ChesterDad

I don’t think you will find an awful lot of sympathy for Bruce ( I agree regarding the cabbage incident and I also agree in relation to his personal circumstances ) but let’s have it right - The guy is a footballing fraudster imo. Ask Sheff Wednesday fans what they think about him or Baggies fans for this matter - He thinks only of himself and nothing more. Not that we have much empathy for Newcastle - but ask toon fans, what they think about him - plus the huge settlement there or thereabouts that he is reported to have received following his dismissal . I don’t believe there is room for personal abuse, but Bruce is frankly one of the last people in football that I feel sympathy for.

One positive is that he saw through Gobby. Went up in my opinion for this - along with Roy Keane.

You are absolutley correct and I doubt there are many who would argue with you, it’s only right however that on a forum people are allowed to voice their concerns, and Ollie’s first touch I’m afraid will come under scrutiny from time to time. Ollie is very highly thought of by most Villa fans - but this does not excuse him from fans voicing their opinions I don’t think

And rightly so at the time. My own is not really caring how we did under McLeish - I wanted him gone so badly. Even the Bolton game didn’t bother me ( sorry my bad )

I don’t think anyone has suggested we will be. I think that the point some are making here is that Ollie is a very good footballer, but not elite. His weakness in my humble opinion is a lacking in technical ability - quite evident last night, again imo - but that does not mean that - we are not happy he is in our team. I would like to see a striker with a different skill set to come and support Ollie and play a different role as and when needed. This I feel could help us even further in our transition. I like Ollie - but i would love to see some help for him. Duran might do this in time.

And both would be classed as elite imo.

You surprise TRO - you are clearly a very knowledgable person - but you are not concerned by Ollie’s technical abilities ? Surely this is the main talking point when discussing all things Ollie? In my humble opinion - his lack of technical ability is the reason, why he will never quite bridge the gap to being an elite striker - very good, but not elite.?

Think you are correct in some points you make, but I don’t think you can blame fans for highlighting certain things - which are there for all to see, and neither can you blame fans for wishing for improvement either. Totally agree about Solanke mind. Personally I would go for Hee Chan - not that I think he would outscore Ollie, just that he offers an alternative style, when under the cosh or when things are not sticking in the final third.

You make some good points ( I do challenge having Gobby in that line up mind) . I am not really having a dig at Ollie’s goal returns to be honest - My question is more about his ability to make the ball stick in the heat of the moment. I felt the service into him last night was pretty poor really - but this just further highlights the need for good technique and hold up play in those rare moments. This is what probably makes the difference between a goal scoring opportunity being manufactured or a team mate being brought into the mix. Ollie offers so much however in other areas that it feels harsh to single him out - but I do feel that we do need a striker who can improve our attacking threat and compliment and/or replace Ollie in certain situations, such as last night .

It’s a difficult one imo - Ollie is a good player, of this there is little doubt - but is he the striker to propel us into the next level? Look none of us want to be that guy who says no - but I do have questions in my own mind as to his technique and hold up ability. He seems like a genuine guy and his contribution cannot be underplayed. I would love to see Hee - Chan from Wolves bought in to support Ollie, I think this combination covers all aspects of the game.

Well said - I don’t think we needed him tbh, but that was not his fault. He has always seemed the model pro to me

Totally agree - I believe there is a good player in there, just waiting to burst out. I would be happy to see him in a starting role tonight

The ability is not in question imo - you may well be right about attitude

Not for me.

No thank you - Broja is miles off it imo. When the dust settles on their respective careers I expect Duran will have achieved significantly more imo

I get where you are going and do not disagree either. The only question is whether or not it’s with us?

I wouldn’t even say that - potentially absolutely

I wouldn’t say plenty tbh - I would say enough to suggest he has a good future ahead of him. The ball is firmly in his court, pardon the pun.

I recall a while back ( maybe on here? ) that he is highly rated across Europe, so maybe we signed him purely on potential, beating others to his signature ? Maybe this is what Chelsea and West Ham are still thinking about, because let’s be honest, has his form warranted a move to another prem league club? I don’t think it has tbh, and who knows - maybe we beat both clubs to his signature, and because they see he is not getting games, they feel it’s worth testing the water And for the record - I like him and want him to stay with us. I would just add wind your neck in and learn from an elite coach and maybe you’ll reach your destination that much sooner

I’d love to know how you arrived at this conclusion ?

Thanks TRO - I’m pretty sure Cantello did one of our players - possibly Ray Graydon at the Hawthorns? But back on thread - I am very much into entertainment along with results naturally - hence my attachment to Bertie. Like you - I have pretty much seen us win everything bar the FA Cup, and my favourite Villa team of all time is Big Rons, which some might think is surprising given I saw us win the title & European cup. I know that JG loved the club, I just couldn’t enjoy his football, which seemed to me was not to lose first and foremost and this soured my view of his overall tenure at the club. Things might well have been very different had he been allowed to sign Robbie Keane

I don’t disagree with those who say that Doug was holding us back, the Robbie Keane saga being a case in point - however rightfully or wrongly my overall memory of Gregory is sitting in the Witton lane feeling totally underwhelmed

This is a very good assessment of his tenure although I do believe you are being very kind to him. I have nothing against JG and believe he is a villan - just didn’t like his playing style

I was just bored by his football tbh - which given his character is somewhat surprising. I believe Doug bought him back simply based upon the fact, that after he left for Wycombe - our fortunes dipped ?

I thought he was awful TRO - completely bored me to tears, his first thought was do not lose. I guess footie is all about opinions Alex’s injury was dreadful - truly great player, never shirked a challenge and could see a pass. I can’t recall which Sandwell towner did this, was it Cantello or that carthorse Brown?