Steve Bruce

[GENTLEMAN]

I was surprised SB did not put Bacuna/Tish next to Jedinak for the Norwich game. We desperately need energy and presence in that midfield area, especially away from home. Hopefully we will get back on track against QPR, or are we going to wave the white flag again?

[Eastie]

33 minutes ago, Morley_crosses_to_Withe said:

You don't know that your team team selection would've have yielded a better result though. The fans can pick the team in hindsight and criticise the manager for not doing what they would have done. Our promotion specialist, professional football manager put out a team based on what the personnel he thought would win the football match. 

In hindsight he should have done something else. Maybe. But I'm takIng a different view and mostly blaming the players for last night's performance. 

I don't think it's rocket silence to see that kodija is better in the centre than on the wing or that Ross offers far more than gabby- I like bruce but he has badly misread the gabby situation and needs to realise that it's time to forget gabby .

i think Bruce will make several changes at qpr and give others the chance to show what they can offer - it's down to them to take their chance .

[Mammoth10]

1 hour ago, Demitri_C said:

Watch the interview mate very bizarre comments from elphick there

Should have added I've not seen it first hand so will have a peek! Apologies if I've jumped to conclusions!

[villan-scott]

Show is your balls Steve. 

Terrible last night, no legs in midfield cost us dearly against one of the best midfields in the league. I dream of Dorrans, Howson and Mulumbu quality in centre mid. I'd go with Jedinak behind Bacuna and Tish Sunday for some energy. 

Im glad he's not defended the players after last night. One of the worst performances served up in a period of utter dross from a series of players and managers. 

[Woodytom]

20 hours ago, Morley_crosses_to_Withe said:

Since when? This season? The last few seasons? Ever? 

 

We've all watched a fair amount of shit over the years obviously and it's difficult to pinpoint exactly which is the worst ever but I don't remember a time I watched a game at villa park where I was as bored and as disappointed with the performan as I was on Saturday. 

Similarly last night with regards watching on TV. I've said tongue in cheek many a time that we can't string 3 passes together. We genuinely couldn't last night.

When you consider everything. The league we are in. The current form of the opposition. The supposed best manager at this level we have. The money we've spent etc, I would say last night is the worst I've ever seen.

I was simply stunned at the lack of quality and the sheer hope in which we seemed to think kodjia or ayew would do something last night.

What exactly was the plan last night?

We say we don't have the players and certainly with some I definitely agree but we had 5 full internationals on the pitch last night.... not including gabby, and 3 u21's. 

Edited December 14, 2016 by Woodytom

[JAMAICAN-VILLAN]

I am wondering if Steve actually left some of the players in to exhaust loyalty. Once they are dropped, that might be it for them. He probably partially kept faith with them because we had a decent run but finally lost patience yesterday. Let's just hope he drops an brings in the right ones.

[Guest av1]

3 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

I am wondering if Steve actually left some of the players in to exhaust loyalty. Once they are dropped, that might be it for them. He probably partially kept faith with them because we had a decent run but finally lost patience yesterday. Let's just hope he drops an brings in the right ones.

After his interview yesterday it will be really interesting to see how we line up the weekend. 

[TRO]

16 hours ago, terrytini said:

Hmmm.

When Bruce has done well a lot have said - rightly imo - it shows what a good Manager, with sound selections, positive motivation, and good tactics can do. Several pointed out it should the weakness in, for example, RDM.

Mow we've had a poor run its back to being an impossible job because of the players ?

Not for me. There are issues with the balance and character of the squad but I'm now seeing people writing off almost the entire team. It's just unrealistic. At worst, they would virtually all be in most Clubs first 14. 

Of course it's arguable several of our better quality players aren't getting as much game time as others but that's bt choice.

When, as I think they will, performances and results improve again , how will those blaming squad quality explain that ? How do they explain Bruce's hitherto decent run ?

Nah. He's started well and has slightly lost his way, and in the last few games hasn't been able to get the players minds right, nor his approach. It happens and as a decent boss he will likely recover soon enough.

He himself said, for example, the players weren't 'at it' right from the off. True. That happens on football, sometimes the Manager  can fix it before/ during a game, other times not.

I think he has done great in selection, tactics, motivation, on the whole, but poorly in all three recently.

Because our players can't sustain form....they are inconsistent. We had too many having mares at the same time.....and to be fair Terry our performances have not been great despite the wins.

SB had mooted instructions were not followed through, so he can hardly be to blame for that.

I actually don't think the players are good at certain things, but decent at others.

when the going gets tough some look very ordinary indeed.

[TRO]

5 hours ago, Woodytom said:

We've all watched a fair amount of shit over the years obviously and it's difficult to pinpoint exactly which is the worst ever but I don't remember a time I watched a game at villa park where I was as bored and as disappointed with the performan as I was on Saturday. 

Similarly last night with regards watching on TV. I've said tongue in cheek many a time that we can't string 3 passes together. We genuinely couldn't last night.

When you consider everything. The league we are in. The current form of the opposition. The supposed best manager at this level we have. The money we've spent etc, I would say last night is the worst I've ever seen.

I was simply stunned at the lack of quality and the sheer hope in which we seemed to think kodjia or ayew would do something last night.

What exactly was the plan last night?

We say we don't have the players and certainly with some I definitely agree but we had 5 full internationals on the pitch last night.... not including gabby, and 3 u21's. 

Our ball control was poor our physicality in duels was poor, our passing was poor and all of that resulted in us not being able to get away from our opponent.

they closed us down and we didn't close them down suggesting they worked harder.

[TRO]

Sometimes you play a player for the right reasons and on reputation of their attributes it is essentially a feasible decision.

.....but when they simply don't do what you was expecting, it can make your decision to play them look wrong.

i.e if a centre forward has a reputation for being good in the air and the manager plays him for that reason and he doesn't win a header......the decision to play him is only bad in hindsight.

our lot just did nothing that represented their reputations on Tuesday night.The manager can't go on and play for them.

we need some different types of reinforcement.

Edited December 15, 2016 by TRO

[KSV]

Only difference between Bruce and RDM is he has a plan.. and has made us better defensively. In attack we still have no clue or game plan or even an approach to a game. Its off the cuff stuff and the only reason we win a game is through individual brilliance. We rely on it.. and very rarely score a good team goal. Clearly we all know theres a midfield problem but we also have a flood of shit strikers on the books. 

[Villarocker]

I think Bruce will drop Gabby, Westwood, Hutton and Ayew. I reckon Bacuna will be right back, Tshibola in for Westwood, Adomah for Ayew and McCormack for Gabby. 

[Keyblade]

2 hours ago, villarocker said:

I think Bruce will drop Gabby, Westwood, Hutton and Ayew. I reckon Bacuna will be right back, Tshibola in for Westwood, Adomah for Ayew and McCormack for Gabby. 

That would be pretty good actually.

[Stevo985]

Adomah and Mccormack coming in are no brainers really.

I don't think Hutton will drop out. as pants as he is going forward I don't think he's been to bad at all defensively.

[pintpotvilla]

1 hour ago, Stevo985 said:

Adomah and Mccormack coming in are no brainers really.

I don't think Hutton will drop out. as pants as he is going forward I don't think he's been to bad at all defensively.

He also looked our best attacking option at Norwich which i know isnt saying much

[TRO]

10 hours ago, KSV said:

Only difference between Bruce and RDM is he has a plan.. and has made us better defensively. In attack we still have no clue or game plan or even an approach to a game. Its off the cuff stuff and the only reason we win a game is through individual brilliance. We rely on it.. and very rarely score a good team goal. Clearly we all know theres a midfield problem but we also have a flood of shit strikers on the books. 

I would like to see the midfield fixed, before I condemn the strikers.....but there is clearly a front line problem.

[TRO]

On 12/13/2016 at 23:17, sne said:

Might as well try the Ancelotti  4-3-2-1 Christmas Tree formation next. Tis' the season after all.

Bacuna  -  Jedi  -  Tshibola 

 McCormack - Grealish

               Kodija

Problem will be the full backs providing width. Not worried about Amavi on the left, Hutton on the other hand...

Anything to keep Westy and Gardner out of the team.

 

3-5-2

you can pick any formation......but players have to do their jobs.

if they don't.....no permutation works.

Edited December 15, 2016 by TRO

[TRO]

I can see so many flaws in this team.

wish i knew what is causing them.

[PieFacE]

Team for QPR

 

                    Goliini

Hutton - Elphic - Chester - Amavi

                  Jedinak

            Bacuna - Tish 

Adomah                    Grealish

                 Kodja

 

Play that and we win. 

[hippo]

6 hours ago, villarocker said:

I think Bruce will drop Gabby, Westwood, Hutton and Ayew. I reckon Bacuna will be right back, Tshibola in for Westwood, Adomah for Ayew and McCormack for Gabby. 

I think he will only drop Gabby and westwood. Gardner & Mcormack coming in