Abra Dubravka

That sort of approach works for teams like Man City, Liverpool, but we really need a focal point forward that allows those three to play from. Don't really see ASM - Almiron - Fraser working out. Need someone to run channels, and even when not going route one Bruceball, a team like us does need someone up there you can play up to direct. Would rather see those three all play off Joe if we put have Hayden and Willock in midfield. Chelsea and Man U next, so should be interesting to see Jones' influence. If Bruce has his way we'll roll over and camp from outset, you'd think from what we've heard about Jones he'd set us up to go toe-to-toe. You're probably right. I'd still give it a shot tbh as I don't really see the other 3 working as much of a focal point either, as you suggest we need for this system to function. Maybe Joelinton as it's pretty much the role he played feeding Kramaric at Hoffenheim but the guy has no confidence left. Today was first time Joe's featured since we've changed tact and actually bothered getting men forward and attacking and not just being wet blankets and retreating to our own box from kick off. He can't play up top on his own without men running off him and supporting him, and he can't play wide when we sit off teams. I'm the opinion that he's a total donkey, but from looking at what we've got I'd say he's the best option to stick up top to keep the 'momentum' we've seen of getting bodies forward. Man U and Chelsea next games aren't games we're likely to see that consistency in system and approach though. Even if we do still try and attack them, we'll have to naturally sit off them and change what we do. May not be worst thing - right those two games off, if we get anything out of them it's a bonus - by which time Wilson hopefully back for Wolves home

Credit to the pudding here, he nails it with highlighting Shelvey's miss that would have been 4-1 and Hendrick getting sent. If your the type to read into whats said, he could be calling out both of the knobheads. Got to be livid with Hendrick thinking out of his arse, and surely can't be happy with yet another display like that from JS Possible ray of hope that sometimes he's seeing the same things we are

Didn't watch much of that, but Neville saying good performance - best all around display - score 3 at home and don't win

That sort of approach works for teams like Man City, Liverpool, but we really need a focal point forward that allows those three to play from. Don't really see ASM - Almiron - Fraser working out. Need someone to run channels, and even when not going route one Bruceball, a team like us does need someone up there you can play up to direct. Would rather see those three all play off Joe if we put have Hayden and Willock in midfield. Chelsea and Man U next, so should be interesting to see Jones' influence. If Bruce has his way we'll roll over and camp from outset, you'd think from what we've heard about Jones he'd set us up to go toe-to-toe.

He's a fanny. Cost us two goals. Would have been flying in feet first at that couple of years ago. Should Henderson #1 now surely. De Gea's on a fortune though isn't he?

DDG got to be throwing himself on that ball there

He's a class player. Integral to us. Mourinho brought him through, Ole brought him to another level. Didn't Mourinho invent an award to give McTominay just to highlight how bad rest of squad was? n Seem to remember Jose just losing faith in Pogba and McTominay being his wunderkind

Part of the reason I hate him is because he represents the ambition of this club so well. Been lacking quality in midfield really since Cabaye left. Certainly been an area that needed addressing since we got back up, but lack of investment has been dire. Hendrick on a free is just the epitome of Ashley run Newcastle in 2020. Every team around us, and even ones we could realistically compete with have been signing real quality midfielders in past couple of years - and our answer is Jeff Hendrick. Don't believe for a second we we're having bids rejected in the summer for Soumare, Jeff's arrival was more than enough.

Is McTominay Man U's best midfielder? Always stands out as being decent whenever I've watched him. Was Mourinho right all along

Actually rate Pickford for England, but seems a timebomb for Everton.

Not sure he's underrated per se, but more flew under the radar at PSG because he was playing alongside Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Mbappe. Never realised he was so prolific until the other week - scored 200 in 301 for PSG, 104 in 138 for Napoli,

Games he's started PPG 1.47 (Played 34, Won 14, Draw 8, Lost 12) *started in cup wins against Oxford, WBA and Blackburn *started defeat to Man City, Oxford draw Injured, or from the bench PPG 0.72 (Played 25, Won 4, Draw 6, Lost 15) *injured for cup losses Leicester, Arsenal, Brentford *injured Draw and Win Rochdale, wins against Oxford and Morecambe We won once in league last year when he didn't play - Palace home

The fact he's a mainstay in the side really represents Bruce, and his idendity he's put into this side since taking over from Rafa. Every manager will change things when taking over a new job, and his faith and reliance on Shelvey is so Brucey. No idea what Hull fans thought of Huddlestone playing each week years back, but just reminds me of that. A reliance on a 'technique' player to provide creativity of passing range from midfield - he'll then off set that with run around merchants in Hayden/Hendrick like he did with Meyler and off top of my head Mason? at Hull. All managers that are doing anything worthwhile in the game in recent years have had their midfield full of athletic players, with mobility that are drilled and coached into passing the ball, receiving it in tight spaces, rotating space etc. It's like Bruce things he's some golden goose, a mystical player that can loft a lovely 60 yard diagonal a few times a game, and without his inclusion there is no hope whatsoever. Fanciful. Dozens of players in midtable or lower that are just as good on the ball as Shelvey, but can also get around the pitch!

He'd have a propensity to just lose interest or fade out of games as soon as he was booted, or it wasn't going his way. Tariq Lampty got the better of him when we played Brighton far too easily. If he's going to kick on and really start fulfilling his talent he needs to get better at that side to his game. If he could get it right mentally, and stay fit there is no reason why he shouldn't be looking at 20 assist/goal contributions a season Do love him though, and it's obvious simply through the stats he makes us a far better side.

Gillespie Absolutely this. A pointless signing. Just behind Joelinton in the shitiest player competition. Tied second with Carroll in top ten w*** signings since we were promoted 1) Joelinton 2=) Carroll 2=) Hendrick 4) Muto 5) Atsu 6) Joselu 7) Kraft 8) Bentaleb's loan 9) Ki 10) Gillespie

Wasn't as bad once we went down to 10, then 9 men. We conceded the game, and it was backs to the wall. To that extent, he didn't cost us a goal - so did well enough. When it was still 11 vs. 11, especially in the first half he was dreadful I thought. Can't remember him getting forward too much to offering anything outside of ASM - but can imagine it's like he's been told to defend from behind him because ASM is a liability tracking back/on turnovers. Was out muscled at every opportunity - can remember Ings, Redmond, Adams all getting the better of him. Lads a bloody wimp. Needs to get some fight into him. Danny Rose a few years ago is a good example, not especially gifted at anything, no real end product, not great defensivly but a radge 100mph bastard.

Pure comedy that he was linked to Milan in press Imagine this arsewhipe getting two yellows then having to share a dressing room with Ibrahimovic

Can't think of any other PL club that would have their manager/head coach giving up as much responsibility/control as I'd imagine is in the Bruce Jones dynamic. Wilder, Dyche, Parker, Potter will all be the ones that are driving the direction of the coaching, planning the sessions - and then obviously take guidance, and in put from their coaching teams. Just can't see Bruce sitting the Steve gang and Jones down at start of the week, or in the morning and guiding them through what sessions and aspects the team will be working on. It will be Jones now that's planning sessions, working with the midfield, drilling into the side the shape, transitions etc. Standard of coaching and sessions Bruce would be doing or capable of working on must be a million miles away from what Jones is at. No other PL club would have such a gulf like that. It's like Bruce is a head chef of a restaurant that can't cook. Jones is a sous chef that will run the kitchen, while Bruce does the business/admin stuff; but when he needs to actually do a service and cook anything he burns everything and can't keep up.

He turned down a new contract Probably offered a pay as you play deal. Turn down a contract or not, if you look at it from Burnley's point of view - they didn't seem him as important enough to give him a contract worthy of him signing or didn't see him key player worth fighting for and giving him a deal he'd sign. Didn't watch much of Burnley, but he wasn't a key player there last year was he, and wasn't always starting We are total mugs signing him and giving him a 4 year deal. Frightening how Bruce can think he's good enough to be starting every week. Obviously values him as he was getting him in the side by playing him wide..

Wheres that come from? Was months ago when he said that. Ah, missed that then. Past few weeks now been trying to view him as a glorified caretaker. It's clear as day he's not being fired, still hope that a takeover happen - and he'll be out the door then. If not, I'm just checked out caring until he does go, by whatever means - heart attack, falling down the stairs, covid, resigning over Mike watering down the gravy in the canteen, losing it mentally over the conspiracies and driving to Dundee gorging on kebab meat.

Going to miss him next season when Bruce/Charnley let him leave on a free, and replace him with Kevin Long or some benchwarming offcast picked up on a free. Pass out to ASM for Willocks goal was class.

Wheres that come from?

It's what Bruce wanted... This is Bruce doing it his way - get someone else in to make things better. Probably seems himself as some wiley old master of management now, taking a step back from coaching like his idol Ferguson did. That's not to excuse him in anyway. The guy is offensive to every sense, and an embarrassment to top level management.

Considering he is usually spot on with our fanbase opinion, I'm going to assume it was a joke. Hmm, but don't think he was. Take your point, and credit to him he was been aware of our plight but still can't stand him. Can't stand anything to do with BT. Ferdinand is loathsome, Jenas should know better but doesn't represent us at all despite what BT might want viewers to think. Even their stupid jingles p*ss me off. Their stupid referee pundit bollocks, Darren Flecther on commentary. Michael Owen, Robbie Savage, the list is endless