dn1982

We are playing more 4141 now instead of 4231 only a subtle change but it gets Hourihane and Jack further forward. Even Birkir today has said we are better drilled recently so I’m assuming he means Agnew has made a difference.

We’ve either got to play him deep or let him go. We don’t need him as a winger or as ACM as we have plenty of cover in those areas. As it’s a loan I think he’s got a clause saying he has to be involved.

Maybe, Maybe not but it’s not just Grealish that’s kicked us on. If all it’s took is Grealish to get fit it doesn’t say much for the other coaches. We’ve also changed shape so that’s not down to Grealish. Either way no matter what its down to be it Bruce having a vision in his sleep or Agnew or Grealish let’s hope it keeps going.

Have you got the figure? Ive no idea but I know it’s not going to be that big that promotion to the PL couldn’t cover it. If he’s that good and was the only option for Bruce why not treat him as a signing? He’s doing great since he’s been here but just imagine how much better off we’d be if he’d got us playing like this from the summer?

The manner of our recent wins is exactly what we should be doing. Hopefully we’ve got the confidence to keep the same style when the pressure comes. Sheff Utd is a very tough test and one that will show our improvement. They attack all the time if we can play our recent game against them it’ll bode well for us.

I’d worry about next season once we know what league we are in. At present we still need at least another proven goalscorer and even with Birkir doing ok I’d have a DM.

Which I also mentioned earlier. Our football was crap and needed sorting. That was the biggest bone of contention with Bruce. Thankfully Agnew seems to have sorted it. Even Birkir has said we’ve been better drilled recently.

This was covered earlier. Bruce waiting 6 months for him was a gamble as he couldve been sacked in that time. It looks to have paid off.

There's an article on it just google it.

You are misquoting again. I said our attacking play was awful and that’s why most fans wanted Bruce out. It’s a brilliant thing we are now looking like a team it’s just a shame he didn’t rectify it earlier as we’d couldve been challenging Wolves.

Im aware you think Bruce had us playing brilliant football for the whole of 2017 but most fans thought it was turgid stuff in the main. That’s why Agnew is being pointed at as the catalyst. The was appointment of Calderwood last year seemed to have the opposite affect. If Bruce knew we needed a better attacking coach he was very brave to decide to wait 6 months. I know what gardening leave is and i also know if you want to break a contract it’s easy to do especially in football.

Agnew was placed on gardening leave and he didn’t want not to resign because of his lucrative contract. If he wanted to quit and walk with nothing I’m sure he could’ve. He was offered other roles at Boro but turned them down. My point is if Bruce wanted him in the summer Agnew could’ve walked out with nothing. We could then have compensated his loss with a bigger salary. Contracts are broken in football all the time. This wouldn't have been the exception.

Seeing as most fans realised we needed something to change in our football last season you are giving credit to Bruce for doing it so late we were nearly out the promotion push? Being an awfull attacking side was the main reason fans wanted Bruce out. If Bruce wanted Agnew so much he should’ve got him off garden leaving in the summer and compensated him accordingly instead of waiting 6 months. Agnew seems to be the catalyst for turning a talented group of players into a talented team. I’ll give Bruce credit for getting him in just in time but surely we all must worry why it’s took him so long to address it. If Agnew didn’t have an immediate impact Bruce could’ve been sacked then if he did wait for him he’d have looked a right prat. If something isn’t working you can’t afford to wait 6 games let alone 6 months or however long he did.

I never said they did. I was pointing out Bruce had a good squad of players that he cashed in to get this squad so using net spend as a point is spurious. It seems you are arguing a point you made.

Yep all those players playing at a higher standard would see us relegated. Now that’s baffling!!

I think Terrys influence off the pitch is what makes him a lot better than Baker but as a duo Baker and Chester we’re up with the best in this league. I hope Terry will come more into his own as the pressure mounts.

The only player Bruce played regular was Baker that she my point. The others he didn’t want and sold or loaned out and used the money on his players. Now It’s arguable if those he brought in were better than those he let go but that’s his decision. For me Westwood Amavi and Ayew would all get in our side and improve it. Never mind Veretout Sanchez and Gil.

Apart from Baker we haven’t sold anyone from the 1st team who Bruce used I think. Bruce has spent more than most. Using this net figure is spurious. He’s still spent money. He’s sold club assets and reinvested it. Terry has been a success but has he done that’s much more than Baker would’ve done? Our defence last year was one of the best anyway.

Bruce is underaceiving at present. He is 7 points from his 2pts a game target. He is 5 points off of the automatic places. Those are just facts. We’ve won 3 games on the bounce after an awful December. Fans trying to go tit for tat about him being in or out is silly. Most fans want Bruce to be successful as that means the Villa are and that’s ultimately the biggest priority. I’m not a Bruce fan for a few reasons. The football we’ve had had to watch in the main has been crap. We play not to lose too often. He has a go at the fans for justifiable fears. He’s mates in the media See no wrong in him. And there’s more but the last 2 games give me hope. Even the first 10 min against Sheffield Utd showed a bit. Our last 2 games we’ve showed attacking intent and especially v Forest a Control to our game ive not seen. Hopefully Agnew is the missing link and we can keep that improvement up. We actually looked like a team that wants to pass the ball about and knows how to do it. If Bruce keeps this up we will go up and I’d even be happy for him to have next season. Let’s hope it’s not a false dawn.

Half of your get rid list should be kept. We should do everything possible to sign Johnstone and Snodgrass if the price isnt to high. By not decimating your squad you’ve got a base to improve on the next you can get rid once replaced. Taylor for example would be a good number 2 LB. A lot of our current squad will go but just not next summer.

Previous years mean little. Normally you have 2/3 teams running away with it this year there’s one. If we can get to 2pts game from here on in I’m confident we’ll get 2nd but just as important I think we would win the playoffs as we’d actually be a proper team.

Any news on HS2 affecting BMH? Any updates regarding 5g at Villa Park? Any redevelopment planned for commonwealth games?

Ulloa not involved tonight hopefully we can get him in sooner than later.

I’ve feeling once this window closes Kodija May see some light at the end of the tunnel and be back training by March. I just think Bruce is over stating the length he will be out so we go all out for a striker so we don’t have to rush him back like last time. It’d be lovely to have him fit for the last few games and potentially the playoffs.

If Steve Bruce has a 44.4% record after 2 years in the top division I’ll start a petition for a statue. It’s pointless drawing comparisons like this unless it’s all in the same division. What was Taylor’s in the 2nd division? To put that stat belittles achievements of Saunders, Atkinson and a host of others in a vain attempt to say Bruce is doing well when in reality he’s doing ok but is still under acheiving. Let’s hope that stat gets to over 50% by the end of this season then I think he’ll have the chance to show his worth in the PL.