Steve Bruce, according to so many expert pundits who know better than us loyal fans, is doing a solid job in that we’re 8 points clear of the drop zone and in the League Cup Quarter Finals.
He still has Mike Ashley’s full backing according to a recent report from The Telegraph, but Mike’s stance will be tested if the man he brought in to replace Rafa Benitez doesn’t get us back on track between now and Boxing Day.
Take a look at our fixtures between now and then…
- Crystal Palace (a)
- Aston Villa (a)
- West Brom (h)
- Leeds (a)
- Fulham (h)
- Brentford (a) *QF of the League Cup!
If that’s not a season defining line-up of fixtures then I don’t know what is!
Even with our boring safety first, get a throw-in next to the opponent’s box and play it back to Darlow negative footy, I think there’s a lot of games there that we could and perhaps should win.
Ashley will be thinking that there’s no need to panic, with the 8-point gap and good fixtures boding well, yet we come into this crucial period in pretty awful shape if our last two dismal displays are anything to go by.
If we fail to come through this period with a pocketful of points and get knocked out of the League Cup, the pressure on his head will be huge and we’ll find ourselves in a relegation scrap.
However, if we come out of it with let’s stay 10+ points and pass it with flying colours then whilst Mr Bruce still may not win the loyal fans over, but he’ll certainly dilute those arguments saying he needs to go.
The recent Telegraph article and common press consensus is that Bruce has Ashley’s full backing and that the willing to sell Owner doesn’t want to rock the already unsteady boat. But that could change if we’re in free-fall heading into 2021.
It did with McClaren and surely Ashley won’t want to leave it too late this time, as if there is still a chance of a takeover then the Saudis may walk away if we look like going down to the Championship. Even if that does mean a takeover may be easier!
It’s also worth noting that the generous run of fixtures between now and Boxing Day are followed by Man City, Liverpool & Leicester! So, it’s imperative he finds a way to use the players he has to respond and get more points on the board over the next month.
Otherwise if we don’t then what chance have, we got in those following three fixtures and where would that see us heading? Almost too scary a scenario to think about!
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As I said yesterday to a similarly bitter clown on this site – we are 3 points ahead of where we were this time last season and nine above where Rafa had us with his final effort.
From a points position we are as nearer to third place as we are the relegation zone not a bad position to be in considering our injuries.
I think it’s fair to say that all things considered, and assuming we will not be buying Son, Kane and DeBruyne during the January window, mid-table would again be a realistic target.
So what’s with this if Bruce “doesn’t get us back on track” garbage? We are smack bang on track – not bad considering who we played and who has been out of our team.
I appreciate that it has been fashionable to slate Bruce, even though in almost every department he has outstripped Rafa at Newcastle but what is the point of this constant bombardment? It achieves nothing while playing to a small minority of vocal boo-boys.
This site used to have a bit of variety about it, a balance, now it’s just a bunch of mates getting together to moan about Ashley – again and again. And the really sad about it is that most of what is spouted is so far off the mark it’s embarrassing.
BykerBill(Quote)
The writing is on the wall ! the way he has us playing we have no chance we are in free fall
Bilbo(Quote)
Well I suggest we sit and wait and see what happens over the next 6 games then return to this subject
I honestly think we will struggle to get 6 points and I also think unfortunately we will suffer at the hands on Brentford with Ivan Toney scoring the winner as ex players have a habit of hurting us
Dave(Quote)
I have watched almost every minute of football we have played in the last 5 seasons. I turned off after 10 mins of the last match because we are awful to watch. I don’t mind a team set up to counter attack and win ugly but the brand of football we play with some fairly good players in our ranks is horrible. I will continue to support because I have no choice but am struggling to enjoy it. Hopefully a takeover happens and we get someone in who will try to play entertaining football again. Imo we won’t sack Bruce unless we are going down in march….
Smileypooemoji(Quote)
Just get shot the way palace play and Leeds were going to be in trouble those teams must think points in the bank Bruce is not going to change know get him gone please Mike toonarmy
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