Aston Villa v Middlesbrough Pre-Match Thread

[ozzjim]

Clearly going to be Hutton at right back. De Laet should be in but played last night. Jedinak and Whelan will start I reckon and I think he will bring pony hair back in for Hourihane. Snodgrass and Adomah should start in the wide positions and interchange but you just know he will start Elmo. Hogan having a very lonely night up top.

[Toronto Villa]

You just know that tonight is going to be an eye bleeding rearguard affair where he sends the team out to deny Boro as opposed to for a win. He'll blame injuries, the pitch, the fans, the recent eclipse and the worsening political situation regarding North Korea amongst a whole host of non Steve Bruce things for our failings. I can't wait to shiver my balls off watching us brilliantly score nil and pray Boro do the same.

[Risso]

You just know that tonight is going to be an eye bleeding rearguard affair where he sends the team out to deny Boro as opposed to for a win. He'll blame injuries, the pitch, the fans, the recent eclipse and the worsening political situation regarding North Korea amongst a whole host of non Steve Bruce things for our failings. I can't wait to shiver my balls off watching us brilliantly score nil and pray Boro do the same.

It's going to absolutely piss down as well from about 7pm tonight, for the rest of the evening.

[Chris Smith]

You just know that tonight is going to be an eye bleeding rearguard affair where he sends the team out to deny Boro as opposed to for a win. He'll blame injuries, the pitch, the fans, the recent eclipse and the worsening political situation regarding North Korea amongst a whole host of non Steve Bruce things for our failings. I can't wait to shiver my balls off watching us brilliantly score nil and pray Boro do the same.

I really doubt it, generally he has tried to play an attacking game at home. He knows he needs a win so we will try to play on the front foot although there needs to be a balance as they are a decent side.

I do feel for you though, your poor little thing having to go out in the cold. Try to stay strong.

[Legion]

I didn't see much attacking v Brentford.

[Matt Collins]

I do think he might pair Whelan and Jedinak today. I don't think we should ever really do that at home

Could see hourihane being rested ahead of Barnsley

[Toronto Villa]

You just know that tonight is going to be an eye bleeding rearguard affair where he sends the team out to deny Boro as opposed to for a win. He'll blame injuries, the pitch, the fans, the recent eclipse and the worsening political situation regarding North Korea amongst a whole host of non Steve Bruce things for our failings. I can't wait to shiver my balls off watching us brilliantly score nil and pray Boro do the same.

I really doubt it, generally he has tried to play an attacking game at home. He knows he needs a win so we will try to play on the front foot although there needs to be a balance as they are a decent side.

I do feel for you though, your poor little thing having to go out in the cold. Try to stay strong.

Chris, I'd go along with your optimism except I saw first hand how we did the very opposite of everything you just described on Saturday. And I will bring an extra layer for my balls and something waterproof for my head tonight. Thanks for caring 😄

[Chris Smith]

I didn't see much attacking v Brentford.

I agree and that is why I said generally. Neither players nor manager can afford to be timid tonight and hand them the initiative; all have a lot to prove.

[Clampy]

I do think he might pair Whelan and Jedinak today. I don't think we should ever really do that at home

I was thinking the other day he might do that. Away from home, I could see the reasoning  behind it. Not at home though.

[Chris Smith]

You just know that tonight is going to be an eye bleeding rearguard affair where he sends the team out to deny Boro as opposed to for a win. He'll blame injuries, the pitch, the fans, the recent eclipse and the worsening political situation regarding North Korea amongst a whole host of non Steve Bruce things for our failings. I can't wait to shiver my balls off watching us brilliantly score nil and pray Boro do the same.

I really doubt it, generally he has tried to play an attacking game at home. He knows he needs a win so we will try to play on the front foot although there needs to be a balance as they are a decent side.

I do feel for you though, your poor little thing having to go out in the cold. Try to stay strong.

Chris, I'd go along with your optimism except I saw first hand how we did the very opposite of everything you just described on Saturday. And I will bring an extra layer for my balls and something waterproof for my head tonight. Thanks for caring 😄

Very sensible, maybe take a flask as well.

It's going to be wet but the forecast is 12/13 degrees so not that cold really.

I hate the over egging of individual games but this one does feel pivotal to me. I think it will be extremely difficult for Bruce to recover from another poor result but also some of the players. A change of manager inevitably results in changes and some may find themselves surplus to requirements.

[Toronto Villa]

You just know that tonight is going to be an eye bleeding rearguard affair where he sends the team out to deny Boro as opposed to for a win. He'll blame injuries, the pitch, the fans, the recent eclipse and the worsening political situation regarding North Korea amongst a whole host of non Steve Bruce things for our failings. I can't wait to shiver my balls off watching us brilliantly score nil and pray Boro do the same.

It's going to absolutely piss down as well from about 7pm tonight, for the rest of the evening.

Perfect. I can fly back the following morning with a fever and us sitting bottom 3.

[Toronto Villa]

You just know that tonight is going to be an eye bleeding rearguard affair where he sends the team out to deny Boro as opposed to for a win. He'll blame injuries, the pitch, the fans, the recent eclipse and the worsening political situation regarding North Korea amongst a whole host of non Steve Bruce things for our failings. I can't wait to shiver my balls off watching us brilliantly score nil and pray Boro do the same.

I really doubt it, generally he has tried to play an attacking game at home. He knows he needs a win so we will try to play on the front foot although there needs to be a balance as they are a decent side.

I do feel for you though, your poor little thing having to go out in the cold. Try to stay strong.

Chris, I'd go along with your optimism except I saw first hand how we did the very opposite of everything you just described on Saturday. And I will bring an extra layer for my balls and something waterproof for my head tonight. Thanks for caring 😄

Very sensible, maybe take a flask as well.

It's going to be wet but the forecast is 12/13 degrees so not that cold really.

I hate the over egging of individual games but this one does feel pivotal to me. I think it will be extremely difficult for Bruce to recover from another poor result but also some of the players. A change of manager inevitably results in changes and some may find themselves surplus to requirements.

I just don't think he has it in him Chris to change drastically enough to affect the result tonight. The players will be confused too considering he has sent them out with mixed messages. What seemed to work well against Norwich and Wigan was suddenly changed for no reason vs Bristol City. Instead of going back to that style vs Brentford we witnessed an even more pathetic display. After 11 months a manager with his experience should have identified a specific way of playing. He doesn't know what that is and it is clearly being reflected by the players on the pitch. I don't expect much better or different tonight.

[Boz]

Anything less than a win is unacceptable. We're six points off the pace we ought to be accumulating at.

Attack for fecks sake.

Indeed. He should be sacked regardless, but if we don't win he absolutely should be sacked immediately.

If we lose they should sack him twice

Someone should be standing in the tunnel at the end of the game with his P45

[Chris Smith]

You just know that tonight is going to be an eye bleeding rearguard affair where he sends the team out to deny Boro as opposed to for a win. He'll blame injuries, the pitch, the fans, the recent eclipse and the worsening political situation regarding North Korea amongst a whole host of non Steve Bruce things for our failings. I can't wait to shiver my balls off watching us brilliantly score nil and pray Boro do the same.

I really doubt it, generally he has tried to play an attacking game at home. He knows he needs a win so we will try to play on the front foot although there needs to be a balance as they are a decent side.

I do feel for you though, your poor little thing having to go out in the cold. Try to stay strong.

Chris, I'd go along with your optimism except I saw first hand how we did the very opposite of everything you just described on Saturday. And I will bring an extra layer for my balls and something waterproof for my head tonight. Thanks for caring 😄

Very sensible, maybe take a flask as well.

It's going to be wet but the forecast is 12/13 degrees so not that cold really.

I hate the over egging of individual games but this one does feel pivotal to me. I think it will be extremely difficult for Bruce to recover from another poor result but also some of the players. A change of manager inevitably results in changes and some may find themselves surplus to requirements.

I just don't think he has it in him Chris to change drastically enough to affect the result tonight. The players will be confused too considering he has sent them out with mixed messages. What seemed to work well against Norwich and Wigan was suddenly changed for no reason vs Bristol City. Instead of going back to that style vs Brentford we witnessed an even more pathetic display. After 11 months a manager with his experience should have identified a specific way of playing. He doesn't know what that is and it is clearly being reflected by the players on the pitch. I don't expect much better or different tonight.

I think the Brentford display was down to performance rather than tactics, the players just looked flat and what had worked well previously just did not happen. The fault from the manager's perspective was not recognising players who needed a rest and from the players for retreating into a timid, reactive performance. All need to do better tonight, whether or not they can or will is another matter. I will travel in hope, otherwise what's the point?

[Risso]

You just know that tonight is going to be an eye bleeding rearguard affair where he sends the team out to deny Boro as opposed to for a win. He'll blame injuries, the pitch, the fans, the recent eclipse and the worsening political situation regarding North Korea amongst a whole host of non Steve Bruce things for our failings. I can't wait to shiver my balls off watching us brilliantly score nil and pray Boro do the same.

It's going to absolutely piss down as well from about 7pm tonight, for the rest of the evening.

Perfect. I can fly back the following morning with a fever and us sitting bottom 3.

Living the dream!