A truly turgid 90 minutes of football – hardly a surprise when Steve Bruce and Sam Allardyce collide – yet pitiful when you consider what a win would have meant.
Injuries and ‘bust-ups’ aside, the total lack of urgency to go and get what would’ve been a huge three points against the most beatable side in the division was painful to watch.
Saying that, I imagine Steve Bruce will be ‘delighted’ with a clean sheet and draw that takes us four clear of the drop zone as things stand, with our uninspiring approach in this one stinking of the extremely low standards our manager and owner tend to set.
We played like a side who felt a draw would be a decent result – yet it will turn out to be an absolute disaster if Fulham get anything at Anfield or we fail to get a win from upcoming games against Villa (H) and Brighton (A).
The lack of quality on display was painful to watch when we knew the importance of three points. There wasn’t a great deal between the two sides but that in itself is worrying when the side we were up against looked every bit a Championship side.
There could be no excuses going into the game. Yes we had injury issues of our own, but we were facing an unchanged West Brom side featuring 11 players who’d been asked to play three games in eight days – not to mention the fact they had an abysmal home record and the worst defence in the league by some distance. Sadly, we couldn’t make the most of either.
The frustration before the game was Bruce’s team selection. He didn’t have a great amount to work with – Wilson, ASM and Almiron are all huge misses – but Hendrick’s inclusion, no Gayle and sticking with Krafth when Manquillo was fit raised questions when the team sheets were announced.
The lack of pace in our side was a concern, however there was some hope Willock could thrive in a slightly more advanced role.
Our first big opening arrived six minutes in. Fraser found himself in space as we looked to counter and was put in down the left via a Hayden through ball. We had a man over on the far side in Joelinton and Willock arriving in the box, but Fraser’s cut-back was intercepted and the chance gone – and it was a big one had we got it right!
A promising start and sign we could get in behind this slow Baggies back line, however we were then left with our hands on our heads just five minutes later. Again it was a counter attack, only this time it was Joelinton who was put in down the right. He had the pace and power to shrug off Townsend, but his attempt to give Fraser a tap in at the back post was cut out via some brilliant last ditch defending.
Some will slate the Brazilian for not shooting and yes it was another huge opportunity that failed to finish in the back of the net, however it was a whisker away from being a brilliant assist and certain goal.
West Brom then had a chance of their own, with a Townsend cross that wasn’t closed down finding an unmarked Perreira in the box. Thankfully, their Brazilian didn’t get a hold of his shot and struck straight at Dubravka. A let off for us and sloppy marking all around.
25 minutes in and it had quickly turned into the scrappy affair most were anticipating, with both sides struggling to stamp their authority on the game and build regular attacks – although a Bartley flick on from a long throw was thankfully blazed over by Diagne.
We then had a half chance of our own, with a Fraser corner straight from the training ground being cut-back to Shelvey. His shot was scuffed but could’ve easily gone past Johnstone after taking a late deflection.
Our early breaks on the counter were a promising sign early on, but the Baggies were now growing into the game and the side enjoying a bit more prolonged pressure as we edged closer to the half-time.
Willock was seeing less of the ball in that pocket between midfield and attack and those balls over the top to set Fraser or Joelinton free were few and far between. It was as if they’d worked out our only threat and we had no plan B.
The whistle went and both sides went in a the break at 0-0. Two early breaks aside (that ended with poor final ball), it was a classic Allardyce vs Bruce affair, with long balls and sloppy passing the order of the day.
Going into the second half, both teams must’ve surely known that a draw did little for either of us. The question was, who’d want it most?
Sadly, the final 45 started as the first finished, with a lack of quality or intensity on display from either side – until the home side picked it up and saw Phillips blaze over after another navy and white shirt was given too much space in the box. Like Perreira and Diagne’s chances in the first half, it was another let off and lacklustre piece of defending.
That sparked Bruce into action, with Dwight Gayle stripped before the hour mark and set to come on against his former club. Hendrick made way after offering next to nothing for 55 minutes and Gayle’s arrival saw him slot in between Fraser and Joelinton up top, with Willock moving to the right-hand side of a midfield three.
The change was a positive one but we continued to look desperate and aimless in our approach, with West Brom showing far more urgency and as they picked up the tempo both on and off the ball.
With a quarter of the game to go, we were almost looking like a side who’d be happy with a point in hope that Fulham would lose at Liverpool – meaning the gap would go from three to four.
A chance then arrived at Joelinton’s feet after a good driving run from Willock. The latter picked the wrong pass in truth, but our £40m man’s left footed strike was weak and easily saved. In a game as turgid as this one, it had to go down as a very decent chance!
At this point we should’ve been ending the game stronger given we were facing a side who’d played three times in eight days, yet it was the hosts who were looking far more likely to grab a late winner – while we struggled to string two passes together and opted for hoof ball in a pathetic attempt to get all three points.
The full-time whistle went and it ended 0-0 – a result that does very little for our league position, yet enough to keep Bruce in a job you’d think.
Let’s hope and pray Liverpool end their winless run at Anfield with a victory over Fulham – a result that is anything but a given based on their recent form and wholesale changes…
The biggest problem is that next season will be the same at best.
And Liverpool look ****
Stuart79(Quote)
Stomach churning to watch, want to be entertained not feel like i’m coming down with something due to nerves watching us desperately trying to survive against an awful West Brom .
Villa will kill us even without jack the lad
kimtoon(Quote)
Klopps made 7 changes today
kimtoon(Quote)
Fulham look good
kimtoon(Quote)
What formation were we playing?
This was Krafth’s worst game for the club and that is saying something.
Shelvey had another one of his off days.
Good to see acknowledgement that Hendrick was playing **** by him being first off. I wonder how many touches he had?
And then there is the Donkey. I agree with Olly that he probably picked the right option with his attempted layoff to Fraser. But that scuffed shot! How many of those do we have to see before he isnt 1st choice? He also got back to his letting the ball bounce off him ways after doing OK last game.
Difficult to name a man of the match because we were terrible. Probably one of the centre halfs or maybe even Fraser who was still running around like a terrier just before going off for Carroll.
Dare I even read what Bruce says in his press conference?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What the fu.ck is wrong with Liverpool?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And Fulham score ????????
Gilly Toon(Quote)
ffs
Fulham ahead, jesus h christ
kimtoon(Quote)
OK, I read what Bruce said and he basically admitted he went for a draw and was happy with a draw.
Fulham ahead on 44 mins.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
best players for us today
Clark
Dummett
lascelles
Fraser
kimtoon(Quote)
Shamefull, where exactly does he think the other points needed are coming from.
kimtoon(Quote)
Pity we don’t play Pool next, they look truly **** .
kimtoon(Quote)
I am absolutely sick of Bruce saying he is “quietly confident” that we stay up. QUIETLY!!! WTF is he politician? He should say he is confident we will be in the PL next year. That would show he has confidence in his own ability and that of his coaches. He should say we have the players to win the next 2 games and then we will have our best players back after the international break. That there are enough points between now and the end of the season to see us easily safe.
I know it might sound like semantics but this quietly confident **** is yet another Bruce-ism. It is almost getting as bad as his “I dont want to make excuses, but…” or him being “delighted” if he manages to sleep through the night without getting up to take a p!ss.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Liverpool need to play Newcastle to get back in form
Stuart79(Quote)
Steve Bruce: “The reason we got a point was the togetherness, attitude & desire. We lacked quality but were without our front three. To be without them & get a point really, really pleased me. It was vitally important we didn’t lose.”
Does that mean we can’t hope to get another better than a point against Brighton, or Burnley?
Stuart79(Quote)
Not saying this game is over, but if anybody had told you at the start of the season that Liverpool would lose 6 home games in a row you would have said they were mad. They had never lost 5 in a row in their history before last week. It had been 98 years since they lost 4 in a row.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is Fulham winning today the best result for us getting rid of Bruce?.
Our game was awful – effectively 2 wingers up front with 2 CFs on the bench.
It felt the whole way through that he was playing not to lose rather than going after the 3 points.
After the week we’ve had, I really expected to get beat today, so a point is better than I expect – but not good enough & if Fulham win?!.
We still have 4 games against teams in the bottom 6 – which would give another manager a chance for points – but the club would need to act!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ryder gave Krafth a 6. What game was he watching? Constantly out of position, cant tackle, definitely cannot shoot (had a couple of Shelvey specials end up in the stands) and let a WBA player have a free header that he should have scored. Worst game of the season for him and that is saying something.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Ryder gave Donkey-Joe a 7. For what? The ball bounced off him and he missed our only good chance. He held the ball up a couple of times without falling over but is that the bar that is set for a 40 mil “striker”?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Brazilian Donkey is just an expensive Joselu. And we all wondered why Rafa ever played him but he had a better scoring record although he did scuff as many shots.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Liverfool can’t buy a goal
kimtoon(Quote)
Well thanks liverfool, thanks for nowt 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
How’s that 22 years of experience looking for you now you Fat Fck? Scott Parker in his 1st year just won at Liverpool.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
????. Well that’s us properly in the shi.te now… so Cabbage head, you think it was a good idea to play for a draw? You fuc,king **** end. ???
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Man City should walk this. But you never know. I worry about the whole Man U defense against the trickery of City as well as Martial who can have games where he looks as bad as Donkey-Joe.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was watching Fulham the other week and it was noticeable how intense Scott Parker was in the technical area. Not tense, but intense. I was thinking to myself that it was the opposite of Bruce whose only emotions seem to be fear and resignation. I am sure these differences translate to the players.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How in the hell can we start with Fraser as our main through the middle striker. He is our best crosser FFS. They admit as much by having him take the corners now. Has he ever played center forward? Dont talk to me about false 9s, we dont have the tactical nous to play that way. The dinosaur talks about 2 false 10s. He knows nothing about football after being in it for 50 years. Did Fraser have a shot? I still thought he did OK but he had no support and was played out of position. What do we expect though from someone who is pleased with a draw at a dire WBA.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Who can we possibly catch?
Burnley!!! We have a game in hand, play them at SJP and are only 3 points behind. We should have players back for that game as well.
Looking certain that Fulham will pass us.
Need not to lose at Brighton.
This is getting desperate. Wonder if Bruce’s pundit pals will still say he is doing a great job?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, Brighton will completely and utterly out play us. We will be ten men behind the ball from the start.
Bruce had the brass neck to say we went to win today. I’m sure he thinks we’re stupid.
Stuart79(Quote)
I dont think anyone has touched on this yet but Bruce was playing for time to preserve a nil-nil at West Brom by bringing on Andy Carroll with seconds to go. Can you believe that!!!
He also played Dwight in midfield. Or at least behind Fraser.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: I despair. If Bruce cannot see that Krafth needed taking off at half time then what was he watching? An attacking 2 of Fraser and the Brazilian Donkey, again, what was he thinking? Is he blind? Is he stupid? Both? Hendrick?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bruce said he was not changing the system, but what sort of moron doesnt change a system when you lose the players that can play that system? I recorded the game but refuse to watch it again so can someone please tell me what system we played? Specifically.
What position was Fraser? Was he really a “false 10”.
And then his support was Donkey-Joe on the right wing. Was he there to protect Krafth. Didnt work.
And Hendrick. He was on the right as well so that was 3 loaded up over there and it was totally ineffective. Nobody even knew Hendrick was playing and Krafth had a ‘mare.
And I think Bruce said Willock was a number 10. Really! So it was back to the 2 false 10s?
And Ryder quoted some stats for Shelvey saying he had a good game. No he didnt, use your eyes Lee and not your computer!!!
Then there’s Gayle. They seemed to have him as a center mid. I wonder if that was his choice to drop back or if they were instructions?
I am totally confused by the set up. I am absolutely certain that Bruce tried to reassert his authority after this week but I am also not sure what Jones brought to the table in the first place. His CV showed next to nothing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
More dead horse flogging – these cannot be Graeme Jones’s tactics. I have no inside knowledge but do have reasons:
1. We played the 2 false 10s before Jones arrived. This is a “tactic” the Steves devised. Who the hell plays without a striker whether it is a 9 or a 10.
2. Bruce is a petty man. He is asserting his authority because he has been raked over the coals this week but also because he had no say in the appointment of Jones.
Also, I wonder if anybody will risk being banned by asking if the 3 days off might have been better used working on tactics. It was not just tactics though it was team selection and I think that is all down to Bruce. Combine the 2 and you get the **** show we saw today. Glad Bruce is pleased and delighted. Now fck off down to Greggs and get me a Steak Bake.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So Harry has accused a member of the Royal family of being racist and bothered about the colour of Archie’s skin. But won’t name them. What’s the point in that then? Cowardice.
Harry and Megan then go on to complain Archie wasn’t made a Prince and it was because of his colour. Dear God! And these are people who want to be out of the limelight…
Stuart79(Quote)
Apparently the Drs decided we could only train 2 days a week. Sure Steve that’s what doctors are for!
That was absolutely dire. What you’d expect really with three totally useless Div two players in the eleven. One of them can’t even kick a ball properly. Dire and WBA looked the better team to me.
georgio(Quote)
Yes all very interesting
The only thing i would say on it is that IF her mental health was ignored, then that is shocking but not surprising considering how Diana was left to cope and later had her HRH removed. A petty thing to do and I believe a direct contributor to her death in the end. Had she still been HRH she would of had royal protection officers and not some half arsed, drunk driver ferrying her around.
I think the racist comment to her over her child is disgusting if true, again it doesn’t surprise me one bit sadly.
It’s the courtier’s who are the problem, a lot of them are bigger snobs than the Royal family themselves and they hold a lot of power as poor Diana and now Megan has found out.
I’m glad Harry and Megan walked away from it and saved their sanity. The Queen never wanted it, her father didn’t albeit they have done brilliantly and I wouldn’t mind betting Charles and Wills would like to walk away given half a chance.
I don’t envy the royals one bit, yes they are rich and privileged but at what price.
kimtoon(Quote)
Even if the Docs had really said that he could have the team in to discuss tactics and formations. God knows we needed it after we saw what they came up with at WBA. I would love someone to tell me what formation we were playing and who was supposed to score.
It was definately 2 up front but Joelinton was wide right on the half way line and has Fraser ever played as a centre forward except in 2 games under Bruce. He wasnt really a centre forward most of the time anyway, more a 10. So where were the goals coming from especially since we have a goalshy midfield as well. I dont care that Shelvey managed a few last year – look at this year!!!
It had NIL written all over it and the only ones that couldnt see that were the Steves.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We really need Grealish to be out on Friday or at least not match fit. And Bruce, please play a real striker even if it is one that hardly scores like Carroll. At least he knows what positions to take up even if his legs dont work anymore.
If they are not going to sack Bruce then Charnley needs to tell him that Jones decides the tactics. I am not sure what qualifies Jones to do this but he cannot be worse than Bruce.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What I did notice yesterday which made me sure that Bruce had reasserted his authority is that we no longer pressed high. We went back to what Bruce would do which was to have Miggy or Wilson run at the goalie. This time it was up to Fraser to do that. It wasnt quite a 9-0-1, more of an 8-1-1.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And it is a myth that Bruce is a good man manager. He loses the players at every club he manages unless he is sacked before it runs its course. It is his pals on the ex-player golf circuit and after dinner merry-go-round that say it. Unfortunately, they are always on the radio and even on TV like Jenas and Merse. Some even have newspaper columns.
I see Shearer really hasnt said any of this is Bruce’s fault. I know he hates Ashley, but can you really blame the Fat Man in this case. He has been totally hands off and gave Bruce what he wanted – Wilson, Fraser, Hendrick, Lewis. I hate the Fat Git but this pending relegation is on Bruce. SACK HIM NOW.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
isn’t it funny how Spuds have lost and drawn against Fulham and now Liverpool lose v Fulham, the two teams said to be against our takeover.
if i was a conspiracy theorist …………………………………….
kimtoon(Quote)
So, Bruce says he didnt have time to change tactics after a Sat game against Wolves. Let’s walk through what was done:
Sunday – Day Off
Monday – Day Off
Tuesday – scrap on the training pitch. Do you really think there was much trainging and tactics after that. The players would have been totally riled up.
Wednesday – Ritchie’s fake apology. There must have been simmering resentment from the day before and even more fracturing of players into different camps.
Thursday – Day Off
Friday – training, but probably as much as much a walk through as the next day woruld be a travel day.
Saturday – travel day. Maybe extremely light training in the morning if any at all.
Sun – Noon kick-off
If someone had said we had 8 days to prepare and see how you can fck it up then it could not have been a worse job than Bruce did. He falls out with the players and then supposedly keeps a system in place when he had lost the 3 main players for that system.
We saw the match, he did not play the system that Jones had set up so he is even lying about that. Bruce Out.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I mean, if you had deliberately gone out to sabotage your team’s chances you would have done what Bruce did. This is not even taking into account the nonsense he was spouting and the atmosphere he was creating with fans and journalists. Banning Craig Hope was genius. Hope did a hit-piece on Bruce the day before the match. Not sure how many read the Mail but what did Bruce expect? I also think that Craig Hope is well respected by his fellow print journalists so i believe they would be on his side.
Given all of the **** that is in the rest of the Daily Mail I am always surprised at how good a journalist Craig Hope is, so I am completely on his side on this one.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh, and Joe Willock has scored 1 goal in his career at Arsenal and Bruce relies on him as a number 10. At least that’s what he said.
And finally someone is questioning what Graeme Jones knows – Liam Kennedy in The Shields Gazette. I think it is like every thing NUFC that we are willing to give someone a chance even when we know little about them. In this case as well, I think it was ABB Anyone But Bruce.
We will really never know how much is his responsibility and how much say he has. I am certain that Bruce has undermined him but that is only my opinion. Some of it will come out though. You just have to look at the Ritchie situation to know that.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Again, that was a Bruce team and Bruce tactics yesterday. They did not press. They sent Fraser to block the goalie, that was the extent of the press. Players were played out of position and we picked a 4 man defensive midfield. That is Bruce all over. I dont think Jones had any say, even though I am not sure he is any good anyway, because, how could we know? We didnt know who he even was until he arrived.
I am giving failed Luton manager a pass on this one though. This was Bruce and the Steves all over. It was obvious.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
PLEASE OLLY, I AM BEGGING YOU.
Do an Aston Villa fan’s view before the Friday game and include a question about Steve Bruce. I want to know what happened there. Is it similar to NUFC. They were mid-table when they sacked him after a patented Bruce death spiral (sound familiar, 2 wins in 18 at NUFC but still here). Then Dean Smith comes in and gets them promoted in half a season’s work.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You read my mind!
Actually got one in the works which should be out on Thursday.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
look forward to it mate
kimtoon(Quote)
Villa hired Bruce as a Championship side believing that he could get them in a position of promotion.
He got them to the play offs if I remember correctly but failed in the semi final.
It was clear the following season that automatic promotion was out of Bruce’s capabilities – but guess what – Villa owners give a **** about their club and want the best they can get.
Bruce is not a very good manager – but NUFCs biggest problem is and will always be Mike Ashley – an owner who simply does not care about or want the best for the club he owns.
Not only based on the hiring and lack of firing of Bruce, but the overall investment in the club – the improvements to the ground, to the training facilities, the academy, the commercial staff, coaching/management staff & playing staff.
Villa aren’t where they are because they sacked Bruce & hired Dean Smith – they are where they are because the owner prioritised the clubs needs over a few million compensation, and that after hiring Smith they properly supported him.
Bruce is **** … Ashley is sh!tter!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I played the game to a decent standard and have watched for further decades and I still don’t get the offside rules. For example Maxi was ruled off side when he knocked in the block from the keeper yet Lingard scored from a block by the keeper and it stood. What was the difference?
And now with VAR players are given offside when it’s only one stud or a shirt sleeve. Why?
georgio(Quote)
If we sink into the bottom 3 will that get Bruce sacked? I always thought Jones was caretaker in waiting because all the Steves will leave together but I am not sure what his credentials are to manage NUFC. I am absolutely certain that “nice bloke” Bruce is undermining him, you just have to look at Sunday’s set-up – a typical Bruce cop out, even after Gayle came on.
However, I think we have a chance of a draw against Villa, especially if Grealish isnt fully fit. We have to play a striker though. I dont care if it is Gayle or Carroll, just dont play them as a “false 10”.
It is not that difficult, Bruce could even play Joelinton if he wants. Just drop Hendrick and play Willock in Midfield. Switch Fraser to the wing and have Gayle or Carroll play their natural games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think we should give the lads a couple of days off before the Villa game. Worked like a charm against WBA. We got the result we wanted/played for.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Willock is NOT a number 10. At least not now. We got him as box-to-box, a runner, so play him there. That was the one glaring hole in the squad because the Longstaffs, Shelvey and Hayden are all slow (I am done with Hendrick but he is slow as well). I will repeat, Willock scored 1 goal at Arsenal. He has 1 for us but also missed a sitter. We need him as box-to-box.
Who actually does the recruitment? Do they sit in a room and say, we have 4 slow midfielders, let’s get another one. Hendrick is on a free, how about him? They must have known the Longstaffs have qualities but speed is not one of them.
Has anybody ever watched the NFL combines? It is where the college players are evaluated and they put them through all sorts of measures like standing jumps, 60 yard runs, how many bench presses of 100 ibs they can do etc. NUFC must have done some evaluations of their players along these lines at some point surely? They should have known they needed legs to make up for Shelvey and/or the Longstaffs? I doubt they did though because they got Hendrick.
It is like having Butch Wilkins in your team and then going out and getting Glenn Hoddle instead of Brian Robson (That’s for the older readers 🙂 )
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Guardian comic strip on Bruce searching for the mole. It is not that funny but the premise is, given that Bruce has written 3 detective novels with him thinly disguised as the sleuth in all of them. I have read excerpts and they are hilariously bad.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/mar/09/david-squires-on-mole-steve-bruce-hunt-for-the-newcastle-leaker
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Offside??
georgio(Quote)
Bruce presser on Thurs:
Ryder: was Fraser a false 10?
Bruce: Next!
Simon Bird: how about Joelinton? Was he a false 10. Or Willock?
Bruce: Next!
And Craig Hope? Is he a number 10? Bruce, Next!
He’s banned. On the bench just for show with Ritchie. To explain I am not petty. Which I am, by the way.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
looking like the Arabs are going to buy Milan 600 mil
icedog(Quote)
Ice – there was no doubt they were serious about buying a football club mate.
I also don’t think there is anything in the fact that Ashley & his legal team fell at the first hurdle.
They aren’t just taking on the PL – the top 6 were behind keep Saudi out as well & im sure between all of the legal there, they’ll have things water tight.
I don’t think we’ll ever get to the bottom of what went on. But I was in no doubt, the longer that wall of silence lasted from the PL, the takeover was not and will never happen.
Ashley was never going down the legal route to push the takeover through – the fat **** smells compo.
It would surprise me if he knew it was a none starter when he took the £18m or whatever it was off them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
For a year now I’ve been desperate for some other news than COVID. But all this b0ll0cks around Harry & Megan … god I’d love a COVID update ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Didnt Piers Morgan quit Good Morning Britain. That might make Stewie happy but it is probably a publicity stunt.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It’s a pandemic Sharpy. Will that do?
What about my query on offside. Somebody must know.
georgio(Quote)
Sharpy/Ice: is that the end of it? I have watched Wraith’s youtube stuff and him and 2 others who were at the NUST were sure even last Friday that the takeover was still on. Even yesterday, talking to a journo from The Shield’s Gazette. I always thought they played up their connections to NUFC a bit too much and even turned the sound down/skipped the bits where they talked takeover.
Will we ever be rid of the fat slug? It looks like Bruce is taking us down so I wont even be able to watch NUFC anymore. That’s probably a blessing if we play more games like at WBA.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
georgio: what annoys me about VAR is that they stick to the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law. They have changed the handball rule AGAIN. Wont come into effect until next season.
On offside. I think if you are level you should be ruled on-side. And it shouldnt be millimeters. There should be some sort of zone of like 4 or 5 inches where the attacker is given the benefit of the doubt. A fingernail or armpit should not be the deciding factor.
or, just get rid of VAR for offside and handball. Go back to just the goalline technology.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I keep opening this site and The Chronic hoping to see the headline “Steve Bruce and the rest of the Steves leave NUFC by mutual consent”. Let’s do the Villa lineup just for the hell of it:
Dubs
Manquillo Lascelles Clark Dummett
Hayden Shelvey Willock
Joe-Donkey Gayle Fraser
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If it was my team I would have Matty in for Shelvey and Murphy in for the Brazilian Donkey. The rest sort of picks itself unless you want to argue that Darlow was hard done by? lascelles has done Ok as well and I am not sure if Fernandez is any better – he gives away too many corners.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I actually think that an ACTUAL donkey could strike a ball better than JoeLinton. He is even worse with his head. He had a golden opportunity against West Brom and it went straight at the ‘keeper.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
they say it will cost jabba 4mil to sack Bruce,will be a hell of a lot more if we go down
icedog(Quote)
Ice: we have to get rid of the fcn cabbage headed Mrs Doubtfire. He is totally useless as evidenced by him taking Hull and Birmingham down and he would have taken the Mackems down as well if he had stayed. People/pundits talk about him getting teams promoted, but then when he gets in the PL it is so far above his head it is a joke. 28% win percentage!!! 24% with NUFC since Xmas 2019.
What more evidence does Ashley need?
We have already seen that somebody is worried about Bruce because they appointed the caretaker-in-waiting.
Who was it? Carr? Bruce is still lying that he brought Jones in.
What a total mess of a club we support!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
? perfect mate, thank you ??.
What was the offside point mate, sorry I missed it?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – am I that confident I’d put my house on it – no. But I think it’s highly likely that a Saudi takeover is dead in the water.
I think a lot of people talk with hope rather than fact or inside knowledge.
I obviously hope that I’m proven wrong, and I’ll be as buzzing as any other NUFC fan the day we finally see the back of Ashley – I just don’t think it’s likely to be any time soon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice – apparently it cost him £6.5m to get Bruce from Sheff Wed – that’s £10.5m to get rid.
Add to that £40m for Joelinton and I wonder how much it would have cost to keep Rafa & Rondon.
Rafa wanted more say in how the club was ran. I don’t get why Ashley was so against that when clearly he doesn’t care – if he did he’d have got rid of Bruce already.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Also Sharpy:
I figured out that without COVID I would have spent $2,000 watching NUFC in the last year between UBER rides, 3 pints of Carlsberg at the bar and lunch after.
So…
I booked a 5 day trip to Maine and 4 days in Colorado. Flight, hotels, car, it all cost me less than $2,000 in total and I dont have to watch NUFC which is probably the biggest bonus. A couple of beers a night as well and I still wont get to the 2 grand.
I am not staying in sh!tholes either 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
FFS: I waste all of that time and money to watch our shyte. The lads that go are good fun but I probably should spend my time more wisely than a Bruce/Ashley team. We are dire.
BRUCE OUT!
BRUCE IS SHYTE.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have been watching NUFC since I was 9 years old. Me Mam was a dinner lady at my junior school and there was husband and wife teachers who had tickets in the East Stand and would drive me to SJP and pick me up after the game. It is in my blood, but cabbage juice is running through me at the moment.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
i lived in London and even went to see the Red Bindippers at Wimbledon just to see Beardsley play. It was amazing. In that fantasic Liverpool team of 1988 Peter The Great stood head and shoulders above them all.
Eric Sykes(Quote)