utter ****e, how the hell does anyone know the true circumstances about bents departure, it's all speculation again. bruce has bought players that everyone was excited about in jan, they havn't produced, and add to that the injuries, which are unforeseeable and the downturn in form happens. we've been dealt a cruel hand, after an early season promise, maybe if we hadn't over exceeded in the first half of the season, we wouldn't have this conversation. steve bruce is a fine manager and led us to believe, now everyone is losing the faith, another fine piece by cest, but i'm standing by bruce.... SOB Save Our Bruce
He would provide some brilliant post match interviews but I don't think he's a top 10 or top 8 manager which is where we should have been aiming this season. If Bruce walked I'd have Hodgson in a flash although I doubt he'd want to leave West Brom so soon. He took Fulham to the Europa League final and took West Brom from the bottom 3 to the top half in months thanks to a 10 game unbeaten run. Outstanding manager IMO.
I'm still not sure about Bruce. Yes, we've had a **** run for the past two years, but it's hard to see how it's totally his fault. We have a great squad when fully fit, and Turner was amazing before he was injured. We don't have any strikers, and I think the rest of the season may well just be damage limitation; half the team's out!
Well said Syd. The only thing that would have made Bãnt more loved would have been more money, simple as - it was a little club mentality that let him be sold for the apparent profit, I say apparent as I doubt we could now afford a striker who scores as many goals as Bent since the Torres and Carroll fee's will increase the price of any half decent striker.(still many on here were wanting Bent to be sold - not that anyone would own up to it now). Bruce will leave Sunderland, it is inevitable, however be warned Bruce is Short's man - he has I suspect, ( e.g. in my opinion, or to say not a rumour I have heard - just an opinion)- been subject to budget constraints that resulted in Bãnt being sold as the price is right(and Cana for that matter)(i.e. a profit - Bruce acknowledged every player has his price - don't ignore this crucial fact in a malaise of conjecture) look at his net spend - it will please the accountants - as long as we stay up. The fans judge Bruce by the teams performance on the pitch, perhaps, just perhaps Short takes into account his willingness to work within the budgets restraints that may be in place, Bruce may have defended his corner - e.g. we will not make europe now, however we should stay up - I will take the flak if you back me and let me spend at the end of the season, oh and how about signing Sessegnon and taking Muntari until the end of the season. Few people know all of the true facts other than Quinn and Short however I'm happy to keep on supporting Bruce as long as they are, Quinn has defended Bruce already for the slump. Force Bruce out and IMO there could be bigger consequences, at best less money for transfer funds as compensation to Bruce would have to be paid to meet the fans demands or perhaps Short might just think the fans are being unreasonable, do not appreciate his efforts to date, that they will never be happy and just walk. Put yourself in Short's shoes - but remember his finance background. Disclaimer: I have no contacts whatsoever at SAFC, these comments are merely my own musings when trying to understand why Bruce has not yet been sacked.
In a way both Syd and Cest are right. We should support Quinny and Short for I believe they (or at least Quinny) are in it for the long term. Whereas managers may come and go and both have done great so far and deserve our support. However, I cannot in all seriousness expect Ellis Short to dispense his millions to Steve Bruce again. I'm not saying he will sack Brucey, but he will surely tighten his purse strings if he does not want to pay the cash for Bruce's compensation. So If Bruce stays and Ellis holds back, we will be in for a very difficult season. I read a Bruce interview on Friday where he wanted to buy 8 quality players including 3 centre forwards. 8 players? After 2 years he want's to basically start again! So if I was Ellis I wouldn't sanction that type of surgery after finishing 14th or worse in 2 seasons on the trot. I would be asking what progress have you made with all my money? The answer is- precious little! I like Bruce, but I think if he stays he'll be a lame duck manager, with no spending power. As much as I like Bruce I do feel MON would be an improvement.
Are we talking about the same no paced, stiff as a board, poor in the air despite being 6ft 4", crap reader of the game ****e central defender or did we sign another Turner I havent yet seen. The bloke is at the very best, Championship standard. He came from a relegated club who conceded a shed full of goals. Now we know why.
Fantastic post Cest, great points very well made have 5 from me i just CANNOT see how Bruce will still be here come the start of the season uless he's shagging Quinn and Short
what gets me is, everyone says that Short has spent millions, where? In transfers we are in profit, yes he had to buy the club and the wages come into it, but on actual transfers we are 5mil up since Bruce came in. I am not having a go at Short here btw, but he is a shrewed businsman, but he hasnt exactly thrown his cash away, and that is thanks to Bruce by selling players at very good prices (3.5mil for whitehead, 3mil for waghorn) etc. So i am pretty sure if Bruce says I "Need" these 8 players, and they will cost 30mil then short will put his hand in his pocket, and he needs to do it before this new rule comes into play (i know it already is but we have another 2 years i believe before its enforced).
Football Clubs with a revolving door with it's managers are rarely a success. Its very rare that I agree with syd but I don't think we can blame Bruce for such a big injury list - who could have forseen that FFS. As for Turner, when he is sh*t, he's f*cking sh*t - but him and Bramble was our best defensive partnership this season. IMO - MON is NOT the man for SAFC - he's a rich man's Sam Allardyce. A lot of Villa fans were slating his style of counter attack football and persisting with Heskey. Who do you reckon MON's first buy for SAFC would be - I can guarantee it would be Heskey. Not for me thanks. I think Bruce will get a chance to sign a few players (not loanees) and we'll have a good season next year. However, I think the honeymoon period is over, and any similar run of results next season, and Bruce will be gone. Personally, I am happy to continue to support Bruce 100% - but not forever. Next season, he has got to deliver. F*ck the Mags. Lol Bart
****ing hell bart, we are in agreement, must be all this romance in the air with weddings and things.
I believe that Bruce will be given the benefit of the doubt by Short due to the unprecedented serious injury list. However, Ellis is his own man, and it's his money, so I think Bruce will need a good start next season. I recall Keane 'walking' away from Ellis - or was he pushed?
Syd - theres always a 1st time for everything. Got to say I watched the wedding and Wills married the wrong sister IMO - that Pippa was fitasf*ck!!!! Lol Bart
I’d want an absolute cast iron 100% guarantee from Bruce that if he was given another season we would not end up in another relegation battle (surmising we don’t go down this season). Nobody can give that so cheerio Bruce
