KJT123

It's true that it's baffling how we are spending so much on wages. But to then link it to the idea that we're only doing it because we think we're still important is absurd. An awful article written with the sole purpose of getting 'bites'. And it worked, so fair play.

I'm uncomfortable with him being on the first page of the forum.

I don't think Bruce would leave either, but I can definitely see him being offered the job.

Martin O'Neill has just turned down the Stoke job. Stoke have not thought anything through - would anyone be surprised if they panic and go for someone like Bruce, who has lots of experience of relegation battles in the PL?

How important could that home game with Derby be in the penultimate week

I kind of agree with @DCJonah. I'm happy that he's started to score goals and there is no doubt that he is a quality finisher, but I really don't think he can lead the line on his own for us in the long term. He'll go really long spells in a game where he just isn't getting a touch - compare that with Davis when he came on tonight, he was battling for aerial balls, holding up the ball and bringing other players into the game. Personally I think we look much better as a team with Davis up front. Ideally, I think we'd play our best with both of them playing up front together. But, I don't think Bruce is the manager that will be able to get the best out of both of them and ultimately take us to a new level.

Grealish and Snodgrass - an absolute masterclass in drawing fouls and closing out a game. Well done guys

Bjarnason DM

YES!

Elphick's been good recently, but put simply, we have a better chance of winning the game with Terry in the side than we have without him. Straight forward decision and I can't knock Bruce for that.

O/U Whelan forward passes? 2.5?

Useful signing. I think he'll primarily be used at DM - we're short there with only Jedinak being half decent - and he'll provide cover for all positions across the defence. I suppose we have absolutely no chance of making it permanent though.

I think this is what you'd refer to as a 'rallying call'

If Amartey is going to play right midfield then fair enough, we don't have much cover there after Adomah has been proven to be a better left sided player. But if he's to play right-back then what would be the point? Elmo, Hutton, Bree, RDL...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/01/09/aston-villa-managersteve-bruce-hoping-take-leonardo-ulloa-daniel/?WT.mc_id=tmg_share_tw

I don't think I'd accept a 20m bid for him tbh. I think his performances with us so far have been very, very good, and at such a young age. His ability to hold up the ball is exceptional - I'd probably say even better than Benteke. He has the ability to run at defenders, beat them with skill and pace, and knows how to properly strike a ball. He hasn't scored as many as he probably would have liked, but he's by no means a bad finisher. On some occasions, he's just got very unlucky or been stopped by strong defending. He's a proper centre forward and he's still a kid. As Bruce would say, "he could be anything", and I genuinely believe that.

Oh look, there's Keinan. The one that can't score.

Steer Bree Elphick Terry RDL Bjarnason Whelan O'Hare Green RHM Davis

Would be nice to see James Bree given a run out here. Whenever I've seen him play he's looked good.

That'll explain this picture then.

I'd want Hogan to play this. One good game isn't going to turn his season around. Play him for 60 minutes and try and get his confidence up even more.

That was just a complete performance. Probably his best since the FA Cup semi final. The run for the third goal was brilliant, but the bit that I really enjoyed was his piece of skill late on in the second half. The ball was bouncing towards him and was heading out of play, he somehow gets to the ball and flicks a boot out to keep it in - and then within the same movement, he has the intelligence to know the situation and turn it around the corner to a teammate to lead a counter attack. Beautiful to watch.

I had written him off a long time ago, but he's made a few appearances of late that show there might be a footballer in there. Some nice fancy touches here and there and a composed finish tonight. Good stuff.