Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Dave on March 09, 2021, 09:25:43 AM
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Friday March 12th, 8pm
Should really be winning this comfortably, with or without Jack.
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Last chance for a result to give us momentum to finish in a European place as the hard games come most weeks for the rest of the season after this one.
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Given the way this season has gone, any notion of this being straightforward is rather fanciful but we do need to make games such as this routine at some point.
They are poor enough for the presence of Jack not to be a factor as stated above and we have shown that we can play good attacking football without him in patches, maybe we need to colour that in.
2-4
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1-3
Ollie, McGinn, Clark OG.
Ollie woodwork x 2
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2-0.
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Newcastle Nil please Villa
0-2 McGinn and Watkins
UTV
The Doc
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Think we are turning a corner and will win this even without Jack. 0-2 Watkins and McGinn.
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Villa win but we need to have maximum effort despite how poor they are. Given up predicting the score but at the moment 1-0 will do
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No excuse for this, we have to five old Spud a good going over, they are shit.
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Just win Villa, please
Team
Martinez
Cash Konsa Mings Targett
Luiz
Sanson Mcginn
Traore Watkins ElGhazi
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We've got to be winning this surely.
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No Wilson, no ASM, no Almiron, and Bruce still in charge?
You'll not need a 'keeper on the pitch, let alone Grealish.
Honestly, we went to West Brom, who've the worst defence in the league, without a striker starting. We waited until deep into the second half before bringing on Gayle, then didn't play him as the striker, then gave Andy Carroll 180 seconds to magic something out his arse.
Bruce is without a doubt, the worst football manager I've seen at my club in over 30yrs watching them. Worse than Ardilles, Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder (RIP), Allardyce, Kinnear, Pardew, McClaren(FFS). He's maybe, MAYBE better than John Carver, but that's it.
We can't defend well, don't control the ball, and don't create chances as a team. We've relied on individuals way too much.
Of course, it's not Bruce's fault, what with self-inflicted injury crises, the press being negative by accurately reporting our malaise, the fans making St James' toxic by saying means things about him on twitter, the players fault for not being telepathic.
honestly, I've no idea what the profanity filter on here is like, but I swear I could break it.
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Always thought Dalglish was a decent manager. Probably based on the fact he always used to seem to be winning the league when I was a nipper!
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Always thought Dalglish was a decent manager. Probably based on the fact he always used to seem to be winning the league when I was a nipper!
Took a genuine title challenging side and turned them into immediate midtable plodders. Sold Beardsley, Clark, Ginola, Ferdinand etc, brought in ageing players like Ian Rush, John Barnes and stuart Pearce, oh and Jon-Dahl Tomasson.
I get that a new manager might want to stamp his personality on the team, but we just needed tweaks here and there, not an overhaul. The football was poor, on the whole, and it was no surprise he got the boot when he did.
Never really took to the club, nor us to him.
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No Wilson, no ASM, no Almiron, and Bruce still in charge?
You'll not need a 'keeper on the pitch, let alone Grealish.
Honestly, we went to West Brom, who've the worst defence in the league, without a striker starting. We waited until deep into the second half before bringing on Gayle, then didn't play him as the striker, then gave Andy Carroll 180 seconds to magic something out his arse.
Bruce is without a doubt, the worst football manager I've seen at my club in over 30yrs watching them. Worse than Ardilles, Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder (RIP), Allardyce, Kinnear, Pardew, McClaren(FFS). He's maybe, MAYBE better than John Carver, but that's it.
We can't defend well, don't control the ball, and don't create chances as a team. We've relied on individuals way too much.
Of course, it's not Bruce's fault, what with self-inflicted injury crises, the press being negative by accurately reporting our malaise, the fans making St James' toxic by saying means things about him on twitter, the players fault for not being telepathic.
honestly, I've no idea what the profanity filter on here is like, but I swear I could break it.
You're preaching to the converted here pal, we've seen it all with him too. I genuinely do feel for you, especially when some areswipe from a club that hasn't had to suffer him say "What do Newcastle fans expect?"
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Should really be winning this comfortably, with or without Jack.
Hello, Sheffield United match thread, old friend.
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No Wilson, no ASM, no Almiron, and Bruce still in charge?
You'll not need a 'keeper on the pitch, let alone Grealish.
Honestly, we went to West Brom, who've the worst defence in the league, without a striker starting. We waited until deep into the second half before bringing on Gayle, then didn't play him as the striker, then gave Andy Carroll 180 seconds to magic something out his arse.
Bruce is without a doubt, the worst football manager I've seen at my club in over 30yrs watching them. Worse than Ardilles, Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder (RIP), Allardyce, Kinnear, Pardew, McClaren(FFS). He's maybe, MAYBE better than John Carver, but that's it.
We can't defend well, don't control the ball, and don't create chances as a team. We've relied on individuals way too much.
Of course, it's not Bruce's fault, what with self-inflicted injury crises, the press being negative by accurately reporting our malaise, the fans making St James' toxic by saying means things about him on twitter, the players fault for not being telepathic.
honestly, I've no idea what the profanity filter on here is like, but I swear I could break it.
Yeah, we're experts in all that. It's like Groundhog Day watching his post match comments after another dismal performance from your lot. Nothing is ever his fault, and when he started his final season with us in the Championship, he effectively left us without a central defence to speak of. He'd played most of that pre-season "having a little bit of a go at" a back 5, before ditching it as soon as the season started then being surprised when we were rubbish up until the time he got sacked.
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Should really be winning this comfortably, with or without Jack.
Hello, Sheffield United match thread, old friend.
This.
I'm going to 1-0 to Newcastle with Martinez scoring a dreadful and completely avoidable own goal, 0 shots on target for them and whichever keeper they pick playing like Lev Yashin with 8 arms.
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No Wilson, no ASM, no Almiron, and Bruce still in charge?
You'll not need a 'keeper on the pitch, let alone Grealish.
Honestly, we went to West Brom, who've the worst defence in the league, without a striker starting. We waited until deep into the second half before bringing on Gayle, then didn't play him as the striker, then gave Andy Carroll 180 seconds to magic something out his arse.
Bruce is without a doubt, the worst football manager I've seen at my club in over 30yrs watching them. Worse than Ardilles, Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder (RIP), Allardyce, Kinnear, Pardew, McClaren(FFS). He's maybe, MAYBE better than John Carver, but that's it.
We can't defend well, don't control the ball, and don't create chances as a team. We've relied on individuals way too much.
Of course, it's not Bruce's fault, what with self-inflicted injury crises, the press being negative by accurately reporting our malaise, the fans making St James' toxic by saying means things about him on twitter, the players fault for not being telepathic.
honestly, I've no idea what the profanity filter on here is like, but I swear I could break it.
Yeah, we're experts in all that. It's like Groundhog Day watching his post match comments after another dismal performance from your lot. Nothing is ever his fault, and when he started his final season with us in the Championship, he effectively left us without a central defence to speak of. He'd played most of that pre-season "having a little bit of a go at" a back 5, before ditching it as soon as the season started then being surprised when we were rubbish up until the time he got sacked.
He even loaned out the young center backs. Didn't we manage one game where we played an entire back 4 of right backs? I also hold him accountable for finishing James Chester off physically as he played beyond the pain barrier to the detriment of his own health because of Bruce's defensive fuck up pre season.
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Should really be winning this comfortably, with or without Jack.
Hello, Sheffield United match thread, old friend.
After that abomination of a second half display against Wolves, I wouldn't be confident of beating anyone without Jack right now. It's all about the first goal, Newcastle get it and we will struggle.
I don't think this game will be one for the purists. Traore needs dropping anyway and Luiz was so bad I think Nakamba will have to come back in.
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Should really be winning this comfortably, with or without Jack.
Hello, Sheffield United match thread, old friend.
My thoughts exactly, been too many should win this games this season.
No idea which Villa will turn up.
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I think we will nick a 1-0 win in a dog of a game that will have the neutrals changing channels before the final whistle.
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We surely have to win this game, right? As others have said, they're bang out of form and seemingly a sitting duck, but of course we've said that before many times.
I'll say 0-2 away win.
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0-1 and scrappy as hell, but a win non the less.
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You just know Dwight Gayle will turn into a top striker for this one.
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Score first and we will fine. Dean Smith has the
Indian sign over Brucie and I think that will continue. 2-1 to the Villa.
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Other than West Brom at home this is on paper the best chance we have of a win of the games left.
Newcastle without their best 3 attacking players too.
We can't balls this up can we?
Sheff U says we can but 0-2.
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0-3 Watkins x2 and Konsa
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You're preaching to the converted here pal, we've seen it all with him too. I genuinely do feel for you, especially when some areswipe from a club that hasn't had to suffer him say "What do Newcastle fans expect?"
The usual suspects have unsurprisingly gone quiet on that now.
Savage was banging the drum for Bruce earlier in the season "He's doing as good as Benitez", "They're 6pts off Europe", etc. When it was clear that our football was terrible and soon enough our luck would run out.
I think this season has broken a lot of pundits.
Deluded Geordies, yet only wanting better than relegation fights
Cockney haters, yet not wanting a 'local' man in charge
Only happy with a big name, clamouring for the ex-Luton manager to take control
etcetera
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Yeah, we're experts in all that. It's like Groundhog Day watching his post match comments after another dismal performance from your lot. Nothing is ever his fault, and when he started his final season with us in the Championship, he effectively left us without a central defence to speak of. He'd played most of that pre-season "having a little bit of a go at" a back 5, before ditching it as soon as the season started then being surprised when we were rubbish up until the time he got sacked.
He even loaned out the young center backs. Didn't we manage one game where we played an entire back 4 of right backs? I also hold him accountable for finishing James Chester off physically as he played beyond the pain barrier to the detriment of his own health because of Bruce's defensive fuck up pre season.
That all souds eerily familiar.
I just don't understand how these lumps keep getting gigs. I often wonder if the people who own football clubs have any idea about football outside the accountants meetings? Seems fairly simple to me; hire a DoF, get him to establish an ethos for the club and have every decision made with that in mind. From the way the youth teams play/train, the corporate deals you go after, to the managers that lead out the players you've signed. Gives you a the ability to plan years into the future, play a certain way and handle anything unexpected from a solid foundation.
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1-3 win for us.
Feels time to get back on track and win and score a few and they're missing anyone decent.
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Yeah, we're experts in all that. It's like Groundhog Day watching his post match comments after another dismal performance from your lot. Nothing is ever his fault, and when he started his final season with us in the Championship, he effectively left us without a central defence to speak of. He'd played most of that pre-season "having a little bit of a go at" a back 5, before ditching it as soon as the season started then being surprised when we were rubbish up until the time he got sacked.
He even loaned out the young center backs. Didn't we manage one game where we played an entire back 4 of right backs? I also hold him accountable for finishing James Chester off physically as he played beyond the pain barrier to the detriment of his own health because of Bruce's defensive fuck up pre season.
That all souds eerily familiar.
I just don't understand how these lumps keep getting gigs. I often wonder if the people who own football clubs have any idea about football outside the accountants meetings? Seems fairly simple to me; hire a DoF, get him to establish an ethos for the club and have every decision made with that in mind. From the way the youth teams play/train, the corporate deals you go after, to the managers that lead out the players you've signed. Gives you a the ability to plan years into the future, play a certain way and handle anything unexpected from a solid foundation.
He keeps getting gigs because he is a media darling, a favourite, a friend of the press, pundits. Not one of them ever answer the questions about his awful football. Fans here still thank him for “steadying the ship” when all he did was prolong the agony.
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Yeah, we're experts in all that. It's like Groundhog Day watching his post match comments after another dismal performance from your lot. Nothing is ever his fault, and when he started his final season with us in the Championship, he effectively left us without a central defence to speak of. He'd played most of that pre-season "having a little bit of a go at" a back 5, before ditching it as soon as the season started then being surprised when we were rubbish up until the time he got sacked.
He even loaned out the young center backs. Didn't we manage one game where we played an entire back 4 of right backs? I also hold him accountable for finishing James Chester off physically as he played beyond the pain barrier to the detriment of his own health because of Bruce's defensive fuck up pre season.
That all souds eerily familiar.
I just don't understand how these lumps keep getting gigs. I often wonder if the people who own football clubs have any idea about football outside the accountants meetings? Seems fairly simple to me; hire a DoF, get him to establish an ethos for the club and have every decision made with that in mind. From the way the youth teams play/train, the corporate deals you go after, to the managers that lead out the players you've signed. Gives you a the ability to plan years into the future, play a certain way and handle anything unexpected from a solid foundation.
He keeps getting gigs because he is a media darling, a favourite, a friend of the press, pundits. Not one of them ever answer the questions about his awful football. Fans here still thank him for “steadying the ship” when all he did was prolong the agony.
100%.
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Yeah, we're experts in all that. It's like Groundhog Day watching his post match comments after another dismal performance from your lot. Nothing is ever his fault, and when he started his final season with us in the Championship, he effectively left us without a central defence to speak of. He'd played most of that pre-season "having a little bit of a go at" a back 5, before ditching it as soon as the season started then being surprised when we were rubbish up until the time he got sacked.
He even loaned out the young center backs. Didn't we manage one game where we played an entire back 4 of right backs? I also hold him accountable for finishing James Chester off physically as he played beyond the pain barrier to the detriment of his own health because of Bruce's defensive fuck up pre season.
That all souds eerily familiar.
I just don't understand how these lumps keep getting gigs. I often wonder if the people who own football clubs have any idea about football outside the accountants meetings? Seems fairly simple to me; hire a DoF, get him to establish an ethos for the club and have every decision made with that in mind. From the way the youth teams play/train, the corporate deals you go after, to the managers that lead out the players you've signed. Gives you a the ability to plan years into the future, play a certain way and handle anything unexpected from a solid foundation.
He keeps getting gigs because he is a media darling, a favourite, a friend of the press, pundits. Not one of them ever answer the questions about his awful football. Fans here still thank him for “steadying the ship” when all he did was prolong the agony.
In fairness, even Tommy Elphick, who he shat on, gave him credit for that.
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But, to qualify that, he's basically the football manager equivalent of the bloke that pours the cement into foundations, anything fancier and it's off wi' me 'ead.
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He gets jobs in the same way that every other manager gets jobs. Once you're a football manager it's easier to be employed than out of work. See also Paul Lambert, Mick McCarthy et al.
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Mick McCarthy is a decent lower league manager I think, genuine achievements on a budget compared to some of the others.
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I was reading Newcastle fans’ comments on Bruce in an article in the Athletic recently and honestly, it’s fascinating for a Villa fan to hear what they’re saying as all their gripes and accusations just sound like Groundhog Day to us.
Tactics - desperately changing the formation / system / line ups regularly meaning his teams have zero identity.
Nice guy - the media portrayal is at odds with what fans of his clubs know. His little digs about ‘the mad few / off with me head is it’ etc. Then giving it the sarcastic ‘I supposedly don’t know what I’m doing, ha !’ after we beat Rotherham at home.
Lazy - he gave Newcastle players 3 days off last week in the build up to a massive game. He’d do this regularly at Villa and also, remember how he’d fuck off to his villa in Portugal during every international break rather than working to improve things with the players left behind?
Media pals - as mentioned above. He takes journalists out for lunch so guess what, they’d never criticise a ‘proper football bloke’ like Brucie.
Excuses - ‘listen, I’m not gonna make excuses’ before then reeling off loads of excuses.
Lacking ambition - playing for draws against Sheff Utd and West Brom recently. I remember us drawing at Bristol City and Bruce saying any point away from home is a great point (despite him having the most expensively assembled squad in Championship history).
Deliberately mis quoting stats to make him sound better - remember he said don’t judge me yet I’ve only been at Villa 3 or 4 months (when he’d been here 7) and also said Jack missed 6 months of one season (it was 3). He’d do this sort of thing every week and still does.
Throw in his bullshit Brucisms - roll wor sleeves up, put wor boots, give it a good go, we’ll be there or thereabouts, it’s been one of those horrible ones.. and he’s still an expert of saying plenty without actually saying anything.
And don’t get me started on his annoying habit of talking over the interviewer before they’ve finished their question.
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He's a chancer, a fraud and, what really does for him, a really bad football manager.
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Mick McCarthy is a decent lower league manager I think, genuine achievements on a budget compared to some of the others.
Agreed.
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I was reading Newcastle fans’ comments on Bruce in an article in the Athletic recently and honestly, it’s fascinating for a Villa fan to hear what they’re saying as all their gripes and accusations just sound like Groundhog Day to us.
Tactics - desperately changing the formation / system / line ups regularly meaning his teams have zero identity.
Nice guy - the media portrayal is at odds with what fans of his clubs know. His little digs about ‘the mad few / off with me head is it’ etc. Then giving it the sarcastic ‘I supposedly don’t know what I’m doing, ha !’ after we beat Rotherham at home.
Lazy - he gave Newcastle players 3 days off last week in the build up to a massive game. He’d do this regularly at Villa and also, remember how he’d fuck off to his villa in Portugal during every international break rather than working to improve things with the players left behind?
Media pals - as mentioned above. He takes journalists out for lunch so guess what, they’d never criticise a ‘proper football bloke’ like Brucie.
Excuses - ‘listen, I’m not gonna make excuses’ before then reeling off loads of excuses.
Lacking ambition - playing for draws against Sheff Utd and West Brom recently. I remember us drawing at Bristol City and Bruce saying any point away from home is a great point (despite him having the most expensively assembled squad in Championship history).
Deliberately mis quoting stats to make him sound better - remember he said don’t judge me yet I’ve only been at Villa 3 or 4 months (when he’d been here 7) and also said Jack missed 6 months of one season (it was 3). He’d do this sort of thing every week and still does.
Throw in his bullshit Brucisms - roll wor sleeves up, put wor boots, give it a good go, we’ll be there or thereabouts, it’s been one of those horrible ones.. and he’s still an expert of saying plenty without actually saying anything.
And don’t get me started on his annoying habit of talking over the interviewer before they’ve finished their question.
Great summary!
He also does the same thing at at the start of every post-match interview.
"So Steve, signs of encouragement despite the 4-0 defeat?"
*Gives wry little smile, nods head, looks down at feet, puts head back up, cheeky smile*
"I was really pleased the way wi went about wor work."
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God this is miserable reading. It's horrible. I'd only wish him on Liverpool and Leeds in future.
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No Wilson, no ASM, no Almiron, and Bruce still in charge?
You'll not need a 'keeper on the pitch, let alone Grealish.
Honestly, we went to West Brom, who've the worst defence in the league, without a striker starting. We waited until deep into the second half before bringing on Gayle, then didn't play him as the striker, then gave Andy Carroll 180 seconds to magic something out his arse.
Bruce is without a doubt, the worst football manager I've seen at my club in over 30yrs watching them. Worse than Ardilles, Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder (RIP), Allardyce, Kinnear, Pardew, McClaren(FFS). He's maybe, MAYBE better than John Carver, but that's it.
We can't defend well, don't control the ball, and don't create chances as a team. We've relied on individuals way too much.
Of course, it's not Bruce's fault, what with self-inflicted injury crises, the press being negative by accurately reporting our malaise, the fans making St James' toxic by saying means things about him on twitter, the players fault for not being telepathic.
honestly, I've no idea what the profanity filter on here is like, but I swear I could break it.
Yeah, we're experts in all that. It's like Groundhog Day watching his post match comments after another dismal performance from your lot. Nothing is ever his fault, and when he started his final season with us in the Championship, he effectively left us without a central defence to speak of. He'd played most of that pre-season "having a little bit of a go at" a back 5, before ditching it as soon as the season started then being surprised when we were rubbish up until the time he got sacked.
He even loaned out the young center backs. Didn't we manage one game where we played an entire back 4 of right backs? I also hold him accountable for finishing James Chester off physically as he played beyond the pain barrier to the detriment of his own health because of Bruce's defensive fuck up pre season.
Loaning out Elphick and Steer was insanity. Bruce seemed to throw the budget at the likes of Bolasie in a last minute dash post takeover when there were more fundamental issues in the squad that needed rectifying.
I think a number here are forgetting the complete shit show Bruce walked into at Villa Park. His best decision at the club was exiling our main striker, a pissed up joker, and finally enforcing some discipline at the club. He also did take the club to the playoff final, should take credit for getting Grealish back on track, signed McGinn etc...So it's not all bad and I don't really understand the level of vitriol on here towards him. In terms of track record, he has a number of promotions under his belt and kept Newcastle up comfortably last season with a limited budget.
His problem has always been when he has been given money, same problem at Sunderland, Villa and Newcastle last summer. He seems to sign players without a sense of how to fit them into a game plan. Newcastle seem to have loads of centre backs, we had loads of right backs....but he wouldn't be unique in that either.
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I was reading Newcastle fans’ comments on Bruce in an article in the Athletic recently and honestly, it’s fascinating for a Villa fan to hear what they’re saying as all their gripes and accusations just sound like Groundhog Day to us.
Tactics - desperately changing the formation / system / line ups regularly meaning his teams have zero identity.
Nice guy - the media portrayal is at odds with what fans of his clubs know. His little digs about ‘the mad few / off with me head is it’ etc. Then giving it the sarcastic ‘I supposedly don’t know what I’m doing, ha !’ after we beat Rotherham at home.
Lazy - he gave Newcastle players 3 days off last week in the build up to a massive game. He’d do this regularly at Villa and also, remember how he’d fuck off to his villa in Portugal during every international break rather than working to improve things with the players left behind?
Media pals - as mentioned above. He takes journalists out for lunch so guess what, they’d never criticise a ‘proper football bloke’ like Brucie.
Excuses - ‘listen, I’m not gonna make excuses’ before then reeling off loads of excuses.
Lacking ambition - playing for draws against Sheff Utd and West Brom recently. I remember us drawing at Bristol City and Bruce saying any point away from home is a great point (despite him having the most expensively assembled squad in Championship history).
Deliberately mis quoting stats to make him sound better - remember he said don’t judge me yet I’ve only been at Villa 3 or 4 months (when he’d been here 7) and also said Jack missed 6 months of one season (it was 3). He’d do this sort of thing every week and still does.
Throw in his bullshit Brucisms - roll wor sleeves up, put wor boots, give it a good go, we’ll be there or thereabouts, it’s been one of those horrible ones.. and he’s still an expert of saying plenty without actually saying anything.
And don’t get me started on his annoying habit of talking over the interviewer before they’ve finished their question.
Made me laugh.
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If Yannick is good enough for wor Bruce, he's good enough for Colin Wanker up at the Boro.
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No Wilson, no ASM, no Almiron, and Bruce still in charge?
You'll not need a 'keeper on the pitch, let alone Grealish.
Honestly, we went to West Brom, who've the worst defence in the league, without a striker starting. We waited until deep into the second half before bringing on Gayle, then didn't play him as the striker, then gave Andy Carroll 180 seconds to magic something out his arse.
Bruce is without a doubt, the worst football manager I've seen at my club in over 30yrs watching them. Worse than Ardilles, Dalglish, Gullit, Souness, Roeder (RIP), Allardyce, Kinnear, Pardew, McClaren(FFS). He's maybe, MAYBE better than John Carver, but that's it.
We can't defend well, don't control the ball, and don't create chances as a team. We've relied on individuals way too much.
Of course, it's not Bruce's fault, what with self-inflicted injury crises, the press being negative by accurately reporting our malaise, the fans making St James' toxic by saying means things about him on twitter, the players fault for not being telepathic.
honestly, I've no idea what the profanity filter on here is like, but I swear I could break it.
So you to win this one then
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Good summary from The Fish and I know that there are others who read his post in a Geordie accent! I feel your pain mate, we've been there for a while but hope that this is the start of something special for Villa with these owners. Dean Smith normally does well against Bruce, let's hope that continues on Friday. I've gone for a draw. Do better please Villa.
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Martinez
Targett
Mings
Konsa
Elmo
Luiz
Sanson
McGinn
Grealish
Watkins
Trez
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I’d play Traore in this game for sure. Or AEG if he’s fit again. Both over Trez who hasn’t looked the same since his bout with Covid.
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Any news on when Cash will be back?
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I was reading Newcastle fans’ comments on Bruce in an article in the Athletic recently and honestly, it’s fascinating for a Villa fan to hear what they’re saying as all their gripes and accusations just sound like Groundhog Day to us.
I wonder if his son goes on Newcastle forums defending him. Fish, any recent new members on your forums going under the name of 'Stuart'?
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Hoping that my fantasy football will feature Villa winning.
Please!
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No pictures of Jack in the latest round of Villa in training pics.
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No pictures of Jack in the latest round of Villa in training pics.
Fulhm after the international break first week of April is still my guess for when he'll be back.
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Martinez
Targett
Mings
Konsa
Elmo
Luiz
Sanson
McGinn
Grealish
Watkins
Trez
This apart from the Trez role being interchangeable with either el ghazi or Traore.
3-0 villa (Watkins, Grealish, Konsa).
Not being over confident, we’re not playing that well and nothing against Newcastle in particular. But with Grealish hopefully back for us and all the players they have out, plus their form, think we’ll get a good result up there, we also haven’t won up there since Bowyer and Dyer had a punch up, so owe them one.
Bruce on the ropes afterwards I think.
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Any news on when Cash will be back?
(https://i.ibb.co/dJLGTJd/cashback1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dJLGTJd)
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Any news on when Cash will be back?
(https://i.ibb.co/dJLGTJd/cashback1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dJLGTJd)
So, are you cashing in on Cash out or are you cashing out on Cash in?
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Our recent form is as bad as theirs (two draws one win and a 2 defeats) which doesn't particularly make us favourites despite the league positions. Since our defence is generally strong and they have a lot of forwards out, them to get nil is a good bet, except Gayle often does well against us. We can't seem to score either so I reckon a dire 0-0, 0-1 or a 1-1 goal fest (relatively speaking).
As for Bruce, Fish I feel your pain and everything you said was said by us and in a Guardian article (female reporter, can't remember the name) when he was at Sunderland. He ticks every box every time at every club. Has he come out and said "who would you get who is better?" yet? The answer is pretty much anyone. In our case we went out and got Deano who got us promoted straight away, kept us there and improved us.
Of course your real issue is the owner and Bruce is only there as the cheap "keep us up" option until he finds a buyer. Problem is Bruce doesn't even look capable of that right now, which anyone who really knows his approach will not be surprised by in the slightest.
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Loaning out Elphick and Steer was insanity. Bruce seemed to throw the budget at the likes of Bolasie in a last minute dash post takeover when there were more fundamental issues in the squad that needed rectifying.
I think a number here are forgetting the complete shit show Bruce walked into at Villa Park. His best decision at the club was exiling our main striker, a pissed up joker, and finally enforcing some discipline at the club. He also did take the club to the playoff final, should take credit for getting Grealish back on track, signed McGinn etc...So it's not all bad and I don't really understand the level of vitriol on here towards him. In terms of track record, he has a number of promotions under his belt and kept Newcastle up comfortably last season with a limited budget.
His problem has always been when he has been given money, same problem at Sunderland, Villa and Newcastle last summer. He seems to sign players without a sense of how to fit them into a game plan. Newcastle seem to have loads of centre backs, we had loads of right backs....but he wouldn't be unique in that either.
Not sure I agree that he had a limited budget. We bought Joelinton (£40m), ASM (£16m), Krafth (£5m).
Bruce's issues last season have simply worsened this season. We still don't play with any identity. Are we a solid defensive unit? Are we a quick counter-attack side? Do we knock the ball around patiently? We ended up being comfortable last season, but as someone who endured the matches, it wasn't through the execution of a plan. It was individual brilliance on the part of Dubravka, or ASM. Or blind luck.
The man is a busted flush, and that would be fine, if he wasn't also a snidey little worm.
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I was reading Newcastle fans’ comments on Bruce in an article in the Athletic recently and honestly, it’s fascinating for a Villa fan to hear what they’re saying as all their gripes and accusations just sound like Groundhog Day to us.
I wonder if his son goes on Newcastle forums defending him. Fish, any recent new members on your forums going under the name of 'Stuart'?
Hah, none that I've noticed. But Alex did pipe up on twitter after one of our unlikely wins, deliberately winding up the fans.
Look, I don't think anybody deserves some of the abuse that's gone his way, but Steve Bruce is making a rod for his own back with some of his own comments about the fans. Saying it's histrionics, dismissing criticism as the work of keyboard warriors, blaming the negativity on social media for the poor performances... Of course he's going to get vitriol, I mean of course he is.
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The man is a busted flush, and that would be fine, if he wasn't also a snidey little worm.
He was that a long, long time ago.
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These are the games that Villa should be winning, but....y'know......it's Villa
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Our recent form is as bad as theirs (two draws one win and a 2 defeats) which doesn't particularly make us favourites despite the league positions. Since our defence is generally strong and they have a lot of forwards out, them to get nil is a good bet, except Gayle often does well against us. We can't seem to score either so I reckon a dire 0-0, 0-1 or a 1-1 goal fest (relatively speaking).
As for Bruce, Fish I feel your pain and everything you said was said by us and in a Guardian article (female reporter, can't remember the name) when he was at Sunderland. He ticks every box every time at every club. Has he come out and said "who would you get who is better?" yet? The answer is pretty much anyone. In our case we went out and got Deano who got us promoted straight away, kept us there and improved us.
Of course your real issue is the owner and Bruce is only there as the cheap "keep us up" option until he finds a buyer. Problem is Bruce doesn't even look capable of that right now, which anyone who really knows his approach will not be surprised by in the slightest.
Louise Taylor, I think you mean? Yeah, it's all just a little bit of history repeating. (tell me you don't have that song in your head now).
He hasn't yet said that, but, there's a local lad coaching at the club who's getting all the praise for the slight improvements we've seen in style, if Graeme Jones could do half as well as Smith I'd be delighted.
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Agree Fish, there is no method beyond defend deep, try and nick one, if you go behind throw on a few subs in the second half and have a right good go.
He rarely turned up at the Training Ground so there was no tactical plan.
Same bollocks every week and sometimes the team would win despite him.
Nothing will change for your club until the cockney wide boy pisses off.
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I was reading Newcastle fans’ comments on Bruce in an article in the Athletic recently and honestly, it’s fascinating for a Villa fan to hear what they’re saying as all their gripes and accusations just sound like Groundhog Day to us.
I wonder if his son goes on Newcastle forums defending him. Fish, any recent new members on your forums going under the name of 'Stuart'?
Hah, none that I've noticed. But Alex did pipe up on twitter after one of our unlikely wins, deliberately winding up the fans.
Look, I don't think anybody deserves some of the abuse that's gone his way, but Steve Bruce is making a rod for his own back with some of his own comments about the fans. Saying it's histrionics, dismissing criticism as the work of keyboard warriors, blaming the negativity on social media for the poor performances... Of course he's going to get vitriol, I mean of course he is.
Yet more boxes ticked from his time here. Word for word, mostly.
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I was reading Newcastle fans’ comments on Bruce in an article in the Athletic recently and honestly, it’s fascinating for a Villa fan to hear what they’re saying as all their gripes and accusations just sound like Groundhog Day to us.
I wonder if his son goes on Newcastle forums defending him. Fish, any recent new members on your forums going under the name of 'Stuart'?
Hah, none that I've noticed. But Alex did pipe up on twitter after one of our unlikely wins, deliberately winding up the fans.
Look, I don't think anybody deserves some of the abuse that's gone his way, but Steve Bruce is making a rod for his own back with some of his own comments about the fans. Saying it's histrionics, dismissing criticism as the work of keyboard warriors, blaming the negativity on social media for the poor performances... Of course he's going to get vitriol, I mean of course he is.
Yet more boxes ticked from his time here. Word for word, mostly.
Yeah, this board is more like a survivor support group for Mr Fish.
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I recall Newcastle shithousing a win at Spurs right at the beginning of Bruce's reign and all his media chums barking on about him having proved the doubters wrong, hardly a considered opinion.
It reminded me of Wenger after beating Barcelona at home in the first leg of a CL tie he couldn't hold back about how they had proved they could not only match, but beat the best and it shut a few people up.
They lost the second leg and went out of the competition.
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I'm willing to bet no Grealish again. Sanson has to play, El Ghazi too. Not fussed about Traore, Luiz or McGinn they all seem to be more miss than hit at the moment. Has Barkley fallen that far down the pecking order now?
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I recall Newcastle shithousing a win at Spurs right at the beginning of Bruce's reign and all his media chums barking on about him having proved the doubters wrong, hardly a considered opinion.
It reminded me of Wenger after beating Barcelona at home in the first leg of a CL tie he couldn't hold back about how they had proved they could not only match, but beat the best and it shut a few people up.
They lost the second leg and went out of the competition.
I'm willing to bet that this is the first and last time that Bruce was ever compared to Wenger!
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Bruce is a journeyman manager. He had six years at Small Heath that is generally looked upon kindly by the media but included a relegation. He had four years at Hull that is looked upon kindly by the media but included a relegation. He hasn't really stayed anywhere else long enough to really make a big impression. I will credit him with arresting the decline of Villa and getting us to the play off final in which he/we were unlucky. The manner in which he recruited and selected players in his latter months at Villa could be fairly described as
scattergun. The quick impact Dean Smith made with what Bruce left him makes Smith look good and Bruce not so good. I can remember even when Small Heath were doing okay under Bruce the noses in my local were never entirely convinced about him.
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And all of this is made more frustrating for Newcastle fans by the defence of their manager in the media. How Bruce is hard done by. He took over a difficult situation and has done a great job. No doubt “they hate him because he managed Sunderland” just like they did it to us because he managed that lot.
Fans see through all that is Steve Bruce. He’ll do just about enough for long enough not to get fired until eventually he does or he walks out to another job. For the fans whatever happens, having Steve Bruce will feel like an eternity and death by a thousand paper cuts.
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No pictures of Jack in the latest round of Villa in training pics.
or Watkins.
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Agree Fish, there is no method beyond defend deep, try and nick one, if you go behind throw on a few subs in the second half and have a right good go.
He rarely turned up at the Training Ground so there was no tactical plan.
Same bollocks every week and sometimes the team would win despite him.
Nothing will change for your club until the cockney wide boy pisses off.
You're not wrong. Honestly, we were so excited about the prospect of a takeover, it didn't even matter that the new owners were actual murderers. That's still rumbling on in the background, but the desperation for a takeover wasn't a desperation for the Saudis. If some faceless US investor with actual money in the bank wanted to buy us from Ashley, we'd be just as excited. Newcastle fans were conflicted about the KSA deal, but so eager to see the back of the man who's turned us from a regular European team, into a regular relegation team.
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No pictures of Jack in the latest round of Villa in training pics.
or Watkins.
*Shudders*
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Nothing will change for your club until the cockney wide boy pisses off.
Him's a yam-yam originally.
"Michael James Wallace Ashley is a British billionaire retail entrepreneur focused in the sporting goods market, and the chief executive of Frasers Group Plc. He entered the department store industry following the acquisition of House of Fraser post-administration in 2018. Wikipedia
Born: 9 September 1964 (age 56 years), Walsall"
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Nothing will change for your club until the cockney wide boy pisses off.
Him's a yam-yam originally.
"Michael James Wallace Ashley is a British billionaire retail entrepreneur focused in the sporting goods market, and the chief executive of Frasers Group Plc. He entered the department store industry following the acquisition of House of Fraser post-administration in 2018. Wikipedia
Born: 9 September 1964 (age 56 years), Walsall"
my god, cowineck cheers
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Not sure what Wednesday fans must think of their owners who managed to appoint Bruce and then Pulis in the space of a year or so. Has Randy or Shit-shoes Tone secretly bought them?
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Not sure what Wednesday fans must think of their owners who managed to appoint Bruce and then Pulis in the space of a year or so. Has Randy or Shit-shoes Tone secretly bought them?
Wendy's fans generally rated Bruce and were gutted when he dumped them
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Not sure what Wednesday fans must think of their owners who managed to appoint Bruce and then Pulis in the space of a year or so. Has Randy or Shit-shoes Tone secretly bought them?
Wendy's fans generally rated Bruce and were gutted when he dumped them
Well I'm not sure they realise what a lucky scape they had - that said given the ineptitude of those who followed, maybe they should be disappointed he went. Bottom half to middle of Champo is about his level.
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Grealish, Watkins, Traore, El Ghazi all missing from the latest training session. Just saying’.
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Grealish, Watkins, Traore, El Ghazi all missing from the latest training session. Just saying’.
Perhaps the rain is interfering with their electric gates?
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I thought I saw Watkins set-up a goal for Ramsey.
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Yeah, it's all just a little bit of history repeating.
Shirley!
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Loaning out Elphick and Steer was insanity. Bruce seemed to throw the budget at the likes of Bolasie in a last minute dash post takeover when there were more fundamental issues in the squad that needed rectifying.
I think a number here are forgetting the complete shit show Bruce walked into at Villa Park. His best decision at the club was exiling our main striker, a pissed up joker, and finally enforcing some discipline at the club. He also did take the club to the playoff final, should take credit for getting Grealish back on track, signed McGinn etc...So it's not all bad and I don't really understand the level of vitriol on here towards him. In terms of track record, he has a number of promotions under his belt and kept Newcastle up comfortably last season with a limited budget.
His problem has always been when he has been given money, same problem at Sunderland, Villa and Newcastle last summer. He seems to sign players without a sense of how to fit them into a game plan. Newcastle seem to have loads of centre backs, we had loads of right backs....but he wouldn't be unique in that either.
Not sure I agree that he had a limited budget. We bought Joelinton (£40m), ASM (£16m), Krafth (£5m).
Bruce's issues last season have simply worsened this season. We still don't play with any identity. Are we a solid defensive unit? Are we a quick counter-attack side? Do we knock the ball around patiently? We ended up being comfortable last season, but as someone who endured the matches, it wasn't through the execution of a plan. It was individual brilliance on the part of Dubravka, or ASM. Or blind luck.
The man is a busted flush, and that would be fine, if he wasn't also a snidey little worm.
Was Joelinton pretty much signed before Bruce even arrived? Terrible player in any case (probably get a hat trick now!). ASM is a brilliant player and to be fair to Bruce losing him for lots of games was a huge blow for you guys.
But I think too much can be made of playing with an identity. Last season, it could be argued that we did but it took a bit of a miracle for us to stay up. If anything Brighton could be sleepwalking into something similar, play nice football, high on xG etc but not on the only stat that really matters, results. Mowbrays West Brom were big on an identity if I recall, I'm sure it comforted them in the championship!
A question for you on Shelvey, who is a player that really irritates me whenever I watch him. How is his lack of work rate without the ball tolerated? He reminds me of Barkley, clearly has ability but to my eye seems like he thinks grafting is for others.
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No pictures of Jack in the latest round of Villa in training pics.
or Watkins.
It's OK, Wesley is back...
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Regards playing with an identity I would think that equates to the team looking as if there is a plan behind what they are asked to do and looking as if they have been coached to deliver on that plan.
With Bruce the only "plan" seems to be "keep it tight and hope that <insert skilful player name> comes up with a bit of magic to nick it".
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Think this will be an easy one. Early goal then it'll be comfortable until the final whistle.
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Regards playing with an identity I would think that equates to the team looking as if there is a plan behind what they are asked to do and looking as if they have been coached to deliver on that plan.
With Bruce the only "plan" seems to be "keep it tight and hope that <insert skilful player name> comes up with a bit of magic to nick it".
Agreed. And there is an identity to his tactics it's known as Bruceball. Who can forget his groundbreaking 4 right backs formation? Cutting edge stuff. And his post match conference after we had beaten mighty Rotherham where he bragged "according to some I apparently don't know what I'm doing" Seriously though I feel for the Geordies because he won't walk unless an unlikely lucrative offer comes his way. He'll hang in for yet another big pay off for failure which Mike Ashley who is equally stubborn won't want to do. So it's stalemate really. Like two rutting rhinos and Bruceosaurus is good at sticking his ground.
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Grealish out tomorrow, been ill this week apparently.
Cash and El Ghazi back.
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Wonder which manager has been sacked by league clubs the most? Bruce and TSM2 must be both up there.
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I watched their game against Sandwell last week and they were awful, as were Sandwell actually. A game we should be winning.
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After Sheffield Utd I am not taking anything for granted.
Bottom line is, if they manage to score first I dont fancy our chances against anyone.
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We need to build on last week's first half performance. If we play like that for the full game, it should be a good watch.
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Jack's out, and our other wide players are all mostly crap, so I think we're in for a terrible 0-0.
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Was Joelinton pretty much signed before Bruce even arrived? Terrible player in any case (probably get a hat trick now!). ASM is a brilliant player and to be fair to Bruce losing him for lots of games was a huge blow for you guys.
But I think too much can be made of playing with an identity. Last season, it could be argued that we did but it took a bit of a miracle for us to stay up. If anything Brighton could be sleepwalking into something similar, play nice football, high on xG etc but not on the only stat that really matters, results. Mowbrays West Brom were big on an identity if I recall, I'm sure it comforted them in the championship!
A question for you on Shelvey, who is a player that really irritates me whenever I watch him. How is his lack of work rate without the ball tolerated? He reminds me of Barkley, clearly has ability but to my eye seems like he thinks grafting is for others.
Yeah, Scouts recommended Joelinton, but at half the price, Benitez said he'd rather spend the money elsewhere, (we had Rondon e.g.). Bruce claims he signed off on all transfers. £40m could have paid for RB, Rondon, and still £20m to buy a central midfielder of some quality.
Get what you're saying, but the way I see it there's 3 ways to get points; score more than them, keep the ball so they can't score, or defend well so they don't score. We don't do any of those things well. Under Hughton, we were pretty boring, but we defended well. Under Pardew we might have been streaky as fuck, but we created loads of chances.
I'd rather have either of them over Bruce.
Shelvey is a diva. Yes, he can pick off a fly's nutsack from 60yds. But only if he's got an hour and a mile to do it in. He mopes around the pitch, shirks the defensive side of the game, and gives away stupid freekicks for lazy/snidey fouls. Benitez sharp grew tired of him. Bruce likes him though, so he's undroppable.
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After Sheffield Utd I am not taking anything for granted.
Bottom line is, if they manage to score first I dont fancy our chances against anyone.
Aye. Having goal machine McGoldrick score against us and not being able to respond against the worst team in the division should make even the Geordies optimistic.
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Joelinton is shit. Cue 43rd minute wonder strike or a tap in following full back ball watching. Cue 47 plus minutes of toiling getting as far as the 18 yard box only for Ciaran to have the game of his life.
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After Sheffield Utd I am not taking anything for granted.
Bottom line is, if they manage to score first I dont fancy our chances against anyone.
I wouldn't be concerned if I were you.
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Unfortunately, I’m seeing a drab goalless draw too. They’re just poor full stop, we’re out of form and with key injuries.
I’d take a nasty 0-1 away win right now!
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Whether we are a one man team or not, we certainly look like one.
This game has 0-0 written all over it. Not one for the neutrals.
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After Sheffield Utd I am not taking anything for granted.
Bottom line is, if they manage to score first I dont fancy our chances against anyone.
I wouldn't be concerned if I were you.
have you seen our record when we concede? we couldn't score against The Blades with 10 men.
Understand where you are coming from though.
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Martinez
Cash
Target
Konsa
Mings
Sanson
McGinn
Traore
El Ghazi
Watkins
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Martinez
Cash
Target
Konsa
Mings
Sanson
McGinn
Traore
El Ghazi
Watkins
To be fair, we should beat this lot with only ten.
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Martinez
Cash
Target
Konsa
Mings
Sanson
McGinn
Traore
Davis
El Ghazi
Watkins
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Martinez
Cash
Target
Konsa
Mings
Sanson
McGinn
Traore
El Ghazi
Watkins
To be fair, we should beat this lot with only ten.
Oh shit, just add in Nakamba to give them a chance.
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Really hope we do the geordies. I want to see them get dragged into the relegation scrap. Not because I’ve particularly got a beef with them, but I’ve a good mate who supports Fulham and we get on the piss for Villa v Fulham games, so I want Fulham to stay up. 0-2 will do. Watkins and Sanson.
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kiss of death I'm going for an easy Villa win. Somethings in life are not easy and Villa is one of them
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We really should be putting these backward footballing dinosaurs away - we're streets ahead of them and they have they key attacking players out.
1-1 Watkins for us, Hendrick for them.
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Revised team based on the absences and returns.
Martinez
Targett
Mings
Konsa
Cash
Dougie
McGinn
Sanson
El Ghazi
Watkins
Traore
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That team looks tidy Ads, more than enough to put these pigeon racing brown ale supping northern lot.
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That team looks tidy Ads, more than enough to put these pigeon racing brown ale supping northern lot.
Hey my Dad raced pigeons(his brother was quite a prolififc pigeon man in the midlands) and drank brown and mild.....but he was a brummie and not a northerner :)
UTV
The Doc
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My grandad in Northern Ireland also kept pigeons. He was, in fact, a member of the Pigeon Club, which is where you had to phone if you wanted to speak to him. He supported Man United, as was his birthright.
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I fucking hate pigeons.
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I hate Man United.
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I hate pigeon racers that support Man United.
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I hate Man United.
well one is a vermin that flys around shitting all over the place, the other is a pigeon.
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I hate pigeon racers that support Man United.
No need for that. He did his best with the pigeons he had.
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Weve not won at Newcastle since 2005..................
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I hate pigeon racers that support Man United.
what about Villa supporting pigeon racers ?
UTV
The Doc
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I'd go back to
Luiz MCGinn
Traore Barkley El Ghazi
Ollie
I think it's our best and most creative team. I know they were performing below par, particualy Barkley, but when we have been at our best this season it was witrh this team (save for Jack instead of ElGhazi). I just feel we need to get our big players working again and Newcastle seems a good opportunity to do that. Without Jack I just feel we ned the threat of Traore & Barkley (he hasn't been a threat I know, but if we can play him back into form for the remainder of the season it would be huge for us)
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I'd go back to
Luiz MCGinn
Traore Barkley El Ghazi
Ollie
I think it's our best and most creative team. I know they were performing below par, particualy Barkley, but when we have been at our best this season it was witrh this team (save for Jack instead of ElGhazi). I just feel we need to get our big players working again and Newcastle seems a good opportunity to do that. Without Jack I just feel we ned the threat of Traore & Barkley (he hasn't been a threat I know, but if we can play him back into form for the remainder of the season it would be huge for us)
I would rather give Ramsey and Sanson time on the pitch to develop them rather than see Barkley on his walking tour of Premiership pitches.
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I suspect lots of people would agree with you. I just can't see them sparking us into life in the way Barkley could IF (i know) he can recapture his form.
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I'd go back to
Luiz MCGinn
Traore Barkley El Ghazi
Ollie
I think it's our best and most creative team. I know they were performing below par, particualy Barkley, but when we have been at our best this season it was witrh this team (save for Jack instead of ElGhazi). I just feel we need to get our big players working again and Newcastle seems a good opportunity to do that. Without Jack I just feel we ned the threat of Traore & Barkley (he hasn't been a threat I know, but if we can play him back into form for the remainder of the season it would be huge for us)
Barkley was so genuinely useless upon his introduction against Wolves, don't think there is any chance of him starting thankfully. Luiz and Traore are in horrible form too but we can't drop them all. Cash and AEG starting tonight will be a boost but this is going to be a struggle with the first goal crucial. I like Ramseys energy and bite, getting him pressing the likes of Clark and Newcastle will keep booting the ball back to us. McGinn further forward might free him up a bit.
--------------Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett
---------Luiz, Nakamba
McGinn, Ramsey, AEG
-------------Watkins
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i like the idea Brontebilly but too radical for Dean
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One of my fondest memories was Joachims diving header on a boiling hot August Saturday and Ian Taylor taking the piss when Shearer got a red.
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This game will either confirm or rubbish my suspicion that without Grealish we would be relegation material, Really thought after his first few games that Barkley was Jacks back up but as we have witnessed he is nowhere near. Win in a canter Villa and set my worries to rest.
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"Winnable" game? Check.
Opposition without key players? Check.
Kickoff time with the potential to ruin a whole weekend? Check.
A guaranteed loss. Toon 2-0 Villa, goals from Kieran Clarke and Ciaran Clark.
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...Win in a canter Villa and set my worries to rest.
Good luck with that!
;)
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"Winnable" game? Check.
Opposition without key players? Check.
Kickoff time with the potential to ruin a whole weekend? Check.
A guaranteed loss. Toon 2-0 Villa, goals from Kieran Clarke and Ciaran Clark.
Wait, Dwight Gayle still plays for them, I forgot to include his obligatory goal against us.
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Who knows after the Sheffield United game? I'm still getting flashbacks from that.
After all this is Aston Villa FC: which one will turn up?
(Head in hands emoji)
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I'd go back to
Luiz MCGinn
Traore Barkley El Ghazi
Ollie
I think it's our best and most creative team. I know they were performing below par, particualy Barkley, but when we have been at our best this season it was witrh this team (save for Jack instead of ElGhazi). I just feel we need to get our big players working again and Newcastle seems a good opportunity to do that. Without Jack I just feel we ned the threat of Traore & Barkley (he hasn't been a threat I know, but if we can play him back into form for the remainder of the season it would be huge for us)
Barkley was so genuinely useless upon his introduction against Wolves, don't think there is any chance of him starting thankfully. Luiz and Traore are in horrible form too but we can't drop them all. Cash and AEG starting tonight will be a boost but this is going to be a struggle with the first goal crucial. I like Ramseys energy and bite, getting him pressing the likes of Clark and Newcastle will keep booting the ball back to us. McGinn further forward might free him up a bit.
--------------Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett
---------Luiz, Nakamba
McGinn, Ramsey, AEG
-------------Watkins
Can't see that team creating much really. Would have 0-0 written all over it unless we can snag one of our very rare set peice goals.
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Think Barkley will start tonight.
Traore wasn't great v Wolves so feels like it will be straight swop and also AEG coming in for Trez. Cash in aswell but I'd keep the midfield trio that start v Wolves as thought they were good first half so need to build on that.
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Surprised that not many people would play Nakamba. Given last time we played them we beat them while playing in third gear, and he was probably man of the match, it suggests that he's got something decent to offer against this lot.
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Surprised that not many people would play Nakamba. Given last time we played them we beat them while playing in third gear, and he was probably man of the match, it suggests that he's got something decent to offer against this lot.
At the moment other than Martinez, the defence and Ollie, everybody seems to be pretty much of a muchness. With McGinn, Sanson, Luiz, Trez, El Ghazi, Nakamba, Ramsey, Barkley and Traore though, they've nearly all been OK at times, some have been marginally than others and some have been substandard a lot of the time, so it's almost like it doesn't really matter. We're going to get a lot of huff and puff and not much in the way of real match winning quality whatever combination he picks. Absolutely none of them have had a performance that seals their place for a while. Nakamba has done as well as anybdy though, so wouldn't be against him starting.
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--------------Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett
---------Luiz, Nakamba
McGinn, Ramsey, AEG
-------------Watkins
If we're going with this effectively 4-4-2 approach, Traore and Watkins upfront would work best. And, I'd like to see Sanson start.
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This is a game we should have more of the ball, so I'm not sure Nakamba is the right choice. I'd go McGinn, Luiz and Sanson. Traore and El Ghazi wide of Watkins.
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Sounds like Jack is very excited about playing for England again. So, will be in the team v Spurs, then play for England but, who knows after that. He will either be fit as a fiddle, when we play our next match after the international break or, come back with an injury. I hope it’s the former.
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"Winnable" game? Check.
Opposition without key players? Check.
Kickoff time with the potential to ruin a whole weekend? Check.
A guaranteed loss. Toon 2-0 Villa, goals from Kieran Clarke and Ciaran Clark.
That would be dyer.
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Dwight Gayle's bound to score. The bastard.
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0-0 thriller.
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0-0 thriller.
I might bet on it. That way it's bound not to happen.
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If we can’t beat this lot tonight with whatever team we put out we might as well pack up
and go back to playing cricket at the old Wesleyan Chapel
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A show of strength in midfield for me. We've tried playing with wingers and it just doesn't work, none of them deserve to start.
--------------Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett
-----------Nakamba
McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey, Barkley
-------------Watkins
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I'm worried Bruce is due his jammy win, which he can then use to prove his doubters wrong again.
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This is a game we should have more of the ball, so I'm not sure Nakamba is the right choice. I'd go McGinn, Luiz and Sanson. Traore and El Ghazi wide of Watkins.
I agree with this. I’m a strong supporter of smith but felt he made a mistake playing nakamba against sheff Utd. Nothing against nakamba, he did well against Leeds, but against the struggling teams we need to show more ambition.
We’re not in great form but even without Grealish I strongly believe we have to much for Newcastle, especially without their key forwards. Bruce will try and contain, the key is breaking them down early and we will slaughter them.
I wouldn’t start with Barkley, too off form for words. With Sanson in the team McGinn had much more freedom to roam last week and looked really good in the first half I thought. Don’t think it was any coincidence that McGinn and the midfield in general lost the momentum with Sanson went off.
Might be useful to bring Barkley on if we were winning and their tiring, if he can’t perform for us then he never will.
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Mings
Targett
Luiz
Sanson
McGinn
Traore
El Ghazi
Watkins
I said earlier in the thread 3-0 with Grealish scoring. I’ll stick with the 3-0, Watkins (2) and Konsa as he nearly has done in the last two games.
Beers cooling, burgers cooking, cmon the lads!!!
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I have a really bad feeling about this. Just so unconvincing over a full 90 minutes without Jack. Dwight Gayle to have one touch inside our box and score.
It’s potentially gonna be a very long weekend.
Please prove me wrong Villa.
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It's the hope that kills you; the hope of some fluent, flowing, fulsome football (a la Arsenal away). They are capable.
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We really shouldn't lose. Draw. 1-1
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Surprised that not many people would play Nakamba. Given last time we played them we beat them while playing in third gear, and he was probably man of the match, it suggests that he's got something decent to offer against this lot.
He did ok but in truth Newcastle could have been found guilty of the non trying rule that night
Luiz isnt providing much cover to our back four of late so can certainly see the argument for starting Nakamba
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Difficult to call. We should win but i don't think anyone would be surprised if we lost. I'll say 0-0.
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Despite the doom merchants on here, I’m positive for a confident win. We are not a one player team, we’ve got players out of form. There’s a difference
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We go again.. Elmo, Traore and Trez start.
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2-1 Villa. Konsa from a corner and Ramsey's first senior goal. Then we'll give them a soft goal second half just to make it interesting.
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Ramsey in for Sanson