Well this should be a fun thread. Do you really believe he is the manager to take us forward? Allow me to start, I was one of the doubters about appointing a self confessed Newcastle man as our manager. My head overruled my heart and said give him a chance as my personal feelings meant **** all anyway as he was already our manager. After a good start where we seemed pretty solid all round, if not outstanding. Apart from the Chelsea win, our tactics have meant we have lost games we should have won. And lets be fair scraped wins or draws when we weren't at the races. It's all well and good Bruce being interviewed and rolling out the same tired old clichés. He is the one picking the team and setting that team up. I have said this before our set plays are abysmal it looks like we don't even practice them. Set plays are an integral part of the modern game if you can't take advantage of a free kick on the edge of the oppo's box there's something wrong. I know you lot will point to the calibre of the players he has brought in, which I concur with. It doesn't alter the fact, now is the time for Bruce to step up to the mark and get some reaction from our team. When some of you were talking about renewing your passports I was still hoping for a safe top ten finish. If something doesn't change drastically even my top ten finish looks out of the window.
True mate, the fact is that the players he has brought in may be good players but it is up to Bruce to get the right formation and gel the team together, however we have players playing in their wrong positions all over the park and no team characteristics. Could have something that we stupidly decided to give Bruce a new contract midway through the season. Hope he can pull it around against West Brom who as usual ar ein form when coming to play us. Would Bruce get sacked if we finish 12th?
Not asking for him to be sacked mate, just get his ****ing finger out! If he can't sort out the tactics bring someone in to help organise the lads. Other teams have went on slumps when losing their coaching assistants much bigger teams than us.
Who are these good players he has brought in lads? because for every one you mention I've got 2 that have bombed. I was iffy about SBs appointment not because he was a mag didn't bother me but because he usually bails on his teams when the going gets a bit rough. If and that's a big if we finish in the top 10 then his job will be safe however if we finish as some of us are thinking now outside the top 10 then I'm not sure Ellis Short will take that. Personally I think SB needs another season at least before we can judge him we overachieved at the start of the season which has put us all on edge (well me at least) as to what the hell has gone wrong. The team is disjointed but again that is down to SB playing players out of position and not replacing sold players like for like, Danny Collins went we should have bought a LB we didn't, Darren themoneygrabbingtoerag Bent went we should have brought in a striker at worst loaned one, those two decisions alone have cost us dear. On the touchline during games he's shouting and balling trying to get the team to do certain things and they are just ignoring him, what is the point of a team Captain if the managers orders are not filtered through to the team? I don't think it's a case of will he get sacked more a case of will he walk.
Interesting thought this. Have we done a Cappello? Should we have lashed out a new contract mid-season. Cold hard facts are this is the second season in a row that we have had not just a blip, but a catastrophic run. The standard of the playing staff has increased almost beyond recognition, yet the standard of football is dire. Why can't we a) defend and b) create from set pieces? Why is Jordan played out of position, if at all? Why do we insist on long diagonal balls to a footballer so gifted as Asamoah when the ball is at his FEET? Why are the players not motivated, and why do they shirk tackles? Why amongst all the transfers has the dire state of the left side of the team, creating a total lack of balance, and fluidity not been a priority? Every one of those questions lays blame at the managers door, he should motivate, he should decide tactics, he should identify areas of weakness and strengthen. He has been magnificently backed by us the fans, but more than anyone by Ellis and Niall who have moved heaven and earth to give him what he wants. The question is, do i think someone else could come in, change nothing on the playing staff and finish top 8? It's a unanimous YES from me, the squad is packed with quality, and has been mis-managed. Injuries? Yeah we aoin't the only ones, Bolton have a smaller squad and have been without key players at various points, and they have maintained their standards. I still back Bruce, but if we finish outside the top 10 i won't. More importantly, neither will Mr Ellis Short.
I'm definitely still backing Bruce. Games like yesterday's are rare, but happen for any team. Yes, we've had a ****e run, but who would replace Bruce and still have the ability to draw in high(ish)-calibre players? O'Niell? Most managers wouldn't come up here. If somebody like Mourinhio were to turn around and say; 'yeah, I like this managing Real Madrid lark, but I want to go to Sunderland' then by all means sack Bruce and sign him. But nobody near that level would be asking to come here. Look at Roy Hodgson; Liverpool were on an awful run and employed him, but he was crap for them. Drop Henderson, tell the defenders how to defend (NOT to pass the ball to the opposite team, and to maybe make sure that the big, Italian lad who is actually very, VERY good at football!) and play a creative player.
While Bruce is at the club i will back him but saying that i never wanted him in the first place as i thought he was just another average manager.It's alright having a side full of good players but if Bruce can't get them to play as a team then he certainly is'nt doing his job properly and we all know what that could mean.As we say keep the faith and hope he sorts it quickly.
Jersey, games like yesterday were rare? We have been **** for the last few months! Most managers wouldn't come up here? What exactly are you basing that on? It's a JOB a very well paid JOB that one hell of a lot of managers would jump at, this isn't the old 3rd division Sunderland we are talking about here. No one is expecting Mourinho to turn up on our door asking for the job but frankly I find your saying MOST managers wouldn't come here rather insulting mate!
There have only been a couple of games this season where we have been well and truly thrashed, yes we've been **** for ages but not this ****. By most managers, I meant several managers that would do a better job than Bruce. There's no point chopping and changing for a potential flop.
I feel i need to re-iterate at this point that i don't want Bruce to go, but for the first time, i'm starting to have doubts. Anyone who isn't, is clearly insane. The fact it's happened 2 seasons in a row from good positions is massive imo.
I like Bruce nd will back him all the way, but taking my loyal hat off, a little concern. We did OK but knew he was carrying Keanes players. He did better but still had so many Keane players, just wait until he gets his people in. Sunday MIG BOUGHT BY BRUCE ANTON TURNER BOUGHT BY BRUCE MENSAH BOUGHT BY BRUCE BARDO HENDERSON CATTS BOUGHT BY BRUCE MUNTARI BOUGHT BY BRUCE SESS BOUGHT BY BRUCE GYAN BOUGHT BY BRUCE WELBECK BOUGHT BY BRUCE subs used ZENDEN BOUGHT BY BRUCE ELMO BOUGHT BY BRUCE Not saying they are bad buys but it makes you think.
**** no! Not because i don't rate him as a manager, and a man, but because if we did replace Bruce it needs to be with an experienced hand who will tell a bunch of underachieving international footballers to get a ****ing grip. Hughton will get, and succeed, in a good job in time.
Hughton could galvanise a talented under performing squad. He'd at least get your players playing for the shirt IMO.
I just don't think he'd be the right fit, i don't know why, just my gut feeling. I certainly can see how good a job he did for you.
He was great for you, but all teams are different. Woy was great with Fulham, but ****e with Liverpool.
Fair Play. You seriously need to get rid of Bruce or bring in someone alongside him to help out. He seems clueless at the minute.
