GREAT_BEARD_OF_ZEUS

Steve Bruce: "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again", "We're having to start again" NO. WE'RE. NOT. 8 of the players who played today have been here for a full season or more. Tuanzebe has been here since January. And your new guys include John McGinn - International, Tammy Abraham - International and Yannick F*****G Bolasie for goodness sake - international. Safe to say they're good enough to integrate into a system.

1st half observations: Dack has looked like the player who could've moved to Tottenham this summer not Jack. Too many clumsy and silly fouls being given around our box. We won't get away with that for another 45 mins. Good decision to play Jedi. We've wasted the ball in wide positions. Need to bring on both Bolasie and El-Ghazi.

If we are short of wingers i.e. if Bolasie or El-Ghazi get injured / need a rest, I can see Bruce switching to 3-5-2 or 3-4-3.

Ahh isn't it lovely to be rich again! As if you'd fly him on on a 'standard' plane, silly boro peasants ?

Brendan Rodgers? ? Hmmm, well he is making noises about not being happy. Plus we have signed McGinn who he clearly wanted. Now another Celtic target Makoudi looks to be on his way to us. What if we're actually working on Brendan's list of targets, ready for when he arrives during the international break??!!! It's the perfect strategy, it has to be true ? I mean it's either him or... what's that other manager who seemed to be in for all the same players as us... ?

No no, I was being entirely serious. And perhaps if I explain the rather crude analogy properly you'll understand why... Because whilst the league and cup are separate, the problem with us over-relying on the individual skills of a small group of quality players to win us matches, rather than coach a whole squad to play an effective style of football is a problem which affects us whatever competition we're playing in. It's simply that last nights cup game highlighted that issue more so than normal. So, much like if you had no money and it say stopped you going to the cinema one night (getting knocked out of the cup) - then hey no biggy. But at the same time if it eventually meant you couldn't afford your mortgage (not getting promoted) - yeah rather problematic! Do you not see where I'm coming from?

On winning the lottery or Villa getting promoted? Actually scrap that, at the moment they're pretty much the same ?

No. But that's like saying would you care if you lost all your money, when you might win the lottery next week?

I'm not surprised in the slightest, but does that make it ok? This kind of performance keeps happening and it's a symptom of poor management/coaching. You said "Christ, who cares?" and I do care.

What was the point in signing them then? Surely the idea is to have a competitive squad who can all contribute? Rather than over-relying on a choice few who can pull a rabbit out of a hat for him every so often? I'm not bothered we're out of the cup - it's more than this was an example that showed there is no effective system or style of play being imposed.

This touches on the much much bigger failing that after 2 years in the job and having been given the means with which to bring in nearly a full sides worth of new signings - the quality of which wouldn't have been affordable (either in fees or wages) to the vast majority of the championship, we still went into the loan market this season needing: Goal keeper / Central defender / Left back / Right winger / Left winger / Striker. That's needing not wanting. In 2 years he hasn't bought well enough or developed existing players well enough to cover over half the positions in the first team. Instead relying on expensive, short term fix loans. Damning, absolutely damning.

You need to channel your inner Samba to see we have ample options should we need a goal ?

Seems like a well established account. Goes on to say ESPN reported this 30 mins ago (assume a report further to the one they put up the other day initially reporting the interest).

Now go get Abraham and Targett. Resign JT. Change Moriera's name to Mark Bunn by deed poll. And we can all relax.

Wowzers trousers!! How exciting.

I'm not keen on Huth. I'm coming round to the idea that a more pacey backline is the way forward for us... and Huth is about as slow as they come. Also there must be a reason Stoke (who he's been back training with) aren't offering him a deal, despite being in the market for a CB.

Bruce himself has said we're close to one or two deals... but our new deadline is the end of the month now, and as always things will pick up towards the cutoff point... plenty of time.

I don't think anyone would enjoy a more aggressive version of that!

Good article that @Mic09 well worth a read. He actually sounds exactly like a young version of Snodgrass - but with much higher potential (Sorry Snods ?). He may be a risk, but one worth taking in my eyes... do we bring back the fans favourite for one more season, or invest in someone who could be/become even better and who knows - be with us a bit longer term! I did find one very interesting point in that article (surmised below): An issue Odegaard faces at Heerenveen: at times, the gameplan makes him a casualty... their go-to attacking move isn’t to connect passes and work the ball forward, it’s to play longer, more hopeful balls into the channels for striker to chase... It bypasses the whole midfield, leaving the likes of Odegaard’s head whipping from left to right and watching the ball sail past him. Let's hope Madrid don't watch our games or they won't let us anywhere near him! ?

If we do only make 3 more loan signings, my priority and suggestions would be as follows: 1. Centre Back -------> Terry I know it's unlikely, I know he's not what we're targeting in terms of profile and I know his lack of pace means we play slightly deeper. BUT... After the clown show at Yeovil it's obvious we need an organiser in there. Fill the rest of the side with young, hungry players by all means, but we need experience in this position. I'd be getting Tuanzebe to shadow him in training with the view to him perhaps beginning to share that right hand side CB slot in the second half of the season. 2. Striker (in the target man mold) -------> Abraham Another unlikely one but we do need someone of this type who can some in and hit the ground running. Kodjia showed in flashes last night that he can get back to his best, but it's going to be a gradual thing. Bruce does need to learn how to get Hogan firing and put some trust in Davis once he's back fit, but I can't see either coming good immediately, plus they need to get fit. RHM still doesn't look ready to me (given the tactics we're going to employ). 3. Right-sided mid/winger -------> Snoddy/Odegaard Albert looks shot and Green is still showing signs of inconsistency, therefore Snodgrass replacement is vital. Safe signing would be to get the man himself back - would certainly help with the teams cohesion as it wouldn't be as if he doesn't know the team. As a more risky option Odegaard could be amazing. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4. Left back -------> ??? No obvious suggestion, but so long as we get someone technically decent and fast. I've put this position last in terms of priority as we do have options... Can Taylor recapture his Swansea form? Do we put Hutton there again? Can De Laet or Bree shift over? Tuanzebe????? Whatever we do as a short term fix, it needs addressing in January!

Odegaard can play on the right - in fact he'd play a bit like Snoddy, almost as an inside right forward as opposed to a out and out winger. I'd take him. A four of him, Green, Grealish and McGinn would mean we'd have an very technically gifted midfield. The amount of free kicks they'd win around the box alone would be ridiculous!

Did anyone hear the commentator on tonights game saying that Bruce had been in touch with John Terry in the last few days? It was said as a throw away comment, but makes me think if he's still in touch, is he hoping he can sway the new owners around to his way of thinking? Perhaps JT is willing to take a cut from last seasons wages?

According to Google Joe Bryan is 8kg heavier than Jay Desilva, hence my concern ? No seriously, I'm glad he is looking at wingbacks and this guy looks ideal in that role. Plus I really want to get one over Bristol City!!

We've lost both Terry and Samba, plus we tried to off-load Elphick last season. Tuanzebe alone isn't going to plug the gaps, think we'll be in for another CB, especially if we're planning on playing 3 at the back.

Just watched his highlights from last season at Charlton... Looks a great little player, very good technically and very quick. Would be slightly concerned about how light weight he is though - I think he'd have to play as a wingback rather than a traditional LB.