Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Chris Brunt backed to rediscover magic West Brom touch
Thursday 15th December 2011, 10:43AM GMT.
Albion are backing captain Chris Brunt to rediscover his match-winning magic during the festive season.
The Baggies midfielder has so far been unable to repeat the outstanding form of last season, his best for the club since being signed by former boss Tony Mowbray four years ago.
But Brunt’s contribution is still admired by head coach Roy Hodgson, who continues to have faith in the Northern Ireland international.
Brunt, together with another of last season’s heroes Peter Odemwingie, was on the end of some stick from frustrated Hawthorns fans as Albion flopped against Wigan last weekend.
But Hodgson’s assistant Keith Downing said the captain’s “unseen” toil remains the valued bedrock of the midfielder’s game.
Downing said: “Brunt fills in areas, tracks back and gets tackles in so we keep a nice, solid shape on his side.
“All those things he does creates space for others. There is something more subtle to Chris Brunt than what people look at.
“Coming infield and finding that reverse pass or clipping someone in – that’s what he’s good at.
“And obviously we need him to do more of it. We have no worries about Chris and he is an honest guy that realises his standards and will work hard to try to improve them.”
The assistant coach believes a lot of Brunt’s work goes unnoticed but is highly valued by team-mates and coaching staff alike.
He said: “I think Chris is a team player, I really do. What he does is play an important role for what the head coach wants.
“Sometimes that might not be as pleasing to the public as somebody who creates crosses etc.
“He’s not in the team to do that. He’s in the team to carry out other functions and I think he goes about it diligently.
“He’s an ultimate pro. He’s a creative player, has a great left foot and he is just missing that thing that can unlock a door at the moment. He also has great set-piece delivery and a lovely left foot.”
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Keith,
I agree, but I’d rather him do it on the left side.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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i see jonas has had enough of the dead beats, who get paid and don’t show up.
Blackburn will be a real test for us, if we lose we will be bottom 3 for xmas.
brunty should should give cox his place. at least he has a go. wba team are you watching him.
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Iv said this time and time again, get Brunty on the left! He looks too awkward on the right having to keep twisting and turning to get a cross in.
Also we could do with a winger with PACE. Thomas is too inconsistent and is’nt direct enough. But we have no choice in picking him because we have only got 2 natural wingers. Also could do with a right back, as much as I like Reid he isnt a right back,
Nedum Onouha would be a perfect fit, big, strong quick and likes a tackle.
Surely im not the only one that thinks these areas need sorting?
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2.
No, Olsson has said that he hasn’t made his mind up because he could shine in the European championships and his dream has always been to play for a team that’s winning trophies.
Personally, I think that’s a fair comment to make.
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From a personal view,I’d love to see ALL Albion players doing well,and I have given Chris praise on various occasions in the past.
I’ve said before that he was one of our best players early last season,and that he’s capable of using that left foot every bit as well as Beckham.
Because of his height,he can also be strong in the air,and I mentioned that him,Scharner and Reid were badly missed at Molineux last season.
I also get a good close view of things from where I sit,and can see that Brunty DOES get involved with less noticable but important work on the pitch.
Having said that,my irritations with him have been more an attitude thing,because he doesn’t look comfortable in the Captain’s role,and his body language can sometimes be negative,when you’re actually in need of an inspiring leader.
As an example,against Wigan,we had a throw-in late in the game halfway up towards the woodman corner,and with us losing the game,and minutes ticking away,there was obviously the need for great urgency,but I then spotted Chris walking slowly in the other direction,with his head down,seemingly oblivious to the guy taking the throw,who was looking for someone to give the ball to.
I wouldn’t necessarily drop him,but I’d be happier if we could get a strong leader in the middle,and maybe put Chris over on the left wing where he could send in those bending crosses,and provide a stronger cover than we have now for the full back when we’re under pressure.
Sometimes when a player hits a bad spell,he can use it to analyse and re-focus his game,so hopefully he’ll reflect on the way things are,and motivate himself to come out of it as a stronger,better player.
I do hope so,because we need everyone to be giving their all for the cause in a very tough premiership.
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Olsson is 28 and maybe has 1 more contract left before his age counts against him. Every player in our entire squad wants to move on to a title challenger if it was offered. Olsson is just stating a fact, he’ll still play to his best every week. And we’ll only be in the bottom three if teams below us win. We are not to far away from going on a good run we just have to start converting the chances we make
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Brunt was very poor on Saturday and I think its right to question his commitment sometimes because he is our ‘captain’! said it before on other forums Brunt’s form always dips during the winter monthes and have wondered if he has an aversion to the yellow ball! The slup has started earlier this season.
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Brunty is probably a really nice guy. But he’s done next-to-nothing all season as guys in the reserves patiently look on.
In sport it’s as much about attitude as ability. Give me 11 Roy Keane’s, Byran Robson’s, Terry Butcher’s, Stuart Pearce’s etc any day. Hang on haven’t we got our own Paul Scharner?
Cantello Rocket 78 is correct Brunty could be seen retreating from our own throw-in during the closing minutes v Wigan 1-2 down. I think emphasises that Brunty being captain is wrong.
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His captaincy has distracted him maybe?
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Brunty has to be one of 1st picks, even if not 100% he can use the ball to create chances, works hard & great free kick expert. Agree with some of you guys best on the left. Hang on Jonas you might have ambitions which is commendable but lets be honest you are not going to get a move to a Man City, United, Arsenal, Spurs etc passing not good enough but we love you and you will play every week with us.
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They recently had a competition on a radio station for a Sunday morning team to have coaching sessions with some professional coaches. The result was the results of the team that won it improved out of sight.
Good professional coaches know more, see more and understand more than we ever will. If they didn’t JP would employ us for a lot less money. I’d love to see Chris Brunt on the left wing slinging pinpoint crosses onto the heads of Kenwynne Jones and Peter Crouch. The problem is we don’t have those two, we have two quick nippy strikers that need the right ball to feed them in.
As a left footer playing on the right Brunt is in the ideal position to do this as he was last season. The difference is he’s had a slump in form which obviously affects his attitude. Not all players are the same, they’re people. Those that remember Super Bob will know that when he wasn’t scoring goals he didn’t look the same player, it’s all about confidence.
It’s the old thing with Jonas, he’s not a Baggies fan and he’s given us excellent service for what was a bargain price. If his display against England didn’t alert a few scouts nothing will. Hope he stays but as long as he doesn’t ‘play up’ in order to get a move I’ll always respect him. Bargain hunters need not apply.
PS With apologies to mboy stop reading now.
Kev and Rocket.
I hope to go on the 21st but I won’t know til nearer the day due to shift swaps and people doing me favours. I’ll probably drive there as I said before I’ve got a long shift the next day so I won’t be drinking much and need to get home to bed pronto. As you get older late nights and early mornings really wreck you don’t they? Hope to make it as I’m looking forward to meeting Kev.
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11 Bully,
when I first introduced myself to Kev in The Sportsman Bar,he said ‘I wondered who the saddo was,walkin’ round lookin’ lost’.
He then drank all my beer money,and flew off back to Spain.
Are you still looking forward to meeting him……..?
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Olsson please read Koumas,Davies,Kamara,Greening,Robbo amongst a few,your a decent c/h thats all top 6 teams wont look at you be careful what you wish for.
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12 Rocket.
He won’t get very drunk on the amount of pocket money I’m allowed.
13 Eva.
Greening gave us good service, never caused any trouble and he moved on at the end of his contract for a last big pay day. Who’s to say he’d have played any more games for us than he did for Fulham. He’s not an Albion fan and he moved on. What are we offering Olsson that he couldn’t get anywhere else? Perhaps it takes our fans a bit longer to get on a players back but a few poor games and they will. Ask Chris Brunt.
Lots of football fans say there is no loyalty from players any more. This is true but then look on here at the posts about Carson, Morrison and Odemwingie and you’ll see it’s a two way street. Posts saying ‘get rid of Odemwingie’ because he’s not flavour of the month any more. Modern day football supporters are as loyal to the players as modern day players are to the clubs.
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Trbhoo
I hope your comments on the loyalty of fans sinks in with the many that it applies too,doubt it but that’s the way of life now but I just wish he hadn’t said anything at the moment.
If his form dips can you imagine the abuse he’ll get?
I don’t blame him for holding fire,he’s got 18mths left on his contract, our place in the Prem is not yet guaranteed, he’s going to be in the shop window at the Euro’s so he’s just keeping his options open and I’m sure he plays his heart out for WBA but his past reactions to abuse from some sections of the crowd,which I think was in defence of the man with no name,have come into his thoughts while making this decision.
Adéu
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15 Kev,
it’s worth remembering that players like Shane Long and Billy Jones wouldn’t sign new contracts at their clubs,because they wanted to take on a ‘higher’ challenge,and came to play for us.
It works both ways,that’s the nature of a competitive game,
Adeu.
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Cantello& Trbhoo
Anyway what ever happens it’ll make no difference to us and many others,can’t see us signing for anybody else.
All others turn away now!
Cantello
My mate is coming and said thanks a lot but he may be late so he’ll probably get a taxi but I’ll let you know for definite Monday morning before I leave for the airport.
Ask Max if his circumstances have change and can he make it?If I ask him it’ll probably end up in an argument.
Adéu
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15 Kev & 16 Rocket.
He seems a very honest bloke and I should imagine he’s been asked a leading question rather than just dropped it into the conversation. I’d ask the LM if they’d rather have someone honest like this or a Sol Campbell stringing the fans along and then leaving on a free.
I was going to answer your question about if his form dips by saying that if it does he’ll always give 100% effort but then realised that giving your all is no defence against the boo boys. Hope we haven’t upset the little dears by the three of us ganging up on them again.
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No, that’s wrong,end up in disagreement is a more accurate description.
Sorry for posting this without a prior public warning.
Adéu
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Kev & Bully,
I guess as we’ve found out with Max,it’s much more interesting to have different views,if we all agreed on everything it would end up very boring.
It’s just a pity that everybody that disagrees with me has got it wrong.
(joke :)
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