This must have been one of the most exacting and trying weeks of Steve Bruces managerial career, indeed playing career as well and this weekend will see waht the man is really made of. A shrinking violet? I somehow think not. A full blooded bloke with fire in his belly after the Titusgate revalations, ready to tear limb from limb any player that steps out of line again, or doesnt turn up during the game? This is what I want to see on Saturday. A bit of the SAF and some fire and brimstone. Not the softly softly approach of recent weeks but some bloody hair dryer treatment for some of our players that have pissed about recently. Blood and guts football v WBA and blow them away. The reaction of both players and manager will be important as will the reaction of the fans come Saturday. I cant wait now, as this could be a massive weekend for Bruce, Quinn, Short, players and fans alike imo.
Could be, should be, will be... A defining game ahead, Bruce will win some fans back or lose many more, and that will have a devastating effect on his career. Himself a defender who once scored 19 goals in a season for one of the top teams in the world, should know just what an effect this game could have on him.
I hope that too. It is, after all, as good a time to play them as any, what with their indifferent start to the season.
I know players sometimes try and ignore their managers on the sidelines but the majority of the time Bruce cuts an uninspiring figure. One of the most notable things from Monday was when the cameras went on the dug out Paul Lambert was there willing his players on and telling them to suck it up, cut to Bruce and he and Black were searching for answers on a clip board and scratching each others heads.
Its very simple for me Cest, get it right, and I think we will, and it will be part one of a 4 game October series of games that will define our season and Brucies future. Get it wrong and it will be the last straw for most. Like you I'm excited about it, up for it and ready to do my bit. Whatever team Bruce puts out should be good enough and committed enough to get a result.
well personally i would love him to succeed not just for himself but for all the players that stated he was the reason they signed for the club. I actually think we have some cracking midfield players Its time for them to carry on where they left off against Stoke. Do they need time to Gel, are they trying to hard, are they nervous i don't know i just hope they go out and enjoy it on Saturday and if its a 90th min winner that will do me although a 1st min winner would be better lol
3-2 win. Bendtner with late winner and everybody off SBs back for a while. A little, or preferable a lot, of unity on the board would be nice again. Alt: attack from the off and thrash the b*stards.
I have to say after Norwich where I was expecting us to win handsomely, this one is a must win! The players themselves need to take some responsibility and stand up and be counted. (Tactics allowing!) People were slagging off Catts and applauding him being dropped, I deliberately didn't comment at the time as it would have been arguing for arguing sake. Luckily Stoke didn't turn up, but at Norwich there was no bite! Catts always gives 100% same as Bardsley both can be rash, but both would be on my team sheet in front of the likes of Richardson and his ilk who half the time don't look interested.
Fire and brimstone is exactly what's needed. How about playing a 3 - 4 - 1 - 3 formation and go all out on attack. Mingolet Brown O'Shea Richardson Larsson Catts Colback Gardner Sess Bendtner Whickam Sorry about Richardson but who else is there. We could throw young Laing in at fullback and have Richardson on the bench
Great post Cest, I agree likes get into the early, let them know they are in a game. Give them no space, no time on the ball just like in the old Reidy days when we had Ball, Swartz and Mccann. I hope Catts is back this weekend because he will be hungry for the game time.
With luck those players who can read, will have told those players who cant, that the fans are not happy with them, and a change of direction is needed, not fantastic steps , just play football, put some heart into it, have a right good old go, take no prisoners and try to win, simple stuff realy. And no matter the result, it will go a long way to bring some of the doubters round, me included. a fair article Cest, just got to go back to basics, my basics these days are KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED.
Yes but it's not just a matter of telling them, Bill. If you're unhappy working for the firm you're at, it's very, very difficult to give it a right good go. Just for example, look at this - Montgomery, Malone, Porterfield, Horswill, Watson, Kerr, Hughes, Tueart. If I said those eight players were a useless bunch of sh*t, people on here would murder me. But in November. 1972 that's exactly what they were. Those players were joint second bottom of the Championship and so pathetic that they attracted home crowds of around 9,000! I know what they were capable of, but once they lost heart, they were as bad as anyone else. I like the players we've got here (though naturally I miss Bent and Gyan) and I'll credit Bruce for signing well. But what we saw on Monday was not a happy club. Sort it, Ellis - we've seen this before. Two international strikers driven out already, and now we're heading for a hat-trick of them - Bendtner is a nailed-on certainty to follow them. Sort it, Ellis, and soon please, because this season is not a lost cause yet.
:QUOTE=HoratioCarter;1404693]This might work but doesn't the ref usually count the number of players[/QUOTE] Sorry guys it should have been 3 -4 -1 -2 and I used to be an accountant now I know why the books never ballanced!!!!!!!! At least I did have the right number in the team I selected
Sorry guys it should have been 3 -4 -1 -2 and I used to be an accountant now I know why the books never ballanced!!!!!!!! At least I did have the right number in the team I selected [/QUOTE] I always blame the medication
