Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[Iamkmkm]

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[Little Class]

The issue the new owners have is this.

[a] do they stick and wait until Jan? Bruce spun them he could do the job, and they bought it - why not, he is media-backed and they don't know about EFL.  Most agree at the time is was sensible.  If they stick, then there is little chance of playoffs even now, even less by Jan for a new manager.  So it is another year in EFL but a patient rebuild from the top
get in a quick fixer [Alladyce/Moyes et al]?  Is this too late now given the unbalance the squad?  Maybe we could make playoffs, but then the rebuild is postponed and if we fail, another season [and money] wasted.  Having said that, we could be near the bottom after Nov/Dec fixtures, in which case we would need Alladyce to avoid the drop
[c] get in a chancer [Henry/Terry/Scarawhatshisname et al]?  This might have the Gerard / Lampard effect, but both of them had a pre-season.  Any 'chancer' would have no time and without their own players, it is a big ask to turn this around this season.  And if they are sh*t, then another season wasted, even League One, and the rebuild postponed again
[d] get an experienced but young modern coach who can manage a club of this stature [Wagner/Rodgers et al]?  Problem here is probably FFP.  It would cost us £8m plus once we have paid compensations, and then add their Jan transfer expectations.  Can we afford that?  If FFP kicked in and cost us 12 points next season, then it is 2 and half years job to get us up and would they want that?

We all want Bruce out and a rebuild.  We all don't want Alladyce but would take that if it guaranteed promotion, and then rebuilt.  We all want the Gerard effect of a Henry, but not the risk of going horribly wrong.  We all want a Wagner but not the FFP penalty.  We will all have different opinions and agree only on Bruce going - the point is not him going, but we do when he is gone and there is no obvious option in my opinion.  My guess, in their apparent caution, is they are playing the long game, building patiently and still working out [with EFL perhaps too] how to manage the FFP situation.  This means I think they will go for [a]; I hope they go for [d]; would be thrilling if it worked; I fear we will have [c] just to stay up.

[Little Class]

didn't realise a bracketed b would make it bold!!  Sorry!!

[Border villan]

Approximate quotes from SB last night;
"Do the fans think I'm stupid". No when it comes to excuses and hanging on to your job.
"Tammy had a calf problem". That's one excuse in the bank for Tuesday.
Which leads on to which names will emerge from the Warthogs sorting hat he uses for team selection.

[Lastfootstamper]

Moyes isn't a quick fixer. It took him ten years to get Everton from being a long-established top division side up to the giddy height of being a long-established top division side.

[Toronto Villa]

Approximate quotes from SB last night;
"Do the fans think I'm stupid?".

Yes Steve. Yes we do.

[hilts_coolerking]

I just think his brain is fried at the moment, whether its the pressure, the criticism, his personal circumstances, or simply not knowing what the answer is.

[Zouch Villa]

The guy is clearly a spent force. Time to move him on before he destroys our season completely.

[Ads]

I just think his brain is fried at the moment, whether its the pressure, the criticism, his personal circumstances, or simply not knowing what the answer is.

I think you're right. Whether he'd have the answer anyway is debatable, but I imagine the pressure must be enormous at the moment.

[Border villan]

The pressure is only enormous if you have the clubs best interest first and not your own.

[Pat McMahon]

I just think his brain is fried at the moment, whether its the pressure, the criticism, his personal circumstances, or simply not knowing what the answer is.

I think you're right. Whether he'd have the answer anyway is debatable, but I imagine the pressure must be enormous at the moment.

Agreed. And when you are under severe pressure you second guess every decision instead of thinking about what is right for the circumstances and your long term plan. It can be paralysing.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

"Tammy had a calf problem."



Then why leave it until the 91st minute to take him off? Bring on
A N Other, rejig formation (did we ever have one?) and crack on, giving the opposition the problem of trying to sort out our "tactic"!

It ain't rocket science Steve!

[olaftab]

Approximate quotes from SB last night;
"Do the fans think I'm stupid?".

Yes Steve. Yes we do.

He is not stupid he is smart raking in loadsa dosh from us. The club management are stupid for paying him millions and, still, some fans think he is the best man for the job.

[olaftab]

And when you are under severe pressure you second guess every decision instead of thinking about what is right for the circumstances and your long term plan. It can be paralysing.

That was me at work from time to time

[brian green]

I had a calf problem yesterday.  It head butted me in the bollocks.  Fortunately Villa have made me immune to pain.