Burton Albion v Aston Villa

Disappointed to see Doyle-Hayes playing for the u23s yesterday, I know he got some criticism for his performance against Yeovil, but I thought that that was unfair, and in the first half he was one of our better players despite him not being at his best, it was just an overall bad team performance, especially from our senior players.

Also unfair I think was the criticism that came Hepburn-Murphy's way, he didn't have a good game, but he didn't stand a chance with the way we were set up, and the service provided to him.

As much as I would like a good cup run, if it meant losing this game and the Sheffield United game was the end off Bruce, Then so be it. I don't think we stand a chance against Sheffield anyway.

Of course we stand a chance against Sheffield United, the one thing Wilder will definitely do is have a go , that coupled with our speed up top , we should hit them on the break , it’s the teams that sit back who we invariably struggle against

We're capable of beating Sheffield United, or anyone else in this league, in fact we're capable of winning the next five games or more on the bounce, only problem is, is that it's inevitable that any good run will eventually be undone somewhere down the line, when we go on yet another bad run of results, and so we keep going in circles...

As for tonight, I wouldn't see a loss as the end of the world if it meant Bruce being closer to an exit, but I'm not sure if it will have significant bearing on his future, even if we were to lose again on Saturday, he'd probably be granted a stay of execution, with the idea being he needs more time to work with the new players.

Should be a strong side, Hepburn-Murphy and Green were the only youngsters not involved with the u23s yesterday, would have been a good opportunity for O'Hare, especially with Grealish being an injury doubt.

I hope I'm wrong but Sheffield are at home and on the back of some good wins against better sides, Villa on the other hand have struggled against lesser sides. Time will tell.

Bruce has made several changes to the squad for tonight....

Fpuppys wrote:Bruce has made several changes to the squad for tonight....

To be fair, that should still be a more than competent lineup. Be interesting to see how it plays out.

How different is it to the team that beat them in pre-season? I can't recall who played now.

So on our bench we have four holding midfielders (or five if you count Jedinak), a defender and a right-back. Why not at least give O'Hare a chance, at least from the bench, he played yesterday, so he's fit, Harvey Knibbs could have been included as well. Most alarming is Green being left out, he's not been in form recently, but I'd still have him down as one of our more talented attackers, and to loan him out as is being rumoured would a mistake for me.

Not really bothered about the game as it just gives Bruce another excuse if we win as it will mean more games and 'the schedule is terrible'!

Apparently Tuanzebe is playing in midfield, what complete and utter waste of loan, if he's going to be played in the two positions where he's least needed, right-back and defensive midfielder, utterly ridiculous, it smacks of Bruce loaning him in more for United's benefit than ours.

35 minutes and not a single shot - on or off target - from either side.

FoxyAV wrote:35 minutes and not a single shot - on or off target - from either side.

I kept refreshing the BBC app thinking it must just be slow to update but no, there really have been just two shots in 45 minutes. Neither of them on target.

Burton score... People call it a 'second string side' but most of these players are going to be ones that we will be relying on throughout the season it's not as if it's made up of untested youngsters, so Bruce can't use that as an excuse.

What a shit-show, it seems. Let's be honest, we should have pissed this tonight.

Shocking, simply shocking.

Sooner Bruce fucks off the better.

And now a missed fucking penalty. You couldn't write this shit.

Can we possibly sink any lower ?
Thanks Mr Bruce, thanks .

I simply can't understand our players, weak penalties, weak shots at goal whatever happened to leathering the ball, other teams are always smashing shots in making things happen.

What are the coaching staff doing, very poor football, Bruce has no tactics, no game plan, after he blamed his captain on Saturday, He should pack his bags. I have had enough of this so called promotion expert. UTV.

Bruce has the nerve to call himself a manager. The guy couldn't manage a shit after a curry.

LVBrit wrote:Bruce has the nerve to call himself a manager. The guy couldn't manage a shit after a curry.

Fpuppys wrote:As much as I would like a good cup run, if it meant losing this game and the Sheffield United game was the end off Bruce, Then so be it. I don't think we stand a chance against Sheffield anyway.

Part 1 complete onto part 2, hope my master plan comes true.

Well that didn't surprise me, just feel really sorry for the supporters who made the effort to pay and watch that utter pile of shit!

Enough is enough!

I’m seeing a lot of vitriol aimed at Albert for his display, he seems to be getting the shitty end of the stick poked at him. Whilst his performance can’t be defended I will bring the possible cause of his performance into people’s thinking, which is the man management of him. After playing his best game for quite some time and earning plaudits against Brentford he is promptly subbed off and then dropped for the following game at home to Reading............and then further pushed out by being asked to play in what everyone knew to be a 2nd string side. That is awful man management, a bit like saying you take full responsibility for the teams poor showing but the players were bloody awful and none of them should come knocking on his door next weekend. I’ll leave it there.

Started last season on the fringes, moved to left wing (a position he apparently played at Boro) due to injuries for Green and Grealish and scores 15 goals, without which we'd not have been close to the playoffs.

Then we get to this season and... well, who knows. It must be doing wonders for his confidence.