Abra Dubravka

1/10 Said a while ago, watching us that second half in Leeds home was like Pulp Fiction - getting adrenaline to heart. 10 months of Bruceball, and suddenly we've actually bodies forward and attacking. Even though we lost, all that anger of wanting Bruce to get to fuck had dropped, and it was more an awakening he's a caretaker and as long as we attack like that I'll put up until a takeover can get done. If I hadn't seen us recently actually show that courage, balls, aggression, running forward, passing forward, and simply trying to score it would have been about 5/10. In the same time we've finally woken up from the Bruce induced comatose, Fulham had their chance to tighten a gap - they didn't, and still don't show any sign of picking up enough points to even close the gap, let alone overtake and get that 36,37-40 mark that'll be 18th.

First piece on BBC Football I've looked at and bothered reading in years... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55948890 Always remember this side - it was my first year in secondary school and I was sat next to this lad who supported Derby in nearly all my classes. His Dad would take him and his brother up to nearly every home game from Isle of Wight! Cracking lad looking back, he knew they were a bag of s*** but just went with the laughs. Something that'll always stick with me is that he always thought Giles Barnes would captain England Derby County 2007-08: 'We threw the towel in' - the story of the Premier League's worst team "I've never seen a team as frightened and out of its depth as that Derby team - and the players knew it. They weren't silly lads; they would come into my office and talk about it. We just weren't good enough, and I have to put myself in that and take responsibility because I was manager for 24 games." Still managed to beat us

Unfortunately what the mass media will never highlight is that you can never control idiots. Even if social media put in place stricter measures over messaging, or harsher retrospective action - they'll always be a moron sat in a pub or p*ssed up at home that'll send some tripe - whether it be racists, sexist, homophobic, or just general knobhead's doing knobhead things. Not condoning any of it all, but it all seems too tied in from a media narrative for me. Ian Wright's case was the other week, then we saw daily reports of player's getting racists messages (Tuanzebe, lad from Southampton), then Mike Dean, now Bruce is talking about it with his son coming out about messages send in April/July last year. It's just bandwagonning from Alex Bruce today going on Jim White. Fair enough for him doing so, but if he really felt digusted about it and wanted to raise an issue over it he'd have surely been coming out in the summer. All the hate stuff I see for Alex Bruce I'm undecided on tbh - can appreciate him giving out stick to fans on Tweets, as a collective fanbase if your giving stick you have to take it; but it's more showing that his Father's 'one of our own' 'booyhood fan' 'whole family are toon fans' bollocks has never taken, and there is a vitriolic consensus that will call out what a lot us on here would think directly to him via any means, i.e through Alex - Steve Bruce is full of s*** and playing up to being a Geordie, and everything he's ever said linking him to the club is just self-aggrandising. From someone who's not a Geordie, not remotely from the area I see him as a plastic Geordie in terms of being 'black and white' - understanding the passion of the club, the fans - plenty of people can speak to the issue better than I, but I've never wanted Steve Bruce to represent my club, even though he may be a fan or from the area. Even him managing Sunderland previous isn't the biggest issue. It's himself, his persona, all Steve Bruce is interested in is Steve Bruce - not Newcastle United. Keegan, Robson, Rafa gave over their heart all sole for what was best for the club and supporters.

Fair play, he'll be forever the lad with the ridiculous penalty. It's as if just focusing on kicking it far enough in any given corner that the keeper can't reach hasn't been working for all these years. After all, that's what all those square thinkers have been doing in World Cups and Champions League's for all those years... Jogs my memory of Kerlon - the Brazilian that used to dribble with his heed!

More than half hoping that Chelsea get bummed out on some dodgy decision VAR would pick up if this was at Stamford Bridge.

Bernard not played for Brazil since that 7-1 in 2014!

Glyfi class on that and Richarlison goal

State of that BT promo for Leicester with Brendan and Vardy

Heard a stat earlier that Darren Moore won more games at end of WBA’s Pardew season than both Bilic and Allardicio combined this season

Reminds me of a Chelsea Man U cup game from years ago, 5-4. Cracking stuff

Nobody on back post there. Player stood far post kicks that clear

TalkSPORT talking about best British managers in PL. Not a single mention of Bruce from that donkey Agbonlahor.

If that's true, and has happened as said, it's embarrassing on all involved - even both Longstaffs. Sounds too hilarious to believe, in my eyes. That being said, Sean is 23 now. Rafa didn't give him a chance till post 20, if was such a talent that's going to forge a career in PL he'd have 150+ games behind at his age by now. Really hope Matty and Sean do go on have great careers, whether with us or someone else - but you canny be having your Dad turn up at training. However much of a braindead marshmellow Bruce is, Get your heads down lads. Work harder, get better

Nobody has mentioned playing Cisse off the right, with Hatem on the bench, and getting Willo to loft it forward as aimlessly as he can?

I still say the Brighton game was the breaking point. I think ASM realised that the extent of Bruce's use of his talent was to win free-kicks, and he got sick of being fouled. He'd have clocked onto Bruce long before that. He was in and around that Monaco squad under Jardim that won Ligue 1, got to CL semis, played for Lucian Farve - both defensive coaches - he'd have noticed standards, and levels in training would have been lower than he'd been at before by end of his first pre-season with Steve n the Gang. Tactics all last season where give it to Alan and let him get us up the pitch. If he has higher enough standard I'd hope he has, he'd been pulling his hair out that we couldn't get past Rochdale or Oxford in 90mins let alone setting up to sneak a 1-0 in the PL. Brighton game, certainly him being frustrated with bullshit approach he's playing in, but it end of day he let Tariq Lamptey rinse him inside out, highlighting weakness in his game at the top level. Not really a criticism, not expecting him to be 2017 Eden Hazard! If he hadn't gone of injured the wee b****** Lamptey would have had Alan in his pocket all game anyway. Annoyingly good that lad.

Watching Spurs All or Nothing you see Eric Dier fly or the handle after a game, and him and Alli have a 'word' together. Mourinho just stands there and lets it play out; it's petty much nothing, but gives an insight into a PL dressing room is pretty much still emotionally taught like it is at any standard of game you'd play at. Can easily see likes of Schar or ASM flying off the handle after 45mins or 90mins of Bruceball and calling it all 'bullshit' in a fit of frustration and Bruce taking it to heart. Makes sense, ASM going to be p*ssed losing when he spends all game trying to attack while rest of side is loafing around and being donkeys. Could defiantly read between Schar's post match at Southampton to see 'words' had been said in dressing room after the worst display shown in months, but a culmination we'd seen coming as fans for a while. End of the day, it's the same 'Maverick vs. Traditional English Manager' narrative. Bobby being the cultured and continental devil he was brought in Viana, and more so Robert, and embraced his nature to the huge benefit of the team, yet Souness continued to ask something that never should have been expected of him and rest was history... Pardew eventually bombing HBA out and him ending up in a wet grim training ground near Hull being snoughted and sniffed at by Bruce. Latest example being Allardyce taking over at WBA, and dropping Matheus Perreria for Snodgrass

That second half against Leeds when we suddenly burst into life was like that scene in Pulp Fiction for me - suddenly watching us attack, get bodies forward and be exciting for first time since Bournemouth away (or Morecambe) was like a shot of adrenaline. Everton away was genuinely a great result, and enjoyable match to watch that that I was actually invested in for first time in months. In comparison, Liverpool 0-0 was a great result, but didn't give a toss if we got stuffed by 6 or snuck a 1-0 win last minute. Sneaking that 1-1 in last second away at Spurs, couldn't give a toss - more furious of much VAR is ruining football. Wilson, Schar, Almiron, ASM, Fraser even Manquillo of late have been rays of hope, Darlow has won us points alone this season - They deserve better than playing in a side that nose dives and is lucky to finish 17th. I've given up hope thinking Bruce could get sacked, so he's just a caretaker manager for me now - until takeover, or whatever. It would take us going near undefeated until end of season to level him par in my book right now. Would still love to see us tank and just about, and most importantly stay up just to see Snorlax squirm and mentally blow up; after all it's what Ashley/Charnley/Bruce deserve, and a long list of players don't deserve to be even picking up a win bonus.

No excuse as to why neither were on bench today though? Neither were injured as far as I remember. He's allowed 9 subs ffs, even if naming 7 subs, it stood out as bad decision that you wouldn't put either on bench and leave Anderson who's only ever played 20 first team mins as only central midfield option** (**frustrating that because we're s***, we're never in a situation that we are controlling a game, or seeing 10/20 mins out in the lead where we can give game time to young players like Anderson)

Outside looking in, Zaha does come across as a indulged shit bag though. Not sure how I'd feel about him if I was a Palace fan. Every summer for past few years theres been talk of him going somewhere bigger and better than Palace despite them still paying him a fortune. Wonder where that talk comes from? Palace have given him everything in his career but from between 2017 to 2020 seemed he couldn't wait to get out. No takers because he either leveraged new deals, or he's not actually all that, and he's gone back to being happy at Palace. Quality player on his day, but not carrying Palace as much as most of us would think. Most of time I've ever seen him he's never actually impacting the game. Never got anywhere near 20 goals. ASM is far greater player.

Part of me think he's actually suited to be the midfielder that breaks forward. Since we've gone to a 3 in midfield, Shelvey always seems to be the one who ends up getting forward into the box. From reading Burnley forum other week, they seemed to think he was an inconsistent enigma but wasted played wide right by Dyche and always best as a 10 for them. From what we've seen he's not a right sided player, and playing him there was ludicrous. Clear as day he's no interest in doing anything as far as holding midfield goes, so would be more inclined to give him one final shot in a role that sees him push forward instead of Shelvey. Both massive ball bags, but Shelvey hangs lowest. Dire options as midfield goes. Probably best bet is to give Matty a run of games, he's always looked best out of bad bunch.

He gifted them both goals today. First one was a hilariously bad FK that lead to a Southampton counter and when he missed that sitter Southampton went up the other end and scored within a couple of minutes. It should’ve been 4-1 with us keeping 11 players on the field, but instead we were put under ridiculous pressure. He’s done in the PL. if he's done in the PL how come Bruce will pick him every game that he's fit as long as he's the manager. He's done implies he's not going to play anymore, he is, so is Hendrick, get used to it. Getting Hull promoted, resigning in hope of something bigger and better, but only Aston Villa in Championship would hire you would also imply being done in the PL. Getting sacked by Villa in mid-table after failing to get promoted, then being hired by Sheffield Wednesday would also imply being done in the PL. Sadly no longer being able to cut it playing or managing in the Premier League isn't important to anything Newcastle United are about anymore.

Wilson potentially the best because he's the only one likely to stick around long enough, just then your hoping he can keep scoring. Would have loved to see how Remy would have turned out should he have signed for us that summer 2013, or even in the January instead of going to QPR. Despite being quality, never got impression his heart was in the season he was on loan, and probably rings true as he ended up at Chelsea. Demba Ba surely had the greatest potential to be a legend since Shearer, 29 goals in 54, but only a season and half. Remember loads of talk from his agent behind scenes, back then it was obvious he was after a pay cheque move, even more obvious now looking at him touring China and Turkey since Chelsea. Wish we could have kept Ba! Was livid at the club back then for letting him go, same with Debuchy and Cabaye. 1) Ba 2) Remy 3) Wilson give it a year and hopefully by end of 21/22 Wilson without question.

Said in game that players were bound to have been told not to give away FKs around box, or in areas wide. Just comes down to some of our players being brain-dead, and there being no leadership out there to keep it drummed in not to foul. However incompetent the Steve Gang are, it would have been highlighted in pre-match JWP is a goal threat from set pieces, and his delivery as well is a set piece threat. He scored two directly at Villa, and set up a third. We got away with one from the edge on the left when he played low across instead of whipping in at Darlow or crossing it. I've played low standard non-league stuff and that stuff is made clear to you before going out not to foul because X is good from a dead ball, or when you do foul teammates are down your throat sending a message throughout the team reminding you all.

Would have scored 20 for Bouremouth if he wasn't injured you'd like to think... Scored 20 in their promotion season, hit a hat trick at Upton Park on there first game in PL, then 2 cruciate injuries in 18months

Bruce seems the type to be petty, and hold a grudge if he feels he's been f***ed over by a player. Can't stand the bloke, but for someone who actually has those old school values, maybe not even down to that - but there is no way he's not livid with Hendrick for today. Going to be interesting - wasn't there rumours of falling out with Longstaffs? Neither featured on bench, and it would have been obvious to anyone have a central midfield option on there - so must be a deeper issue going on there; and he was saying about them having to compete for places. Problem will be is that Longstaffs will play against Man U and Chelsea up next, we'll likely lose - and Hendrick will be a justifiable re-entry into the line up.