Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on September 18, 2018, 09:40:42 PM
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Yay.
Bruce extends his stay at Aston Villa
Erm...yay
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We got a win so that’s a relief and Abraham and Bolasie did well. Need to be much more incisive though.
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Rode our luck a fair bit at 1-0, delighted we won but it was a pretty bland performance against a shit side. You see glimpses of what this side is capable of going forward but the Bruce drag factor is also evident.
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Unconvincing.
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Good result and a clean sheet as well. I like the look of Abraham and Bolasie.
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Aston Villa. Like riding a bike with the brakes engaged
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What do you say really? A labored performance by the sounds of it. 2-0 win is appreciated but we are going nowhere under this man. Sorry for the negativity.
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As expected we made hard work of another very poor opponent. Can't wait to hear Bruce's interview !
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Looked alright up until we scored then the game was wretched.
Happy with the ein and clean sheet. I dislike Grealish on the left.
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As expected we made hard work of another very poor opponent. Can't wait to hear Bruce's interview !
No doubt full of not so subtle digs at anyone that dares question his "methods"
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3 points, playing like that we should be bloody grateful, no passion in this team, dour, win lose or draw you can't help feeling numb these days, SB lives to grind out another day, we aren't going up like this, there are 6 or 7, to say the least, much better teams than Villa at the moment.
Win is a win....
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Predictable, poor football but a win is a win and hopefully keeps us in touch with the top in readiness for the next manager, hopefully.
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As expected we made hard work of another very poor opponent. Can't wait to hear Bruce's interview !
Rotherham a tough, physical side. Had a great result the weekend which shows you how tough the championship is. Cannot take these wins for granted. Was a battle, we had that extra little quality and it showed. 1 defeat all season, it's a long, hard season. We will be there or there abouts.
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First clean sheet of the season comes when we play our most attacking lineup. Bruce has always liked his 4-4-2 and perhaps he feels that McGinn is mobile enough to allow him to play the formation in home games too. Both he and Grealish were still getting through a lot of running in the dying embers, which was good to see. I prefer Jack attacking from the centre not the left though, but he can't play central in a four.
It was typically disjointed coming forward given the amount of talent we have on the pitch. I missed the first 20 minutes which was our best spell by the sound of it. We have the players but they don't link up as they should. Bolasie did liven us up for ten minutes leading to our 2nd goal but it could just as easily have ended 1-1 as 2-0.
We need significant improvement if we're to stay the pace at the top, some of the better sides in the division are starting to click and the league will take shape in the next 2 months. Let's hope we are still 'there or thereabouts' come November.
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Positives
Abraham contributes outside of the 6 yard box.
Bolaise looked good when he came on (again)
Hourihanes best alround game for a while.
Finally a clean sheet.
Negatives
Kodjia contributed little and wtf was that attempt at a cross?
The whole thing looked very disjointed (again) and we played far too deep after we'd scored. It was almost as though we were scared of them.
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As expected we made hard work of another very poor opponent. Can't wait to hear Bruce's interview !
No doubt full of not so subtle digs at anyone that dares question his "methods"
Indeed, I can hear him now..."The only place I've seen more wet panties than H&V was pornhub".
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Looked alright up until we scored then the game was wretched.
Happy with the ein and clean sheet. I dislike Grealish on the left.
Agree, Bruce simply has to play Grealish in an ineffective position. Jack should be sitting behind Abraham - he needs to be more central and 10 yards further forward.
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Observations
We must learn to be more clinical
McGinn is so tenacious Grealish could learn a lot from him
El Ghazi anonymous
Must play with a much faster tempo
Grealish poor again
For Saturday I would start Bolasie for elghazi
I’d play Grealish in number 10 role behind Abraham and have Adomah wide. I’d drop kodj
We have to find a place for jack but he seriously needs to improve
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Positives: clean sheet, Chester getting back to normal, Dreadinak did ok, home debut goals for Tammy and Bolasie. A routine win.
Negatives: boring, crowds slipping, Bruce style, Grealish not in the game until the second sub when he moved into the centre.
A win but Laboured and unenjoyable. The magic has gone. Bruce has to go.
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Attendance anyone?
3 points welcome but really the whole performance was again very laboured and we've seen that level is nowhere near good enough to beat anyone decent in this division this season so not convinced yet.
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I’m going to be positive tonight. We are in the top six without looking anywhere near our best. Surely with McGinn Grealish Kodjia Abraham and Bolasie it’s got to click soon.
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Truly fucking awful. Very positive early on until we scored. Rotherham were on top from that point until our subs came on. We certainly didn't deserve a clean sheet. So wide open at times in that second half and downright unprofessional at other times, Kodjia the prime example. I'm more despondent after watching that to be honest.
Nyland 4 - keeper is a clown, efforts with that back pass in first half said it all
Elmo 7 - solid game defensively and fine assist for winner
Chester 6 - solid enough
Jedinak 6 - hated seeing him selected in that position but won countless headers
Hutton 5 - most of his forward runs ended up with him losing the ball and poor defensively again
El Ghazi 4 - started ok but disappeared
Hourihane 7 - outstanding in first half but midfield partnership with McGinn won't ever work
McGinn 6 - grand going forward but bit like Hourihane is far too easy to get past defensively.
Grealish 7 - worked a lot harder than last weekend, involved in both goals. Much better
Kodjia 2 - assist aside was an utter fucking disgrace. Workrate of a pissed wino stretching out on a public park
Abraham 6 - not great, scored but touch was suspect and movement was poor
Bolasie made a big impression and is off the mark. Adamoah and Bree did fine.
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Rotherham had some big forward players so you can see why Bruce played Jedinak.
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I thought Grealish, McGinn and Hourihane were great tonight. Jedinak was solid too.
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You can, but we could play Bayern Munchkin and Jedinak would still start.
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3 points granted. Two decent goals but that was pretty dire to watch and at one stage it had the makings of another 1-1. A long way from clicking into gear and we're still no closer to knowing what formation we're good at let alone who might be the best XI.
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We're gonna win the league. Bruce must stay. That is all
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Attendance: 27,991
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnZ35U0X4AIeF9E.jpg)
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Truly fucking awful. Very positive early on until we scored. Rotherham were on top from that point until our subs came on. We certainly didn't deserve a clean sheet. So wide open at times in that second half and downright unprofessional at other times, Kodjia the prime example. I'm more despondent after watching that to be honest.
Nyland 4 - keeper is a clown, efforts with that back pass in first half said it all
Elmo 7 - solid game defensively and fine assist for winner
Chester 6 - solid enough
Jedinak 6 - hated seeing him selected in that position but won countless headers
Hutton 5 - most of his forward runs ended up with him losing the ball and poor defensively again
El Ghazi 4 - started ok but disappeared
Hourihane 7 - outstanding in first half but midfield partnership with McGinn won't ever work
McGinn 6 - grand going forward but bit like Hourihane is far too easy to get past defensively.
Grealish 7 - worked a lot harder than last weekend, involved in both goals. Much better
Kodjia 2 - assist aside was an utter fucking disgrace. Workrate of a pissed wino stretching out on a public park
Abraham 6 - not great, scored but touch was suspect and movement was poor
Bolasie made a big impression and is off the mark. Adamoah and Bree did fine.
Kodija a discrace? Seriously? Apart from that dumb attempt at a cross, he's was strong, quick and tenacious
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I’m going to be positive tonight. We are in the top six without looking anywhere near our best. Surely with McGinn Grealish Kodjia Abraham and Bolasie it’s got to click soon.
Page 4 of the Steve Bruce coaching manual.
The first 3 pages are waffling on about how many promotions he's won.
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The new owners have breathed life into the club you know.
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Good to get the three points but Christ, we are so pedestrian and predictable.
Positives Abraham and Bolassie.
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Sky highlights (https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/competitions/championship/11501808/aston-villa-2-0-rotherham)
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Can't read too much into it. Needed the win and got it
Don't like 442 really. There was lots of side to side and then punts from the full back down the line
But it does give you more threat when you manage to get it forward
Its all very well saying grealish has to play centrally but he can't in a 442
Positive first half hour
For a period in the second half it was dreadful
Last 20 mins showed glimpses of the potential of this side - especially Bolasie
Don't agree that Kodjia was a disgrace. Assist apart he was was quite poor though
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Sky highlights (https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/competitions/championship/11501808/aston-villa-2-0-rotherham)
Blimey, they were concise.
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It won't click against anyone decent imo as 2/3 of those attacking players will be asked to track back constantly.
Let's hope at least we can get back to consistantly beating the bottom 8 teams to keep us in contention as already we have failed to beat Ipswich and Reading which isn't great.
Saving grace is championship is much weaker than last year. Leeds are a good team but not quite as good as Wolves and all the others look like they'll drop plenty of points so 2nd-6th could be lower points this season than last.
I still think we'll have a new manager by the time December comes around.
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The first goal shows just how effective quick, one-touch play around the box can be. Far too often we see the likes of Kodjia, Greaish and Adomah fannying around trying to get themselves or others into a 'guaranteed goal' position. They don't exist! Move it around quickly and the space will appear.
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Pretty easy that. The two goalscorers looked good, as did McGinn. Not too much bother at the back. That'll do. Rotherham are pish but you can only beat what's in front of you.
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Did ok for the first 30 minutes with some decent link up between the front two.
After that it was largely what we're used to and we reverted to type; slow, pedestrian, no tempo and just downright boring to watch. I just want to see us go at a team for the whole game or at least the majority of it. If we'd upped the tempo we'd have scored 4 or 5 because Rotherham were dreadful.
We look a million miles away from automatic promotion contenders though playing like that.
Abraham and Bolasie look positive.
McGinn is a baller and head and shoulders above Grealish so far this season.
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Did anyone else hear the sheer arrogance of Bruce on WM after the game?
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Bruce’s post match interview on WM on the way home has wound me up; sarcastically saying “I obviously don’t know what I’m doing” and people who think Jedinak isn’t a CB don’t know what they’re on about. Also, we played well at Blackburn apparently.
I think PWS said if we win tonight, Bruce will act the twat post-match. He was spot on.
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The first goal shows just how effective quick, one-touch play around the box can be. Far too often we see the likes of Kodjia, Greaish and Adomah fannying around trying to get themselves or others into a 'guaranteed goal' position. They don't exist! Move it around quickly and the space will appear.
Slow tempo and too many touches are, for me, the classic signs of poor coaching. No one wants to be the one to give the ball away or waste a chance so they look for guarantees. Once a player hits a purple patch ( like adomah last year) that fear goes and they start taking the chances but it's usually temporary.
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First half was ok, without being enthralling.
By 80 mins I thought we were going to bore our way to a 1-0 but Bolasie lifted the mood a little with his goal.
A win is a win and we’ll take it any day.
But let’s not forget the quality of the opposition, and unfortunately at times we made them look very decent.
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
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Bruce’s post match interview on WM on the way home has wound me up; sarcastically saying “I obviously don’t know what I’m doing” and people who think Jedinak isn’t a CB don’t know what they’re on about. Also, we played well at Blackburn apparently.
I think PWS said if we win tonight, Bruce will act the twat post-match. He was spot on.
He's setting himself up for some horrendous stick on Saturday if we do anything but win. The guy can't help himself, can't wait for the trigger to be pulled.
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AVTV post-match interview is the usual bull, though at the end he can't help himself and has a go at "the local newspaper for it's nonsense and negativity". That's them told !
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
For me he is getting very, very close to O'Leary. Very close. Wanker
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Post match interview
https://www.facebook.com/avfcofficial/videos/2227436277540509/
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I’m going to be positive tonight. We are in the top six without looking anywhere near our best. Surely with McGinn Grealish Kodjia Abraham and Bolasie it’s got to click soon.
Things don't just click. They're made to.
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Bruce’s post match interview on WM on the way home has wound me up; sarcastically saying “I obviously don’t know what I’m doing” and people who think Jedinak isn’t a CB don’t know what they’re on about. Also, we played well at Blackburn apparently.
I think PWS said if we win tonight, Bruce will act the twat post-match. He was spot on.
Yes heard that and he was pathetic. Mentioned "lot of nonsense has been said/written".
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Post match interview
https://www.facebook.com/avfcofficial/videos/2227436277540509/
Can't listen to him without wanting to smash my phone.
Bleeding Ron Manager wannabe.
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Post match interview
https://www.facebook.com/avfcofficial/videos/2227436277540509/
Forget the crap on the pitch, he shows every week in his post match interviews he just isn’t up to the job. It’s ok to be snarky, sullen, and critical when the product is good (see much of Mourinho at Chelsea, or Belickick at the Patriots) but to try pull it off when the team is so obviously disjointed and the results unflattering is a serious case of O’Leary. I can only surmise he just doesn’t get it.
Get the fuck out
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I’m going to take the positives from that - I thought Kodjia and Abraham linked up well and McGinn was superb at times. Bolassie looks a real threat and defence ( apart from the keeper) looked balanced and in control. Far from totally convincing but not as bad as some have made out. Downside is it gives a bit more time for SB to annoy us.
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That was painful once again. However McGinn was brilliant followed closely by Kodjia. Not impressed with El Ghazi but Bolasie looked a different class when he came on.
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
I still think he's a decent bloke but he's clearly been rattled by all the criticism he's been getting in the last year. It comes with managing a big club I'm afraid Steve. Lose a few games and yes it is a crisis.
What I don't understand is he played for Man. United for years and the exact same happens there when they don't win for 3-4 games so odd to me he finds it all a shock.
I would like him to save his I told you so attitude for when we actually get promoted...if he's still here of course which I doubt.
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I listened to Bruce on the radio on the way back and knew he would come out with that shite. Win 5 or 6 on the trot and maybe then you can justify giving it the Big Un.
I think he knows he's on borrowed time, but while he's still here he can call us all Drama Queens when we win at home against the likes of Rotherham.
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
I still think he's a decent bloke but he's clearly been rattled by all the criticism he's been getting in the last year. It comes with managing a big club I'm afraid Steve. Lose a few games and yes it is a crisis.
What I don't understand is he played for Man. United for years and the exact same happens there when they don't win for 3-4 games so odd to me he finds it all a shock.
I would like him to save his I told you so attitude for when we actually get promoted...if he's still here of course which I doubt.
I can't think of many occasions when they went 3-4 games without a win while Ferguson was there.
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Some good individual contributions - Jedinak, Chester, McGinn, Hourihane, Grealish, and Abraham, and Bolasie gave us a real lift when he came on - but still the team is less than the sum of its parts. A typical Bruce throw this lot on and see what they can do. Don't like Grealish as a left winger even though he played well. Any enjoyment I felt after the win was completely destroyed by Bruce's childish comments on WM on the way home. Oh, and he always likes to play 2 up top don't you know. Had me fooled but look what a difference it makes when you actually do it.
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
I still think he's a decent bloke but he's clearly been rattled by all the criticism he's been getting in the last year. It comes with managing a big club I'm afraid Steve. Lose a few games and yes it is a crisis.
What I don't understand is he played for Man. United for years and the exact same happens there when they don't win for 3-4 games so odd to me he finds it all a shock.
I would like him to save his I told you so attitude for when we actually get promoted...if he's still here of course which I doubt.
I can't think of many occasions when they went 3-4 games without a win while Ferguson was there.
More a general example, just look a few weeks back when they lost twice in a week and the press was having a field day predicting Mourinho's demise.
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I only care about what happens on the pitch. He can spout about whatever he wants, just win games Bruce.
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I’m going to take the positives from that - I thought Kodjia and Abraham linked up well and McGinn was superb at times. Bolassie looks a real threat and defence ( apart from the keeper) looked balanced and in control. Far from totally convincing but not as bad as some have made out. Downside is it gives a bit more time for SB to annoy us.
Agree and it was just nice to leave Villa Park after seeing a win. Agree about the Kodjia and Abraham partnership up front and agree that Bolasie looked a real handful when he came on. It did look a little disjointed at times and not having a naturally left footed player on the left side remains a problem as we tend to get in a lot of decent positions on that side only for players to be on their weaker foot and the delivery to be poor.
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
I still think he's a decent bloke but he's clearly been rattled by all the criticism he's been getting in the last year. It comes with managing a big club I'm afraid Steve. Lose a few games and yes it is a crisis.
What I don't understand is he played for Man. United for years and the exact same happens there when they don't win for 3-4 games so odd to me he finds it all a shock.
I would like him to save his I told you so attitude for when we actually get promoted...if he's still here of course which I doubt.
I can't think of many occasions when they went 3-4 games without a win while Ferguson was there.
More a general example, just look a few weeks back when they lost twice in a week and the press was having a field day predicting Mourinho's demise.
I take your point, but I meant that it's no surprise that he doesn't know what to do here. He's never been a big fish that's got no idea how to find a pond, big or small.
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The post match interview is a disgrace. Especially the first 30 seconds. You’ve had two seasons at this Steve and we have a centre midfielder at centre half, thrown millions at the team and still can’t pick a settled eleven or system. Getting Johnny big bollocks beating fucking Rotherham at home and having the nerve to suggest he got it right because Jedinak managed to put in a performance against league 1 standard opposition. Wanker
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Nyland -Really little to do. Made heavy going of a ridiculous back pass with his ridiculous touch .
Elmo - 1st half he made a spectacularly poor with a clearance. Yes he did provide assist. However I feel others are just as capable and he gets a whole 90 mins I like to see Bree given more than 5 mins
Chester and Jedinak negligible to extent despite the clean sheet they were up against a limited and timid attack.
Emperor Bruce raving about Jedinak is folly as Jedinak main strength against anyone is his heading ability but was hardly new Ultimately not tested in a defensive capacity.
Hutton played left back and showed so much enthusiasm and got up the pitch well . Rather have him right back . Seemed to enjoy himself tonight .
McGinn man of match display . Boundless energy , bite in tackle and drives forward .
Seems need some work on his shooting power . But a whole hearted performance think a cross between Delph and Milner and that's Mcginn.
Brilliant for Abrahams to score and Bolasie.
These 2 are class acts.
Villa started well and seemed to take foot of pedal as it was a comfortable match but a ruthless streak and finishing on final ball was needed as should have not needed a 80 odd minutes goal to decide the tie.
Grealish started off wide left as part of a 4-4-2. El Ghazi on the right.
El Ghazi finding his feet in his first evening matches I think.
There is a lot of promise there certainly in attacking sense.
Villa had enough quality players to dispose of Rotherham but it was hard work.
Well done though to Bolasie who gave everyone a lift and showed how determined he was to score .
Made my night him scoring as he's had a wretched time and he enjoyed himself .
Think at times villa were a bit flash and they knew it and Grealish and Kodija Abrahams and Bolasie better be careful this campaign as some championship chargers could be kicking them !
Up the villa pleased for win.
however there is a concern due to Bruce managing that we will not get the players and team right as if they did play to potential we storm the league.
Attacking wise alot to be excited about but I rather be hearing and having a 4-3-3 not 4-4-2 however 2 strikers today got the win so more of same I guess
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Kodjia 2 - assist aside was an utter fucking disgrace. Workrate of a pissed wino stretching out on a public park
Brontebilly, respectfully disagree.
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Yeah, that's rubbish IMO. Kodjia worked hard, and set up the crucial first goal. Some people seem to have it in for him, it always seems to happen when we have a skillful player in the last decade or so. People had a go at Young, people can't wait to have a go at Grealish.
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Pretty uninspiring.
A win is a win but they were absolutely abject and they still created as much as we did.
I don’t think that win, welcome as it was, answered any of the longer term questions over Bruce’s tenure.
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Yeah, that's rubbish IMO. Kodjia worked hard, and set up the crucial first goal. Some people seem to have it in for him, it always seems to happen when we have a skillful player in the last decade or so. People had a go at Young, people can't wait to have a go at Grealish.
Bolasie better take cover then he's the most entertaining and footy skillz of them all!
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Made harder work of it than we should have but it ended up being fairly comfortable. Elmo showed why he should be first choice right back, he was very good. Bolaisie and Abraham were also big plusses. We'll have tougher games than that but it's 3 points which is the main thing.
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Played in patches. If we could play for about 70 minutes like we played for about 7 minutes we would walk this league but most of it was dross. Kodjia can only play with himself and until he becomes a team player brings nothing to the team but Abrahams was class.
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Yeah, that's rubbish IMO. Kodjia worked hard, and set up the crucial first goal. Some people seem to have it in for him, it always seems to happen when we have a skillful player in the last decade or so. People had a go at Young, people can't wait to have a go at Grealish.
Honestly thought he looked better tonight with Abraham up there with him as a strike partner. I thought they linked up well when he came on in the closing stages against Blackburn and thought they did pretty well again tonight.
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Agreed. Hopefully the Teflon Tater will be brave enough to stick with two up front when we play more established opponents and maybe even, whisper it, when we play away from home!
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Assist aside Kodjia was dire. That unnecessary rabona attempt acting like he just scored a hat-trick summed up everything about his attitude for me. This guy likes to play at one nonchalant style, he barely breaks a sweat and 90% of the time he's operating in third gear.
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About as routine a win as you'll see, which appears to have traumaisted and devastated a few.
I'm not quite sure what utter bollocks is being spouted about Kodjia either.
The positives;
Comfortable all game;
Some neat interchange, it just wasn't for a sustained period
Two up top worked;
Abraham's and Bolasie look good players, unsurprisingly;
McGinn, a couple of forced passes not coming up off aside, continues to impress;
Kodjia worked hard especially in the channel and showed his class with the assist. Both he and Abraham have excellent quick feet.
The negatives;
I thought we took too long to move the ball on and it made us too slow against a big side sat deep;
Grealish position isn't out wide and I do wish he had a bit more conviction or selfishness to shoot;
Distribution from the full backs continues to infuriate;
El Ghazi was very quiet;
We need to sustain a tempo around the opposition box with more regularity;
Hopefully that's the end of the bad run. We'll certainly face better sides, although they don't look as desperate as 2 years ago.
We've won 1 in 6, which is desperately poor...yet we're 6th. Perhaps this league is more forgiving than the cliches suggest.
I hope Axel is back for the Wendies, even if it was clear why Jedinak started given Rotherham's solitary weapon.
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If Bruce thinks beating Rotherham at home means he knows what he’s doing there must be a lot of contenders for his job. I think I heard last night that they’ve lost 26 of their last 29 away games.
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
Yep and mine. We won and so we bloody should do.
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My only real quibble was that it took us too long to score the second which gave them encouragement to push on after half time. Once the subs were made we were back in control just as the crowd were starting to get edgy.
Grealish seemed to playing within himself, perhaps a recognition of his slow start to the season, but what he did was mostly good. The front two worked well and as they get to know each other’s game they will trouble any defence in this league.
It also looks like Bruce has been true to his word about using the squad a bit more, let’s hope that continues as there are real options now.
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We were better as soon as Grealish went back into the middle. If Kodjia can play on the left but go inside to support Abraham, we will be better balanced.
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About as routine a win as you'll see, which appears to have traumaisted and devastated a few.
I'm not quite sure what utter bollocks is being spouted about Kodjia either.
The positives;
Comfortable all game;
Some neat interchange, it just wasn't for a sustained period
Two up top worked;
Abraham's and Bolasie look good players, unsurprisingly;
McGinn, a couple of forced passes not coming up off aside, continues to impress;
Kodjia worked hard especially in the channel and showed his class with the assist. Both he and Abraham have excellent quick feet.
The negatives;
I thought we took too long to move the ball on and it made us too slow against a big side sat deep;
Grealish position isn't out wide and I do wish he had a bit more conviction or selfishness to shoot;
Distribution from the full backs continues to infuriate;
El Ghazi was very quiet;
We need to sustain a tempo around the opposition box with more regularity;
Hopefully that's the end of the bad run. We'll certainly face better sides, although they don't look as desperate as 2 years ago.
We've won 1 in 6, which is desperately poor...yet we're 6th. Perhaps this league is more forgiving than the cliches suggest.
I hope Axel is back for the Wendies, even if it was clear why Jedinak started given Rotherham's solitary weapon.
I think that is a fair summation Ads. I thought El Ghazi did OK, but it looks like he is going to need some time to settle in and get up to speed. We have plenty of options in wide areas now, so he should be afforded the time to do that.
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Truly fucking awful. Very positive early on until we scored. Rotherham were on top from that point until our subs came on. We certainly didn't deserve a clean sheet. So wide open at times in that second half and downright unprofessional at other times, Kodjia the prime example. I'm more despondent after watching that to be honest.
Nyland 4 - keeper is a clown, efforts with that back pass in first half said it all
Elmo 7 - solid game defensively and fine assist for winner
Chester 6 - solid enough
Jedinak 6 - hated seeing him selected in that position but won countless headers
Hutton 5 - most of his forward runs ended up with him losing the ball and poor defensively again
El Ghazi 4 - started ok but disappeared
Hourihane 7 - outstanding in first half but midfield partnership with McGinn won't ever work
McGinn 6 - grand going forward but bit like Hourihane is far too easy to get past defensively.
Grealish 7 - worked a lot harder than last weekend, involved in both goals. Much better
Kodjia 2 - assist aside was an utter fucking disgrace. Workrate of a pissed wino stretching out on a public park
Abraham 6 - not great, scored but touch was suspect and movement was poor
Bolasie made a big impression and is off the mark. Adamoah and Bree did fine.
I agree with most of your points. But Kodja "an utter fucking disgrace" I really cant agree with that. His link up play with Abraham looked very promising and he looked very lively. The attempted cross second half was laughable. Mcginn easy to get past? Can't agree with that either. He's the tenacious little fucker in midfield we've been lacking for a long time.
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Our problems stem from a couple of areas I think.
Our movement off the ball is pretty much non existent. See our inability to take a quick throw or keep possession rather than hoofing it clear. I noticed 2nd half one throw in where Bolasie ran one way then the other to take possession in space. We’ll soon have that coached out of him.
Our distribution from the back is terrible. Elmo and Hutton whilst sound defensively don’t help us going forward. Elmo to hesitant to get further forward which is disappointing as you can see from the 2nd goal he has the crossing ability when further forward. Hutton keen to get forward but not being left footed limited as to what he can do. Too often the full backs passed to the wingers when double marked and back to goals. This is fine if you have players moving off the ball to exploit the space which we don’t (see 1st point)
Thought Kodjia was better and seemed more willingly to pass when players were less than 30 yards off him.
A win but for Bruce to claim this as some sort of redemption or justification of his methods is laughable.
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The keeper is a clown because he struggled to control a back pass aimed at his neck?
There's lots to disagree with in that post.
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The keeper is a clown because he struggled to control a back pass aimed at his neck?
There's lots to disagree with in that post.
Yes thought he did well with that. Took a touch that took the ball away from the goal but helped keep him between the ball and the player so he could clear.
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I only care about what happens on the pitch. He can spout about whatever he wants, just win games Bruce.
I just have to disagree.A good manager will galvanize the players into a strong coherent force willing to run through brick walls for each other. I see very little evidence of that around Villa Park these days. A good manager also bonds with the supporters and unites the whole club leading them to success. I see little evidence of that either. If Steve Bruce thinks beating Rotherham at home buys him enough credits to make childish comments about the Villa park faithful he is sadly mistaken. That's setting the bar alarmingly low if he thinks that's the case. He'd better carry on winning games or he will find himself on the end of a shitstorm of abuse for antagonizing the fans needlessly. He's like a big fucking baby if you ask me and I for one have had a belly full of his nonsense both on the pitch and off it.
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^^^
Well said.
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I only care about what happens on the pitch. He can spout about whatever he wants, just win games Bruce.
I just have to disagree.A good manager will galvanize the players into a strong coherent force willing to run through brick walls for each other. I see very little evidence of that around Villa Park these days. A good manager also bonds with the supporters and unites the whole club leading them to success. I see little evidence of that either. If Steve Bruce thinks beating Rotherham at home buys him enough credits to make childish comments about the Villa park faithful he is sadly mistaken. That's setting the bar alarmingly low if he thinks that's the case. He'd better carry on winning games or he will find himself on the end of a shitstorm of abuse for antagonizing the fans needlessly. He's like a big fucking baby if you ask me and I for one have had a belly full of his nonsense both on the pitch and off it.
I totally agree with you.
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routine win but very poor at times . We have so much quality down there but would love to see it more often.
bruce always seems happy when we go 1 up to stick at that .
I thought TA and YB had great games and were a class above and jack was involved in both goals .
Lets see how good Jedi is at CB when he plays a decent team hey Bruce.
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It took me a few minutes to figure out that Bruce had not selected a defensive midfielder for this one – first time since? Ever?
The good:
It quickly became apparent why he selected Jedi at CB when you saw they had a big rough lump up front who would probably have bullied Tuanzebe. He tried it with Jedi and failed.
First 10 minutes or so it looked like we could, should and would tear the Millers a new one. It didn’t last.
Bruce actually made some attacking substitutions at 1-0 with 25 to go.
Abraham and Bolasie both scored and both looked decent.
We have some good dead ball players in Hourahan and Bolasie.
The not so good:
We never seem to play a first time pass into space for runners. We rarely have the runners allowing that, no-one busting a gut to get beyond the defence or into the space for the onward ball. Instead we take 2-3 touches, play it back across and sideways. Too slow and predicable.
The defence still looks ropey and we were somewhat lucky not to concede again.
Not leaving a player up at corners means the clearance comes straight back at us.
Overall I got the impression that this squad, well coached and with a licence to bomb forward, could tear this league up, despite the weaknesses in defence.
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The keeper is a clown because he struggled to control a back pass aimed at his neck?
There's lots to disagree with in that post.
I stopped reading at "Rotherham were on top" as I just assumed he was referring to a different game.
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I agree with everyone who has said our full backs stunt our attacks and limit us. Hutton can't kick the ball with his left foot so when he overlaps he rarely puts it across with his left and has to cut back.
Full backs are massively important in the modern game. Not for a second am I comparing us to Man City but look at how effective Walker and Mendy are in helping them control the game. They push the opposing winger back and provide an outlet. We should be controlling and dominating games in this league and our full backs should almost be a secondary winger, especially in games like last night where the opposition are poor.
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
Yep and mine. We won and so we bloody should do.
Taterz gonna hate.
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it was nice to see two strikers working together to produce that first goal. We haven't seen a goal like it under Bruce. Against the weaker teams in the division it is something he must continue to do. I thought we were very good in spells, always dominant but with only a goal in front there was always a hint of a Reading type equalizer waiting to happen. Thankfully we had Bolassie's shoulder to make it safe after some smart play with Grealish and Elmo'.
Grealish played well but he really should be sitting behind the front two not out wide.
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I was quite stunned to see this in his post match comments: "I've always wanted to play two up top and for some reason here, it hasn't really happened."
It's taken him what, 99 games to pick two up front? Amazing how he can disconnect what happens on the pitch with anything he does or doesn't do. But of course now we've dispatched the mighty Rotherham he clearly knows what he is doing and any criticism of him is nonsense. What fools we are.
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The keeper is a clown because he struggled to control a back pass aimed at his neck?
There's lots to disagree with in that post.
I stopped reading at "Rotherham were on top" as I just assumed he was referring to a different game.
I'm a sucker for punishment though. You didn't miss much.
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Nyland : 6/10 Didn't do anything wrong or have much to do
Hutton : 4/10 Such a poor footballer. No idea why he started ahead of Taylor who isn't much better but actually has a left foot
Chester : 7/10 Did his usual job despite switching sides twice during the match
Jedi : 7/10 Audible groans and anger when hearing he was starting at CB pre match. Turns out it was spot on tactics with their giant forward. Decent on both sides
Elmo : 6.5/10 Did well, being comfortable on the ball means he can offer something going forwards as well as at the back
Grealish : 6.5/10 Despite playing wide I thought it was probably his best game this season (not saying much i know) got involved at least. Black mark for the ridiculous second half step over after screaming for the ball to be given to his feet
Hourihane : 6.5/10 Did alright, more noticeable last night without going missing for large periods of the game
McGinn : 7.5/10 Like him a lot. Huffed and puffed a bit but always seems to be involved and have a second wind in him. New Championship Milner
El Ghazi : 4.5/10 Bit anonymous/lightweight. Still coming to terms with the league i'm sure
Kodjia : 6/10 Did ok, showed glimpses. Lovely through ball for Tammy's goal. Inexplicable fancy arsed and failed effort at a cross in the second half which deserved a slap
Abraham : 6.5/10 Decent. Took goal well and was generally involved. More to come
Bolasie : 7/10 Good cameo. Looking forward to seeing him start once 100%. Lovely header and a couple of decent crosses as well
Bree : 6.5/10 Looked steady, would like to see him play more but Elmo deserves to keep the RB shirt at the moment
Adomah : 6/10 Did ok
Overall thoughts ...
Was surprised we went 4-4-2 but a LOT of folks had been asking for it. Seemed to offer more threat but you lose Jack through the middle obviously. No way he could play in a middle two. Not that he's offered much through the middle this season anyway. Maybe playing from wide will be more productive. If not I just don't see how he can fit into a 4-4-2
The only way would be to drop the second striker and play him closer to Abraham, but he doesn't offer enough goal threat to play there surely?
Hats off to Bruce for the Jedi call. I was spitting feathers in the car when the team was announced. But I didn't know they had a big brute up front. So, credit where due. It worked well.
Still can't understand why Hutton started over Taylor. I'm no big fan of the latter but he's a left back. And far more comfortable on the ball than Hutton.
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I agree with everyone who has said our full backs stunt our attacks and limit us. Hutton can't kick the ball with his left foot so when he overlaps he rarely puts it across with his left and has to cut back.
Full backs are massively important in the modern game. Not for a second am I comparing us to Man City but look at how effective Walker and Mendy are in helping them control the game. They push the opposing winger back and provide an outlet. We should be controlling and dominating games in this league and our full backs should almost be a secondary winger, especially in games like last night where the opposition are poor.
Agree and they are even more important if the player in front of them is on their wrong side as well. Grealish played out on the left last night and much like Snodgrass on te right last season, he was looking to cut in on his stronger foot. This creates space outside and is where you really need a full back who can push on and provide that wide option.
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I keep hearing 4-4-2 is not best suited for us - what's wrong with 4-3-1-2?
Grealish as the 1 and a direct link to the forward 2
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I keep hearing 4-4-2 is not best suited for us - what's wrong with 4-3-1-2?
Grealish as the 1 and a direct link to the forward 2
Could work Neil, but would mean that we wouldn't really play with wide players which wouldn't be ideal seeing as we've signed a couple on loan this season.
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There was a glimpse of the right formation for about 5 mins after Kodjia went off as Grealish went central with Adomah and Bolasie wide and Abraham’s up top with Hourihane and McGinn providing the midfield energy. It looked balanced and we seemed to be holding the ball and shape really well. Then he changed it again to make his quite ridiculous defensive substitution and move everyone to different positions again.
4-2-3-1 with this set of players is the answer, or 4-3-3 if you prefer.
His 4-4-2 to start the game was ok but was soon nullified by an organised but limited Rotherham team who fair play to them kept themselves in it for 80 minutes.
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There was a glimpse of the right formation for about 5 mins after Kodjia went off as Grealish went central with Adomah and Bolasie wide and Abraham’s up top with Hourihane and McGinn providing the midfield energy. It looked balanced and we seemed to be holding the ball and shape really well. Then he changed it again to make his quite ridiculous defensive substitution and move everyone to different positions again.
4-2-3-1 with this set of players is the answer, or 4-3-3 if you prefer.
His 4-4-2 to start the game was ok but was soon nullified by an organised but limited Rotherham team who fair play to them kept themselves in it for 80 minutes.
Agree somewhat and one of the problems I saw last night was that Grealish and McGinn in particular were doing a lot of their work in deeper positions and not really hurting the opposition too much. We really need those two a bit further up the field where they can cause problems.
That would mean an eventual midfield / attacking unit of something like:
Defensive Midfielder
Grealish McGinn
Bolasie Abraham Kodjia
I like the look so far of the Abraham and Kodjia partnership and we could always switch to that if necessary.
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it was nice to see two strikers working together to produce that first goal. We haven't seen a goal like it under Bruce. Against the weaker teams in the division it is something he must continue to do. I thought we were very good in spells, always dominant but with only a goal in front there was always a hint of a Reading type equalizer waiting to happen. Thankfully we had Bolassie's shoulder to make it safe after some smart play with Grealish and Elmo'.
Grealish played well but he really should be sitting behind the front two not out wide.
But you then have to play a diamond or 352.
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I keep hearing 4-4-2 is not best suited for us - what's wrong with 4-3-1-2?
Grealish as the 1 and a direct link to the forward 2
Works for Grealish and possibly the front two. But you can't play wingers and you need attacking full backs.
I like this formation but I don't think Bruce has ever really played it. Its quite hard to get right - the risk is it's incredibly narrow
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
Yep and mine. We won and so we bloody should do.
Taterz gonna hate.
A chip on both shoulders.
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it was nice to see two strikers working together to produce that first goal. We haven't seen a goal like it under Bruce. Against the weaker teams in the division it is something he must continue to do. I thought we were very good in spells, always dominant but with only a goal in front there was always a hint of a Reading type equalizer waiting to happen. Thankfully we had Bolassie's shoulder to make it safe after some smart play with Grealish and Elmo'.
Grealish played well but he really should be sitting behind the front two not out wide.
But you then have to play a diamond or 352.
Diamond might be interesting, but not sure either Hutton or Taylor would be suited to play full-back in that system and again we would have to leave out our wide players.
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it was nice to see two strikers working together to produce that first goal. We haven't seen a goal like it under Bruce. Against the weaker teams in the division it is something he must continue to do. I thought we were very good in spells, always dominant but with only a goal in front there was always a hint of a Reading type equalizer waiting to happen. Thankfully we had Bolassie's shoulder to make it safe after some smart play with Grealish and Elmo'.
Grealish played well but he really should be sitting behind the front two not out wide.
But you then have to play a diamond or 352.
Diamond might be interesting, but not sure either Hutton or Taylor would be suited to play full-back in that system and again we would have to leave out our wide players.
He has bought too many wide midfielders to play a diamond.
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If Bruce thinks beating Rotherham at home means he knows what he’s doing there must be a lot of contenders for his job. I think I heard last night that they’ve lost 26 of their last 29 away games.
I'd imagine that's only in division 2 as I can't see them getting promoted last season with that record.
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
I still think he's a decent bloke but he's clearly been rattled by all the criticism he's been getting in the last year. It comes with managing a big club I'm afraid Steve. Lose a few games and yes it is a crisis.
What I don't understand is he played for Man. United for years and the exact same happens there when they don't win for 3-4 games so odd to me he finds it all a shock.
I would like him to save his I told you so attitude for when we actually get promoted...if he's still here of course which I doubt.
There is a massive difference between playing for a big club and managing a big club. He was pretty solid, consistent, successful and liked at United during a mostly successful period for the club and when things went wrong he probably got an easier ride from the fans than some of his less consistent or less liked team mates. Managing a big club, especially one where the fans have had almost a decade of disappointment and are languishing in the Championship for the third season running is pressure unlike any he has known previously as a player or manager and it is showing in his comments and behaviour.
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I keep hearing 4-4-2 is not best suited for us - what's wrong with 4-3-1-2?
Grealish as the 1 and a direct link to the forward 2
Works for Grealish and possibly the front two. But you can't play wingers and you need attacking full backs.
I like this formation but I don't think Bruce has ever really played it. Its quite hard to get right - the risk is it's incredibly narrow
Why not 4 2 3 1
keeper
Elmo Tuanzebe Chester Adomah
McGinn Hourihane
Grealish
Kodja Abraham Bolasie
That would have quite a few attacking options!!!
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Bruce with his ‘dish it out after an unconvincing win’ bollocks is fast becoming my least favourite manager of recent years.
I still think he's a decent bloke but he's clearly been rattled by all the criticism he's been getting in the last year. It comes with managing a big club I'm afraid Steve. Lose a few games and yes it is a crisis.
What I don't understand is he played for Man. United for years and the exact same happens there when they don't win for 3-4 games so odd to me he finds it all a shock.
I would like him to save his I told you so attitude for when we actually get promoted...if he's still here of course which I doubt.
There is a massive difference between playing for a big club and managing a big club. He was pretty solid, consistent, successful and liked at United during a mostly successful period for the club and when things went wrong he probably got an easier ride from the fans than some of his less consistent or less liked team mates. Managing a big club, especially one where the fans have had almost a decade of disappointment and are languishing in the Championship for the third season running is pressure unlike any he has known previously as a player or manager and it is showing in his comments and behaviour.
He also worked under a proper manager who insulated players from a lot of the bollocks and kept all the handbags behind closed doors, rather than chucking them under the bus at the first sign of trouble.
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Why not 4 2 3 1
keeper
Elmo Tuanzebe Chester Adomah
McGinn Hourihane
Grealish
Kodja Abraham Bolasie
That would have quite a few attacking options!!!
Adomah at left back ? i'll have a pint of what you're drinking sir
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The keeper is a clown because he struggled to control a back pass aimed at his neck?
There's lots to disagree with in that post.
I stopped reading at "Rotherham were on top" as I just assumed he was referring to a different game.
Yep nonsense.
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who said Rotherham were on top ? :o
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There was a glimpse of the right formation for about 5 mins after Kodjia went off as Grealish went central with Adomah and Bolasie wide and Abraham’s up top with Hourihane and McGinn providing the midfield energy. It looked balanced and we seemed to be holding the ball and shape really well. Then he changed it again to make his quite ridiculous defensive substitution and move everyone to different positions again.
4-2-3-1 with this set of players is the answer, or 4-3-3 if you prefer.
His 4-4-2 to start the game was ok but was soon nullified by an organised but limited Rotherham team who fair play to them kept themselves in it for 80 minutes.
Rotherham changed their shape at half time and took over the game. An equaliser seemed certain but they missed their golden chance with that header. We were so poor it was embarrassing, wide open from counter attacks, McGinn was very lucky to get away with a pass that they intercepted but failed to break on. Only when Bolasie and Adamoah came on and our shape changed, did we settle at all.
Hourihane and McGinn particularly are fine footballers but we won't get away with those as a two against any reasonable side in the division. Rotherham gave them the freedom of the park in the first half and they dominated. Richie Towell was the dominant midfielder in the second, no one tracking him.
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Took over the game? Lololol
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they threw the Towell in
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Took over the game? Lololol
Yep, I thought that was quite a strange take on the second half. They had a couple of chances, that's it.
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They had 1 less shot than us so while they didn't take control it also wasn't the stroll that's been made out either.
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To be completely fair, they had one chance which, from the camera angle, looked in, and another one that hit the side netting. Other than that, it's no big deal that the away side get a couple of chances during the game, no matter how poor they are overall. Villa had a quiet spell for 15 minutes but then came back to life and dominated possession for the rest of the game. I thought McGinn and Jedinak played well and Chester looks back on song. I also see the keeper took some stick for the backpass!! WTF was he supposed to do with it? Better shape when Grealish went inside and we started to pick up the pace.
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the longer it went on the more I worried , we needed a rocket up our arse 2nd half . it was so slow and ponderous . A better team than Rotherham would have taken the initiative
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I only care about what happens on the pitch. He can spout about whatever he wants, just win games Bruce.
I just have to disagree.A good manager will galvanize the players into a strong coherent force willing to run through brick walls for each other. I see very little evidence of that around Villa Park these days. A good manager also bonds with the supporters and unites the whole club leading them to success. I see little evidence of that either. If Steve Bruce thinks beating Rotherham at home buys him enough credits to make childish comments about the Villa park faithful he is sadly mistaken. That's setting the bar alarmingly low if he thinks that's the case. He'd better carry on winning games or he will find himself on the end of a shitstorm of abuse for antagonizing the fans needlessly. He's like a big fucking baby if you ask me and I for one have had a belly full of his nonsense both on the pitch and off it.
I take your points but that's not quite what I meant. I don't care what he says, it is bollox most of the time.
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Started off at a good pace -we might have scored three in the first five minutes. Two strikers was a much-needed statement of intent.
Faded a bit, then scored a good goal, then faded out again.
Sloth-like approach to the second half, until Yannick livened things up with some good crosses.
Good to see Grealish involved with both goals.
Couldn't believe it when I found out Jedi had been picked at the back, but it made sense against these, and he had a decent game.