holtend4life

He has a wonderful left foot. He has no right foot. It halves his ability and doubles his time on the ball to take passes from angles on the pitch so he can get it onto his left hand side. I don't think I've ever seen him do a one touch pass with his right foot, which, in that deeper position you need as you're the one expected to dictate the pace of the game when in possession.

I think his main issue is that his body position to receive the ball from another players pass is not set early enough, you can see him trying to sort his feet and body weight out far too late to receive and make that quicker pass and keep the tempo going. It also impacts his defending, as by the time he’s sorted his feet out, the opposition have already made a choice (which they would obviously be instructed to in pre match analysis). To me, that indicates a mental block; almost like he’s playing on nerves most of the time. That tackle really has impacted his confidence as a professional.

It will hopefully mean we can play with a higher line in the near future if he keeps improving, especially with the pressing we’ve started doing off the ball higher up the pitch, could really shorten the space for opponents to work in.

Same old, same old? You’re blinkered by Bruceball mate.

Bit chicken and the egg this, were the players hoofball before Steve bruce or has Steve bruce turned them into hoofball players?

Ah shit we've scored.

Boring boring boring boring boring boring.

Well, I think the away end at Sheffield United let their feelings known somewhat.

God that makes me itch.

Who's your pick to progress from that 11 playing today SGC?

Dunno, how much of it was down to him at Walsall?

We play someone half decent in this league, we get exposed. United are what, a top 6 team in this division? We are so far away from that level of team at the moment, we need a new approach. Bruce is done.

https://www.transfermarkt.com/gestifute/beraterfirma/berater/413 mendes’ client list apparently, for anyone interested.

We have no identity.

Can see why McGinn was picked over Hourihane, wins the ball higher up the field.

Of course I don’t, that’s why I said “I think”. But it works both ways: you don’t know if he’ll be the player he was. I can only base it on his injury record and the subsequent performances after these injuries, which is true what you say, he’s never been up to full fitness. Which in my opinion, is because he probably won’t ever get up to full fitness. And that’s why I’d sell if the money is right, mate.

I think the injuries have scuppered him to be honest. Sometimes you have to cut your cloth accordingly and accept he isn’t going to be the player he once was. If a bid came in for him that was near enough what we paid originally, then personally I’d let him go. Especially if the team in question is a Pulis team, because he isn’t going to shine or get back to his best in that setup. “He needs to get up to speed” argument baffles me a bit, his body hasn’t let him get up to speed because maybe, it can’t anymore. How long do you wait? Again, in my opinion I’d let another team take a chance to do that for a biggish sum of money.

So the Traore sell on fee is paying for this transfer I'm guessing?

Then he delegates like a God then.

Interesting if it was Henry, seeing as he’s been coaching a 3-5-2 formation with Belgium and that’s what Bruce has been doing all pre season. I’d still want Dean Smith though: plays better football, utilises the transfer market better, buys young players and develops them for a profit (Ollie Watkins the latest one apparently that’s going to make big money for them)....and he’s a villa fan (which doesn’t really hold any bearing on the football side of things but will understand the ethics of the club first hand at least). As an owner, you want a manager who’s on an upward trajectory. Bruce to me is not.

Starting to get verrrrrry nervous now

James Milner

Confidence is shot, too lightweight in the tackle and doesn't track a man. Plays slightly better with Grealish but then most of the midfield does anyway.

Onomah was an absolute liability today, playing left or in the middle when he swapped with Grabben for a bit. He's played his way out the side with that performance surely? Thought the Jedinak sub was a good move by Bruce, finally nullified their big striker in the last ten minutes. Snodgrass' energy in the last 20 was also very impressive today too.

Is Onomah going to back out of every challenge this evening or...?