Back to the proper footy then and it’s Blackburn away tomorrow.
The good news is, it’s a 5.30pm kick off, so I’ll get to see it.
Straight into team news and it’s not good on Blackburn’s part, as Dominic Samuel and Ben Gladwin have been pretty much ruled out for the season. Jack Rodwell is unlikely to make it.
On the plus side (for them), Bradley Dack might play after recovering from a knee problem.
The news on our part is that Hogan is ready and of course, Tammy Abraham and Yannick Bolasie will be available.
Which makes things interesting, as our striker and winger situation suddenly look pretty good.
The big question for me is does Bruce go with one or two up front?
I’m guessing Abraham is guaranteed to start and Hogan won’t get a look in.
I’m also guessing that Kodjia will be dropped and it’ll be Abraham up top on his own, scratching for bits, just as Kodjia often does.
If so, I think that’ll be a mistake and I’d like to see Abraham and Kodjia given a stint together.
Bruce has often talked about how we should go two up front, but let’s see if he does it, now he’s got the chance.
If Bruce goes one up front, I predict the fans will be on his back straight away.
Why add another striker if we only ever go with one ineffective one, because we don’t play to his needs, anyway?
If we’re going to use wingers to keep lobbing the balls in, either get a battering ram who might get on the end of them or double your chances by putting two strikers in there, in my opinion.
But what do I know?
It would seem I know nothing about defence, along with most of us, if Bruce’s “I know what I’m doing” attitude is to go by.
I’m the same as the rest of us, in thinking that letting De Laet go out on loan is quite bizarre, especially when coupled with Elphick also being loaned out.
But at the same time, I can partly see why these players have gone.
I strongly suspect that Bruce was told that the only way he could bring players in, was to balance the books and both defenders were touted as being on high wages.
It all makes sense on paper, as for whatever reason, Bruce just doesn’t rate (or most likely just doesn’t get on with), the two defenders.
Which is fine. That’s the manager’s prerogative to play the players he thinks are best suited to the team.
But to so unbalance the squad is for me, bordering totally unforgivable.
A poor result here won’t immediately cost Bruce his job.
But should we lose, the clamour for his head will make his sacking very hard for our owners to resist in the near future.
I’ve previously said that I don’t think Bruce has long left as our manager.
But I’d be very happy if he proved me wrong and we go on a monster winning streak.
That’s all I want to see. The Villa winning.
Whatever manager we have doesn’t really matter, although it would be a plus if we played with some verve and panache.
My prediction?
We need a confident performance and to get back to winning ways quickly.
One each, if our defence can have at least an average game.
So one up front it is then.
At least Jedinak isn’t playing as a CB.
Wow, just been watching Alan Macinally, Garry Shaw, Tony Morley, on Sky telling us how they felt in winning The European cup, We blamed Ellis for braking the team up, it was the German that got rid of 5 players because he didn’t want to be associated with that cup team.
What German?
I hate it when I sarcastically predicted one up front and Elmo as winger, and Bruce proves to be the predictable one. Negative as always, a reshuffle in defence which is always a risk. I’m expecting a defeat, 2 – 1 to Blackburn! Hope I’m wrong this time, although I think we Bruce is getting closer to the exit doors.
Well at least the back 4 are in their natural positions. Hopefully Bruce has seen the light there.
Toothless up front. Abraham is the new Kodja. Aimless balls and no ideas
This is tedious.
Lucky escape
Not in the game, no cohesion just banging it up field and not together goal down now.
They put the ball in the net, but it’s off.
They look the better team.
Worse than tedious – we are awful
1-1 on useless decisions by the ref. Their goal not offside and a defo penalty refused
Adomah final ball is so shit..get El Ghazi on. It was a goal by dack and it was a peno so we are even no complaints.
Agreed Adam but he does a lot of good work shielding Taylor – who needs it
Yeah true he works hard but we cant win if we dont score and we dont look like scoring at all. So maybe Bruce has to admit it didnt work and we need to get some more attack minded players on.
No arguing Adam but against Brentford after Adomah went off we looked far more vulnerable and Brentford scored. It’s Grealish and McGinn that have to drive the midfield – not happening and where is the support for Abraham – he’s completely isolated and trying to deal with high balls. All very disappointing.
*Not arguing
I don’t remember the last time I wanted the HT whistle to blow so much.
We are utter crap.
Hey Badger don’t be so generous LOL
What’s up with Grealish? I’m beginning to think that Bill’s comments about his (lack of) performance are right.
Agreed, totally ineffective up to now.
Only the same as all of them though.
Something better change, as even a win isn’t going to gloss over this, the way it’s going.
That was a goal, still we should have had a pen, where do they get these refs from . Up till now it’s shite football. Bruce out.
Adomah works hard but his distribution is poor, as is Elmo who normally can put in a decent cross. Tuanzebe has settled after a wobbly start. The only chance of Bruce sticking two up front is if we go a goal down. I’m predicting 65th minute for Mr Predictables first substitution.
Abraham seems to have the same knack of getting the ball stuck under his feet as Kodjia does.
Decent effort though.
Another Abraham effort.
This is better.
Bolasie and Kodjia warming up.
Just seen Abraham mouthing “f*ck me” and telling team to keep the ball down and keep possession after Jedinak hoofed it forwards. Welcome to Steve Bruce’s Villa
I’ll bet he’s shocked after seeing this shit.
Great tackle then from Grealish!