The Steve Bruce Effect

It came as no surprise to see us come unstuck against the European Champions yesterday afternoon, however the style in which we did that was the concerning part for myself. The everlasting damage that Steve Bruce has left is beyond repair with our current squad, while he walks away as a victim which mesmerises me.

It stems from the back with Jamal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Karl Darlow inparticular looking vulnerable while on the ball and almost scared to receive it. They continually play long from the back, with no attempt to retain the ball or build from the back. The defensive frailty showed once again, with gaps being left throughout the game.

In midfield Sean Longstaff simply isn't good enough, he looks so incompetent on the ball and sluggish off it. Jonjo Shelvey off the ball is so lazy, on the ball at times possesses moments of magic however we haven't seen them in far too long. The use of Ryan Fraser as a number eight typifies our struggles.

I can't criticise our star players, Callum Wilson and ASM. They have little to no service, feeding off scraps on a regular basis. They are continually expected to work with long balls being launched aimlessly from the back, while competing against two opposition players.

The Steve Bruce effect is very much in full swing, while I feel for Graeme Jones as he conducts himself well he simply isn't good enough. We need a new manager in before we are below water. The neglect the club has suffered is very much on show now.

I cannot hold all blame on Steve Bruce however as individual players such as Jamal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie, Sean Longstaff simply aren't good enough.

I would like to see Fabian Schar, Jamal Lewis, Joe Willock, Miguel Almiron, Martin Dubravka and Jacob Murphy start against Brighton possibly in a 4-3-3.

GK: Dubravka
RWB: Murphy
LWB: Lewis
CB: Schär
CB: Fernandez
CM: Willock
CM: Shelvey
CM: Hayden
LW: Allan Saint-Maximin
ST: Callum Wilson
RW: Miguel Almiron

What are your thoughts?

 

Welcome Daniel.

I agree fully apart from Shelvey. Can't stand the man; both as a human and as a footballer. I genuinely would rather pay Hendrick than him.

I'd also play Manquillo; he's been out best player really and is pretty consistent. Murphy would be better in the right wing position

 

Although I despised Steve Bruce, in my opinion there is no excuse for the levels of fitness being shown. They are not all young, naive footballers. They know they needed their fitness levels at a certain point and should have been doing that in all their "free" time.

 

I agree they should have been maintaining their own fitness levels, but let's be honest here. It doesn't bode well when the manager is only asking you to come in every other day. The example is set from the top, he was carefree and that has transmitted to the players.

 

Again I agree but they're not on minimum wage here.

They clearly have zero ambition. Zero respect for themselves, the club and the fans.
For me, all of them can do one as well.

 

Thanks mate! I do agree with the Javier Manquillo point, he has been great so wouldn't mind him keeping his place in all honesty.

I also do half agree with the Jonjo point, his body language and output is hideous but technically on his day he is fantastic. He needs to improve his consistency, however I feel under a new manager in a new role he could flourish.

 

Arrrgggghhhhh. I DESPISE Shelvey. He's truly an abhorrent human being. That will never change with me. His "fantastic" is two games a season. Now to be fair we haven't had those two games yet this season.

 

I feel the laziness emanates from the fact we have little to no competition for places. I think a new manager and signings will improve the output from current players!

I just feel as though Shelvey feels like he is a "big time charlie" - he needs a serious dressing down to get the best out of him. He has the passing ability but needs to work harder off the ball, he could change to direction of games in my opinion under the right manager and system.

 

Welcome.

the main issue is a lack of leadership on and off the pitch,

 

Hi welcome. I would say that once you’ve finished speaking with the Teach the banter improves.

Ultimately, the blame all lies with Ashley. He’s bled the Club dry in so many ways over the years it will take time for the Newbies to address the problems and for progress to be visible.

We then move on to Bruce and his negative and retrograde impact over 2 and a 1/2 years no matter what Pouchy and CC say. How someone one with his lack of ability achieved 1000 games as a manager clearly demonstrates there must be a God of some description out there as otherwise, how?

But the players also play a part. Ronaldo, the non fat one, used to go back and train on all different parts of his game after training had finished. No suggestion that our witless crew did that during Bruce’s holiday reign.

I would expect in 2 to 3 years just about every single player will have gone. The coaching staff will all be gone. And it will be due to their lack of 100% commitment now and in the last 6-12 months.

 

I see you took my advice

 

If you are the originator of the rules of grammar for the English language, then yes. Otherwise, don’t be so barking daft.

 

Woof woof

 

Barjruruegjywwhd. Rheheyw

 

How far does that extend. Asking for a friend.

 

Mostly seems worth a shot to me. Not sure with Murphy as a FB in a 4 though.
Also not that keen on Shelvey but he at least has composure on the ball none of the others have and can actually pass as long as he keeps the amount of Hollywood balls to a sensible amount. Beggars can’t be choosers at the moment. If he gets the chance I hope Schar still has his heart in it. He’s been well messed around. Pity Dummett is permanently injured as he would be LB for me.If Willock isn’t fully fit play Murphy there.

 

I'm certainly not going to criticise new owners who have only been In situ a few weeks. I’d rather the right board structure and management team In place than a rush job with the wrong people.

 

Awaits Schlem to see this post <popcorn>

 

I'm so hoping for that new broom sweeps clean phrase to be enacted upon with the new boss.
Whether you're a manager or a coach, the fitness levels alone in these players should be a reason for a P45 to be dished out.

 

Welcome mate, great first post...

...apart from you included Shelvey in a line up, Mod's I suggest a 5 year ban and compensation to be paid to each member post haste.

On a serious I think Manquillo is doing ok at present at RB and under Rafa was underrated. Certainly a more solid defensive option than Murphy in a back 4. Apart from those 2 minor tweaks you're spot on. Bruce has left a broken team lacking confidence and anyone coming in probably needs at least 2 windows to undo that ****e.

But Lord above help me if Jones picks Clark and Ritchie this weekend at Brighton I'm going to lose the plot! TBH Jones is not the answer and the sooner we get a manager in with some fresh ideas the better!