Yeah I thought he had a decent game, I don't remember having too many bad games always Stedy without been spectacular
The closest we've got to an Ashbee at the moment. Simpson's hold up play was fantastic as well. Only red cross tonight was for Meyler for me... woeful perfrmance tonight.
I was slating Bruce for too many loose passes and gen at half time he was singled out as playing a blinder, just shows that once you take the negative view on a player you miss it when he does well.
Nail on head. Too many people already make their mind up on a player rather than watching their actual performance. And fair play to you for admitting it.
His first 20/25 minutes was embarrassing, one of the worst ive ever seen (he completed 1 out of his first 12 passes, and that was 40 yards backwards to Stockdale), but after that he improved. He should be nowhere near the midfield, and tonight showed that.
If you're slating Bruce Jnr again, you've got to look at the whole midfield, because they were all woeful tonight. I know Quinn scored but his passing was poor. Meyler looked out of sorts. When Elmo & Brady linked up with them there was no final ball- it was either over hit or we lost it.
I'm starting to think Fathi might not really figure for us from here on in, this game would have been made for him to start. Bruce did his job but I would pick Koren above him at home or in the same formation but it worked tonight so can't knock the lad- archetypal water carrier performance
I'd agree with that. Anyone ge the impression Fathi was someone elses doing rather than a Bruce signing?
After seeing him at Palace, I think Fathi is a longer term benefit. His passing was solid, he looked dependable, just looked like he needed better match fitness and maybe more time to adjust to the UK. Gedo obviously came in and scores in every home game which elevates him in our minds instantly, whereas Fathi is destined to be a rock at the back and will eventually control things at the back. I honestly think he'll come good for us, whereas Im starting to wonder about Prossie, which makes me sad as I thought he was a good signing. Win some, lose some I guess.
Maybe it's a personal thing? I reckon Steve Bruce could get upset at someone shouting 'get ready Fatty, you're next' and he could get confused if the crowd chant for him. Sorry if you're reading Brucie, tis only banter.
Bruce has deserved his place most of the time, a lot of stray passes early on, but to his credit he won the ball back immediately on a few occasions, he's solid, just wish he wouldn't blindly hoof it so often
I thought Meyler and Quinn were poor tonight, carnt help wondering if we do go up these to might need replacing
If you were watching on Sky like I had to do, you would have seen their half time replay of Bruce Jnrs first half tackles. It just showed why he was there, somebody else said he is the nearest thing to Ashbee we have and it showed. And don't forget Ashbee's " perfect" passing skills. Bruce did the job he was picked for to get the first hour tucked away without trouble, then his old man completed the job wit the perfect subs that nicked a goal. Job done.
Bruce Jnr did well tackling back. Quinn was poor in the first half but improved after. Meyler was poor throughout. Think Koren will be on from the start v Forest.
I know I've criticised Koren a lot lately, but what has happened to him in the last 3 weeks or so? He literally daren't go near a defender now. The amount of times yesterday he ran away from challenges when there was a game to be won was ridiculous. I know he's never been an enforcer type but it's like he's had an injury or something and become scared of hurting himself. That counter-attack when he and Simpson were breaking late on was ridiculous. Simpson pulled the men away and then played the ball across to him and the defender wouldn't even have been in contention to get the ball if he showed a bit of desire but he just backed out completely and let the defender have it and clear it away. If bringing him back in for Bruce sees us go on to win 5-2 again then great, but he seems like nothing more than a liability at the moment. Like playing with 10 men.
Brucie did the job we needed doing last night, blunting their attacks and suffocating them of space, thus starving the supply to Austin. What was evident was that although Koren played a very important part in the build up to the goal, other then that, as had been eluded to by ISTPLT, he was dire, allowing people to run past him at will and seemingly scared to get his shirt dirty ! No doubting the man`s quality, but sometimes I wonder regarding his desire and commitment. It showed by the amount of sustained pressure in the last 20 mins that we were playing with a man down in midfield. I see BOYD replacing Koren in the none too distant future, the lad never stopped running, challenging and still has the ability to pick a pass and create. Wouldn`t be surprised to see Simmo and Gedo up front for the Forest game, with Boyd in midfield and Koren and possibly Meyler on the bench.
Bruce is good at winning a ball, problem is that once he's won it, he's absolutely no idea what to do with it. His passing is terrible. Though it was hard to tell yesterday, as compared to Meyler's passing, everyone looked world class. I don't Quinn's looked as good since we lost Aluko, but he works hard, he can play a nice ball and that was a great strike last night. Brady's balls into the area were shocking, in fact, did any of them actually make it in to the area? Not sure what happens with that lad, some games he gets them all bang on, others he can't get a single one on target. He definitely shouldn't be taking our free kicks. I can't believe we'll see Bruce in midfield against Forest, so that will probably mean Mchane being dropped again, as he's probably going to pick junior at the back again.
