The Big Interview

[paul_e]

The engine stuff is the only important bit of that for me right now, the commercial stuff is all important and needs to happen alongside those improvements but if we get the playing side wrong then no amount of commercial improvements will help.

The comments about Bruce worry me because he seems far too chummy with him. Bruce has to be seen as an employee first and foremost and has to have very strict criteria that he's judged against, we can't afford for him to slip up because if he does then most of that interview is hot air.

The comments about Bruce didn't come across as chummy to me. I think he was just pointing out that they had a good working relationship and that he enjoyed working with him, which is good. If the time comes that they have to move Bruce on, the fact that Wyness likes him won't have any bearing on Dr Tony's decision.

Really?

Wyness loves Bruce’s honest approach – and ebullient personality.

“He’s revered in football. His black book is second to none. He is well respected. That’s because he’s a good man.

He's honest, he's got good contacts, he's respected, he's a good man (all things I'd agree with) but nothing about his record at the club or how his management skills are making us a better team, that's why it seems to chummy, it's about him as a person not about him as an employee.

[Clampy]

The engine stuff is the only important bit of that for me right now, the commercial stuff is all important and needs to happen alongside those improvements but if we get the playing side wrong then no amount of commercial improvements will help.

The comments about Bruce worry me because he seems far too chummy with him. Bruce has to be seen as an employee first and foremost and has to have very strict criteria that he's judged against, we can't afford for him to slip up because if he does then most of that interview is hot air.

The comments about Bruce didn't come across as chummy to me. I think he was just pointing out that they had a good working relationship and that he enjoyed working with him, which is good. If the time comes that they have to move Bruce on, the fact that Wyness likes him won't have any bearing on Dr Tony's decision.

Really?

Wyness loves Bruce’s honest approach – and ebullient personality.

“He’s revered in football. His black book is second to none. He is well respected. That’s because he’s a good man.

He's honest, he's got good contacts, he's respected, he's a good man (all things I'd agree with) but nothing about his record at the club or how his management skills are making us a better team, that's why it seems to chummy, it's about him as a person not about him as an employee.

I'm sure they would have sacked him by now if they had any doubts on that score.

[Fasth56]

long term football strategy and playing style with the 'Villa engine' driving us forward

i'm looking forward to that happening

For a long term strategy I'd like us to develop a style of play that is discernible for 90 mins, for just one game.

[john e]

long term football strategy and playing style with the 'Villa engine' driving us forward

i'm looking forward to that happening

For a long term strategy I'd like us to develop a style of play that is discernible for 90 mins, for just one game.

the long term playing strategy engine will not happen under Bruce as he has never had a defined style in his entire managerial career
that's why i'm looking forward to it happening

[Ger Regan]

Keith Wyness

“I have been very pleased with our business in this window.

“I know there’ll have been a big rush of fans saying on Deadline Day evening ‘oh we didn’t do anything.’ Well I am pleased we didn’t need to do anything. I don’t want to have to do things on the last day. I think a lot of clubs who are scrambling around on the last day have got it wrong in many ways.

“We did a lot of our business last January, never mind this transfer window.

“So we have now got the squad balanced. We know it hasn’t been the start we had hoped for but I do believe we are in a very good position now to really push on.

“In terms of Deadline Day and outgoings, it went right until 11pm. We didn’t get things across the line that we had hoped.

“In terms of potential incomings, there were a couple of big names in the mix. We’re not going to divulge their names.

I know it's a fluff piece, but this sort of talk concerns me, if I'm honest. Firstly, you were happy you didn't have to do things on the last day, but you were trying anyway? And I don't care about "big names", I care about good players.

[Fasth56]

long term football strategy and playing style with the 'Villa engine' driving us forward

i'm looking forward to that happening

For a long term strategy I'd like us to develop a style of play that is discernible for 90 mins, for just one game.

the long term playing strategy engine will not happen under Bruce as he has never had a defined style in his entire managerial career
that's why i'm looking forward to it happening

John e, I'm with you John, can't see it happening anytime soon which is what I was alluding to, Bruce has had virtually a season with the team and I've still no idea how we play. We may suddenly move the ball around for a period but it is never sustained over 90 mins never mind 2 -3 games or even longer.

[VILLA MOLE]

Sounds good but its a case of show me do not tell me please utv

[Damo70]

So just wondering whether the current villa engine is from a princess or an allegro? Maybe Keith could confirm?

It'll be the Austin Maestro, surely.

sorry about the link

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/12/31/article-2255282-096FB105000005DC-740_634x378.jpg

at least des and Gary look mildly happy with their cars. The rest of them look like they're immediately going to drive away and park them in the cut underneath spag Jcn. Classic pic though Chico - well done!

Ken McNaught sent his back because he couldn't fit his dogs in the boot

I saw Peter Withe driving his in Solihull once.

[ktvillan]

Villa employee in talking sense shock.  It's good to hear they have a vision and are working to implement it.  But it's quite another story to put it into practice and make it work.  At least he seems to know what is required, unlike the previous regimes.

It's hard to say if we could fill a 60k stadium.  It's not that long ago that clubs like Man City, Newcastle weren't attracting great crowds - even Arsenal pre-Wenger would not have anticipated too many over 50k gates.   In most cases a combination of a sustained period of entertaining football, bums on seats players, and successes have helped to increase demand, especially among football "tourists" and glory hunters, but also next generation  fans.  The three 6th place finishes under pubehead never really delivered great entertainment, bums on seats players (Heskey?  Harewood?)   or, in my view,  the promise of a genuine challenge at the CL.  I think people could see the approach and players brought in meant there was a glass ceiling in terms of both style and achievement.   Villa, along with other Midlands clubs, have consistently failed to realise the potential of the club or exploit the potential market and fan base - which is huge, even locally.   

[Des Little]

I think we've been here before with each of the last three owners - ambitious plans to increase & improve VP, yet the day we bring down the North Stand is as far away as it has ever been.  Like us all on here, I'd much rather see a team playing winning football regularly before we even think about expanding a ground we barely ever fill as it stands.  If we ever do get to the stage whereby the demand is there for a 60k stadium, we'll have to sacrifice a fair bit of what many feel is the core staples of being a Villa fan are, ie dyed-in-the-wool long suffering believers, and instead embrace the integration of the 'global customer' en masse ... and I'm not too sure I want to see people taking selfies/photos when corners are being taken - not to mention a sharp increase in half & half scarves. I guess it's a case of be careful what you wish for...

[KRS]

As mentioned above re:Bruce, this is the bit that concerns me...

Steve Round has been an invaluable sounding board for Steve Bruce too. He’s had 20 unbroken years of coaching in the top level. He’s worked for Man Utd and England. He’s one of the great brains of the game at the moment. He and Steve have a great relationship. They are talking football day in and day out.

 

Steve Bruce is one the great brains of the game? Really?! REALLY???!!!

edit: my mistake...it looks as though he's actually talking about Steve Round being one of the great brains of the game as he's coached at Man Utd and England (didn't know this until I just Googled him!).

[cheltenhamlion]

The engine stuff is the only important bit of that for me right now, the commercial stuff is all important and needs to happen alongside those improvements but if we get the playing side wrong then no amount of commercial improvements will help.

The comments about Bruce worry me because he seems far too chummy with him. Bruce has to be seen as an employee first and foremost and has to have very strict criteria that he's judged against, we can't afford for him to slip up because if he does then most of that interview is hot air.

The comments about Bruce didn't come across as chummy to me. I think he was just pointing out that they had a good working relationship and that he enjoyed working with him, which is good. If the time comes that they have to move Bruce on, the fact that Wyness likes him won't have any bearing on Dr Tony's decision.

Really?

Wyness loves Bruce’s honest approach – and ebullient personality.

“He’s revered in football. His black book is second to none. He is well respected. That’s because he’s a good man.

He's honest, he's got good contacts, he's respected, he's a good man (all things I'd agree with) but nothing about his record at the club or how his management skills are making us a better team, that's why it seems to chummy, it's about him as a person not about him as an employee.

I'm sure they would have sacked him by now if they had any doubts on that score.

If he wasn't so matey with Wyness the Doc would have binned Bruce already.

[Risso]

long term football strategy and playing style with the 'Villa engine' driving us forward

i'm looking forward to that happening

For a long term strategy I'd like us to develop a style of play that is discernible for 90 mins, for just one game.

the long term playing strategy engine will not happen under Bruce as he has never had a defined style in his entire managerial career
that's why i'm looking forward to it happening

Exactly John.  How can you can have a plan for a continued style, when you have an old-school manager with no defined style of player.  There's very little thought behind transfers, formations and style of play at the moment.

[cheltenhamlion]

If all the other stuff is true then they see Bruceand his signings as a short term answer to a short term problem. I would prefer us to start the engine now, rather than shoving it in the boot of a car, driving it to where you might start it and then realise there are teething problems with the engine.

[Damo70]

I think we've been here before with each of the last three owners - ambitious plans to increase & improve VP, yet the day we bring down the North Stand is as far away as it has ever been.  Like us all on here, I'd much rather see a team playing winning football regularly before we even think about expanding a ground we barely ever fill as it stands.  If we ever do get to the stage whereby the demand is there for a 60k stadium, we'll have to sacrifice a fair bit of what many feel is the core staples of being a Villa fan are, ie dyed-in-the-wool long suffering believers, and instead embrace the integration of the 'global customer' en masse ... and I'm not too sure I want to see people taking selfies/photos when corners are being taken - not to mention a sharp increase in half & half scarves. I guess it's a case of be careful what you wish for...

When it comes to selfies, photos of the ground and videos being taken during corners, free kicks and any attack on goal, all of those horses bolted a fair while back.