Steve Bruce

Arsenal Soapbox: time is running out, Steve

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M Salut’s preference for leaving the momentous decision until we’ve completed our October AND November games was already controversially kind. One down after 28 seconds, without a forward on the pitch, it was looking almost irresponsibly benevolent. Pete Sixsmith, hardly a kneejerk Bruce Out man, is rapidly losing faith …

As I placed my well upholstered bottom on my well upholstered Ashburton Grove seat, I sat back in anticipation of a battling performance against an out of sorts Arsenal side.

Rather less than 60 seconds later, bottom was out of seat as Mignolet picked ball out of the net after Les Gunners had carved us open down the flank and the imperious van bloody Persie swept home a goal of breathtaking quality. Not quite the start we had hoped for, was it?

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Bruce’s Banter: Arsenal’s Van Persie ‘magic’, our ‘fight’

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He annoyed us by starting without a forward and nearly nicked a point. A Song renamed Cattermole might have been sent off. But it all went to script in the end (as it might have done a lot earlier). Steve Bruce‘s post-match e-mail regrets missed chances, but points to positives …

Dear Colin,

We had an awful start, just like the West Brom game, but again we showed enough resilience and fight to get back in the game.

It’s just a shame that [Robin] Van Persie, a world-class player, came up with piece of magic at the end. He is worth the entrance fee alone.

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Dear Steve: we’re ugly

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………………………………………………………………………… Dear Sunderland have been rubbishing the weekend talk of Steve Bruce’s job being on the line with Martin O’Neill …

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Soapbox: Quinn, Gateshead and no rest from Great Expectations

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We’ve all reacted differently to events swirling round SAFC in recent times. Pete Sixsmith couldn’t resist curling himself up in a ball to hide away and contemplate, though he did emerge to watch Gateshead fans getting disproportionately cross about not winning every game …

If you were expecting a report on last night’s 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic at Hetton, read no further. I decided against it and went to watch Gateshead’s top of the table Conference clash with Wrexham. The ‘Heed lost 4-1, of which more later.

There was another reason for where I spent my evening, and it goes far deeper than just choosing fixtures. Those who know me well are probably aware that when bad things happen, I tend to turn away from it.

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Short shrift for Niall? Someone’s imagination is working overtime

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The mischief makers are at work already. Jeremy Robson naturally found ways of interpreting the Niall Quinn announcement in a quite different way than presented by SAFC …

There has been a widespread discussion following the news that Niall Quinn has stepped down as Sunderland chairman to pursue other duties. Much of this debate is about the truth in the statement. But in reality, can a man in Ellis Short’s position actually afford to tell the whole truth?

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From the ‘cauldron of negativity’, generous breathing space for Steve Bruce

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The swirl of events at the Stadium of Light came to light after this item was prepared. In some ways, it is a response to Jeremy Robson’s merciless attack on Steve Bruce published yesterday, except that it was mostly written before that. Some of the thoughts may be rendered out of date by further developments concerning the club, but for the sake of completeness – and because M Salut is off on some minor travels culminating in Niall’s old stamping ground of Sedgefield at the weekend – here is a piece that is not intended to outrage the Bruce Out camp but will do so in any case …

A friend who supports Chelsea recently asked here whether Steve Bruce really wrote to Salut! Sunderland after each match.

The reply was Yes, but only in the sense that I receive the same e-mail that is sent to all other season card holders on the manager’s behalf. I am sure a press officer writes the words down, but they do fairly reflect what he says on TV so we can take them as his genuine thoughts, and it is good to have them here.

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Niall Quinn: maybe gone sooner than we think – but never forgotten

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The words will flow thick and fast about Niall Quinn and his departure from role of chairman of Sunderland AFC. No one beyond his immediate circle can really know what to make of the new role “spearheading international development”, though there are theories aplenty on that, too. But nor should anyone forget all Niall has done for SAFC. Here is one tribute, with sharp injections of realism, from Eric Sweeney …

Niall Quinn is a Sunderland legend. As a player he formed one half of the most potent strikeforce we ever had. A gentleman on and off the field he will be remembered for his love and affection for the Sunderland faithful and more recently his commitment to the club in spearheading much needed investment and leadership.

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Birflatt Boy: bewildered by Bruce’s bewilderment

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Birflatt Boy pulls no punches in a unforgiving verdict on Steve Bruce. To some, it will appear excessively harsh and even unfair; tomorrow you will find a contrary argument here. Take your pick …

In today’s Sunderland Echo, it is reported that Steve Bruce confesses to being bewildered at the early-season pressure he finds himself and his players under, especially considering the club is in lower mid-table rather than in the relegation zone.

He is quoted as saying: “There’s a huge, big expectation here – an expectation that you would expect from a Champions’ League side.”

All this comes in the wake of sporadic shouts of “Bruce out” when Sunderland shipped two early goals against West Brom on Saturday. “I don’t know where it comes from – probably the size of the crowd and the passion of the place itself,” he said.

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A West Brom postscript: ‘Dear Steve … reach for the Sky’

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Visit the Salut! Sunderland Shop

Sunderland showed character to turn a shocking start into a game we might have gone on to win. But it was against WBA at home and, and with respect to a likeable club, that is not quite like Arsenal and Man Utd away, two of our next three games on the road. Relief at yesterday’s equaliser hardly banished discontent. Ian Porter shared this response to Steve Bruce’s post-match message (see Bruce’s Banter) with fellow subscribers to the Blackcats list …

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your post-match e-mail.

It was good to see The Lads suck with it and dug deep instead of huffing and puffing again.

It amuses me watching your team nowadays, as it reminds me so much of watching many other games at the Stadium of Light and I regularly draw similarities between players of yesteryear and today.

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Bruce’s Banter: West Brom disaster avoidance with ‘fighting spirit’

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Image: View from the Press Box

Yes it was a great fightback after a calamitous start. But two points were still dropped against a team we should expect to beat, maybe even comfortably, if our ability matches our ambition. The performance was much better in the end, but the results remain those of a candidate for relegation. But there were positives and Steve Bruce‘s post-match e-mail seizes on them …

Dear Colin,

Once we got back level I thought if there was one team that was going to win it, it would have been us.

When you get off to an horrendous start like that, you have to say well done to the lads for sticking with it and getting something.

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