Here we go again then and it’s another game on a stupid Monday night in front of the Sky cameras.
Seeing how we’ve gone around fourteen live games without a single win, that’s a bad omen in itself, but all runs have to come to an end don’t they?
Hmm.
As much as I try to retain any optimism (as much as some others think I don’t), I think this particular match couldn’t have come at a worse time. More so when you consider we’ve played “lesser” teams at home and lost.
We’ve played Brighton away, so this is probably the toughest fixture we have left this season…
I’m sorry. As much as I try to look on the bright side and recall that Blues and Wolves have turned Newcastle over on their own turf, combined with the fact that the Barcodes have the second worst record for individual errors (after us), so I think I’m clutching at straws.
The truth is I don’t think we’ve got a hope in hell of taking anything away tonight, as much as it might leave me open to abuse.
Let’s face it, we’ve won two away games all season haven’t we?
So why should we expect to get anything from this one, in front of a big crowd that are constantly being wound up by Mick Quinn and a media trying to create a rivalry that really isn’t there?
I was supposed to be doing a Q&A with a Newcastle blog, mainly to see what their thoughts were on that latter point, but sadly I’ve just been too busy and it didn’t happen. I’m pretty sure they’d have agreed there isn’t really a problem between the two sets of fans, but I digress.
So what’s been going on recently then?
Bruce says he had a message from Xia saying his job’s safe.
Xia has got the hump over some site saying he’s gambling with the Villa re; parachute money.
Players have been coming out and saying it’s not been good enough and we’ll be better.
And we’re already being linked with players for the summer.
Yawn.
None of it’s of any consequence and all that matters is we start putting points on the board.
So what do we know about the game?
Both our new full backs, Taylor and Bree are doubtful, but the good news is Mile Jedinak might be back after a groin injury. And how we could do with him being fit. It’s been no co-incidence that we’ve looked worse at the back without him, in my opinion.
There have been calls for Sam Johnstone to be dropped and while I’m not sure what it would do for his confidence, so it might be better to get him out of the spotlight. Frankly, he’s been poor for us, hasn’t he?
Bruce has talked about putting Kodjia back on the left, as he thinks he’ll be more dangerous there and that’s something I think the manager will definitely do.
Will Grealish get the spot in the hole? Possibly, but I’d be tempted to save him for later as he sums up the team, in not being a 90 minute player.
Otherwise, the rest of the team pretty much picks itself and whatever eleven starts, it probably won’t be far off what we think is our best eleven on paper.
As for Newcastle, they might have Dwight Gayle back. Great and that’s all we need.
I can actually see us getting a goal tonight, as Newcastle won’t feel any need to sit back against us, which might see us get opportunities, but we’re struggling to convert chances.
Newcastle, on the other hand will also create and with our defence conceding from pretty much any mistake, it doesn’t bode well.
I’m going to go for a 3-1 loss then and it’s more about the performance, I feel.
The last time we beat Newcastle away was the infamous punch up game which we won 3-0 and I attended.
How I’d love to see a similar result tonight.
decent save from Johnstone there.
And that is the end…
Oh God 🙁
2 now i give up.
2-0 up. Sad thing. They havent even got out of 1st gear.
BRUCE FUCKING OUT.
Sorry VF – how can you blame Bruce for the two goals?
he is the manager, picking team tactics use of subs signing off keeper
Another ridiculous goal – and its goodnight from me
Total lack of composure in the second half again.
Jesus.
Will we ever score
And then their GK pulls off a brilliant save – same old script
Hit straight at him. Would have done well to get out of the way of it.
The players brought in where meant to have the right character to fight for the club. I have seen little of that so far. They put the fear of God in know one only the Villa fans.
All too familiar this….same old same old….really, really fed up
Looks like their heads have dropped now.
Same old shit…. every week with Bruce in charge is a wasted week. The board and Dr Tony are making a major mistake backing this dinosaur manager
May as well get rid nothing to lose now we are out of top 6 and will prob go down
I can see this finishing up 4 – 0
Im sorry to say, this is going to be the first step of us dropping down again. Bruce will never get these to play , That change was Calderwoods suggestion, what good is he.
No subs again? And why the hell are we still playing Hogan on his own upfront! Were losing 2-0!!
Dosnt matter now career prob finished
Bruce looked real panicky in that shot then.
As if to say “what do we do?”
Worrying.
What an embarrassing performance, I don’t see a team here at all.
They are only in first gear as well
And now we know why Kodjia doesnt pass…he cant!!!!
Playing blind now, just look at Bruce with Calderwod, it’s him making the decisions Bruce doesn’t know what to do, you can see it now.
Agreed Bill.
That’s a real, real bad sign