Wednesday was eventful in the lives of Aston Villa fans.
With the midweek victory over Rotherham United getting us back to winning ways after our recent defeat and string of draws, unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to bask in the glory of a slightly improved performance with two up top.
We weren’t allowed to simply continue debating the relative merits of manager Steve Bruce and whether or not you were still showing faith and a bit of loyalty, or had already turned and thought that his time was up.
The content was slightly different following his post-game words, even if the exact same debate was up for discussion.
You Don’t Need The Benefit Of Hindsight To Know These Comments Won’t Be Welcomed By Some Villa Fans
It happens on occasions, but reading around the Forum (main thread for Bruce but comments are dotted around) and certainly continuing my little adventures in the land of social media, I was absolutely spot on as his comments went over like a lead balloon amongst both the ‘give him time’ and ‘get him out’ camps.
After beating one of the weakest away sides in the division, I knew he would come out with digs at the fans ( who have the audacity to be underwhelmed by his tenure) and a journalist who composed a very fair summary of his time in charge.
— Will Davies (@wilsterdavies1) September 19, 2018
A throwback to the O'Dreary days of us being "fickle". Now we are just thick.
— Benji 17 (@benjinat17) September 19, 2018
Love that sarcasm, but as ever it’s another excuse and even though we’re only 5 points off the top, just look at who we’ve played! With that start we should be 10 points clear…..
— david rose (@rosedavidrose10) September 19, 2018
Shows his level of insecurity. For his sake he better whip Wednesday!
— ChicoHamiltonsPants (@ChicoPants) September 19, 2018
We will all have to take an oath “Thou shall not criticise Steve Bruce. Thou shall not be allowed to point out the bleeding obvious. If you do, you will be deemed thick, unruly and not a proper supporter”
— Howard Hodgson (@HodgsonHoward) September 19, 2018
He should be sacked for his comments post match last night alone, ignoring the fact he failed last season and has been spouting drivel all this season so far
— tony nash (@NashNash194) September 19, 2018
"The link between low IQ and desire for entertaining, attacking football is undeniable. We have proved, beyond doubt, that those of deemed extraordinary intellect are intrinsically satisfied with long ball football and being there or, in fact, thereabouts." Bruce et al, 2018
— Sgt Gilko ???????? (@SgtGilko) September 19, 2018
Perhaps @ProjectB6_ could make a "Mad Few" banner? I'll chip in gladly. Hell, I'll even hold it up in the Holte End ???? #Bruceout #MadFew
— Rob Aston ???????????? (@RobA19) September 19, 2018
My overriding image of SB is with his legs up, studs tangled in the Wembley net after Dalian’s opener, looking dazed & confused. On the touch line, as our manager, he looks no different #avfc #BruceOut
— thetrees (@thetrees80) September 19, 2018
If we lose on Saturday will he come out and apologise, the minute you start criticising your doubters you also have to acknowledge when they are right
— gentrification_of_me (@percylittlep) September 19, 2018
His comments after beating a poor Rotherham side would have been best delayed until on back a 5 win run against decent oppostion. Second half was poor imo. Better teams await then we shall see if we really are stupid
— Ian Ballinger (@BallyAVFC) September 19, 2018
So when he said after Brentford game fans are saying this is the best football played for years. That is ok. When he gets criticized it is the thick hate filled mob who are struggling with their eyesight. Feedback welcomed so long as it is good to the manager
— Fred (@fred_fre) September 19, 2018
????????????Spot on this is, the funny thing is everything else about playing two upfront and attacking quality we know have etc was fine but he is taking on the fans instead of really trying to win us over by saying judge him on results etc, pressure has got to him i feel
— British Clive (@BritishBuIIdog) September 19, 2018
We’ve seen this before at B6, once you make it about the more vocal section of the fans and the local press (who have been incredibly supportive as well given his personal losses previously) – the wider fanbase gets dragged in as even if they support said manager, they have the right to hold their own criticisms and there was little distinction in his choice of words.
That is usually the beginning of the end irrespective of whether or not the thrust of what they were saying was something you can see sense in.
I hope I’m wrong here, as Bruce’s commitment has been spot on given personal issues. He wants to succeed as we do and the work he put in, in helping us to turn around years of decline should not be forgotten.
We very easily could’ve been Sunderland bound…
I just hope now this doesn’t get bitter, as Wednesday on Saturday is a quintessential ‘play well and must not lose’.
