I didn't know I was part of a brigade either. To be fair mate I have said this previously about the "injury" problem! It's saved Bruce's arse as it gives him an excuse. We have played our "best" team on numerous occasions and played absolute ****e! Going in front in games and then going on to lose, because of Bruce's lack of tactical awareness is unacceptable. Chelsea apart we were never this Euro team people were going on about! You ask us to name a manager who could have done different. ME! I wouldn't have paid their wages after the Newcastle game, to not show any passion in our local derby is just not on. Anyone walking off the pitch without giving a 100% would not have played next game no matter what. The likes of Fergie would have strung them up by the balls. Bruce seems like a thoroughly decent guy, but to me he is more suited to be a number 2 somewhere. He is tactically naive and has shown he isn't the man to take SAFC to the next level. You mentioned "The special one" I notice he had the balls to put Ronaldo in his place even with his 38 goals.
The injuries did play a major part along with the sale of Bent which can never be understated. My problem with Bruce is his constant referring to the injury list which in my opinion was getting his excuses in early and sounded like righting the season off even though there was still a chance of a reasonable finish. Some of his substitutions have been puzzling and the attitudes of the players have left me to believe he couldn't motivate them. The big problem is that he has seemed to have lost a large proportion of the fans something which is not good for a club trying to fill its stadium and something that will be his death nail.
So imagine the scenario. We leave out all our top players who might get injured for september.. and play the kids (as a lot of people want, myself included). We lose, and finish 14th or whatever instead of tenth. I give it 3 minutes after full time before some smart arse posts an article down these lines: "14? We gave SB a certain amount of millions and the best squad ever, and he finishes 14th? That's nowhere near europe. Sack him. And sack Quinn. And all our players are ****, we need to make 200 summer signings." ......OR we could play Gyan etc, play our best team, and try to finish top 10. And then it will be our best season for a while and everyone will be happy with the league position, but if Gyan breaks a leg (in a game, like a lot of our major long termers) it will be Bruce's fault, cos of his training methods! I really feel for the guy, since we're safe (for the first time for about a decade?!) everyone seems to be jumping right on his ****ing back.
The difference between finishing 10th and 14th is apparently about ã3.5m in terms of prize money. Not to be sniffed at as a result of one game. Must win.
I've been reading for a while now, how certain individuals will shout down those with differing views. We're each here to share our views. We each see the same things on the pitch and we read the same comments from the manager after the game. It is up to the individual how they interpret those things, I personally feel a change of manager will be needed sooner rather than later (I hope it's sooner rather then later), but I would never be rude/abusive to those who disagree with me. I'll read all points of view and occasionally read an observation made that makes me stop and think, and occasionally I have altered my point of view because of it (not because I'm fickle but because it's an event/comment from the team that I have missed) but I have not seen or heard anything that will lead me to believe that Bruce is the man to lead us into Europe or win us a cup. To those who support the manager, good for you, it doesn't mean I support SAFC any less than you do. You want to shout me down and call me a fool, a tit or a ****....... go ahead. It won't change my opinion and to be honest I've been insulted for far better reasons than wanting a change of manager. It's the differing views that make this a good place to come to and debate. Don't **** it all up by being small minded just accept that we all don't share your opinion and get on with it.
It is all well and good blaming everything on injuries. Why have we been the better team in numerous first halves ( regardless of our starting line up ) only to come out second half and literally throw the game away? If those filling in are good enough in the first half, what is happening at half time to make them play like headless chicken's?
The blame lies with Quinn but you just can't admit it. His 'despise' comments and sale of Bent without a replacement derailed our campaign and deep down the club know that. We've had damage limitation from Short, Walton and Bruce but still no apology from Niall. FFS be a man and admit you were totally out of order. Think it through please.
Still a Bruce in man..... Just about...... The big issue I have is the frustration we have to live with. I've seen some serious crap over time, but can't help but think we have played some lovely stuff this season without being able to stick the ball in the net! If we pick up a tough nut centre back and a bit of experience up top we will be o.k....... I think.
Standbythelads - Quinn may have choosen his words better but to blame him is mind blowing. What he has done for the club can never and should never be underestimated. Infact the only reason we are able to have these discussions i.e. feeling dissappointed about not pushing for a european place and being secure for another year in the prem and talking about the calibre of players such as Gyan/Bent/Sess etc is down to Quinn!
agree. how did Quinn saying he despised fan's, fan's who had desposable income sitting watching the lad's, instead of backing them from the stand's derail our season?
Quite simple. In business you NEVER criticise / insult your previous or potential customers. In football you always line up a replacement BEFORE selling (in this case to a close rival). You're right Quinn has been brilliant overall for SAFC but my point is that this season he has made 2 massive errors which have put pressure on the club and manager. His 'despise' comments were made in the week of the european guidance on live TV football which went against him. He was angry and frustrated at the time but hey just apoligise for them and move on.
