As much as you might dislike them, Barca are the model to aspire to for many given they're by far the best team on the planet right now. However, there's no other team in the world with the players and ability to play the way they do at this moment in time. It's all about making the best use of what you've got. I'd argue Leicester, Watford and Barca are all doing that right now. We're most certainly not.
What I don't understand is that there are people like you who bang on "ad nauseam" about those who dare to criticize anything about our manager and how we play, as if it is somehow disloyal to express their concerns and should not even be posting on this board. How bloody arrogant and presumptuous you are!!! Driff Tiger is absolutely correct in stating that any other manager who had Bruces abysmal record of tactical and team selection errors in the second half of last season would have been fired. That he is still in charge is largely due to the Allams footballing ignorance. The result is that despite having arguably the strongest squad in our history, and in the opinion of several football pundits and opposing managers (the latest being Gary Rowett) by far the best in the Championship, we are again underperforming and playing well below our potential. Todays Watford v Leicester game, featuring two teams only recently in the Championship, played at high tempo with exciting attacking players such as Vardy, Mahrez, Deeney etc, shows how wide the gap is between their managers tactics and Bruce's slow buildup boring play and addiction to a failed policy of falling back to defend slender leads in the last 20 minutes by pulling off our strikers, which has cost us innumerable points in recent years. If we are fortunate to win promotion we desperately need a change of manager to one who can recognize and sign effective strikers (Andy Gray) and mix exciting attacking football with strong defense, otherwise we face a quick return back to the Championship. If we do not win promotion this year I fear it will be the beginning of a long slide to mediocrity, with our best players leaving, and our finances deteriorating rapidly. To bury ones head in the sand and claim like City Man and others that all criticism of Bruce is anathema and does not belong on here is just plain ridiculous, and has no place on a board where all opinions should be heard.
Maybe someone with far more knowledge of the finances than I, would like to point out to those who are 'just enjoying the ride' the implications of non promotion this year. Along with Burnley, I think I am correct in saying that we are the best financed club in the division as the result of parachute payments, as such we have managed to maintain high wage earners. We have also sold well (players not recruited by Bruce incidentally) and been able to recruit in one or two areas. IF, we do not get promoted this season, there is the potential for the exodus expected last season to happen. Parachute payments continue again of course, but not at the level of those coming down who (if you look at the bottom 4 at the moment) have far more clout than we do without this financial advantage, and of course in the main a better existing playing staff. We will not be buying, we will be selling.!! Thats whats at stake people. Now there an argument for being in the championship, being competitive etc but as I posted earlier in this thread, some clubs have turned around to some managers and said thanks, you've been great, you've done exactly what we wanted you to do, but now we need to move on!!! Sometimes the fans have hated it initially, but ask Leicester, Southampton, West Ham supporters and I think in the main they'd say they were pleased it happened. (Jim Bowen moment) No matter what division we are in, I personally am in the camp of thinking Hull City would be a more exciting club to watch and one to join as a player with a different approach to our playing style.
Infuriating isn't it? Mustn't criticise any of the players, the team or the manager. Meyler is the best player because he tries the hardest and Alex Bruce never puts a foot wrong. Anybody who says otherwise isn't' a fan. FACT.
Its just knee jerk reactions people get sick of on here. You posted this 3 weeks ago "Good analysis and an important reminder of the remarkable rebound from the horrible December performances against teams we should have been taking to the cleaners. At that point I was firmly in the "Bruce Out" brigade, along with several others, but he has since won Manager of the Month, and shown a willingness to make team changes and adopt a more attacking and creative style of play which has been reflected in our goals total and Hernandez revitalization. So kudos to Steve and to the whole team for their spirit and willingness to accept their managers changes. There has never been any doubt that we have arguably the best and most talented squad of players in the Championship. The question has always been was Bruce using them most effectively. In my mind at least that question has largely been answered. The players are fit, hungry, in first place, and ready to take the title. A win against Brighton tomorrow night and several games against the bottom dwellers to round out the season, should bring the PL deservedly back to the City of Culture next year. BRUCE IN!!"
Your quoting of my above post Chazz has nothing to do with my latest post on those who express criticisms of those who are concerned about Bruce or his tactics. After a strong January performance, following a dismal December, it looked as if Bruce had seen the light, and adopted the right midfield line up and a more attacking frame of mind...hence my post. Unfortunately since the Brighton game we have not lived up to expectations.
What are the parachute payments for teams dropping down this season compared to ours? Thought we get the same next season as this, then drops to the same lower level for seasons 3 and 4.
If you like the kind of club that is so incensed after a team dare to beat them that they turn the sprinklers on in the exact section of the pitch where the opposition is celebrating or conduct dodgy dealings leading to a worldwide transfer ban, then aspire away.
Its sort of been done already http://www.not606.com/threads/if-we-got-into-the-premier-what-would-you-do.322355/#post-8866570
