We are now in November and there's yet to be a Premier league managerial casualty. When was the last time that happened? So who's gonna be first? Steve Kean? Mick McCarthy? Owen Coyle Roberto Martinez? Is Brucey still in the running? Blackburn host Chelsea tomorrow, could Kean survive another drubbing? On Sunday Bolton host the poor travelling Stoke, could Coyle carry on if they lose?. The big one for me though is Wolves - Wigan. If Wolves lose that I think Mick will be out of a job. Whatever happens I think the sack race could come to an end this weekend. Orrr could it be Fergie after two consecutive 6-1 home defeats? We can but dream :-D
To be honest I think Bruce is still probably favourite out of all of them candidates for reasons I'll now go into: Kean - He's been so bad since he took over at Blackburn but the owners don't have a clue and should have got rid in pre-season, the fact he's still there suggests he's not going anywhere soon. McCarthy - I think he's been trusted with staying at Wolves and trying to develop the club, that's the impression I got when a new owner invested about 2 years ago, also Wolves know their place in the league. Coyle - Cracking start when he first took over, drifted off in the Spring but has had some shocking games this season so far, as soon as they get a home win they'll be fine, plus Bolton are skint and probably can't afford to sack him. Martinez- Dave Whelan is having Martinez's babies I think. Because he's Spanish people automatically get into their heads that he gets his team to play great football, really they've only got a couple of players who can actually pass a ball but despite this I'm looking at a job for life unless he leaves then I think Whelan will also go. Bruce on the other hand is at a club who has (a little) expectation, he's from the wrong part of Tyne/Wear (Doesn't bother me at all though, some am I) his biggest ally has left and crowd attendances are down. Unless he can go 3 or 4 games unbeaten (After tomorrow's match realistically) then he'll still be under a hell of alot of pressure. I'll go for McLeish, they've hit a sticky bit of form and I still don't think the fans have taken to him, if they struggle for the next month or so I think he'll be under huge amounts of pressure.
Owen Coyle.. Stoke wii beat them same as the fa cup semi final, his days are numbered. Bruce has a while yet, to turn it around.
I don't expect anything at Man United, but then I look at Fulham (h) Wigan (h) Wolves (a) Blackburn (h) This will make or break Bruce imo. Anything less than 7 points and he'll be rightfully back under the cosh.
Like it or not, Bruce will NOT be a casualty in 2011. If there were to be any change it would be in January but only if for instance he had made a complete hash of the Fulham, Wigan, Blackburn home games and not taken anything from Wolves and QPR away. The Utd, Spurs and City games are write offs now imo and the Everton game 50/50. Failure to take a minimum 12 points from those 9 games should result in Bruce being replaced imo. However, there just doesnât seem to be any signs that this is where the club is heading. I guess if we start to target new players in January, the message will be clear that Bruce is here to stay. I still have little faith in his abilities as the SAFC manager but I'm wasting my time shouting about it as the clubs owner seems quite happy (why I have no idea) but he does. AS for the others, I canât see how Blackburn will honestly still keep Kean beyond the next 2 or 4 games; Owen Coyle is on very thin ice and so is maybe Mick McCarthy. Martinez wonât be sacked by Whelan due to the fact he stuck with Wigan when Villa came calling and showed some incredible loyalty. Whelan is a daft old twat but he is a loyal daft old twat as well and will stick by his man until the very bitter end imo. So, in order of vulnerability: 1) Kean 2) Coyle 3) McCarthy PS â outside bet for the bullet? McLeish. He is still not a loved manager by the villa faithful and a slight drop in standards will see them unsettled imo. Terrace unrest usually precedes a management sack in my opinion.
Don't know, the chicken pluckers seem a couple of twats and will keep Kean just to get publicity (good or bad). As said Bruce still has to do it over the next six games or he will be in the sh*t again. Bolton won't allow their slump to go on for to much longer. I'll go for Warnock for no other reason than he is a knob.
Fulham (h) Potential banana skin this one. Fulham have goals in them and our players may be on a downer if tomorrow goes badly. My prediction: Lose (I hope I'm wrong!) Wigan (h) This should be a nailed on home win. My prediction: Home win Wolves (a) Even though Wolves are finding things tough, this is always a difficult game away from home. My prediction: Score draw. Blackburn (h) As with Wigan, this should be a nailed on home win, however, Blackburn are unpredictable and have been unlucky in quite a few matches so far this season. My prediction: Home Win Is 7 points acceptable from a possible 12? It's a yes from me, but anything less will be disappointing to say the least and will put the pressure firmly back on Steve Bruce's shoulders. My favourite to be the first Premier League manager sacked is Steve Kean. Fan unrest will ultimately cost him the job that he should never have been given in the first place, the backstabbing twat!
