dappadan

Yes really, you seemed pretty sure that we should and I am open to hearing the reasons why. That is all. Interestingly our average possession this season is 48% so not too far away from what you think it should be?

Can I just ask why we should be having at least 50% possession?

The Irish independent did a very good piece on it and recalled a number of similar tackles that fortunately have not caused serious injury. Even stated 2 tackles by Coleman that could well have ended up with broken bones. One on Sterling in October and the other on costa in November. Talks about how the Irish football fans used to love a cruncher from Keane and also the tackles that McLean flies into. These tackles happen frequently and often the tackle is judged by the outcome and injury sustained.

Probably be a couple of wins short but...... In the last 6 games we have gained 15 points and Wednesday have gained 4 points. We could arguably have gained another 3 against Huddersfield. Same happens again and we catch Wednesday with 2 games left

Tommy Johnson

I keep seeing this line about suddenly settling for mediocrity and it makes absolutely no sense to me considering we have been so shite for the last few years. We are a club who needs to rebuild due to continuous mis management and at some point we will go from shite back to mediocrity. We haven't won anything for 20 years! Football for me is about the highs and lows and enjoying the day out. It is a form of entertainment and should be enjoyable win lose or draw I really don't see the point following it if it's not.

I think that is his problem. What people say and the way he interprets it are 2 different things.

I find it quite staggering that Bruce is being questioned already. Looking at his managerial career he has managed 8 clubs and a total of 809 games winning 305 of them which is a win percentage of 37% Bearing in mind the types of clubs he has managed I would say his record alone should give him some time to do what he needs to do here. That is without the 4 promotions in the premiership and keeping other less desirable clubs in the prem Every manager makes mistakes and has limitations even the best ones however we appear to have one of if not the best manager to get our club out of this division. Society has appeared to have turned into "I want it now" if people don't get what they want they appear to stomp there feet and demand change.

Agreed and I am hoping that Carlos Sanchez returns. If not then we purchase a similar player for back up.

Put this in the Baker thread but I think relevant here aswell. There is a stat that says when Jedinak, Baker and Chester have played together this season we have won 9 drawn 5 and lost 0 seems such a key combination to the way we play. Jedinak missing was a huge loss for Bruce. It appears we lacked protection and Bruce was clearly trying to negate that with more defensive tactics and Lansbury playing in a role he is not accustomed to. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't but I have seen enough from this team and manager to believe we will be challenging next year if we keep the faith. Bruce has added some real quality to the squad and the only way is up for me.

Saw a stat where it said when Baker, Chester and Jedinak have played together we have won 9 drawn 5 and lost 0 seem this trio is absolutely integral to the way we play.

He is gonna end up in the bomb squad I know it.

Yes as did a number of the players which was good to hear

The lack of patience in football I find quite staggering at times. There are so many different factors to a football club and for me stability plays such a key role. As a fanbase we just need to look at the last few years to see that. It is time for us all to come back together as a football club. Bruce had a good period followed by a bad period, this happens everywhere in football. Just look at Klopp at Liverpool. The one thing you always see with clubs who get promoted from the championship is a settled team with a united fanbase. Until we do our bit to back the team and all staff we will not get back to where we should be.

So much of football relies on the mental aspect. You only have to look at Liverpool and Leicester this season for that. The way I see it our club has become depressed over a long period of time and we are battling hard to get out of the depression. For me a manager like Bruce is exactly the right person to get us there mentally. Whether he is tactically good enough in the long run is debatable but stability and growing a different mentality is absolutely key for now. There appears to be a growing rapport with the fans, the players and the manager at the ground despite adversity and this can only help going forward. Every player on the pitch seems to be putting in a shift at present and all seem very understanding of fans frustrations. I listened to Hourihane last night on talksport and he was very honest in his assessment. We as fans will always be there but I truly believe that now we have a club full of people who really care which we haven't had for a long time.

Not surprised considering he didn't come on till the 37th minute

Class act this guy. Appears to really love being at the club and appreciates the fans. Scored some crackers aswell this season.

Love it match day again! Come on Villa! My wife who has no interest in football has said today is the day and as we all know they are always right!

We were playing away at top of the league after a string of bad results though. For me there was nothing wrong with the set up first half apart from Kodjia out wide. We played ok and restricted them to nothing until our players again made avoidable mistakes. Just like the previous 2 games! We seem to have decent players that can not seem to handle the pressure and pass the ball to each other. Before the Ipswich game I was watching the warm up and we had the front 6 all around the box passing to each other and setting up strikes that were being finished really well. They just can't seem to transfer that to the pitch. As for Grealish the best games I have seen him play is from the left beating full backs and putting the ball across the box. Bruce is making mistakes there is no doubt about that but he could use a little support from his players.

Stick with for me. If our players could finish we would have a lot more points. Blame lies with them for me at the minute. The goals we are conceding are farcical and the finishing abysmal but we need to give someone time. I do however see the other side and he needs to stop trying to shoehorn players into wrong positions just to have them on the pitch. Get Kodjia up front with Adomah and Green/Grealish on the wings.

Was a moment where he went in to the box but then looked for a pass and lost it. They were the sort of opportunities he was fizzing into the bottom corner for Barnsley.

I can't really knock him tonight. OK he missed the chances but he was the only player who actually got in positions so he had the chances. Everyone else seems too scared

He looked like he got his foot stuck in the ground! Absolute bullshit

Hogan off put Kodjia up top and Adomah on the wing please Bruce.

Seems crazy how many of you are not bothered. Each to their own but I love settling down to watch the Villa. Think Lansbury will get a goal tonight!