Manager suggestions - Now with added poll

[Matt Collins]

Agreed

But for every one of those there's probably two Daniel Farks etc

And I don't have a huge amount of confidence in the decision making of this board yet

[AVH87]

Agreed

But for every one of those there's probably two Daniel Farks etc

And I don't have a huge amount of confidence in the decision making of this board yet

As bad as they've been, he's still got them above Aston Dinosaur FC.

It's more likely the board get it wrong though, unless it's 3rd time lucky.

[robleflaneur]

Apart from the obvious ones,Fulham boss and Dean Smith .I did suggest Uwe Rosler ,Fleetwood ,and Clotet at Oxford,I could add Graham Alexander at Scunthorpe.League 1 bosses but only a few places below our position.In front of them I would put Nigel Clough,bound to be relegated at Burton but that's no disgrace,and his team play better football,not difficult ,than Bruce's.

[saunders_heroes]

I must say Dean Smith impressed me today with how he set up his team. Played the ball out of defence into attack all game. Very positive stuff. Is it too early for him? Christ knows if he'd turn into another Graham Turner but Bruce must be shitting himself at the moment because it just isn't good enough.

[Toronto Villa]

I must say Dean Smith impressed me today with how he set up his team. Played the ball out of defence into attack all game. Very positive stuff. Is it too early for him? Christ knows if he'd turn into another Graham Turner but Bruce must be shitting himself at the moment because it just isn't good enough.

Rowett was every bit as good in the game I watched last night. He has senior players that he used intelligently and they did the basics so very well. They took apart a Hull without really having to be special and were so clinical in front of goal. They played Nugent up front on his own with two wide men and midfielders who got into the box and took shots. They scored 5 times, 4 from midfielders, from Curtis Davies who looked imperious alongside Keogh.

Us. Well we look shit.

[curiousorange]

Would Dean Smith have enough to manage the inevitable expectation? Great managers have to come from somewhere and time will tell whether Smith has the staying power. One thing I think would be the case under Dean Smith is that players would probably look like they enjoy playing for Aston Villa. If a lifelong Villa fan can't get them enthusiastic for a Saturday afternoon (or a Tuesday night), then they're probably not going to be here for long.

[saunders_heroes]

I must say Dean Smith impressed me today with how he set up his team. Played the ball out of defence into attack all game. Very positive stuff. Is it too early for him? Christ knows if he'd turn into another Graham Turner but Bruce must be shitting himself at the moment because it just isn't good enough.

Rowett was every bit as good in the game I watched last night. He has senior players that he used intelligently and they did the basics so very well. They took apart a Hull without really having to be special and were so clinical in front of goal. They played Nugent up front on his own with two wide men and midfielders who got into the box and took shots. They scored 5 times, 4 from midfielders, from Curtis Davies who looked imperious alongside Keogh.

Us. Well we look shit.

I think whatever happens he's got the month of September and that's it. If we're still struggling I think Xia will pull the trigger. Sadly I think Bruce is on borrowed time. Normally I'd stick up for him but he really doesn't do himself any favours with the negative set up of his teams. I really hate to see one man up front at home. It's negative by default.

[Damo70]

After two former Small Heath managers in McLeish and Bruce we will probably go for third time lucky and appoint Zola.

[Toronto Villa]

I must say Dean Smith impressed me today with how he set up his team. Played the ball out of defence into attack all game. Very positive stuff. Is it too early for him? Christ knows if he'd turn into another Graham Turner but Bruce must be shitting himself at the moment because it just isn't good enough.

Rowett was every bit as good in the game I watched last night. He has senior players that he used intelligently and they did the basics so very well. They took apart a Hull without really having to be special and were so clinical in front of goal. They played Nugent up front on his own with two wide men and midfielders who got into the box and took shots. They scored 5 times, 4 from midfielders, from Curtis Davies who looked imperious alongside Keogh.

Us. Well we look shit.

I think whatever happens he's got the month of September and that's it. If we're still struggling I think Xia will pull the trigger. Sadly I think Bruce is on borrowed time. Normally I'd stick up for him but he really doesn't do himself any favours with the negative set up of his teams. I really hate to see one man up front at home. It's negative by default.

One man up front isn't the problem IMO. It's just that you cannot play that way if the midfield then sits behind the halfway line and doesn't support and attack. Throw in an inept right midfielder and a massively overrated left winger. It doesn't add up to much.

[Tom221186]

After two former Small Heath managers in McLeish and Bruce we will probably go for third time lucky and appoint Zola.

It'll be Barry Fry next

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I must say Dean Smith impressed me today with how he set up his team. Played the ball out of defence into attack all game. Very positive stuff. Is it too early for him? Christ knows if he'd turn into another Graham Turner but Bruce must be shitting himself at the moment because it just isn't good enough.

Rowett was every bit as good in the game I watched last night. He has senior players that he used intelligently and they did the basics so very well. They took apart a Hull without really having to be special and were so clinical in front of goal. They played Nugent up front on his own with two wide men and midfielders who got into the box and took shots. They scored 5 times, 4 from midfielders, from Curtis Davies who looked imperious alongside Keogh.

Us. Well we look shit.

I think whatever happens he's got the month of September and that's it. If we're still struggling I think Xia will pull the trigger. Sadly I think Bruce is on borrowed time. Normally I'd stick up for him but he really doesn't do himself any favours with the negative set up of his teams. I really hate to see one man up front at home. It's negative by default.

He's been on borrowed time since May. As much as we all want to see the side click, if we're really honest, it's no real surprise it's not happening. Now we have the problem of trying to find somebody to save our season in bloody September. Like Bruce, we're our own worst enemy.

[nick harper]

I must say Dean Smith impressed me today with how he set up his team. Played the ball out of defence into attack all game. Very positive stuff. Is it too early for him? Christ knows if he'd turn into another Graham Turner but Bruce must be shitting himself at the moment because it just isn't good enough.

Rowett was every bit as good in the game I watched last night. He has senior players that he used intelligently and they did the basics so very well. They took apart a Hull without really having to be special and were so clinical in front of goal. They played Nugent up front on his own with two wide men and midfielders who got into the box and took shots. They scored 5 times, 4 from midfielders, from Curtis Davies who looked imperious alongside Keogh.

Us. Well we look shit.

I think whatever happens he's got the month of September and that's it. If we're still struggling I think Xia will pull the trigger. Sadly I think Bruce is on borrowed time. Normally I'd stick up for him but he really doesn't do himself any favours with the negative set up of his teams. I really hate to see one man up front at home. It's negative by default.

Plenty of sides play one up front at home. That's not the issue I don't think.

We play without any tempo for long periods. We sit off sides and give possession away too easily. The team is in Bruce's image - too often hesitant and cautious. Players in possession not having options  - too static and lacking momentum etc etc.

He may as well set the side up to try to out score teams and play on the front foot. At the moment the pressure he's feeling is turning into a slow and inevitable death for him.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't really care who it is, as long as they know how to set up a side to attack and can adapt their tactics when things aren't going their way.

[XXVilla]

Dean Smith certainly had us worked out today and considering he has very little at his disposal he nearly came away with 3 points.

[ozzjim]

Yep. Dean Smith for me. Villa through and through, sets up to attack, and I reckon would get our lot playing pretty well.