Well, sadly, today was the day for me. As far as Mr Steve Bruce is concerned, i'm finished. 2 years in a row we have had a ridiculous slump, that the managers lack of tactical nouse, motivational skills and even eye for a players correct position have been the catalyst for. He's signed players of real quality, yet they don't play for him. There's no orginization across the back, or the midfield, why hasn't this been worked on? Only Bardsley and Gyan are prepared to have a shot, players lacking confidence? Yes. Managers job to build them back up? 100%. I posted an article earlier in the week saying maybe the lack of noise was affecting the team. Well, the noise was there, an early goal was gifted, yet still the team plays sideways, and the midfield gets nowhere near Gyan and Wellbeck, leaving them crowded out. We weren't just beaten today, we were outplayed for long periods, an own goal and a screamer paints a false picture, we were never good for 2 goals. WBA could have had 6, Mignolet made several decent saves. This is not knee-jerk, i've been Vruceys biggest, or one of his biggest backers throughout. What matters now is MY club, and for me the time has come to say thank you, and goodnight. We need a manager of stature who can handle the talented players we now have, and who will spot the glaring gaps in the side, the lack of a left back and left midfielder, the fact that the midfield is lightweight and lacks vision, the fact that 3 of the first choice back 4 are so slow they may as well be ****ing shrubs. Louis Van Gaal? Ambitious? Yes. But so is the club. We need to make a change at seasons end, 2 seasons here, plus one at Wigan, Bruce just doesn't have the imagination to progress a club beyond 'upper average'. Martin O'Neill and Jol read Bruce, certain level, then brick wall, it may be slightly higher than Bruce's barrier, but not high enough. Van Gaal moulds champions, champions of the highest competitions there are, he is the man. Remember, he almost came here when he left AZ Alkmaar, if those pesky Germans with their massive football club hadn't poked their noses in. We could also solve most of our personel issues by 'going dutch' Feyenoord centre back Ron Vlaar. PSV left midfielder Balasz Dzudzak (I know he's Hungarian, but he plays in Holland!) FC Utrecht hitman Ricky van Wolfswinkel (Target man, available) PSC left back Erik Pieters. The Dutch are legendary for making and creating footballers, and teams, Louis made Ajax something really incredible, before the millions of the Champions League destroyed the possibility of a home grown team eating from the top platter. Van Gaal is the man, men. Mr Bruce, thanks, and **** off. (I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO RESPECTFULLY EDIT WUMS )
I have deleted those posts BB, some newcastle fans are talking on a thread, sensible debate, they know we hurt and its not the time for the idiots so I deleted
Brucie give us the nod marra ill get a van hijack the ****ers you listed and bring em ower PS can i have papendrecht bill to ride shotgun
Im checking the breaking news all the time to see if a hes resigned b he has the sack c any ****ing news
I think what's most disheartening for me is the knowledge that Bruce has a new contract that would make sacking him exceedingly difficult. We're stuck with him. At least now I know what to expect next season, an awful run, early cup exits, a thrashing off Newcastle United and bottom half finish. Then again, I'm willing to give Bruce one more season anyway. Let's see where we are in May 2012. If it's the same old story, the board should review Bruce's position.
It always makes me feel a little uncomfortable talking about sacking the manager. We've all seen how bad things can get at other clubs when they keep sacking their managers. Just ask the great unwashed up the road! Bruce is without doubt feeling the pressure of managing OUR club, you could see it on his face during the post match interviews. He is feeling sorry for himself because yet again, we have been cursed with a long injury list that is having a negative effect on our once promising season. 8 matches ago any criticism of Bruce would have been immediately shot down, but I'm not seeing it now and I can understand why. We have been absolutely abysmal of late; however, it's not all Bruce's fault when you look at how poorly some of our so called 'talented' players have performed. Do we have a sports psychologist at the club? because if we do, he/she needs to be the first to be shown the door. Every club has a tactics coach and a fitness coach, so they need to be second and third out of the door. Too often in football, it's the manager that takes all the flack, whilst the often substantial team of coachs, physios, dieticians etc etc hide behind them. The players and these members of staff MUST accept that they are also responsible for our current predicament.
I'd say without question that when the new contract was negotiated, the club will have put in a get out at the end of each season if targets weren't achieved. This seasons target was top half, and Ellis' interview was very clear that he was annoyed to have missed it LAST season. We can all see the limitations in Bruce's tactical know how, he can either be the bigger man, admit his failings, and fetch a coach in to help, or we fail to capitalise again and again and he gets the bullet. To have gone on a run like this again, there's no one to blame but the manager. The players are under-performing, but when a mass of people underachieve together, it's the man at the top who has to take the hit. Thems the breaks, the club has come so far, and although i'll credit Bruce for some great work, if we're honest, there's many a manager who would have matched, or bettered, his record with the backing he's had. Owen Coyle? David Moyes? 2 prime examples.
As long as we don't sack Bruce just for the sake of it. Sack him: > next season if this rubbish repeats itself again > if a better manager is lined up and willing to take the job Sacking Bruce and appointing Sbragia again or whatever won't get us anywhere. Might as well keep him.
Frustrating when our club has been one of the biggest spenders over the last few years and we have absolutely nothing to show for it. Not top 10. Not a trip to Wembley. Nothing. Sure, the squad needed to be rebuilt twice, but managers like Pulis, McLeish, Coyle make a mockery of what we've been doing TBH.
Good points BB and I can't disagree with them at all. In any business, if it is underperforming, it's the man at the top that has to go. Unjust IMO, but unfortunately it's the way of the world! Now I know why I have never had any ambition to be a boss!
Here's a one lads, could this be the summer that David Moyes is available? If we were to say 'here Dave, there's ã24million of Bent, and a few quid on top, and a pretty ****ing decent base to start with, fancy it?.....' I think he'd be interested, you can here his frustration every time he talks, he'd be a magnificent appointment. I'm afraid i just can't see Bruce taking us any further, and god i have backed him. I'll have to change my name and all sorts!
A see you still havent grasped your role. But if you feel better then great. Everyone likes a bit of power! Yes you lads are hurting but howay man, do you only delete wen you lose or when your pissed off? Thought Gyan looked good again. Remember the hub n heart of your team was ripped out when Bent sneaked off-sly man. No way youll go down,but sacking managers is not the way forward long term really
