January Transfer Window

[Clampy]

Obeidence?  Hmm, ok.

[dave.woodhall]

The worst thing about the situation with Hogan is the complete lack of awareness from Bruce over it - http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/12/21/steve-bruce-has-a-theory-behind-why-scott-hogan-has-struggled-at/page/1/

"I think it’s hard, no disrespect to Brentford, or Barnsley, but this is different to those clubs where there’s no real expectation,” he said.

“Staying in the division is probably the expectation, with that they can flourish.

“But when you come to Aston Villa you are under the pump, under the cosh, under the spotlight straight away.

“There’s big demands.

“That’s what playing for this club is, big club, big expectations - that becomes difficult for people, two or three have found it difficult.

“But we’ve seen with Hourihane, how he’s picked up and done well, but we hope Scotty can do that too.”

So nothing to do with us punting balls at his head from 60 yards away then?

On top of that, He talks about the pressure of expectations there but this is from a guy who called fans hysterical for having high expectations of him.

Just another way of abdicating responsibility for what has so far been a huge failure.
What would the player think reading that?

Not sure, but the dismissive attitude towards Brentford has probably made Dean Smith's team talk on Boxing Day a lot easier. 

I doubt Dean Smith's taken the slightest bit of notice.

[eamonn]

Hope Deano has a great Christmas and his favourite team get good results for him.

[ronshirt]

I love Clampy. He's like HAL only better.

[clash city rocker]

In any other industry if you invested £10m in something you'd do your best to make sure it worked for you not simply discard it and make excuses about it.

[brontebilly]

I'm just going by Bruce's comments about the expectation level. Cascarino came with a big reputation and he struggled as well. Of course he's been a disappointment so far for various reasons but like I said earlier, some work out, some don't.

Hogan was an utterly mental signing though. Completely unsuited to Bruce's style of play and our other attacking players.

Lets not forget Bruce claimed at the time he had been tracking him since his Rochdale days.

It could be argued the likes of Elphick and McCormack were reasonable signings at the time but expectation levels, off field issues etc counted against them.

[Ads]

I'd say Hogan is the ideal forward for somebody like Grealish. Trouble is, how many times has Jack played in the hole (no, not that hole Mick).

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Jack, for the love of him and all his talent has done next to nothing to deserve to be declared our saviour. Even Bruce today listed the players fighting for the '10' spot.

For what's worth, I don't believe Bruce was relying on Jack coming back to save his season. What Bruce fails until now is understanding and believing in players in their natural position. To hear him talk about Omanah out wide, nevermind centre forward is beyond a joke. Just because you want it to happen doesn't mean it will.

We've had some shit managers over the last 17 years, Bruce is just another name to the list. #whenwillitend

[Ads]

Good job nobody has declared him our saviour then.

Coming to save a season for a side who were 4th when he regained match fitness.

#whenwillthehyperbolicnonsenseend

Now that's a hashtag.

[paul_e]

I'd say Hogan is the ideal forward for somebody like Grealish. Trouble is, how many times has Jack played in the hole (no, not that hole Mick).

Absolutely, but Bruce has barely played them together in nearly a year (partly through injuries, partly because of Kodjia but that doesn't cover all of it).  Even when both have been on the pitch together, as you mention, Grealish was playing 20 yards deeper than he should've been.

Rudy is right on that point, Bruce has spent far too much time playing people out of position trying to force them into a shape he's  comfortable with when he really should have been adapting to the squad or buying players to fit the gaps.  The latter bit is why I'm so disappointed with him in the transfer market, from the outside it looks far too much like he's signed on personality and once they're at BMH he then tries to work out how to use them.  A lot of the comments he's made about signings certainly suggests as much.

[villan from luton]

Jack the saviour? Not really seen that but I do expect to see him in the number 10 role and would love to see Callum swapping with him. I really think these two could bring the best out of Hogan if the manager allowed it. However, with the style of football played at the moment, it is very doubtful.

I also agree with someones earlier comment re Bruces comments about the difference in playing for Brentford and Barnsley against that of Villa. Why mention it now when we are playing Brentford in a few days. Obviously we are a bigger club but should he be rubbing it in and I can imagine Dean Smith's team talk

[Ads]

It would be interesting to see a Grealish and O'Hare combo behind a forward with complete licence.

[Mister E]

The worst thing about the situation with Hogan is the complete lack of awareness from Bruce over it - http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/12/21/steve-bruce-has-a-theory-behind-why-scott-hogan-has-struggled-at/page/1/

"I think it’s hard, no disrespect to Brentford, or Barnsley, but this is different to those clubs where there’s no real expectation,” he said.

“Staying in the division is probably the expectation, with that they can flourish.

“But when you come to Aston Villa you are under the pump, under the cosh, under the spotlight straight away.

“There’s big demands.

“That’s what playing for this club is, big club, big expectations - that becomes difficult for people, two or three have found it difficult.

“But we’ve seen with Hourihane, how he’s picked up and done well, but we hope Scotty can do that too.”

Funny that he uses Hourihane as an example of someone who has acclimatised to the 'pressure' of playing for Villa: I think Hourihane has largely underperformed and has been getting worse in the last 4-5 games.

[villan from luton]

It would be interesting to see a Grealish and O'Hare combo behind a forward with complete licence.

Yes, I think it would as well. They are talented players, will Bruce give O "Hare a chance though? I like Snodgrass but bit predictable at times with teams lying deep as they will.

[Steve67]

I'm in the minority but there is a player in there somewhere with Hogan. Hopefully, Agnew can get a better tune out of him than Bruce has.