Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[Hookeysmith]

I have been and remain a dissenting voice when it comes to SB and his negative, old style tactics. I honestly think that if we go up this year he should be paid well but told thanks but job done and we look elsewhere.

But, even if he stumbled on the formation, if it is driven by external issues rather than his tactics - I could not give a shit when you see a game and result like that.

Passion, pride, determination and not a small amount of actual flair and ability. Once we go the first you could feel the confidence come into the team - once safe at 3-0 it was a joy to watch some of the flowing football.

Considering the pressure he must have been under after Brentford (quite justified I think) then 2 games and 2 wins means we are back in the chase and the excitement builds again.

Looking at the coming fixtures there is no reason why we cannot keep a winning run going for the next 4-5 games and possibly beyond.

If I was being really negative my concern is when everyone is fit how much he tinkers and cocks it up

[LeeB]

There is no doubt that at Boro he was going to play Jedinak at centre half and Whelan in the middle, which may have changed to the side we put out tonight, that he probably won't admit to either way. However, making out that he picked Jedinak there as some sort of tactical masterplan, when he was self admittedly not going to 2 days before at Boro suggests this result is much more to do with the best of what is available than Steve Bruce turning over a new leaf after 850 games in management. It simply isn't going to happen.

The most important thing he takes from the last 2 games is the learning points. Hogan can be effective with service. Grealish and Hourihane can attack from midfield and make us look a bloody good team. Jedinak is 10 times better than Whelan, and anyone else in the league I would suggest, in the holding midfield role. Elphick deserves to start the next game. Hutton is a better left back than right, Elmo is a better player right back than Hutton is too. We still look slow on the counter and could do with some pace in the window.

Whether he learns any of the lessons the last 2, enforced selections, have taught him remains to be seen. If he has, there is hope of chasing down and taking Derby for 2nd. If he hasn't and we are back in Glentown in 2 weeks, then I despair. He is a stubborn git though, so I am not holding my breath.

Spot on.I would say that Hutton is a better left back than Taylor , De Laet might be a better right back than Elmo and Barney is better back up than Lansbury.Injuries have prevented Grealish and Jedinak from making more appearances but after last night's display against a top 3 side,you have to ask the question why have performances been so turgid and left us, prior to last night,outside the play off positions.Is Snodgrass starting to attack the far post more often,2 similar goals in 2 games ? Agnew influence ?

For me, we're a solid side that lacks flair, but when Kodjia was briefly fit his unpredictability and quality gave us an edge which made us look more like a promotion juggernaught.

Now Jack is back and fit he brings that ability back and we look a different prospect again.

Jedinak must also start 1st choice in front of our back four. I can't remember a player like him, his presence alone appears have more impact on the solidity of our team than the footballing ability of most.

The thought of Terry and Kodjia coming back into a well functioning unit makes me still hopeful we could power home automatically.

[Neil Hawkes]

"If I was being really negative my concern is when everyone is fit how much he tinkers and cocks it up"
After a result like tonight and the overall team performance, no tinkering is necessary until someone goes off the boil - also gives injured players more chance to recuperate and not be rushed back, as they can be reintegrated through subs appearances

[Toronto Villa]

As good as Elphick has been in 2 games, if Terry is fit he has to start. He’s more than just a superior defender. He adds the intangibles like leadership, organization, confidence and dare I say it, swagger that was really starting to come to the fore when got hurt.

[chrisw1]

I'd have Terry back in the team as soon as he is fit, but as you say there no longer seems a need to take any risks in rushing him.

[Toronto Villa]

I imagine he’ll play this weekend.

[Brend'Watkins]

Terry will be crucial as we strive for an automatic promotion place.  Not just his ability and football nous but his head. Some might find it difficult to cope with the pressure of seeing the job done, he'll be there to ensure that they see the job done.

[pauliewalnuts]

Jedinak must also start 1st choice in front of our back four.

Agree - he was excellent last night. As others said, rarely left the patch he operates in, but got hold of pretty much everything that entered his area.

[cheltenhamlion]

I do wish he would fuck off with all "off with his head" and "mass hysteria" shit. There is a time to wave two fingers at your critics. It isn't when we have just wriggled back into the play off places after winning fuck all in a month he said was crucial.

[chrisw1]

I do wish he would fuck off with all "off with his head" and "mass hysteria" shit. There is a time to wave two fingers at your critics. It isn't when we have just wriggled back into the play off places after winning fuck all in a month he said was crucial.

Did he say that last night?  The interview I saw was perfectly reasonable I thought.

[cheltenhamlion]

We had just won by five at home to a promotion rival. He was hugely misguided in his stick at the support after the Boro game. Why even go there at all yesterday?

[chrisw1]

We had just won by five at home to a promotion rival. He was hugely misguided in his stick at the support after the Boro game. Why even go there at all yesterday?

He didn't did he?

[Toronto Villa]

We had just won by five at home to a promotion rival. He was hugely misguided in his stick at the support after the Boro game. Why even go there at all yesterday?

He didn't did he?

Yes while not in as strong a terms as some of the bollocks he spouted of late he still suggested it yesterday. Referencing social media. Because those who don’t use it obviously see everything as he does. He needed to avoid the issue entirely or just say he understands and we are working hard to achieve the goal. He can’t help himself.

[AV82EC]

Well I said after last Tuesdays Brentford debacle he had two games to save his job. Two wins and he’s now secure.

Must come as a relief to him.

I feel I’m nothing if not fair.

[chrisw1]

We had just won by five at home to a promotion rival. He was hugely misguided in his stick at the support after the Boro game. Why even go there at all yesterday?

He didn't did he?

Yes while not in as strong a terms as some of the bollocks he spouted of late he still suggested it yesterday. Referencing social media. Because those who don’t use it obviously see everything as he does. He needed to avoid the issue entirely or just say he understands and we are working hard to achieve the goal. He can’t help himself.

Ah, ok got it.  I still think the interview was generally ok and we are in danger of getting a little precious.