Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[Malandro]

The defensive stats this season are clear - weak.

[villan from luton]

We are apparently 3 points better off than last season - what a load of tosh. Other than Brentford, who have we actually played that will likely finish in the top half? I have tried to give him benefit of the doubt, nice bloke etc, but the footy is dire and his recent comments have totally turned me against him

[Sexual Ealing]

Steve Bruce book on Aston Villa tactics:

1) Roll up sleeves
2) Smash it long to Hogan
3) Call fans hysterical

Conclusion: I know what I'm doing

Whoah, whoah, WHOAH!

I'm not Bruce's biggest fan, but to suggest that that's what's in his book of tactics is misleading and does the man a disservice. He's on record as saying that all he asks of players is that they get their boots on. The idea that he'd confuse them with the modern mumbo jumbo that you quoted is way out of line.

[eamonn]

The fact that he's safe unless we're well-adrift of the play-offs is immensely frustrating. It gives him an incredible amount of leeway, we could be mired in mid-table but seven points off of 6th so in his view, still "there or thereabouts" as if consistently disjointed performances can lead to promotion just as much as winning most games and some swashbuckling attacking play (which we should be more than capable of given our attacking talent).
Our aim surely has to be top two, the play-offs are bloody difficult enough as we know. Considering the signings he's been able to bring in, the best-class waifs and strays you could find, he doesn't know he's born.

[villan from luton]

What annoys me is the comment re unintelligent fans. Fans pay lots of money to see their team play and that was awful imho. Got to say even Barry Fry would be able to get this squad promoted

[Three Spires Villa]

The fact that he's safe unless we're well-adrift of the play-offs is immensely frustrating. It gives him an incredible amount of leeway, we could be mired in mid-table but seven points off of 6th so in his view, still "there or thereabouts" as if consistently disjointed performances can lead to promotion just as much as winning most games and some swashbuckling attacking play (which we should be more than capable of given our attacking talent).
Our aim surely has to be top two, the play-offs are bloody difficult enough as we know. Considering the signings he's been able to bring in, the best-class waifs and strays you could find, he doesn't know he's born.

Great post

[ktvillan]

Agree with most of the comments, with the exception of him twice messed up. He took over and don't think promotion was realistic. What riles me more than anything is him going on about his promotions and how well he has done. Were Cardiff not in a similar position when another dinosaur took control. He hasn't had the funds Bruce has had and certainly not the talent at the club also, but he achieved what the intelligent one failed to do

I seem to recall a lot of talk from Wyness Bruce et al about the play-offs being the target, and still realistic,  when we took Bruce on.  Bruce likes to re-write history to say it wasn't, and that he did well to stop us going down,  Which is utter crap in my view.  He really doesn't come out well when compared to Warnock over the same period.

[brian green]

Excellent post eamonn.  Not nit picking in any way but the word "swashbuckling" is invariably seized on by enthusiasts for don't lose as meaning risky, Charge of The Light Brigade football.  All most of us want is entertaining, skill based performances from our team.  What we get from Bruce is neither skillful nor entertaining.

[mr underhill]

on very rare occasions Brian it can be - Wolves? Much beyond that and I'm struggling but there must be one or two

[CT]

Apologies if mentioned before, but nearly put my foot through the TV when I heard Ian Holloway backing Bruce to the hilt on the EFL midweek programme.

Four promotions, having to rebuild the squad again. Absolutely no worries, move on.

So there you have it. Nothing to see apparently.

[clash city rocker]

I think the rubbish Bruce has been coming out with lately shows that he is feeling the pressure. As for his comments about the fans...well ! I,m not a trained chef and I don't need to be to tell the difference between a nice well cocked piece of steak and a rubbery creamated piece of steak.

[Lastfootstamper]

I think the rubbish Bruce has been coming out with lately shows that he is feeling the pressure. As for his comments about the fans...well ! I,m not a trained chef and I don't need to be to tell the difference between a nice well cocked piece of steak and a rubbery creamated piece of steak.

You wanna eat in better restaurants, mate.

[john e]

Apologies if mentioned before, but nearly put my foot through the TV when I heard Ian Holloway backing Bruce to the hilt on the EFL midweek programme.

Four promotions, having to rebuild the squad again. Absolutely no worries, move on.

So there you have it. Nothing to see apparently.

it's a big club they are all in

they will back each other to the death,
 it keeps them all on the merry go round, gravy train, whatever you want to call it

[clash city rocker]

Apologies if mentioned before, but nearly put my foot through the TV when I heard Ian Holloway backing Bruce to the hilt on the EFL midweek programme.

Four promotions, having to rebuild the squad again. Absolutely no worries, move on.

So there you have it. Nothing to see apparently.

it's a big club they are all in

they will back each other to the death,
 it keeps them all on the merry go round, gravy train, whatever you want to call it

Ian Holloway? His thoughts on the villa manager are totally irrelevant. If he had to pay what we do I am sure he would have a different opinion.

[Rigadon]

Having the likes Ian fucking Holloway comment on us is part of why we need out of this shit division ASAP