Today is the day when you will find out whether Bruce is keeping his job or not. Not because of the result, but because of the performance. When you play Stoke, you come off the field with bumps and bruises, you'll be hit left, right and centre. Today, we will see if anyone is really up for that. If not, then Quinn surely has no choice but to sack Bruce. If the players are willing to take those hits, it shows they are still playing for the manager, and that means there's hope.
IMO of course, if players put no effort in for him then he has to go, as it's a downward spiral from there. If they are still working for him, that's at least SOMETHING in his favour. When the dressing room is lost then it's a losing battle.
So hypothetically, you are saying if a manager loses all his games, he should keep his job if the players are still playing for him. Or if all the games are won at minimal effort the manager should be sacked. The manner of the players is only a concern when results often go badly.
Absolutely not, that's why I used the word hope. In today's game, if they all give 100%, it is a small HOPE that Bruce may still pull Sunderland through these tough times. If they aren't giving 100%, then there is no chance whatsoever and he has to go.
'Hope' that Bruce can turn it around suggests that it is unlikely to happen but is more wishful thinking.
True, I've never known a manager be under as much pressure as Bruce and still turn it around. But who knows.
