villianusa

Just now, thabucks said:

He will be gone by Hull as it stands !!! 

Who said?

If helping the club stay out of administration wasn't enough, another reason to like Wes Edens

2 minutes ago, sir_gary_cahill said:

Just seen on Facebook that our u23s lost 2-1 to Coventry City today, Kelsey Mooney scored for us, apparently it was their first team, don’t know how true it is

I saw a tweet from him to say he had scored, but not the final score.

1 minute ago, Karl Emil said:

Yeah, too late for that mate we've caught on now. You can keep your Grealish and wave goodbye to Richards and McCormack

Thanks for the info

Darn it, well when your club is such a precarious situations clubs will sniff out your best players. I have very liked Levy, but he is a great negotiator and it looks like he has caught us again.

1 minute ago, Karl Emil said:

I'll give Daniel a call then, no need to waste money

Joking aside, he is our most creative player and was very good for us last season, where a number of players fell short.

He is a number 10, and if Dele plays much more like he did against Sweden the other night, he could push for his position. i don't think it would be a good move for him if he does leave, I don't think he will play week in, week out, and that's what he needs right. He missed a good portion of the season of last season, and truly only putting together his first consistent season of good performances.

I believe he is worth 30 million in the present market, but you can have him for 20 million and loan (to buy) him back to us for a season, if the loan goals well we will purchase him back for a good 75% of his sale value.  

I just wish he'd have been a bit more honest like Bruce was the other day. it would be good to know here we are warts and all.

11 minutes ago, Karl Emil said:

Hi, spurs fan here in peace. It seems that Grealish going to Tottenham is likely, could anybody tell me a bit about him as a player? Some Tottenham fans are talking about him as a replacement to Dembele but I thought he was an attacking midfielder. Could be schooled to a central midfielder/box-to-box midfielder or is he already playing that role for you?

He's not worth the money, I'd look elsewhere. Spurs have much better players as of now.

I don't believe we can be too picky right now and i believe he needs to be integrated into the squad. If he becomes a problem, isn't there a way we can fire him, or at least dock wages for creating a toxic work environment? Might be able to save a few quid.

Let's see if you can go one better this season!

Jack is a good player, but if he wasn't a Villa fan I think many would take 30-40 million for him. He has had one good season and that was the last one, and he was missing for a dozen or so games in that. Prior to this last season, he had flattered to deceive with only a few exceptional games under his belt.

It will be more difficult to take because as others are saying, we are selling because of the mess we are in and not because we want it to happen. If he does go, he will be missed but I'm hoping we have some good youngsters coming through who will take his place.

Let's see if the press are right this time about him going because it seems they have made up more than a few stories about the potential sale of the club and the offers we have received. 

I hope he stays, but if not, we move on and find someone else to fill his spot.

Poor lad, just what he needed.

2 hours ago, TRO said:

Let me give you another for instance.

A centre forward who is not blessed with aerial ability and wastes plenty of good crosses.....all the tactics in the world will not help him beat the Centre Half in the air, He can do it or he can't....I accept in such circumstances that it maybe folly to keep pumping balls in and that a tactical change in approach should be sought...., but we are now missing an opportunity to score a headed goal...and as they say, goals change games....so the argument could be, the tactics are not wrong, the player you bought was.

I thought Steve Bruce had not got it quite right with the types of players he signed ( good players, too samey for me) that is being observant more than critical, I don't know how hard it is....Tactically naive, no not for me.

I understand, we all have our own views and I respect yours.

Ps i think in the main teams from the lower divisions make up the difference in MOTIVATION as opposed to your view on tactics....They rise to the occasion.

pps but its all opinions, I am not saying you are wrong, its fine margins of opinion sometimes.

@TRO I truly respect your level-headed approach to the forums and a pleasure to read your comments.

To your point that I have bolded, to me that would be poor tactics by the manager if his team sent in multiple crosses game after game. I disagree again that tactics couldn't change that. In patterns of play, the players will have triggers that make them move into certain areas of the field to either receive a pass, make space for a teammate, to get on the end of a cross, etc... If a coach did have a forward who wasn't great on crosses then his initial position and the trigger can be adapted to allow the player to create space for himself that may give him a greater opportunity to beat a defender in the air. If the coach wants a lot of balls crossed into the box and he purchased that player, then in my opinion he bought the wrong player for his tactics.

There is a difference between team tactics and individual tactics during a game, and I believe both Bruce and the players got them wrong during the season. I am hoping there is less of it next year and we can still challenge for promotion.

I remember reading Andy Gray's book Four, Four Two, he mentioned in there that when the winger got into a certain area of the field and put his head down to cross the ball, it was the trigger for Brian Little and himself to make their runs into their designated area (God, I miss those players). From watching Villa from a  distance, I don't think Bruce does much of that or the players aren't listening. I look at the lack of support for the player on the ball and it doesn't look like they have a first passing option, let alone a second or third. For instance, Grealish should have a first, second, third, and possible fourth passing option. Honestly, I see him so often looking for someone on the same wavelength to pass to I can't believe it is practiced much.

I agree with you  that Bruce gets unfairly criticized at times, but I feel player selection and tactics have been wrong at times, and I feel that cost us automatic promotion along with too many  individual errors from players.

As you said, I don't believe either of us are wrong, but differ on he level that tactics plays in success.

1 minute ago, TRO said:

Steve Bruce, often comes under fire for his alleged poor handling of Tactics.....some have mentioned his dismissive remarks at Sunderland when asked a question from a journalist ( maybe he was in a bad mood or irritated by the question), but nevertheless a point some fans feel obliged to pick up on.

Personally, I think the business of tactics plays a part in football and the current game, but I do not subscribe to the theory that it is responsible for games as much as some do.....That is not to be construed as I don't think it matters or Steve Bruce doesn't think it matters.....but I do suspect that some fans use it, when other factors are equally at play.

I found a piece interesting to me, in Neil Warnocks book " The Gaffer".....let me quote you, for those that haven't already read it.....page 266.

Quote :

We had a meeting with the players' committee. Kieron Dyer was the voice of reason - It would have been chaos without him. I said to them, " You can talk about tactics, physio,Fitness guy,coaching......do you think that was the reason Anton couldn't stay with Dzeko? Do you think that was the reason Luke Young couldn't stop the cross? Do you think that was the reason Gabbidon didn't jump with Toure? Thats Rubbish. We lost because we didn't defend well, nothing to do with tactics and facilities"

Now, I guess even Neil Warnock, would not dismiss tactics out of hand, but I think what he was saying is.....don't hide behind it......we lost because of you lot and your handling of your job.

Tactics is a factor in the game....but not the be all and end all.

Yet, if you are tactically poor then you are more likely to be out of position when defending (i.e Hutton in playoff final). If he had been tactically good he wouldn't have defended poorly. From my coaching experience if you get your tactics right, you can make even poorer players look good. You see this in cup games when lower teams beat teams from much higher division when they get their tactics right on the night. Chelsea parking the bus to win the Champions League. I know there are other things that come into it, but for me tactics are very high on the list.

If you are in the right place at the right time it is much easier to do your job, this is in offensive and defensive positions. This comes down to tactics and position awareness.

For me the first half of the play-offs showed it things up badly. If the tactics were a long ball to Grabban and for him to hold it up and lay it off to teammates then it worked very badly. If it was for pretty much every long pass to be received by Fulham then he was tactically strong. I don't believe it was the latter. 

I have supported Bruce and continue to do so, but he has either got his tactics wrong on occasions, or his player's aren't listen to him, or they aren't good enough to get the job done. Most of the team are international players at some level, so they should have been good enough, so it does leave me with questions.

I'm happy for him and I still believe he can give something to the team. He is know for the odd error here and there, but isn't every player.

Him staying certainly makes me feel more certain that Bruce is also, but anything could happen before the start of the season with the situation we are in.

Thanks for your time John, but needs moving to another section now. He is no longer a Villa player.

How many of you on here believe we would have been in top two if Grealish and Codger had been fit all season? I for one believe we would have.

I also believe if any of the promoted teams had their most creative player and top goal scorer missing for the same amount of time as we did, they would have struggled to be promoted also.

13 minutes ago, Dave J said:

I'm afraid that all means absolutely nothing in the light of the day - he has had two seasons to get us promoted and failed in both  - you can say whatever you choose and I respect your right to this - but the bottom line is that he's failed - however hard you try to dress this up imo 

It certainly seems to have failed in your opinion, and you have every right to that opinion. In the end, it doesn't matter about our opinions on if he failed or not, but down to Dr (I do enjoy the banter though).

I certainly know all the opinions on here want the best for Villa, we all see varying paths on how to get there. I certainly didn't agree with all of Bruce's team selections,/tactics, but he has done enough for me to show he can move us forward. If the Dr. doesn't agree with that then I will support his decision.

14 minutes ago, Dave J said:

Absolutely right - TRO I also are a big fan of most of what you post - but you do constantly defend Bruce in such a veiled manner - he's failed TRO this is the very bottom line - you can blame whoever you wish, but the buck stops four square at Bruce's door - and he's has shown me nothing to suggest he should be afforded another shot at it. 

He has shown nothing?

1. Brought stability back to a club that was swallowing it self and on the verge of relegation

2. Lost a Championship play off 1-0 to a team that a lot of people seem to think will ride hide in the Premier League.

3. Go rid of a number of players that had caused a toxic environment within the club.

4. Got a team winning more than they lose. I don't care if it's the Championship. Just look at Sunderland and think what could have been.

5. Got John Terry to sign and mentor a number of the young players, especially Grealish.

6. Etc, Etc, etc...

He may have failed in getting us into the Premier League, which I will admit isn't ideal, but to say that he has failed would be an a little bit much. TRO and others (including myself) have said something has to change and if Bruce can't do it then he needs to go. If he can build on what he has already done with some attacking flair to add to the defensive stability then we have a chance of moving forward.

I value everyone's opinions on these boards, but it's not all one way or the other. If he had got us promoted there would have been people wanted him gone. He certainly hasn't succeeded in everything in everything he had wished for, but he hasn't failed in everything either.

He had a great season overall and I was vocal about giving him another contract if promoted. Sadly, I feel he needs to be overloaded unless he is willing to play on a much lower wage. 

He was caught ball watching on Saturday and well out of position for the goal, but I personally won't remember him for that. I agree with Bruce, he worked his butt of for the team and for the best part he did very, very well.

6 minutes ago, TRO said:

Its all histrionics Dave.....He is best placed to succeed, but the old player syndrome has to change...

He has spent much time watching the academy so he knows what they are about.....He just needs the conkers to play and develop them and see them prosper.

but i still think we need and experienced not old, No9 and a centre half....the rest play the kids.

TRO, I would say keeper, one of the center back, one of the center mids, not too worried about the number 9. I believe Davis can step up and play Grealish behind him. I look forward to the youth coming through, I don't think we will have much option but to play them when all is said and done.

This is the main reason I am not doom and gloom today. I am looking forward to a few of these stepping up next season.

I have been a Bruce supporter all season and I will continue to do so. But, after watching the game yesterday I believe he got it wrong, certainly in the first half. He has said all season he wanted to build a team around Jack, yet from what I saw, Jack spent most of the time out on the left side for the first 45. in the second, he played more centrally and was way more involved with the game. We were basically a 451 and little hope of keeping possession of the ball. I think it showed in our disjointed 1st half performance.

To hear Bruce say we gave them too much respect in the first half and doesn't understand why it happened, is a worry. He has known these players for a good while now and sadly the team have performed like this throughout the season. We have never been a 90 minute team, we are lucky if we can get a 60 minute team and you can't win a play-off final if we play a 45 minute game like we did yesterday. Part of this is down to Bruce and if he can't give reassurances to Tony that this is going to change then I think it is time for him to go. I agree with @TRO that the team is too inconsistent, but it can't be all down the players. Bruce has to hold his hands up and admit his part .

If Jack stays then Bruce needs to put some more like minded players around him. Players on the same wave length, more movement, and creativity than what we had this year. We don't have may players who can surprise the opposition and it was very reliant on Jack to create something out of nothing. We may have those players in the U23's and I'm hoping whoever is manager next year that the excitement continues to grow at Villa Park.

Worst game for us this season, thought his experience would help but he bottled it.