Well, I’m back and it’s bloody nippy isn’t it?
Straight down to it then and I’m not in the slightest bit optimistic about this game, I can tell you.
I’ve tried to keep the optimism up, but there are just too many things going against us all at the same time, for me to maintain it.
Losing to Ipswich at home, combined with the way we approached the game has pushed me over the edge and it’s not a nice place to be.
But while I’m full of gloom and despondency, so I’m also clinging to the belief that things can surely only get better. Can’t they?
The trouble is, while I do think things will gradually get better, I’m not convinced we’ve bottomed yet. Which is of course worrying when you look at our current league position.
So where does that leave us regarding tonight?
Let’s look at some facts.
We have, on paper, one of the best sides in the league, but we look aimless and don’t seem to play as a team.
We have two of the best strikers in the league and can’t score (although Kodjia’s been away of course).
Hitch mentioned it when he said the oppo’s goalies seem to put on a blinder against us.
And every single mistake we make gets punished.
It’s a situation I’d struggle to wish on our neighbours down the road.
But more worrying is that Barnsley are a better side than Ipswich. So how are we going to beat them?
Well, I haven’t got a clue and we can only hope Steve Bruce, or whoever it is actually comes up with tactics, has.
Bruce intimated that he might drop the 3-5-2 (ahem), which suggests we might go back to four at the back.
I can’t say I’ve watched Barnsley, so don’t know what to think.
The manager’s in a big hole at the moment and frankly, I don’t care how we go about it, but we cannot lose this game tonight. Momentum is already building against Bruce and with us footy fans being what we are, the clamour for his head is only going to increase.
I’m not even convinced a draw will be enough, particularly if it’s combined with another poor performance.
I’ve called for Bruce to be more Gung-ho, but it would appear he doesn’t see things the same way.
That’s his prerogative of course, because he’s the manager, but my opinion is he isn’t doing himself any favours in setting up negatively.
The trouble is, we look really weak when Jedinak isn’t available. Questions have been asked about Lansbury being played deeper and Bjarnason doesn’t seem to be very well rated up to now, although that is probably down to his lack of fitness. Which of course begs the question why he isn’t being introduced gradually.
Ah, what do I know?
I’m going to go for a 1-0 win, but it’s more in hope than anything.
Like I said. I’m worried.
kodjia over the bar, but it was off.
Comms saying we’ve got to change it.
Over-run in the middle. Again.
Is anyone on here really surprised? Take off the rose tinted Villa glasses and look at the reality. Look at our form in the last 8 games or so. Tell me that’s not relegation form.
Bruce is not the right manager. If we wait until we go down it is too late.
ds
go back to start december ,couple fluked wins and real truth about spud time in charge gets clearer
spud out calderwood out fucking shambles
Couldn’t agree more. It’s a car crash and it’s unfolding in front of our eyes. It won’t be long before everyone can see it. Morley saying we should beat these easily? Ignores how sh!t we are.
maybe we deserve division 1 football.
The club cannot and must not wuss out of the big decision here. Steve Bruce has to go immediately
Xia should be tweeting his sacking now.
As it stands we’re 18th
Bjarnason and green on for Grealish and Amavi
No subs either. Maybe hoping to keep it at 1-3. Don’t want to upset a winning formula eh Steve?
Hutton another good ball in.
Kodjia can’t get to it. Legs gone.
Bruce unwilling to make the change.
badger
you posted above 2 subs
but its hutton and landsby away off
I can not fucking believe this .
If we sack Bruce quickly we might be able to get another one in if the next manager fails before the end of the season
So you happy to stick with him Giddy? Just look at the stats. Look at the teams beating us. If you make a mistake, admit it and sort it. Sticking your head in the sand isn’t an option. I wouldn’t mind if we were playing a decent brand of football so you could see change coming. If we stay up this season it will be no thanks to Bruce.
ds
a few on here with there heads in sand
Really open and who knows how it’s going to go.
Subs coming on.
Hutton off, for Bjarnason. Lansbury off for Green.
Fans booing at that, disbelieving.
Green shoots straight at the goalie.
Hogan nets, but it’s off.
Grealish off for bacuna.
Big cheers from the fans.
I was hoping for Villa to gain some consistency in 2017. They haven’t let me down . We have been consistently shite ! You know when you’ve hit rock bottom when you get sympathy from your mates in work instead of the piss taken out of you. Even a MU fan yesterday told me it saddened him to see what we have become.
Dont see how Bruce can survive much longer. Absolute piss poor again
Could have been 1-4 then.
Imagine if we were playing a midtable prem team we would be slaughtered
Only Wigan in this division have scored less goals than us (just). In a team that has spent so much on attackers then you have to look elsewhere than the attackers. We might have plenty of shots but they are mostly too far out and too rushed/wrong choice. I can’t look anywhere else than Bruce and his coaching team. Bruce is in the business and they are his choices so it’s him as far as I’m concerned.
We’re absolutely piss poor away & now home don’t look good, haven’t heard hogan mentioned has he now been cursed????
Green a bright spark. Again.
wigan are winning,,,,, we could be very close to the bottom
Wigan are on the same points as Blackburn we’re still 7 ahead in as it stands 16th
If Wigan win that’s 10 points in the last 6 games. We will have got 1 point in the last 6.
Kodjia hits the roof of the net.
The game’s over and the barsley fans are making it plain.