Dear ALS
I think we were tactically inept against Liverpool and Brucie must take some of the blame.
He has played Anton at full back for several games then moves him back to the middle where he looked his old self - clueless - play Kilgallon instead! Rico at left back - NO - he has done so much better recently in midfield - play Da Silva at left back (or see above comments).
Cana needs to be dropped - he is neither a holding midfielder nor a captain - he could not put his foot on the ball as he is constantly getting up off the pitch having spent all his time falling over in tackles.
Bent on the wing in the second half was rather stupid - if you are losing the best thing to do is apply pressure and take the game to the opposition - Bent and Jones play as a pair not what we got yesterday.
Finally Zenden - he appears the only player with "brains" - play him instead of Cana - make him captain - he seems to put himself into better positions than Cana and generally appears to know whats what!
Overall Liverpool were good but it was also true that Ellis Short was not at Anfield for if he was we would have done a damn sight better - do we only play well when the man with the cheques comes to town? I know we have had injuries and suspensions but we can do better than that yesterday - please note Brucie we are all not fooled by the scoreline - we could have conceded many more - we must do better.
Chris Cummings
Dear ALS
I'll make this short and sweet. I'd just like to point out a few things we've been missing in the past 15 or so games. A settled back four for about 12 of those as well as the idea of passing the ball on the ground seemed to not be very popular either.
Then what do you know, a settled back four and some decent passing instead of aimless long balls and we put four past, who in my opinion, is one of the best 'keepers in the world. Cheers Brucey.
Mike O'Neill
P.S: Sign him up Fabio. If a hat trick doesn't do the job, then I'm not sure what will.
Dear ALS
Can I just say that it was great to see the ticket prices of the recent games at £10 for adults who get season ticket holders to buy them for them. Unfortunately, SAFC are not doing it for the game v Bolton! I hope they change their minds as I fear the place (SOL) will be like a ghost town on Tuesday night.
It’ll be cold; probably wet and I guarantee a disappointing performance! But I would say that you would have at least 10,000 more fans there if they reduce the prices again. I know me and a few lads from work would have gone as we all work on a Saturday and don’t get to many games, but all of them have said that’s there is no way they are paying £30 quid to go and watch our team lump aimless balls up towards Bent and Jones! We would if it was a tenner!
Hopefully the guys in charge of the club realise that 38 to 40 thousand at £10 per ticket is better than less than twenty thousand at £20.
As for the guy who wrote letter saying we are crying out for wingers! He is spot on. But surely they must have tried to sign wingers in summer and winter transfer windows? If not then sack whoever makes the decisions on whom to try and sign!! (that’s you Steve!)
Dave W
Sunderland
Dear ALS
I have to respond to John of Barnes. He made a decent case of his dislike for Bruce but spoiled it with his final comment... Beware of Geordies.
I believe a certain manager who won our last proper silverware was born in Mickley which is close enough to the dark side to warrant the title of Geordie. I have no problem with where, when or how Bruce was born. My only problem is why he stated he'd retire rather than resort to hoof and chase football after the Fulham game.
Sorry Steve lad, but were the players following your tactics and if not what will you be doing about it? If a boss tells his employees to do something one way and they ignore the instruction and do it their way then something has to give and in my experience it's the employees who get the P45.
The last time we had a forward line worthy of wearing the red and white stripes, we had a couple of wingers/half backs who could deliver quality balls into the danger area and allow the strikers to convert 30% of the chances. Where are our wingers? Henderson and possibly Reid are the only midfielders we've had doing that job this season but they are injured. Why wasn't back up signed either last summer or even in January?
When is a solid, regular back four going to be settled on? Even with them all fit I'm not sure Bruce knows which formation is his first choice. What is the point in playing a striker in midfield unless he is comfortable on the ball because Campbell does not fit that bill?
Most of our competitors in the Premier League can call on players who dovetail into the system in the event of an injury to a regular player without disturbing the team method. We on the other hand have to change the system to accommodate the replacement.
That in my humble opinion is why we are down amongst the dregs of the league. Choose a system Brucey and stick with it, and if that involves passing the ball on the deck to wide men who can skin defenders to deliver telling balls to two quality strikers then you will get the support of the masses. If it breaks down so what, the fans will believe in you.
They won't believe the tripe you have produced since November or the excuses you have churned out. Get back to the stuff the early season produced or ask, as a MP would, for the Chiltern Hundreds.
Still keeping the faith but with a few codicils.
P Dunn
Dear ALS
The time has come for the dull Geordie to fall on his sword . How many managers in the Premiership would still have a job after fourteen games without a win?
Bruce is now reduced to playing a poor man’s Sam Allardyce formation launching the ball forward from everywhere. Bruce cannot organise a back four.
When we needed to attack and bring the ball out of defence and they had only one forward we had a right sided central defender at left back what nonsense.
We started with a midfield of four and Campbell, Cana and Cattermole did not want the ball and could not hold the ball. No change there then.
Fulham were tired and happy for a draw yet it took us 37 minutes to have a shot at goal. There was little fight and desire and a total lack of cohesion.
Come on Niall be big enough to admit you made a big mistake in appointing Steve Bruce and bring in someone who will lift the dressing room now before it is too late.
John Robson
Sedgefield
Dear ALS
Last season we appointed Sbragia and closed our eyes and hoped for the best and we just got away with it. One win in 17 now after Fulham and it’s clear Bruce like our team is out of ideas. We have 11 games to preserve our status and although previously I thought Bruce represented our best chance of staying up the stats speak for themselves. The fact Bruce has had £30 million and cannot improve on what Sbragia did is indefensible and we can’t just leave him in charge and hope for the best.
Sam Allardyce with a fraction of the money in thirteen months at Blackburn has taken them to a solid mid table outfit and a cup semi final. Okay people knock his approach and style etc, but we have to be realistic and besides Brucie’s teams hardly play attractive football. You have to be organised and hard to beat and then you add the quality which we are not. We missed a trick in not appointing Big Sam.
A couple of weeks ago Bruce had a thinly veiled pop at the fans and their supposed high expectations and the lack of foundation for them. Sorry no! Any sensible fan would have seen mid table security with no relegation fight as progress and would have been happy, any cup run being an added welcome bonus. No Steve you’re mixing us up with your deluded brethren up the road. We just don’t see how you can be doing worse than Sbragia with the players we have. Bruce is lost, the team plays with no pattern, ideas or craft and he can cite injuries all he wants he still has not put a dent in our woeful away form. The place needs a lift and he can’t do it. Hughes in now don’t miss the boat again Niall. And we need to learn our lesson about employing Geordies, that’s for sure.
John Graham
Barnes
Dear ALS,
Reasons To Be Cheerful 1 2 3
1. Portsmouth will wait until relegation is inevitable then apply for administration. That leaves two places to avoid.
2. Mick’s Wolves will be unable to gain enough points and join Pompey.
3. Either Burnley or West Ham (god please let it be West Ham: Gold, Sullivan, et al) will implode and Bruce will get another chance to shape our future.
Reasons To Be Worried:
1. We get two points from home games against Stoke and Wigan while Hull got four points from games against Chelsea and Man City.
2. We have averaged 1.0146 points per game after 24 matches, this equates to 37.5 at the end of the season = relegation.
3. We averaged 1.41 per game after the first third of the season which is 51 for 36 games = progress and comfort.
4. We averaged 0.666 for the second third of the season which is pure tripe = disaster.
5. We have six games against teams around us left, two at home and four away.
6. Based on our woeful away form and nervous performances at home we are on target for a maximum of38 points and I can’t see that being enough this season.
Statistics can be used to prove or disprove many scenarios but they cannot be ignored. We as fans study and devour them in times of need. Which way are you looking at it?
Dear ALS
Well now the transfer window is over we are left with the players we have until the end of the season.Last nights game provided us with the pretty much Bruce's full team and having witnessed the most awful game of football for ages Bruce says that we lacked quality, well where is that quality going to come from? We have no other midfielders to come back from injury other than Richardson who has hardly set the world alight since he came here. So if we have no quality why didn't we buy some, I really am concerned for the rest of the season. Statements were given out last season that we won't be in this situation again but here we are in exactly the same situation yet again.
Do we blame Bruce? I was always behind him until last nights statement, he bought most of the players we have so who else can we blame, is signing Hutton going to give us that cutting edge? I think not,Benjani, why did we leave it to last minute to sign him and knowing the F.A and Premier League they will not sanction the move, and to top it off Robbie Keane goes to Celtic and thousands of fans turn out to welcome him to Parkhead, what a boost that would have been for us if he or somebody with that quality had come to us.
We are deep in trouble and with less points now than we had at this stage last year.
Bruce banged on about how Kenwyne had his head turned by the speculation and it affected his performances, wake up and smell the coffee he's been like that for the past 2 years regardless of who he has played with, time to give Campbell a run in the team.
We have loaned out 2 strikers (Murphy and Healey) and although I wasn't Murphys biggest fan we have left ourselves woefully short up front, so far we have been lucky as Bent has avoided injuries(touch wood) but imagine where we would have been without his goals this season, the lowest points in a season may have been up for grabs.
Bruce is the manager and at the end of the day he is responsible for tactics and the way we play and over the last few weeks has has seemed low during interviews which must be having a massive affect on team morale as its certainly depressing me.
I fear relegation this season so is it time for Bruce to go before we get further into the mire, I'm not so sure about that as who would replace him but something needs to change before i'ts too late.
Andy Miller
Middlesbrough
Dear ALS,
Following the result against Stoke, I had a moment of revelation.
I think I know Bruce's cunning plan.
Do you remember/hear when you when growing up those stories of the cricket match.
The batting team were down to the last pair, with 20 runs to score.
The batsmen meet in the middle and the senior player turns to the other and says "Don't worry, don't panic, we'll knock them off in singles".
Now just imagine it, 17 points from the magic 40 safety level, down to the last fit squad members.
Bruce strides in and tells the team. "Don't worry, don't panic, we will knock off the points in singles from draws".
Remember you heard it here first : Its going to be a long, hard run in.
Ian J.
Dear ALS
I hope the stories of Robbie Keane are true? He would be an ideal player to join us at the moment! Here’s a guy with a wealth of experience, skill and work ethic!
Which is exactly what a Sunderland team need. He would bring that extra bit of something that will unlock defences which we clearly can’t do at the moment! Steve Bruce is always saying that he needs to improve the defence which I think is true to a degree but we need someone who can hold a ball up properly upfront and I think we need a pacey winger who would keep defences guessing on the counter as we currently have none. Even I would give Reidy and Malbranque a ten metre head start and still catch them!! Good players but just too slow for Premier. Put in a bid for Johnson from Boro, £7m would get him I reckon?
Let’s get to the SoL to show our support on Monday night because my god the team need it...
Dave Welsh
Gateshead
Dear ALS
We have been in relegation form since November and we are now heading to our deserved place in the table.
The reason? Unsettled defence but Bruce should know that most goals conceded have been through high diagonal balls (last night and Portsmouth) or crosses and corners we haven’t got a head too. Come on Steve, you were a defender who got his head to everything so can’t you instill this into whoever plays at the back?
If we keep this up we are in danger of repeating the Sbragia run last year and will have to hope there are three teams worse than us again. Worryingly, I haven’t seen one yet after last night’s poor display Two home games , win em both and we should be ok, lose or draw and its gonna be a close run thing down there!
FTM
Phil Whelan
Rotherham
Dear ALS
I notice with interest the comments made about our recent form and, like many, would like to add my views.
Firstly I am totally behind Steve Bruce as I do believe a manager needs time to mould his team but recent tactical mistakes, in my eyes, show worrying signs.
Like many commenting on this page and I'm sure at the time the team took to the field yesterday v Everton, I could not believe that Nosworthy was starting at centre back with Mensah at full back. Nosworthy was hopelessly adrift for the first goal. If Mensah had been there that goal would not have happened. Thankfully Bruce saw sense soon into the second half but why the glaringly obvious mistake in the first place? I was going potty at my wife over that positional error at the time and I'm pleased I was not the only one! Why was Da Silva dropped? Bruce wants continuity and then he completely changes the back four to the previous game when he didn't need to. When Da Silva and Mensah played central defence together earlier this season at the SoL I think we kept a clean sheet but I stand to be corrected on that one.
Also it's time to start winning games. Combative central midfield is fine but if we're not creating chances we're not going to win games. Why not play Steed in his favoured central role or to keep the balance correct keep him on the right, Reid in the middle to pull the strings with Cana and Zenden on the left at least until Cattermole is fully fit. I agree with another comment on this page that Richardson is all puff and no end product! How many chances did he miss at the end of last season when, with better finishing of a so called 'quality' player, we would have been well clear of a relegation battle?
Overall I thought the 'fight' was ok last night especially after going two goals down in 19 minutes but we desperately need a win to turn the corner. Let's go all out attack in the next three games (Stoke, Wigan and Portsmouth) and really take the game to them with speed, tempo and flair and with a potential seven points which I think is realistic that's us up to 30 points and looking a whole lot more comfortable... not to mention the added confidence!
Still a long way to go but the next three games are huge! So much for my prediction of a nice, gentle mid season finish and a welcome breather from the normal stress and chaos that normally reigns at SAFC until the end of each season. It's never dull is it!!
Keep the faith,the lads need the fans more than ever!
John Lowe
Dear ALS
Another tactical master class by Bruce the brave. A Champion’s league central defender at full back and a poor Championship full back at centre half. Why is Richardson always first on the team sheet when fit. He is inept. Makes wild tackles and gives away goals like last night.
How did Zenden start ahead of Reid it beggar’s belief? Why is Bruce, master defender unable to organise a back four? Do we do any training? And why so many needless changes in personnel? Is it just me or is Cana the worst central midfielder in the country? He is never in position he always ends up under the ball and never shows for it. His leadership quality is nil.
Campbell is a total waste of money, not Premiership standard. Matthew Kilgallon is too slow for the Premiership. Why do we have so many injuries is it the training facilities is it the training but it has gone on for far too long. I feel Bruce was the wrong choice but cannot see the point in sacking him mid season.
If we are keeping Jones then we need someone to cross the ball. He has had three decent crosses in three seasons. Let’s get it sorted now. I still think we have enough to stay up but our overpaid mercenaries need to get their fingers out now!
John Robson
Dear ALS
Can somebody please tell me what is going on at our club; we seem to be falling like a stone. It actually is very similar situation to Hull last year and they only survived because of the Mags.
We really need three new players in immediately, and not Championship players. The signing of Kilgallon is OK but he’s as a squad player only (cover) what we need is a two quality defenders and a creative midfielder. If Bent, Jones and Campbell keep fit we would be okay up front, if this happens and we keep away from the bottom three then we need to have a sweep out and bring in another three quality players in the summer.
We need to get rid of the dead wood, the likes of Healy, Murphy, Noz, etc, so come on Quinny get that cheque book out in the next few days, the word is quality, if not we will have another sweat on until May, and the result this season may not be as fortunate as last time around.
Rob Goodfellow
Dear ALS
"We have to roll our sleeves up and keep on fighting" a quote from Steve Bruce after the Everton game.
We did not turn up last night yet again away from home and frankly there was no fight in us at all last night so I don’t understand what he's banging on about. All he needed to add to that was that we would put it right by "hard work on the training pitch" then we would know that we are knackered and that he has lost his way. Killgallon showed himself to be a Championship player that many predicted and was seen mouthing "for fucks sake" during the first half after they cut through us again. Our sentiments exactly mate but for very different reasons!
His decision to play our best defender, John Mensah, right back with Notworthy centre was a disgrace. He weakened our spine highlighted by Noz's failure in each of the two goals. Go back to Chelsea and he deemed Steed would have the legs to track Ashley Cole and played him right mid instead of Henderson. In August at the SOL it was the other way round and I can remember Jordan twice getting back in his own box to take the ball of Coles toes. Why the Change? Inexplicable! He has plainly brought Kieran and Cattermole back too soon.
Our Captain is anonymous away from home and has been pretty much every game. We are conceding from nothing balls pumped into our box (Zamora,Cahill) with our centre halves either being sucked away from the centre of goal or losing their men and being beaten easily in the air. Bruce was a defender, how can such basic defending errors not be ironed out.
Our most creative midfielder, Malbranque, is now left out after being played out of position all season. He should be played central for his creativity he has enough strength and in the tackle to pull it off.
We are now rudderless like we were last season with a manager making tactical and selection errors week after week. He has not made a dint in our weak away form at all when he should be putting his stamp on the team. He can say he has been unlucky with injuries all he wants,he wanted a smaller squad. I'm not saying he should go but he needs to address this slump now and prove he can get a reaction from his players. Not only is the honeymoon period over I think a lot of fans now will feel the period of injuries being an excuse is over and its only a matter of time now before some sections of the crowd will turn on him.
We are right in it again but fortunately I think Burnley and Pompey have two of the relegation spots booked.
John Graham
Dear ALS
I find it a little strange that with the team in free fall, and with recent performances being nothing short of embarrassing, that support for the manager remains so strong.
Our defence looks like a goal waiting to happen regardless of which personnel are selected. The midfield is laborious and lacks creativity, and the strikers spend most of the game chasing after punts up field. I think we all know what would happen should anything happen to Bent. The relegation word has also been avoided with talk of a top ten finish still being mooted. I think Monday's game against Stoke is now of massive importance.
Victory could see us turn the corner, anything less and we will be fighting for our top flight status yet again. Bruce stated that he was looking for a reaction after the Chelsea game but the last two performances have not instilled the fans with much confidence that the team is up for the fight ahead. I'm sure that we all want the gaffer to get things right and take at least four points from the two home games coming up, anything less and I feel the owner may run out of patience and take appropriate action. Let's hope we can turn it around soon and for once have a relaxing end of season run in!
Yours Faithfully
Keith Mordey
Dear ALS
...but I just had to get this off my chest.
I submitted a letter two days ago suggesting Steve Bruce had been contributing to our recent form with his suspect team selections and tactics. After watching last night's game and reading the drivel from his post match report (which he expects us to swallow?) I had to sound off to someone in the hope I'm not going mad.
Can anyone tell me why:-
1. We started with Mensah at right back and Nosworthy in the centre? Mensah is a much better centre half and Nosworthy proved he wasn't up to it by losing Cahill after only six minutes. Bruce 'saw the light' at half time but the game was gone by then.
2. Nosworthy was in the starting line up? Nosser seems a nice bloke but that’s no criteria for selection (otherwise Niall Quinn would still be playing?). Da Silva should've started at right back.
3. Zenden was picked ahead of Andy Reid? Zenden's corners were woeful and he looked like his age had caught up with him.
4. Our players 'return from injury' and last less than one game?
In my letter the other day I suggested we start with 4-5-1 and if we got the midfield selection right in defence we could then perm any 4 from 7 but we didn't get midfield right and playing people out of position in defence made us look as though we were about to ship 7 goals again. Bruce is in cloud cuckoo land if he thought we made a decent fist of it in the second half. Everton knew they were safe and had taken their foot off the gas. Poor Benty never got a sniff and for 80 minutes we were shocking.
We now look as shell shocked and bereft of ideas as Sbragia's team in the run in last year and yet we've supposedly got 'better' players.
If anyone can see any positives in the Everton game can they please point them out to me? Its official, it’s time to start sh*tting ourselves big time.
Rant over. Thanks for 'listening'.
Ged Blakeborough
Dear ALS
In response to Semper Fidelis can I state that as yet I haven't yet seen a letter demanding the sacking of Bruce.
The only thing I have read is concern about the situation we are in. Through this letter’s section we are playing out our version of "Football Manager" and opinions are like backsides, everybody has one. Should Steve Bruce be reading this site I'm sure he has a little chuckle and dismisses comments from any of us? What we get out of it is the release of frustration building up and if you are like me you'll notice how good you feel after completion of the letter.
I, for one, have no wish to copy them up the road and dismiss a manager after a few months if results aren't going too well. We realise that his (Bruce) target is a steady improvement each season until we are firmly established and can make that leap from mid table to challenging for honours and Europe. What concerns us is that the improvement came immediately only to be scuppered by injuries and suspensions. That I'm afraid is down to an under strength squad and indiscipline among players. We could even cite training methods. In other words, after ten years as a manager you'd think his faults would have been ironed out.
He can be comforted with the knowledge that fans of SAFC will not be baying for his head, unlike some others we can think of.
The faith is back
P Dunn
Dear ALS
I like many other Sunderland supporters am concerned by the teams drop in form over the last couple of months. Steve Bruce has commented that this is due to injuries and suspensions picked up by key players, which is a sentiment I whole heartedly agree with.
However, when Bruce arrived he immediately trimmed the squad down to around twenty first team players including a few inexperienced players such as Meyler and Henderson. This left the team vulnerable if one or two players picked up injuries, which being Sunderland happened within three months. Having a squad of 20-22 players is a great idea if you’re a team like Man Utd and Chelsea or even a team like Aston Villa, because the players not making the starting eleven or the bench are still quality players. Habib Beye (one of our targets), for example, never gets a game. In our case however, players such as Murphy and Meyler are not good enough to be exposed to the rigors of Premier League football.
To add to this players like McCartney and Richardson who already had question marks raised about them, automatically became key players due to the squad size.
After the injuries to key players and the lack of quality in depth I expected Bruce to spend big especially on the right where Malbranque looks finished and Bardsley’s ability going forward is suspect. But to this day Bruce has yet to sign a full back or a creative player instead he signs another centre back, his fourth signing in the position on top of the two he had already inherited. After the honeymoon period was over, only a few of Bruce’s signings have stood out. The signing of Bent has been a revelation and the Cattermole/Cana partnership looked strong while it was intact. Apart from these select few, the other signings form has been indifferent and while Mensah has looked as solid as his nickname suggests, he has only played five games in an injury hit season.
Hopefully Bruce will bring in a few new faces before the window ends and solidify the squad, if not we could be in for another tense end to the season.
Simon Sinclair
Dear ALS
I’m not one for blind panic and I’m not calling for Bruce to be sacked but I have some major concerns about this season and his management in general. I wasn’t overly excited by Bruce’s appointment in the summer mainly because of his fairly mediocre track record but I had been reasonably impressed with his record in the transfer market over the last few years.
The business he did in the summer was generally decent; Bent has been outstanding and looks worth every penny. Cana has impressed despite being very inconsistent and Cattermole has done well despite his injury troubles but I feel there’s a real lack of creativity in midfield, a concern which has been developing since some of our disappointing away performances earlier in the season.
It’s all well and good focusing on breaking up play in midfield when you have width from N’Zogbia on the left and Valencia on the right to provide creativity, but we don’t. Reid’s form has been very erratic and it’s hard to remember the last time Malbranque had a good game
Neither of our full backs offer much attacking threat so we resort to ugly, long ball stuff. Jones has been as enigmatic as usual, Bruce recognises this but there seems to be nothing he can do about it. Our defence looks piss weak too.
Having got all that off my chest, a few new faces and some points on the board, hopefully starting with something from the Everton game, could turn the season around.
Fingers crossed… as usual
Colin Robinson
Dear ALS
Steve Bruce has had some good luck, made some mistakes and had some bad luck and so we should sack him as we are not on our way to Europe and FA Cup Glory!
Can I remind you scary idealists that all we hoped for this season was a top ten finish. Then next season 2010-2011, a team that is difficult to beat and has a bit of class. The following season 2011-2012, a true European effort and from then on a nailed on top team with financial security and clout which plays great football and wins most of its’ games. So 2012-2013 season then! Wait for fook’s sake
After that we can have great expectations founded on a proven record. By that time of course Chelsea will be up for sale as a warehouse for the flower show next door and Manchester United will have been docked so many points for indebtedness they will dissolve into Division One, as Liverpool supporters will be saying the same shite we always do, “ yes but we were a great team once”.
Top ten will be a result and as of half way through the season we are three points away from that! And yes I was at Portsmouth and yes we didn’t deserve to win, but then neither did Portsmouth and look at the mess they are in. Time ladies and gentlemen, patience and a cool heed.
Semper Fidelis
Dear ALS
I despair sometimes with the negativity coming out from some of our supporters. Already we have letters coming in questioning if Bruce is the right man for the job, and I’ve heard people at the games criticising – there is still almost half a season left for God’s sake. Three months ago, he could do no wrong, when we were flying high, almost beating Man U, then beating Liverpool and Arsenal.
Are we as fickle as the Mags, that we turn on the manager as soon as the going gets a bit tough? We claim to be the best supporters in the country – well now is the time to show it, by getting behind the lads like we used to – even when the team was shite!!
Yes, we are on a bad run, and people have a right to voice their opinion, but I think some are over-reacting. Alex Ferguson couldn’t turn this club around in six months, which is basically what Bruce has had. It needs time, and above all patience.
I agree, we have lost to some poor sides (Burnley, Birmingham, Wigan etc), but that is no reason for everyone to become doom and gloom merchants. One letter even said there are suggestions that Bruce has “lost support in some sections of the dressing room.”
Well there’s a f*****g shock!! That would seem to be the answer these days wouldn’t it? Instead of knuckling down and playing harder to turn fortunes around, let’s just turn against the manager shall we? Players have too much power nowadays, and it is all too easy to deflect the blame from themselves, by saying the manager has lost the dressing room.
If it is true (and I’m sceptical myself), then it would be no more than a bunch of overpaid, underachieving chavs, who can’t stand to be told the truth - that they are playing shite!! And it wouldn’t be just the manager they have turned against (or let down) – it would also be us supporters.
If it is true, then Bruce should drum them out in the summer, because I for one don’t want a bunch of bellyaching, spoilt brats playing for my club. I would rather watch eleven players who haven’t got the ability, but give their all, than players who I know have the ability, but don’t try (or even care). But I don’t think it is anywhere near that bad.
For once, we have one of the best strikers in the Premier, who can score the goals to make sure we aren’t near the bottom. I must confess however, I am a little worried that we are relying on Bent to score most, if not all the goals (if he gets injured, then we could be in trouble). He needs support from the midfield, and Jones especially.
And I believe when the players are fit again (especially Cattermole and Turner), we will be ok. I trust Bruce to get it right. He has brought in some quality signings – Bent, Cattermole, Cana and Turner, and I am sure there will be more to come.
He will know who is up to the job, and who isn’t. I’m hoping he brings in a couple of players in this January window – especially a left back, another forward, and hopefully a goal scoring midfielder. Then he can have another clearout, and recruit better players in the summer.
Stay positive, and keep the faith
Terry Magee
Sheffield
Dear ALS
Steve Bruce may have been a top defender in his playing days, but he does not seem to be able to sort our current crop out. Bruce may not be responsible for individual errors or injuries but he is to blame for the players he has brought into the club and also the players he let go. Da Silva. does not look comfortable against Premier league players, Mensa has a history of injuries, check his stats in France and after a good start Turner was beginning to look very slow and was even losing high balls to smaller players. Our previous player of the year, last two seasons, Danny Collins has been a big miss and how we could have done with him during our last few games when we were down to the bare bones.
Collins hardly missed a game whilst showing remarkable consistency but even after giving him the captaincy Bruce let him go. Danny was also a decent squad player and far more consistent than the likes of s ick note McCartney.
Come on Brucie sort this shambles out before it is too late. One bright point is our squad is getting back to full fitness so stop giving easy goals away and get some much needed wins and points in the bag.
All the best
Terry
Dear ALS
It is no doubt a worrying time, no wins in the Premier for 10 games now and out of both cups. There is also not a lot of strengthening going on with but a few days of the transfer window left. Added to this we now have one of our main strikers (Kenwyne) seemingly greatly unsettled. It all fails to inspire confidence.
On the positive side Bruce has brought in some excellent signings, and I could hardly criticise any of them even with our dismal run, Bent and Cana in particular. We seem to have a distinct problem with the players signed from earlier regimes, the likes of Richardson, Malbranque, Jones, Ferdinand, McCartney who just aren’t pulling their weight in any way and I am sorry but I am going to say it, we desperately need a decent keeper. Neither current incumbents are up to scratch.
Ok, Bruce got the Collins decision wrong, but he has called almost every other transfer (in and out) spot on as far as I am concerned. So let’s give the fella time to improve further and not start the back biting already.
Regards
Vince Richardson
Dear ALS
As another false dawn begins to settle over the Stadium of Light the question "what's gone wrong this time" remains to be answered. Due to being out of both domestic trophies and without a win in eight games, many fans are beginning to question whether the appointment of Steve Bruce was right for the club.
Questions have been raised regarding Bruce's transfer activities, tactical awareness, team selection and his use of substitutes. The team is totally reliant on Darren Bent’s goal scoring prowess as the remaining players (especially the midfield) appear incapable of supporting him. Our defending has been diabolical all season and the team in general has developed a severe lack of confidence due to our poor away form and the recent losing streak.
Furthermore it has been suggested in some quarters that Bruce appears to have lost the support of sections of the dressing room, and the lack of commitment by certain players has been identified by media pundits e.g. Gary Bennett. Whilst the effect that injuries have played upon our paper thin squad cannot be underestimated the reason why the club has been left with such a small squad is the fault of one man only. Finally, when he was appointed Steve Bruce said that Sunderland fans should be "excited, very excited", well Steve like every other Sunderland fan I am still waiting for the phenomena to occur.
Colin
Dear ALS
Are we starting to get scared yet? Should we be? The 'run' we're on hardly inspires confidence and whilst some would say this can be put down to recent injuries and suspensions etc. as the players who were out are now coming available we have to stop the rot. I had hoped Saturday was a perfect opportunity but we all know how our team specialises in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Mr Bruce is coming under closer scrutiny and several references have been made to our recent from and that under Keano before he left. In terms of transfer 'buys' Bruce's selections have, in my humble, opinion been good (although I've never been a fan of Kilgallon
and in his case my 'jury' will be out for a while). In terms of his sales, I think with the exception of Danny Collins and possibly Teemu (as cover) the ones who have gone weren't needed under the new regime.
What is starting to worry me is Bruce's tactics/team selection. I wasn't at the Chelsea game (but watched it on Football First - yes I like hitting myself in the nuts with a hammer from time to time as well) nor the Pompey game (but listened to the commentary on Century or whatever it is called now). In the case of Chelsea why didn't Bruce go 4-5-1 and try to control a bit more of midfield. This must've given him better options as it was obvious to anyone that the four he played there were going to get swamped. Murphy in midfield - he doesn't even know how to play upfront?! And how many times does Bruce have to sub Steed at half time or just after before he realises that something's wrong him at the moment and perhaps he shouldn't be starting?
On to Pompey and where was the midfield flair or attacking options apart from Hendo The Nutmeg King? According to the radio commentary and Sky, it was only when Andy Reid came on that we started to look as though we knew how to attack properly. Sheesh, Benty getting all those goals from scraps. Who knows how many he would have had by now if he'd had better supply. We may even have scored more than the opposition, remember when we used to do that?
If Bruce gets his head into gear he should revert to 4-5-1 for the Everton game. Benty up front (Jones on the bench dreaming about playing across the park for his 'heroes' and a nice pay cheque for him and his agent, he's cleary doing now what he did at Southampton), and in midfield say Cana, Clatterthemall if he's fit, Reidy,Hendo and Campbell (yes I know he's a striker but he'll do more running than Steed and pose a bigger threat if and when he gets into the box). As for the defence, if the above midfield does its job we could perm any 4 from about 7 or 8 and still make a decent fist of it.
Anyone who has ever played knows you stand or fall by your midfield - they help defence and create chances for the strikers. So if we know that Brucey you must as well (psst - its not a secret, pass it on!). Until we stop conceding daft or soft goals and not scoring enough at the other end we're in the clarts. Are we scared? We must be starting to touch cloth by now...
Ged Blakeborough
Dear ALS
Not been to a match for a while for all sorts of reasons, but had tickets in home side up the other end from you lot on Saturday. Don't know about you but given how dire Pompey generally were, I left the ground wondering how we managed to lose it, beyond the obvious bit about the ball and the net, that apart, three quick thoughts...
Firstly, what your report fails to mention is the lunacy of the Pompey geezers with the drums and bells. It may have been 'quaint' from where you sat, but for volume it was in the 'bl@@dy annoying' bracket as far as I was concerned.
Secondly, strange that Pompey were so fed up with their owners, the only stick seemingly aimed at Sunderland was to Kenwyne Jones for his ex-Southampton roots. How nice of Sunderland to get out of the way of their 'love in' in the fifth round.
Finally, observing from my seat, the real problem was the inability of the different groups to interact. Defence, Midfield, Attack. The midfield in particular seemed incapable of supporting the defence or the attack. Is that due to the injuries to that area and the use of under (Meyler/Henderson) or over-experienced (Zenden) players there?
Ho humm. Not a good day. I was fed up travelling back home to West Sussex so you deserve medals for your efforts so soon after Chelsea. If not a medal, then the least ought to be a team who can provide a joined up, cohesive performance for 90 not 20 minutes by players paid to do a professional job and not simply turn up.
Ian J
Dear ALS
Having been to Chelsea and Portsmouth in the past week it is evident that we are well and truly back to where we were last season.
I think we have the same points as we did last year at this stage and from memory after Ricky’s two easy wins as caretaker in about the same position-signings in the window therefore are a must.
Apart from signings Brucey needs to sort himself out with Kenwyne. Bruce said on Friday that he wasn’t sure KJs head was right to play at Pompey, on that one he was right. However it’s not helped by the mindless individuals shouting "**** off to Liverpool" as Jonesy picked himself up from another heavy battering. Bruce clearly would sell him if the Scousers had £12m however this has got the Danny Collins fiasco written all over it, ie we sell him and don’t have time to get a replacement. On his day he is top class and the uncertainty is obviously getting to him. Remember Brucey that DB wasn’t so hot last year when Harry was playing with his mind. So come on forget the £12m and give Jonesy your backing rather than trying to hedge your bets. Or sign another striker to add to Bent and Jones
First class signings in Cattermole Cana Turner and Bent but we need a lift not Jonesy leaving and Bent alone up front
Keep the Faith
Mackem Paul
Dear ALS
It was only a matter of six months ago that we who have "suffered" being a fan of SAFC for many decades, finally believed good times were around the corner.
We saw the appointment of a "plastic Geordie" as acceptable purely because he had shown an attitude in his management career we had been deprived of over many years. That attitude hinged on his ability to turn ordinary players into a team that fought for each other, never gave up and gave the fans something to support.
What we have encountered over the last twelve weeks or so have put paid to that theory. Injuries and suspensions have severely hindered his ability to play his 1st XI in too many games but at what point do excuses cease to be acceptable? Week after week we read him and the players trot out their disappointment, determination to put it right and any other load of tripe they think will keep us satisfied and onside.
Sorry Brucey but now it's time to put up or shut up. We can't abide any more verbal manure. Sure, we know you're hurting. It isn't hurting as much as the people who pay your wages by following you countrywide and spending money in the club shop so that you and the players can have more than our annual salary credited to your bank accounts each week.
Since beating Liverpool on 17th October we have only celebrated three points on one occasion. During that period we have capitulated to teams consisting of players we wouldn't want for free. Looking at the team it becomes more incredible that we are in this situation. Bent, Jones, Cattermole, Turner, Cana, R |
