly a financial consideration, so what? I'd do the same in his position, and I'd do it with a clear conscience. Both parties signed the contract.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: ktvillan on January 29, 2019, 12:02:26 AM
Sounds like he wasn't exactly in a hurry to get another job but Wednesday owner wanted him and persuaded him.  He told them they'd have to wait because he'd made plans.  I think that's fair enough, especially after the year he'd had.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: aj2k77 on January 29, 2019, 12:41:11 AM
He's fucking rubbish.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Damo70 on January 29, 2019, 07:55:10 AM
What kind of surgery did he have? I am guessing gastric band surgery.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: brian green on January 29, 2019, 08:06:09 AM
You are a braver poster than I am Damo.  I wanted to ask that but guessed I would be re branded as a hard hearted Bruce hater.  For the record I ndo not hate Bruce, I think he is a very poor, out of date, out of touch manager.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 29, 2019, 09:01:53 AM
If there is any criticism it should be aimed at whoever made the decision at Wednesday.
To try to keep the club in suspended animation for months to wait for Steve Bruce looks like a ridiculous decision.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on January 29, 2019, 09:43:38 AM
I’d love to be so shit at my job that I get the sack for the umpteenth time before bagging another (presumably) lucrative position which I can join when it suits me. Can’t think of another industry  where failure is so well compensated.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 29, 2019, 12:47:30 PM
I’d love to be so shit at my job that I get the sack for the umpteenth time before bagging another (presumably) lucrative position which I can join when it suits me. Can’t think of another industry  where failure is so well compensated.

Politics.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Risso on January 29, 2019, 12:55:09 PM
I’d love to be so shit at my job that I get the sack for the umpteenth time before bagging another (presumably) lucrative position which I can join when it suits me. Can’t think of another industry  where failure is so well compensated.

Politics.

Which politician earns anywhere near what Bruce does?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on January 29, 2019, 01:02:04 PM
I’d love to be so shit at my job that I get the sack for the umpteenth time before bagging another (presumably) lucrative position which I can join when it suits me. Can’t think of another industry  where failure is so well compensated.

Politics.

Which politician earns anywhere near what Bruce does?

Geoffrey Cox makes £650000 a year but he does a bit of barristering* on the side.

*not in a coffee shop
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Chico Hamilton III on January 29, 2019, 01:05:27 PM
I’d love to be so shit at my job that I get the sack for the umpteenth time before bagging another (presumably) lucrative position which I can join when it suits me. Can’t think of another industry  where failure is so well compensated.

Politics.

Which politician earns anywhere near what Bruce does?

Geoffrey Cox makes £650000 a year but he does a bit of barristering* on the side.

*not in a coffee shop

Don’t forget Bruce’s sideline as the acclaimed football fiction writer, Steve Barnes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Bruce/e/B0034PGBRY

Funniest review- “does to the English language what the Luftwaffe did to Coventry”
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 29, 2019, 01:10:58 PM
I’d love to be so shit at my job that I get the sack for the umpteenth time before bagging another (presumably) lucrative position which I can join when it suits me. Can’t think of another industry  where failure is so well compensated.

Politics.

Which politician earns anywhere near what Bruce does?

George Osborne for a start. His mate CallMeDave won't be far behind. I don't suppose Jacob Rees Mogg runs his hedge fund on a voluntary basis. And for the sake of balance, Tony Blair 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle on January 29, 2019, 01:33:08 PM
I’d love to be so shit at my job that I get the sack for the umpteenth time before bagging another (presumably) lucrative position which I can join when it suits me. Can’t think of another industry  where failure is so well compensated.

Politics.

Which politician earns anywhere near what Bruce does?

Geoffrey Cox makes £650000 a year but he does a bit of barristering* on the side.

*not in a coffee shop

Don’t forget Bruce’s sideline as the acclaimed football fiction writer, Steve Barnes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Bruce/e/B0034PGBRY

Funniest review- “does to the English language what the Luftwaffe did to Coventry”

I think after 'Defender!' 'Sweeper!' and 'Striker!' he should bring out 'Manager!' the everyday story of a rotund buffoon travelling round the country murdering football clubs.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Risso on January 29, 2019, 01:51:21 PM
I’d love to be so shit at my job that I get the sack for the umpteenth time before bagging another (presumably) lucrative position which I can join when it suits me. Can’t think of another industry  where failure is so well compensated.

Politics.

Which politician earns anywhere near what Bruce does?

George Osborne for a start. His mate CallMeDave won't be far behind. I don't suppose Jacob Rees Mogg runs his hedge fund on a voluntary basis. And for the sake of balance, Tony Blair 

Thw first two aren't politicians, and making money from hedge funds isn'y making money from politics.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: CT Villan on January 29, 2019, 01:55:00 PM
Which politician earns anywhere near what Bruce does?

Don't get me started on politicians...in the US, members of Congress make around $200k pa, but somehow manage to increase their personal wealth by tens to hundreds of millions - wonder how that happens ?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 29, 2019, 01:59:45 PM
I’d love to be so shit at my job that I get the sack for the umpteenth time before bagging another (presumably) lucrative position which I can join when it suits me. Can’t think of another industry  where failure is so well compensated.

Politics.

Which politician earns anywhere near what Bruce does?

George Osborne for a start. His mate CallMeDave won't be far behind. I don't suppose Jacob Rees Mogg runs his hedge fund on a voluntary basis. And for the sake of balance, Tony Blair 

Thw first two aren't politicians, and making money from hedge funds isn'y making money from politics.

The first two are failed politicians who did very well out of their failure (which is what this is about) and I doubt Rees Mogg has never used his political connections to boost his profile, and his earnings. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Brend'Watkins on January 29, 2019, 02:58:31 PM
I’d love to be so shit at my job that I get the sack for the umpteenth time before bagging another (presumably) lucrative position which I can join when it suits me. Can’t think of another industry  where failure is so well compensated.

Politics.

Which politician earns anywhere near what Bruce does?

George Osborne for a start. His mate CallMeDave won't be far behind. I don't suppose Jacob Rees Mogg runs his hedge fund on a voluntary basis. And for the sake of balance, Tony Blair 

Thw first two aren't politicians, and making money from hedge funds isn'y making money from politics.

Political shifts have an impact on hedge funds therefore money can be made from politics by politicians making those political shifts.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Damo70 on January 29, 2019, 05:09:00 PM
You are a braver poster than I am Damo.  I wanted to ask that but guessed I would be re branded as a hard hearted Bruce hater.  For the record I ndo not hate Bruce, I think he is a very poor, out of date, out of touch manager.

I backed him longer than most on here (admittedly a lot of that was due to the late timing of the takeover) but in the end he was doing the usual things managers do when the writing is on the wall by twisting truths and blaming everyone and everything else but themselves.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: ktvillan on January 29, 2019, 08:02:36 PM
Football managers will always thrive despite failure while the sport is swimming in cash and there are owners around who turn into idiots as soon as they enter a football club boardroom.  Like the idiot at Albion who hired Pulis and then Pardew.  I would mention Lerner but he was well beyond idiocy. 

Very few industries compare, although there are plenty of "top level executives" who fuck up and walk away with multi million pound severance and pension packages.  And often get taken on somewhere else if they have the right school tie.   Same with the corporate bankers who did their utmost to fuck up the entire world economy.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: footyskillz on January 31, 2019, 05:27:38 PM
Steve Bruce says he is "physically and emotionally ready" and relishing the challenge of taking Sheffield Wednesday back to the Premier League

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47063246

It's over now with Villa as it's official he has another club a we moved on- good luck to him.

It wasn't sad to see him go , a relief !

And it's good he's feeling well for his own self a break was needed!

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: mr underhill on January 31, 2019, 08:27:13 PM
Like Dylan said, There's no success like failure and failure's no success at all
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Damo70 on February 02, 2019, 12:06:16 PM
They have just shown a teaser for a Bruce interview on Football Focus. "If we can get close to the Premier League in the next four or five years I will be happy". The Barbados sun must have got to his head. What manager of a bigger Championship club gets five years to win promotion?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Sexual Ealing on February 02, 2019, 12:08:03 PM
Death by euphemism. 'Close to' is the new thereabouts.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Risso on February 02, 2019, 12:08:39 PM
Bollocks to him and the horse he rode in on. Hope Wednesday get relegated.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: sickbeggar on February 02, 2019, 12:17:28 PM
Nice to see him setting such high targets. close to the premier league? No idea what that means...presumably getting hammered in a play-off final.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: LowerNorthStand on February 02, 2019, 12:36:33 PM
I bet he can smell the hot dogs  8)
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 02, 2019, 01:05:40 PM
Bollocks to him and the horse he rode in on. Hope Wednesday get relegated.
Yeh, fuck him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: hilts_coolerking on February 02, 2019, 01:37:26 PM
I've got nothing against Sheffield Wednesday; they've got Bruce as their manager and that's punishment enough.

He just wasn't up to it here and couldn't face that.  Long before the end I think he was motivated by what was best for himself rather than what was best for the club.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Toronto Villa on February 02, 2019, 01:39:41 PM
Bollocks to him and the horse he rode in on. Hope Wednesday get relegated.

A good number of their fans wanted him after the shit he delivered here. Mugs.

What he said is precisely the bollocks the spouted here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Damo70 on February 02, 2019, 01:43:06 PM
Bollocks to him and the horse he rode in on. Hope Wednesday get relegated.

A good number of their fans wanted him after the shit he delivered here. Mugs.

What he said is precisely the bollocks the spouted here.


A club who are sick of failing in the play offs have appointed a manager whose most recent achievement of note was failing in the play offs. Football eh?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Axl Rose on February 02, 2019, 01:43:41 PM
I wish he'd fucking retire.

Anyway, thank God he isn't our problem anymore. I predict he'll make Wednesday hard to beat, and hope they take some points off our rivals.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on February 02, 2019, 10:17:03 PM
Bollocks to him and the horse he rode in on. Hope Wednesday get relegated.

This.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 10, 2019, 01:13:55 PM
Bruce bizarrely had a cabbage thrown at him by a Villa fan back in October, just hours before he was sacked, so he was greatly appreciative of fans supporting him once again.

“It was a bit bloody better than the last club I was at!” said Bruce. “We were conceding goals for fun, so that’s a positive and the big positive for the day was the reception I got from the supporters. It was quite remarkable and for each and every one of them to come out and support the team on a day like today just shows that great support that we’ve got,” he added.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: TopDeck113 on February 10, 2019, 01:20:10 PM
So not just the cabbage that has a bitter aftertaste.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Pete3206 on February 10, 2019, 01:27:55 PM
Steve Bruce says that Sheff Wed can still reach the play offs.

Chortle.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Damo70 on February 10, 2019, 01:49:04 PM
Steve Bruce says that Sheff Wed can still reach the play offs.

Chortle.

They are eleven points off the play off places so he is perfectly correct to suggest they can still reach the play offs.

But they won't.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: mr underhill on February 10, 2019, 01:55:12 PM
this time last year  we were second in the table and still didn't go up, Steve.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Marlon From Bearwood on February 10, 2019, 02:00:55 PM
Steve Bruce says that Sheff Wed can still reach the play offs.

Chortle.

They’ll finish between 12-16th place and get nowhere near the playoffs. Then next season Bruce will claim that he pulled off a minor miracle by avoiding relegation as that was all that people were worried about when he took over.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: john e on February 10, 2019, 02:02:14 PM
I think Wednesday fans will just be looking for a bit of stability this season Bruce is fantastic at that
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: sickbeggar on February 10, 2019, 02:08:18 PM
Bottom line is he needs money to operate, so I think he's been promised a fair bit in the summer.  I could see him mounting a promotion challenge next season, but like us you'd think the Wednesday board aren't looking much further than that with Bruce. A few seasons at best in the premier playing his drab football before the inevitable relegation isn't much of a long term plan.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on February 10, 2019, 02:22:54 PM
Aren’t Wednesday transfer embargoed?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: sickbeggar on February 10, 2019, 02:28:22 PM
March possibly according to google
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: eamonn on March 04, 2019, 09:15:30 AM
A bare-bones honesty interview about the last 12 months in the Telegraph today, not a subscriber so carnt read it but maybe you can: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/03/03/exclusive-interview-steve-bruce-calls-past-12-months-worst-year/amp/
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Sexual Ealing on March 04, 2019, 10:24:51 AM
A bare-bones honesty interview about the last 12 months in the Telegraph today, not a subscriber so carnt read it but maybe you can: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/03/03/exclusive-interview-steve-bruce-calls-past-12-months-worst-year/amp/

No mention of us. Not even in the list of his previous clubs! Suits me.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: SoccerHQ on March 04, 2019, 11:09:32 AM
He had cancer when he was with us? Shocked by that. I know he was a workaholic and only seemed to miss a few days of training when his parents actually passed but whatever you think of his managerial ability, that deserves plenty of respect.

Logical thing would've been to take some time off so I assume they caught it very early.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Rigadon on March 04, 2019, 11:16:18 AM
It doesn't surprise me that he kept it quiet.  He is clearly somebody with integrity, despite his limitations as a top football manager. 
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: MONCABA on March 04, 2019, 11:18:49 AM
Why do we continue with this thread??????
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: SoccerHQ on March 04, 2019, 11:21:32 AM
Why do we continue with this thread??????

A former Villa manager has announced he had a major illness while actually managing us would be slightly news worthy I think?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: sickbeggar on March 04, 2019, 11:31:05 AM
I'm still of the opinion that he had a mini-breakdown over the summer. Only thing that really explains the squad we started off the season with, and then all the really strange (for him) team selections. He certainly seemed to lose any spark he had in his interviews last season. Probably should have walked in May for his own good in hindsight - all that personal stuff and us in crisis can't have done him any good.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Risso on March 04, 2019, 11:33:58 AM
A melenoma is only serious if not caught early enough and it spreads.  If it is caught early enough, it's just a case of removing it and then monitoring the patient.  My mum had it a few years ago, luckily at the early stage, and with no ill effects since.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: SoccerHQ on March 04, 2019, 11:42:01 AM
A melenoma is only serious if not caught early enough and it spreads.  If it is caught early enough, it's just a case of removing it and then monitoring the patient.  My mum had it a few years ago, luckily at the early stage, and with no ill effects since.

Yep must've been the case thankfully otherwise no way could he just continue weekly.

I did wonder if his sudden resignation at Hull just before the season started in 2016 and taking a few months off would've been the period he had the illness but article states last year so obviously not.

Regular testing from working in sport has obviously helped here.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Villan For Life on March 04, 2019, 11:50:33 AM
I'm still of the opinion that he had a mini-breakdown over the summer. Only thing that really explains the squad we started off the season with, and then all the really strange (for him) team selections. He certainly seemed to lose any spark he had in his interviews last season. Probably should have walked in May for his own good in hindsight - all that personal stuff and us in crisis can't have done him any good.

I think the squad that we started the season with was as a result of the near collapse of our club last summer and not as a result of Bruce's mental or physical health.

The fact that he carried on and turned up for training having suffered the loss of his parents and also the diagnosis of a serious disease shows the kind of bloke he is. He has his limitations as a manager but I respect him for getting on with things last year when others may well have buckled under the strain. He's a man whose integrity and commitment I admire and I wish him well, apart from when his new club plays us.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: sickbeggar on March 04, 2019, 11:59:02 AM
I'm still of the opinion that he had a mini-breakdown over the summer. Only thing that really explains the squad we started off the season with, and then all the really strange (for him) team selections. He certainly seemed to lose any spark he had in his interviews last season. Probably should have walked in May for his own good in hindsight - all that personal stuff and us in crisis can't have done him any good.

I think the squad that we started the season with was as a result of the near collapse of our club last summer and not as a result of Bruce's mental or physical health.

The fact that he carried on and turned up for training having suffered the loss of his parents and also the diagnosis of a serious disease shows the kind of bloke he is. He has his limitations as a manager but I respect him for getting on with things last year when others may well have buckled under the strain. He's a man whose integrity and commitment I admire and I wish him well, apart from when his new club plays us.

Hmmm, maybe but there obviously was money available with buying McGinn, the loans and the aborted left-back move. Smith managed to bring in 2 defenders with no money, while Bruce thought we'd play the season with jedinak at centre-half, Tuanzebe at right-back, elphick on loan etc.. To me given his reputation, it was very odd behaviour and out of character for him.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: chrisw1 on March 04, 2019, 12:08:04 PM
I'm still of the opinion that he had a mini-breakdown over the summer. Only thing that really explains the squad we started off the season with, and then all the really strange (for him) team selections. He certainly seemed to lose any spark he had in his interviews last season. Probably should have walked in May for his own good in hindsight - all that personal stuff and us in crisis can't have done him any good.

I think the squad that we started the season with was as a result of the near collapse of our club last summer and not as a result of Bruce's mental or physical health.

The fact that he carried on and turned up for training having suffered the loss of his parents and also the diagnosis of a serious disease shows the kind of bloke he is. He has his limitations as a manager but I respect him for getting on with things last year when others may well have buckled under the strain. He's a man whose integrity and commitment I admire and I wish him well, apart from when his new club plays us.

Hmmm, maybe but there obviously was money available with buying McGinn, the loans and the aborted left-back move. Smith managed to bring in 2 defenders with no money, while Bruce thought we'd play the season with jedinak at centre-half, Tuanzebe at right-back, elphick on loan etc.. To me given his reputation, it was very odd behaviour and out of character for him.
Come off it, we tried to get a centre half and left back and they both fell through.  That's not Bruce's fault.  He can of course be blamed for inexplicably sanctioning the Elphick loan but not really for two deals falling through at the death.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: sickbeggar on March 04, 2019, 12:15:46 PM
Well if Smith can get 2 defenders in January and all the limited options available in mid-season, then Bruce should have managed at least one in 4 months whether some deals fell through or not.  And Jedinak? He was quite clearly not a centre-half and Bruce just persisted and persisted with him. The whole defensive set-up was something you'd never expect from Bruce in a million years. You can throw a lot of things at his style of management, but putting out a complete car-crash of a defence isn't usually one of them.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Diablo on March 04, 2019, 12:42:18 PM
A bare-bones honesty interview about the last 12 months in the Telegraph today, not a subscriber so carnt read it but maybe you can: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/03/03/exclusive-interview-steve-bruce-calls-past-12-months-worst-year/amp/
Any chance a kind person who can access this could cut and paste it?
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: chrisw1 on March 04, 2019, 12:45:24 PM
The point is neither Smith nor Bruce actually negotiate the transfers.  So the signing / failure to sign players is not necessarily their fault.  And they didn't have 4 months.  Most of that was us wondering whether we'd survive, not negotiating acquisitions.

The decision to loan Elphick out and playing Jedi at centre back was of course down to Bruce and for that the criticism is reasonable, although arguably he wouldn't have had to do the latter if we'd got the targets in.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: sickbeggar on March 04, 2019, 01:01:42 PM
The point is neither Smith nor Bruce actually negotiate the transfers.  So the signing / failure to sign players is not necessarily their fault.  And they didn't have 4 months.  Most of that was us wondering whether we'd survive, not negotiating acquisitions.

The decision to loan Elphick out and playing Jedi at centre back was of course down to Bruce and for that the criticism is reasonable, although arguably he wouldn't have had to do the latter if we'd got the targets in.

Think we'll have to agree to disagree. There was obviously finance available with 7 players coming in and missing out on others. Bruce was  closely involved in transfer dealings judging by the Bryan fiasco and the priority was to sort out the defence first - you can go into a season without a Bolasie or an el ghazi, no back 4 is more of a problem. Then to compound it with his mental team selections and sending the only other centre half out on loan, well to me it shows he probably wasn't thinking clearly.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Risso on March 04, 2019, 01:07:03 PM

You can see most of Steve Bruce’s scars, the broken nose, the gash above his eye, but it is the ones buried deep inside that make their way to the surface as he reflects ahead of his first Steel City derby as Sheffield Wednesday manager.This is Bruce raw and uncut – on the trauma of losing both his parents and his job as Aston Villa manager last year, and of being diagnosed with cancer.
[/color]He talks of the “guilt” he feels about “not spending more time with my parents because I was consumed by my job”, how he still “reaches for his phone every day to call my dad... the grief that consumes me every time”.
[/color]He speaks about his wife, Jan, and the “heroic” role she played in looking after his mother, following a severe stroke. But also how, without her, he would have walked away from football years ago.
[/color]“When I heard the word ‘cancer’, I was in bits,” he admits. “I panicked, I think everyone does, it was very scary, horrible. Thankfully, the melanoma does not appear to have spread. They’ll continue to monitor me, I’ve got scars on my face, on my back. Good thing I was never worried about my good looks...”
[/color]Bruce describes the past 12 months as “the worst year of my life”. But the meeting on Sunday night with Sheffield United, the club where he embarked on life as a manager 21 years ago, sparks other memories.


[/color]Steve Bruce (second right) begins his managerial career at Sheffield United CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES[/color]“I began my managerial career in Sheffield and it might come to an end in this city too,” Bruce said, at his desk, where a laminated match file, emblazoned with the opponents’ club crest, takes pride of place. “If I’m here in four years, things will have gone well. That might be it. In four years, I’ll be 62. I played almost 1,000 games as a player and I’m approaching 1,000 as a manager. That’s pretty impressive.
[/color]“Every time I took another job, my dad would ask, ‘Why are you putting yourself through it again, haven’t you got enough money?’
[/color]“I wish I’d spent more time with them, I think anyone who loses their parents will understand that, but I also know what he would have said. ‘You crack on Steve, get on with it, son’.
[/color]“Geordies get up every day, they go to work, they put a shift in. That’s what my dad taught me, but I still have that guilt... I miss them both terribly.”
[/color]Bruce, though, has a derby to prepare for. United are third in the table, pushing for automatic promotion, but Wednesday are unbeaten in six games since Bruce took control and could still make the play-offs. “I was player-manager at Sheffield United,” Bruce said. “I played my last ever game for them. It was terrible. We lost 4-1, I think to Sunderland. Fancy that, a Geordie, being forced to retire because of a defeat to Sunderland.


[/color]“I got a bit of stick off Dean Saunders. I tried to have a go at them after the game and he said, ‘You weren’t any better’.
[/color]“You can’t manage the team, give out a bollocking. I can remember them looking at me in the dressing room and I could tell they were thinking, ‘You were f---ing awful, Steve’. That was it in a nutshell.
[/color]“I’ll be forever grateful to Sheffield United. It was my first manager’s job and it was a steep learning curve. I only lasted 12 months, it was a quick and brutal introduction.
[/color]“I can remember, we were playing Bristol City and I could hear Dean Saunders whistling coming down the stairs carrying his bag. I said, ‘Dean, where are you going?’
[/color]“He said, ‘Has nobody told you? I signed for Benfica an hour ago. I’m on the 3.30 from Heathrow’. That was three hours before kick-off. What it taught me was, what I’d done as a player, it meant nothing. I was Steve Bruce, Manchester United captain, but nobody gave a s---.”
[/color]Then, in 1999, came an offer from Huddersfield, an initially positive experience that eventually led Bruce down a dark path into depression.
[/color]“I got the sack after 18 months. That was the moment where everything came crashing down. We sold our centre-forward, Marcus Stewart, with 12 games to go. We were second in the table. In Huddersfield, they still think it was me, but why would I sell my centre-forward? It was the owner – we didn’t even make the play-offs.


[/color]Steve Bruce (left) as Huddersfield Town manager CREDIT: ACTION IMAGES[/color]“We’d had a positive 10 months, but it drifted away. We lost to Grimsby and I got the sack. It was then that everything hurt. Management back then was just a substitute for playing. I just wanted to stay in the game. I thought I had something to offer. But after Huddersfield, it hit me hard. I became a recluse; miserable, bitter. Thankfully, I was having a bit of work done on my house, so I put my boots on and I got stuck into labouring. It kept me sane.
[/color]“I disappeared. I didn’t even watch much football. Jan, my wife, forced me out of the house on my 40th birthday to go to a game. When I got back, the kids were all dressed up, she was all dressed up. She’d organised a surprise party, but I didn’t want to go. I was that bad. That was the low point...
[/color]“I’ve seen that happen to so many players. You’re institutionalised and you come to the end and it’s brutal. I’ve had a conversation with Alan Shearer about it. He had the same. Niall Quinn was another one. That six months after losing my job at Huddersfield, I was in a downward spiral. Jan was brilliant, a rock.”
[/color]Had it not been for a surprise short-term offer from Wigan in 2001, Bruce admits he may not have returned and gone on to have success at Birmingham City, Wigan, Sunderland and Hull City.
[/color]“Working for Dave Whelan at Wigan, he was so positive, so helpful,” Bruce said. “It ignited something over those seven games. I’m not ashamed to admit it, but I almost gave up. To have had the career I’ve had since, well, I’m proud of that for more reasons than I’ve admitted before. So, when I took my break after my operations, I knew I’d come back. I just didn’t think it would be this quickly.
[/color]“I want to get Wednesday back into the Premier League. I’ve taken this  job because I believe I can get them back there. It excites me. I like the owner. It felt right and I know exactly what my dad would have said if I told him that.”
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Risso on March 04, 2019, 01:07:21 PM
Apologies for the formatting etc.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Rigadon on March 04, 2019, 01:07:24 PM
A bare-bones honesty interview about the last 12 months in the Telegraph today, not a subscriber so carnt read it but maybe you can: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/03/03/exclusive-interview-steve-bruce-calls-past-12-months-worst-year/amp/
Any chance a kind person who can access this could cut and paste it?

The Birmingham Mail probably already has
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: wittonwarrior on March 04, 2019, 01:30:24 PM
First of all I do not subscribe to any of the distaste for Steve Bruce and think overall he did really well up to the play off final and his clear mistakes afterwards into the start of this season

One thing he does very well is his handling of the media.   I lost both my parents in the space of 12 months in 2017/2018 but picked myself up and got on with life.   Bruce however seems to use loose veil
Reasons why not everything went hunnydori for him - there is no need !  There are a hundred and one reasons why we failed as a club, yes you were contributory but so were many more.

But please Steve Bruce don’t start playing the card game it’s not fair to victims who suffer with serious illnesses physical, psychological or without funds to seek private help
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Diablo on March 04, 2019, 01:31:22 PM
Apologies for the formatting etc.
Thanks for posting the interview.

Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: purpletrousers on March 04, 2019, 02:08:31 PM
As much as many of us (me included) wanted him gone, at the point of financial implosion he was the continuity we needed (and some of us begrudgingly wanted) and he stuck with us. I hope his health is good now.
Re: the breakdown theory, obviously it’s not really a medical term, but, yes lots of odd decisions/behaviour can arise out of varying mental state. As well as stubbornness.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Risso on March 04, 2019, 02:45:42 PM
From the accounts, it looks like he's suing the club for unfair dismissal.  Fairly standard behaviour I suppose when a manager gets the shove.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: brian green on March 04, 2019, 04:13:51 PM
His wanton waste of money brought us to the brink of insolvency.  He only clung onto his job because the fires he fanned needed to be extinguished.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: dave.woodhall on March 04, 2019, 04:31:38 PM
Wasn't there a photo of him with a cut or something on his face and we wondered what had happened? There's your answer.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Risso on March 04, 2019, 04:36:06 PM
Wasn't there a photo of him with a cut or something on his face and we wondered what had happened? There's your answer.

True:

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-boss-steve-bruce-12990619

He did say back then it having a mole removed.  That was a couple of years ago, so if looks like they've been keeping a close eye on him since as a result.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on March 04, 2019, 04:42:15 PM
Wasn't there a photo of him with a cut or something on his face and we wondered what had happened? There's your answer.

Yup, I was to mention this the other day. There was a rumour at the time Ross McCormack had given Bruce a few slaps but remember the bruising on both sides of his head being symmetric and thinking a clamp had been used. Makes sense now.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Clampy on March 04, 2019, 05:23:06 PM
His wanton waste of money brought us to the brink of insolvency.  He only clung onto his job because the fires he fanned needed to be extinguished.

I think the previous owner also needs to take a portion of the blame for that as well.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: brontebilly on March 04, 2019, 07:49:22 PM
His wanton waste of money brought us to the brink of insolvency.  He only clung onto his job because the fires he fanned needed to be extinguished.

I think the previous owner also needs to take a portion of the blame for that as well.

the previous owner and his board are 100% accountable, blaming Bruce or RDM before him for that is ridiculous

Bruce was given a budget and spent it how he deemed fit, argue on the merits of how he used that budget all you want (Hogan aside it wasnt bad imo)

That budget should have been unable to bring the club to brink of insolvency, accountability and responsibility solely for that lies with the board
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: SheffieldVillain on March 04, 2019, 07:53:54 PM
His wanton waste of money brought us to the brink of insolvency.  He only clung onto his job because the fires he fanned needed to be extinguished.

I think the previous owner also needs to take a portion of the blame for that as well.

the previous owner and his board are 100% accountable, blaming Bruce or RDM before him for that is ridiculous

Bruce was given a budget and spent it how he deemed fit, argue on the merits of how he used that budget all you want (Hogan aside it wasnt bad imo)

That budget should have been unable to bring the club to brink of insolvency, accountability and responsibility solely for that lies with the board

Nope. Because he was given a budget to spend how he saw fit that should comfortably have seen us into the Premier League and the windfall that brings. He failed.  He was partially to blame as were Xia and Wyness.

As for 'Hogan aside not bad', personally I wouldn't class Taylor, Bjarnesson, Lansbury or Nyland as particuarly great uses of resources either.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Pete3206 on March 04, 2019, 08:08:32 PM
Problems aside and I do sympathise, he made pig's ear of the team and turned on the fans. He had to go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: wittonwarrior on March 04, 2019, 08:59:15 PM
I think the wisdom of all this is sometimes it’s better to keep strum. Get a lot more sympathy
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: brontebilly on March 04, 2019, 10:10:04 PM
His wanton waste of money brought us to the brink of insolvency.  He only clung onto his job because the fires he fanned needed to be extinguished.

I think the previous owner also needs to take a portion of the blame for that as well.

the previous owner and his board are 100% accountable, blaming Bruce or RDM before him for that is ridiculous

Bruce was given a budget and spent it how he deemed fit, argue on the merits of how he used that budget all you want (Hogan aside it wasnt bad imo)

That budget should have been unable to bring the club to brink of insolvency, accountability and responsibility solely for that lies with the board

Nope. Because he was given a budget to spend how he saw fit that should comfortably have seen us into the Premier League and the windfall that brings. He failed.  He was partially to blame as were Xia and Wyness.

As for 'Hogan aside not bad', personally I wouldn't class Taylor, Bjarnesson, Lansbury or Nyland as particuarly great uses of resources either.

Or turning around Grealish's career, signing McGinn...every manager signs a turkey or two. Hogan was unforgivable, we were well and truly had there, dreadful Bruce buy.....Lansbury lazy, Nyland poor fair enough.

Again Bruce is simply not to blame for the shit or bust gamble described above. No club should ever get themselves in that situation no matter if Guardiola was the manager. It's just lazy Bruce bashing to try and attribute blame for last summer's shit show to him (last few weeks of transfer window aside that he made a mess of).
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Steve67 on March 04, 2019, 10:24:16 PM
Bruce gets what he deserves.  He came to the club having schmoozed the likes of Xia, Round and Wyness with his 'trust me, I've got four promotions' bollocks and made them believe in him, before spending shit loads on a bunch of wasters who, ultimately couldn't cut it when the going got tough at Wembley.  Far more wasted than spent wisely, remembering of course that SJM was a snip at under £3m.  Whelan, Bree, Lansbury, Taylor, Nyland are crap.  His best signings were the loans, fair play for persuading them to come to the club but he failed to complete the job.  They say that there is a very fine line between success and failure.  We can argue that it was just one game, that one at Wembley but what a time to choke?  Did any of us honestly expect a beautiful performance and to smash Fulham?  No, me neither.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: SheffieldVillain on March 04, 2019, 11:38:59 PM
His wanton waste of money brought us to the brink of insolvency.  He only clung onto his job because the fires he fanned needed to be extinguished.

I think the previous owner also needs to take a portion of the blame for that as well.

the previous owner and his board are 100% accountable, blaming Bruce or RDM before him for that is ridiculous

Bruce was given a budget and spent it how he deemed fit, argue on the merits of how he used that budget all you want (Hogan aside it wasnt bad imo)

That budget should have been unable to bring the club to brink of insolvency, accountability and responsibility solely for that lies with the board

Nope. Because he was given a budget to spend how he saw fit that should comfortably have seen us into the Premier League and the windfall that brings. He failed.  He was partially to blame as were Xia and Wyness.

As for 'Hogan aside not bad', personally I wouldn't class Taylor, Bjarnesson, Lansbury or Nyland as particuarly great uses of resources either.

Or turning around Grealish's career, signing McGinn...every manager signs a turkey or two. Hogan was unforgivable, we were well and truly had there, dreadful Bruce buy.....Lansbury lazy, Nyland poor fair enough.

In his time here we signed 12 first team players on permanent deals.
McGinn, Terry - good signings.
AEH - did what was expected.
Bree, Hourihane - being generous jury out
Whelan, Nyland, Samba, Lansbury, Hogan, Bjarnesson, Taylor

2, arguably 3, signings widely described as successful out of 12. Not a turkey or two.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: brontebilly on March 05, 2019, 12:20:06 AM
His wanton waste of money brought us to the brink of insolvency.  He only clung onto his job because the fires he fanned needed to be extinguished.

I think the previous owner also needs to take a portion of the blame for that as well.

the previous owner and his board are 100% accountable, blaming Bruce or RDM before him for that is ridiculous

Bruce was given a budget and spent it how he deemed fit, argue on the merits of how he used that budget all you want (Hogan aside it wasnt bad imo)

That budget should have been unable to bring the club to brink of insolvency, accountability and responsibility solely for that lies with the board

Nope. Because he was given a budget to spend how he saw fit that should comfortably have seen us into the Premier League and the windfall that brings. He failed.  He was partially to blame as were Xia and Wyness.

As for 'Hogan aside not bad', personally I wouldn't class Taylor, Bjarnesson, Lansbury or Nyland as particuarly great uses of resources either.

Or turning around Grealish's career, signing McGinn...every manager signs a turkey or two. Hogan was unforgivable, we were well and truly had there, dreadful Bruce buy.....Lansbury lazy, Nyland poor fair enough.

In his time here we signed 12 first team players on permanent deals.
McGinn, Terry - good signings.
AEH - did what was expected.
Bree, Hourihane - being generous jury out
Whelan, Nyland, Samba, Lansbury, Hogan, Bjarnesson, Taylor

2, arguably 3, signings widely described as successful out of 12. Not a turkey or two.

If the debate is about best use of budget then why ignore the loans? Johnstone played longer for us than Terry. Snodgrass and Grabban were among our best players last season and played significantly more than Chris Samba. Takeover happens two months earlier and we sign those three on permanent deals.

Hourihane may not be the player we need but you can't ignore his goals and we will easily get back what we paid for him. No way should he be included with the rest, nor Whelan for that matter. Conveniently ignores Abraham too. Bree is rubbish but was worth a punt at his age.

His budget was also helped by getting rid of players who failed for us in two divisions, Westwood, Ayew, Gestede and Bacuna come to mind. If you are judging Bruce solely on his use of his budget, then consider the rubbish that was shipped out during his time too.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: ChicagoLion on March 05, 2019, 12:22:26 AM
He failed.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: paul_e on March 05, 2019, 12:29:18 AM
If the debate is about best use of budget then why ignore the loans? Johnstone played longer for us than Terry. Snodgrass and Grabban were among our best players last season and played significantly more than Chris Samba. Takeover happens two months earlier and we sign those three on permanent deals.

Hourihane may not be the player we need but you can't ignore his goals and we will easily get back what we paid for him. No way should he be included with the rest, nor Whelan for that matter. Conveniently ignores Abraham too. Bree is rubbish but was worth a punt at his age.

His budget was also helped by getting rid of players who failed for us in two divisions, Westwood, Ayew, Gestede and Bacuna come to mind. If you are judging Bruce solely on his use of his budget, then consider the rubbish that was shipped out during his time too.

If he'd used the budget well we wouldn't be going into the first summer after he was sacked looking at a massive rebuild of 10-12 players out and 7-8 in (including hause, carroll and possibly Mings).

I honestly don't care about him anymore, I'm just glad he's gone and we have someone who's signing players with more in mind than getting to next transfer window.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Damo70 on March 05, 2019, 08:27:09 AM
I always found him quite likeable even in his Newton Heath and Small Heath days and he should have played for England. He was a logical choice for the job and got us to a play off final. It made sense to keep him on for the start of this season particularly after the summer of financial turmoil. The owners gave him money and a reasonable amount of time but by then we had an unbalanced squad, he had lost the plot, reverted to excuses and blaming everyone but himself and it was definitely time for him to go.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: RichardBatchelor on March 05, 2019, 08:34:08 AM
Always liked him as a bloke, seemed decent and was an ok manager with extenuating circumstances with us.

But dull football. He had to go when he did.

However, I think calling him a c*** was bang out of order and just not true.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: eamonn on March 05, 2019, 11:43:20 AM
Pretty annoyed how he's got the Wednesday defence tighter than a gnat's chuff immediately whereas you've been able to throw eclairs down our cave all season.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Ads on March 05, 2019, 12:07:46 PM
Pretty annoyed how he's got the Wednesday defence tighter than a gnat's chuff immediately whereas you've been able to throw eclairs down our cave all season.

At the expense of any attacking at all.

At home, supposedly chasing the Play Offs, they played deep and narrow and without risk or attacking intent.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: KRS on March 05, 2019, 12:11:38 PM
Pretty sure he inherited a squad with actual defenders at Wednesday and didn’t have a transfer window to make any signings or send them out on loan. Their goal difference is much worse than ours due to not scoring many goals yet they are still level on points.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Pete3206 on March 05, 2019, 07:37:53 PM
Come next winter It'll be "off wi me 'ead!"
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Pat McMahon on March 06, 2019, 02:05:58 PM
Come next winter It'll be "off wi me 'ead!"

Chatting to a Wednesday supporting mate who reckons their strikers are all broken so Bruce has gone for the hard to beat  approach. Apparently the fans understand and are patient for now. He did say the atmosphere on Monday was very quiet after the opening salvo.

He hopes they will offload their dross in the summer, avoid FFP, and bring in young and hungry players. I warned him to prepare for somewhat older signings
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Lastfootstamper on March 06, 2019, 02:20:23 PM
Come next winter It'll be "off wi me 'ead!"

Chatting to a Wednesday supporting mate who reckons their strikers are all broken so Bruce has gone for the hard to beat  approach. Apparently the fans understand and are patient for now. He did say the atmosphere on Monday was very quiet after the opening salvo.

He hopes they will offload their dross in the summer, avoid FFP, and bring in young and hungry players. I warned him to prepare for somewhat older signings

Cheers for that laugh, cheered me up no end!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Pat McMahon on March 06, 2019, 02:23:16 PM
Come next winter It'll be "off wi me 'ead!"

Chatting to a Wednesday supporting mate who reckons their strikers are all broken so Bruce has gone for the hard to beat  approach. Apparently the fans understand and are patient for now. He did say the atmosphere on Monday was very quiet after the opening salvo.

He hopes they will offload their dross in the summer, avoid FFP, and bring in young and hungry players. I warned him to prepare for somewhat older signings

Cheers for that laugh, cheered me up no end!

My mate sincerely believes Bruce is as good as they could have wished for and is happy.

After 16-18 years in this division and strange owners, shit teams and FFP worries, he thinks the strong and stable Bruce option is as good as it gets.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: Damo70 on March 06, 2019, 02:25:47 PM
Come next winter It'll be "off wi me 'ead!"

He went to Sunderland and moaned they could never accept him because he was a Newcastle fan born and bred. He came to Villa and reckoned we could never get over the fact he played for and managed Small Heath and I am sure at the first sign of unhappiness from Wednesday fans he will play the ex Sheffield United card.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: ChicagoLion on March 06, 2019, 05:14:24 PM
Is this a good time to invest in Sheffield Fish and Chip shops.
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: brontebilly on March 06, 2019, 07:00:07 PM
Pretty annoyed how he's got the Wednesday defence tighter than a gnat's chuff immediately whereas you've been able to throw eclairs down our cave all season.

He had our defence as the third best in the division last season. Just saying ....!
Title: Re: Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)
Post by: aj2k77 on March 06, 2019, 07:10:06 PM
And this season, the one which counts, it is bollocks and was left all over the shop by Bruce's utter bungling.
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