Villa v Leeds Post-Match thread

[paul_e]

By the same token, Baker and Grealish have improved under him and we just look more organised than we did under RDM which is exactly what we needed and we're also showing character getting ourselves back into games which is also good.

We were so utterly woeful last season, it was always possibly going to take baby steps to get us back to where we were and despite some unconvincing performances, we're going in the right direction hopefully. We're within touching distance of the play offs going into the new year which after the start we made is a bonus. Yes it could be better but it could be a whole lot worse. I'm more than happy enough with the job he's done so far.

The problem is that you seem to think that the bold bit isn't an opinion I share, it is, I've said all along that he can get us into the playoffs and I stand by that.  What I disagree with is the idea that because the results are going pretty well we shouldn't care about the performances.  Last night was particularly frustrating because we put probably the best team he's started with for about a month (my only change would be Adomah in for Westwood and play Bacuna in the centre) and they played high pressing with flair and tempo for 10 minutes and decided to switch back to long ball.  I want us to play like that and I'm frustrated that we got a glimpse of it before going back to the defend deep and punt it long style that we've seen fore the last month or so.

We're better organised at the back (but still make too many mistakes) and we're not conceding in the last 5minutes every week which is great and the results in general are good.  From that view it's a step I can accept but where the balance was ok in Bruce's first few games, with only really the blues game as a 'slip' in the middle, we seem to have taken a step back in the last 6 games and the poorer points return from them and 2 defeats does back that up.

[paul_e]

In 7.6 billion years time the sun will reach its maximum size, and its surface will extend beyond Earth's orbit by 20 percent. Our planet will be engulfed by continuous nuclear fusion and all life will be extinguished.

I want to know what Bruce is going to do about it

Bring Adomah on.

with about 20 minutes to go.

[brian green]

Suliman would be a better choice.  His first name is Jesus.

[LeeB]

In 7.6 billion years time the sun will reach its maximum size, and its surface will extend beyond Earth's orbit by 20 percent. Our planet will be engulfed by continuous nuclear fusion and all life will be extinguished.

I want to know what Bruce is going to do about it

"We'll pick wor selves up off the floor and disperse rapidly across the galaxy in the form of carbon"

[olaftab]

In 7.6 billion years time the sun will reach its maximum size, and its surface will extend beyond Earth's orbit by 20 percent. Our planet will be engulfed by continuous nuclear fusion and all life will be extinguished.

I want to know what Bruce is going to do about it

Well that's why he is paid a million trillion pounds so he better sort it out in this transfer window.😡

[robbo1874]

I didn't watch the game.  It sounded like a dreadful first half and they upped it in the 2nd before we came back.  On that basis a draw seemed right.  One thing I have noticed is the sudden media fawning over Leeds United again.  After their first decent half season in about 10 years.

i noticed this. What really pissed me off was when the commentator said (twice) 'these two clubs have 10 league titles between them.' Yes and seven of them are ours you muppet!

[Ads]

We have two European Cups between us too don't we?

[SoccerHQ]

By the same token, Baker and Grealish have improved under him and we just look more organised than we did under RDM which is exactly what we needed and we're also showing character getting ourselves back into games which is also good.

We were so utterly woeful last season, it was always possibly going to take baby steps to get us back to where we were and despite some unconvincing performances, we're going in the right direction hopefully. We're within touching distance of the play offs going into the new year which after the start we made is a bonus. Yes it could be better but it could be a whole lot worse. I'm more than happy enough with the job he's done so far.

The problem is that you seem to think that the bold bit isn't an opinion I share, it is, I've said all along that he can get us into the playoffs and I stand by that.  What I disagree with is the idea that because the results are going pretty well we shouldn't care about the performances.  Last night was particularly frustrating because we put probably the best team he's started with for about a month (my only change would be Adomah in for Westwood and play Bacuna in the centre) and they played high pressing with flair and tempo for 10 minutes and decided to switch back to long ball.  I want us to play like that and I'm frustrated that we got a glimpse of it before going back to the defend deep and punt it long style that we've seen fore the last month or so.

We're better organised at the back (but still make too many mistakes) and we're not conceding in the last 5minutes every week which is great and the results in general are good.  From that view it's a step I can accept but where the balance was ok in Bruce's first few games, with only really the blues game as a 'slip' in the middle, we seem to have taken a step back in the last 6 games and the poorer points return from them and 2 defeats does back that up.

Is it really that much different to what MON had us playing....strong at the back, getting the ball quicker into the corners....we just had better players in those days to execute the tactics but to me the style of play isn't a whole world away.

[paul_e]

By the same token, Baker and Grealish have improved under him and we just look more organised than we did under RDM which is exactly what we needed and we're also showing character getting ourselves back into games which is also good.

We were so utterly woeful last season, it was always possibly going to take baby steps to get us back to where we were and despite some unconvincing performances, we're going in the right direction hopefully. We're within touching distance of the play offs going into the new year which after the start we made is a bonus. Yes it could be better but it could be a whole lot worse. I'm more than happy enough with the job he's done so far.

The problem is that you seem to think that the bold bit isn't an opinion I share, it is, I've said all along that he can get us into the playoffs and I stand by that.  What I disagree with is the idea that because the results are going pretty well we shouldn't care about the performances.  Last night was particularly frustrating because we put probably the best team he's started with for about a month (my only change would be Adomah in for Westwood and play Bacuna in the centre) and they played high pressing with flair and tempo for 10 minutes and decided to switch back to long ball.  I want us to play like that and I'm frustrated that we got a glimpse of it before going back to the defend deep and punt it long style that we've seen fore the last month or so.

We're better organised at the back (but still make too many mistakes) and we're not conceding in the last 5minutes every week which is great and the results in general are good.  From that view it's a step I can accept but where the balance was ok in Bruce's first few games, with only really the blues game as a 'slip' in the middle, we seem to have taken a step back in the last 6 games and the poorer points return from them and 2 defeats does back that up.

Is it really that much different to what MON had us playing....strong at the back, getting the ball quicker into the corners....we just had better players in those days to execute the tactics but to me the style of play isn't a whole world away.

Would you have him back?

[He wears a magic hat]

Hasn't Bruce acknowledged that the performances and style have to improve. I think he has just found a way of getting results with the limitations that he has. I certain he'll be looking to change things up in January if the right type of player becomes available.

Remember when Brian little room over from big Ron our performances where pretty shocking for the remainder of that season but given a few signings and a pre season we came back a totally different team.

I think we are certainly going to need a bit of patience. I don't see the style changing much until he can address the midfield with the type of player that's needed

[steffo]

We have had nearly 80000 supporters watching the last two games. The football isn't great. He is working with what he has got. Yet we are winning. The academy has been shot to bits by previous manager(s) preferring to buy cheap poor imports who were probably no better than what we had and were subject to Lambert's coaches being sacked.

Since TSM1 was appointed (and signed Hutton) surely there was a right back who could hold his position, pass the ball, have awareness and head the ball, (Hutton 1 out of 4 ) who passed through the system.

[Louzie0]

Hasn't Bruce acknowledged that the performances and style have to improve. I think he has just found a way of getting results with the limitations that he has. I certain he'll be looking to change things up in January if the right type of player becomes available.

Remember when Brian little room over from big Ron our performances where pretty shocking for the remainder of that season but given a few signings and a pre season we came back a totally different team.

I think we are certainly going to need a bit of patience. I don't see the style changing much until he can address the midfield with the type of player that's needed

If you're saying he can only work with what he's got, I agree, of course.

It makes this January transfer window very interesting because of the speculation about what a Steve Bruce team might look like, given his backing and his ultimate target for this season.
Will he be thinking beyond that, I wonder, and should he be, at this stage?

[KevinGage]

After 5 years of crap football and a mess of appointing 4 different managers, yes I'm glad we're winning games and being competitive again (even if we haven't always played well)...

We've rarely played well, which is the issue for Paul, myself and a few others.

Baby steps, I know.  After the complete turd that is the past five years.  But with the quality of player we were able to keep in in the summer combined with the financial clout that enabled us to buy some of the best players in this division, we should be more convincing at this level. Even with the well documented weaknesses in certain positions.

Our style of play shouldn't be viewed as an optional extra either; the icing on the cake or something to merely provide additional entertainment. It's weird, but the better a team plays in terms of creating chances and controlling the game in general, the more matches they tend to win.

We are scratching out results at the moment. And there is a place for that too. But it creates a feeling that we can't keep on getting away with it.

[paul_e]

Working with what you've got is great, my concern is there is that he'd rather reintegrate Gabby than give RHM or Green a chance, he'd rather play Westwood who the crowd are booing than give Tish a chance and he appears determined to bin Gollini and replace him with a loanee.  As above it's all a bit MON and that, in hindsight, was a massive missed opportunity, I just really don't want us to do the same thing again.

[robbo1874]

After 5 years of crap football and a mess of appointing 4 different managers, yes I'm glad we're winning games and being competitive again (even if we haven't always played well)...

We've rarely played well, which is the issue for Paul, myself and a few others.

Baby steps, I know.  After the complete turd that is the past five years.  But with the quality of player we were able to keep in in the summer combined with the financial clout that enabled us to buy some of the best players in this division, we should be more convincing at this level. Even with the well documented weaknesses in certain positions.

Our style of play shouldn't be viewed as an optional extra either; the icing on the cake or something to merely provide additional entertainment. It's weird, but the better a team plays in terms of creating chances and controlling the game in general, the more matches they tend to win.

We are scratching out results at the moment. And there is a place for that too. But it creates a feeling that we can't keep on getting away with it.

agree with most of what you posted KG. Hence my Cloughie post earlier.

There are definite signs of recovery and improvement though, or 'green shoots' as SB puts it.