In Defence Of Steve Bruce

Following: Ridiculous Post Match Hissy Fit From Steve Bruce revolutionatlast has sent in the following defence of Steve Bruce (important to note in my article I wasn`t calling for his head, I was having a go at the negative post match comments that – and some have missed this I think – criticised fans, the owner and the CEO for ‘hysteria`).

Over to revolutionatlast (with thanks for the article submission, always happy to take all opinions and views)

In defence of Bruce

I know this won’t be popular with many but I agree with Bruce’s comments about hysteria from the fans.

There I said it!

I know we shouldn’t be in the Championship but we are. I don’t think he’s perfect- I’ve been baffled by some decisions, I was really disappointed to see Baker go- he was doing better in the premiership than Clarke in my opinion and after a time on loan in the Championship, I thought he’d be ideal for us. But how many fans agree with everything their manager does?

I remember my bewilderment at Martin O’Neill repeatedly playing people out of position and thinking if he just played people in their position we’d get a champions league place. I remember wishing the club for years to buy a decent striker to finish off the good work or Ashley Young/Milner etc. But we sold them before we got Benteke….

We’ve tried proven, old managers (Houllier), young exciting managers (Paul lambert played exciting football before he came here and was forced to play boring football)…when experienced players haven’t performed, the fans have complained they don’t care and that we should play our youth. Then when our youth did get played – Clarke, Baker etc everyone laid into them for not being good enough!!

Guess what guys – our youth aren’t good enough! We may have a famed academy but in reality how many have made it? We sold Cahill to Bolton before he was really good, we sold Albrighton…what happened to all the hype around Gardner? We kept Gabby who had potential but became a striker who couldn’t score – sorry to say that I feel like I’m the only one drawing the same comparison with Davis – he works hard but isn’t a natural goalscorer so therefore really a luxury…

So back to Bruce. (also being discussed in The Steve Bruce forum thread )

He’s never set the world alight but he has a proven track record. Finally we have someone with a proven track record, someone who knows this league inside and out – which us lot don’t – and I’m convinced we as fans compound the problem. If we were Aston Villa from MON days and we’re suddenly here next season them sure boo and complain that it isn’t good enough. But actually this is our reality. We have fallen from grace. After years of wasteful management, poor investment, lack of infrastructure and a lack of patience, we are an above average championship team and lo, we’re in the top half of the table.

What difference is there between us and say Leeds? Nothing but time. We don’t have any more right to promotion than them. Chances are we won’t go up but if we don’t there’s better than Bruce. The last 8 years have been terrible because we’ve been short termist, because we’ve rushed. There isn’t really anyone with a better record than Bruce. I’ve heard people! say we should get Huddersfield’s David Wagner like he’d be that bothered about coming. That we should get the Wolves manager when he’s done nothing more yet than Tim Sherwood had. How long before he was hounded out? Too many of our fans act like we’re still a big club and compound the pressure. Yes we didn’t win in 5 or play well but sack the manager? Now? Where has that approach got us in the last 8 years? We’re going to have some ups and downs but if they guy who’s been promoted 4 times can’t get us out, who do you think can?

The grass is not always greener. I know this won’t be popular but it’s coming from a good place I promise!

Happy new year, UTV

revolutionatlast