Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)

[Jimbo]

That sounds like just the right sort of contract. I don't think he'll get the bullet if we don't go up this season, only if he fails to show significant improvement in line with the squad we have and the money at his disposal in January.

[Gregorys Boy]

That sounds like just the right sort of contract. I don't think he'll get the bullet if we don't go up this season, only if he fails to show significant improvement in line with the squad we have and the money at his disposal in January.

Yes this would be the aim I hope and we do need to give him till the end of season.  I think if he doesn't get us up this year (which would be a challenge) then I think there's a very good chance he would do it next season.  Finally we have a decent manager! I'm happy....

[adrenachrome]

Didn't the Derry Mon also have a rolling contract?

[Matt C]

He did.

[Toronto Villa]

nicked from the Guardian. I quite like the last bit but we need to get back ASAP

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

[ozzjim]

Any news on his assistant yet?

Regarding what he says about hard work, he is right. I think for much of last season we were out worked, ran less, did not track runners etc, and this season we have stopped playing in the last 10 minutes or so. as such, passion, hard work and a bit of guts are what I want to see. I think we all do, as the basis and then the better players being given a platform to play some nice football. We have to start winning the battles first though.

[AvFc4eVeR]

I still expect a rendition of 'Stand up potato head' when we're 3-0 up on Saturday.

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

Simple...

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

[CT Villan]

Have to say having watched the interview yesterday and the press conference just now I am really impressed with how Bruce talks about Villa and what the job means to him. Maybe I am being naive, but he seems very genuine. I really hope it works out for him and us.

[Matt C]

He's an immensely likeable bloke based on what you see in the media and I'd guess players would like him too. My guess is Dr Xia picked RDM but Bruce has been Wyness' choice all along. Now he's got his man and it feels like we've got, on paper, a pretty solid group of what the media would deem 'football people' running the place. Now results.

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

[Dave P]

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

What is this 'winning some football matches' you speak of? Sounds exciting.

[mr underhill]

Someone told me it's something that happens when one team outscores the other, and I said it would never catch on as a spectator sport.

[martin o`who??]

I really like the bloke, comes across as very decent.

He always did, regardless of wherever he`s been before, when he was at the stye he never bad mouthed us as far as i recall.

[andyh]

On a slightly different tangent, this Wyness fella seems to be pretty clued up.
I thought he was supposed to be the devil incarnate?

[Phil from the upper holte]

Observations from the press conference:

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

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

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

[Dave]

On a slightly different tangent, this Wyness fella seems to be pretty clued up.
I thought he was supposed to be the devil incarnate?

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

The likes of Samuelson and Banfill were the ones raising people's eyebrows over the summer.