Steve Bruce’s future is one of the many things on the minds of fans at the moment as we prepare for another season in the Championship.
On Twitter, many supporters are divided on the manager’s future:
I’m on the fence. I take these points into consideration and the idea of stability. But then I think that this squad was good enough to go up automatically at least. Some games the tactics and results weren’t good enough like QPR, Norwich, Bolton or Brentford.
— ⚽️ (@RobbieJoynes16) 28 May 2018
You can’t talk about ‘top six league places’ when you’ve literally just been relegated. He inherited one of the best squads in the league and can barely get us playing cohesive football. We still rely on brilliance from Jack. The togetherness is true but it’s not enough, IMO.
— Sgt Gilko ???????? (@SgtGilko) 28 May 2018
No option,just got to knuckle down and be better next season.Gonna need half a squad,plus some of our young guys.Bruce can get us some decent loans ,hopefully.But I think we definitely need to keep him as manager.
— John Turner #FBPE #WATON #ABTV (@Villastar) 27 May 2018
Attacking minded play. As we have seen, Bruce’s football was good for stabilising the club but not for going as far as we hope to. Just watch the final again, we need a manager like Jokanović who is going to set up teams to dominate not to soak up pressure and hope for the best.
— Joe (@HamboJoe) 27 May 2018
Sack Bruce, appoint Garcia, sell anyone needed (especially Lans, Jedi/Whelan, Taylor)to meet FFP (except Chester and Jack), let Hutton go, get a new GK, CBx2, LB, DM/CM, RW, No.10, make Ross fire again, play on the ground, promote youth, create attacking, proactive culture #avfc
— Chrsmo (@Chrsmo) 27 May 2018
We don’t go anywhere, that’s the problem. Xia only has himself to blame. Such poor planning, keeping Bruce wasn’t for the best, he didn’t give youth a chance. This has set us back years.
— Fran O’Connor (@FranOConnor38) 27 May 2018
decision in the very near future on Bruce being sacked, give the new manager time. We have good young team so could be exciting to see some modern football played at VP next season
— George Adey (@george_adey) 27 May 2018
This team needs an identity. Players like Green, O’Hare, RHM need to be a constant part of the first team, add pace and creativity. Think youth is the only way forward now, high tempo attacking football, sadly something Bruce couldn’t provide
— John C (@bubz1217) 27 May 2018
Bruce plays tried and tested old players who have learnt their trade already, I can’t imagine him working and improving a young players
— Nigel Gadd (@GaddNigel) 27 May 2018
People must be mad to sack Brucey off !
— thomas minton (@mintonavfc) 27 May 2018
Bruce has to go, however the next manager needs to be a miracle worker. Bruce has built nothing, and half the team were loans, or too old or not suited to his ‘system’
— Bill Nudgel (@BillyNudgel) 27 May 2018
Verdict:
My feelings are a bit conflicted on this one. Bruce has shown in the past that he is capable of gaining promotion from the Championship (specifically at Hull) on a tight budget. He could do the same with us.
On a personal level too, he has gone through so much this season after losing his parents, and he had tremendous mental fortitude and determination to keep our promotion chances on track.
However tactically, we are far too negative. There was no bigger contrast than when we faced Fulham on Saturday who are always prepared to play on the front foot. There is a case to be made that a fresh face with fresh ideas could also help us get promoted.