Steve Bruce has reportedly canceled the players day off tomorrow according to local reports.
Understand NUFC players have now been told to report for training tomorrow. Plan was Monday.
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 17, 2019
Craig Hope with the Daily Mail was the first to report the news, but now other outlets are saying the same. The Chronicle also have reported that the players held a team meeting on the flight back to Newcastle after the game.
This is not a shock and needs to be be done. The display against Norwich was unacceptable.
The players understandably have kept a bit quieter after this one but will be disappointed with their performances.
This is what Paul Dummett had to say as reported in the Chronicle report:
“Every one of us has got to look in the mirror and know it’s not good enough.”
We are at a loss for words after what we witnessed today and don’t want to harp on the negatives without more games to judge Bruce on.
Steve Bruce– will be judged on results
There is still hope that Steve Bruce can turn this around. The season is only two games in and a good result can change its course very quickly.
We will need to see a much-improved performance against a very good Tottenham side who got a draw at Manchester City today. This draw ended a streak of 15 straight wins in the league for the reigning Champions.
There is admittedly little for fans to be optimistic about at the moment. The football at Norwich was quite reminiscent of four years ago under McClaren. That was a team of mismatched pieces that McClaren just couldn’t figure out how to click into place.
We have to hope that Steve Bruce can construct a plan for this squad. It starts tomorrow as the players come in on their day off. They must make the most of their time on the training pitch to get themselves sorted for Tottenham.
157 comments so far
NY Mag
Aug 18, 2019 at 1:04 AM
Comment #81OP,
Thanks for that information re: Twitter account
I’ll take a gander.
RobLeenio
Aug 18, 2019 at 2:32 AM
Comment #82I’m back.
Those that questioned what Rafa gave us are now, I assume, starting to realise what we’re missing.
It’s easy to gather a group of players, it’s far more difficult to organise a team.
It’s even more difficult to do that on a tight budget.
It’s almost impossible to do that when the tight budget is being spent on your behalf by unknown shadowy figures operating behind the scenes.
If Bruce is the first team coach, who is the Director of Football making the decisions on who is being brought in? Nixon? Carr? Barnes? Charnley? Ashley’s dream spirit?
We’ve had 2 relegations in 12 years under Ashley. It’s unbelievable that he’s gone back to the exact same policy which brought those relegations about under McClaren and Kinnear and unfathomable that some sections of our support are continuing to back the club under those circumstances.
Rafa, with the same spend this Summer and control over the targets, would have had us competing for the top eight. As it stands, if we don’t see a third Ashley relegation this Season, it will be because there are three teams worse than us.
And, for the record, I’ll be devastated to see us relegated again, but at least for once and for all, the entire Universe will know exactly where the blame lies (apart from Rio Ferdinand, Richard Keys and Bill’s bloody Son).
JimmySaivet
Aug 18, 2019 at 2:53 AM
Comment #83Maximin——— Joelinton———Almiron
Ritchie—–Shelvey—–Hayden—–Krafth
—–Dummett—–Lascelles—–Schar—–
Strongest line up/formation imo
For all the people that dislike the 343 formation as they see it too risky or what ever please rather see it as the alternative 541 formation where the wingers drop back. I say 343 because I feel we are capable of playing that way and I think attacking/pressing teams is the way forward. I am fed up with how deep and negative our team plays and wish we would try a different approach.
theartfuldodger
Aug 18, 2019 at 4:05 AM
Comment #84Bruce sacked by End of October / Beginning of November
Alan Pardew returns…Our saviour !
Maybe he is already lined up.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 18, 2019 at 6:02 AM
Comment #85So if he’s lost six in a row in the manner of yesterday they have to sack him. So 4M to Sheff Wed, maybe a million to him and then 8M to Allardyce if he keeps us up. What a shambles. Come on Bill’s son is back, explain how we’re not a shambles.
Genjikai
Aug 18, 2019 at 6:54 AM
Comment #86Its ok jail for ashley. We support the team not the regime, everything will be good, because we support the team not the regime….
Lets empower this man for another 12 years, cause standind still waiting for change is exactly that. Do you think there will be a club left when hes done with us?
Jib
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:07 AM
Comment #87Among all the predictable hysterical dross yesterday
(about 800 posts saying pretty much the same thing)
There was one sensible comment on the reality of NUFC’s situation
Zele
The team today is in transition.
It’s Benitez team with a couple of new faces trying to play a different way.
But it didn’t work.
Benitez had a whole season to work with many of the same players before the start of last season and still he never won any of the first ten games. Eventually after some torrid, turgid and embarrassing performances he got the right players playing the right way in the right formation.
Perhaps Brucie has to play his own formation with his own tactics and with his own players and not tinker with what he has been presented with.
Even with three in midfield today they did not achieve any dominance or passing fluidity. Brucie should revert to a middle two of Hayden and Longstaff.
Joelinton alongside Almiron is not Rondon, Perez and Almiron. Joelinton looked an isolated dejected figure. He needs support and that has to be Almiron and one other, preferably Maximin or a fit Carroll.
I see further defeats and the occasional draw before things click.
hibbit
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:12 AM
Comment #88I suspect Jib’s trying a damage limitation exercise this morning on behalf of the regime 😉
Genjikai
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:17 AM
Comment #89Jfa
If that scenario comes to fruition he could of matched rafas wages.
hibbit
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:29 AM
Comment #90Jib under Rafa the heads never went down the players even in defeat they always looked like they at lest had pride in the shirt,
now 2 games in under Bruce and the prides gone and the heads are down ,
Bruce always knew this job was a big ask now it’s impossible, he from day one knew exactly what he signed up for and was well aware of the problems both on and off the pitch, he was warned by family and friends of the difficulties ahead but choose to ignore them,
He should never have taken the job but by far the biggest mistake was made by the club he should never been offered the job simply not good enough
Ron Knee
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:31 AM
Comment #91“I suspect Jib’s trying a damage limitation exercise this morning…”
and not succeeding!
Jib
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:36 AM
Comment #92hibbit
your post at 90 is much better than 88
It’s called debate
Your stupid assertion that I’m trying to defend Ashley makes you look childish
(remember me saying to give him a torrid time at SD’s AGM – no ? oh well
never mind)
and Ron I thought you were better than that.
cyprus
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:43 AM
Comment #93“…come Christmas we will be dead set for relegation unless a miracle happens.”
SD,
You may be right but a miracle is what a dejected Rafa talked about too, after a record 10 games and 3 points.
There is no legitimate choice but to give this guy AND the team at least a minimum of a chance to figure it out.
On the game, Neil (was it?) you suggested Dubravka. The first goal was unstoppable (like Ritchie’s last season), but the others maybe not. TBH, everyone had an off game and Norwich were constantly on their toes, as if playing Barca. We thought, well, it’s just Norwich.
Like several times before last year and in recent seasons, no MOM.
Ron Knee
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:46 AM
Comment #94Jib
“I see further defeats and the occasional draw before things click.”
You quoted this approvingly. Care to tell us why you think things will “click” – given Bruce’s track record?
c-dog
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:46 AM
Comment #95jib
The players are not good enough
Shelvey for example is not mobile enough and can’t operate in PL midfield. Almiron is a wide player. This is not the MLS. Linton, early days, but looks like Rivière so far. Rafa got these guys achieving beyond their maximum. Everything Steve Bruce has done in the past tells us he cannot get the same out of the players.
cyprus
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:52 AM
Comment #96Delete ‘before’.
Jib
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:57 AM
Comment #97Ron
Because as Zele suggests , Bruce has tried to emulate the
system of a superior manager.
He has probably done it because of trying to tinker as little as
possible with what the players know.
However
He will be much better trying to use the system , formation and
tactics he’s more comfortable with.
Jib
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:05 AM
Comment #98He played a 3 – 5 – 2 yesterday and as Shearer said on MotD
the 2 ( Almiron and Joelinton) played way too far apart.
He should revert to his favourite system of 4 – 2 – 3 – 1 so the
striker whoever it may be doesn’t have to hold the ball up for
ages waiting for the cavalry to arrive.
Trent1211
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:07 AM
Comment #99Jib there is zero evidence that things will ‘click’ based on the performances, Bruce’s record and his ludicrous lies in press conferences about his decision making that players will see through. He’s a bluffer. A fraud. Basically it’s a case of who am I going to believe you or my lying eyes?!
hibbit
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:09 AM
Comment #100Jib maybe you should practice what you preach and debate, instead of making the cheap shot snide remarks that you continue to throw at people !!!
Reilly
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:10 AM
Comment #101https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/premier-league/no-one-knows—pundits-damning-verdict-on-steve-bruces-aston-villa-tactics/ar-AAADKhe
DubaiMicky
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:11 AM
Comment #102Latest odds for next manager to leave
Javi Gracia (Watford, 1 year 7 months), 4/1
Steve Bruce (Us, 1 month) 5/1
Roy Hodgson (Palace, 1 year 11 months) 5/1
Then
Dean Smith (Villa, 10 months) 12/1
Anyone gonna put a bet on?
Jib
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:13 AM
Comment #103https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/aston-villa/2018/05/29/garry-thompson-keep-the-faith-with-aston-villa-boss-steve-bruce/
Trent1211
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:15 AM
Comment #104Rafa had us beating Man City. Bruce has us getting hammered by an understrength Nowrich made to look like 1970s Brazil. When Rafa wasn’t getting results you could see the method. See the motivation. See that results would come. We had faith in the man’s track record. He was something to believe in. Boycott. For the love of the club boycott. Show Ashley we will no longer stand idly by. It’s a promise. A threat. Carry on and you will have empty stadiums in a lower league. You need a buyer and a willing seller. Not sure we’ve genuinely had either tbh but the first domino to fall is a truly willing seller. Let’s motivate him.
Jib
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:15 AM
Comment #105Reilly
Mr Thompson seems to change his mind with his underwear
Trent1211
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:17 AM
Comment #106Job I fear for your sanity if you have faith in Steve Bruce. I really do. You’re either unwell or on the payroll.
Trent1211
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:17 AM
Comment #107*Jib even
Jib
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:19 AM
Comment #108Trent1211
Last Summer last year Rafa lost to Brighton and Forest at home
ilovetoon8788
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:19 AM
Comment #109Joelinton looks like an expensive riveire.
Jib
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:19 AM
Comment #110Last = late
Paully
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:36 AM
Comment #1111st. (On the new server)
c-dog
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:38 AM
Comment #112Jib
Steve Bruce’s sacking was the catalyst for Villas promotion
Paully
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:41 AM
Comment #113“catchy in norway
Aug 16, 2019 at 9:45 AM
Comment #11
Bruce is already a major step up in many areas”
Care to comment Catchy?
Reilly
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:42 AM
Comment #114Its Steve mcclaren 2.0.
Paully
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:43 AM
Comment #115I predicted 19th. place on Martoons poll, the reason being last weeks second half had me very worried, very worried indeed.
SB will pick up the odd result but it’ll be far too little too late, by the time he’s sacked even Pep couldn’t turn this around.
c-dog
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:44 AM
Comment #116I could see Isaac Hayden being a good player for Burnley
Paully
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:45 AM
Comment #117In fact going by yesterdays performance I’d have us bottom because I honestly can’t see another team being worse than us.
I’m normally quite optimistic but this is gonna be horrifying season to watch.
Paully
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:46 AM
Comment #118*a
Bleatin' n Bruced
Aug 18, 2019 at 8:51 AM
Comment #119Jib I think you are using Zeles misplaced optimism to your own ends. When you have a house 95% complete you don’t get the new builder in to take out the internal supporting walls and put them where he likes.
With Almiron Benitez was starting the next phase of his consolidation from the attacking midfield. Now he’s lost because the plan involving that midfield and a better forward line is gone. Bruce is trying to make untested young players brought in for the sake of it fit.
Passes short. Crosses hitting first man. That’s not tactics that’s lack of belief. I don’t think Bruce has the skill to overcome that under pressure like Benitez has.
Toonboy_84
Aug 18, 2019 at 9:01 AM
Comment #120The only positive I can see from the first 2 games is that it will help grow the protests and demonstrations. If that gets rid of the slug quicker, then that can only be a good thing. He can’t ignore it forever and something will have to give.
On the other side of that. The ones who choose to still attend home games, which I respect. The players need supporting. Arsenal last week was terrible. I thought I was in a library. The Arsenal fans were far more vocal. If you aren’t cheering the players on, you might as well just pop your money in an envelope and pop it on the bar in Nine. It’ll still go into the club and the players won’t notice if you’re there or not.
Then onto yesterday’s game. In my opinion, it’s not as bad as it feels. It’s easy to get carried away and say we’re going down, Joelinton is a dud. The team needs time to gel. I’m most definitely not a Bruce fan but surely with a bit more time to get the right balance. Carroll (if fit) and ASM to come in, we will have something about us. We need to get support to Joelinton. I reckon he’ll enjoy feeding off Carroll if we can get them both on the field.
Remember this was a newly promoted side. First home game. Wind in their sails. Pukki on a mission. It could have happened to a lot of sides.
I believe there’s better to come. It can’t get any worse lol