I honestly believe that his links to Newcastle have absolutely nothing to do with it. I would suggest that like me, the majority of our fans actually like the man and I do believe that he has our best interests at heart, trying his best for the club and the supporters, but for some of us, his best falls a little short of the mark.
That is 100% correct, Vaux, of a manager in any walk of life. Probably SB was a very good choice 2 years ago. He has achieved what he has done elsewhere - 10th. That's all. The faults described above cannot be contested and it remains to be seen if he can improve - is he good enough to be a top third manager rather than a mid table equivalent of Big Sam? Sunderland is his chance of a lifetime to show us what's in his locker. Whether you are firmly in the Bruce Out camp or undecided (like me) or a staunch supporter, you have to agree that 2011/2012 is his proving year. It's black and white, no ifs ands or buts. Another Notts County fiasco might be a turning point for fans and management.
Danny, you're right. It's not one thing that makes me think he isn't up to it. It's the accumulative effect of 2 years leadership. Loyalty to a manager is something earned rather than given, I envy the faith some have in Bruce but given the problems we've had (and still have) I jut can't see him lasting here. NQ and ES, must have seen things rather differently than I did last season and they believe that he is the man to guide us further up the table. I hope that I'm wrong and they're right but I just can't see it.
Well I have been away for a week and I have to admit Henderson leaving does send all sorts of signals following on from the Bent sale. Letting two of our best players leave means the height of our ambition is to be a mid table side hoping for a good cup run. Currently I am not sure how many 1st team players are on the books, but it is less than we finished with at the end of the season. So after two years we are not building aside we are trying to create one. SB came in from managing 'smaller' clubs than Sunderland and it was to be for him a step up and a chance to move a club up the league with a bigger crowd and more cash to spend on players. Well after two years he is still running hard up a down going escalator, when problems arise he has problems keeping team motivation and spirit up, and on paper currently we have avery poor side. I expect several new players are coming in, but the best we can hope for is consolidation this season as the excuse will be players need time to 'bed in'. To be fair to SB given the choice would he have sold Bent and Henderson? Probably not but anyhow he has the look of an average manager at best still an improvement on Ricky and Keano, but Sunderland are not likely to progress very much under his managership on the basis of the past two seasons. So IMHO if a better manager is out there and is willing to come then Short/Quinn should try and bring him in. However ATM it looks as if they are going to give SB another year and it looks as if Bruce is not going to resign even when his best players are sold, i.e. he will do anything to keep his job, Im a not really looking forward to next season!
lets give him his 5 year plan and see what happens at the worst we could only end up in the 1st division
Yes, you will mate, although I hope to God it doesn't happen. You never know, we might sign a second South Korean, then you can rename yourself Lee Pong Poo Pants
Agreed, I don't think the debate over his future has anything to do with who he supported as a youth, so thats a mute point. Anymore pearls of wisdom from our dark side cousins??????
