dn1982

Losing on Saturday is not a big deal but I think we need to be braver in those type of games. We tend to worry about the opposition a bit too much and the bench isn’t picked with a change of plan on there. We need better options and more flair. I worry if we’d don’t get 2nd we will struggle in the playoffs because of us giving the initiative to teams as we did on Saturday. Big game tomorrow to show we. Can bounce back without a full side out. 

7 hours ago, nick76 said:

There are also easier games to bring him and also to get match fit.  It's going to be a tough game, we dont want to be carrying passengers (again not ability but match fitness).  Super sub seems more reasonable to me, the opposition will be worn down, gives him a chance to get match confidence and his ability then can help us.

I’d still think he’s the best option to replace Adomah If he doesnt make it. He’s fit he’s played 90 min a few times for the reserves. I think Adomah will make it but he needs to be the option off off the bench he’s a better winger than Birkir or Onomah. 

I said when this run started and we were a bit off of Derby 2 pts a game will get us 2nd so from our next 6 we have 4 very winnable games and 2 tough but winnable so I’d take a draw on Saturday now but 3 would be nice. What’s our record of consecutive wins?

2 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

Sorry* based on his injury, not ability.

Fair enough but I don’t think he can get any fitter not playing. 

7 hours ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

I feel it might be Onomah or Tuanzebe.

Green I feel won't be pushed in on such a game away from home, or even make the bench for that matter.

Every game is still must win and I don't think the time is yet for Green.

Green has been fit for a few weeks now and Adomah only got his chance because of his injury. Putting him in is a like for like replacement so it’s the best option. Saying the time for isn’t yet for Green is baffling as he was one of our best player s prior to his injury. 

I wanted Bruce out because he was underacheiving with the players at his disposal. He has now got us controlling games something that he seemed unable to do. I still think he’s a bit negative but that’s mainly down to having such a defensive bench but so far it’s not cost us. It’s a shame we never clicked at the beginning of December. 

21 hours ago, Eastie said:

Not disputing that , my point to the original poster was he couldn’t play a similar role to jack - I like kodjia and he did great last season but he did lose possession an awful lot through overdoing  it - if he could get that team play into his game he would be a great asset - more than happy to see him and hogan battling it out up front . 

I never said he could play a similar role to Jack. I pointed out Jack used to slowour play down by holding on to the ball too long something Kodija does. 

5 hours ago, Eastie said:

Not got the skills of jack though and would lose possession more often than not .

He scored nearly 20 goals and created most on his own. He’s a completely different player to jack but is very skilful. He was greedy in an under performing team hopefully he can develop even more in a better team. 

Get them to put the match back on the TV’s in the concourse until the end. A lot of older frail people leave a little early to beat the crush but now miss the actual ending. 

11 minutes ago, Dr_Pangloss said:

We've moved on and for the better. Without him we're a much better and more clinical team. He's a dangerous player at this level however he slows down our own attacks and dwells on the ball too much. If we do go up then he has even less of a role to play as I'm not convinced he's Premier League quality. 

Jack used to slow us down badly with his holding on to the ball but he’s now our key player and drives us on. I feel Kodija can do similar he’d be brilliant if he did the same. Big if though as he’s a lot older but he has only been a striker for a couple of years so is still learning the role. 

14 hours ago, sidcow said:

You see I don't understand how anyone can watch the game from the side and have a clue what's going on. 

From behind the goal you appreciate the depth of the game. You see how the ball is flowing forwards and backwards, see how each side (left/right, not team) is working, or not. 

When I have sat in the Trinity I realise I'm not getting the game so much.  And of course the atmosphere is crap. 

I think managers could actually fix things and understand more about what's going wrong if they sat behind goal. 

Graham Turner used to do it at The Dog Heads, I think he was on to something. Obviously he was crap though. 

I take it you don’t watch football on the TV much?

10 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

Remember back in the days on European nights when the crowd would boo, whistle, jeer when the opposition had the ball and then cheer when we won it back. 

This really hits the confidence of opposing players and they end up making mistakes. Anfield has been doing it for years. 

Why don't we do this anymore? 

I must’ve gone to the wrong anfield over the years

2 hours ago, rubberman said:

Let him have a testimonial for that.

He doesn't justify a place in the squad for any other game and we'll be in danger of expecting to have the 'Gabby factor' if he gets picked.  Time to move on - we have more than enough to beat these without Gabby and shouldn't mythologise his past performances.  IMO.

The fact there is a Gabby Factor is the onky reason we are discussing him being anywhere near the squad. It’s a proven factor and worked last year especially at home in one of the worst derbies I’ve ever seen.  

39 minutes ago, omariqy said:

Feb prediction time.  I predicted a win against Burton so that's already in the bag.

Burton (H) - Win

Blues (H) - Draw

Fulham (A) - Loss

Preston (H) - Win

Sheff W (A) - Win

10 points out of 15 possible would not be too bad although would like to avoid defeat against Fulham.

2 points a game is our target so that’s ok but ill take the win Sunday 

41 minutes ago, AntrimBlack said:

I think his effect is on our fans, not the opposition. He lifts our fans, and thereby the performance of our team.

Away last year they dropped deeper and deeper when he came on At home he lifted everyone. Even their fans change when he’s about. Gabby effects this game. No matter how you want to look at it. 

23 minutes ago, Dave J said:

I am genuinely surprised that there is a ground swell of opinion to include him in the match day 18.

this psychological boost in my view applied to us fans - do we really think that a professional footballer is going to be fazed by an on coming striker who is either unavailable or does not score - if we were bringing on Ronaldo it just might be a different story.

in my view how has he accrued the rights to a place on the bench - ? I just don't see it.

You must be the only fan who doesn’t believe Gabby affects them. His performances and his affect on them last season and over the years is why he deserves a place on the bench. You can’t deny he changed the game at home last year. Can you? 

19 minutes ago, Demitri_C said:

Risky leaving Davis out for this one for gabby though rigo 

cant see bruce leaving davis out 

Grabban will cover Davis as he can lead the line on his own. I want Green on the bench. 

On 06/02/2018 at 22:38, Vive_La_Villa said:

Look at his heat maps

You should see my heat map after he scored 

1 hour ago, Dave J said:

Well if you really believe he terrified them at St. Andrews that's your view I disagree but respect your right to it

You can disagree but if you watch the game they sat deeper because he came on and they were worried. He even affects there fans and you could sense their apprehension in the ground something my Blues mates confirmed after.  It’s undeniable Gabby winds them up and on Sunday all advantages are welcome. Who’s do you think they’d rather have come on Davis or Gabby?

26 minutes ago, Dave J said:

Yes I agree with the last part - but I just can't fathom this Blues team being remotely bothered by a striker who as I said before doesn't score goals.

Well last years team was badly affected by him and he scored so that’s sort of nullified your point. 

1 hour ago, Dave J said:

There is no realistic justification for him to be anywhere near the match day 18.

i find it very difficult to understand the concept that he will give everything in this particular fixture and then revert to type thereafter? And it seems ok - was it Blackburn away last year following the home Blues fixture and he was anonymous 

what can he possibly offer ? I read that he may carry a psychological factor with him - are we really to expect that the current mob of Blues players would be scared to face a striker who is rarely fit or rarely scores a goal ? 

It would be very harsh if he were to take the place of Davis on the bench imo.

we really do not need him - let's move on 

I take it you never saw the games last season? Away he terrified them and they sat back and we got the draw. At home he invigorated the crowd and got the winner. You can’t underestimate what Gabby brings psychologically to this game. This will be his last derby. Have him on the bench. If we are winning he’ll wind them up if not he could change the game. Sunday isn’t about anything other than beating them. I’m no fan and don’t want him to get another contract but let’s win Sunday first. 

We need to have subs who’s will challenge for a start. Adomah isn’t firing as much but there’s no one on bench who is a like for like replacement so when he’s comes off we change style a bit. I’d like Green on there to keep our wingers on there toes and the same goes for Hourihane. We were very sloppy and that’s on the back of a Sheffield Utd game where we got out of jail. We ground this win out and we will have games like that let’s hope we’ve saved our good football for next week. Onomah is a puzzle. 

5 hours ago, TRO said:

I understand your sentiment, but I guess most strikers will have that affect on fans as opposed to Full Backs......Maybe John Gidman and Kenny Swain were exceptions ( one for the old 'uns)

Its all about the moment.....ones got better ,ones got worse.

Gabby has tailed off in to oblivion......where as Alan Hutton is probably/Arguably playing his best football for us since he got here.

To be fair mentioning Hutton in the same breath as Gidman or Swain is sacrilege. Most people hate Gabby because of th relegation season and moan about his wages yet Hutton is on a massive wedge and was just as bad when we went down. One performed to a very high standard when we were on top the other he was signed just as we declined rapidly and found his level In the Championship. 

5 hours ago, TRO said:

I am not trying to be disrespectful, but you need to watch him on the touch line and listen to his comments in Interviews.

He has said:

• "You are only as good as your forward line"

Now that does not strike me as a manager who is unaware of the benefits of attacking football.

He has done many times at Home:

• Waving the players forward, when we are sitting back

Now that does not strike me as a manager that has given instructions to play deep.

Anyone is entitled to think what they like regarding our team and the manager, I just think SOME things about Steve Bruce are wide of the mark.

I’m not being disrespectful but i watch plenty of Bruce interviews and hardly miss a match. It’s not great a shock Hogan is scoring when we pass the ball better and actually put crosses in the box. Bruce pick a bench again today with 4 defenders and a midfielder who prefers to play in centre midfield but Bruce plays him further forward. Bruce coaches the players all week if they aren’t doing what he says get ones who will.  I’ve no idea what things you think are wide of the mark but I’ve seen in numerous posts you don’t think managers affect players that much where I and most people do. 

3 hours ago, sheepyvillian said:

I think, regardless of the fears of some, should Bruce achieve promotion, he will undoubtedly have a season in the premiership.

For me, that would be a gamble, but then, the Chinese do have a penchant for rolling them dice.

He’ll get to start the season. That’s why our recruitment policy should be without it in mind that he may not last. The so called Villa Engine in action!