Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[PaulWinch again]

I think it reads very much as ‘thanks for all your efforts and best of luck with future endeavours’.

[berneboy]

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I read that as SB going.

I'm sure it means he's going. Hopefully Steve will say he needs a break and honour remains. A humane parting of the ways.

[chrisw1]

I read it thinking he's staying, then thinking he's gone and then no conclusion!

I'm leaning towards it being a prelude to saying goodbye to SB.  I hope so, I now think that would be for the best.

[garyshawsknee]

He's not gonna say anything definitive online, but it did sound like a thanks for your effort  but let's try a new approach, but it could be wishful thinking on my part.

[Nunkin1965]

I’m reading it as there will be a change as there doesn’t seem to be an endorsement for Steve Bruce for his future role here.

[Steve67]

Completely inconclusive, if I was a betting man, and I’m not, I’d say, cheerio, thanks for all the fish.

[Bad English]

I read it as 'thanks Steve for all the past work, vote of confidence, coaches and management need to get working  but I'm not mentioning the names of the coaches or management that need to get working.'

He's gone.

Or maybe not.

I don't know.

[The Edge]

I'm reading Dr Xia's statement as a thanks and goodbye. We won't be paying compo to a manager currently in a job that's for sure. Xia is talking about a new approach which means just about anything is possible in the coming months. FFP ffs.

[paul richard]

I don’t think you can read anything into the statement regarding Bruce. In fact it looks like it’s been deliberately phrased that way. Anyone drawing conclusions one way or the other is simply projecting their own thoughts/ views/fears/feelings on to a statement that is about as bland as it could possibly be.

[David_Nab]

My reading is Thanks Steve

and the Sacking will come from the man who employed him ...Wyness

[AsTallAsLions]

I don’t think you can read anything into the statement regarding Bruce. In fact it looks like it’s been deliberately phrased that way. Anyone drawing conclusions one way or the other is simply projecting their own thoughts/ views/fears/feelings on to a statement that is about as bland as it could possibly be.

Exactly. Not going to get rid, or make any clear indication either way, until a replacement who is deemed suitable is lined up. The only thing more damaging than sticking with SB next season would be pulling the trigger without a clear idea of what's next.

[Hookeysmith]

Usually the way you train is the way you play.

Any Pulis team obviously spends loads of time working on defensive shape in training. Roy Hodgson is another manager known for spending loads of time working on defensive set up.

There is no way during the week at Bodymoor/Recon we are spending an hour or two on the pitch playing glorious one/two touch training drills otherwise you'd see more evidence on this on a Saturday.

We just played our usual no frills restrictive game and Fulham exposed it.

I reckon SB told them in the dressing room pre match to sit back and stay compact for first 10-15 minutes. The problem with that approach is it can then get very easy to stay in that mindset for whole of the first half as it's not easy to snap out of.

It also allowed Fulham to get into their stride early on. They'd have rather us sitting off allowing them to get their passing going rather than us attempting to press their middle from the first minute.

If Steve Bruce was capable of technical coaching we'd have likely gone up in second.

Spot on for me. Whatever players we get the methods and tactics will be "as you were" as sadly SB does not know any other way.

My biggest fear is he gets to spend whatever budget we may have and we start badly then have to sack him. That would be a complete waste of time and would mean us being here a very long while

[Hookeysmith]

Reading the statement I think he stays.

Not sure what to think. Would like to see a list of credible possible applicants because if it is a shit list we may as well (with a huge bit of sick in my mouth) stick with him

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

I read Dr Tone's statement as;

Steve Bruce has worked well this year despite very difficult personal circumstances.
All the big earners will be going.

We'll be doing it differently now. (Using young players)
 
If we're in need of watching every penny we have, I can't see us being able to pay the expense of his pay off and another managers compensation.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I read it again and I saw it as Bruce staying and some tough decisions being made on the playing side.

Same here.