Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[purpletrousers]

Thanks Paul. Was about to summon Footyskilz to request such an in depth 'who signed who' comparison across our own first team squad, including an academy section.  And each managers loans too...

[paul_e]

Thanks Paul. Was about to summon Footyskilz to request such an in depth 'who signed who' comparison across our own first team squad, including an academy section.  And each managers loans too...

I didn't add loans because RDM didn't make any so it's not something to compare.  On balance I'd say both are about 50/50 but that RDM's successes are more successful. That 2 of the keeps I've given for Bruce are right backs and I wouldn't start either of them if everyone was fit is important.

[SoccerHQ]

Most signings were incredibly obvious though. McCormack such a lazy one....oh he scored 20 at Fulham so he must do the same here without looking at the style of play he needed to succeed (SB is guilty also here on Hogan).

Adomah was one of the best wide players in this league so when Boro made him surplus and wanted Adama that was another obvious move. Same for Jedinak who loads on this forum wanted before we declared an interest.

Unknown signings to me made by RDM were Gollini, Elphick and Tishbola....case closed m'lud.

It's a bit like praising Mourinho for signing the likes of Alexis and Matic when Klopp signing Mane and Salah is better achievement.

I long for us to have a manager who can use initative and good scouting and get in 3-4 low cost unknown signings that mesh with the existing team so save on the wage bill and get us winning on the pitch.

I really wish Lambert's method had succeded but sadly aside from Benteke that was mostly a bust approach aswell.

[Risso]

If you go through the permanent signings they made:

RDM
Keep: De Laet, Chester, Jedi, Adomah and Kodjia - Not bad for 1 window, I'll admit we've not seen much of RDL but, for me, he's the best full back in the club.
Sell: Gollini, McCormack, Elphick, Tish - Gollini never settled, fat Ross was always one that worried me and Tish was a gamble on him improving and it didn't work out, Tommy just isn't good enough.

Bruce
Keep: Hourihane, Bree, Elmo, Terry - Adding Terry is a bit odd bu he was a good signing, I'm giving Bree a bit of a free pass because of his age.
Sell: Taylor, Whelan, Lansbury, Bjarnason, Hogan - Taylor is fucking shit, Whelan is past it, Lansbury is a showpony, Bjarnason is ok but just doesn't fit (for me) and Hogan is the biggest waste of money of the lot.

More importantly RDM signed players who are still the backbone of the team 2 years later.

Agree with all those except Bree. Even at his age he looks dreadful. Taylor is easily our worst left back in years, which given the competition takes some doing.

[old man villa fan]

it's what semi-articulate managers do, as only they can do. i 'm not going to get upset by those sort of stock-in-trade remarks. It's like Danny Murphy or Glenn Hoddle attaching 'little ' to every observation.

My issue with this particular one (and "there or thereabouts") is that he uses it as an explanation when he gets things wrong. Maybe he's trying to keep things behind closed doors but I hope he's a lot more in depth about where things went wrong in private.

It's like "This is the Championship". It's him trying to deflect away from his failings by trying to make you believe the Championship has some mystical powers over results.

[Toronto Villa]

If you go through the permanent signings they made:

RDM
Keep: De Laet, Chester, Jedi, Adomah and Kodjia - Not bad for 1 window, I'll admit we've not seen much of RDL but, for me, he's the best full back in the club.
Sell: Gollini, McCormack, Elphick, Tish - Gollini never settled, fat Ross was always one that worried me and Tish was a gamble on him improving and it didn't work out, Tommy just isn't good enough.

Bruce
Keep: Hourihane, Bree, Elmo, Terry - Adding Terry is a bit odd bu he was a good signing, I'm giving Bree a bit of a free pass because of his age.
Sell: Taylor, Whelan, Lansbury, Bjarnason, Hogan - Taylor is fucking shit, Whelan is past it, Lansbury is a showpony, Bjarnason is ok but just doesn't fit (for me) and Hogan is the biggest waste of money of the lot.

More importantly RDM signed players who are still the backbone of the team 2 years later.

Agree with all those except Bree. Even at his age he looks dreadful. Taylor is easily our worst left back in years, which given the competition takes some doing.

He really is and I just pray that he played as much as he did in pre season because that’s the only place he is going to get games this season. But with Bruce you just never know. Taylor is absolutely awful.

[john e]

does it really matter arguing about who was the biggest failure in the transfer market

Both managers were/are not good enough for us until that changes we will be on a continual circle of disappointment

[old man villa fan]

Of the failures, we got most of the money back on Gollini and would probably do so on Byarnasson.

[Chris Jameson]

Thanks Paul. Was about to summon Footyskilz

Last sighted suffering from cramp 4km from France.

[Mister E]

...  I long for us to have a manager who can use initative and good scouting and get in 3-4 low cost unknown signings that mesh with the existing team so save on the wage bill and get us winning on the pitch.

Amen to that, brother.
I'm fed up as fu*k watching highly-paids with poor output and little commitment.

[Mister E]

Interesting piece here about Bielsa's methods at Leeds … wonder just how far they differ from our man's? (not a serious question; I think I know the answer).
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/04/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa

[GarTomas]

Interesting piece here about Bielsa's methods at Leeds … wonder just how far they differ from our man's? (not a serious question; I think I know the answer).
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/04/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa

Not quite a missed opportunity as it’s 50/50 whether he will stick but certainly I’d be looking forward to the season more at Leeds than Villa.

[eamonn]

Paul you forgot Elmohammady.

[mr underhill]

Leeds could skyrocket to the top and stay there or crash and burn reasonably quickly. I hope for our sake it's the latter. Ditto Forest.

[paul_e]

Paul you forgot Elmohammady.

I didn't, he's in as a keep for Bruce, I just shortened it to elmo.