Bruce has 3 games to win over fans

[Blyth]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...fans-side.html

The 350 Fulham fans who made the journey to Sunderland on Saturday were proof that you need strength in numbers to drown out the regulars at the Stadium of Light.

They didn't actually have much to cheer at the weekend, although all that would have changed if Clint Dempsey had buried the late chance which came his way when Sunderland found themselves two against one from their own corner.


Under pressure: Steve Bruce

But just before that, with Sunderland growing increasingly desperate, especially when Ahmed Elmohamady continued to waste possession, and their fans losing heart and their voices, a small pocket started a 'Bruce Out' chant.

It's difficult to say how many behind Mark Schwarzer's goal decided to show their frustration with such public disdain for their manager, but it was dozens rather than hundreds. It was loud enough to be difficult to ignore, but carried no momentum.

And when the big Aussie denied Sunderland victory with his instinctive brilliance, and well-positioned left boot, there was more sympathy than anger at yet another home failure.

But it is Wigan next, Bruce's former club, the Premier League whipping boys and a side who were well beaten at Newcastle recently, sorry as I am to remind Bruce, but it does matter to Sunderland fans.


Hard to watch: Sunderland have struggled for home wins

And after that, following their visit to Wolves, it is Blackburn. Games to get the fans back on his side.

If Jack Colback had scored his first Premier League goal or Kieran Richardson's header had landed below the crossbar, Sunderland would have had an early goal to settle the increasing anxiety round the stadium.

Sunderland fans have forgotten how to enjoy a home win, the 4-0 triumph over Stoke aside.

Still uncertain of his best team, Bruce has again been beset by injuries, leaving him bereft of strikers, as he was at the end of last season, when this miserable home run of two wins in 13 played its part in hindering hopes of making their top ten finish less of a struggle.

The majority of his new signings have settled well, but Connor Wickham's steady introduction was derailed at Old Trafford, leaving Bruce with limitations upfront.


Near miss; Clint Dempsey could have piled the pressure on Bruce

Last week he reminded fans that a year ago he was choosing from Bent, Welbeck, Gyan and Campbell, but Bruce did choose the replacements, and the board agreed on the finances to invest the money from Bent and Jordan Henderson's sales. And the squad does look stronger.

The indications from the agents and scouts are that a striker is a priority for January. If Bruce survives that long.

Sunderland's sensible take on the pressure Bruce is under is to ignore it and continue to give their support to a man who is trying to build a more sustainable team and squad. He could just do with a few positive results while he's doing it. And so could the fans.

Because the 'Bruce Out' chants seem a pointless exercise at the moment. Their team have been unlucky, particularly at home, and the players are certainly playing for their manager, as they demonstrated in the dogged single goal defeats at Old Trafford and the Emirates.

Luck deserted them on Saturday, but the fans didn't.

Wearside may not have enjoyed much success over the years, but consequently the demands on their players are even higher. They do not see those demands as unrealistic because they pay good money to watch them, and they take their seat at the Stadium of Light expecting to see commitment and good football.

When Lee Cattermole was booked after just 28 minutes, it was his first real tackle of the game, but he was late. Referee Anthony Taylor could have been lenient – Howard Webb would have brandished nothing more than a stare and a wagging finger – but he went quickly for his yellow card.

It was hard to tell whether the subsequent boos were for the Sunderland captain or the rookie official. Probably both.

Like his manager, Cattermole is either liked, tolerated or loathed, or all three in the space of a week, day, hour or minute. The majority just aren't sure.

[NickLad]

i'm personally giving it until new years day.

I think that these games will make or break our season with other teams, who are above us having incredibly tough games ahead

[Blyth]

They do trust their former chairman Niall Quinn however, and they want their shared dream to come together, and for improvement to continue. They just want it now.

Bruce knows, his players know, the fans know, the only way to prevent them from joining the chorus that can't be ignored is to win games. Starting against Wigan on Saturday.

[Il Postino Pat]

Originally Posted by Blyth

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...fans-side.html

The 350 Fulham fans who made the journey to Sunderland on Saturday were proof that you need strength in numbers to drown out the regulars at the Stadium of Light.

They didn't actually have much to cheer at the weekend, although all that would have changed if Clint Dempsey had buried the late chance which came his way when Sunderland found themselves two against one from their own corner.


Under pressure: Steve Bruce

But just before that, with Sunderland growing increasingly desperate, especially when Ahmed Elmohamady continued to waste possession, and their fans losing heart and their voices, a small pocket started a 'Bruce Out' chant.

It's difficult to say how many behind Mark Schwarzer's goal decided to show their frustration with such public disdain for their manager, but it was dozens rather than hundreds. It was loud enough to be difficult to ignore, but carried no momentum.

And when the big Aussie denied Sunderland victory with his instinctive brilliance, and well-positioned left boot, there was more sympathy than anger at yet another home failure.

But it is Wigan next, Bruce's former club, the Premier League whipping boys and a side who were well beaten at Newcastle recently, sorry as I am to remind Bruce, but it does matter to Sunderland fans.


Hard to watch: Sunderland have struggled for home wins

And after that, following their visit to Wolves, it is Blackburn. Games to get the fans back on his side.

If Jack Colback had scored his first Premier League goal or Kieran Richardson's header had landed below the crossbar, Sunderland would have had an early goal to settle the increasing anxiety round the stadium.

Sunderland fans have forgotten how to enjoy a home win, the 4-0 triumph over Stoke aside.

Still uncertain of his best team, Bruce has again been beset by injuries, leaving him bereft of strikers, as he was at the end of last season, when this miserable home run of two wins in 13 played its part in hindering hopes of making their top ten finish less of a struggle.

The majority of his new signings have settled well, but Connor Wickham's steady introduction was derailed at Old Trafford, leaving Bruce with limitations upfront.


Near miss; Clint Dempsey could have piled the pressure on Bruce

Last week he reminded fans that a year ago he was choosing from Bent, Welbeck, Gyan and Campbell, but Bruce did choose the replacements, and the board agreed on the finances to invest the money from Bent and Jordan Henderson's sales. And the squad does look stronger.

The indications from the agents and scouts are that a striker is a priority for January. If Bruce survives that long.

Sunderland's sensible take on the pressure Bruce is under is to ignore it and continue to give their support to a man who is trying to build a more sustainable team and squad. He could just do with a few positive results while he's doing it. And so could the fans.

Because the 'Bruce Out' chants seem a pointless exercise at the moment. Their team have been unlucky, particularly at home, and the players are certainly playing for their manager, as they demonstrated in the dogged single goal defeats at Old Trafford and the Emirates.

Luck deserted them on Saturday, but the fans didn't.

Wearside may not have enjoyed much success over the years, but consequently the demands on their players are even higher. They do not see those demands as unrealistic because they pay good money to watch them, and they take their seat at the Stadium of Light expecting to see commitment and good football.

When Lee Cattermole was booked after just 28 minutes, it was his first real tackle of the game, but he was late. Referee Anthony Taylor could have been lenient – Howard Webb would have brandished nothing more than a stare and a wagging finger – but he went quickly for his yellow card.

It was hard to tell whether the subsequent boos were for the Sunderland captain or the rookie official. Probably both.

Like his manager, Cattermole is either liked, tolerated or loathed, or all three in the space of a week, day, hour or minute. The majority just aren't sure.

North Stand don't make noise

[viccarlton]

Funny thing is if by some miracle we win the next three games (unlikely I know) there'll be more than enough on here claiming we're going to qualify for Europe and Brucey will be a messiah.

[jsdftm04]

Originally Posted by Il Postino Pat

North Stand don't make noise

only against the manager or club it seems.

[BillinghamMackem84]

we can win the next 3 and he can still fuck off for me

[Geronimo]

That's rubbish - he has Wigan at the weekend and that's it. Failure to win and his position is untenable IMO

[SafcForeverFTM]

Originally Posted by BillinghamMackem84

we can win the next 3 and he can still fuck off for me

If Bruce ever wins three in a row I'm the Pope.

[Weremuthe]

What a load of bollix - football under Bruce is awful, even when we win we win ugly or by the seats of our pants.

I was pleased when he took over as he could only be an improvement on Sbragia but we need to move on.