Although I remain a firm supporter of our current manager, and believe he is undoubtedly moving us in the right direction, I have a challenge for him. Brucie often can be heard talking about the elusive "winning mentality". The mental strength that can make the difference between the winners and the also rans in all sports. However, whenever we come up against one on the top six he always adopts a very submissive and defensive stance in his press work. Preparing us all for how tough it will be and generally managing our expectations down in advance of the big games. If one of the top sides have lost the previous game then they'll be "wounded" and therefore even more difficult to beat, if they are on the back of a good run of form then it reinforces their perceived invincibility. So I'd like Steve to start walking the talk, and going into these games, and the pre-match round of TV interviews with a bolder and more assertive stance. We do have a good squad and we are more than capable of winning any game we go into these days in my opinion, and we have many good results this season to make the point. But if the management and the hierarchy of the club genuinely want to instil a deeply ingrained winning mentality in both the playing squad and the fans in the stadium then lets put to bed the submissive talk ahead of games like tomorrow and look to raise expectations rather than manange them. Ha'way the Lads!
Good points, I like the we wil respect them but attitude. Arsenal are a top team and my players will show them respect, it will be a tough game but its a game we can win and will go out to win.This season we have given a very good account of ouselves against the Man U' Liverpools and Man Cities and Chelsea's so I expect nothing less against Arsenal. Yes we have injuries but we also have players who have improved over the season and new players who have played at the top level. Something like that would do me.
Arsenal are a top team and my players will show them respect, it will be a tough game but its a game we can win and will go out to win.This season we have given a very good account of ouselves against the Man U' Liverpools and Man Cities and Chelsea's so I expect nothing less against Arsenal. Yes we have injuries but we also have players who have improved over the season and new players who have played at the top level. i'm feeling a bit inspired at the moment!
Totally agree Blackcat, I was thinking the same reading his comments in the journal, a bit more confidence wouldnt go a miss. However we dont know what Brucey's like in the dressing room, he may deliver the greatest team talks in the history of football haha
He might very well be in all sincerity, but to truly get a group of young players to believe in you, and more to the point to convince them that you genuinely believe in them requires you to keep the messages consistent all of the time I think.
What is said in the press and what is said behind closed doors are two totally different perspectives, don't believe all you see. Bugger, i'm pissed again.
Welder we'd all agree with that. The point I'm making is that what Brucie says to the press still counts too. It's not just the effect on our own lads but it also has a bearing on the oppositions mindset - they step over the line already thinking they are a class above us - we should be moving beyond that now.
If I were Bruce I'd say: "When you pull on the Sunderland shirt today I want you to remember the history and tradition of this club and the fanaticism of the fans out there and exactly what this, and every other game means to them and their families. I want you to give every ounce of effort you have to give and to come off the field today with another famous victory to tell your grandchildren about. What's more I want you to believe and trust in your own ability and to seize this opportunity and honour to represent this great club today. Like us, Arsenal are also a great club, but today it is about the 11 men on each side once you cross the white line. Go out there and write the next piece of the history of this club. . ."
I Whould just liek to say when Wilson Palacios left wigan with bruce in charge we won 3 out of 18 games in the reast of the season and when you lost that lad to villa with bruce in charge you seem to be losing games to i wonder if your change in fourtune is somthing to do with bruce losing faith in his players at producing the good i dont know though
fair play mate i was only trying to bring in some debate i have no real idea about how sunderland works im just saying we went on a slide like you have been going and both our best players left
@ Wigan - our problem is in CM. We lost both "hard" lads, Catts and Meyler, and we have been soft as shoite in that department for the last 4 games. Muntari has not yet shown that he can plug the gap. I honestly believe that DB's departure has nothing to do with the poor run of results. In fact, I think that it has forced SB and the lads to a better formation that will make us stronger and a far better outfit.
What would BALLY,McCANN,JOE BOLTON, CHARLIE HURLEY, LORIC CANNA, ,,,, have said about this,,,,,,, "SOUTHERN ******S LETS AVE EM RARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
By the way folks , injurys and the fixtures didnt quite help, but at nil nil...................happy days.
