I actually thought Alex played well for us on the whole and earned his spot in the defence. He was **** for the first few games but then did improve a lot and became a solid, dependable defender. He did charge into fairy feet to needlessly give away that daft free kick in the FA cup final though, so it is his fault we didn’t win it.
He’s definitely special, hopefully if/when our form takes a dip people remember that we can’t win every game and show real patience. In other words no poodling. UTT.
You’re right. He did improve a lot. We’ve had a fair few defenders who started average/crap and ended up pretty decent: Greaves (Mark) Delaney McShane Zayatte To name a few.
Here's another one - Robbo heaping praise on Marco Silva for getting him his big move - Bruce hardly gets a mention except a reference that puts him in the same pot as Phelan and lowly Managers He brought me on defensively even in a short space of time': Andy Robertson praises Marco Silva for making him a better player whilst at Hull City Andy Robertson will play his first Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Sunday The 24-year-old Scotland captain won’t forget the impact made by Marco Silva Robertson was able to thank his old mentor after the first Merseyside derby By JOE BERNSTEIN FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY PUBLISHED: 00:17, 3 March 2019 | UPDATED: 09:06, 3 March 2019 Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has praised the role of Everton manager Marco Silva in his remarkable transformation from twice-relegated Hull City defender into one of Europe’s finest left-backs. Robertson, a shoo-in for the PFA Team of the Season, will feature in his first Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Sunday having been left out of last season’s fixture to nurse a calf injury. And though he’s one of the first names on Jurgen Klopp’s teamsheet, the 24-year-old Scotland captain won’t forget the impact made by Silva when they worked together at Hull in 2017. please log in to view this image +3 View gallery Andy Robertson will play his first Merseyside derby at Goodison Park after missing it last year ‘He was big for me — improved all of us,’ said Robertson. ‘He brought me on defensively even in a short space of time and I think very kindly of him. ‘It was the first time I’d worked under a foreign manager and I think it stood me in good stead when I went to Liverpool under this manager [Jurgen Klopp]. I was used to Steve Bruce, Mike Phelan and even up the road, Scottish managers. ‘It was good to get a feel for the foreign way and I think it probably helped me settle in a wee bit here.’ Robertson was able to thank his old mentor after the first Merseyside derby at Anfield in December, though he admits it was a bit awkward given that Liverpool had just won 1-0 with an injury-time goal. ‘It was obviously a short conversation!’ recalls Robertson. ‘It was not the best time to speak, he was obviously gutted, but I have respect for him and I’d like to think he has respect for me. please log in to view this image +3 View gallery Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has praised the role of Everton manager Marco Silva ‘He came over and shook my hand which was appreciated and I just said “Thanks” for what he’d done for me. ‘He was always very detailed in researching the opposition, analysing their strengths and weaknesses. I’m probably part of the research now!’ Of course sentiment will be the last thing on Robertson’s mind with Liverpool chasing their first League championship since 1990. The defender, a snip at £8.5million, has helped his side keep 16 clean sheets so far. ‘People from outside will talk about it but I think playing games help us. The lads look forward to every game and I don’t think it will change right up to the end,’ he said. ‘Maybe if we go into the last game needing a win, that week might be a bit more pressure, but right now we are nowhere near the end. please log in to view this image +3 View gallery Robertson was able to thank his old mentor after the first Merseyside derby at Anfield ‘We showed beating Watford 5-0 on Wednesday that we are enjoying the chase. We just need to continue that form and see where it takes us. ‘There are 29 other Liverpool teams that have failed behind us but we need to forget about that. The manager has said this is the first chance for our particular team to win the League. But look, it would be better to do it the first chance we have!’ Robertson wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. After cutting his teeth with Queen’s Park and Dundee United, he was relegated from the Premier League twice at Hull. ‘Trust me, it’s a lot nicer feeling to be going for a title than fighting relegation. The first time I had to deal with the consequences. ‘We went down to the Championship and I saw people lose their jobs and us getting 50 per cent wage reductions and having to go down a league. ‘That pressure is not a nice one. Thankfully this is an enjoyable pressure, going for a title, for trophies and medals, bragging rights and everything. So this is a lot easier.’
Alex Bruce was probably 5th/6th choice CB for most of his time at City and there were long periods he rightly didn’t get a look in. The role in the middle of three at the back suited him, and he rarely had a bad game there. People are forgetting him having Suarez in his pocket when we beat Liverpool. Also the cup final, where he was in contention for M of M. Suggesting he sold Cairney and played Livermore at RB solely to give Alex a game is absolutely ridiculous, but why let the truth get in the way of a good story? He probably filled in in midfield in a few games usually to do a marking job on a specific player. I do also recall the ‘games won vs lost when he played/didn’t’ argument, as well as the counter which clearly showed he was playing against the top half teams ( generally when Bruce was reverting to three at the back). Unfortunately he was the Managers son and will always be a target for those with an agenda against his dad. He wasn’t the best player in the squad (which then made it tricky for both), but certainly not the worst and rarely let us down. Steve Bruce was criticised for rotating in the Europa league, but most clubs of similar standing (ie amongst the favourites to go down) did similar. I also,recall the following season(?) Burnley having a bit of a run in that cup, but ended up seriously adrift at the bottom of the league. They relied on a miracle escape from relegation when they were a top half team. The season, we were relegated was mainly because we had a ridiculous amount of injuries (not just in number, but whenever a player hit form). I researched this ages ago for a similar debate and recall while we weren’t the highest number of injuries in the league, those who had more were far better equipped. All immediate rivals (with similar squads) had amongst the least.
Ince’s interview will be gold as always. Last week he was lauding their second half clean sheet after conceding 4 in the first half
Recall the mwall boss saying they won the second half when we hammered them 4-1. It was 4-0 at half time. He wasn't wrong.
The article was in the build up to the Merseyside derby when Silva was Everton’s manager. I’m sure if Bruce had been Everton manager, he’d have been singing his praises when interviewed.
The only people who sing Bruce’s praises are starry-eyed City fans and his Man Utd chums on Sky Sport and BT.
Saw the 2nd half of the WBA game and they were awful. No quality in the final third, which seems bizarre to say considering the quality of their attacking players. Cardiff look miles better than they did last year and should have a better season. If we beat them on Saturday, Bruce would probably be half way out the door EDIT: Read on twitter Bruce has only won 6 out of 21. Top record that. Seems Livermore's legs have gone too. Being slaughtered by their fans.
