villianusa

Wanted to give Davis MOTM, as it all changed after he came on.

Bristol City win tomorrow and we stay 1 point behind 2nd place!! How 30 minutes can change your season. #UTV

Don't just say "Pen", can give people heart attacks!!!

Even with what I have said about creativity, I have watched the extended highlights and had a good number of chances. Their keeper made a number of good saves, but a lot did come from long distance. We road our luck a couple of times and Johnstone made up for another goalkeeping error. I don't know if Chester called when he was on the line, but he would have headed that goal clear.

We have pretty good squad and one of the better ones in the league, where we are short is in creativity. This isn't just the number ten role, this is the wide players also. We don't have the depth, and at the Bruce isn't willing to use the youth to fill in when any of the attack-minded players are out injured. We have enough quality in the center forward role to get us over the line, but if the three supply lines dry up then we will struggle to get through the play-offs, let alone get automatic promotion. I have been a Bruce advocate, but if he tries to fit the squad players into the holes and not bring in like for like no matter of their age then he falls on his sword. For me, he has to bring in new players this weekend and continue to play the formation that has been successful with players who can produce in given areas. The reserve players should know be playing the same way as the first team, so when they are needed they can drop in. I don't watch the U23's enough to know if this is the case. Maybe, SGC can help with that one.

I haven’t seen either of the last two games due to work commitments, but it seems everyone (including Bruce), see that the creativity is missing. Jack and Albert have missed the last two games, while Elmo and Snodgrass have missed partial parts of the game s due to injury or illness. Our first team is short on creativity from the start, with very little to come in an replace the players I mentioned earlier. We have a lot more defensive minded midfielders than attack minded. These means if Albert and Jack miss too many more games, I feel we will end up in a playoff position at the end of the season. Hogan’s resurgence was in part the creativity around him, with that gone, so as much of his effectiveness. In my opinion, to prevent this, Bruce must do one of two things: 1. Bring in some of the attack minded players we have in the U23’s and see if they can fill the gaps in the formation that was successful a couple of games ago. It isn’t working with the players he is trying to fit in, so I don’t believe we would do any worse. Supplement the youngsters with the most relatable players and stop playing players because who aren’t performing. O’Hare needs to be given a chance before any loan players in my mind. 2. Change the formation - with the players. Bruce is using the way we played tactically suits them better. We need to go 442 and play the longer ball, and I would start Hogan with one of two who came on in the second half. The problem with this option, if the team haven’t practiced it, it may take time for it to settle and we don’t have this at the present time. We are in a similar position team wise when Grealish wasn’t injured last time and we saw how those games went and how much we were able to create. Add Albert and the others on top and it doesn’t look very bright. For me, Bruce needs to show his worth now, he needs to make the big decisions, tactical tweets to stop this mini slide. We don’t have the time at this time in the season to fall to much further behind. The good and the bad that has gone this season doesn’t matter anymore. He has 15 games to save his reputation, our future, and his job. All the best Steve, you are going to need it if those players don’t get fit soon. For me, I would bring in a couple of youngsters to give us a spark in the final third. Go for it, give the players a chance to succeed and not just complain about lack of creativity and fail.

I believe after the back pass rule came in 1992, goalkeepers have become more involved with the ball at their feet. More and more goalkeepers have taken kicks as years passed by. Johnstone was on the right side of the field, and his standing foot slipped slightly causing him to strike the right side of the ball that brought it in-field. His whole body pivoted slightly to the left and it went bad from there. It could have fallen to a villa player, but sadly it fell to a Fulham player who finished very well.

That's great news. Hopefully, a more attacking team come Tuesday.

He has thrived because chances have been created for him, take that creativity out of the team he will struggle. If we are just got to lug the ball forward on Tuesday then I don't think he is the one who should start.

it was really bad kicking technique. As others have said his kick distribution is one of his worst attributes, but I had no problem him taking the kick, he just got it wrong.

Was always going to be difficult to continue the run, especially after losing your top goal scorer and our most creative player. The length of time those two are out will determine if we go up automatically or have to try and battle through the playoffs. Green and Elmo being injured aren't going to help either. Bruce may have to be brave and bring some creativity up from the U23's

I believe he saw we were short of creativity on the field on Saturday and that is the change he needs to make. I would have O'Hare on the bench as a minimum. Looking at who might be fit: Johnstone Taunzebe Chester Terry Hutton Jedi Bjarnason Snodgrass Hourihane Onomah Hogan I'd even be tempted to put Gabby in place of Onomah, as he hasn't done much or even bring in RHM.

Was he auditioning for if Snodgrass is injured? What a strike!

Three goals scored should have had us win convincingly, but some poor defending and dodgy ref kept it interesting. Keep it up Bruce and all.

Finally being the player we have all prayed he would be. The winner against Blues would do nicely.

No sorry, just following it on social email. Seems the front four are running them ragged.

Winning 2-0 after 25 minutes, Green and O'Hare.

I had often said he wasn't living up to his potential, and still don't he is there yet. He created a goal today but wasn't one of his best games. He needs to run with pace at players more like he did against Bristol City. I'm glad he is hitting better form and he finally deserves his place in the team.

Glad to see Bruce getting the team where it needs to be. December was a rough month, but he has been able to turn it around and get the team back on track. The players need to run with the confidence that we have built up and take us up this season. I was happy with a playoff spot, but we can certainly now get automatic promotion. The team has had players return from injury, recovered some form, and playing in new positions. The team has gelled and we are getting a bit of luck. #UTV

Looks like he could be out for season.

He is still only 48, Dang, I forgot how much Villa aged him!

Tactics changed when he left the field, but did his job when he was on as we were winning 1-0. If anyone can make a gif of when he threw himself to stop the shot at the edge of the box, would much appreciate it.

Keep grinding them out Brucey, get us back where we belong.

Thanks for the post OBE, it's sad to hear that the players can't find enough passion to give there all for 90 minutes. I hate that the modern game has given players the idea that they are better than certain games and opposition. They don't deserve the shirt or the wages.

I am not one to expect to win every game, but as others have said, I hate losing any game. What bothers me is these players are supposed to be back up (bar Terry and Hourihane), yet they can't beat a Div.1 team. Let's sell them all and buy the Posh starting 11. Yes, they haven't played together often, or if ever at all, but these players should all be practising the same system so they can drop in when need. I didn't see the game, so can't comment on what went wrong, but bring on next week. (quickly)