Could be. Niall always said the manager runs the team and he covered the rest. The problem is we don't know where the line is drawn over a transfer - is that a team matter or a business matter? If there is friction, I think Bruce is gone at the end of the season, no matter who made what decision. Elles won't forfeit Quinn for a manager who's seventh from bottom, or anywhere near it. But, we've all seen the British press before. Who Knows?
Syd, I'm not a Bruce fan, I think he carries this 'I played for Man U' criteria and although he comes across as a sound lad, football wise I think he has all the attributes of a lad that thinks he's more in tune than he actually is. Denis Smith showed more attacking flair in the old Division 1 and had more nonce than Bruce in his little finger. Bruce to me is reputation that has no reputation in management, a sort of Roger Moore in the acting world, looks good if you like that thing but is ****ing hopeless. It's Nialls sword this though and if Bruce goes, then I see him going as well..
Cant see Niall going Joe, if it was like when Big Sam left Blacburn yes but Niall can see what we can see and will, IMO, always do what he thinks is best for the club
Don't agree Syd, After the short debacle of Quinns management to appointing a 'World Class' manager who walked after initial success, Quinn put our hands in Ricky and got lucky. Two years of Bruce with the highs have been shot down by the lows. He has to go like Curbishley did at Charlton, early season highs to relegation battles and like Curbishley did will get us relegated. Nice man, loves football, done well like most pocket liners but is totally ****ing useless..
Newsnow is promoting our views to try and get this board into further media circulation. This is why I have been telling the Bruce Out Brigade to keep schtum, we're being made to look like fools! Honestly, as much as I've berated the MON fan club, I'd rather him than McClaren, what a doughnut the guy is.
NOW WE HAVE OUR VERY OWN BARTONS TASH HOPE YOUR PROUD OF YOURSELF. Joe nice replies, a balanced view i agree with, i just hope he is not calling you a doughnut Joe, but if he means you, on his own head be it.
But, the article appears to use our views from now, and is, as you said, readily available for people to view right now. That doesn't even make sense.
Ha ha nice one Roger.. or maybe even Naked Gun 3 and 2 thirds axed off.. hey got an idea for a film there ha ha.. ..
I don't see that this makes any difference at all. Anyone with half a brain, anywhere in the world, can figure out that Bruce is living on a knife-edge. And I don't think the fact that some Sunderland fans are saying it makes us look like fools. It makes us look like fans at any club that has dropped from sixth to fourteenth in three months. It would shock the whole world if some weren't saying it. The sad truth is Sunderland's spectacular demise is probably the most eye-catching feature of the the EPL at the moment. And the whole world is watching the EPL regardless of what we say.
Going back to the original thread, there is nothing that would stop me supporting my team, but that wouldn't hide the fact that McClaren is a total nugget, and if the worst came to the worst and we did appoint him, it would be like Wilkinson all over again. I'm backing Bruce, but if he was to be replaced then I would go for Martin O'Neil any day of the week before McClaren.
MrRAW brings up an awkward point here. I personally doubt the article in question on the grounds that I don't think Niall would interfere in a team affair. But turn it around a minute. If I was some hack making up a bit of fiction and hoping for headlines, I'd work in names like O'Neill, van Gaal, etc. - names that would attract maximum attention for my story. Why on earth would some hack dream up the name McLaren? I mean, the man hasn't a bad club record, but after his England tenure, his name goes down like a lead balloon in this country. Most people agree with MrRAW - it's not a name they want to read about. I find that odd. Either that hack was a total loser, or ...?
I think we all suffer from the same thing, read it, dont like it so put it down to rubbish, however. Mclaren is a very good coach and Engalnd aside has a good record. Worked well at Boro and knows the area. Out of work so cheap and available. O'neil, I imagine, would want a total rebuild, Mclaren could use his coaching skills to get the best out of squad, would appeal to Short. Not sayings its true and not saying I want him, just dont write it off.
I know that people mention about Mclaren doing well for Boro, but if I remember correctly, the Boro fans were glad to see the back of him due to the boring football they were playing. Wilkinson also took an English side to Europe and one the league to boot, but like Mclaren, I wouldn't want him coming within a hundred miles of managing SAFC. Mclaren just oozes baffoon, and I can't even look at him without thinking about the time he put on that stupid Dutch accent when being interviewed as manager of FC Twente.
