Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)

[SoccerHQ]

If we win our next game it will be 4 league wins in 6 games under Bruce. We won 4 of 51 league before Bruce.

What's the best start a Villa manager has had?

John Gregory had a ridiculous record for about 6 months.

Sherwood won 3 out of his first 5 including the cup game v WBA.

[Old Kodjia]

These next two weeks will be critical now. Brighton will be a very tough game and massive test of for us and Bruce. We'll have a good idea exactly where we are under him.

Just looking at the next 4 fixtures, we have two home games against lowly sides (Wigan & Cardiff) and two away games against top 6 sides (Leeds & Brighton)

We are currently 4 points off 6th place.  I would settle for being the same amount away after those 4 games.  Anything else will be a bonus.

[adrenachrome]

If we win our next game it will be 4 league wins in 6 games under Bruce. We won 4 of 51 league before Bruce.

What's the best start a Villa manager has had?

John Gregory had a ridiculous record for about 6 months.

Sherwood won 3 out of his first 5 including the cup game v WBA.

Both Timah and JG used the well worn tactic of motivating one faction of the players by demonizing the others. While the energy level last and before injuries take their toll, this often yields early dividends.

[PaulWinch again]

Keep it going Brucey, but I hope we start to gain the ability to dominate and get easy wins.

[eamonn]

So is he really a football novelist or not?

[adrenachrome]

So is he really a football novelist or not?

Is Jeffrey Archer a real novelist or not?

Is there life in Peckham?

We may never know.

[Matt Collins]

The comments about kodjia playing off the left are interesting. I just don't think we've got the players to suit everyone's needs at the moment so there'll have to be compromises

Our midfield looks much better in a 3
That means McCormack can't play in his proper role behind the striker
Grealish could play left of an attacking 3 or behind the strikers
Ayew could do the same or play right
Adomah is a proper winger
Kodjia is probably best on the left of a three
Gestede is the only out and out striker but he's probably too immobile

I think that probably means 433 and you just pick the men in form with McCormack on the bench to come on and change the game if needed

But it would be interesting to see whether ayew and Kodjia could play as split strikers with grealish or McCormack behind

[Meanwood Villa]

If we win our next game it will be 4 league wins in 6 games under Bruce. We won 4 of 51 league before Bruce.

What's the best start a Villa manager has had?

John Gregory had a ridiculous record for about 6 months.

Sherwood won 3 out of his first 5 including the cup game v WBA.

Both Timah and JG used the well worn tactic of motivating one faction of the players by demonizing the others. While the energy level last and before injuries take their toll, this often yields early dividends.

Which players were demonised? I don't get that.

[VinnieChase84]

Ayew could play central, Kodjia left and Adomah right.
Ayew and Kodjia could then rotate position and just play fluid

[VillaAlways]

I love that he is constantly on the touch line kicking every ball with the players.

[wittonwarrior]

For the first 45 minutes yesterday I couldn't tell the difference between his contribution to tactics to those of RDM.

It was really after we scored the second that any variation showed with stout defending.  We are definitely more solid than with the blow hot and cold Elphick.

Still wait and see from me - nothing whatsoever to him having been with the unwashed.  I have seen so many false dawns with the Villa.

[Old Kodjia]

For the first 45 minutes yesterday I couldn't tell the difference between his contribution to tactics to those of RDM.

It was really after we scored the second that any variation showed with stout defending.  We are definitely more solid than with the blow hot and cold Elphick.

Still wait and see from me - nothing whatsoever to him having been with the unwashed.  I have seen so many false dawns with the Villa.

At half time, my thoughts were that at least there would have been some excitement and chances created under RDM.  The first half was very poor, as it was against Fulham 2 weeks previously.

I don't particularly like the style of football but the results are speaking for themselves.  I don't think it is coincidence, nor is it new manager bounce.  Bruce has the side lined up efficiently.

There are some tough games between now and Xmas, including Brighton, Leeds and Norwich away.  By the time we play against Burton on Boxing Day, we'll have a clearer indication of where we should be aiming.

Thinking positively, Bruce is as experienced as anyone in the division of getting out of it.  He has the best squad of players that he's worked with at this level and there is room for vast improvement (I don't think we're playing that well yet and can do a lot better).  We also have a pretty strong squad and can cover all positions which gives us an advantage over most of our rivals.  January could see that strength improved further.

It's a thumbs up from me and a genuine hope of reaching at least the play offs, which was highly unlikely under RDM.

Worst case scenario, if we do miss out this time,  I can see us being even stronger next season with the advantage of a season playing together and a pre-season of stability.  It is a 2 year plan to regain PL status.  I'm confident we are in good hands.

[VillaAlways]

For the first 45 minutes yesterday I couldn't tell the difference between his contribution to tactics to those of RDM.

It was really after we scored the second that any variation showed with stout defending.  We are definitely more solid than with the blow hot and cold Elphick.

Still wait and see from me - nothing whatsoever to him having been with the unwashed.  I have seen so many false dawns with the Villa.

Not having a go at you but not sure you need to wait and see as Bruce has a proven track record of getting teams up and it's pretty much a safe bet that we will go up if not this season than more than likely the next. It's when we get there when he has to prove himself

[kippaxvilla2]

11 points every five games will see us get to 87 points after 45 games.  Time to crack open the champagne.

[CJ]

I love that he is constantly on the touch line kicking every ball with the players.

And did you see how far out of his technical area he was in the second half yesterday? Almost level with the penalty area!