Steve Bruce - officially confirmed (as Sheffield Wednesday boss)

[brontebilly]

Hopefully that's the end of 3-5-2 (5-3-2).

what I don't get is that he talked about favouring 4-4-2 and then pays 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 (It's actually more the former with Hutton/Taylor). He's gone ultra conservative when he should encouraging open play and then tightening it up late in games. This is dreadful now and we have completely stifled any attacking intent and sapping the life and confidence out of the players and fans.

Yup, the plan seems to be to try and nick it rather than go for a more open game and score a shed load. Maybe his 3-5-2 could work but that totally depends on him selecting the right players to make it work, something he completely failed again to do today against one of the poorest teams I've seen this season.

3 at the back will never work for us given how poor Baker and Elphick are with the ball. Bruce never had any intention of going with three until after Brentford hammered us, if he did he would have seen the money in January spent elsewhere.

[myf]

Lots of strange decisions and I'm losing faith rapidly but I agree a change now could be suicide as half the team could rebel like last year.  If we don't tun this run around in next 5 though it may have to happen  - another big payout in compo!

Why in God's name has he brought Elphick back in? If he wants to go 352 surely he buys a centre half in the window?  The pressure is clearly getting to him.

[themossman]

The big advantage of Bruce was that he was a 'promotion specialist', safe pair of hands type that would get the most out of his team and give us a chance of the playoffs this season.

If we're now saying it's a long term rebuilding project and promotion this year was never on the cards then to be honest I want a more progressive manager that won't have us playing football that makes my eyes bleed.

[Tony Erdington]

I support Steve Bruce, but we looked poor today, and I do agree with a comment above elthic why?

[ronshirt]

I think it's a confidence thing. Big fishes in little pools come to the Villa and then bottle it.

[Tugby Villain]

Give him until Wigan away, March 18th.  No win by then and he'll have to go.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Think we need a Ron Atkinson type for manager not him. We need someone who can make us click and play football properly but who is the next Ron Atkinson. We need to look at the like of Rowett, Smith and co. Any good ex Villa Player managing these days.

[Old Kodjia]

3 at the back looked dreadful - Gaps all over the place and very little options as the midfield looked transparent.

This simply is not good enough.  Talk about RDM being tactically naive, at least the football was better to watch.

The one positive for me (again) was Lansbury.  He looked totally isolated in this formation though.  I hope to God that Bruce doesn't plan to play Jedinak there when he's fit again.

[Toronto Villa]

He's managed to turn 2 very attacking goalscoring midfielders into Gary Gardner and Ashley Westwood.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Give him until Wigan away, March 18th.  No win by then and he'll have to go.

He has to be given until the end of the season. After that we can review and if needs must, select from a far larger pool.

[Three Spires Villa]

Bruce is so negative and so disappointing

[Risso]

I bet he calls it a "horrible day" or "it's a horrible one".  There have been a lot of horrible ones lately Steve, you useless arse.

[four fornicholl]

He's managed to turn 2 very attacking goalscoring midfielders into Gary Gardner and Ashley Westwood.

A most remarkable feat, 2 decent centre halfs next Bruce, but who are the candidates?

[itbrvilla]

Think we need a Ron Atkinson type for manager not him. We need someone who can make us click and play football properly but who is the next Ron Atkinson. We need to look at the like of Rowett, Smith and co. Any good ex Villa Player managing these days.

You've clearly not seen a Rowette team have you?

[four fornicholl]

Give him until Wigan away, March 18th.  No win by then and he'll have to go.

He has to be given until the end of the season. After that we can review and if needs must, select from a far larger pool.

Lose the next two and he has to be toast.