dn1982

5 hours ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

This is what worries me. I remember drawing with Leeds last season in last game of December to keep in contention for play offs. After that we fell apart. 

However we are a much better team and squad than the one last year so hopefully we won't see this bad run of form again. But I think the memory of it still keeps fans sceptical.

edit: saying that how about Leeds! fell apart right at the end. Brutal league. 

I think we will make the playoffs even with another dip but if we want to challenge for top 2 we need to be on fire all season. Losing against Sheff Wed is exactly the sort of result we did last year but then it turned into a run of bad results that’s why QPR was such a big win. We have to win our home games so we can settle for a draw some times away and being able to bounce back after a bad result is mass8ve. 

7 points is a massive gap to close when everyone keeps doing well. We found that out last year. We closed the gap to 6 from the playoffs at one point but fell away as teams kept on winning. That’s what happens. We’ve not been involved in the top end of a division for ages so people forget how hard it’s can be to close gaps when teams do well. We will always have a bad game in us and losing to Sheffield Wed was a big loss especially with the games in December. If we are still within 7 come January we will be doing well. Let’s get 2 Home wins to set us up for a big month. 

On 10/11/2017 at 18:01, TRO said:

so if we spend more time defending we are playing 4-5-1 more than 4-3-3.ok

seen as the whole thing is dynamic and it only has relevance at kick offs, because as you allude to the formation morfs during a game is there much point anyone getting precious about it?

You asked for an explanation I gave you a straight forward one. 

On 07/11/2017 at 20:36, TRO said:

We need extra cover in midfield so we play 4-3-3.....could you explain that, please

Not rocket science 433 attacking 451 defending We've  been playing 4411 or basic 442. 

If anybody thinks we went into this season with 5 avaiable they are grasping at straws. You may aswell include the kids in counting squad numbers. We went into this season with 2 CB's 1 LB and 3 RB's none of whom Bruce trusts so he posts Elmo there. I say 2 CB's because Elphick and Richards are non existent and not wanted anywhere near the team by Bruce and our back up is Samba who you wouldn't want to play unless you have to. A squad is supposed to be full of players who can come in and out them team. Terry being injured means Chester moves left where he isnt as good regardless who he plays with. We've one left footed defender. Hopefully we go 433 until Terry gets fit as we need extra cover in midfield to help the defence now.  I'll be surprised if we are in the playoffs by the time he gets back. 

12 minutes ago, villarocker said:

No offence mate but, I think the players need cutting some slack for that first goal. 

1) It was just 17 seconds into the game, so players wouldn't have had time to settle into positions. 

2) It was an amazing goal - probably the best the player will ever score.

I think sometimes we just have to applaud what was a sensational goal and give the scorer credit where due. 

My biggest problem is that we couldn't turn the game around in the next 90+ minutes of play. 

We weren't switched on. Terry was underpressure so wouldn't clear the header far they never reacted and that was the same all half. Even for the 2nd Elmo sat off and the bloke had a free header to start the move. Our energy levels seem awful at times. 

1 hour ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I'm fed up of this sh*t. We had Barry f**king Bannan ruining the show against us today because he actually had players that moved to recieve a pass. 

I'm not being fooled again by the odd good result. There is not a chance in hell we are getting promoted under this manager. He will be gone at the end of the season as well half of the squad. We're looking at a complete rebuild which could involve several years in this league. 

This is not just a knee jerk reaction from today's game. This is after seeing the inevitable happen today because all of the problems of last season have not been fully addressed! 

Our lack of movement means we should always play with an extra midfielder. Wednesday played 442 but played it with people moving around. We do it with a flat 4 playing wide and it gets exposed every time. We played with 2 up top and 2 wingers yet neither winger goes outside and crosses so the strikers never get a chance to attack a ball. Why not swap the wings about if it's not working? We did it loads under ONeill. Is it because Snodgrass doesn't want to play left side? Elmo isn't a RB yet he persists with him a short he knows him but to me he's a weak character with no fight. Hutton isn't a left back he does ok but you need balance and not having a left foot on the left hampers us. We've not got a pattern of play to fall back on when it's not clicking and like after Xmas last year we could easily go on a winless run because of it. 

1 hour ago, TRO said:

I think you are wrong on both counts.....the players are not technically good enough to be free of their opponent, they struggle to pass and move and are second best to most aerial ball particularly in the middle of the park, so no i disagree.

I am lumping in to a group of managers who have found success.....it is easy to be wise after the event.

both Wagner and Santo never had particularly ground breaking success before huddersfield and wolves, so it was a bit of a gamble for both those clubs....if wolves were so wise, why has it taken them this long?.....no i was not aware of either of them, why would i be?

I don't know whether SB will or won't take us up and I appreciate all the criticism, but i have doubts about your other claim that the players are good enough.in a rounded sense, i don't think they are.

The play offs might be as good as it gets any further aspirations i think is fanciful.

There are too many aspects of poor play individually and collectivelly for us to get ahead of ourselves.

despite todays early goal, which had an effect, but maybe it shouldn't have, we were woeful in so many aspects of the game.

Most players have played a better standard and style before Bruce so why are they not performing now? Just from today did Hourihane decide to push on in the 2nd half on his own or was he playing under orders in both halfs? Bruce only plays people who does the job he wants. He picks the team. He picks the tactics. 

1 minute ago, villarocker said:

To be fair, he did charge out to an area of the pitch where he shouldn't have been and went in with his foot raised, hence he kicked the opponents boot. A bit self-inflicted and probably why he is feeling so down about it - it could have been avoided. 

100% shouldn't have happened but he was showing a bit of fight that most of the others were lacking. We are such a flat team energy wise we can get found out if a team passes the ball well. Both goals should've been stopped and would've been if our players were up for it. That is a bigger issue than missing Terry for the next 8 weeks or so. 

We don't have any pattern of play so when players have off days or it doesn't fall for us we get days like today. Sheff Wed play 442 every game so to match them and hope to be better than them was stupid. I don't blame Bruce for the result I blame him for the football we get to see. Good results make crap football worhwhile but crap results just highlight how bad we are with the ball. Terry looks like being out for a few weeks and that'll be a big problem. We are lucky our bad day hasn't affected the playoff positions. 

I hope hogan gets one off his arse early on so he can relax. If he doesn't do it today Kodija will be back in next game so loads of pressure. Good team and an attacking bench. 

2 hours ago, Demitri_C said:

I know every one loves a form table and it's been a long time since we've been able to look at ones consistently but we should be at the top of these tables every week. Ultimately it's only the league table that matters. 

1 hour ago, TrentVilla said:

 

I think it’s ridiculous to argue we aren’t currently in great form, it can’t really be disputed. 

I also think it’s ridiculous to argue that our woeful start to the season hasn’t had an impact on our push for automatic promotion.

Whatever people’s issues with some of the things Bruce does or decisions he makes right now we just have to enjoy the ride and hope it gets us where we need to be.

I’d have sacked him earlier in the season, the form currently suggests that would have been the wrong move. I hope that come the end of the season that still proves to be the case.

I still think we need to be more dominant in games through possession and mentality but perhaps those things will come, perhaps not.

One thing is for sure I’m starting to look forward to games again and look at the fixtures and try and figure out where we could be.

The next three games are crucial In my view, they won’t define our season but they will have a big impact ahead of the festive period.

A win against Wednesday would be a great start.

We need to win all the games this month. December is going to be a very tough month and if we don't close the gap now I think automatic will be out the window by Xmas. 4 very tough away games in December and we won't want to have to win them to stay in touch. It's nice to see Terry come out and say as much. Game over focus on the next. Roll on Saturday. 

3 hours ago, Demitri_C said:

This is good as grealish at the moment will struggle to get into the team. When he gets his chance he has to do a adomah and take his chance. No more passengers in this side anymore

Snodgrass and Onomah both go to knocks so can see him or OHare at least getting the bench. If both don't make it play them instead. 

15 hours ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

Really not strange. Just basic man management - telling the lad he will be missed at a time he probably need a bit of a boost, lying in hospital with a punctured kidney.

Yeah that's the reason he said it! Why didn't Bruce build his team around him the year betore? Or play that formation through the summer? If I was told the injury means you've missed your chance id be more down hearted than anything else. It was a strange comment as up until he said it there was no inclination of it no matter how you wish to read it. 

1 hour ago, Eastie said:

Surely will give o hare a spot on the bench this weekend 

OHare and/or Grealish Lose a defender and Thor if you're not going to use him 

33 minutes ago, Eastie said:

Don’t forget O Hare 

It seems Bruce has! We need to have better attacking options off the bench. Thor is just wasting a place and there's no need for 3 defenders. Last year we seemed to play every team in form this yeaR we've gone to a weakened Preston who are in a bad run. Who needs a good manager if you can get a lucky one. 

He's a solid RB but I still think RDL is better. Not having to worry about the position though just shows how's much Hutton affected us. He's a Bruce player 6 or 7/10 every game hardly ever brilliant but hardly ever awful too. 

13 minutes ago, BG_Villa_Fan said:

Admittedly, I haven't watched them too much this season but from what I've seen - no, not long ball, but they certainly don't play possession football and this seems by design not just inability. They're unable to keep the ball with short passes to feet and create much out of it even when a team sits back. Not that great at counter attacking either. 

We are a very rigid team and that's why we end up playing it long. Whelan has enabled us to play with 2 in CM and that's helped massively but I'd love us to get an energetic DM I think that's what we need to progress.  I'd like Bruce to try Lyden but there's no chance of that. I can't see us doing much in Jan as he likes he's old pros that he doesn't have to coach. 

On paper our hardest game of the month but injuries have hurt them a bit. You can only beat what's in front so it's job done. We need to capitalise and win the next few to close the gap to the top 2. 

Just now, PieFacE said:

Why on earth did we sign Hogan? I'd love to know what the thinking was to get him into games. 

I actually feel sorry for him. He only ever gets brought onfor last 10 when we are going long. Actually gets on Sunday with Davis and plays LM. Wouldn't surprised to see him sold as which I thinks a shame. 

We've not got a consistent style so we get inconsistent football. A lot better tonight let's hope we can crack on 2nd half. 

5 minutes ago, Czechlad said:

I hope Hourihane is the attacking mid and not Onomah. Onomah's best matches for us when he was picking up the ball deeper. 

Hopefully they play as a 3 and both bomb on. Onomah in the hole doesn't work. 

1 minute ago, smg said:

A lot of people on here going to be disappointed if we get a result tonight but will still find a way to give Bruce some stick no doubt.

 

No one will be disappointed if we win but that doesn't mean you can't  criticise Bruces team. Especially after what we saw Sunday and the fact we've got a bunch of u23 players chomping at the bit to play. It seems plan A is to keep it tight and plan B is to keep it tighter that's not good enough. I think the thought of being 9th is scaring the crap out of Bruce. 

1 minute ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

Haven't won in their last 3 at home. We can win this. 

Id go with the Jed and Whelan. Don't really care about the football anymore as I know it will be dire regardless of formation or players.

They just don't hold the ball well enough so set up is irrelevant. It's all about the result every game. Win ugly away from home and im happy with that. 

Its good as it well get.

Teams been out half hour!