I have been doing a lot of thinking, I think we all have, about why everything seems to be going pear shaped. Bruce is getting it in the neck because he is the manager and at the end of the day he stands and falls on his decisions and results. But we are not daft, we are 2 games and one cup game in so why the reaction, I donât think its Bruce, its hope and expectation. I have said many times, as have others, I have seen a lot worse, its what I expect being a Sunderland fan but this time it is different and the reason is what the club have said, what the set up is and what others are doing. We heard about magic carpet rides, we saw billionaires arrive, cash being spent, the 5 year plan. We see Newcastle in turmoil with a owner they detest and best players leaving. At Stoke we see a team who for some time we have perceived as beneath us, with our cast offâs. We then see new players arrive, quality experience, skill and we are ready, then, crisis no, massive let down yes. Despite all our cash, magic carpets, skill, experience and bottle we lose again to Newcastle, remember them, the team in turmoil. We see teams like Stoke going on a buying spree, have they signed Crouch, no, but at least they seem to be trying. We then see our leader telling us how he has said from day one that a cup run is a big priority, we then field a team that leaves us all scratching our heads. For me its one more let down and a big one but, when I sit and think about it I am being illogical. It really is 2 games in and a win on Saturday can turn it round, well for now. Hereâs hoping.
I think you know my reply Syd, it is not just the start of this season, you need to add the 2nd half of last season as well, yes we had injuries but using that excuse is merely masking the problems. Yes we urgently need at least two more probably expensive players CF, LW, but even if we got them to you seriously think SB can motivate them, play the right tactics and will put players in their best and natural positions? The squad is better now than when Keane/RS was in charge but we need a better manager to move us on up SB has hit awall.
I know what you are saying but like me I know you have seen it all before. It just seems like a bigger let down this time.
I don't know why but the reaction to Bruce on here seems worse than in the real World. I was talking to some mate's by phone last night, they were in the "Prior" up Doxy way. I know this isn't very scientific but the four of them (Three season ticket holders) to a man said it was far to early to be thinking about sacking Bruce.
I don't think Bruce will get us any further than we are but, he has to have some time to turn it round and like the "Prior" lads do think it's far too early to think about sacking him. Maybe after Saturday though he'll be fair game though
Think that is correct to a certain extent. If you have a strong opinion about the team then this is the perfect place to give it as its a football forum, talking in the pub with mates and you cover many more subjects. If your a fence sitter like myself who is dissapointed by the start but also understands its only two games you don't fire into every thread as you don't really have a strong enough opinion and it would soon be boring for people. I can understand the strong Bruce out brigade and their arguments hold water, I am just prepared to wait a little longer as i have seen what has happened to some clubs who get shot of managers after a few bad results. Also, all the players that have been brought in are Bruce players and the last thing we need is another clear out and rebuild. I am giving it 10 games before I get of my fence and jump into one of the two camps with both feet.
When a clubs in trouble... There's a natural order of things. Change players. Check. (ongoing) Change backroom staff. Check (Pop coming back, Sbragia Staunton, Howard Webb coaching us on discipline for a while. (ongoing)) Change Manager. Change Board. Change Owners.
The last two would be unthinkable, the buck for tactics and team selection stops at Bruce, thats as far the changes should go.
Agree, the board and owners are fine if a little weak/inexperienced. They'll only get better and this doesn't affect us in the short term. Long term we're fine, it's short term that we have problems and it's on Bruce and the players heads that the axe falls.
Your right it isnt scientific. I cant name any of my family or friends that want to keep him. ps none of the post on here.
Spot on, along with your mates, mine are the same (SC holders), unhappy with a lot of aspects but all say would be crazy to ditch him now. For the sake of even handedness and peace and love on our board - it's only our opinion
I’m afraid I disagree. How can’t it be Bruce? Does he not pick the team? Buys the players? Sells the players? Hopefully replaces key ones i.e. Bent, Jones, Collins? Adequately covers key positions i.e. recognised striker, recognised left back? Motivates the players? Decides formation? Loan players out/in? Decides short / long term tactics? Picks back room staff and has a say in training methods? Even he admits last years methods may have lead to a number of injuries. Are our expectations high? Of course they are, after so many false dawns and the massive investment that has been made available to him. Tuesday night when he badly needed a win to lift the fans he fields a team with no strikers but leaves three on the bench which cost circa £24m As for knee jerk reaction after only three games that in my opinion is very short sighted.
you miss my point, I'm saying its not just Bruce its the feeling of being let down again, just seems worse this time.
Bruce is getting it in the neck because he is the manager and at the end of the day he stands and falls on his decisions and results. But we are not daft, we are 2 games and one cup game in so why the reaction, I donât think its Bruce, its hope and expectation. No you didnt say that. You said I dont think its Bruce.
It's a little harsh to criticize Bruce over the Bent saga. If a player is determined to leave there is very little a manager can do. Even the top clubs find it very hard to hold on to disgruntled players. Bruce in some respects is a victim of raising our expectations to a point that the team have obviously not reached over the last two games. That's just it though. Two bad games. I honestly can't believe anyone would say Bruce hasn't improved the squad and compared to the money Keane had. He's done it on a shoestring.
Bit of a coincidence that Bent was having an affair with Bruce's daughter and had made his feelings known close season that he wanted away. Bruce’s own admission (the latter anyway) So if he had made noises that he wanted away why wasn’t a contingency plan put into action? Why hasn’t he still be adequately replaced? Bruce has improved the team but don’t forget he has had levels of support no other manager has received.
Point 1. Bent had already asked to leave some months earlier and was only persuaded to stay by Bruce oh, and a pay rise of course. Point 2. I'm sure they are trying. I'd rather they take there time rather than end up with another Flo just to appease the fans. Players like Bent after all are few and far between. Although he's still a ****ing Judas twat. Point 3. Keane had far better financial support than Bruce has had. Yet Bruce has built a far better squad.
FFS we are two games in - we have signed a f*cking shed load of players which despite what the bruce out brigade say will need a little time to gel - in the 3 games we have had periods where we have played very well, but have been firing blanks, which SB is all aware of and will b e trying to do something about it - we have some winnable games coming up. Why can't everyone take a f*cking deep breath, get behind SAFC in stead of being so damn negative - positivity will lead to confidence which will then lead to goals and wins. If by Mid Oct there is no noticible improvement - then this is the time to ask questions, but I am sure Short will do that, not us. Cum On - get behind the lads FTM Bart
Good post Syd. As far as hope and expectation goes, I think it's an age thing. Its mainly the younger fans (under 30's) that seem to have all the high expectations, whereas us older geezers who have seen it all before, cling onto the hope side of things. My lad who is 24 is a perfect example. After the Liverpool game he was all about us challenging for Europe, then one game later it's like "Steve Bruce is ****....we're gonna get relegated"...etc, etc! Fickleness doesn't come into it!!! I'm sick of tellin' him he sounds like a mag!!
