Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[chrisw1]

We didn't do a lot wrong.  We only lost one game.  We were so close.

I agree. He steadied the ship in his first season and took us to the play off final last season where we lost to a team a lot of people on here were eulogising about all season. He deserves another shot and it made sense to keep him given the fact the takeover happened so close to the start of the season. We have made a good start and if that continues he should be kept on. If we aren't doing well around Christmas or if we don't go up one way or the other at the end of the season I am pretty sure the new owners will act and replace him. Which is a decision I would agree with in those circumstances

He was taking the piss Damo.  The current game is micro analysing every single word our manager says to see if there is something to have a dig at, ignoring the fact pretty much every single manager comes out with the same sort of stock in trade phrases.  It's great fun for some.

[pbavfckuwait]

Last night as in so many games last season, shows Bruce has one way of playing and that is not gonna change anytime soon.
Leopards spots.

[mr underhill]

but we won, surely that's better than not doing so?. Younger additions to the side will also change the pace of the game we play

[pbavfckuwait]

Yes we won Mr. Underhill, but we will play against alot better defences that that lot last night and also would it not have been nice to even see an effort of quicker ball play, for christ sake he has had them on the training ground for a period longer than he will have from now till May, I could not notice a change in style could you.

[OzVilla]

It was Bruce at his functional best.  Pragmatic with what he had, we kept it tight, kept possession and then wore a poor side into mistakes.  Nothing flashy but an away win in the bank.  It's how Bruce had won his promotions in the past which is why I believe he's more suited to us this season than he was last, especially with a few other teams apparently more favoured for the top spots.

It's never going to be pretty but it's hard to argue with a  3-1 away win first game of the season in fairness.

[martyn ellis]

Green came on and although he was not running the show, demonstrated a high level of control and passing ability, something I hadn't noticed in the previous 70 minutes to be honest. We also know he has a great right foot
RHM came on at the same time and at least showed some blistering pace. If Bruce begins to trust these two from the start and also signs Bryan, I can see the urgency with which we play increasing. That's what he may have been talking about post match. Currently Kodja just slows things down meandering around the pitch before deciding what to do with the ball and then usually losing it.

[garyshawsknee]

I thought Green and RHM looked really promising, adding pace that we lack. Nothing was sticking to Kodjia, so Jack and Hourihane couldn't join in as much, Kodjia wasn't making many runs too. Hope they are a few changes for Saturday.

[old man villa fan]

The worrying thing for me is that we scored 1 goal in 3 play-off games. I do not see any change in approach and when we start to play  better teams,  I think we will struggle to score goals.

[Matt Collins]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2018/aug/08/football-league-blog-brentford-happy-own-way-promotion

Interesting article. Hard to escape the conclusion that it's brentford's model that is the real star (and proof that use of data can work in football recruitment). But Smith clearly has made an impact too. He'd have to be a contender if we're looking forward for the sort of progressive model we all want

Could do with a longer list of contenders though

[jwarry]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2018/aug/08/football-league-blog-brentford-happy-own-way-promotion

Interesting article. Hard to escape the conclusion that it's brentford's model that is the real star (and proof that use of data can work in football recruitment). But Smith clearly has made an impact too. He'd have to be a contender if we're looking forward for the sort of progressive model we all want

Could do with a longer list of contenders though

That is such an interesting article thanks for posting

[footyskillz]

Great article and thanks too for posting.

I fear in some ways that sticking with what we got was the simple way as having to start again will hold things back .

The second chance Bruce has and whatever business he does this permanent and  loan window would like them to be there or thereabouts season end especially if Jack is staying.

[ChicagoLion]

The squad is strong enough to challenge for promotion.
Our limitation is the manager.
I hope we do not take too long to change if things start to go wrong or better still we are working on his replacement already.

[andyh]

Magnificently wealthy owners.
A massive squad.
Superb stadium.
Retained our best players.
Added some real quality to the squad.

Everything is in place.

Steve Bruce, you are an incredibly lucky manager.
You have more than most managers in this division could wish for.

Over to you.

[Risso]

I think January will be a pivotal month in a lot of ways.  If we're doing well, we'll get to keep Grealish until the end of the season at least, and Bruce will stay in a job.  If we're not, Grealish will be sold and Bruce given the boot.

[Allan C]

The squad is strong enough to challenge for promotion.
Our limitation is the manager.
I hope we do not take too long to change if things start to go wrong or better still we are working on his replacement already.

Exactly this. Bruce is the limitation and this is his limit. We may win games or lose them but my point is that he will not improve whatever we do.