The board on here is increasingly angry and hostile...with the results we've had recently it's not surprising. With these sobering times do we need to look at exactly who we think we are? It's two and a bit years since Ellis Short took over ownership...less than two years since Steve Bruce was appointed....and before that how many years of yo-yo relagations and promotions?! This bad run will come to an end (or the season will) and I firmly believe we will not be relegated. Not a chance in hell. So what of this glorious five year plan? We're like half way through and we are a mid table team at best...I have no doubt we have improved in those two years it's just hard to see it at the moment. I don't think Bruce going will move us forward...he's a miserable git but he needs to get more balance in the team. Remember last summer when we were getting all these defenders in? Where the hell are they now?! Crock or out of favour... Roll on the end of this season ...I've had a gut full of it now...but it's going to be an interesting summer ...and I fully expect Mr Bruce to be in charge next season. Patience is a virtue. KTF.
we know who we are mate, a club in transition, but the five year plan doesn't look like it's half way through at the moment. the problem is we were given a little bit of hope and expectation when we were up in the upper tier of the league, and now it's been dashed, and back to the drawing board. like you said its gonna be an interesting summer, but think how interesting it would have been if we had manage to hold our position till the end of season, and the calibre of player we may have enticed to sol. im not guessing if bruce will still be here next season, as i havn't called for his head yet, many have. but im not convinced if he is the man to carry us forward, a mid prem. manager at best, and if we are always going to be happy with that he should stay. he has spent big and they all have let him down, and the fans too. but i fully expect us to be around 10th come the end of season.
im 1000000% with you mate, i dont think many others are. There still bitter of the Newcastle games and want to throw away any chance of the clubs success for short term euphoria
Didn't the 5 year plan start when Keane took over, in which case i think this will be the fifth year, i think we have progressed as a club, however we are still not an established premiership club, as we have been involved in 2 relegation battles (under Keane and Sbragia) a 'dull' end of season last year, and in all possibility a relegation fight this year. On paper we have the best squad that i can remember, trouble is we dont play on paper we play on grass and i think some of the players have a grass allergy.
Ellis Short was already heavily involved while Drumaville were in charge, so much so that Keane walked out when Mr Short started asking questions about his management. So although Quinn said about a 5yr plan when Drumaville were in control this would probably have been discussed with Ellis Short.
I can only speak for myself. 1) I think we're a club that brings in, not a brilliant, but quite respectable 39,000 every week. 2) I think we have an owner who has spent many millions on the team. 3) I think we have a chairman who is clearly in love with the place and works his butt off for it. 4) I think all of that deserves better than a consistent bottom 6 or 7 place in the EPL. 5) I think we pay damn good money for a manager who can put us in our rightful place. I see clearly the first four. I'm getting just a wee bit tired or waiting to see the fifth
The aim this season was a top 10 finish, I am going to reserve judgement until then. The whole DB saga took a lot out of us and should not be underestimated. What we need is the move a few on and sign a few in the summer, then try and be anonymous in the jan window, since the jan window our form has been terrible. Top 10 this season top 7 next season. Bruce has done alright in my book we could have someone much worse, remember Wilkinson?
Wilkinson? I remember Alan Brown, who was very probably the all-time worst manager in the history of WORLD football. But if we're comparing our managers on their degree of awfulness, what way forward is that? Look, Brown was catastrophic, Wilkinson was awful, Bruce is bad - how about we try the next step up here?
I'm not sure Bruce is a bad manager and we should quickly boot him into touch. He's certainly been unlucky and for a few hours after every defeat I'm usually so pissed off I do call for his head, but when I reflect I'm not sure whether that would be such a good thing. I think Bruce buys into Sunderland and into Quinny. He might not be having a good time of it now but that type of 'buy in' may be difficult to replace. I can totally see why some would want him out- I'm a season ticket holder too and recently it has not been worth the money- but at the end of the season if Quinny and Mr. Short want Brucie to remain I will be happy to throw my support behind him. I will not be saying that for the first few hours if we get beat off Birmingham tomorrow, but like I say, a bit of self refelection is no bad thing.
Just read the article and agree with everything the poster says, you have improved since Bruce came in, as I've said on here earlier in the week (I think). Every team has bad runs remember last year when you didn't win 14 games, once u won u had a good run of results so one win and it will turn around. Oh and top 10 is still achievable for u guys who knows if Everton and Bolton both have bad runs top 7 could still be possible.
The thing is being realistic who would we get? Bruce has attracted quality players like Gyan, Muntari and Sessegnon, these players have not had a full season yet and will improve us if they stay. He has also brought on players like Henderson and Meyler as well as resurecting the likes of Bardo. We are where we are and if Bruce went it would be difficult in my book to find someone better. Fans will always disagree with a manager. Lets wait to see what happens, there are still a few games left, were not out of the top 10 yet and we have had a very turbulent season with the DB senario and lots of injuries.
You're probably right in that mate. Which top quality manager would come to a bottom half club, especially with six games to go and the outcome uncertain. What could he do in six games? They're not going to risk their reputations on that, are they? We probably will be stuck with Bruce till the end of the season, no matter what.
SNQ has spoken a number on times this season about coming to the end of the five year plan. So who do I think I am? Just another Sunderland supporter who has had his hopes built up again and been let down not as bad as in the past (yet)), the only difference this time for me is that I feel for the first time the club has been totally over sold.
