Jonathan Kodjia - SOLD

[Steve67]

The other alternative (just throwing it out there) is selling Kodjia and bringing in Hernandez who Bruce has worked with before although I think Hernandez fucked us about when we tried to sign him a couple of season's before.

It was his agent who messed us about apparently.  Good player when fit.

[Toronto Villa]

A fit Kodjia will get us promoted. Our build around him and Jack. Not many clubs will have that like of talent. Kodjia was brought back way too soon on both occasions and was miles off the pace and lacking any kind of confidence which declined as he became more frustrated. We have bodies to shed at the club. Jack and Jimmy should be the last names we get to in addressing our FFP issues.

[ozzjim]

I would sell Kodjia before Jack though TV. He looked better in the play off final than he had for a while. He needs a pre season in him. He has a great relationship with Adomah too, who we forget scored 15 goals last season. Get Adomah, Green, Kodjia and Jack going and we are in business, but all the signs suggest the latter 2 won't be here. At least the window shuts early to kill off any chance of decent loan signings in August.

[olaftab]

 Choice between selling Kodjia or Grealish  sell Kodjia any day of the week.

[Matt Collins]

Yeah Kodjia is a funny one

In a shit team two years ago that unpredictable talent was a blessing

I'm not convinced he wouldn't have made our style more difficult this last season. Still better than Hogan though

Still might prefer Kodjia wide in a 433 where his erratic hold up play is less of a problem

But he's clearly a real talent

[Brassneck]

Yeah Kodjia is a funny one

In a shit team two years ago that unpredictable talent was a blessing

I'm not convinced he wouldn't have made our style more difficult this last season. Still better than Hogan though

Still might prefer Kodjia wide in a 433 where his erratic hold up play is less of a problem

But he's clearly a real talent

Bruce has often spoken about a fit Kodjia being able to play in this "wide French second striker position".  That's where I see him, with anyone but Hogan as the centre striker.

The only problem would be (especially under Bruce) would be the requirement to track back and help out.  I'm not convinced that could be introduced into Kodjia's game at his age.

[Bad English]

Bruce has also spoken of being baffled by his team's performances.

[Brassneck]

Bruce has also spoken of being baffled by his team's performances.

He's also spoken about the need to be there or thereabouts but I think these comments are better on the Steve Bruce thread, not the Jonathan Kodjia thread.

[Bad English]

I think I'll leave my post, whatever you think. Bruce's musings on how to use Kodjia make me laugh when he is baffled by our not winning because he set the team up as he did for the playoff final.

[Toronto Villa]

The there or thereabouts thing massively fucked me off. We’re Aston Villa not fucking Hull or Wigan where those kinds of mediocre expectations are accepted. His goal was promotion, no pissing around. And say it with confidence.

[Villafirst]

Choice between selling Kodjia or Grealish  sell Kodjia any day of the week.

Keep both. Dr Xia needs to ensure that. Although I think his interest in the club is diminishing fast.....that statement doesn't give me any confidence in him at all.

[Brassneck]

The there or thereabouts thing massively fucked me off. We’re Aston Villa not fucking Hull or Wigan where those kinds of mediocre expectations are accepted. His goal was promotion, no pissing around. And say it with confidence.

Ironically, we're just getting to the stage where our aspirations will be to finish there or thereabouts.  With the players at Bruce's disposal last season, anything other than top 2 was a failure.  In the next few years, the quality of our squad will diminish and we'll be forced to compete as a Hull or a Wigan.  We've wasted a golden opportunity.

[Nunkin1965]

I think that it would have been fairly soon after last weekend if there was going to be a change. It does need one because it’s an ideal time for me and it will be frustrating if this thing drags on and then there’s an announcement that Bruce is leaving.

[Brassneck]

I think I'll leave my post, whatever you think. Bruce's musings on how to use Kodjia make me laugh when he is baffled by our not winning because he set the team up as he did for the playoff final.

Oh right - Well done for editing so as to give us a clue as to what you were on about.

Just for further clarity so as to make it perfectly clear:

I agree with Matt Colins, I would play Kodjia as one of the wide players in a 3.  The fact that Bruce has alluded to this (and has indeed played him there in the past) indicates that it's a viable option.

Bruce has never blamed himself for losing a game other than possibly QPR at home. He blames  losses on bad performances.  My counter to that would be that the way he sets up his teams invites bad performances - We play with no swagger or intent.

However, it is me and not Bruce who is stating where I see Kodjia being most effective in a Villa shirt next season. I included Bruces comments so as to demonstrate that it would not be beyond the realms of possibility for this to happen.

[Clampy]

I think I'll leave my post, whatever you think. Bruce's musings on how to use Kodjia make me laugh when he is baffled by our not winning because he set the team up as he did for the playoff final.

Didn't Kodjia finish on 19 goals under Bruce in his first season?