Steve Bruce

[Ginko]

I reckon Steve Round had a big part to play in this window and has been identifying the weaknesses in our team and the best/potentially available players this transfer window with which to strengthen them with pretty much as soon as he got here. Either way, great work from both Steves and the rest of the staff for the good work this month.

I think most of us have written off playoff hopes, but if we can use this time left to put a run together then even if we don't make the playoffs it'll give us good time to gel as a team and be raring to go next season.

Edited January 27, 2017 by Ginko

[Nicho]

5 hours ago, kurtsimonw said:

Looks like he made a couple of fairly expensive transfers at Sunderland

All SB purchases

In fairness I believe the top 20 signings apart from Jelavic, Cana and Mcsheffery were worth the money he paid at the time. Also good to see a mix of UK players and elsewhere.

what I like about Bruce he's not afraid to give players like Muamba, Long, Odubajo and Wickham the opportunities.

[TrentVilla]

 

Lik most I've questioned some of the decisions Bruce has made, both on a match day and in relation to players.

Some noteable examples being Gollini going, Gardner's new deal and not picking RMC more in Kodji's absence.

However recent events and conversations with some very informed people have made me realise I was wrong and the decisions were the right ones.

Without a doubt our performances even when the results were good haven't been great, more recently the results haven't been either.

Some may wish to point the finger at Bruce for that, I can understand that, I do though think it's utterly wrong to do so.

I think there have been enough coded messages in public from Bruce about his expectations and consequences if people fall short. I suspect those messages have been delievered far more directly in other quarters in more private surrounds.

Those that didn't take heed or couldn't meet the standards are now starting to pay the price. Those arriving this window will take people's places in the starting 11, some players aren't going to see a lot of game time over the remainder of the season. While others will need to find new clubs now or in the summer.

We still an abundance of players in the squad who don't contribute enough or in some instances at all. Just think of the wages wasted on those players...

Bruce has in reality on just started the job in this window, judging him should start from this point forward where he has some of his own players. 

What is abundantly clear is that plans were in place for this window in a way we've never really seen before, between Bruce and Round they knew what and who they wanted and have done a good job at landing them at very reasonable prices.

The overhaul of the midfield isn't a reaction to the last few games, it's been planned in advance which means even when we were in good form Bruce knew the limitations. I've faith therefore that even with these additions he knows the other issues that need addressing.

But he needs time, we've had a revolving manager door at the club combined with previous moronic ownership and that's to this day illustrated by our squad and some of the wastrels in it.

Its going to take time, probably 12 month (two more windows) for Bruce to have the squad he wants.

Now clearly we can't wait that long to push for promotion we need to be challenging from the start of next season if as I expect we miss out this season.

We as a fan base need to rally behind Bruce, to give him time and to have faith he is aware of the issues and what needs doing. That he isn't watching our away performances with pride and think "good lads that's how I told them to play" because it clearly bloody isn't.

I'm more convinced today than I was the  day he arrived that Bruce is the right man for the job at hand. It also appears Steve Round is doing a good job in support.

I can't wait to see he difference the new arrivals make, I'm sure more will follow.

 

[markavfc40]

Be interesting to see what he does now. If you listen to the interviews with the players who have come in over the last week then the play offs this season is still very much the aim. With 19 games to go I don’t think you should rule anything out and whilst it looks tough we should certainly target it so it is good to hear that is the case.

To have any chance though we have to start winning games now. I’d like to think we will treat every game as a cup final. Go into them all out to win. He has the personnel to do that now and I hope we may see 4-4-2 going forward. Hourianne and Lansbury in the middle, Adomah and Bjarnason/Green/Grealish as the wide options ( I think Ayew may leave)  and Kodjia with Gabby/new forward/McCormack if he gets his head down and works his way back in.

We have to have a strong finish to this season. If it isn’t enough to get us into the play offs then so be it but I want us to at least have a real go in every game now. Come full time against Brighton in the last league game at worst I want to be applauding us off having seen enough to suggest we will be promoted next season. We have had no positive momentum at the club for years and that has to change. The owner is doing all he can and the manager and Steve Round have done well in identifying and persuading some good players to come. The positivity gained from that though won’t last long if results aren’t forthcoming. This next three months or so has to be the springboard for the next handful of years.

[dont_do_it_doug.]

1 hour ago, TrentVilla said:

 

Lik most I've questioned some of the decisions Bruce has made, both on a match day and in relation to players.

Some noteable examples being Gollini going, Gardner's new deal and not picking RMC more in Kodji's absence.

However recent events and conversations with some very informed people have made me realise I was wrong and the decisions were the right ones.

 

Most of the reasoning behind those decisions is public knowledge, so I agree. But explain the Gardner contract to us if you can?

Edited January 27, 2017 by dont_do_it_doug.

[villa89]

1 hour ago, TrentVilla said:

I can't wait to see he difference the new arrivals make, I'm sure more will follow.

He has a midfield now of players that he chose so the excuses are gone for me. We need to see some good performances between now and the end of the season. With a team like the one below that should be enough to be taking plenty of points in this league and showing that we will be serious contenders for promotion next season. I don't expect miracles but we need to get promoted next season, no excuses.

             Johnstone

Bree - Chester- Baker- Amavi

                 Jedinak

Adomah - Hourihane - Landsbury - Thor

                     Codger 

[TRO]

3 hours ago, Ginko said:

I reckon Steve Round had a big part to play in this window and has been identifying the weaknesses in our team and the best/potentially available players this transfer window with which to strengthen them with pretty much as soon as he got here. Either way, great work from both Steves and the rest of the staff for the good work this month.

I think most of us have written off playoff hopes, but if we can use this time left to put a run together then even if we don't make the playoffs it'll give us good time to gel as a team and be raring to go next season.

I think it has become a bit of a paradox.

Due to an unproductive time erosion, it looks like Playoffs may be a bridge too far.

However, we were in a better position early December, but still looked a bit iffy to get through the play off finals.

If we can make the play offs , I think we look more nailed on to get through those finals.

if you understand my meaning.

[Grasshopper]

^this^

[TRO]

1 hour ago, villa89 said:

He has a midfield now of players that he chose so the excuses are gone for me. We need to see some good performances between now and the end of the season. With a team like the one below that should be enough to be taking plenty of points in this league and showing that we will be serious contenders for promotion next season. I don't expect miracles but we need to get promoted next season, no excuses.

             Johnstone

Bree - Chester- Baker- Amavi

                 Jedinak

Adomah - Hourihane - Landsbury - Thor

                     Codger 

That is the line up I would choose.

with all the new midfielders coming in, there is a tendency to overlook Jedinak.....He is a specialist and protects the 2 centre's.......crucial in my book.

When Hourihane and Lansbury are raiding ( with confidence and not worrying about defence) Jedinak is the " Insurance man" further down field.

This team form me ( form permitting) gives the manager so many tactical options home and away.

[Grasshopper]

1 minute ago, TRO said:

That is the line up I would choose.

with all the new midfielders coming in, there is a tendency to overlook Jedinak.....He is a specialist and protects the 2 centre's.......crucial in my book.

When Hourihane and Lansbury are raiding ( with confidence and not worrying about defence) Jedinak is the " Insurance man" further down field.

This team form me ( form permitting) gives the manager so many tactical options home and away.

Our main benefit will be that Hutton no longer out of position our shape wont be exposed half as much so for games where we can dominate Jedi can be on the bench ready to shore up last 30/20/15mins

[TRO]

2 hours ago, TrentVilla said:

 

Lik most I've questioned some of the decisions Bruce has made, both on a match day and in relation to players.

Some noteable examples being Gollini going, Gardner's new deal and not picking RMC more in Kodji's absence.

However recent events and conversations with some very informed people have made me realise I was wrong and the decisions were the right ones.

Without a doubt our performances even when the results were good haven't been great, more recently the results haven't been either.

Some may wish to point the finger at Bruce for that, I can understand that, I do though think it's utterly wrong to do so.

I think there have been enough coded messages in public from Bruce about his expectations and consequences if people fall short. I suspect those messages have been delievered far more directly in other quarters in more private surrounds.

Those that didn't take heed or couldn't meet the standards are now starting to pay the price. Those arriving this window will take people's places in the starting 11, some players aren't going to see a lot of game time over the remainder of the season. While others will need to find new clubs now or in the summer.

We still an abundance of players in the squad who don't contribute enough or in some instances at all. Just think of the wages wasted on those players...

Bruce has in reality on just started the job in this window, judging him should start from this point forward where he has some of his own players. 

What is abundantly clear is that plans were in place for this window in a way we've never really seen before, between Bruce and Round they knew what and who they wanted and have done a good job at landing them at very reasonable prices.

The overhaul of the midfield isn't a reaction to the last few games, it's been planned in advance which means even when we were in good form Bruce knew the limitations. I've faith therefore that even with these additions he knows the other issues that need addressing.

But he needs time, we've had a revolving manager door at the club combined with previous moronic ownership and that's to this day illustrated by our squad and some of the wastrels in it.

Its going to take time, probably 12 month (two more windows) for Bruce to have the squad he wants.

Now clearly we can't wait that long to push for promotion we need to be challenging from the start of next season if as I expect we miss out this season.

We as a fan base need to rally behind Bruce, to give him time and to have faith he is aware of the issues and what needs doing. That he isn't watching our away performances with pride and think "good lads that's how I told them to play" because it clearly bloody isn't.

I'm more convinced today than I was the  day he arrived that Bruce is the right man for the job at hand. It also appears Steve Round is doing a good job in support.

I can't wait to see he difference the new arrivals make, I'm sure more will follow.

 

This is not me being patronising.......but that is an absolutely Brilliant post.

I am bound to say that, because I believe every word to be accurate.

For once in our Villa Lives I think we have a bunch of management that know what they are doing and compliment each other.....and as you say, plan rather than panic.

I believe, we have some very exciting times ahead, but there will inevitably be some growing pains and some set backs, but as long as the overall keeps progressing along we can all live with that...... crikey we have had enough training in dealing with set backs, except now any will be temporary.

UTV

Ps not felt as confident as this since  O'Neill arrived.

[alreadyexists]

Those teams that have done well in the play offs recently (from my limited knowledge of them) are generally the teams with momentum towards the end of the season, rather than those with a bigger points haul earlier and take their foot off the gas. This is purely anecdotal though and I have no real evidence of this. 

[Hoof hearted]

7 minutes ago, alreadyexists said:

Those teams that have done well in the play offs recently (from my limited knowledge of them) are generally the teams with momentum towards the end of the season, rather than those with a bigger points haul earlier and take their foot off the gas. This is purely anecdotal though and I have no real evidence of this. 

You're probably closer to the truth than you think, where's a good nerd when you need one!?

Stattos of the world, count!

[BOF]

1 minute ago, Hoof hearted said:

You're probably closer to the truth than you think, where's a good nerd when you need one!?

Stattos of the world, count!

I've already posted on this (in the absence of a nerd *cough*) but 3rd place has been promoted more than any other playoff team, which suggests that the bigger points haul IS the most important thing.

[Hoof hearted]

Just now, BOF said:

I've already posted on this (in the absence of a nerd *cough*) but 3rd place has been promoted more than any other team, which suggests that the bigger points haul IS the most important thing.

But has that 3rd placed teams form towards the back end of the season been an upwards curve so to speak? Not disputing the position a team finishes but the form leading upto the finals, would genuinely be interested in the numbers.

Get on it nerd!! 

[Zatman]

32 minutes ago, alreadyexists said:

Those teams that have done well in the play offs recently (from my limited knowledge of them) are generally the teams with momentum towards the end of the season, rather than those with a bigger points haul earlier and take their foot off the gas. This is purely anecdotal though and I have no real evidence of this. 

not sure on stats but I remember Palace did it one year under Dowie same with Blackpool. both teams hit a good run of form going into the play-offs

[alreadyexists]

And weren't Hull late bloomers last year? Like I say, I'm no expert and haven't watched much championship until his year, but that's how it has always seemed to me... I'm terrible with numbers, this feels like maths homework all over again! 

Edited January 27, 2017 by alreadyexists

[TrentVilla]

3 hours ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

Most of the reasoning behind those decisions is public knowledge, so I agree. But explain the Gardner contract to us if you can?

Some are but I can't or won't say more than that.

In terms of Gardner, I question if he is good enough but my main objection to the deal was that I feared it reduced the likelihood of us improving the midfield in Jan. Clearly that concern wasn't justified.

So with that removed its back to the ability of the player (or otherwise), now I have my doubts about him but as a squad player for a Championship team he is good enough especially with better midfielders around him.

In addition, he played well when alongside Henri Lansbury at Forest which given his arrival here thinks it might be a combination that can work again. I wouldn't be surprised if this is somewhere in Bruce's thinking.

So as a non first choice, Championship midfielder with a good attitude/fitness and work ethic (these things are lacking in others) and genuine commitment to the club he is worth having and securing on a new deal. Especially with Lansbury here.

Not everyone will agree but that is football. I no longer personally take issue with it the way I did at the time.

[Grasshopper]

13 minutes ago, TrentVilla said:

Some are but I can't or won't say more than that.

In terms of Gardner, I question if he is good enough but my main objection to the deal was that I feared it reduced the likelihood of us improving the midfield in Jan. Clearly that concern wasn't justified.

So with that removed its back to the ability of the player (or otherwise), now I have my doubts about him but as a squad player for a Championship team he is good enough especially with better midfielders around him.

In addition, he played well when alongside Henri Lansbury at Forest which given his arrival here thinks it might be a combination that can work again. I wouldn't be surprised if this is somewhere in Bruce's thinking.

So as a non first choice, Championship midfielder with a good attitude/fitness and work ethic (these things are lacking in others) and genuine commitment to the club he is worth having and securing on a new deal. Especially with Lansbury here.

Not everyone will agree but that is football. I no longer personally take issue with it the way I did at the time.

I think only as an additional factor.

I think its safe to say HL isnt here just to cohert with GG

I really couldnt handle a GHGL

[TrentVilla]

6 minutes ago, Grasshopper said:

I think its safe to say HL isnt here just to cohert with GG

I wasn't suggesting that was the case, far from it.