Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[tomd2103]

The most telling thing about the McCormack situation, IMO, is that no-one else in the Championship wanted him.  I'm sure if someone had offered to pay even a small portion of his wages we'd have bitten their hands off.

There are plenty of sticks to beat Bruce with at the moment. This isn't one of them.

Wasn't he about to join Naarwich until we stepped in and slapped our much bigger dick on the table?

That worked well, didn't it? Come away with metaphorical syphilis.

Yeah, from memory I think you're right. My point was more about no-one really wanting him since falling out of favour with us though. Aside from an unsuccessful loan-spell with Forest, there don't seem to have been too many managers knocking down our door to take this prolific Championship goalscorer from us.

Suggests that the problem lies with the player, more than it does Bruce not managing him correctly.

If I recall correctly, he got injured there didn't he and then didn't report in for treatment either there or with us for weeks.  Then there were reports that he was suspended for the team during his time in Australia, though that was refuted by the manager. 

[mike]

I've said before, I think the new owners have written off this year. They didn't expect to get promoted so best muddle through in mid table, appoint someone when they have everything sorted out (CEO, DofF, FFP etc) and finish the season well ready to go all guns blazing next season. The new manager bounce would be wasted now anyway as I don't think there's a manager around who could build a competent back three/four from what we have on the books. Better to not taint the new man with the negativity that will surround the mediocre performances that will be the inevitable result of Bruce's 'no defence' ploy.

[frank black]

I've said before, I think the new owners have written off this year. They didn't expect to get promoted so best muddle through in mid table, appoint someone when they have everything sorted out (CEO, DofF, FFP etc) and finish the season well ready to go all guns blazing next season. The new manager bounce would be wasted now anyway as I don't think there's a manager around who could build a competent back three/four from what we have on the books. Better to not taint the new man with the negativity that will surround the mediocre performances that will be the inevitable result of Bruce's 'no defence' ploy.

Blimey that’s a dour outlook. If I’d just chucked the money they have at Villa I’d want promotion this season. I would expect this team to be very competitive at the top end of the table and be boosted by a signing or two in January. Or perhaps a new manager too

[mike]

I've said before, I think the new owners have written off this year. They didn't expect to get promoted so best muddle through in mid table, appoint someone when they have everything sorted out (CEO, DofF, FFP etc) and finish the season well ready to go all guns blazing next season. The new manager bounce would be wasted now anyway as I don't think there's a manager around who could build a competent back three/four from what we have on the books. Better to not taint the new man with the negativity that will surround the mediocre performances that will be the inevitable result of Bruce's 'no defence' ploy.

Blimey that’s a dour outlook. If I’d just chucked the money they have at Villa I’d want promotion this season. I would expect this team to be very competitive at the top end of the table and be boosted by a signing or two in January. Or perhaps a new manager too

Born and bred in Birmingham.

[frank black]

I've said before, I think the new owners have written off this year. They didn't expect to get promoted so best muddle through in mid table, appoint someone when they have everything sorted out (CEO, DofF, FFP etc) and finish the season well ready to go all guns blazing next season. The new manager bounce would be wasted now anyway as I don't think there's a manager around who could build a competent back three/four from what we have on the books. Better to not taint the new man with the negativity that will surround the mediocre performances that will be the inevitable result of Bruce's 'no defence' ploy.

Blimey that’s a dour outlook. If I’d just chucked the money they have at Villa I’d want promotion this season. I would expect this team to be very competitive at the top end of the table and be boosted by a signing or two in January. Or perhaps a new manager too

Born and bred in Birmingham.

True 😀

[clash city rocker]

Bruce should be sacked for just leaving us with the defensive options we have now let alone anything else. It's criminal fuckin criminal and he shouldn't be allowed to get away with it.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Teflon Bruce. It's no wonder we no longer have 'Prepared' on our crest.

[tomd2103]

I've said before, I think the new owners have written off this year. They didn't expect to get promoted so best muddle through in mid table, appoint someone when they have everything sorted out (CEO, DofF, FFP etc) and finish the season well ready to go all guns blazing next season. The new manager bounce would be wasted now anyway as I don't think there's a manager around who could build a competent back three/four from what we have on the books. Better to not taint the new man with the negativity that will surround the mediocre performances that will be the inevitable result of Bruce's 'no defence' ploy.

Not so sure Mike seeing the calibre of player that has come in on loan since they took over.  If they had written this year off, I doubt Bruce would have been given the opportunity to bring in as many loans as he did.

As for the back four, although it is not ideal, Hutton proved to be a capable left back last year and we have more than enough options at right back.  We managed to keep hold of Chester, so the only real concern is that we haven't replaced Terry from last season.  The goalkeeping situation, however, is a different story and a real source of concern for me going forward.

[Border villan]

Long term plan in place? Not with the need to get John Terry back. As we also neglected to get a left back I am surprised SB has not enquired about Charlie Aitken.
Uber for MR Bruce.

[placeforparks]

I've said before, I think the new owners have written off this year. They didn't expect to get promoted so best muddle through in mid table, appoint someone when they have everything sorted out (CEO, DofF, FFP etc) and finish the season well ready to go all guns blazing next season. The new manager bounce would be wasted now anyway as I don't think there's a manager around who could build a competent back three/four from what we have on the books. Better to not taint the new man with the negativity that will surround the mediocre performances that will be the inevitable result of Bruce's 'no defence' ploy.

we're 6 games into a 46 game season...

you don't sanction the signings of el ghazi, bolaisse and abraham if you want to finish 12th!

[ChicagoLion]

It’s how quickly they realize the best that Bruce can deliver is a muddle through season.

[ktvillan]

I've said before, I think the new owners have written off this year. They didn't expect to get promoted so best muddle through in mid table, appoint someone when they have everything sorted out (CEO, DofF, FFP etc) and finish the season well ready to go all guns blazing next season. The new manager bounce would be wasted now anyway as I don't think there's a manager around who could build a competent back three/four from what we have on the books. Better to not taint the new man with the negativity that will surround the mediocre performances that will be the inevitable result of Bruce's 'no defence' ploy.

we're 6 games into a 46 game season...

you don't sanction the signings of el ghazi, bolaisse and abraham if you want to finish 12th!

Yes but they must also see what's happened to the defence, which currently doesn't look good enough for 12th

[JUAN PABLO]

Ross sticking up for Bruce on TS

bloody idiot says Jedinak played well in defence when Terry was injured ?? really . thought it was Ephick

moaning about social media putting up that Sunderland report from 2011

[PaulWinch again]

Well that’s nonsense, Jedi has never played “well” at centre back for Villa. He’s ranged from poor to cataclysmic when he’s played any extended period of time there.

[PeterWithesShin]

Pretty sure Appleyard missed 10 games, and it was Samba 4 games, Jedi 3 and then Elphick for the last 3 after that Jedi horror show at home to Sheff Utd.