Steve Bruce as the next Aston Villa savior is a done deal. Hands have been wrung, teeth gnashed, and praises sung—or at least mumbled.
Me, I’m okay with Bruce, and my comfort has grown in no small part because of the number of former players—and even Big Fat Ron—who’ve come out in support. Might sound like small beer, but there are worse reasons. I assume they know more than I, and Bruce has a long track record. You know what you’re getting. Even Ian Holloway and Robbie Savage like the choice. So it must be good, right?
At any rate, I think it’s a safe, sensible move. I don’t expect him to be here long term. I don’t expect him to engineer Villa’s footballing ethos for decades to come.
I do expect him to organize the side and implement an actual system designed to get the ball into our goalscorers. I also expect a side that plays cohesively without the ball. Will it be exciting football? Probably not. But returns over time suggest he knows how to get a result. And that’s what Villa need—effective football. And really, any sort of winning would be exciting. And surreal.
As for Bruce’s relegation record, again, I don’t think he’ll be around long enough to accomplish that feat for us. Unless he manages to take us down to League One. Which I don’t think is going to happen.
As Bruce’s long-anticipated appointment was debated, I was reminded of how underwhelmed many of us were with the prospect of Mark Hughes. Not saying Bruce will do what Hughes has done, but I think we have to get over the idea that Villa is only a job for some young footballing genius who can get it all right at the first time of asking, especially given the pressures of the job. We tried Sherwood and Garde. (Not that anyone ever considered Sherwood a genius.) Lambert was a well-regarded up-and-comer at the time he took the reins. In other words, we’ve also tried and failed at the up-and-comer approach.
Of course, Lerner & Co. had a lot to do with tying managers’ hands, so maybe it’s not fair to judge any of them.
Regardless, I never expected the other managers who are currently in jobs to jump ship for Villa. If they’re enjoying success somewhere else, I can’t see why they’d leave, even for a bigger club. It’s a mark of character to stick with a side throughout the season in progress, and a sign of intelligence to stay away from a high-expectation remit at a still-struggling fallen giant.
If Villa were content to languish in the Championship for another year, then yes, we could and perhaps should bring in a bright young thing and try building the new-look Villa as we strive for promotion. But getting back up is the only job right now. Dr. Tony may well say that it could be a two-year project, but it’s clear he would vastly prefer to gain promotion this year. I still think it’s possible.
So, the task is straightforward: Just win. If Bruce can get the side organized and balanced, I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t expect to have improved our position significantly by the January window. At that point, if Bruce can bolster the midfield and even the back four, we could also reasonably expect to be a formidable, well-rounded side with momentum and confidence in the second half of the season. Given the attacking options, this should be a side that regularly scores for fun. And if they started having fun, who knows? They might regularly score.
This will make it all the more interesting to see what he approach Bruce takes up front. Does he try to find the right set-up for McCormack to flourish? Does he see Grealish in a more central role? Do Ayew and Kodjia work together in a 4-4-2, or does Bruce look to establish Gestede with a partner? Not easy questions to answer. Maybe there’s no one right answer, horses for courses and all that. Being spoiled for choice, along with an apparently too-relaxed attitude, may have proven Di Matteo’s undoing. Bruce will have to get to grips with this.
Perhaps we have ceded too much ground. But we’ll have opportunities to take points off the teams above us. And sides that seem to be overachieving have every chance of coming back down to earth. In other words, I think Villa still remain largely in control of their own destiny.
Bruce will know results need to come fast, and the players should now be quite well aware of it if they weren’t before. I can’t say whether RDM’s departure has only increased the pressure, or if it will prove a catalyst to the side. It will be interesting to see how the players respond to RDM’s sacking since they didn’t do much to save his job. Will also be interesting to see how they respond to Bruce’s purported man-management skills.
Perhaps most important is that Bruce needs to get across to the players that they can embrace the challenge instead of being cowed by it. If he does that, we might well get back to losing to Manchester United again this time next year.
The Author
John Clark
John is co-owner of AVL, and has followed the Villa since the '70s. A journalist by trade, he is, by most accounts, a very nice person. You can follow me on Twitter @JClarkKohoutek. It's an astonishing experience. Or a complete waste of time.Comments 118
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John,
Well written article as per usual, but though I agree we have to put some support in Bruce’s direction, the psychological element is the vital ingredient to overcome – the issue has patently been in the air even with virtually a new squad.
To me, organisation and balance are important matters but not the only matters.
So, the key question is, “Is Bruce able to motivate ’em?”. We wait with baited breath.
Must admit that imo motivation, although virtually non-existent at the moment, is secondary to the fact that we have rubbish players. I can’t understand the fans saying that we have a great squad, expensive and well paid but ability wise very mediocre. Bruce can’t do a lot with this lot without reinforcements and i don’t expect results to improve until then which means a relegation battle ahead, possibly one point from the next four games.
Hope Tony X steps in regarding the possibility of Flabby returning to the squad, its probably the most disgraceful thing i’ve ever heard about AVFC and coupled with Bruce’s arrival it could be the end.
If Chris Woods is the next GK coach its at least another Villa fan on board, also one of his relatives played for Villa some years ago.
Dwight Yorke’s latest ramblings show what an opportunist knob he is, never rated him as a player or a bloke, so obviously false.
Bruce’s weight loss secret is out! http://www.spudfit.com/spudtember
Bit excited about what Bruce has to say about the Dr…says his plans are staggering and would like to be the man to manage us if we did get in the prem.
Usually take it as whateves but coming from Bruce who does not usually have time for owners (fell out with at least 3 of them from other clubs)
Firstly ST75, sorry I never managed to get in touch in Preston, but Jaeger bombs for breakfast meant a very well oiled day. One of the lads with us was a machine, before you got halfway down your pint he had got himself an extra one between rounds. He even left deep dale after 25mins as we were so shit and the bar was shut.
As for the latest shenanigans at VP, it’s all a bit underwhelming and ground hog day. We aren’t a very good side, and are in for a real struggle this
Year, with promotion as good as gone already. Only wins will stop the malaise. SB will need to spend in key areas next window, the ongoing struggle is nowhere near over, we are setting new negative records in this league now.
in twitter world thy say bruce held a meeting with ALL staff and players…canteen staff inc etc. said everyone must be respected, all In it together. And players to call all staff by first names. little things like that is what we need as under learner years no one was talking! Lots of positivity around re bruce it seems.
Hull chap says he loves youth to come throught too. Imagine we beat wolves sat and reading tues. we will be back!
Don’t think we will be seeing 4 up top on sat! Id bet on 532.
He seems to play it now and again and we are set up for it.
Id say he will go
Goalini
Richards Elphick Baker Chester amavi
Jedi
westy Tisc
McCormack kodjia
Steamer: “Must admit that imo motivation, although virtually non-existent at the moment, is secondary to the fact that we have rubbish players.”
Can’t agree with you there, mate … but I’d agree that we’re weak in a couple of areas.
For the most part I think we’re not performing because of the difficulty in identifying a balanced team and (most importantly) its lack of teamwork, based (I think) on lack of confidence.
B62 , no problems mate we were half cut going into the ground , we left 15mins into second half , will meet up soon.
had an hour on my hands today so went to look/price up a laptop (small) for daughter to take to college with her , went in staples and l had the village idiot in tow , lm looking at them and picking them up gently to feel the weight , old knob-head thought he would give it a go and set all the alarms off !!!! brains of a rocking horse comes to mind , then he’s pointing at desk top computers ,,,,,, Really !! its got to go in her bag , l do try … to be helpful honestly , but sometimes l just wish l had a gun in my hands , l know if he was a dog the vets would have put him down ages ago ,
tomorrow , well l see a win , 2-1 . cant believe Reading is sold out . its just like the old days , taking over the towns /grounds ,
Jenny l hope alls well xxxxxxx
Runtins will be in touch mate about meeting for a few pints ,
well have a good weekend all ,
Frem
lv got a toolbox lm getting rid of , it has wheels and pull out handle , two tote trays , and compartments in the lid , it is big , but l dont need it anymore , your welcome to it mate , let me know . l can try and get photos to you mate .
brucey wants a benfica defender litzka or someone. highly rated.
The dr is making plans…billion dollar deals to with warner bros etc to show villa games through headphones or something technical!
who the hell will pay for that!!
Has he resigned yet ?
steamer
I bet you ten new potatos you will love spud head by end of season!
I look at it like I was excited at the time of Keano coming, Wilkins assisting timmy, and then Clarke with rdm. let down big time!
This time starting off underwhelmed might have the reverse effect!!
Andrew-
I feel the same way. Hardly excited, but I’m thinking there aren’t many who know as much about English football as Bruce. He knows the pressure, the competition. His ideas may not be the freshest, but you don’t always need to re-invent the wheel.
JL,
Confidence is crucial, agreed. And it comes from results, certainly. But to get the results, the manager has to instill confidence in the set-up, assignments, etc., so that players feel as though they’re being positioned for success. If Bruce can get their buy-in and just deploy them correctly, perhaps make the right subs late on, they should start turning round the near-misses.
We’ll start finding out soon enough.
Steamer-
The way I see it, we tried to recruit a number of players who are leaders. These guys surely are the kind who want to win. If there is a lack of internal motivation, then we have a real problem not easily fixed given the lack of options in certain areas.
It’s a very chicken-and-egg situation. I know I’ve wondered whether Dr. Tony’s lofty ambitions have put too much pressure on, perhaps keeping the players from enjoying the task and feeling under the cosh before even taking the pitch.
So I’m hoping that Bruce can help them relax, both because of his experience (and ability to win in the league), and his supposed man-management skills. If the players feel like they’ve got someone in charge they can trust, someone who can help them win, we should see better from them.
For example, it could be that during games, having been set up to overwhelm on attack and bag a lot of goals, finding themselves in tenuous positions has only added to the anxiety. “We’ve thrown everything at them, barely made a dent, and now we’re hanging on, and not set up to see things out. Oh good, he’s bringing on another striker!”
It can’t be much fun in the back four facing waves of determined attacks late on with nothing in front to stem the tide. Whatever strengths our defenders have, we haven’t been playing to them. If I could make only one signing in January, it’d be a Milner. That sort of tireless, dogged midfielder would, to my mind, make a world of difference.
JC,
Milner would be superb in that team, but this is a bloke that rates Gobby Cabbage as a MF.
JC: “o get the results, the manager has to instill confidence in the set-up, assignments, etc., so that players feel as though they’re being positioned for success.”
mmmmm…. that rather suggests that RdiM – with virtually a new squad – wasn’t doing that.
I wonder.
As I’ve repeatedly said, it’s not just organisation and the associated work but something that’s underlying the squad to cause them to be dropping points and missing chances in the way they have. And there have been a lot of scoring chances missed.
Jenny is much closer to the issues at VP i.m.o.
JL.
I know Jenny is a friend of all of us on here but l reckon hand on heart Jenny could sort out a lot with the players as something is not right in their phsych and l do reckon she could sort it .
On a very personal thing. 2weeks ago my family got a terrible phone call concerning a young nephew and we were at a loss. During that time l was in touch with Jenny and she sent a text to me which l passed onto the other family members and the relief and comfort we all got from it was just what was ordered . It helped us try to understand the tragedy. I hope Jenny doesnt mind me saying this .but she has a talent that needs spreading and l truely do think it could be used at the villa . And lm not being biased here .
Have a good weekend all .
St75 sorry to hear about your nephew mate chin up
I was listening to Deano (not you ST75) on talkshite today and he said a manager of his once said to him
“the only thing that’s more infectious than enthusiasm is lack of it”
Now how many of the team from last season are still there and out of the picture?
He also said Bruce would look to get the ball to the forwards as quickly as possible as they are the ones to do the damage. He would minimise the pointless passing in our half unless necessary, First look to pass forward, then sideways and backwards last resort.
Its simple and it might help this lot, the only problem I can foresee is we have been abject in midfield and the passing worse, defence splitting or chance making passes from midfield are to say the least absent from this side. Bruce had Huddlestone at Hull who could hit 30-40 yard passes with ease and defend quite well, can anyone fill that position? of our mid-fielders non fit the bill or have not shown they can so far. I have the feeling Jordan Lyden could fill that role and I hope Bruce does not pass him over.
One other missing piece is De laet, we have Amavi as a wing back if Bruce adopts his 532 I wonder who will get the Right wing back position? Chances are he’s going to try them all, Hutton, Richards, bacuna and Adomah could Adomah get the gig?
last thought I had is which of the 4 captains we have in the squad will it be?
JL-
I don’t think RDM was getting that accomplished, no, based on the results. I had a quick read of Jenny’s piece, which is, again, very good. I think we’re getting at the same thing:
“Managers need to implement a system that compliments the players and most importantly one they feel comfortable with. This is crucial from a psychological standpoint…
Security and familiarity breed confidence. A player becomes more prone to nerves and mistakes when he over thinks what should come naturally. Think about technique and moves on the practice ground – never in the competition itself. A client contacted me midway through a competition recently because the coach had changed the technique. I got him to ignore the technique thinking and trust his instinct again. He regained focus and won the competition.
So where players have to think too much about where to be and how to play, alert signals interfere with playing instinctively and fluidly. Did di Mateo pay too much attention to style of play and not enough to the players’ strengths and capabilities within the squad?”
This, I think, is the central question for RDM’s brief tenure. Did he set up according to the players’ strengths, or did he ask them to do things for which they weren’t well suited? For example, Elphick seemingly nervous and mistake-prone, when this is not what his overall body of work would’ve suggested we’d get.
Beyond that, did RDM change things around too much and too frequently, keeping anyone from getting comfortable? Did he fail to make in-game corrections that would’ve have made it easier for the players to see out a game? And even before that, did he focus too much on one area of need in recruitment at the expense of others?
Compounding that, I have to wonder if the entire squad been put under pressure by being expensively assembled on the fly with the explicit aim of flying straight to the top of the league and back into the PL? If that’s the case, then even if RDM had done everything right, this underlying sense of something wrong might simply reflect that we’ve traded the confidence-draining malaise of Lerner’s disengaged stewardship—and the consequent pressure of perennially circling the drain—for an anxiety-producing set of high expectations.
In the end, both would create conditions in which players’ fear of failure might well preclude playing with abandon and in the moment.
So, this is why I’m hoping Bruce can at least set them up in a way that shows an understanding of their strengths, and creates not only greater cohesion, but comfort in what they’re being asked to do.
And, Jenny, I don’t intend to put words into your mouth, or selectively quote in a way that misses your point. I just found that bit very much in line with what I was seeing. As we discussed after the Newcastle rally, do you put that same group out again the following game to maintain the flow and understanding they’d achieved to build on that last 35 minutes.
well here we go again another matchday with yet another new gaffer, will bruce be the man to turn titanic villa around or will he be the nail in the hull that sinks us down another level.
i will give him a chance ,but if he comes in and picks hutton watewood bacuna and gabby and results dont change [they didnt for mcleish lambert sherwood mcdonald garde and black]with same players, pick the youth don t tell me we havent got a lad that can play rightback,midfield at this level scrap the youth system
team for tomorrow
gollina
youth player
elphik
chester
amavi
jedi
leyden
tish if not banned not clear
grealish/ayew
kodja
maccormack
subs
rudi adomoah baker heburnmurphy richardsbunn
Disgraceful news about the fat pi55 taker being allowed to soil the Villa shirt YET again, its more than obvious that any skills GA had have been eroded to the point of extinction so why bother ? Russian Hepburn will have his talents blocked by somebody with neither talent or application. GA has seen off how many managers and caused unrest over the past seven years when we needed to pull together, sorry, when he pulls on a first team shirt then we have reached a low that many can’t accept, its ok for Dr X and Spudhead to preach to the fans but some things are unacceptable. Spudhead OUT.
Bit of Dr Xia business chat
http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2028176/aston-villa-owner-tony-xia-sets-his-sights-hollywood-studio
Good evening all .
I’m really grateful for all your kind comments on my work and latest article . Much appreciated , thanks . John L thank you .
St75 : Thank you and so kind of you to say such things . Xxxxxx
John C – thanks for quoting from my article. No, you’re not putting words into my mouth at all : I would have definitely expected to see the same team that rallied so brilliantly against Newcastle step back on the pitch for the next game . It was almost criminal not to carry on with these same players .
The belief and boost to confidence that that group of players (the team for second half against Newcastle ) wd have gained would have been beyond measure . I would have reinforced that by reiterating “you made the top team in the league look very second best. You shocked them and they never recovered ..you will do this again .. as you next go on the pitch take yourself back to the time when we had Newcastle on the ropes “. The belief would be sky high particularly when playing a much lesser team . But RDM (with his own pressures) destroyed all that fantastic belief by changing the team and formation again . So they go from 10 to 2. To not build on that momentum cost RDM his job but just as the team are showing lack of confidence , so was he and this would have filtered down to the players . The chopping and changing the team and formations was beginning to look like desperation , because it was.
We will see whether SB can calm the troubled waters by settling on a consistent formation and team to salvage this insecure group of players . I agree that the expectation may have thrown them and let’s not forget , Aston Villa is not just the biggest club that SB has managed but also that the new recruits have played for . Add to this their price tags and all of a sudden they are out of their comfort zone feeling the weight of the “should do x” on their shoulders .
One thing I emphatically disagree with is SB talking of bringing in more players in Jan. psychology research shows that one of the main stressors in sport is team selection . For the existing, low in confidence players to be told there will be new players in Jan will cause even more anxiety . The object is to build confidence not add to their insecurity . If that is the plan then keep quiet until Jan. Let’s give our existing lads chance to fulfil their potential and let’s publicly believe in them at least . What is the object of this new player talk? What does it achieve other than upsetting the dressing room further .
AV are under the spot light tomorrow – with the new manager media attention and the game being on sky tv at Vill Park . I hope that the players can view the change symbolically : the end of uncertainty and the start of a more secure and steadier path.
A man who knows his stuff warnock worked his magic again. Goes and beats bristol city first game
Funny you mention their price tags, Jenny. I meant to say something about that.
To be fair, Kodjia has seemed to be up for it, and McCormack, too. Gestede has carried on. Ayew seems to be the most unsettled. Would’ve done him the world of good for one of his early near-misses to have gone in.
Adomah, from what little I’ve seen of him, hasn’t made a huge impact.
Also agreed about January signings. Don’t think it does any good to talk about it at this juncture. I’m guessing he wants to reassure the fans. And maybe the players, if they think there are holes in the squad. But if he’s playing head games…not sure how that’s going to help. I understand lighting a fire under folks sometimes, but…
Can’t see anything other than a defeat to the dingles today 0-2.
Andrew,
Warnock is ten times the manager Spudhead is, possibly a good pick to help us out of Lge 1 next season.
Jenny, I feell exactly the same about the January transfer talk.
Right now it’s all about the players we have. They’re the ones who have to move us up the table, and if we have to wait till January to put things right we’ll be fighting the second half of the season in the wrong half of the table.
I’m afraid the transfer talk is to try and appeases the fans. Some are so jaded and cynical that they can’t see any hope with the current players and manager, so some crumbs of ‘January transfer’ hopes are being scattered.
Forget the fans . . . . . concentrate on the current players. Get some results and the fans will love you . . . . whoever you are and where you’ve been.
So if it’s all about the players . . . . . what about Gabby and Richards?
Like Steamer, my instinct is to say get them out. One bad apple really can spoil the barrel. . . . however. . . . I can imagine Steve Bruce believing that he’s strong enough to be able to bring them into line. If he thinks that the effort is worth what they may bring to the team then I’d say ‘ it’s his career that’s on the line and let him try.’ I wouldn’t risk it, but maybe he’s a better man manager than I am.
If Richards was able to play again (at RB) the way he used to then he’d be a huge asset.
I was really surprised to see that far more villa fans want to see Gabby given another chance than want to see him discarded. Even his friends have doubts about whether he can give the full commitment that’s needed. It will be really tough now for him to fight his way back to full fitness and confidence, but if he was able to then I’d reluctantly respect him for that.
Today’s ‘day one’ as far as I’m concerned.
Oh . . . . . and what about Westwood?
I’ve never quite understood the level of abuse he comes in for.
He’s accused of always passing backwards or sideways which is demonstrably not the case but he’s also criticised for not being strong enough in the tackle and making too few incisive passes, and I agree with that.
I see him as sound, competent but unexciting.
If Steve Bruce picks him . . . . as 4 previous managers have picked him then how arrogant would I, or any other Villa fan, be to think that I knew better than all of them?
If Westwood is picked to play then I think his detractors need to ask what they are missing, because the odds are just stacked too heavily against 5 professional managers all being wrong, whatever you may think of those 5.
RoBBo,
Regarding Wastewood, Jose Luis Chilavert scored 67 goals in his professional career including a hat trick and eight in International games.
Rogerio Ceni scored 128 goals.
Both were goalkeepers who played at world class level.
Wastewood neither causes problems for the opposition or creates for his team and none of the managers who selected him were creative players they were all similar pragmatic types.
Agree about Richards, when he broke into the City team he was a revelation, what happened ? as a CD he isn’t up to league football and as a FB probably just about Lge 2.
“I’m not really interested about what’s happened in the past,” the new boss explained.
If you don’t learn from the past it’ll come back for you, don’t complain when you join the list of managers GA has scuppered.
An alarming disregard for integrity, quite happy to have the most unprofessional talentless troublemaker remain, all he needs to do is spit in an opponents face and Spudhead will start a Flabby fan club.
JC,
I can certainly relate to your response to my last comment, but we clearly disagree about RdiM and the results. As Mark has often observed, we have been so close to getting full points in so many matches and it’s just misfortune to my mind that RdiM didn’t get that bit of fortune to get us going. Therefore, to my mind, RdiM did have a good organisation going but the failure to get that extra couple of wins and thus get us moving just added to the insecurity.
Anyway, that’s past and I wait to see whether Brucey Baby can make the difference. Organisationally I don’t think he’ll do much different to RdiM but is in a better position now that there is a de facto squad, and probably a fully fit squad now. To me the key is whether Brucey can instill motivation in the way that RdiM perhaps should have done after the Newcastle match – as Jenny stated.
Other things being equal, motivation is often just achieved by the way the in which the coach/manager deals with the players.
Jenny,
Totally concur with your points.;
Looking forward to the game. Haven’t been to VP for the last few home games now because of work and holidays.
Will be interesting to see how Bruce goes about setting us up. We have better attackers than we do defenders, so let’s attack. Ayew, Ross, Kodjia, Jack. Even Adomah and Green might play more of a part now.
Can’t wait. 3-0 villa
Not looking forward to Hutton playing every game now though.
So many factors are bleeding into each other its hard to see the wood from trees therefore Bruce has to simplify things at first if not forever. Are we missing chances through lack of belief or has bad luck (woodwork saves etc) led to a belief that it wont go in for them, leading to late game pressure that led to another pattern.
If its formation and instructions that are causing mental problems to appear I can understand that having played an experimented with 532 then canged to 442 in game when it goes pete tong and won, I know how much affect that can have, it does require however the correct players to play either format, ie proper wing backs and deep lying play-maker for 532 and industrious Mid/wingers for 442, surprisingly we have bought for 4231 and it shows as we struggle to play any other way bar 433 maybe even 4231 is a push with one Wing back and 4 centrally orientated forwards on the pitch.
I think we need to invent a new format for the assembled squad or horror of horrors drop some stars and use some youth who can play those positions
robbo
on wastewood and his abuse,what happened lambert sherwood garde and rdm as managers they failed miserably , they also picked mutton bacuna and bar rdm gabby ,they are crap players
as steamer put it their are goalkeepers more effective than wastewood
Reckon green coulf feature unfer buce. Loves a winger. Bruce wanrs to get the ball forwards quick. Westwood in trouble then! Be interesting to see the the side he picks
I just want to taste wins tbh. Even if a goal comes off gabbys stomach id take it right now.
It really is staggering how bad our record is
The problem is , the more you lose (albeit unluckily and we have been unlucky re hitting the woodwork : yes the small margins again. ) the more the confidence drains and the bigger challenge it is to get back . Changing the mgr has a short term psychological advantage – the “well RDM can’t lead us perhaps Bruce can”. For this to continue we need wins . Stating the obvious sorry .
From a retired pro footballer “when the fans got on my back, I went into my shell and I couldn’t think . I couldn’t see who was to the side of me because my mind went blank
I know Gabby hasn’t helped himself but I see his behaviour (drink and smoking ) as a way out from the disappointment and pressure he’s under . In spite of what is written in the press, he does support his brother and his handicapped child . I don’t believe he’s the Svengali type influence in the dressing room either . Have you heard Gabby being interviewed . He’s quiet and diminuituve . He is not the sort of persuasive or dominating character to have that influence
I’m not apologising for Gabby’s behaviour , I’m explaining it and from going from hero to the most hated Villa player when AV has been your life is a pressure that ppl with a narrow life experience (like some footballers ) can’t handle easily . No he hasn’t acted professionally as he’s done things which are unhealthy and stupid. But these are weaknesses and he’s paid the price . I believe in forgiving and if he gets himself fit and can get into the team on merit then why shouldn’t he deserve another chance .
This brings me onto Westwood – does having his own supporters booing him every time he touches the ball make him a better footballer ? Is he suffering the mind going blank when he gets the ball and the crowd shout at him . Is it any wonder he goes for the safe pass . If this is happening you have to Q why the mgrs keep picking him . Maybe he could do with a rest for his own sake .
I doubt whether Gabby will play again for AVFC and will have to prove he is fit and deserving . As for Westwood , it’s been reported he knows the fans hate him. I hope there is a happier ending for both of them because ultimately , they’ve both been scapegoats rightly or wrongly .
Interesting that the research on why England choke under pressure shows that the English media obsession with ‘scapegoatism’ has added to the players anxiety massively . I repeat , I’m not trying to excuse anyone but i hope that all players will be given 100 per cent support when they’re on the pitch .
Dion D says he thinks SB will be successful as he knows ‘when to defend and when to go forward . ‘ compared with the Wolves mgr Zenger he’s more experienced in this league and in terms of mgr pressure , it’s all on Zenger as the wolves fans aren’t happy . Exploit this and we could be looking at a 3-0 as Frem’s forecasted. Enjoy the game Frem you deserve it !!
I would also say that SB has to give every player a clean state . Judge ppl on the present not the past . To get the best team you have to bring a philosophy of possibility and opportunity : any and every player gets a chance . That way they have attainable goals and a renewed energy .
Haha video of bruce arriving and signing autographs at the gates….then gabby arrives and fans call his name. Keeps on walking not even a wave or glance! Nob
Bent was talking about he thinks our players are fragile. Hated critisim.
Intersting wyness say bruce will keep things simple. Hinting rdm had no idea!
Andrew: “Intersting wyness say bruce will keep things simple. Hinting rdm had no idea!”
I’d interpret that to mean that RdiM was/is more of a text-book coach … trying to be scientific I’d guess. If so, then he would represent a whole group of coaches that believe that’s the way forward.
Hmmm not sure john. After seeing rdms in game subs and 4 strikers on the pitch trying to see out a game id go for clueless!!
Going for 3-1 villa.
Nota bad team. Micah in at rb. Okwith that as i hate bacuna and hutton.
No westy 🙂
Ayew on bench…picked up knock on int duty. No amavi 🙁
Big game for mccormack for me. Up top as he likes need jack and adomah to provide
22nd now and a defeat tonight will really put the cat among the pigeons, we’re not 22nd by accident p-poor management and p – poor players.
Yeah big big week for us steamer. 7 points out of next 3 games needed. Then this time next week should look better! If we only win once in 7 month tis expected
Gone for a strong line up with a defensive defence, no wing backs looks 442
JL,
I do agree about luck. As you’ll recall, I bemoaned Villa’s lack of it earlier.
Win, Lose or Draw this is the worst Villa team iv’e seen since 1962, virtually to a man they’re absolute crepe.
Couldn’t agree more Steamer. The players are so poor that the manager is becoming irrelevant.
They are a laughing stock given the money spent.
Need another six in January.
steamer
rdm who appointed him will be for the chinese chop
elphik woeful makes you miss clark
tish as the answer to our midfield
jedi pardew couldnt believe his luck
mccormak 11m plus
Why on earth did we need to spend that wack of cash on Kodjia when we’ve got Gestede who’s looked really good and Ayew who’s been our best player sitting on the bench I’ll never know!??!?
We are desperately lacking dominant middle players, oh what I’d give for a 35 yr old Gareth Barry right about now…
Fullbacks still utter crepe
Jedinak is done, poor signing, can see now why Palace let him go for nothing,
Adomah looks like he can stretch teams if we can get him the ball in space.
Jack a world class player, he should be absolutely dominating at this level Trevor but thanks!
Oh deary me!
UTV
that last attack shows why hutton should not be on a football field,wolves wingers has acres of space
Close yer eyes, last 10 minutes.
Wolves are quicker, stronger and more skilful…Bruce has a desperate task on his hands.
Shitbola and Jedinak…utterly useless players.
Should’ve lost that by 3 goals, incredibly lucky to get a point.
What are our options in midfield?
Never seen Lyden play…
Bacuna is a very good athlete but not much of a footballer but if used properly he could at least add more energy and bite than Jediknackered or Westwood, surely!
UTV
Well I fell for it again I sat and watched a very dire performance it was awful and cements what others are saying it is not the managers but the crap players ok the managers signed them.
The defence was truly woeful the slowest back four I have ever seen at this level and I lost count the amount of headers we lost Wolves ripped them apart and to be fair they are not that good.
We have shocking players all over the team and the big question is can this manager keep them out of league one because if you really think this lot can mount a challenge of any type then you are completely cuckoo.
It is so depressing watching this club fall apart I am not sure what comes next.
SWV
ronnie biggs
our right back options are ridicilous bacuna,mutton richards
left cissko
centre halfs elphik baker
midfield jedi wastewood tish gardner
wingers grealish adoamh
such a badly put together squad by rdm at a cost of over 50m
the misery goes on as a villa fan
It is so depressing watching this club fall apart I am not sure what comes next.
That’s exactly whats happening, the club is falling apart and appointing muppets like RdM and Bruce isn’t helping. The Doc wasted 55m in the last window and i wouldn’t trust Spudhead to do any better, virtually every signing he’s made as a manager loses value when sold. Dyche denies he was approached, why not ? we should go for the best available and make it financially attractive for them, not journeyman mediocrities.
PW: “Wolves are quicker, stronger and more skilful”
I reckon their manager has a degree in psychology. He must have said to his players at h-t: “Villa don’t have teamwork nor self-belief – just go for them.” And they did. Could have been 1-5 at the end.
Mind you, we can say that luck was on our side today. Maybe that’s an omen to work from.
No, I don’t agree the players are that poor – *except* we’re short of good full-backs and that Jedinak is just not doing the job. Westwood is a better option but we could do with someone of more ability. Perhaps McCormack ought to be that midfielder, just as Brian Godfrey switched from attack to midfield all those years ago.
But Bruce does indeed have an absolute mountain of a job to make a team of that lot.
And that team definitely isn’t fit.
john l
when westwood is our best midfield option we are fucked a simple pass late on but no wastewwod tries holywood style and gives the ball awayas usual, rdm should never manage again [probably won t]sanchez was allowed to leave jedi was overpriced [norm for us buying old players let friedal go]
bruce has some job on his hands
Said at the time that letting Sanchez go was a mistake, as for the new arrivals, imo, Goalini and possibly Codger are the only ones worth a place in the squad most of the others are rank rotten.
We have a manager who “doesn’t do tactics” can’t motivate and has a very ropey record in the transfer market, ‘effin wonderful, bet the folk chirping about how good Spudhead is won’t be seen at Scunthorpe on a Wednesday night next year.
Sanchez is out on loan isn’t he. . . . can we bring him back?
Westwood was our best centra midfielder today but Sanchez could bring that extra bite.
Really impressed by Grealish today. He’s one player who looked fit and didn’t tire despite doing more than his fair share of tracking back.
One thing that really irritated me today was the fact that we lost just about every headed challenge. . . . the Wolves players just seemed to ‘expect’ to win the 50:50’s, particularly in the second half.
Andrew – what did Bent say ? I’d be v interested .
Ronnie : I’ve said all season and last : why hasn’t Rudy had a chance . Scored 20 plus at Bburn rarely starts for us .
Wolves mgr mentioned mentality about 3 times post match : agree with John L. He stole the show and Wolves exploited our weakness . They played how we played second half against Newcastle . They played how I expected us to play because we have shown we can play like that , we just don’t .
I’d like to ask (genuine question ) how can you say (all those that do) that we have useless players . We brought in experienced and good performers in this league , hence the money spent . They were good at their previous clubs. I can’t believe they’ve become bad over night .
Steve Bruce said post match that he’s found the answer to why we’ve been conceding late goals : tired legs. Really ????? Have we spent millions on dieticians , strength coaches , fitness experts to find that they’ve been over doing it after all ?!!!!!
If we’d have had Rudy on Robbo we’d have won every headed challenge . (Or a few more at least ) i appreciate Bruce’s subs were forced by injury but I hope Rudy gets a game as we haven’t exactly scored loads from open play have we .
I have to say steamer it was funny seeing the great joy on twitter for the 4-4-2 formation bruce put out – then 50 mins later “4-4-2 is rubbish in this league “. Haha OLeary comes to mind
Jen
Bent said in his time there the players did not cope with negative vibes from crowd and shouting at.
Bruce thankfully has said cant believe how unfit we are!
All hopes of going up gone. Relegation battle on.
We are horrific. New def and mid we will be ok. 13mill for mccormack!!
Thanks Andrew – did he say that recently ? I’d like to read it if it was in an article . Bent wd have been referring to the Houllier or McLeish time then.
The very first reason that I would fire a manager is a teamwide lack of fitness. To me, there can be absolutely no excuse whatsoever for any team having a general lack of physical conditioning. This isn’t rocket science, the concrete steps necessary for a team full of athletes to be in the proper physical shape necessary to compete at the highest level has been outlined and understood for years and years now. This is just inexcusable, and our new manager must be held accountable for improving the fitness level of this entire Squad.
Jenny, must admit, I was expecting to see Rudy get a run out and help us to compete up front.
Trouble is, we overdosed on strikers in the transfer window so two of our best players were left on the bench (Hepburn Murphy didn’t even get that far) but we were left wondering who we could bring in to strenghthen the midfield.
On a positive note, McCormack and Grealush showed some nice interplay skills in the first half, one of which led to the penalty. Those two could do well for us if they stick at it.
McCormack was the only player to show some nuts, he defended Grealish who also played well. Rm must be massively pissed off by now with his team mates , do they want to win or not? Kodjia is just himself, that volley deserved a goal oh well so much for its the manager
Grealish
Yes, he showed up quite well on occasions first-half in his constructive guise. But what did he do second half that was constructive. Not a lot.
Yes, it’s good to see his willingness to track back but constructively he remains too much a tippy-tappy player for me.
Well, Bruce says he’s going to get the best out of him – but what as? A centre-half?!!
Fitness
On reflection I have to agree with Steamer (and, now, Bruce himself!) that fitness is a key issue with this lot. It would explain a lot, but is not the only issue by any means.
Well, if Bruce starts work on ’em now then perhaps we’ll avoid relegation and get promoted in about 3 seasons – unless Bruce proves to be a miracle worker.
Well after another inept and clueless performance, in which we were lucky not to have Been thumped, where do we go from here?? The squad lacks balance, quality and we are simply missing a whole midfield. Clark was right to move on, he is showing his worth at Newcastle whilst Elphick looks lost and a pale imitation of a centre half.. The players are seemingly incompetent of even the most basic of tasks, they look unfit, have no organisation or spirit. I am yet to see a team we have played against this season who weren’t fitter, stronger, had more desire and were more organised than us!!! Promotion is now gone for this season, Norwich and Newcastle are romping away on 26&25 pts respectively , even blues are 9 points ahead on 20 in the final play off spot. We are 1 point off dropping into the relegation zone, we are in real danger of going down again, we are that bad.. Bruce isn’t my choice and he hasn’t had an immediate impact like Warnock at Cardiff, but he has to get it right and quickly, the hoofing to no one resulting in gifting Wolves the ball and inviting pressure, can’t be repeated. If that is his tactic we are down.
Has he gone yet ?
Like him or loath im bloody glad its bruce at the helm sorting this lot out.
The hoofing was because we have no midfield.
Jack needs to play in the middle as number 8 surly there must be some kids to come in.
Trust villa to spend 50 mill on a load of shit
Bruce was never one for promoting youth players.
Did SB feel he had to provide the answer to our shipping Kate goals after just one game . I say this because the “tired legs” reason seems too simplistic . Wouldn’t RDM have known this – wouldn’t the players have said “gaffer there’s something wrong with the fitness training “. Having tired legs for 12 games without addressing this seems unbelievable at best .
There was a perm league gootballee being interviewed on the fitness thing recently (can’t remember who it was sorry). He said fitness was similar throughout all the big clubs – they all have top notch facilities and employees . I find it staggering that players who are training 5 days a week can’t last 90 mins . This isn’t the 1960s when pros started the game with 2 pints , a pie and chips and a smoke , this is high powered precise discipline . No for me it comes down to the nerves : was it fitness that stopped them pressing after the 1-0 lead ? Was it fitness that makes them blinkered so they can’t pick a pass . No – fear has a huge impact on the body . Peripheral vision , being able to see the players around you and get a broader view is one of the first things to go . You focus inwards and narrowly . If SB is right that fitness is a problem there needs to be an investigation why . Even if it is a reason , it still doesn’t discount the mental fatigue and stress which is making them look like they are playing in 2 feet of water !
The players may have been jet lagged yesterday but they weren’t jet lagged fir the last 12 games. ???
Think the plan now is to try and get to January within touching distance of safety and for Spudhead to unload wads of the Docs cash on his usual mediocrities in the hope that we can stay in the Chimps Lge. If Spud can find buyers for them we may recoup 5m for the summer signings.
Is it really 4 wins in 50 games ? scandalous, shameful, pathetic, players should feel honoured to play for AVFC especially crepe like we have, no pride.
Agree with Jenny and RobbO about Rudi, we have no focal point to aim for just whack it upfield, get RM to play off Rudi and Codger to roam either side and we may even score a few goals.
Jen in my mind the likely hood of being not fit enough to complete 90 mins after playing this many games is rubbish. Getting match fit is just that playing matches, there is no way every team in this league and even Luton are massively fitter than we are. Yes players capabilities differ but we are unlikely to have bought 30 players all that are incapable of the standard of fitness. Jedinak has been on several long haul flights of late and that takes its toll especially after playing games in between and Richards and mutton are less likely to be match fit.
If there is a problem with training at Villa its been here for a good few years, the go to comment has been they are not fit over a long period now and the likelyhood that beasting them more in season will make them fitter is more likely to produce fatigue than prevent it. Recovery is the most important thing and players heart rates are monitored constantly and if its raised it signals over-training. The high pressing game we see from Liverpool requires things like cold therapies to hasten repair and healing so ice baths and cryotherapy are brilliant for that.
Mental strain and worry or flight or fight produces cortisol and other hormones as you know, Cortisol fights with testosterone our major feel good hormone and delays recovery and lowers mood. Even though these players are new to us I think the expectations of the owner and fans have got to them and as the results haven’t come it has snowballed into the scenarios you talk about. another factor may be they have all played at a decent level and produced better but not at a club that are deemed big like Villa another pressure they would not have had at Palace, Bournemouth, wba, etc
steamer I was thinking the same, codger seems to thrive with him on the pitch
I agree Mark : if AVs problems can be solved by getting a new fitness coach then my name is Jessica Ennis. Did the new recruits suffer from fitness problems at their old clubs ? Did they have fitness tests and medical to come to AV and command such high championship transfer fees ? it’s ladybird reasoning particularly when followed by “we have the stats and science ” So no one has thought of this ?!
Rudy is loved by the fans : -always hear Rudy Rudy Rudy . Whilst fans should never pick the players , how about giving a popular player who is still the highest goal scorer for us the opportunity . I think he must be feeling “what the hell do I have to do ” !!
Jenny/Mark,
Yes, of course you are right about the causes for leg-weariness, but if that is the main issue, why didn’t the players respond to the new manager rather than just carrying on where they left off at Preston?
Jen mentioned the short-term infusion of spirit that one tends to see when a new manager comes in, but I saw precious little of that last night. Wolves were first in for virtually everything apart from maybe a 15-minute spell in the first half.
I suspect that when SB talks of “lack of fitness” then he is really talking about the complete physical situation with the players, including the psycho-somatic issues.
In fact the “fear of playing at VP” syndrome may well be a main factor behind the lack of performance, so if we can pick up a win on the road pdq that may settle a few nerves.
All the talk of ‘leaders’ coming in pre-season, has anyone seen any leadership yet ? fight like Lions, yeah. Honestly fear for this club, the heart of the club was torn out by Lerner, Faulkner and Fox, all we have left is the ghost of the Villa roar and happy clappers, no wonder the kids wear Chelsea and Man City shirts, the Docs five year plan seems to include a couple of years in Lge one.
And when i see that pic of Spudhead with a villa shirt it makes me want to vomit.
There it is again.
And again.
JL- might be they pass fitness tests with flying colours but when they get on that pitch and certain things repeatedly happen their fears return, I cannot believe they are not monitored to an unbelievable level, to say they need more running may be wide of the mark, it would be negligence on a massive scale fro RDM’s staff and this is not just happened it appeared under Lambert and Tim and Garde( remember his double sessions? and tims), as you say lets hope Bruce takes in the full spectrum not make it worse.
Mark,
I see your drift but that notion doesn’t quite gel with me.
SB says there is a fitness issue, so why would they be coming out with flying colours in that department? (but as I said before, maybe SB sees the fitness question as not purely a physical one.)
It’s difficult to put a finger on exactly what’s wrong … and why … except that there’s no teamwork, but a simple win on Tuesday would help to put things right! 🙂
But to that end if the tactic is now just to punt the ball upfield I certainly support the notion that Rudi needs to be back in action.
Steamer: “the heart of the club was torn out by Lerner, Faulkner and Fox”
They certainly proved wrong the idea that managers without proper (industry) experience can manage anything.
Steamer. You keep using the term ‘happy clapper’.
If you mean someone who still supports the team despite the pain they’ve put us through then yes that’d be me.
If you mean people who don’t boo at half time or shout abuse at the manager and players during the game then yes that’d be me too
If you mean people who don’t criticise every player and every manager and every owner as a matter of course, rather than even giving them a chance to succeed (or fail) then yes that’d be me.
If you mean someone who travels hundreds of miles every other weekend and actually pays to watch his team play even though the players don’t show the passion to deserve it then yes that’d be me too.
Is it not possible for you to accept us idiots foolishly retaining a little hope that better times, despite it all, will come one day?
I believe that we have an owner with passion who is investing in us and trying hard to do the right thing.
You eloquently describe how Gabby’s negative influence should be removed from the club and how his negative attitude can demotivate other players.
There’s been much discussion on here about the often oppressive atmosphere at Villa Park and how it negatively influences players, particularly younger ones. . . . are the ‘happy clappers’ responsible for that too?
JL as they all use the same metrics in the fitness industry I don’t see how RDM could possibly missed his team not being fit, bit of a stretch isn’t it? 12 games and my teams not winning I wonder why? perhaps we should make them do some exercise? no mate not for me , watch the U21’s or 18 or 23’s they are very fit.
Evening all
John , if you read SBs post match comments he doesn’t mention mental fitness . Yiu may imply this of course but the inference I got was our physical fitness was to blame.
No , SB didn’t get the new manager upsurge that can happen (mclaren and warnock did ) Like I said the psychological benefit is largely due to change = hope. When you keep losing under the same manager there will come a time when consciously or subconsciously his fit / ability is questioned by the players .
He picked Jedinak who we now know was suffering from jet lag and Richards who is not match fit , having not played this season . Ayew was tired from international so to an extent it wasn’t the best situation to judge them.
Jenny,
I just like to give the benefit of the doubt to the manager without knowing what his real intention is! 🙂
In fact if he didn’t mention “mental fitness” that’s not to say he’s overlooking it.
I’m sure there’s all kinds of things floating around in a manager’s brain that he’ll not necessarily admit to. On the other hand I could be miles off and be giving him cred when none is due!
Happy clapper = Support decisions made even when obviously not to the benefit of the club, ie McCleish, Sherwood, the closure of the upper tier, and various improved and lengthened contracts for players who couldn’t even get a place in the worst team in our history. The only time an oppressive atmosphere occurs at VP is when a total lack of effort is on display, the last five years have been an example but only oppressive on a few occasions. Ellis maintained his stranglehold on AVFC for years because apart from Buck Chinn there was little resistance. With the outrageous price of tickets i would expect, no demand, more effort and better performances than seen at VP during the period of the last seven managers, i don’t enjoy people taking the P while being paid thousands a week and receiving numerous chances to show even the slightest interest in the folk who pay his wages and then have the nerve to complain. You may think that i have a low opinion of footballers, no, its much worse than low, my interest continues out of habit rather than unrequited loyalty. For Tony Xia and Bruce to give yet another opportunity to a washed up non-performer is, in my opinion, an insult of the highest degree. I fully accept that folk may disagree with my point of view but i’m not prepared to be walked on by the tenth rate shower of losers that the happy clappers call a team and want us all to cheer to the rafters for total failure.
Evening each, I’ve not read all the previous posts so at a slight disadvantage. Never the less, last nights match against the Dingles. Very fleetingly we looked like a half decent side. But that second half was possibly the worst I’ve seen since….???
I really dont have a solution. Bruce is okay as manager but we’ve had a procession of managers who have assembled squads, teams ranging from young and hungry to journeymen pro’s with leadership experience, result; defeat, after streaky draw. This is so reminiscent of the late sixties its untrue. We have a long journey back starting with retaining championship status. We really are that bad. Poor signings one or two bright sparks, but there really was some garbage out there last night.
I think Gollini is a good aquisision, the rest, well you convince me.
Villa forever, it will get better but it wont be for a while. We could be in the first division next season,easy. So enjoy the journey, I must admit I did some forty years ago, but I never thought I’d repeat it. Very disappointing.
The Happy Clapper element for me is about the fact that I can’t imagine why anyone would pay money to watch football that has zero quality or entertainment, and support the regime in doing so. People should vote with their feet and send a clear message.
There are so many better thing to do on match day than watch this utter rubbish.
How can this incompetent regime burn so much cash on inept players and yet Wolves get Costs on loan, a bloke who ran rings around the us.
It’s not about fitness…Villa players lack skill, pace and passion.
Costa, not Costs
Well there’s a wide range of opinions on here from my gentle touch to steamers birch the lot of them ☺️☺️☺️ It’s what makes the blog interesting .
John I’m making assumptions yiire right ☺️
But talking to an ex Aston Villa youth player recently , who came up the ranks with Gabby, started at age 7 progressed during MONs time , left at 18 due to getting injured, there was loads of nutrition and fitness specialists but zero sports psychology – at that time . May be different now of course but you’d never know from the performances etc .
The club is rotten to the core. Youth development is neglected continually and recruitment is indescribable.
I can’t imagine what is needed to recover from the staff and players now at the club
Steamer: “For Tony Xia and Bruce to give yet another opportunity to a washed up non-performer is, in my opinion, an insult of the highest degree.”
Trouble is, Gabriel is an asset on the books that’s not being utilised, though I agree there was talk of shipping him out in January. But he didn’t want to go to Reading, did he?
I don’t believe that that Gabby is going to get easy access to the first team. SB has said that he’s got to work for it, and if he does that and then gives some return, I feel that we shouldn’t complain. If he doesn’t give anything then he will be shipped one way or another, I’m sure.
But what I’m saying is, if (a big ‘if’) there is something in him that can be made to make a difference then why not try him – for the sake of the future of the club.
Jenny: “zero sports psychology”
I find that utterly strange. I was trained in various aspects of psychology as a junior manager in industry 40-odd years ago and I thought all industries would be aware of its need if they’re advancing with the times.
If you’re dealing with people it’s bloomin’ obvious that you need to know what drives ’em and how to improve their output (for want of a better word). It’s crazy to ignore that aspect.
Mind you there was definitely a lack of psychological understanding when my case got dealt with at VP, so maybe I missed the obvious of how the club was being run.
Depressing stuff, but new post up.