Sam3773

Well...

8th. Bruce out.

Snodgrass broke my viewing.

Cricket score PLEZ!

We look... Good..

Only change I'd make is Whelan. For this game and in general. As said, the Bolt on game will be the easier of the two, that's when we should give others a start ideally, if possible. Some may be too tired to go again tomorrow night.

Winners.

I think tonight's attendance will have a more profound effect on his job than the result.

I'll pass comment once I've finished playing mass hysteria bingo to Steve's post match interview.

Bruce in.

Come on lads. Let's do an away Sky win.

My worry with cutting Bruce loose is finding a manager who plays a certain style while handling the pressure. I always firmly believed a major problem with some of our previous managers was one of expectation. Villa still hold a certain status and expectation. One McLeish, Lambert, Sherwood and Garde struggled with. Other than a small stint at Spurs, all those managers arguably came from teams with lower expectation and status. I thought Bruce would be different. He's managed at all levels and while he will openly admit we are his biggest team, he should have enough experience in management to cope with pressure and expectation. Defensive tactics, style and 'losing sleep thinking about losing' show he isn't coping well at all with expectation. I honestly believe if he took our exact squad with him and went to manage someone like Brentford, he would be storming it. He's scared to lose. He's scared to mess up this big chance and whether he even realises it or not, it's impacting him. So the next guy needs a particular skill the others lacked. The ability to play good football, and not be scared of our name, badge or expectation. I don't know who that is, and it's not for this thread, but it's a big ask. Thankfully our need to part ways with Bruce (in my opinion) outweighs the possible risks and worries.

I'm not one for the personal attacks, but I seem to remember Bruce laughing at the fact Villa fans used to call him Mr. Potatohead last year when he signed for us. This isn't him upset or angry at people calling him a potato, he's upset and angry that people want him gone. He's 'waited his entire career for an opportunity like this' and I think he's realised it's probably going to end soon so he's trying to save face. Bruce didn't fail. Select groups of fans never got behind him and the team because of his blues connection. You can see the excuses now.

If I gain nothing else from the Bruce period, I'm happy I've learned today. I always thought a rolling contract meant it automatically went into another 12 months at the end.. I google'd it and you are correct. I just means there's always 12 months left. Thank you for the education, sir. Edit: Just read another to say what I thought before is correct. I dunno' what to believe any more! Beer.

My names Sam and I went through a rough period supporting Bruce in February. Y'know, it feels really good to be here, admitting I had a problem and working my way to recovery. I want to thank you all. We'll get through this together.

Bye Bruce. Say hi to McLeish in the "They hate me because I managed blues" gang.

He gone yet?!

Let's just say you're a very lucky man.

If that man ever plays 3 at the back again, I'll cry. When we came out for the second half we looked sharper, more confident and like we knew what we were doing. Subs were too late as always but had a good impact. Bjarnason looking particularly good with some of the runs and Hogan keen to get involved. I'd prefer to have seen Adomah come on for Elmo, and maybe we would have if we weren't forced to change Samba for Bree. Ah well, it's a point away from home, on a Friday, on Sky, without our best striker. I'll take it and hope we get some momentum soon. As the good doctor days, September is important. I hope we're betterer.

I'm here for my first ever away game (touch me) and we have been dire up until a little spell at the end. 3 at the back doesn't work for us. Samba needs to come off at half time, Whelan needs to realise this isn't rugby and a forward pass is indeed allowed and the Bristol City fan in the red and white stripey polo needs to give it a rest.

Bought mine today on general sale. About 80 left as of this morning.

Just... Wow. From now on, that's how you play! I thought defensively Hutton was our weak link. Looked better when he went for Bree.. Something to build on and hopefully we kick on from here!

Rumour is he's been at a hot tub party in Bromsgrove.

A lot of silence around the club this morning. From the recent experience of the last 286 managers, that's usually a sign they're waiting to be told they can post something..

I sincerely hope not.