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From the West Brom fourm: Bruce has been an utter disaster. Easy to say in hindsight, but a lot of what has happened is pretty predictable. First of all, taking a team/fanbase that is largely fed up with the negative style of football and has a fairly toxic atmosphere around the club, and then putting in a manager who was just sacked/forced out at his previous club for playing an awful style of football in an extremely toxic atmosphere was always an 'interesting' choice. Add in that Bruce himself was so scarred by his time at Newcastle that he was considering retirement just a couple of months ago, and it's not too surprising to see us start as we have under him. Ismael had a number of faults, and whilst I wasn't as adamant as other that he had to go, I'm also not overly disappointed he did. However, whatever your thoughts on Ismael, it's pretty hard to argue that Bruce hasn't come in and managed to make us even worse than we were even at our lowest under Ismael. Ultimately Bruce took over a team that were 5th in the league and hadn't spent a day outside the top 6 all season, and within a few weeks has taken us to mid table and all but out of the running for a play off spot. Just to be clear, this is not all Bruces fault. The players, the board and Ismael (and arguably the fans) all deserve criticism for where we are now. However, Bruce was bought in as a short term fix with just one objective which was to make the top 6. To not only (probably) fail at that, but to fail within the first few weeks is a huge underperformance. Some can say it's harsh to judge Bruce at just 4 games and to an extent I agree. To expect someone to take a team that is badly sliding and turn them around straight away is tough. If we bought in a younger or longer term appointment, then I'd almost be willing to write off the next few months, allow the new guy the shape his squad and begin to implement his style, whilst viewing which players are and aren't up to his standards. The issue is (and this is similar to the Allardyce appointment) Bruce was bought in specifically for one short term aim, and nothing else. There is absolutely no reason or plan to have Bruce in charge past the end of this season and his one job was to make the top 6. If he's failing/failed at that then its hard to view it as anything as an utter disaster.

They mentioned on Pod on Tyne this week that while it's too early to know what the summer plans are yet, as we're still not safe of relegation. The provisional plan would be to bring 5-7 players in, and the same amount out, so a refresh of about a quarter of the squad.

Remember the times during his stay where we'd not be complete wank in the first half, and then he gave his team talk and we'd get obliterated in the second. Good times.

Lukaku been dropped.

I know odds don't mean shite, but OddsChecker has Burnley, Norwich, Watford, Leeds and Brentford as more likely to go down.

This...

Fair play to him tbh, he could of have just given up and phoned it in on Sky, but clearly wants to play, and Denmark is a lush place.

If we avoid defeat in this, it'll be our first unbeaten 7 game run since 2011, during the start of the 5th season. (If I've done the math right)

Can just say, I fucking LOVED that very needless tackle on Bowen towards the end of the game, top shithousery 10/10.

Biggest thing I've noticed over the last few games is that, while I'm slightly nervous, I'm not a wreck, and infarct comfortable in the knowledge that at the very least we'll be competitive, and the players will put in a shift, hell even when we go behind I don't immediately think it's game over. That's all down to Howe and his management.

Im indifferent, I don't really care enough about any them clubs to shed a tear, or be elated they're down there. Each club is where they are on merit, and no one has a right to think they're higher then the division they're in. Just noticed they where all bunched together and made the observation

On a side note, it is a bit weird seeing established "old guard" clubs like Sunderland, Sheff Wed, Ipswich and Bolton outside the playoffs of the Third division, while Oxford, MK Don's, Rotherham & Wycombe are all above them.

I can just feel it in my bones that Spurs are going to win against Man City today and then lose against Burnley on Wednesday, it's just the most obvious "Spursy" thing to happen

People need to stop getting worked up about a positive result for one of the teams down there, sides are going to get results between now and the end of the season. We just need to focus on what we're doing, and if results go out way it's a bonus.

Happy with that, point further to safety, keeps our unbeaten run going, and confidence high, from a very competitive performance. Get a win next week and we're looking comfy.

Thought Targett and Murphy where linking really well that half, Murphy has been our best attacking option, Wood and Fraser have grafting well, and our midfield has been decent (I'd swap Shelvey for Bruno mind), Schar and Burn have decent and calm partnership, and Krafth has been utter shite. More then deserved being level.

That's class from Willock that.

Man City Owners seem happy with a 55,097 seater stadium ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Napoli beating Barca and the Camp Nou.

Speaking of that gormless prick, remember how often he'd hark on that he wanted to play a back four, but "The players arnt suited to it and can only play in a back 5". Anyone noticed what formation Howe has played in the last five games in which we've conceded only 3 goals and had 2 clean sheets?

Start with England in March too iirc.

Where have these links to Mourinho come from? Love these wild links people seem to shove our way just because we have money now Don't know about you guys but I can't see the owners appointing someone like Dan Ashworth as DOF and then think Jose is a good match