If I was Bruce and facing Short my argument would be. I know results are not good but, lets take a look at things. Defence is one of the best in the prem and stats prove it. Midfield doing fine, look at the chances they are creating. Problem, strikers and who is to blame, not me Mr S. Bent then Gyan were let go, not by me but by you and Niall. You promised me money to replace them then would not give me the budget to get N'Zogbia and the strikers I needed. Look at my buys. Westwood, top class. O'Shea, doing OK Brown, our best player Larsson, top scorer Gardener, a let down yes Vaughan, looking good but injuries holding him back Elmo, young lad but will come good Ji, for the future Wickham, good before injury Bendtner, needs help Give me the cash for the three players I need in January and all will be fine. Now, maybe Short will buy it, who knows.
A knaa man, only kidding. When you read the title like that though it's canny funny. I'd love to say I agree with your op but I think Bruce has to hold his hands up here. Yes he's been shat on but some of his tactics have been mind boggling and you lot are in dire need of some creativity in the middle. I honestly think Bruce has reached his limits as a manager, you'll notice a marked improvement if someone like O'Neill takes charge. Or even Phil Broon...
O'Shea and Elmo have been pants this season, and can't see either improving at all. Vaughan has to be classed as a let down if he can't break up the Clattermole-Colback partnership. Other than the 3 names mentioned, when you look at it as you have put it, you're right. It doesn;t look that bad at all, a top striker or two and you could be looking very healthy.
Syd - I've had that thought for weeks BUT he had the chance to get Pav etc. but chose to buy youngins or unprovens for the future, NOT the NOW. Points now is his only saviour as times a ticking & the buzzards have gathered to pick over what remains.
seemingly, and its all just conjecture isnt it, we sold Anton to pay for a new striker, just like we sold Waghorn to help pay for Gyan, but the deal for Anton didnt go through till the last 5 minutes, so it was too late to get a striker in. Point is with my sttatement is, why the hell did we have to sell Anton to pay for a new striker when we got 24 million for Bent and 16.5 Million for Henderson, surely there was enough cash in the pot to pay for a striker without having to sell first.
Boys I'm not saying I agree with the OP all I am saying is if I was Bruce it may be the reasons I would give. Now the main point is, will Short agree with it and give him the cash in January to let him prove it?
As a Newcastle fan I'll probably get shot down in flames for sticking my oar in, but reading the Chronicle and listening to the Legends I can't help but hear what goes on at the SoL. Reading this forum it's clear that emotions are running high and fans are reaching breaking point with Bruce, but I would just like to point something out for all the people calling for Martin O'Neill to come in - September 2011 - Gyan loaned out June 2011 - Henderson sold January 2011 - Bent sold August 2010 - Jones sold July 2010 - Cana sold In my opinion those players that were sold were in the top two of Sunderland's best players at the time they were sold. Now that's pretty much every transfer window for since 2010 where a top player has left the club. People calling for Martin O'Neill need to remember he walked out on Villa because a) he was told to cut some of the fringe players he'd signed on big money contracts then fallen out with and subsiquently failed to play b) he was unhappy that Milner was sold against his wishes and there were no assurances over what would happen to the transfer fee. Does anyone honestly think MoN would be able to come in and work with that remit that Bruce has had to work under? If that was O'Neill who took over instead of Bruce at the time I honestly don't think he'd still be manager.
Just a n.b. about Wes Brown, I know at times he has looked our best player, but lets not forget, for the games against Manure and Wigan he has cost us 4 points.
The problem is if we stick with SB we might be in the bottom 3 in January. How can we expect any decent players to want to join us if we are in the bottom 3. If we replace SB & get a couple of results before January it can only help with attracting new players.
Even with his war and peace size book of excuses ans puppy eyes, He's need more than a Houdini trick to pull this one of.
