Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[Allan C]

I've got exactly the same feeling now that I had this time last year when we were linked with John Terry. I don't want Thierry Henry as our boss. Seems a bonkers move. And the new home kit is shit. Please Villa some decent news.

The kit's ok, better than recent seasons.
Assuming it's true about Henry, who would you prefer?

Hand on heart I'd stick with Bruce. One more year. Stability. It's two weeks before the season begins. Henry would be a major major media circus. And he's not experienced. I think its the new owners trying for a sensational  appointment but I honestly think it would be a huge huge gamble.

Or maybe it’ll be a master stroke. If it turns out to be Henry or any other forward thinking imaginative coach, then great. We’ve done the “knows this league” and “stability” and look where it got us. Additionally, we’re talking about the championship not the champions league. It’s an ideal place for a new coach to start to build a fresh, football playing young team that will reap dividends when we get back where we belong. Or have we bought the tedious “that’s the championship” line?

What evidence do you have that as a coach he is forward thinking and imaginative? He has no credentials as a manager to draw those sort of conclusions or any other because he’s never done the job. I think some of you have been seduced by the accent and natty suits.

What evidence do you have to the contrary Chris?? And I said an “Henry or other forward thinking imaginative coach” or are you seduced by fat bread and butter types??? I know, let’s get mad mick in, he knows this league and dosnt wear a natty suit and speaks with a workman like accent. The real credentials for a top line coach

[Damo70]

They say there is no smoke without fire but apart from on here I don't see much smoke. A story in one newspaper and a mention of that same newspaper story on Talksport without them committing themselves as to how much credence they had in the story.

[hilts_coolerking]

Somehow this doesn't feel like it could be the moment that ends years of bad decision-making.

[Damo70]

A lot of people are still angry about the timing and nature of MON's departure and the knock on effects. If we do bin Bruce to bring in Henry in the coming days or weeks we will be willingly inflicting that same situation on ourselves.

[Des Little]

Tomorrow really could be as pivotal a day in the club's history as any I can recall. Time will tell!

[The Laughing Policeman]

Fount of all knowledge Ian Holloway speaks.
Daily Excess{/url]

[Percy McCarthy]

If Bruce was to leave it should have been immediately after the playoff final. We have a little over two weeks until the season kicks off. Bringing a new manager in at this point, even an experienced guy, would likely result in the club having slow start to the season as the manager and players got acquainted. A poor start this time last year was the main reason we failed to get promoted last season. The pressure on Henry, a man with no managerial experience as the main man would be immense if this scenario unfolded. I was all for twisting six weeks ago. Now I'm for sticking.

So why did we have a slow start last season? I assume we must have had a new manager with whom the players needed to become acquainted?

[PaulWinch again]

There’s no guarantees whether you have an experienced manager or not. The one thing I would say is that to have a realistic chance of promotion we probably need 5 players in, which will be a big ask for a manager with no experience and who doesn’t know the club.

[Toronto Villa]

There’s no guarantees whether you have an experienced manager or not. The one thing I would say is that to have a realistic chance of promotion we probably need 5 players in, which will be a big ask for a manager with no experience and who doesn’t know the club.

Well Bruce hasn't proved he can do it either for all his experience. Maybe we can bring in Eric Black. I heard he has experience.

[PaulWinch again]

I’m not saying experience guarantees anything. I’m saying no experience, with no direct knowledge of the playing squad, and less than 2 weeks before window closes is a big ask.

[Toronto Villa]

I’m not saying experience guarantees anything. I’m saying no experience, with no direct knowledge of the playing squad, and less than 2 weeks before window closes is a big ask.

I don't disagree, but again I would counter that by saying Bruce had a whole pre-season last year, brought in a number of his own players/staff that summer combined with January and got off to a shocking start. So as much as it might appear less than ideal there is no guarantee which way it will go.

[Toronto Villa]

Tomorrow really could be as pivotal a day in the club's history as any I can recall. Time will tell!

Yes. I am hoping to wake up, open H&V to see this thread updated to Bruce sacked.

[PaulWinch again]

No and Bruce started particularly badly last year.

Although beyond a story in the Star, is there actually anything to this?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The silence is deafening.

[hilts_coolerking]

Although beyond a story in the Star, is there actually anything to this?

Not to my knowledge, other than it simply being repeated elsewhere, e.g. the BBC.  For what it's worth, as far as I know, none of the parties involved has come out to say it's horseshit either.