OPINION
Fans at Aston Villa might be a little disappointed to see that the change of manager from Steve Bruce to Dean Smith has not resulted in improved results as of yet, but there is a notable difference in the style of football on display.
Under the former boss the Villans were pragmatic but lacking in inventiveness, while Smith has brought an expansive fashion of play which makes it much more entertaining for those at Villa Park week in, week out.
A win and two defeats is not the start that the former Brentford man wanted but at least he is ironing out a number of mistakes made by Bruce during his time at the helm, including one which would have left fans baffled.
Axel Tuanzebe was signed on loan from Manchester United as a natural centre back, but for whatever reason was utilised on the right of defence by Bruce – even when the club were facing a crisis at the heart of defence and Mile Jedinak was shoehorned into the role.
Speaking about the decision, Tuanzebe told Villa’s Youtube channel: “I’d only like to portray myself as a centre-back. It’s my natural position. It’s where I’ve played for a long time and I feel most comfortable there.
“It suits my style of play. It’s the one I’m used to back at Manchester United and it benefits me to be playing that way here. We’re playing much better football and it’s a style I enjoy – keeping the ball and trying to create something by playing from the back. We’ve adapted well so far.”
If this is how Tuanzebe feels, then he would no doubt have let Bruce know about it, and choosing not to play him where he feels best was a calamitous error which one of the reasons he ended up being sacked at the club.
He might have thought he knew better but it was quite clear that his other options were not working in the middle of the defence, and for a manager to ignore his player’s views and feelings highlights his incompetence for the role at hand.
Smith might not be bringing immediate change in terms of the points on the board but things looks a whole lot better – not least his decision to play his stars where they feel most comfortable.
Bruce has no one to blame but himself for his downfall.