Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)

[PeterWithesShin]

Working backwards from 2016, this is the points total of the side finishing 3rd for the last 12 seasons: 89, 86, 85, 77, 86, 80, 79, 80, 75, 84, 81, 85.

[Old Kodjia]

We're adding quality on top of our organisation and hard work.

I don't think there's a team in the league who have as good a players as us up top, so fingers crossed last night is a sign of things to come.

Seconded.

[walsall villain]

We're averaging 2 points a game which would put us within striking distance of the automatic spots.

That's the way to think I reckon, just concentrate on Villa averaging 2 points a game and the rest can do what they like.

[TopDeck113]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves by extrapolating Bruce's start, factoring in ten game winning streaks and coming up with finishing runners-up.  After years of shit things seem, at long last, to be on the up.  Keep it up and, yes, with have a few wins on the bounce and we'll be flirting with the play-offs.  That will be no mean achievement all things considered and if we make it to the lottery, then who knows.  As it so happens I don't necessarily think a second season in The Championship would be a bad thing in terms of longer-term success, provided we hit the ground running in August.  Either way, for the first time in years, let's enjoy the ride.

[Old Kodjia]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves by extrapolating Bruce's start, factoring in ten game winning streaks and coming up with finishing runners-up.  After years of shit things seem, at long last, to be on the up.  Keep it up and, yes, with have a few wins on the bounce and we'll be flirting with the play-offs.  That will be no mean achievement all things considered and if we make it to the lottery, then who knows.  As it so happens I don't necessarily think a second season in The Championship would be a bad thing in terms of longer-term success, provided we hit the ground running in August.  Either way, for the first time in years, let's enjoy the ride.

In fairness, nobody has done so.

Most are realistically stating that 2nd place from this position is a pretty tall order.

I too am not overly phased by a second season in the Championship, especially looking at the likely prem sides to be relegated this season.  When the time comes around though, I will be devastated if we fail this season.

[LeeB]

Never wanted him at the club but let's face it he's been like a breath of fresh air since arriving and he's turned us into something resembling a football club. I'm glad he's here.

For me it wasn't so much not wanting him as the realisation that someone like him was exactly what was needed. High falutin' foreign coaches are all very well but for every Wenger there's a dozen Christian Grosses. Him, his abilities and with them his limitations, are exactly what we need right now.

Without blowing my, or indeed the wise yet indecisive frank black's trumpet, here's some vision:

I would go for someone proven to get teams out if the championship. Moyes is not that man.

The slightly nutty Pearson or Bruce for me.

(I know I've changed my view in 24 hours, call me Cameron)

Why is it that we scoffed at "Premier League experience needed" in the past but Championship experience is now vital? As with players it seems the Championship is some sort of unique entity, the only level of football that requires a different skill set to everywhere else when in reality it's exactly the same - the best wins.

I agree, but in Bruce's case he has a working knowledge of the division as it stands, how teams set up and play etc.

I think in the vacuum of football knowledge that our club appears to be operating in that could be an essential factor. It may not be that important to other clubs or to us at other times, but right now it's crucial.

[dave.woodhall]

Nobody likes a smart arse.

[adrenachrome]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves by extrapolating Bruce's start, factoring in ten game winning streaks and coming up with finishing runners-up.  After years of shit things seem, at long last, to be on the up.  Keep it up and, yes, with have a few wins on the bounce and we'll be flirting with the play-offs.  That will be no mean achievement all things considered and if we make it to the lottery, then who knows.  As it so happens I don't necessarily think a second season in The Championship would be a bad thing in terms of longer-term success, provided we hit the ground running in August.  Either way, for the first time in years, let's enjoy the ride.

We should eschew statistical extrapolation with every fibre of our being. That way madness lies.

[olaftab]

It's whatever it takes to build us up again from a wreck that we were not so much about any specific divisional experience IMO.
Despite my reservations about Bruce before he was appointed he is doing what's necessary.

[Singapore Villa]

Nice for there to be some mild positivity about the club at the moment.  Also, happy that my weekends are not ruined by shite performances and/or late goals.

[Risso]

I bloody love Steve Bruce.  I'm now getting to the happy point where I don't expect us to lose any games, which is a nice reversal of the last few years.  He's also the first boss we've had in a ages who doesn't set my teeth on edge in interviews.  Down to earth, honest and intelligent. 

[VillaAlways]

I bloody love Steve Bruce.  I'm now getting to the happy point where I don't expect us to lose any games, which is a nice reversal of the last few years.  He's also the first boss we've had in a ages who doesn't set my teeth on edge in interviews.  Down to earth, honest and intelligent. 

And a great sense of humour.

[Chris Jameson]

Always liked him, he always came across really well in post match interviews and always struck me as a decent, honest bloke and a good manager. I was more than happy we got him, obviously he will never be as progressive or successful as whatever the Huddersfield manager is called but I'm glad he's the manager of Aston Villa and hope he is here for a few more seasons.

[oldtimernow]

I bloody love Steve Bruce.  I'm now getting to the happy point where I don't expect us to lose any games, which is a nice reversal of the last few years.  He's also the first boss we've had in a ages who doesn't set my teeth on edge in interviews.  Down to earth, honest and intelligent. 

Happy to agree with you on that one Risso

[joe_c]

For the first time since O'Neill we've appointed the best man for the job in hand. There is still a faint aura of "This is your uncle Steve, he's going to be staying with us for a while" about him but I am less forthright in my criticism than I have been in the past. I'd go as far as to say going unbeaten for the remainder of the season isn't beyond the realms of possibility if not probability.