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Author Topic: Bruce Sacked at last (now official)  (Read 2112998 times)

Offline john e

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #540 on: February 20, 2017, 10:40:36 AM »
there's only one man who will make the decision to sack Bruce and so far every tweet he has made  has been very much in support of him staying long term,
 I don't think he will be moved away this season, obviously if we just keep on losing game after game that might change he's under pressure but not in immediate danger in my opinion

Offline MarkM

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #541 on: February 20, 2017, 10:42:10 AM »
Throwing money at it is part of the answer. Man for man we are better than just about everybody in the league, but it takes time to heal the neglect in the rear echelons of the club and also to foster a bit of forward momentum on the pitch.

I really struggle with this.

If it was a manufacturing plant that was dependent on modern machines and assembly lines I would agree, but we are a football club.

It really shouldn't make much difference to the way the team plays if the commercial dept for example is shit.

We have arguably some of the best training and playing areas anywhere in league and that really should enable the players to train and play well (at least averagely)

The way the team performs provides the momentum to the club and the support, the manager dictates the style of play and who plays and so it is the manager who has to carry the burden of meeting expectations.

We are not the Noses, we are not Forest or Leeds or Derby or any of the other second tear teams that dominate this league, but give us a third season in Division 2 (which if we have a poor start to next season is a distinct possibility ) and we will be just like them. A plucky former big club who is battling to 'get back to the promised land' with a dwindling support and financial limitations.

If we are going to have any chance of making a return to the Premier League for the season after next then we really need to be gaining momentum now. I just think the Bruce is not up to it, perhaps we are just one step too far up the ladder for him.

As the Peter Principle says, managers get promoted to the own level of incompetence.

Offline SheffieldVillain

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #542 on: February 20, 2017, 10:45:15 AM »
Throwing money at it is part of the answer. Man for man we are better than just about everybody in the league, but it takes time to heal the neglect in the rear echelons of the club and also to foster a bit of forward momentum on the pitch.

I really struggle with this.

If it was a manufacturing plant that was dependent on modern machines and assembly lines I would agree, but we are a football club.

It really shouldn't make much difference to the way the team plays if the commercial dept for example is shit.

No, but long term it will make a difference to the team if the scouting and academy for example are shit. These areas need as much attention as the current first team, and do need resources throwing at them.

Offline ClaretAndBlueBlood

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #543 on: February 20, 2017, 11:04:40 AM »
I worry about us for next season. My impression, and I haven't researched stats to back this up so it may be wrong, is that teams seem to get worse the longer that Bruce remains with them. I worry about his recruitment so I'm not that confident that he will be able to turn it round and get us in the mix for promotion next season.

A glaring hole for me is that he has just gone out and bought to strengthen the midfield but has left us light up front. And amongst the midfielders he has bought, he didn't get anyone as backup for the Jedi when he had already been struggling with fitness and there must be doubts about his ability to play 3 games a week

I wasn't keen on him being appointed our manager in the first place because he is very much more of the same and I thought it was a good opportunity to go for a new approach. But once he was appointed then I thought maybe as a short term fix to get us back up. Now I am doubting that

Offline KevinGage

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #544 on: February 20, 2017, 11:26:45 AM »
James Chester was quoted in one of the papers at the weekend saying the atmosphere around the club was (past tense) toxic after any defeat earlier in the season.  Players just couldn't deal with constructive criticism and took it personally.

I don't know who specifically he was referring to, but it's not surprising.

The personnel has changed rapidly in just over 6 months, but there is still obviously a fragility there.  We have been a failing club for at least the last five years, and in the interests of self preservation, any half decent player in that time has probably focused solely on his own game. No point getting too mired in club politics or telling other players what's what. Keep your head down, plan the exit strategy and get out pronto.

You normally look at the captain and senior players to set the example and lay down what is expected at the club. But since 2015, we have lost two captains in Vlaar and Delph and one with previous experience in Clark. The bit of leadership we had has been ripped out. The only other player who plays regularly and might qualify as a senior figure is Hutton, and he's a bit shit, frankly. That would clearly be a case of do as I say, not as I do.  Elphick was obviously brought in with those sort of considerations in mind but he is even worse.

Chester tries, as far as I can see. But he is a new player adapting to a new club too, let's not forget.

I read something recently from Dietmaar Hamann talking about the period soon after Benitez took over.  He had clocked that certain players (naturally enough) preferred to eat and socialise only with those they were close to and there were various cliques around the club. He insisted for the first few months that players couldn't sit with their mates at breakfast or lunch, forcing them to chat with someone different each time. He did this until the whole squad got to know each other.  It sounds a bit simplistic and patronising.  If my boss brought it in, I'd curse the baldy barsteward. But for professional sports teams relying on team dynamic and chemistry there is probably merit to it.

The Huddersfield lot apparently attribute some weird bootcamp Wagner put them through last summer as part of the reason why they are where they are now. You look at the teams we had in the early 80s and 90s and plenty of them seem to socialise with each other even today. Sir Brian's team seemed to get along fine pre Collywobbles. There probably aren't many successful sides who didn't get on with each other off the pitch as well as on it.

Offline TonyD

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #545 on: February 20, 2017, 10:13:56 PM »
He said go again.

Offline Richard E

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #546 on: February 20, 2017, 10:17:40 PM »
You just know the cherry on the cake this season will be Small Heath turning up at Villa Park and winning.

Offline four fornicholl

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #547 on: February 20, 2017, 10:27:47 PM »
I worry about us for next season. My impression, and I haven't researched stats to back this up so it may be wrong, is that teams seem to get worse the longer that Bruce remains with them. I worry about his recruitment so I'm not that confident that he will be able to turn it round and get us in the mix for promotion next season.

A glaring hole for me is that he has just gone out and bought to strengthen the midfield but has left us light up front. And amongst the midfielders he has bought, he didn't get anyone as backup for the Jedi when he had already been struggling with fitness and there must be doubts about his ability to play 3 games a week

I wasn't keen on him being appointed our manager in the first place because he is very much more of the same and I thought it was a good opportunity to go for a new approach. But once he was appointed then I thought maybe as a short term fix to get us back up. Now I am doubting that
Next season , what about this fkn season. Bruce out.

Offline Marlon From Bearwood

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #548 on: February 20, 2017, 10:29:24 PM »
Throwing money at it is part of the answer. Man for man we are better than just about everybody in the league, but it takes time to heal the neglect in the rear echelons of the club and also to foster a bit of forward momentum on the pitch.

What makes you think we have the best squad in the league? Or at least one of them?

Genuine question. As personally I think that sort of attitude is part of the problem. We're 17th FFS.

Offline john e

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #549 on: February 20, 2017, 10:33:24 PM »
one of the biggest mistakes we made in the window was getting rid of Ayew
he wouldn't have made any difference while Bruce was the manager as he hasn't  got a clue how to use players like him
But at least the next guy in would have a decent player to work with

Offline SteveN

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #550 on: February 20, 2017, 10:35:20 PM »
He's got to go, the sooner the better. 

Offline cdbearsfan

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #551 on: February 20, 2017, 10:35:44 PM »
Too sulky, IMO.

Offline cdbearsfan

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #552 on: February 20, 2017, 10:36:18 PM »
Time to reset the poll?

Offline sickbeggar

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #553 on: February 20, 2017, 10:38:08 PM »
one of the biggest mistakes we made in the window was getting rid of Ayew
he wouldn't have made any difference while Bruce was the manager as he hasn't  got a clue how to use players like him
But at least the next guy in would have a decent player to work with


yep, that, the way he handled the mccormackgate thing and the way his signings got brought straight into the team made up my mind.

Offline Dazvillain

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Re: Bruce out
« Reply #554 on: February 20, 2017, 10:43:03 PM »
I worry about us for next season. My impression, and I haven't researched stats to back this up so it may be wrong, is that teams seem to get worse the longer that Bruce remains with them. I worry about his recruitment so I'm not that confident that he will be able to turn it round and get us in the mix for promotion next season.

A glaring hole for me is that he has just gone out and bought to strengthen the midfield but has left us light up front. And amongst the midfielders he has bought, he didn't get anyone as backup for the Jedi when he had already been struggling with fitness and there must be doubts about his ability to play 3 games a week

I wasn't keen on him being appointed our manager in the first place because he is very much more of the same and I thought it was a good opportunity to go for a new approach. But once he was appointed then I thought maybe as a short term fix to get us back up. Now I am doubting that
I thought it was STEVE round and scouting team identifying and recruiting with Keith wyness with lesser involvement from Bruce ?

 


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