IT’S MOCK HORROR FOR BRUCE
Even the Tannoy announcer was having a laugh at Villa as boss says: This ranks as one of my worst days
STEVE BRUCE has more important things on his mind than taking offence at a mocking comment from the Sheffield United matchday announcer.
The disparaging remark about “sadly only two minutes” added time being allocated to a first half dominated by the Blades who were 3-0 up, was the least of the Aston Villa manager’s worries as he prepares for a first proper chat with new chief executive Christian Purslow.
Coming over loud and clear without any need to utilise a Tannoy system was that any more displays like this horror show will mean time being called on the 57-year-old former Manchester United defender’s reign.
“Circus defending” according to Bruce saw Villa down and out by half-time with goals from Jack O’Connell, Mark Duffy and Ollie Norwood.
Already Thierry Henry’s name has been mentioned around the club while a growing number of disenchanted Villa fans are beginning to mobilise a ‘Bruce Out’ campaign.
At least Bruce fronted up after what he confessed was “one of my worst days in football.” He admitted: “Most of players were nowhere near good enough to deliver what is required to win a match at this level.
“It’s probably my heaviest defeat, at least in this division.
“I was more taken aback by what had gone on on the pitch to listen to some drivel from some commentator. I’ve got enough of my own worries.
“But we will get better and obviously we need to. Any more repeat performances like this and we understand the consequences. To sit here now is frustrating because inside I’m boiling.”
If only John Terry was still around because although Villa have brought in big attacking guns on loan in Tammy Abraham and Yannick Bolasie it’s a porous defence which seems capable of undermining an expected promotion charge.
“We haven’t kept a clean sheet yet. We’ve been too expansive and open. But the buck stops with me. As an Aston Villa man- ager you are always under pressure. You’re always just a week away from a crisis.”
Blades boss Chris Wilder thinks that’s a complete nonsense, saying: “It’s ridiculous.
“We had this when we were in League One as a big club. It was either crisis or absolute elation.
“Villa have that in the Championship. They are either going to win the League by 20 points or they are not going to get anywhere near the play-offs. I don’t subscribe to that.
“We’re only six games in and they have some really good players and a unbelievably experienced and successful manager.”
The home side’s third consecutive win sees the Blades leapfrog Villa into a challenging promotion position.
But Wilder warned: “There’s no way anyone can get carried away. There will be people talking about us in good terms as this was a top performance.
“The key is to keep it going and produce more of those performances on a regular basis. I believe in what we are doing and how we are going about it.”
SHEFFIELD UNITED: Henderson 6, Basham 7, Egan 7, O’Connell 7, Stevens 7, Freeman 7, Norwood 8, Fleck 7 (Lundstram 62, 6), Duffy 7 (Lafferty 72, 6), McGoldrick 7, Sharp 7 (Washington 80, 6)
ASTON VILLA: Nyland 5, Tuanzebe 5 (Hourihane 62, 6), Chester 5, Jedinak 5, Hutton 6 (Taylor 76, 6), Elmohamady 5, Whelan 5, McGinn 5 (Hepburn-Murphy 76, 6), El Ghazi 5, Grealish 6, Kodjia 5 MOTM OLLIE NORWOOD (SHEFF UNITED)