Aston Villa v Ipswich Town Post-Match Thread

[Three Spires Villa]

Just give the job to Dean Smith

[Toronto Villa]

Understood AvFc4eVeR. I think the players are fine. The manager isn't getting remotely what is needed out of them. That they all wanted to play for us is still a testament to the drawing power we have. And yes money played a role in that. But Bruce isn't giving them the license to play with freedom and he is becoming more and more conservative in his approach. I truly hope that is the last we see of 5-3-2 or whatever it is meant to be with 3 CB's.

[Taylor]

Spending the weekend in Paris, and villa even manage to ruin that. I was following the h&v thread today, I really don't have any clue to what's happened to our club. speechless.

[BC Villain]

 Five across the back at home.

The first indication of a manager running out of ideas.  Did Matteo started doing it, as did Sherwood.

[AvFc4eVeR]

Understood AvFc4eVeR. I think the players are fine. The manager isn't getting remotely what is needed out of them. That they all wanted to play for us is still a testament to the drawing power we have. And yes money played a role in that. But Bruce isn't giving them the license to play with freedom and he is becoming more and more conservative in his approach. I truly hope that is the last we see of 5-3-2 or whatever it is meant to be with 3 CB's.

I see the 5-3-2 as a knee jerk reaction from Bruce to our performance at Brentford where we strongly criticised him for no midfield, even though he played 3 new midfielders.

We need to go back to basics. Bruce has always been a 4-4-2 manager yet he has never started a game like that with us.

I am not advocating removing Bruce either, we do need stability, as much as we need to be at the right end of the table.

But one will not come without the other!

[rougegorge]

It's been said already but with 3 5 2 you need to have some proper width and pace.

The launching of Baker's so-called passes does not lend itself to that formation although he wasn't the only one.

Hogan did nothing of note but on numerous occasions he was on the shoulder of the defender waiting for a ball which usually went high towards the corner. Also, Bjarnason and Hourihane have to be better than they are showing, don't they? Link up play was largely non-existent.

It was bad enough failing to win, but losing the game was inexcusable, gifted through another defensive calamity, although my nephew said a minute before the goal that it had 1-0 to them written all over it. They worked hard but are largely a bunch of loanees , cast offs or youngsters. They lost 2 defenders in the first half but still coped with our limited threats and had a good keeper.
Kodjia always has a threat but needs to be harnessed properly; he seemed to be playing on his own and wherever he fancied today.

[levico]

Reading previous posts, I honestly believe that some people in this thread have more idea about tactics than Bruce does.

I wonder if he'd get a better perspective watching the game from high up in the stands.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The launching of Baker's so-called passes does not lend itself to that formation although he wasn't the only one.

I'll start moaning about him when he starts having any other options. The problem again today was nobody wants the ball. See our throw-ins too. No movement, nobody making themselves available for the ball, they all run around like musical chairs looking for an opposition player to mark them. What they do at Bodymoor Heath I have no idea.

[Three Spires Villa]

Would anyone here have started that team and formation, at home. I'm baffled

[ChicagoLion]

Would anyone here have started that team and formation, at home. I'm baffled

I keep going on about it, but I just don't get the logic of 5 3 2 considering the resources he has.
Once he has decided that, then the problems just pile up.

[Loxton01]

After the disaster of today we need to put 3-5-2 to bed and get back to a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.

Against Barnsley Id go with

Johnstone - no other option

Bree (if fit), Chester, Baker, Taylor

Gardner

Lansbury Hourihane

Adomah     Green

Hogan

We need to play as a team and play to our strengths. Kodija is not a team player and we need a win desperately so Id go with Hogan with Adomah and Green off the flanks. Gardner would just sit for me and id tell him to graft and graft and graft and protect the defense allowing Lansbury to be more creative.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

I can't see us winning the league this season.

You can get us at 1500/1 now.
Would you bet against us ?

[clash city rocker]

Couldn't make the game today ( thankfully). Watched the rugby. Could do with Eddie Jones to instill some confidence and never say die attitude into villa. Plus he seems to make substitutions at the right time

[KevinGage]

Taylor had a mare and Bjarnason has now played three different positions all badly.

Jack of no trades.

[Tugby Villain]

Taylor had a mare and Bjarnason has now played three different positions all badly.

Jack of no trades.

I thought Viking was easily our best player today.  Good link-up and dropped into space nicely.