We're all blaming Bruce now and saying he should go, and I for one agree his time is up.
But I'm trying to step back and see the bigger picture with what's happening at our football club.
Is there something we're missing which doesn't involve solely blaming the manager and the previous owner (I think we're generally happy with Dr Tony and I just hope he doesn't sell up if he pulls the plug if we can't fulfill his ambitions - he's given a lot of money already)
Are we really so bad at choosing managers?
IMO the last manager we had we seemed to have some idea what he was doing and an idea of how to play football properly, was Houllier, but even then it was still a poor season overall.
I can't understand how almost every player we sign, regardless of whether they are an unknown quantity or an established player who should strengthen us, turns out to be a flop. Is this solely the manager's fault?
Are our scouts useless?
What makes things worse is how some players move on, whilst playing poorly or average at best for us, only to do a lot better at other clubs
Gueye at Everton looks immense and their fans generally rave about him, so much so that they worry he might get snapped up. For us he never did anything...
Albrighton at Leicester. My mate who's a Leicester fan said they bought him because statistically he was one of the best crossers in the Premier League. For us he never did anything...
Lowton at Burnley looks a solid player now.
I'm sure there are others we can add to this list..
Is this a coaching issue? Have we had the same coaching staff for many years, or at least 1 or 2 characters who have been with AVFC for a long time?
Some of our players look like they're on the beach already. Unfit, scared of the ball. Tactics are non-existent. Is this solely Steve Bruce's fault?
Maybe I'm overthinking this, but it just feels unreal that we have poor managers all the time.
Is there something behind the scenes which is still restricting us? Scouting network, coaching, some bad eggs still in the dressing room? Why we still persist with Gabby I'll never know...
Would be interested to know your thoughts
Some things I just don't understand..
posted on 18/8/17
Some things I don't understand,
Quadratic equations.
Middle East politics.
Bombay duck.
Women.
posted on 18/8/17
posted on 18/8/17
McLeish probably wasn't the right appointment, but he wasn't backed by Lerner, at all. We lose Young and Downing, two key players in providing Bent with service, and they just weren't replaced. Only signings I can remember were Given and Stevens. Bent's goals before he was injured still saved us. Blame Lerner and how he ran the club.
Lambert probably wasn't that bad a manager, but the deal was get rid of expensive players and buy cheap bargains. The expensive players ended up in the bomb squad, still here but not playing. Total mess. Ultimately, Lerner's fault.
Sherwood didn't do badly at all when he came, showed we did in fact have good players. Landed in it by the club management, his own inexperience told. The club had no idea on how to build a squad, even if some of the players were OK (but not used to UK football). Blame the club and Lerner.
Garde actually won a few matches, ditched Gabby and Co, then was faced with playing them because Lerner and buddies decided not to give him any transfers. Shafted with a vengeance. Totally Lerner and buddies.
None of those managers was actually a disaster, although as you say Houllier was the last one who could have made a success of it. The club was a disaster.
The point is we now have a different club. New owner, new experienced competent management. Different set-up and personnel, mainly. The youth side re-invogorated. On the coaching side, Gary Walsh the goalkeeping coach seems to be doing a great job re Johnstone and Steer.
Managers? RDM was probably the right idea but maybe the wrong choice. Maybe in retrospect he should have had longer, but maybe if it's not going to work then change.
Now we have Bruce. Look at his record in depth and there's a load of signs that he was the wrong choice; his 4 promotions are only one part of the story. The club decided to play safe but in football safe doesn't exist. Not sure about his coaches; we can't do set pieces, is that the coaches or him? Of the players, Richards and Gabby shouldn't still be around, and McCormack should go, but by and large they are probably a decent bunch.
Bottom line: I think the club's very much OK. We have a manager who's failing and we need a new one quickly.
posted on 19/8/17
In short - and I agree - it WAS the club and owner. And since then it has been the wrong managers.
RDM was never going to do it.
Bruce might. But he might also drag Villa around in the Championship for 3 years!
Villa should dig in and find a quality, real quality, continental coach. And - whilst in the Championship anyway - get him some good solid experienced help.
posted on 19/8/17
Very good result, although Norwich's defence was a bit creaky. Hourihane at last showing what he can do when played in his right position, Davis had a great debut and Green continues to impress.
Does it change the situation? Don't think Bruce is out of the woods unless he can get this sort of performance going on a consistent basis. Today showed that we do in fact have some very good players, at least for the Championship. Doubts about the manager remain, particularly after some of his comments. Wouldn't surprise me if the club are quietly putting in place a plan B.
posted on 19/8/17
At least you're out the drop zone now!
posted on 19/8/17
You must be happy, level with us
posted on 19/8/17
A quick call to Agent Bruce will change all that!