Bruce: I felt like joining in with jeering Villa fans
STEVE Bruce admitted that he ‘could have joined in’ with the away supporters as they mocked an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Brentford on the final whistle.
Villa fans taunted their struggling side on Tuesday night with chants of : ‘What the ******* hell was that?’
The away end also joined in with humiliating songs that cast further embarrassment on what’s turning into another disappointing season and Bruce explained how he felt their pain.
“I could have joined in with them at the end,” he reflected on another horror show.
“It’s easily [the worst performance since he’s been at the club] and arguably the worst I’ve had in many years.
“As soon as we conceded a goal we went all over the place and in the end it’s one of those awful, horrible nights that you remember for all the wrong reasons.”
Bruce bemoaned Villa’s ‘losing mentality’ and said he will need to go back to basics at training this week.
The new arrivals failed to show up and Villa missed crucial early chances that could have made a difference.
“We didn’t take those chances but we still have to be better for what unravels in the next 60 minutes,” said Bruce. “We were poor all over the pitch and we need to sort this mentality problem out.”
Villa have been busy in the transfer window and Bruce is pleased with the business but he knows there’s a long way to go to turn things around.
“We can’t just buy our way [out of trouble],” he said. “We need to be more genuine and look as if we’re an actual team. If we don’t do the basics right, we’ll have more horrible nights like tonight.
“Away from home we’re struggling and we need to find some stability.” get fit in the season.”
Meanwhile, Bruce revealed his delight at landing Scott Hogan after stressing: “I was not going to miss out on him again.”
The Villa boss swooped to land the 24-year-old from Brentford in a deal potentially rising to £15 million, subject to clearance in the closing few minutes of the window.
On a night where Bruce was vexed at losing 3-0 to Hogan’s former club, the one positive he could take was finally getting his man.
“I’ve watched him for a long time, and I watched him when he was at Rochdale and regret not taking him,’’ he said. “I thought he was going to West Ham and when Premier League clubs are in for the players, it’s always difficult.
“But when West Ham pulled out, we put our energy into seeing something.”
In another high-profile move on deadline day saw Jordan Ayew leave for Swansea with Neil Taylor and around £4 million heading in Villa’s direction.
Ashley Westwood also completed a £5 million move to Burnley and Kevin Toner left on loan to Bradford.
Villa bolstered their youth ranks by landing 17-year-old youngster Jacob Bedeau in a £1 million deal and Bruce was pleased with how the window panned out.
“I’m delighted with what we’ve done,” he said. “We’ve now got to start repaying it.”
Asked what Hogan can bring, Bruce said: “He’s got a hunger and is desperate to do well. He’s a good goalscorer, he’s a good finisher and he’s got a bit of pace.” if we could do