M_Afro

2 minutes ago, withes_shin said:

Ask Carlton Cole

Can’t Control 

With the squad that we have we should definitely be finishing in the top 6, probably the top 3.

With a few carefully chosen additions, namely a GK, CH, pacey attacking midfielder and a target man we should definitely finish top 2.

Anything less will be a failure. Surely people must be running out of excuses for Bruce now!

Can’t believe he is going to be number 1. One for the future surely? Think we will also sign an experienced keeper.

5 minutes ago, Stevo985 said:

What's that got to do with anything?

My point was if you're expecting Bruce to not be allowed to sign players (assuming we've got any money to spend) and to be sacked by Christmas, then you're going to be disappointed, imo.

Not so sure. These guys want a return on their investment. They need fast promotion. If Steve does not deliver, which I firmly believe he will not, then he is gone. I really hope I am wrong because I obviously crave success as much as any other fan. 

1 minute ago, Stevo985 said:

Good luck with that.

Have you seen any progression in our play over the past 12 months? Happy to be illuminated! 

Absolute guarantee that Bruce will get the boot before Christmas. He is incapable of learning from his mistakes. It is so predictable. Let’s hope we are not too far behind when the new owners see the light.

I also would not let him buy any players. We will be saddled with a load of crap when he finally goes. Loans only for Steve please.

We can now look forward to the re-signing of Snodders, Terry and a few others that Steve Bruce can still beat in the annual egg ‘n spoon race! Hope I am wrong because we desperately need pace in our team!

Never wanted Bruce in the first place. Still do not want him. He has failed in my view, predominantly because of his negative approach. I have to admit though that  I do now have massive respect for him as a person. I really think that he is a very decent human being. Therefore, despite the fact that I still want him to go, I will still be a bit sad at the departing of a very decent man.

2 minutes ago, hippo said:

V - Brian Little and Dennis Mortimer who got 45 minutes between then, don't forget Heskey played for Liverpool - which also ups your England cap count.

Davis has no great count in assists though either - last season we have Terry, Jedinak in our defence IMO that was the bigger reason for us being so tight at the back. I don't possibly see how you can justify a strikers inclusion because he helps the defence. The simple concept here is good strikers score goals...period.

 

Let’s just agree to disagree. If a striker has the ability to retain possession of the ball, in the final third, he creates time for his teammates to support the attack, he pulls defenders out of position creating space for newly advanced supporting players to exploit and he also prevents the opposition from gaining possession and commencing their own attack. Non of these things are shown as assists or goals scored but their importance to a team is priceless.

Compare the above to someone like Hogan. He may score more goals than Davis but what is the aggregate position when Hogan plays?

The beauty of football is that different people see the same things in different ways. I am a Villa fan because my dad is from Aston and villa are his team. I have had many arguments with him over the years because we sometimes see the same things in a different light. He is in a hospice now and will probably die in the next 24 hours. I  am grateful that I can enter a discussion forum like this and debate this with good Villa fans like yourself because I know I will never be able to do that with him again. That is why I love Villa and also why I love football. We may disagree but we are one big family.

I really needed this little debate tonight for my own sanity. One or both or neither of us are right but it feels really good to have the discussion. ITV

8 minutes ago, hippo said:

Guilty as charged - I never rated Heskey either.

Football is a simple game - I like strikers who score goals. One with massive potential, or a massive handful don't really appeal to me. Just give me one who will next season put the ball in the net on a regular basis 

 

Heskey has 60 odd England caps!

Surely the most important thing is that we score more goals than the opposition. Someone like Davis not only creates opportunities for his teammates but also massively relieves pressure on our own defence, limiting opportunities created by the opposition. A simple game and a simple concept indeed.

I admit that the very best strikers can be both goal scorers and creators. Those guys are however very few and far between,

Some people just do not understand football. It is a team game. The same people who never appreciated Heskey, still do not appreciate Sterling will never appreciate Davis.

He is a massive handful. He has massive potential. He is unlikely ever to be a prolific goal scorer but that does not mean he cannot improve the overall effectiveness of our team. Football is about the collective yet so few people seem to understand this most basic of concepts. 

The way that Bruce sets his teams up means that a Davis type striker is essential. Unfortunately not even Bruce himself seems to understand this basic concept.

1 minute ago, omariqy said:

Don't mind the stick for last game. I gave him some. But people questioning his overall work rate and ability. Saying Davis should be on the bench. He's just come back from two broken ankles. 

Davis should definitely be on the bench but in place of Hogan not Jimmy D.

Nearly voted him motm. He was so good at relieving pressure when he came on.

What has happened to Davis? He offers so much more than Hogan and would provide a good bench option. I would have him and RHM on the bench ahead of Hogan.

Really good from big Al. He has taken some stick over the years but he always gives his all regardless. Top pro

We are a few hours away from a massive game. Nothing else matters. Show some class fellow Villans. Unity is required now. Let’s show all watching what a class act we can be.

2 minutes ago, DCJonah said:

Guess we are resting players after the fulham result. Don't have an issue with it  

 

If we win we will only be 3 points behind. Also, our away form has gone a bit pants. We need some decent away performances before the play time offs in my view. I am puzzled by the selection but not surprised!

7 minutes ago, Cizzler said:

Oh come off it. We’re 4th in the league, guaranteed play offs and still in with a shout of automatics with 3 games to go.

It wasn’t a fantastic display by all means, but we dominated. Had several good chances and they didn’t have any.

What was it? 5th game in 13 days? Stealing a living? That’s a joke surely 

 

Maybe a bit harsh. I just watched his interview and he really is a good bloke but the truth is, I just do not enjoy watching Villa anymore. With the resources he has, we should be much better. He is scared of everyone we play despite all the advantages we have. I think we could smash this league with a positive approach. 

He is a good guy. I want him to prove me wrong. I just don’t think he will!

Epitomised everything I cannot stand about Bruce. Our U23 side would have won that with ease. If we had pressed high up from the off and put them under pressure we could have scored 10. If he thinks we have a chance of second (which we don’t) then goal difference will be critical. Go up/stay down I want to enjoy football again. It’s bye bye Steve for me regardless. Totally stealing a living

Think this could be really messy. That is such a puzzling team selection. I hope I am wrong. Please prove me wrong Steve.........long night ahead I fear!

I think we will win the play offs. I have no real reasoning for this other than a faint hope that once we get there, regardless of Bruce tactics, the players will throw caution to the wind and have a real go. If they are let off the leash they could do some damage. Regardless, Bruce out at the end of it all

The team selection was fine. The issue is the way we play. We need to press high up the pitch. We do not pressure defences anywhere near enough. We need a high pressing, high energy approach. Bruce just makes us sit back inviting pressure. When we go behind his only answer is to send on more strikers. We can still go up this season but it will be in spite of Bruce. He is our biggest handicap. Out at the end of the season whatever happens

For me, the problem was the two behind Jack. Jedi and Lansbury are both lacking in energy and mobility. When the ball was moved to Jack effectively, he made a difference. He set Albert up for two sitters in the first half but Albert was fast asleep on both occasions. 

Considering Lansbury was effectively playing to show his worth, I thought his performance was disgraceful. No urgency whatsoever. Why Bruce signed him I will never know

Top 2 was unlikely before today. Now it is even more unlikely. I guess we are at least getting our bad run out of the way now. It is too early to peak for the play offs yet. Still fancy us to win at Wembley, especially with the Kodj back. He should be up to speed by then.