Tiotes Witch Doctor

Head says Poch heart says Rafa.

I'll suck myself dry the very moment this is confirmed.

To say we've been jammy over the course of 30 games to do better than last seasons points total is something I would genuinely love to believe but it's just not true is it, yes we've rode our luck at times but we are still for now a fairly well drilled side who can grind out a win. Do not mistake these comments as softening against the club, I will never put in another penny until Ashley goes but what I'm trying to say is that Bruce probably does deserve some credit, but I really really don't want to give him it.

I get that there's no future under this guy and it will all implode eventually but in isolation we're probably on course for a better premier league finish than last season and we've got to the FA cup quarter final, talking strictly points and cup run into account he probably does deserve a bit of credit.

Thing is I've noticed, just as the vultures start to circle around Bruce he seems to manage a bit of luck to get a win or a performance out of the team, hes had quite a bit of criticism since Norwich and I wouldn't be surprised if we go out and pump Oxford tonight and the usual suspects will be singing his praises again. Anyone who knows even a little bit about football and Bruce himself, and particularly this club knows that even if we do stay up, even if get top 10.. the fall is coming, whether it be next season or the season after, this man can't take us anywhere, regardless of money and owners, but at least more people seem to be noticing the signs. It's like a shitter version of the Pardew 5th season this.

We'll win.... The cup!!

Three cheers for Brucey, 9 points better off than this time last season! Best manager ever!

The problem with that is the last two seasons are proof that he wouldn't have done that.

Still 7 points ahead of where we were under Rafa last season, and with all of these injuries too, bloke is a genius.

TBF hes contributed more than most that are on the pitch right now, and with less minutes.

Not a single pundit or commentator pointing the finger at the coaching team. All just really unlucky.

think you're being optimistic there. we're in freefall and a few of the teams below us have picked up form. 11 losses 3 wins and 3 draws would be an absolutely abysmal end to the season but probably enough, only reason I think we'll manage it, plus we'll have ASM and Lascelles back at some point. It will be next season where the shit hits the fan.

I do think we'll stay up with relative ease, those points we picked up before Man Utd have already made the difference, in reality a few wins and a few draws in the last 17 games will be enough to stay up. Job done for Charners and Ashley.

Absolutely no confidence whatsoever, needs a goal even more than Miggy did, I refuse to believe its just because hes "shite" but either way it's a dud of a transfer for that sort of money.

Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't regarding personnel changes. Predicting a 1-0 win for us, we'll make hard work of it but ultimately squeak a goal, probably Joelinton.

The thing is even if he had been decent and done alright for a few seasons you would never make back more than 40 million on him, unless he was Ronaldo levels of brilliance, and we only spend money to make money, so its 100% a dodgy deal, some sort of weird tax or kickback situation. I'm not clued up on such things but would it be possible? No fucking way we've splashed out 40 million.

All 3 subs were due to injury weren't they?

He was being booed every time he touched the ball early on, I'd be fucking celebrating too after that,

He'll never beat his man, but Ritchie can do this. That must be the most inaccurate statement I've ever seen. Ritchie has a few sterling qualities, but beating a man is never one of them. Yeah I genuinely don't think I've ever seen Ritchie take a player on, not even once. We do miss him though.

Still doing way better than Rafa was at this point last season

Entertaining game until the second half of the second half, the subs killed the game stone dead, Gayle and Atsu need to be moved on in Jan, complete none entities.

It's been quite an entertaining game.

Disagree with this. Getting 1 lucky shot on target in the second half is not a performance we'd sing Rafa's praises for. Especially against a side as poor as Crystal Palace were today. Praise was lavished on Rafa when we got 1-0 wins against better sides, whilst clearly playing a plan/system well. Give it 6 months and the luck will even out. Also, imagine what Rafa would have done with the money Bruce got and against the poor oppositions we have faced this season. I disagree, and I would look back on quotes from similar games if I could be arsed but everyone would be talking about how well hes set up the defence and it doesn't matter that the football isn't great its the results that count etc.... I see your point on the transfer money, but are we actually a better team this season? I for one would kill for Rondon and Perez back.

It's just Pardew all over again though, isn't it. Yep, I can't enjoy it, felt absolutely nothing when Almiron scored, apart from being happy for him personally. I've tried to just live in the moment and enjoy it then I just see Bruce's fat head and it ruins it, and that's without thinking about Ashley and Charners and how they probably think they are geniuses for hiring him.