Players ‘have to fight and earn money’
STEVE Bruce has told his multi-million pound players to show some fight and start earning their money.
Villa suffered a crushing 3-1 defeat at home to Barnsley, three days after losing to Ipswich at Villa Park. It’s now eight games without a win and Villa’s season is imploding as the under-performing players struggle to cut out costly individual errors.
A frustrated Bruce said: “The reason why we’ve got one of the biggest wage bills in the division is to deal with the mentality and expectation at this club.
“That’s why the players get paid more than anyone else in this division to handle the expectation. The crowd have been nothing short of magnificent in the last two games when it has been difficult for them, too.
“Some of the stuff has been difficult for them to watch as we have been making mistake after mistake. We haven’t been good enough for the last five weeks and it’s difficult for me to face it.
“But I’m determined to get it right and now is where we must show some balls.”
Bruce is facing a difficult moment as he struggles to lift a team that are now just seven points above the drop zone.
The play-offs are now a distant dream and unless the form improves Villa will be sucked into a relegation battle.
“I’ve been accused of not caring and my body language is supposed to be c***,” Bruce said.
“But it’s the best club and biggest club I’ve had for 20 years although it’s arguably the toughest to turn around.
“Given time I know I’ll get it right. I know what’s required in this division, I’ve been around it long enough. We’re short of it at the moment, I know what is required in the Championship.”