Jakupovic I'm sure isn't a Bruce signing. Not being pedantic BTW. I think it was something agreed before he arrived?
He came in on trial when Barmby was manager, but we didn't sign him. Bruce then signed him straightaway as we'd spent the previous season with just Basso (who was released and retired) and Oxley (who had been loaned out).
I still don't know who would be an improvement on Bruce, out of people available. And don't say Monk or Sherwood... I know he can be frustrating at times, taking off every attacking player for the end of the Sheff Wed match was typical of some of the complaints people have with him, but he's undoubtedly capable of doing pretty well in the top flight, and he's delivered some great times for us. I feel that we're in a moment in time where fortune favours the brave in the Premier League, pragmatism is probably not the way forward for a promoted team now, so I personally hope Bruce can adapt to that a bit, rather than leave, and succeed with us again. Otherwise, do we just take a punt on a foreign unknown or promising Championship manager? Either is a shot in the dark. I think it will be a sad day when he leaves, whenever that turns out to be.
It wasn't. Barmby said he was interested in signing him but he never did because he was sacked. Bruce came in and asked about goalkeeping options and Jak was recommended so it was easy for Bruce to sign him. Jak went on trial at Ipswich after Barmby was sacked so we could've missed out on him.
unfortunately there is hardly a plethora of managers out there. taking a punt on a foreign manager is our best option. Look at Ranieriz. Chelsea took him on and he didnt have any PL experience.
If Bruce stays I hope he keeps Jak on, surely most City fans have to agree on that? I will back him and hope for the best if he stays (Bruce)but I think people are right to have concerns about him, he's probably the best Championship manager of all time but has he achieved as much as he can already with us in the Premier League, how can he replicate an FA Cup final and the Europa League, even though that was a bit of a mess after we achieved it under him? The league form for about a year or more with him was dreadful in the top flight.
PB took us from near the bottom of the Championship into the Premier League - he brought in some of the best players we've ever had - JJ, Geovanni for eg and all on a shoestring - Brucie has had great success by spending more money than any other manager we've had - in fact he's probably spent more than every other manager we've ever had put together - so massive congrats to Brucie but let's not get carried away, he's not been perfect by a long way
Please tell me how much Brownie spent on signings getting the team out of the Championship - was it £40 mill like Brucie or was it a bit less, a lot less or was it next to **** all
The FA Cup actually revealed a problem for me, the players couldn't be arsed turning up in the league and we just went on a losing run.