While I was never wholly confident about beating Norwich, I did find myself thinking along the same lines as Oohah, in that Norwich had only won one in seven games and maybe we might not be the victims of a team on a terrible run for once.
But it wasn’t to be today.
Which would be fine with me, if we were just outplayed by a better side.
Well, we actually were to some extent, because I feel Steve Bruce shot us in the foot with his starting line-up.
I’m now utterly convinced Gabby should be nowhere near the starting line-up.
Okay, our midfield creates nothing, but in a situation like that, you need a forward who tries to do something and looks to get involved more. And let’s face it Gabby doesn’t have a footballing brain, does he? You need to give him good chances where he can actually try and get a strike off (and even those days are gone).
So as much as I don’t rate McCormack from what I’ve seen for us, he should have started before Gabby. At least he thinks about the game and is just a much cleverer player all round.
But Gabby wasn’t alone in being poor. Our midfield is just horrendous, in that it’s totally non-productive. You only have to look at how many goals the midfield scores to see that. Westwood, oh god, just don’t start me. If we don’t get a replacement for him, that’ll be the first sign of my respect for Bruce waning. If I didn’t know any different I’d have sworn that he wasn’t playing at all.
Why drop Adomah? I just don’t get it.
He can come inside and create and I think he helps Hutton tremendously.
Elphick? I can only ask when is Baker back?
Another defender needed too, while you’re at it SB.
Much has been said about Ayew having to go the African Nations, but will he actually be missed? Not in his current form, I’d suggest.
So now, it seems the honeymoon period is coming to an end and the new manager effect might be wearing off.
Let’s face it, we haven’t played well for a few games now and as I suggested last time out, we have serious concerns that we aren’t scoring enough.
It’s why I blame the midfield.
Oh well. While of course we don’t have the right to expect to win any game, I still feel that that is another three points we should have had.
QPR away next and I have to say I’m not feeling the confidence I have been of late, at the moment.
Awful performance and awful footy.
SB offered no excuses and no wonder.
I think he might have had his eyes opened somewhat tonight.
the old saying don t change a winning side thats twice bruce has done it with the same outcome
what excuse has bruce for bringing gabby back into squad he no we are joke to ever include him after what he has done the last few seasons
westwood he was only 4th worst tonight after gabby ayew bruce we cannot win when he plays too lightweight
bacuna played bruce first few matches and was much better
hutton i dare anyone watch first half him in particular gave the ball away when in possesion,gave away easy throws corners,hoofed ball down line giving no one a chance to control it and then when he got one good chance to run and cross it he makes a dive which he should have been booked for
when is the misery going to end
only 8 years ago we had milner,young downing and carew
Eyes opened! He should of gone to Specsavers!!
It’s what I’ve said no creative football’s in the team, Gabby Westwood should never be in the team, how can professional coaches not see how bloody useless players we have.
If ever Bruce needed convincing that Gabby was a spent force then tonight he saw it in spades. I’m pretty sure he didn’t even touch the ball first 45 minutes!
But – not just Gabby; Ayew was a complete waste of space, Westwood and Elphick totally ineffective – in fact they shouldn’t even consider awarding any Vila player an accolade – Dr. T you should refund the ticket money to the travelling support – that’s how bad tonight’s charade (won’t grace it with the word performance) was. What was it 4 (and that’s generous) attempts on goal – not a single one on target!
Anyone who thinks we still have a chance of promotion must be on some sort of ‘trip’ and Bruce isn’t going to sort out the problems in January either. Dr. T is going to need some seriously deep pockets
If we play at our best we can win games in this league but when we’re below par as tonight we’ll get nothing with the current set-up..
We need 3-4 new players but then again I’m sure that SB knows this and by now he should know exactly what he needs.
As I said before I’m hoping Brady is one of them plus another forward looking mid-fielder, a RB and a goalie. Also beginning to think that a CB might be needed too as Elphick might prove to be a bit expensive the way he’s playing at the moment.
Still think that with such a topsy-turvy league we can make the play offs if we get the right players in. If we do that, even if we don’t get promoted, it’s got to be seen as a successful season given the crap start we had.
UTV
Originallondonlion,
I was just about to put that same thinking that you’ve posted, that looked as if them player’s knew something we don’t, would you give 100% if you thought I’m not wanted, now why would a manager play player’s that he’s going to get rid of, blame has to go to media, club , and managers, fan’s know what’s good and what’s bad at Villa, Bruce has to be given that chance to have his own player’s, but has to realize some will give and some will not, he has to stop thinking certain players will give 100%. That was a diabolical display by 7 of them players.
bill p
bruce cannot get excused for that last night , he seen enough football read the media hutton westwood and gabby where part of team breaking records over past few seasons all bad
the set up 4231
westwood cannot be part of a 2 man midfield
gabbby starting meant the only goal threat was out on the wing codja
hutton doesn trealise the same colour shirt mean they are who he should be passing to,christ norwich where yellow
ayew done the same last year v westham when gabby was in the team huffed
bruce subs where baffling grealish came off before ayew ,then puts on rudi sticks codja back on wing
S hambolic Jvillan, i agree ,yes he should be blamed, worst performed I’ve seen, no excuse and get rid of all of them to be honest.
I disagree with that Bill apart from Brighton away we’ve not put in one decent away performance. Even reading away was a fluke and still a poor performance but we got lucky. Those same players wanted or not will be looking to play themselves into the window. Bruce’s selection last night was ridiculous but I think he did it deliberately
We’ll be lucky to finish the season where we presently are let alone top six, woeful to say the least. Like badger says this possibly was a good eye opener for brucey about how shite some of the players actually are.
I predicted midtable at the start of the season but since Bruce I thought maybe we might sneak into the top 6 but now I’m not too sure. We go one step forward with a home win and one step back with away win. We won’t go down but the away form has to go to another level for us to finish top 6
Can’t disagree with any of your summing up Badger.
Shabby, how bad can one player possibly be and just what does he offer?
Yea he runs a lot but always at the wrong time like some headless chicken pointlessly running between the opposition back four when they’re in possession or needlessly chasing some back pass to the keeper that he’s never going to make but when do you ever see him anticipate a clearance or long pass and start his run early?
As a caller said on the WM phone in must play like Messy at BMH.
Westwood,the best I can call him is a football players laborer!
Ayew – is even capable of passing the ball?
And what was that all about with the traveling faithful booing McCormack from the moment he came on? Absolutely ridiculous.
Oddly enough I thought Gabby was slightly better than Ayew. Ayew is a waste of space imo how he think he is oremier class is beyond me. Amarvi playing brilliantly and being cynical is he playing his way into the transfer window? Wouldn’t surprise. Did Bruce deliberately pick that team to force Dr X into giving him more money in Jan? Who knows
Oohah – Gabby only looked better because he didn’t actually play with the ball! Bruce has to take some responsibility for last night’s debacle. I really didn’t understand his team selection – why did he drop Adomah and then play Gabby as a loan striker – Gestede would have been a better option as we were playing hoof ball most of the night anyway at least Gestede can head the thing and Kodjia could play off him.
OLL might have been right after all when he said we’ll see a lot of action in the January market – comings and goings.
Kodja is a home player only never seen him perform away. Gestede should of started I agree.
Last nights result was completely down to Bruce’s selection, you can’t blame crap players for being crap.
Why he insists on playing Kodjia and Ayew on the wings is beyond me, they are strikers, he then complains he can’t remember one cross into the box, well perhaps if played Adomah and Grealish on the wings it may have been different.
McCormack is far better than Gabby too, and Tshibola is better than Westwood.
His selection was the poorest i’ve seen since he came to the club, he has to work out what his best eleven is and quickly, we have scraped a lot of results under him but we need to actually play a lot better and create more chances, his formation and team selection are the biggest sticking point.
Guest, spot on, that was the worst team selection up till now, to be honest not one of them players deserve their wages after seeing that performance. Bruce has to take the blame for that. I hope to God he’s seen enough now and stop pissing about and get them out of Villa Park.
Well, well, well, the shit have lost their manager Rowett, he’s walked away.
I’m reading he was sacked bill that’s a very strange one possibly a rift with the chairman??? Hopefully this will have a knock on effect.
I heard he was sacked. They must be mad to sack him best manager they’ve had for yesrs
Rowett sacked according to reports – the shite’s management must have been wetting themselves that he was too successful and they were forgetting their rightful place in the scheme of things. Perhaps they will appoint RDM or …..
On a serious note, they must be mad – there has to be more to it than is bring reported – surely?
RDM that’d be an interesting one who’s out there atm big Sam?????
Zola being suggested – suppose the new owners want a ‘name’ – daft if you ask me; on a par with us appointing RDM and look where that got us.
The Chinese seem to think if you’ve been related to Chelsea at sometime this will always bring you success in what ever venture you take on, possibly the chinks need a serious reality check
I was totally baffled by Bruce’s comments, before the game, for picking Gabby. He stated that Gabby has a good record against Norwich. Unbelievable !!
As most contributors have already said, Hutton, Gabby and Westwood are the common denominator for the past few seasons’ failures. And, even though nobody played well last night, these three in particular should not even be in the squad, let alone the starting eleven. Gabby’s only contribution last night was to fail to control the ball which he virtually passed straight to Oliveira who was then allowed to run at a cowardly, retreating Elphick so that he could just pass the ball straight in to the corner.of the net. Whilst I cannot blame Bruce for the players that have since been signed, he has no excuse for constantly choosing Westwood, instead of giving Tshibola a go, Hutton instead of giving Bacuna an opportunity (despite Bacuna also being part of the dismal past) and why can he not even give some of the youngsters a chance. I would much rather see Rushian Hepburn-Murphy play than Gabby.Come to think of it, I would much rather pick Gabby from Emmerdale ahead of Agbonlahor.
The January window needs to see the arrival of a goalie who is commanding, confident and doesn’t flap, a right back who doesn’t keep passing to the opposition and wave his arms in bemusement when he is penalised for an obvious foul, a creative midfielder who does exactly what it says on the tin and that is to create. Finally Kodjia needs to be playing up front and not on the wing.I still believe we can make the play-offs and hope that we are in some kind of form to at least give ourselves a chance.
Which is why gabby had a part at blues as he scored past them. What Bruce didn’t understand is that the gabby of today isn’t the gabby of 5-6 years ago and he wasn’t that great even then
Wasn’t Gabby’s last goal against Norwich last year in the Prem?
Seems a pretty odd reason to pick a player.
Piss weak reason imo
mark
very good post
and i think that for the first time nearly all villa fans are united in not wanting to see hutton westwood and gabby ever playing for our club
Rowett sacked???!!!
Find this story absolutely unbelievable.
One thing I’m certain of is that, after that news, the probability of us finishing above the noses has just increased dramatically.
Agree with H60 that Zola will be RDM mark 2.
Really cheered me up that 🙂
i thank god for this performance before the window opened. steve bruce now has a little time to draw up replacements, he was always going give the players a chance to impress him. regardless of went on before him arrived.
gabby what can i say about this guy without swearing.i think murphy needs to be given his chance now, before we lose him for peanuts.i will say gabby did not manage to hold the ball up once yesterday. how can a team enjoy sustained attacking play, when the ball is constantly coming back at you.
ayew and gestede both should go this window. ayew has talent but never plays his best for villa, hes playing within himself so not to get injured, were a stepping stone after the African cup, he will demand a move anyways. gestede also has talent, but we use this guy wrong. he needs crosses to be successful and a downside to him,he isn’t as mobile as most strikers, bruce could get close to 20million for these two, that could fund 4 or 5 decent players to come in
we have a unbalanced squad of players as it stands, result of many managers buying their style of players and then getting sacked and another guy comes in and doesn’t fancy them, wants different players. bruce will sort this mess out. but even the best managers need time and a window or two.
Good point about African cup is Kodja holding back too?
I thought Rowett was doing a great job. They looked a better side than us in all honesty. Sad state of affairs.
God, I’ve just read the news about Rowett and I’m genuinely shocked.
That’s got to have been a massive difference of opinion about something, surely? (My guess is the board expect to have input on the team selection).
As much as I detest the shit, I’ve got nothing but the utmost admiration for the job Rowett has done there, on an absolute shoestring budget.
And the talk is Zola, who iirc was finishing his days in Saudi or some other manager’s graveyard, wasn’t he? You have to laugh.
There’s only three positives to take from this news.
1) Rowett will move to a better club.
2) More turmoil for the shit.
3) We’ll definitely finish higher than them, this season.
Got to be more to it Badger has to be personal imo. Shame it didn’t happen 2 months ago we could of got him instead of potato head! 😄
depending on the result sunday
oohah it could happen last night was worse than any performance last year
It’s possible but unlikely we can’t change managers every three months. Bruce has to have till first dozen or so games of next season. It’s unlikely now we will finish top 6 anyway. Not convinced Rowett would be better either.
Although I suggested Rowett several times as Villa Manager I’m happy to see what SB can do. If we do get promoted then he does have PL experience which is something Rowett lacks.
Although I still kind of wish that they’d sacked him when RDM was shown the door instead of now.
Still looking on the bright side I’d bet that the noses plummet down the table now. It’s Rowett’s team and he made them play in his image. I’d almost be willing to bet that Zola doesn’t last the season.
An unexpected Xmas present for us from the noses board.
Zola may do ok a lot of people thought Raniera was a bad move for Leicester but how wrong they were. I think this Rowett thing has a lot more to it. Still no reason why he was sacked. It’s obviously personal as results wise he did well
i cant believe even one mention of rowett for villa. yes hes a decent manager. has got brum up the top end, without spending and was dismissed so cruelly. ste bruce is the right man for the villa job at this time. he has got clubs promoted more than most. one more importantly last season. he knows this division like the back of his hand. given time and chance to mold a team. we have the right guy to get us promotion. lets not become a punchline of a funny joke, like our bluenose neighbors
I cant actually believe Gabby is back in the team. Complete waste of time as is Westwood.
Once again we were out ran, out passed and out fought all over the field. Norwich just looked the better team.
I think its time for some changes. Tshibola needs to be given a shot in midfield. Maybe Bacuna in at right back. McCormack up front.
We definitely 2 or 3 players in Jan if we are to have a serious shot at going up. Just not good enough at the moment.
There lies a mystery under RDM Tish looked decent I dont get why he’s not playing what us Bruce playing at. It has to be personal imo
Tshibola may not be ready to play week in and out. he was not playing 30 games a season before joined us. 12 games for reading last season, he already reached half that here. maybe steve bruce thinks hes better off developing him, behind the scenes with the likes of murphy green and lyden.
i think we need to trust his judgement and his coaches, most managers seem to blood their youth in winning sides. unless drastic measures are needed.
Good point Nath. Bruce can only use what he has and he understands how physically tough this league is. He did, however, suggest after the game he would make changes and there where ‘players in the wings’ waiting their chance. Will he be bold on a Sunday?
But Tishbola is physically strong enough
Disagree he has played well for us. He needs games. He. Ant be any worse than Westwood. Also why was gardener not playing he’s done ok when he’s played
Although your both right its so annoying that silly team selection has cost us deally, Gabby been a none starter for a number of years, Westwood a player thats so negative in a game gets on the pitch, a goalkeeper whose cost us points, a right back who gives up his position game after game, yet we have young up and coming players not tried or just sold on, put out on loans, so why? It’s so frustrating to see players that ?if you like don’t bloody care.
I’d rather have brucey than zola anyday, I see the cavedweller SCUM ain’t to happy breaks my fucking heart lol 😁
Rowett built a team for tuppence based on the fact that he shaped a team of average players who would fight for him.
I’d expect team morale to hit rock bottom at the way their manager has been treated and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re flirting with relegation by the end of the season. Next match is against Brighton too!
Must say it’s all really upset me 🙂 🙂 🙂
Must say that the grin on those emojis are not nearly wide enough!
😂 have this one on me
Pat57, an unbelievable turn of events that sacking, he’s done no wrong in my eyes, OK the scrum it makes you think if that could now be a turning point on mangers that get too popular with players and staff, looking at Zola and what he’s done in management the scrum have shot themselves in the foot.it’s good for our city to have opposition games after all London Liverpool, Manchester have that privilege with bantering. Still Villa players look out your not safe if you don’t show your colours.