It all depends doesn't it. Joelinton is not great obviously. But then HBA was useless when overweight and very unprofessional and disruptive. Its the team and squad which matters, so you can't have people not trying. We've been there loads and usually ended up relegated. I'd be tempted to still play HBA but he'd cost you a lot of games with his attitude. I'm hoping joelinton will look better this year. I'm not convinced but I think you've got to give them a chance. I'm still to be convinced he's a central striker though.
Its a hypothetical scenario obviously. I'd struggle to say. With the way we are in terms of quality and numbers, its a delicate balance. Introducing someone like HBA could wreck what has been our most important element over the last three years. No its not Dubravka, its our togetherness and discipline.
On what basis do you say that? It was clearly fully intact last season looking at the games, and the fact we stayed up again. In terms of individual quality we don't have loads outside of Almiron and ASM. I think it was a our discipline in the run prior to xmas was key, and that was built on solidity and fighting hard for every point. We'll have to agree to disagree again. The lads look really together for me.
On the basis we were leaking goals afger Bruce's change... Does a manager require time to influence a change or did Bruce get credited with an immediate impact? I appears to me you can't have it both ways Getting trounced was becoming common under Bruce...our strength was being hard to beat and being effective on the counter... That has been lost... Contrary to belief this isn't all piss and wind its the truth, but I'm hoping that it was down to fixture congestion rather than Bruce's track record leading me down the wrong path
I can't agree its been lost. It was there earlier in the season, Bruce had it off to a tee in that Nov/Dec spell (this came after a terrible start so he can clearly organise a team). We can return to that and we've lost none of the togetherness from what I can see, the lads look happier than ever. Its quite simple. Bruce takes the credit where its due last season, and the criticism in the bad periods. That's how it should work. With our fans its entirely dependant on whether they like the manager. So if they dislike him, as in Bruce's case, they will give the previous manager the credit when things go well and he doesn't get any, then when things are not so rosy, you guessed it, its all his fault. I think last season was the best example yet. When we started quite poorly, he was utter ****, then he got us organised and it was he was using Rafa's tactics. Then when we had a poor run at the end, it was all Bruce's fault again. Its almost like they were interpreting things to suit their axe grinding... There is no set timeframe for when a manager makes an impact. Some managers start like a house on fire, then tail badly. Some might have a slow start but gradually find their feet. Some start and great and maintain. Some start **** and never get out of it. It takes all sorts like most things in life. Generally I would give a manager 3 seasons which allows a decent amount of windows to get the squad to fit how you'd like to play and suit what you are trying to achieve. But its pointless cause most don't last 2 years nevermind 3.
Depends if you need a late headed winner. Although you need a **** of a scotsman to assist with time etc.
I just think we tried to be a bit more attacking and found once again we don't have the personnel (mainly in midfield), or the quality. We have a squad set up for defensive counter attack. If Bruce wants to move away he'll need to overhaul the squad. Good luck with that under Ashley.
Bruce was happy getting the credit for the rafa system so he can accept he criticism for his own.... Personally he shouldn't have change it.. He's not good enough
There are exceptions to the rules! In a normal club such folk wouldn't get appointed. As I say there are times when its just a bad fit and you've got to bite the bullet. I think that would be extremely harsh to lump Bruce in with them mind
Bruce was the manager so he deserves the credit. Equally he was the manager so has to take the criticism. Its not to do with Rafa or any other manager. That kind of stuff is just where people have an axe to grind. Blaming or giving credit to previous managers is plain stupid. The buck stops with the man in charge. He used Steve Bruce systems throughout the season, not the fat spanish waiter. It would be like him saying for the latter part of the season "ah that wasn't my fault I was using a system I got from analysing Klopps work". Its still his ****ing fault! Equally he gets 100% of the credit for whatever system has worked well for him. We all know why people like to suggest these things. Its a lack of objectivity.
This is true, but interestingly enough it was the rafa haters that started the comparison stuff and rode that out for months until low and behold they switched to the saying as you're the minute reality kicked in. I said throughout last season that it's short sighted to not consider what was inherited and that Bruce has done better than I thought.. He was wise to not change anything because it saw us through... He deserves credit for that because if he tried anything prior to safety he'd have taken it in the arse big time. Changing our system with what he's got isn't going to be very easy... I hope he gets it right... I don't get why people want him to fail because ultimately we need to stay up and if he does well then that's great surely?.
I don't think that is true to be honest. There were many Rafa polishers comparing their respective records from the moment he joined. It wasn't "I'll give him a chance", it was "We've gone from Rafa to this useless ****ing fat head". Its quite simple to me. Rafa gets zero credit or criticism for last season. Bruce gets that credit and criticism. Rafa gets the credit and criticism for his 2 years in charge. Yes you could argue that he left with a well drilled defence. And you could argue the other way saying he left him with a one dimensional squad which only had one very drab way of playing. But to be honest you could go all day with managers in this regard. Its for the weak. You're in charge, you take the credit and the flak end of story. If i took over management of construction project being badly or well run, I wouldn't look at the previous incumbent, I'd look within. As I say the only people who do this are those with an axe to grind with either Rafa or Bruce. I just judge them on their work. Both did good jobs in all their seasons (so far in Bruce's case) at Newcastle. Neither pulled up any trees despite what the media would have you believe for all working for Ashley is ****e. I do agree though that Rafa doing what he did transfer wise has left Bruce or any other manager in a tricky position. We are one dimensional, defensive counter attack or nothing. Obviously changing that under Ashley is extremely difficult. However he knew the personnel in the squad when he took the job, he knew the owner, so its no good complaining after the event. Same as last year he will get judged how he performs.
I don't care if you think it's true or not. Bruce inherited something and he played the same syste. It is short sighted and illogical to not consider that reality. While I admire your short sighted simplistic views I'm afraid my system seems to be a little too advanced for you. I can only assume I'm ahead of my time...
