Post season thread

[brian green]

We are a puzzling mess.  Today we outplayed the Champions in waiting with ten men, refused two penalties and had a dodgy one awarded against us with a red card.  But to do it we had to bring on a young player who has been overlooked all season and would not have been on the bench if we did not have so many walking wounded. 

[paul_e]

The KEY stat from this season is the first goal ...

Under Bruce we've scored the first goal 20 times and conceded the first 15 times (we've not had a 0-0 under him).

From the 20 we've taken the lead we've managed to win 14 of them, draw 5 and lose 1, that's pretty good and shows that he's done a pretty solid job of getting us to hold on to a lead, hence he's improved us from where we were under RDM. However in the 15 games where we've conceded the first goal we've picked up just 5 points and that is why we're in the bottom half of the table.  As I said on the Bruce out thread yesterday, this is the effect of being all about keeping clean sheets, it makes us completely reliant on scoring the first goal, if that doesn't happen we get nothing.

He needs to find a way to get back into games because this season he has been incapable of changing games with tactics or subs and that just isn't anywhere near good enough.

[olaftab]

Good stats Paul and those clearly illustrate Bruce's limitations.

[andyh]

The KEY stat from this season is the first goal ...

Under Bruce we've scored the first goal 20 times and conceded the first 15 times (we've not had a 0-0 under him).

From the 20 we've taken the lead we've managed to win 14 of them, draw 5 and lose 1, that's pretty good and shows that he's done a pretty solid job of getting us to hold on to a lead, hence he's improved us from where we were under RDM. However in the 15 games where we've conceded the first goal we've picked up just 5 points and that is why we're in the bottom half of the table.  As I said on the Bruce out thread yesterday, this is the effect of being all about keeping clean sheets, it makes us completely reliant on scoring the first goal, if that doesn't happen we get nothing.

He needs to find a way to get back into games because this season he has been incapable of changing games with tactics or subs and that just isn't anywhere near good enough.

Yes he does, without a doubt.

But bloody hell, he has also got to find a way where we win 10 away games next season (if he is still here).

[paul_e]

The KEY stat from this season is the first goal ...

Under Bruce we've scored the first goal 20 times and conceded the first 15 times (we've not had a 0-0 under him).

From the 20 we've taken the lead we've managed to win 14 of them, draw 5 and lose 1, that's pretty good and shows that he's done a pretty solid job of getting us to hold on to a lead, hence he's improved us from where we were under RDM. However in the 15 games where we've conceded the first goal we've picked up just 5 points and that is why we're in the bottom half of the table.  As I said on the Bruce out thread yesterday, this is the effect of being all about keeping clean sheets, it makes us completely reliant on scoring the first goal, if that doesn't happen we get nothing.

He needs to find a way to get back into games because this season he has been incapable of changing games with tactics or subs and that just isn't anywhere near good enough.

Yes he does, without a doubt.

But bloody hell, he has also got to find a way where we win 10 away games next season (if he is still here).

The biggest problem away from home is 14 goals in 23 games.  You just don't win games if you can't score (that's comfortably the wirst in the league by the way, with Rotherham on 17 being the only other team under 20.  Bruce is responsible for 12 in 17 from that so again he did a little better than RDM but it's still pathetic.

[SoccerHQ]

Any highlights on tv tonight?

Channel 5 thingy was on at 8pm.

You can watch the league one PO highlights at half 11 though.

[Legion]

http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-brighton/358650

[brentastonb6]

Angry, 12 months on and walking towards Villa Park with my youngest son I couldn't believe that for all the players we've offloaded , two completely new management teams and the best talent recruited in the January transfer window we could ever have hoped for that we look so clueless. I think Dr Tony's tweets tonight sum up the expectations for next year- he wasn't slow to wield the axe on RDM , I hope he does the same to Bruce if we're not top three or thereabouts end of October. Thank you Dr Tony for your backing .

[PeterWithesShin]

Dr. Tony Xia‏Verified account @Dr_TonyXia  9h9 hours ago

End of the season. A lot2do this summer as we almost wasted last one. Need focus on how2form a team rather always up2great individuals.#UTV

[kippaxvilla2]

Jesus that is a damning statement.

[Toronto Villa]

Jesus that is a damning statement.

He didn't come to run a Championship side so the pressure will be on to get it right next season. He'll be blunt because so far he's got little to show for the massive investment he's made since buying us.

[TB]

The KEY stat from this season is the first goal ...

Under Bruce we've scored the first goal 20 times and conceded the first 15 times (we've not had a 0-0 under him).

From the 20 we've taken the lead we've managed to win 14 of them, draw 5 and lose 1, that's pretty good and shows that he's done a pretty solid job of getting us to hold on to a lead, hence he's improved us from where we were under RDM. However in the 15 games where we've conceded the first goal we've picked up just 5 points and that is why we're in the bottom half of the table.  As I said on the Bruce out thread yesterday, this is the effect of being all about keeping clean sheets, it makes us completely reliant on scoring the first goal, if that doesn't happen we get nothing.

He needs to find a way to get back into games because this season he has been incapable of changing games with tactics or subs and that just isn't anywhere near good enough.

Not that much of a Bruce fan myself, but this has been a problem for several years now.

2016/2017: Conceded the first goal 19 times, won 1, drew 4, lost 14.
2015/2016: Conceded the first goal 28 times, won 0, drew 4, lost 24.
2014/2015: Conceded the first goal 20 times, won 1, drew 1, lost 18.
2013/2014: Conceded the first goal 22 times, won 4, drew 1, lost 17.
2012/2013: Conceded the first goal 17 times, won 2, drew 2, lost 13.
2011/2012: Conceded the first goal 16 times, won 2, drew 2, lost 12.

(from soccerstats.com)

If this is the KEY stat from this season, it should be a key stat from previous seasons as well. I think there's a pattern emerging from those stats.

[paul_e]

The KEY stat from this season is the first goal ...

Under Bruce we've scored the first goal 20 times and conceded the first 15 times (we've not had a 0-0 under him).

From the 20 we've taken the lead we've managed to win 14 of them, draw 5 and lose 1, that's pretty good and shows that he's done a pretty solid job of getting us to hold on to a lead, hence he's improved us from where we were under RDM. However in the 15 games where we've conceded the first goal we've picked up just 5 points and that is why we're in the bottom half of the table.  As I said on the Bruce out thread yesterday, this is the effect of being all about keeping clean sheets, it makes us completely reliant on scoring the first goal, if that doesn't happen we get nothing.

He needs to find a way to get back into games because this season he has been incapable of changing games with tactics or subs and that just isn't anywhere near good enough.

Not that much of a Bruce fan myself, but this has been a problem for several years now.

2016/2017: Conceded the first goal 19 times, won 1, drew 4, lost 14.
2015/2016: Conceded the first goal 28 times, won 0, drew 4, lost 24.
2014/2015: Conceded the first goal 20 times, won 1, drew 1, lost 18.
2013/2014: Conceded the first goal 22 times, won 4, drew 1, lost 17.
2012/2013: Conceded the first goal 17 times, won 2, drew 2, lost 13.
2011/2012: Conceded the first goal 16 times, won 2, drew 2, lost 12.

(from soccerstats.com)

If this is the KEY stat from this season, it should be a key stat from previous seasons as well. I think there's a pattern emerging from those stats.

Indeed it is, but the difference is that all the others were against sides full of world class players.  The point is that we're supposed to believe that Bruce can get us automatic promotion next year but in truth he's failing in the same ways as many of our previous managers, most of whom we agree aren't good enough.

It also points back to the fact that I've been saying for years that changing the culture of the club by developing a style is much more important than the manager but we just won't learn.  If you pick random managers and adapt to their style you're always going to be in a state of transition and that's what really needs to change.  We need to identify, now, how we want to be playing in 5-6 years time and then make every decision on the basis that it is a step along that path.  Bruce getting us back up via the playoffs this season could be worked to fit but giving him another season is a move in the wrong direction in my opinion.

[tomd2103]

Very underwhelming season in which we've looked very unconvincing for most of it.  Lot of work to do over the summer, but have nagging doubts whether Bruce is going to be able to turn things around.

[ROBBO]

Three times in five minutes in the first half we had the ball on our half forward line after several passes it ended back with Baker, I think Bruce was apoplectic you could hear him yelling on the tube, this sums up the Villa this season for me, I believe that their is little difference in Brighton and us except in the method of play.
I think Bruce has a problem getting players to follow instructions if that's the case we are in trouble.