Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[robleflaneur]

I think in searching for this ultimately defensive solidity, Bruce ends up sticking players into situations they really are not suited for. Watching Brentford 2 or 3 times this season they have this ability to pass and move in the opposition half that we sadly lack in any consistency. They average 18 ish shots a game, we must be around 8 or 9. The formations are similar though. Smith sets them up in roles they all know, and has a pattern of play that relies on going forwards. Bruce on the other hand shoe horns as many tough players with little imagination, isolating those that do have any flair. Hourihane, lansbury, Grealish, Hogan etc. Even McCormack who until last season was easily one of the best players in the division by a distance.

Agree about the search for defensive solidity but the lack of movement that you mention is our biggest weakness.
Our outball ,unless hoofed upfront,seems to be to our fullbacks who try to pass in a straightline to the wide players who are then boxed in,if the wide player is not available then it's recirculated around the back to the other fullback.
Central midfield and the possibilities of one-two's are hardly ever considered.And as you mention players are picked who are not suited to that position.We usually play 2 holding midfielders,one of which is usually Hourihane who possesses a deadly shot but rarely gets close to the penalty area.With 2 holding midfielders ,you need 2 attacking full backs - Taylor rarely offers Adomah support on the outside and Hutton if he plays is a poor crosser,so
we don't turn defences.Then you have Grealish who is playing well but is reluctant to attack any crosses into the box and Snodgrass who likewise doesn't finish off any moves.The one who comes off the flank to support the central striker is Albert and surprise,surprise has a hatful of goals.It's coaching and tactics that are our downfall.

[garyshawsknee]

Well said Sir. We lack any form of movement, have wide men who cut inside and full backs who offer nothing in advanced positions. Our best attacking midfielder is far too deep, Grealish has little movement in front of him, no pace to play a ball over the top into space.  It's no wonder we create very little.

[Steve67]

I watched the other players against Sheffield United when Grealish had the ball. They were completely static, almost expecting him to do something magic, or, get into the box and go down!  We are painful to watch.

[brian green]

The last two who seemed to know how to play with Jack were the snake and Benteke.

[john e]

The last two who seemed to know how to play with Jack were the snake and Benteke.

Agreed
and we have no one of either of that quality right now

[LeeB]

The last two who seemed to know how to play with Jack were the snake and Benteke.

Agreed
and we have no one of either of that quality right now

He was the catalyst that made them and Cleverly purr when he first come in. And since then he's been stuck with plodders, both in the team and the dugout.

[Toronto Villa]

There was lots to dislike about Sherwood but at times we played some lovely stuff. And he certainly worked out how best to use Grealish, how to get the ball to Benteke and helped make Delph into a player that Man City really wanted.

[brian green]

Agree.  I thought of adding Cleverly to the list but did not know how to spell his name.

[john e]

We're an average Championship team, with average (on the whole) championship players doing average in ... the championship. It's amazing isn't it ?

The people thinking we should 'piss this league' for whatever reason clearly haven't been paying attention for the last 6 years or so.

No matter how long you have traveled in the wrong direction, you can always turn around

[ozzjim]

There was lots to dislike about Sherwood but at times we played some lovely stuff. And he certainly worked out how best to use Grealish, how to get the ball to Benteke and helped make Delph into a player that Man City really wanted.

Sherwoods biggest failing was replacing Benteke with Gestede, who is not fit to lace his training boots, let alone his match day ones. I actually think Rondon would have been a much better replacement at the time, and may well have see us gain some more points early in the season. The other issue of course was his insistence that Richards could play centre half and not replacing the by then shot Guzan. We had some decent players, as shown by the form of Gana, Veretout, Amavi etc since leaving, but Lescott, Richards and Guzan has to be the worst back 3 at the heart of a defence ever seen in the premier league. Delph and Benteke were bloody hard to replace though. The former is now showing how decent a footballer he is out of position at left back in the best team in the country by a mile. The latter I bet wishes he had stayed.

[Clampy]

I don't rate Rondon at all, i think he's bloody awful.

[ozzjim]

He is now. He was a decent player before spending 3 years being Pulised.

[Ad@m]

He is now. He was a decent player before spending 3 years being Pulised.

I had the misfortune of being at the Hawthorns on Boxing Day - there is nothing remotely resembling a decent player there. Every Olbiyun fan around was absolutely slating him.

[brian green]

I like him.  He has two first names for a second name.

[LeeB]

I like him.  He has two first names for a second name.

It hadn't occured to me before, but I too like him as a result.