ETCHED into the window behind Steve Bruce’s desk in his training ground office is an Aston Villa motif in claret and blue.
It’s like the stained glass window of a church. Bruce’s task is to get everyone on the same hymn sheet after years of bruising, damaging decline.
“There would be a statue outside if I replicated here what I did at Hull City,” says Bruce, pointing behind him out of the window.
At Hull, he twice got them into the Premier League, the FA Cup final and into Europa League football. They were the best times in the club’s history.
Bruce joked as we walked into the office – with plush, tactics board on the wall set to 4-4-2, big desk, big chair and a quiet corner with settee and chairs, where we sit – that you won’t find personal bits and pieces.
“I didn’t put any up,” he smiled. “I didn’t know how long I’d be here.”
Villa have got through seven managers in eight years. They are on their second owner since Doug Ellis sold up and their third chief executive.
Nothing has been solid or dependable, since Randy Lerner decided he didn’t want to be in football any more and pulled the financial plug in 2010.
Martin O’Neill left but, amazingly, the fans didn’t. Through all the seasons that have turned from grey to the black of despair, they have stayed.
Despair
Bruce has sorted out a shed load of rubbish players, brought in experience with John Terry, Glenn Whelan and Chris Samba – the latter two both aged 33 – and knows he has to get Aston Villa back into the Premier League this season.
“I'd love to be signing 26-year olds. People are saying we’re Dad’s Army. But players are £15m to sign and fortunes in wages. We have had to be a bit shrewd,” says Bruce.
The quest began yesterday, ironically against Hull, the club he gave what Villa want.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 06, 2017-Ausgabe von The Football League Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 06, 2017-Ausgabe von The Football League Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
LUKE BOOSTED BY WALES ACE LIAM
Swans bid to mark new era in style...
MATT'S DELIGHT OVER RECORD
WYCOMBE boss Wanderers Matt Bloomfield hailed his history-makers after victory at Lincoln City.
TON-UP IAN ENJOYS HIS SPECIAL WIN
AN Evatt described his 100th win as Bolton boss as very special, although he needed Aaron Collins' injurytime goal to bring up the three figures.
DONS LACK A CLINICAL EDGE AS SADDLERS GRAB POINTS
NATHAN Lowe's strike inspired promotion-chasing Walsall to victory over AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
SUB GRIMES IS IN-SPIRED TO HEAD THE WINNER
CAPTAIN Jamie Grimes headed in a late winner for Chesterfield after a game of very few chances appeared destined to remain goalless.`
COBBLERS TEST IN TROPHY FOR POSH
HOLDERS Peterborough United have been drawn against fellow League One side Northampton Town in the Round of 32 of the newly-named Vertu Trophy.
HORNETS REMINDED OF GRAY'S BRILLIANCE
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight as Plymouth extended their unbeaten league home run to six after Andre Gray's last-gasp leveller.
MARTI DOUBTING JOB AFTER DRAW
Rangers home run continues
BIG MAC'S ON TARGET TO SEE OFF THE TIGERS
LUTON boss Rob Edwards felt it was a very good day at the office as his team turned in a gritty performance to beat Hull.
Rohl confident Owls
DANNY Rohl said getting results is the only thing missing as his Owls were held at home by Cardiff.