Well we are entering another twighlight weekend of no league footy to watch and discuss, which I truly hate but it's not exactly a week without controversies is it? The renaming of the hotch potch stadium now has an even funnier name and has made my week and FIFA is at war with the whole of Britain over the poppy debate. However, for once I think a break will benefit us with Connors injury, thankfully not as serious as first thought (I reckon that must have pissed off a couple of mag bell ends that gloated about it at the weekend) and it gives us a couple of weeks to gather our thoughts ahead of probably the most important 3 or 4 weeks of our current managers reign here and maybe the whole future direction of the club in all honesty. I don't hide my dissatisfaction at Bruce's performances thus far this year but undoubtedly, he now has a fantastic opportunity to quell some dissent in the ranks with a good points return and by the time we play Spurs, he might even have some fans (me included) back in their boxes and quietly content. However, the reverse is also true if things don't go too well. Injuries or not, he simply has to deliver and its a case of now or never for Mr Bruce. 2 wins and 2 defeats, or 2 wins and 2 draws likewise is not good enough now. Our position is so perilous that we need a minimum of 10 points imo just to get somewhere back on track. Tough ask I know but then again, the EPL is a tough league and only the very toughest can survive. In the meantime, there's always FIFA and Agent Ashley to keep up amused. Lol
2 wins and 2 draws will do me. however, i think short would keep Bruce on with 2 wins, a loss and draw - anything less than that and Short will be on the telephone to potential replacements.
I dont even think it will be that scientific. We need to end this run in the top half, if we are within a few points of the drop, IMO, Short will act.
8 points would be fine if we already had 14 or 15 points Dan but I think we need more now. These will be games 12 to 15 and almost a full half of the season gone when they are done. With city and Spurs waiting after and a tricky game with Everton at home, December is a 1 game opportunity at QPR, which won't be a waltz in the park either. IF we want to break free of the relegation trapdoor mate we must get more than 8 points. Bottom 5 or 6 in January isn't a place we should be in after 2.5 years of Bruce is it? 10 minimum, or I will once again be very critical and calling for his head.
Short is a man of few words but those few say it all to me. I back Bruce Must improve year on year No religtion fight. By Jan 1st we will have a good idea about number 3 and that will determine 1 and 2
I have a feeling that the wigan hom e game could be as crucial as the same fixture last year. Fulham could go either way for me, unfortunately i think bruce would be quite content with a draw like he was with Villa. if we don't come out of this run of games with a couple of wins then the outlook is very gloomy. I only hope that Mr short would do what is necessary if it be the case. Alternatively a win against fulham could be the springboard we have needed. With my positive hat on I did the bbc predictor and had us 9th after the next 4 games. Fingers crossed.
Agree with Cest here. 2.5 years with SB, who has unloaded just about all of his predecessors players and has his own team. Players he wanted, he bought, we should be doing better. Unless we get at least 9 points (yes 10 would be better) from the next 4 games, I think we will struggle for the rest of the season. TBH the last couple of games, we have shown a bit more spirit, and can only hope that it continues. 9 minimum from 12 possible
if we get 8 points from these 4 games, and continue with that kind of form for the rest of the season we wont be in a relegation fight imo. confidence is the key in the games vs Spurs and Everton, and 8 points would give us that. Spurs will be a difficult game, but I think we could get something out of it, especially if the same turn up as the one against Man U. Everton? No reason why we cant get something out of that either.
The big problem of course is that you are expecting Bruce to do something he so far in 2011 hasnt managed too often. Go 4 games unbeaten and get 8 points in 4 games. If he were capable of doing this then we wouldjt have been in the ****e we were for the whole of March, April and May last season and certainly not 1 point off relegation this season. I have little to absolutely no confidence in him to deliver even your meagre tally for these 4 games and as for Spurs and City, yes we will show spirit and fight but ultimately, as with Arsenal and Man Utd, we will remain pointless. Everton is a 50/50 and a draw and who knows for QPR. What I do know for certain is that Bruce will have to go before we see an improvement in this month after month of failed tactics, team selection and team building. If we are still bottom 6 come January 1st 2012, then I trust Short will have something lined up to enable us to escape the certain relegation battle that we are absolutely currently engulfed in.
and if he doesnt, and/or we are still near or in the bottom 3 after the 4 games then even I will have given up, and hope short replaces him..... As I said in another thread, I blame last season 2nd half form on the injuries and B£nt leaving more than I blame Bruce, whereas you blame Bruce - this means that you have more reasons to have lost confidence over the calendar year. I also think Bruce built the current squad on the belief that Gyan and Bendtner would be our main strikers - and we would have been playing 4-4-2 from day 1. Gyan dropped him in the ****ter, and he has been forced to play 4-5-1 until he thought Wickham was ready (4-5-1 was supposed to be plan B only). Yes, he could have played wickham from day 1 but if he hadnt performed, what would that have done to the lads confidence? am i too positive? am i too ready to give people (i.e. Bruce) the benefit of the doubt? maybe, but I am happier than you at the moment (at least as far as football is concerned) and I like being happy.
Sorry mate but you cannot re-invent history to suit your argument. I don’t believe Bendtner was ever even on Bruce’s radar until Gyan ****ed off kidda. If Gyan had stopped, the strike force you see today would be identical except replace Gyan with Bendtner. I think he desperately wanted Wellbeck and was hanging onto the vain hope SAF would loan him out again but Bendtner was nothing more than a total panic after he was dumped in the clarts. I like Bendtner mind and even suggested him back in January and from what I have seen he is a top quality footballer and seems like a top bloke as well to me. However, Bruce was forced to turn to him as he was known to him and was NOT imo a long term target. I he had of been, surely he would have made the enquiry in June or July not with 24 hours remaining in the window. Bruce couldn’t organise or plan a tea party for one mate and is merely fumbling about in the dark looking for answers he knows will never come. You are right of course though in saying that I am not a happy bunny and I also feel totally vindicated in that fear for the clubs future, by the poor results we have endured now for over 10 months. Hopefully it wont be something I will have to worry about for the whole season and Short gives me the Christmas present I most crave. Martin O Neill
Do you really think Short will entertain O Neil when he fell out with his great pal and fellow Yank at Villa. I hope his business head overcomes all else.
