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Five Things Steve Bruce Has To Do For The Boro Game

By Jonathan Northall

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Villa manager Steve Bruce reacts after a near miss during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Middlesbrough at Villa Park on September 12, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Villa manager Steve Bruce reacts after a near miss during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Middlesbrough at Villa Park on September 12, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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DERBY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Glenn Whelan of Aston Villa reacts after Derby’s opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Aston Villa at iPro Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Derby, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
DERBY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Glenn Whelan of Aston Villa reacts after Derby’s opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Aston Villa at iPro Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Derby, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /

It is time to drop Glenn Whelan

Over the last few games, Whelan’s effectiveness has waned somewhat.  His awful back pass to gift Derby County an opener turned the tide of the game. His game is naturally defensive and has become even more so as Aston Villa’s form has declined. Whelan’s proclivity to play negative passes, usually backwards, is not received well by fans. Older fans will remember Gavin McCann and see plenty of comparisons.

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