Pre-Season Friendlies

[SoccerHQ]

We are useless going forward without Kodjia would be my summary of how things stand and it really shouldn't be like that. Madness some people want to sell him, I'd rather take my chances with a 20 goal a season striker remaining at the club given how much money we've wasted on forwards down the years.

It's not just going to happen for McCormack here let's face it and Hogan looks to be going the same way although I still think there could be a role for him and he'll have a good scoring run at some point but I expect far more for 12m.

Way SB sets us up and the speculative balls we push forward we need an unpredictable and mobile striker upfront like JK to make things happen rather than players just waiting for crosses in the six yard box.

It's not good enough and could well cost him his job if Kodjia isn't fit by September.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

The commentators words in the 80th min. ("There's only Hogan in the middle...the ball has gone over his head.") sums up Bruce's attacking intent and demonstrates that the concept of attacking football is way over his head. We haven't moved on or learnt anything!! The set up last night was no different (only in personnel) than the 1st half vs Cardiff away last January. 5 across midfield with a lone striker and no Kodjia. It didn't work then as it didn't last night due to an ineffective front man and a disconnect between midfield and the striker. I know last night was only a friendly but with less than 3 weeks until the start of the season Bruce continues to show he's lacking in ideas regarding formation, tactics and team selection, especially without Kodjia in the team.

[Matt Collins]

Good post

I find it confusing we keep On buying strikers like McCormack and hogan with so little physical presence and who struggle to play right up top

I think hogan did play the 1 in a 451, but I'm curious how that worked. Brentford must have either played a lot of football on the break, or some very intricate midfield play that doesn't require you to 'hit' the striker

Or he's just not showing something that he did then

I think Bruce would quite like to play Kodjia left in the sort of formation we saw last night; but I just don't see who'd play up front - despite all of the money we've spent

[brian green]

I give Bruce eight games.

[Legion]

We are useless

Yes.

[Boz]

I give Bruce eight games.

As many as that Brian? If the remaining friendlies continue in this fashion, he'll be lucky to start the season. Dr X needs to start looking for a modern thinking manager now.

[JUAN PABLO]

Ok just rewatched the first half (which I did not see live). I think I was too harsh. Plenty of attacking intent and chances in the first half.

Yep, I still think we were decent but let down by poor finishing and a weak Thor-Gabby partnership

Thor got in some great positioning to be fair but his finishing was like Del boys dressed in his Batman costume.

[JUAN PABLO]

Id like to see Calderwood given the boot , get someone decent in.

[Matt Collins]

Calderwood and Bruce clearly have pedigree at this level

I've got a number of concerns ahead of the season. But if Tony sacks re manager or coach on the back of pre season we know that he's not a fit and proper chairman

[Jockey Randall]

There still seems to be a worrying trend of players dragging each other down to a half arsed level.

We started well last night and were creating chances but if nothing goes in we just start going through the motions and everyone just gradually accepts it. Kodjia is probably the only one going forward who doesn't let his head drop and keeps trying things. You'd think with so many "captains" it would be a different story.

[RussellC]

There were some positives;

Samba is undoubtedly an upgrade on both Richards and Elphick. Even against lower-league opposition that is clear.
Terry makes a notable difference, both defensively and when we're playing out form the back. Do we have another player (let alone centre-back) who can hit 40-yard cross-field balls with his weaker foot?
Bree & Green. Both had mixed performances, but if Bruce can show some faith in them now for a bit - and let them play through their tough patches - that could be Villa's right handside for the next 10+ years.

However;

Bjarnasson cannot begin the season in the starting XI. When Grealish is back in the fold, getting him up to speed - and form - has to be Bruce's priority. He offers so much more than BB. In that formation, McCormack, Bacuna, Hourihane and Green should all be ahead of him to start too. I'm not saying he won't be of any use this season, but he should definitely be considered as an option from the bench presently.
Lansbury and Hourihane. Both so inconsistent. Highlighted by their delivery from corners and free-kicks. When you've got Terry and Samba in the middle, there's absolutely no excuse for over/under-hitting deliveries as often as we did last night. I'm far from suggesting that we return to Westwood's floated deliveries, but at least he understood that just by ensuring the ball ended up in the box, it would give Benteke more than a fighting chance of beating his marker.
Tshibola - what on earth was Bruce doing bringing him on for less than 10 seconds at the end? He must have intended to piss him off or humiliate him surely?!

[Matt Collins]

There were some positives;

Samba is undoubtedly an upgrade on both Richards and Elphick. Even against lower-league opposition that is clear.
Terry makes a notable difference, both defensively and when we're playing out form the back. Do we have another player (let alone centre-back) who can hit 40-yard cross-field balls with his weaker foot?
Bree & Green. Both had mixed performances, but if price can show some faith in them now for a bit - and let them play through their tough patches - that could be Villa's right handside for the next 10+ years.

However;

Bjarnasson cannot begin the season in the starting XI. When Grealish is back in the fold, getting him up to speed - and form - has to be Bruce's priority. He offers so much more than BB. In that formation, McCormack, Bacuna, Hourihane and Green should all be ahead of him to start too. I'm not saying he won;t be of any use this season, but he should definitely be considered as an option form the bench presently.
Lansbury and Hourihane. Both so inconsistent. Highlighted by their delivery from corners and free-kicks. When you've got Terry and Samba in the middle, there's absolutely no excuse for over/under-hitting deliveries as often as we did last night. I'm far from
 suggesting that we return to Westwood's floated deliveries, but at least he understood that just by ensuring the ball ended up in the box, it would give Benteke more than a fighting chance of beating his marker.
Tshibola - what on earth was Bruce doing bringing him on for less than 10 seconds at the end? He must have intended to piss him off or humiliate him surely?!

Good post

Lansbury is frustratingly sloppy on the ball and hourihane seems to go missing a fair bit

Green wasn't as good as I initially thought, on reflection. And grealish has to come in if we play this formation

Gabby did one good turn and FA else

[peter w]

How old is Green? 18? 19? 20? It's too early to right him out every but as its too early to expect him to much more than he is now. I find him disappointing overall and not as good as we all hope he will be, but given time and experience and he can be useful.

[CT]

I give Bruce eight games.

I'm going for around 12, same as RDM was given.

If we start this season as sluggishly as we've looked so far, he'll be finished by October.

A bit of energy, zip, some fast passing of the ball. Movement. Anything!!

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Was gabby's "one good turn" role playing the part of being a professional footballer? His performance was awful and served to demonstrate how much his stock has fallen from England international with 3 caps to struggling against league 1 opposition. Bruce persevering with gabby will continue to hold the club back!