Finishing in the top two with this squad couldn't even have been called an achievement, merely meeting expectations. We are falling far short. Bruce is a CSM, a liar, a willing puppet to a mad dictator, a snake, an idiot and a terrible football manager to boot. He can't **** off soon enough, never liked him never will.
Out of those, I'd only really miss Dawson. Diame, Huddlestone and Elmo are too inconsistent and Hernandez and Aluko aren't the strikers to get us out of this league. We need a leader on the pitch - someone to get hold of players and gee them up when things are going wrong. Get that kind of midfield dynamo in to play alongside the likes of Livermore, Meyler and Hayden (if he signs). Also we have been crying out for a big centre forward all season. Someone who can not only hold the ball up but can score with a fair share of headers as well.
What I mean is, I wonder if Phelan is letting Bruce hang himself? He's a progressive coach by all accounts but we're seeing a very outdated approach to games. Rather than having a positive impact is he simply 'following orders' hoping to have his true stamp when Bruce goes?
He's been much better than he was earlier this season, but over the season he has been inconsistent and never hit the heights he is capable of. Someone with his ability should be able to grab a game by the scruff of the neck, take charge of and dominate the midfield but he only ever shows glimpses of doing that.
Even when he plays well there's very few forward passes that could be called "killer balls". He doesn't seem to have the instinct for it.
It would help if there was a bit of movement ahead of him, so he has someone to play a killer ball to.
This has been a 'moot point' of many regarding The Hudd but on the few games I have watched this season every time he gets the ball he is looking for someone to put the team in 'attack mode' and there is simply nobody there - so the ball goes backwards. I remember in the Premier League when his long cross field passes to Elmo would split the defence wide open and lead to Elmo putting in one of his pin point crosses. Elmo has gone at the game these days and can't make the starting line-up. There's nobody else. Hernandez is surrounded and Aluko, Diomande and Akpom are simply not capable. Clucas tries his best but is the proverbial 'sandwich short of a picnic' at this level.
The creativity from midfield or lack of it has been our problem for nearly 2 years althogh i take your point becuse at the minute playing in front of our midfield is....well our midfield
Clucas isn't a striker - it's the lack of movement from those you mention that is a bigger part of the problem
I had a rather heated discussion with my mate after last nights 'performance'. My opinion was that Bruce has completely ran out of ideas and he doesn't know how to get the best out of the clearly talented team we have. That we play with the handbreak on most of the time, and the blame for predicament we find ourselves in lies firmly at Steve Bruce's door. I'm all for bringing in someone new for the remaining games to give us a shot in the arm and up the confidence. I think barring a miracle autos are gone so we need to drum some form up for the playoffs. My mate thinks changing manager this close to the end of the season would be pointless. Bruce is our best ever manager, and although he accepts we have under achieved he still has faith Bruce can pull a rabbit out of the hat. Am I being too harsh on Bruce or is my mate a sentimental soft cock who is willing to accept failure? Disclaimer: i've only been to 2 matches in the last 2 years due to the fact I've lived in Aus for the past 2 years. I only have tigers player and others opinion to go off.
I'm starting to think it would be best for him to be sacked right now, because I'm worried the Allams will wait a long time into the summer before replacing him, just to save on another wage. They're daft enough to do that.
I didn't say Clucas was a striker mate. I know he isn't. The people I mentioned are simply not up to this level. And I agree with you, that is the problem.
Good job Happy is busy today and won't see that scurrilous slur on the finest people to grace this planet.
The only viable options out there for me are sherwood and monk. Neither of which particularly excite me, but fresh ideas and an attacking approach migh save our bacon for the play offs. The way I see it is; as things stand we're not going up. It's worth the gamble. Contract to the end of the season with a big bonus if they take us up?
Cant see the owner's bringing anyone in , if and when SB does go, I think it will be a appointment from within the club.
