Harry

Maybe singled out is the wrong phrase but there is focus on him as a new signing. Written off is probably more apt phrase. All I am saying is it's too early to judge.The middle part of the Jedinak thread, for example, is an interesting read given how he is viewed now. My concern is the tactics, formation, game plans and management of the whole side rather than one player's performance particularly so early in his Villa career.

Well yes. The whole side has been abject with just a few glimpses of what we should be capable of so I don't think it's particularly constructive to single out a single player Whelan is a decent player who has not played well, so far, who already seems to have been written off by some fans and let's not kid ourselves we have previous in that department.

So not going to happen.

Good to see we have already found a new hate figure amongst the players and it's only taken three games.

I found myself reading that in north east accent....bizarrely. .......sound awfully familiar.

We can't let him go now. Not that l wanted him to leave.

It is very difficult to see a way back for Bruce now. Unless we win convincingly on Saturday (unlikely) I think he is finished, if not before. I fully expect a loss in the next game and I think that will be that. Our recent outgoing managers have alluded to problems at the club or even openly criticised the club Much of that was, in the past, well justified but I think now it would be hard for Bruce to do that. The media love to knock Villa but the simple facts are he has had plenty of investment in players, full control, experienced football people running the club, a very supportive owner and until this season supportive fans. The media will spin it as Villa chopping and changing again and how fickle the fans are but when you watch these dreadful performances and then listen to a manager who seems to have a complete inability to even begin to explain what has gone wrong and then admits he 'does not really do tactics' what is the club supposed to do?

FIVE YEAR CONTRACT FOR BRUCE?

That's me done I think. I can't bear this shite any more. Assuming he is still our manager on Saturday it will be very very ugly if we don't win. A draw won't be good enough.

If they get more than 2 more I would say definitely yes.

To continue the execution theme I think we are watching the last rites of Steve Bruce.

I think mate you would be pretty flaccid after a few games with Olaf in charge much as I love him

If Bruce goes I think it will be Moyes. Available and with too many contacts already at the club. I'm not sure he is the busted flush most think he is but still not my ideal choice.

I think there is a massive difference between the managers we would like to get in and those we are capable of getting in. Sadly I don't think we are a big draw for most decent managers. Personally I think the chances of attracting the likes of Howe, Benitez or Jovanovic are close to zero. Big Sam, Moyes, Warnock or Pardew are more realistic. Little, Mellberg, Laursen, etc are crazy choices based on recent and relevant experience. The same could be said for the foreign names being bandied around. Maybe as a three year project one of them might be but it would be an almighty punt. The only people who really believe that we are somehow a huge draw these days for a manager are probably posters on this forum. Personally I'd have Big Sam and accept ugly football to win games rather than losing playing ugly football as we are now. Overall very depressing.

I think Bruce was a good shout at the time. Sadly it looks like he is not up to it. He had had the investment and we look no better. The really worrying aspect for me is the apparent total lack of tactical nous or any Plan B.........or A for that matter.

That is just not a feasible or gettable option.

I think he will have lost me too if we don't do something against Reading.

Embarrassing disaster.

Agreed, given we can have six, I think, outfield subs on the bench I don't think we actually need a so called 'utility'player. Particularly a poor one.

I think we can so safely conclude that his supposed 'versitility' is far outweighed by his basic lack of ability. Take whatever we can get for him and move on.

JV I agree with what you are saying save for one point, i just think its too early to extrapolate this performance to how we may perform over the season. I agree its disappointing we have seen the same frailties in yesterdays game. TBH if it does continue this way I don't see Bruce remaining as our manager

Except it's the first game and we are missing our star striker. Five games plus in and it's the same I will be concerned. Really annoyed about the result but the bottom line is we don't take our chances.

We just need to be careful about overreacting.......

Finally got my two yesterday.....phew!

I'd keep him. I think we are mad to loan him out. If balancing the books is an issue we have plenty to let go apart from RMcC.