Darth Villa

Only on paper...but I was feeling optimistic at the time as we hadn't kicked a ball yet! The point I'm getting at is our comparative resources dwarf the rest of the league and we're still screwing it up. Tired players, dip in form. ineffective management or all of the above - it shouldn't matter as we have the resources to cope. We simply haven't and that is not good enough..in my humble opinion.

I said to a mate at work last summer that we'll have the best squad in the league but will still manage to make hard work of it as that's the "villa way". Just like we're doing whenever we're handed a chance to secure automatic promotion. We should have stomped all over this league but the lack of bottle and application when it matters is simply unacceptable. The manager has to be held to account if we're in this league next season.

I think the size of the job is too big for him, he is so afraid of failing and ultimately that will be his downfall. The irony is not lost on me but he's got the track record of promotions and that got him into the job in the first place. I just wish I knew how he managed to get that record as I might have more faith in him. At least we are in the mix (he says clutching at straws).

Bruce messed up the team selection against QPR, players lost faith, individuals complacent after Wolves result, arses fell out as reality hit. You have to be prepared to work hard on the pitch in this league to earn the right to win the game. I am not convinced we possess the right mentality, even when it was in reach, that's why we got into 2nd place and flapped and that's why I feel we're all so worried about the play-offs. I hope I am wrong!

I think the realisation that automatic wasn't likely / isn't happening has hit a few members of the team and hence form has dipped and arses fallen out. Bruce signed experience but since we walloped Wolves it's as though we peaked too early and are now clutching at straws, such as trying to get Kodja fit or praying for the Scottish Cafu to score a worldy to win in a play-off final. We have the ability, we could still do this but no more 4 striker panic subs please and will Steve Agnew please get back to work!

I wasn't suggesting that anyone wanted anything but a quick return to the top flight but he had two years from the off and was worried about our decline. That was the reason given for his overly defensive approach which has now changed. I was simply suggesting that perhaps a more considered and sustainable approach has kicked in after we failed last season? I agree Bruce would likely get the push if we failed again but I'm not so sure now as he does seem to be building something we haven't had since MoN left us. A winning attitude.

I wonder how much of the time taken has been to ensure that we're able to sustain our return to the top flight? Wyness always said we'd need three squads, one to get us up, one to stabilise us in the prem and one to push onto Tony's vision of world domination (in a footballing sense even if I sometimes think our owner would make a great bond villain). Perhaps Bruce has been following that plan after all and having seen us hand Wolves their arse on a plate I feel we are much better equipped to survive if/when we get back to the prem this time around.

After several seasons of panic around how poor we've been it is alien to us when we're looking at the top of the league, causing some degree of collective concern. What this post highlights is that it is still mathematically very much open and many of those around us have to play each other (and us). Let's keep some positivity, we've put ourselves in contention and thanks to the snow will have players back for Tuesday - let Cardiff, Fulham and Derby worry about that!

I agree that the sign of top side is the ability to win ugly and I do hope we end up laughing in May. I also posted in support of Bruce given his recent personal loss but I equally feel losing Grealish and Adomah disrupted us more than it should have given our squad depth. For the life of me I can't see what he does in Onomah either as he has totally gone off the boil. The man divides us but the team are playing for him despite some strange team selections. A great recent run of victories and then a wobble before today doesn't mean much unless we can build on latest daylight robbery. I am just pleased to see so much fight in the team after the number of ambivalent years that saw us relegated. I still feel onwards and upwards is where we are heading. Hope this brings balance to the debate, if not the force!

Don't get me wrong, I don't think he's been great either and went back to his old negative ways. But..in the context of what he's been through losing his Dad I think he deserves some credit for showing up and the team are still playing for him. Although he should never be allowed to put Onomahs name on a teamsheet ever again

It's about time our "experienced" players showed their worth - step forward Glen Whelan. You might have no legs these days but I'm glad you've been reading VT and realised you had a point to prove. Snoddy, outstanding. Hourihan, stepped up once Onomah removed. Onomah to be returned to Spuds (I hope) Still think the defence is too vulnerable at times but can't fault the passion at the end. Fair play to Bruce, clearly a tough time for him personally but can't fault his dedication and professionalism. Onwards and upwards!

^^ agree with this...this is Bruce's last chance to get us up so won't knock any signing at this point as on his head be it..

We've won 5-0 and still bickering with each other over Bruce out / in. FFS what are we like...everyone is entitled to their view and at least one of them will be proven correct by the end of this season, I suspect.. Nobody saw this result coming, Grealish was immense, fair play to Hogan for a great goal and assist for Snoddy, Bruce still divides us but if the team continue like this then we will definitely be back in the Premier League in 2018. The bar has been set, no pressure lads A truly happy new year for all of us!

Thanks @Raver50032, I've never rated Elphick but you can't fault the bloke for how he performed yesterday - Bruce claims we're all hysterical but most of us recognise when player's perform and are big enough to acknowledge it. Pity Bruce isn't able to take the same stance with his post match comments..

Fair play Tommy Elphick, It's good to see an error free performance from you today.

That's either Christmas cheer going too far or views from a parallel universe, as surely nobody can believe that crap?

It's refreshing to read this as it does feel like hysteria has taken over sometimes, as we are all pissed off with recent results and many doubt Bruce is the man to lead us back into the Premier league. All that being said, we are still a massive club with a half decent squad, passionate (and bloody wealthy) owner plus the largest away following of anyone in the Championship - other fans can't fail to notice our commitment to the cause! If we lose on Saturday and Bruce is sacked, all those aspects will remain minus one potato head..

I wasn't advocating waiting, just speculating that I think Dr Tony will wait until certain Bruce has failed. The pressure is clearly on mind you as Bruce was blaming injuries in a BBC interview earlier. Only a matter of time in my book..

I have no doubt Dr Tony can see what's happening as he strikes me as an astute chap BUT none of us really know what his decision point is. I think he wants continuity but also to protect his investment - he (I believe ) will act once certain that we're totally out of it this season but I'm not certain the broader fan base has the same patience. We don't lose if Bruce gets us promoted as the argument becomes null and void, if he fails then adios Mr Bruce and Tony has to rewrite his plans again. I think it's simply that sort of rational business logic that Tony looks at..

I'm looking at the old, leggy players who dominate our first team - Whelan, Jedinak etc.. money wasted, overhaul needed and not much time to do it. Bruce has to go but he's not the only problem at our club as we've been like this for a while. Respect that you see it differently and I hope you're right!

We're world beaters against poor teams and shit against anyone decent. tonight sums us up, we can't beat Brentford FFS what has happened to us? No progress on last season, huge job for the next manager to turn this around.

I think (hope) Bruce has gone tonight..

But no Happy New Year for us Villa fans unless this changes quickly..

Hutton played better at left back than Taylor - how shit does that make Taylor and he's Bruce's first choice!

We can't get near the ball in the box, FFS...