Sad to say, but he's had more success than we've seen in a while.
Not really in a position to take the wee wee out of anyone.

Villa clearly aren't getting into playoffs this season and with having brought Bruce in partway through season can't be sure that was ever a realistic target for them, mor perhaps trying to ensure they didn't freewill down a further division.

The scale of parachute payments means they've been able to throw silly money at things and it can make it look like a big failure but Bruce has won promotion 4 times from this division, if he can stabilise and retain board's confidence then surely a big threat for promotion next season.

comment by Eddie (The Last Waltz) Gray (FL grow a pair and ban this clown for good)! (U7370)
posted 1 minute ago
Sad to say, but he's had more success than we've seen in a while.
Not really in a position to take the wee wee out of anyone.
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I really disagree. I think that the successes that he has had in recent years have been grossly exxagerated, and that this season with Villa demonstrates that he is a cheque book manager that has done well in the Championship because he has been allowed to spend.

Don't rate Bruce at all but couldn't give a toss about him or villa, who I find a strange club, never seen them as a big club

comment by LIW - Monk build a statue (U8453)
posted 3 seconds ago
Don't rate Bruce at all but couldn't give a toss about him or villa, who I find a strange club, never seen them as a big club
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Villa are one of these clubs that have fans that act like they are a massive club (possibly how some clubs see Leeds fans nowadays?) and acted at the start of the season like the Championship would be a stroll with foreign investment and big money signings.

Most villa fans I know, thought they'd get relegated again

Club stank of negativity

comment by LIW - Monk build a statue (U8453)
posted 42 seconds ago
Most villa fans I know, thought they'd get relegated again

Club stank of negativity
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Clearly we know different people!

Most villa fans I know, thought they'd get relegated again
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Exactly, so I think the remit was to stay up, rebuild, invest for next season.

Just like when we were in Div3, Champ will be a novelty for Villa and I'd expect them to pull in big home crowds and see some decent revenue. That along with parachute payments, if managed correctly should see a quick return to Prep, but if they don't do it next season then the expensive team breaks up and they have problems.

comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 10 seconds ago
Most villa fans I know, thought they'd get relegated again
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Exactly, so I think the remit was to stay up, rebuild, invest for next season.

Just like when we were in Div3, Champ will be a novelty for Villa and I'd expect them to pull in big home crowds and see some decent revenue. That along with parachute payments, if managed correctly should see a quick return to Prep, but if they don't do it next season then the expensive team breaks up and they have problems.

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I see next season for them being relatively rinse and repeat. Big investment in the summer, struggle, sack the manager, replace with a big name, struggle etc.

Bruce knows how to get out of this division, if they retain him for next season I'd expect them to finish top 6.

He clearly doesn't know that well! It is ridiculous to suggest that Villa should be happy with finishing in the bottom half after the amount of money they have spent this season.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

I'd imagine that if they are mid table he will remain in charge until the end of the season

However it's one of those situations that could easily change if they lose 3-5 on the bounce.

Personally I think he will stay and be given the first few games, if they are not challenging for top six I'd expect another manager to be brought in before Christmas

Lubo, they've had about 20 players in and 20 players out and had a woeful start to the season they were a point off relegation spots when Bruce took over, goal was clearly to avoid relegation.

Job not done yet, and of course no one is happy finishing bottom half but I bet fans are happier where they are now than being in relegation spot.

No doubt, but when Bruce was appointed the season was still fresh and young. He could have inspired a promotion season if he was so capable.

Lubo, not when there was so much rotten at the club. I still don't think club is right, but left as it was I think they'd have gone down.

And for the record.

As I was at the 96 league cup final villa can go and rot for all I care...

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Can see them being top 6 next season when there new signings have settled in and gelled. They have a cracking squad for this league and a top manager, give them time. At least they're not in the top 6 race with us

we are in a real mess....... but we still have a fair way to go to acheive what you have

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Yes '96 at Wembley was an awful day out.
Couldn't stand any more - we left straight on the final whistle and we were close to the royal box. Couldn't face watching Townsend et al lifting the cup.
Epitomised the 'best' of Carlton Palmer.

Have to say though Villa are a big club.

Villa are a big club, the biggest team in Birmingham which is a big city.

The same was said of Leicester. Eventually the money spent paid off, got promoted, won the premier league, got as far as Arsenal in the champions league and FA cup

Villa are big club in the mould of an Everton and until more recently, Spurs.

They are in that second bracket after the usual suspects but they haven't been run well for a long time.