striker

Not sure U2 would want to let him go mate?

Nothing wrong in Xia giving those running the club a kick in the butt. That tweet tells me Xia isn’t happy and his expectations aren’t being met after spending 80m. Another run of bad results and it may be more than Bruce getting the chop?

Bruce won't be judged on cup games and rightly so when the target is promotion.

Didn’t see the game but followed the match thread which has been brilliantly summed up by OutByEaster’s post. Watched the post match interview with Bruce. Although his words showed disappointment his manner did not nor did it show embarrassment. In fact I would go as far to say that performance by the team reflected Bruce’s attitude towards the game.

Rumours that Birkir might be on his way.

Or someone is sold?

Always felt Thor should have been given an extended run in the DM role. Bags of energy and a willingness to give 100%. Unless someone is prepared to pay the club a decent profit Villa should keep him until the summer just in case of injuries.

Really don’t rate Johnstone at all. Manchester would be doing Villa a favour by recalling and selling him to someone else.

Yes mate he has been unlucky with injuries and a manager who seems to have little faith in him. However I’m judging him on the few cameos he has played in the first team but I suppose Bruce sees him every day of the week and hasn’t been impressed enough to take a chance on him. What I’ve seen of him though he looks a very tidy player in the same mould as Ryan Woods at Brentford and I just wonder has Bruce missed a trick earlier in the season with Terry schooling him in the art of what a DM should be doing? If promoted I don’t think Bruce would be stupid enough to rely on either Jedinak or Whelan as Villa’s defensive midfielders in the Premiership. Just too cumbersome and slow now.

Ah ok mate. Sorry for that. Misunderstood your post.

If that is the case TRO how do you explain why some managers are more successful than others and why some managers get more out of a team than his predecessor?

Up until the ‘Bruce has produced crap for 15 months’ comment I agree with much of the rest and I’m sorry to say I don’t necessarily believe Bruce’s comment that he sent the team out with the same instructions against Boro.

Still think Lyden If fit would give the impetus you are talking about sitting in front of the back four but Bruce won’t play him. Can’t see another DM being signed in this window with two senior DMs at the club plus Lyden if not sent out on loan.

Don’t think I’ve stated the second part of your post.

Yes mate that's the worry, that inconsistency. For me it's really up to Bruce's approach over the next set of games in the Championship. Does he try and pair Whelan and Jedinak again or does he now persist with just one of them to sit and allow Hourihane and Grealish more freedom. For me thats the way to go, one siting and the others allowed to play their natural game. There really isn't anything to fear in this league and nothing to be gained by being too defensive. That's not with the benefit of hindsight either. I've been saying this from the start of the season. I suppose it could be argued that before the signing of Whelan and then the the Jedi injury Bruce didn't have a tried and tested DM (he had a youthful Lyden but didn't wish to play him) he had to play Lansbury in a withdrawn role which didn't suit him so the others had to be watchful of leaving the defence unprotected. Bruce actually stated that he wanted to stop villa hemorrhaging loses so that approach was understandable. However my concern was that he persisted with that approach for too long and against inferior opposition which handed them the initiative and expected players to perform in a way not natural to them. Now with injuries easing and an open transfer window plus most of the teams above Villa having to visit Villa Park, Villa could and should go on another decent run with confidence sky high. I know it doesn't always work like that but if Bruce can get the team's approach to the business end of the season right with old heads like Terry to help dispel nerves then there is no reason why Villa can't secure that second place, with a certain amount of comfort.

Playoffs are a lottery. Anything less than securing second spot in this league with the squad at his disposal and remaining fixture list favouring Villa is Brucey failure imo.

Offer them 7m plus Elphick at the end of the season if promoted.

Been out all day and just returned to see the result. Couldn’t believe it!! Fantastic result and Grealish shoved my above criticism right down the back of my throat. I also stated in the pre match thread depending on team selection it might be a long night for Villa. No Whelan but Jedi played so wrong again and very glad to admit it. That performance has set the benchmark now and please Brucey no more negativity cause see what happens when you show teams less respect in this league. Always knew Villa had the players to destroy this league so maybe Bruce will know it now too?

Bristol City will attack Villa as they will not park the bus so at least that will leave more space in behind them. Villa will not therefore have to break them down which has always been a major difficulty for Bruce. That just might help Villa in this game but it’s keeping them out which is the worry plus Bruce’s team selection. Depending upon that team selection Bristol may be just too pacy for Villa to handle?

Watched the Bristol City Wolves game to size up the opposition and quickly came to the conclusion that Villa are going to have their hands full on Monday night. Cannot see the same standard of performance over the previous games getting Villa any points unless there is a mass improvement. It would help if Bruce doesn’t play Jedinak and Whelan in the same team even with Jedi at CB. If that happens then be prepared for a heavy defeat.

Stated in the pre match thread that due to playing against a Pulis side which suits Bruce more I thought Villa would get a point. It’s a massive bonus to get all three. I feel the Bristol game will be more of a worry but for now a badly needed win when those above Villa have faltered slightly.

Pretty much agree with all that which is why it’s imperative to get a manager in who not only can get these players performing better in a system that suits them but to build on a more progressive way of playing for the future.

I haven't seen much of that from him though. Certainly not enough to have a cutting edge in games. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh but he really does need to do a lot more to convince me he's worth the hype. In the little cameos that O'Hare has played I found him to be much more direct and effective than Grealish. Absolutely amazed that he or indeed Hayes don't get more game time but then again that's down to Bruce. If Bruce is going to persist with Hogan then he needs to get better service to him as currently he's feeding on scraps.

Still feel O’Hare should be given more of a chance. Grealish so far, with few exceptions has too little end product and flatters to deceive. Got to get those through balls going to get the best out of Hogan. I’d also look at playing Lansbury there who has a goal in him as well if current rumours aren’t true?

Ahh will fit in well then.