Bruce has three games to get Sunderland fans back on his side The 350 Fulham fans who made the journey to Sunderland on Saturday were proof that you need strength in numbers to drown out the regulars at the Stadium of Light. They didn't actually have much to cheer at the weekend, although all that would have changed if Clint Dempsey had buried the late chance which came his way when Sunderland found themselves two against one from their own corner. Under pressure: Steve Bruce But just before that, with Sunderland growing increasingly desperate, especially when Ahmed Elmohamady continued to waste possession, and their fans losing heart and their voices, a small pocket started a 'Bruce Out' chant. It's difficult to say how many behind Mark Schwarzer's goal decided to show their frustration with such public disdain for their manager, but it was dozens rather than hundreds. It was loud enough to be difficult to ignore, but carried no momentum. And when the big Aussie denied Sunderland victory with his instinctive brilliance, and well-positioned left boot, there was more sympathy than anger at yet another home failure. But it is Wigan next, Bruce's former club, the Premier League whipping boys and a side who were well beaten at Newcastle recently, sorry as I am to remind Bruce, but it does matter to Sunderland fans. Hard to watch: Sunderland have struggled for home wins And after that, following their visit to Wolves, it is Blackburn. Games to get the fans back on his side. If Jack Colback had scored his first Premier League goal or Kieran Richardson's header had landed below the crossbar, Sunderland would have had an early goal to settle the increasing anxiety round the stadium. Sunderland fans have forgotten how to enjoy a home win, the 4-0 triumph over Stoke aside. Still uncertain of his best team, Bruce has again been beset by injuries, leaving him bereft of strikers, as he was at the end of last season, when this miserable home run of two wins in 13 played its part in hindering hopes of making their top ten finish less of a struggle. The majority of his new signings have settled well, but Connor Wickham's steady introduction was derailed at Old Trafford, leaving Bruce with limitations upfront. Near miss; Clint Dempsey could have piled the pressure on Bruce Last week he reminded fans that a year ago he was choosing from Bent, Welbeck, Gyan and Campbell, but Bruce did choose the replacements, and the board agreed on the finances to invest the money from Bent and Jordan Henderson's sales. And the squad does look stronger. The indications from the agents and scouts are that a striker is a priority for January. If Bruce survives that long. Sunderland's sensible take on the pressure Bruce is under is to ignore it and continue to give their support to a man who is trying to build a more sustainable team and squad. He could just do with a few positive results while he's doing it. And so could the fans. Because the 'Bruce Out' chants seem a pointless exercise at the moment. Their team have been unlucky, particularly at home, and the players are certainly playing for their manager, as they demonstrated in the dogged single goal defeats at Old Trafford and the Emirates. Luck deserted them on Saturday, but the fans didn't. Wearside may not have enjoyed much success over the years, but consequently the demands on their players are even higher. They do not see those demands as unrealistic because they pay good money to watch them, and they take their seat at the Stadium of Light expecting to see commitment and good football. When Lee Cattermole was booked after just 28 minutes, it was his first real tackle of the game, but he was late. Referee Anthony Taylor could have been lenient â Howard Webb would have brandished nothing more than a stare and a wagging finger â but he went quickly for his yellow card. It was hard to tell whether the subsequent boos were for the Sunderland captain or the rookie official. Probably both. Like his manager, Cattermole is either liked, tolerated or loathed, or all three in the space of a week, day, hour or minute. The majority just aren't sure. They do trust their former chairman Niall Quinn however, and they want their shared dream to come together, and for improvement to continue. They just want it now. Bruce knows, his players know, the fans know, the only way to prevent them from joining the chorus that can't be ignored is to win games. Starting against Wigan on Saturday.
No matter how many times we so called Bib's, faithful or foolish say it the above quote is for me and I believe others the reason we dont shout Bruce out. I want what everyone wants, Sunderland, my team, to win games, I want Bruce to win because he is our manager and shouting Bruce out doe not help IMO. I read in threads all the silly name calling, I hear the reapeated condemnation, thats fine if it makes you feel better but thats all it does to me, it achieves little else. I honestly believe our best chance of victory on Saturday, thats as far as I am looking right now, is a cup tie, all out go for them approach. Reading comments from Bruce it seems he and the players are ready for battle, I want the fans to join them. If we get, and I dont think we will, a 4-5-1 with Sess in the hole my heart will sink but I will still do all I can to help get them over the line, any complaint will come after the game because nothing but depression comes by complaining before it. hort So please stop hitting us with the BiB tag, we are not, we are just not BoB's because it achieves nothing and helps no one, just my honest opinion, Will Bruce survive, very doudtful but thats for Short not me and until he says out I will support him because he is all I have.
Well that's buggered his chances then? Lol In form striker or winger cum Erm, well winger really up front? It's an easy one for 99% of intelligent people. Shame its Bruce picking the team then I guess? Syd, this is exactly the right place to call the manager and demand his head, then we can get behind the team on Saturdays. I don't boo at the match, or chant Bruce out but fail to win this weekend and there will be a lynch mob atmosphere and I'd be hard pressed to disagree with them tbh. He doesn't have 3 games, he has game by game. We needed a min of 9 or 10 points from these 4 games to steady the ship. We now need 8 or 9 points from 3 games. He is not capable of putting that run together imo.
Even the most optimistic and glass half full supporter cant deny that we are in a pan ****e at the minute. Its not that we are that far adrift in points from top 10 or better, or that we are only 2 points from relegation places, its the fact that the look and feel of the team is flatter than a witches tit. There is no buzz at the SOL or feeling that things are okay. Performances are dire and results even worse. 2 wins in 14 games is as bad as it gets and we just dont look like a football team capable of doing something about it. Thats what worries me, not our points and position. Its why I am so vocal to get a replacement in now as I still think there is a season to be rescued with the right man at the helm. Sadly, and I really mean sadly, I just dont see Bruce as that man.
I was in the North Upper on Saturday where the Bruce Out shouts started. It was literally about 10-15 people. Nobody round me joined in. I was falling asleep it was that bad on saturday. Luckily it was £10 for save the heroes...if i paid £35 or a season ticket I would throw it back at Bruce
Well we must beat Wigan, Wolves will be dodgy, Blackburn have strikers who could worry us so it looks tricky at the moment, i will back Bruce to succeed but he cannoy go on like this.
Wolves will be no push overs at Molineux and Blackburn have several very good players that could cause us problems given our current plight. Samba, Nelsen and Olsson are canny defenders (Samba is awesome imo), Hoillet a promising youngster and in the likes of Pedersen, Yakubu, Roberts, N'Zonzi, Goodwillie and Robinson they will not come here and roll over. We should and have to beat them but will we? I dont think we will win another game this year if we dont beat Wigan and I can see maybe 1 win (Wigan), 4 draws and 2 defeats (to City and Spurs) from the last 7 games of the year at best. That will give us a mere 19 points going into 2012. Thats a frightening scenario imo.
Next 2 home games are Wigan and Blackburn that will be 6 points, Blackburn were shocking at Newcastle and it should have been 5 or 6-1 as Newcastle were that far on top. Wigan will push you but you will come through.
