Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[paul_e]

what's Steve's likely fate if we don't get to the promised land?

I think it would depend how we failed.  If we go on a poor run and lose in the the play offs with a whimper, I think he'd go.  But I think if we finish on a good run, are just pipped to 2nd and lose in an epic battle in the final on penalties, I think they'd probably give him another year.

I've got mixed feelings.  If we don't go up part of me would want to start again with a new more progressive manager.  But I still feel that can be a risky strategy and Bruce would always be likely to get us there or there abouts.  But if you offered me Wagner or the like then I'd take it.

If we miss out I think he's got to go because I just wouldn't trust him to make use of the kids properly and that's going to be a requirement.

[Diablo]

Irrelevant. We'll be promoted on the 21st April in Ipswich.

Ipswich will love that. They have never got over 1981.

As for Bruce, he was on Talksport this morning and seems to be loving it at The Villa. I don't think he would walk if we failed to go up. I also don't think he would be sacked if we failed to go up. Based on the fact he has done well this season and the fact that with FFP and other financial considerations it would cost a lot to pay him off and then cost some more to bring someone else in.

I'll have to check that out. I've just watched the interview for the match tomorrow and came away thinking I don't think he's enjoying his time here? There are obviously lots of factors - horrendous personal time, pressure associated with us, quick succession of really important games but I get the impression that he's not got over the criticism he received earlier this season.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think he's done alright.

Yup, word for word the appraisal from Sir Humphrey and Bernard on James Hackers' time as Minister of of Administrative Affairs.

I've no idea what your on about but i'm amused my post about Bruce caught your attention. Again.

Yawn. I was agreeing with you. Here's a link to Yes Minister - The Devil We Know. Alright?

[Clampy]

what's Steve's likely fate if we don't get to the promised land?

I think it would depend how we failed.  If we go on a poor run and lose in the the play offs with a whimper, I think he'd go.  But I think if we finish on a good run, are just pipped to 2nd and lose in an epic battle in the final on penalties, I think they'd probably give him another year.

I'm thinking along those lines as well. Brighton stuck by Chris Hughton and he eventually got them up. It depends how patient Dr Tony is I suppose.

[Matt Collins]

I think there would be two key considerations

1. We’ll have to cut our cloth differently under ffp, with more reliance on our younger players. This means we’re probably going to have to build a team and it may take a couple of years

2. Given that, is there a manager more suited to building a side in that way? Dean smith is the one who stands out and plays great football to boot. But you’ve still got to weigh that against Bruce’s track record at this level

[mr underhill]

I can see him going to WBA if he parts company with us and they go down.

[ChicagoLion]

He should be fired if he does not get us up.

[Tom_Mc9?]

We're finally playing like a team for the first time in years, and fairly consistently. Long may it continue.

[Allan C]

he's doing exactly how I thought he would do,
he's put together a team of mainly championship quality players and has got us into a position to compete for promotion

if any of the other merry-go-round British managers had got the gig ie Alardyce, Pulis, Moyes, Lambert Warnock etc with the same backing they would in my opinion be doing much the same job with similar type players playing the same sort of football

He's nothing special
but we desperately need to go up so let's hope he can get us over the line

100 % my feelings. This is the way I saw it when he was appointed.

[Steve67]

We lose Snodgrass, Johnstone, Grabban, Onomah, Samba, Hutton, Terry, Agbonlahor, Tuanzebe etc at the end of the season. Unless we have the money to sign one or two of them again, permanently.  The squad might look very different. Some of that lot may free up money of course, as well as the income from Amavi and Gil. I would hope that Wyness is currently working on a plan to boost the coffers so we have a bit of money to spend. I think that Bruce is best placed to get on with the job but will need a better start to the season if we fail to go up this season.  We are unlikely to get anyone better because of ffp.  If we have money, I would want Snodgrass and Johnstone to sign permanently and ask Terry to stay for another year.  I think we can still be competitive next season but will need adding to.

[Brassneck]

We lose Snodgrass, Johnstone, Grabban, Onomah, Samba, Hutton, Terry, Agbonlahor, Tuanzebe etc at the end of the season. Unless we have the money to sign one or two of them again, permanently.  The squad might look very different. Some of that lot may free up money of course, as well as the income from Amavi and Gil. I would hope that Wyness is currently working on a plan to boost the coffers so we have a bit of money to spend. I think that Bruce is best placed to get on with the job but will need a better start to the season if we fail to go up this season.  We are unlikely to get anyone better because of ffp.  If we have money, I would want Snodgrass and Johnstone to sign permanently and ask Terry to stay for another year.  I think we can still be competitive next season but will need adding to.

Looking at that list, only Snodgrass would be a real loss. We may not replace Johnstone like for like but I'm sure we'd get someone not far off. My feeling is that this will be Terry's last season and he's begun making mistakes recently. Hutton of course has been outstanding of late but the team haven't been overly effected by his latest injury.

5 of the players you mention are loans, so it it's more than likely that 5 new loans would come in to replace them.

Whilst staying down would be a massive blow financially, in terms of the team, I think they'd be well equipped to have another good go next season and if anything, we'd hit the ground running, which has been our big downfall this year. Also, don't forget Kodjia and Green would also come back in next season.

[Steve67]

We lose Snodgrass, Johnstone, Grabban, Onomah, Samba, Hutton, Terry, Agbonlahor, Tuanzebe etc at the end of the season. Unless we have the money to sign one or two of them again, permanently.  The squad might look very different. Some of that lot may free up money of course, as well as the income from Amavi and Gil. I would hope that Wyness is currently working on a plan to boost the coffers so we have a bit of money to spend. I think that Bruce is best placed to get on with the job but will need a better start to the season if we fail to go up this season.  We are unlikely to get anyone better because of ffp.  If we have money, I would want Snodgrass and Johnstone to sign permanently and ask Terry to stay for another year.  I think we can still be competitive next season but will need adding to.

Looking at that list, only Snodgrass would be a real loss. We may not replace Johnstone like for like but I'm sure we'd get someone not far off. My feeling is that this will be Terry's last season and he's begun making mistakes recently. Hutton of course has been outstanding of late but the team haven't been overly effected by his latest injury.

5 of the players you mention are loans, so it it's more than likely that 5 new loans would come in to replace them.

Whilst staying down would be a massive blow financially, in terms of the team, I think they'd be well equipped to have another good go next season and if anything, we'd hit the ground running, which has been our big downfall this year. Also, don't forget Kodjia and Green would also come back in next season.

Exactly what I'm saying, not as articulately though.  He will use loans again and we will still be a big pull for players.  I think we have one more stab with Bruce and then it's a change for me. If we don't go up of course.  Those players I named are on good wages. Hopefully that freed up money allows us another spend. Keeper, centre half and a pacey winger. 

[mr underhill]

I think we might see Kodjia or Hogan go. Terry is talking to Chelsea already about a return in some capacity with Lampard. Whoever is in charge needs to integrate the best of the young players with judicious loans and whoever else is left from this season's senior players. It's early doors but Grabban could do a job up front if one of the other strikers leaves- as long as  the price is right. I would still like to see RHM in somewhere if he's fit.

[Allan C]

what's Steve's likely fate if we don't get to the promised land?

I think it would depend how we failed.  If we go on a poor run and lose in the the play offs with a whimper, I think he'd go.  But I think if we finish on a good run, are just pipped to 2nd and lose in an epic battle in the final on penalties, I think they'd probably give him another year.

I'm thinking along those lines as well. Brighton stuck by Chris Hughton and he eventually got them up. It depends how patient Dr Tony is I suppose.

If Chris Hughton was our manager I would stick with him also

[manic-road]

Why wasn't Green on the bench? Bruce out. .