Yeah, I tend to like people who's behaviour irritates me too...
I don't get this, every manager benefits from luck on occasion, but when the fundamentals are sound, when the system is sound, they're less reliant on it. Bruce has been reliant on good fortune.
Benitez doesn't prefer flair players, this is undeniable, but he's been extremely successful in his career and built, at Newcastle, the foundations to allow us to play with more dynamism up front. There were plenty of games where we were set up to get all three points, predicated on a solid defence. Once your defensive unit is cohesive and reliable, you can afford more freedom to your attackers. The best form of defence isn't attack, it's good defending. That's why terrific attacking sides with a poor defence end up on the receiving end of sound beatings. Norwich play some lovely stuff and are rock bottom. Arsenal can be dazzling in attack and get unstuck when facing a resolute defence.
Not in the same league as Bruce man. Dubravka has made more saves than any other 'keeper in the league (118 so far), last season he only had to make 94, total.
That's just not true.
We are 20th in the league for creating chances (4th in the league for allowing them). The football has, at times, been a better watch under Bruce for the neutral, I grant you. But how much of that is down to Saint-Maximin because, frankly, the rest of the team aren't getting me out my seat. There were times under Benitez where we played some lovely stuff, chiefly after Almiron was bought and we had a player who could carry the ball at pace.
Eh? you're confusing achievement with ability. Benitez delivered automatic promotion, a top 10 finish and a midtable finish. He got the team playing from a sound footing and was adding some quality to our attack. Bruce has inherited a good defence and knackered it, in less than a season. I'd rather have a good manager who's rebuilding, than a bang average manager who's undoing the good work.
I think the fans who are bothered about Bruce being an ex-Sunderland manager are not worth worrying about.
It's a sport played by elite athletes, so yes, they eat better and gone are the halftime pies and cigarettes. Good.
Are there more injuries or are the players just taken better care of? You here tales of players who broke a bone and carried on playing, as if that improves the quality of the football. It's nonsense.
And with the scientific mumbo-jumbo has come better football. Football played at a faster pace, with more entertainment on show. Worldies now aren't just someone leathering it from 30yds. Football is better now than it's ever been.
It's not though, it's a realistic appraisal of your teams strengths versus the opposition's. Brunley haven't the players to go to Man City and play on the front foot, they'll be annihilated. Hell, Burnley can't go to Everton, or Wolves and play on the front foot. If they tried to play the ball around their players' limited ability would see them surrender possession cheaply, get caught out of position too often and leave their limited defenders exposed. So they play to their strengths. Packed, organised defence, long balls up to powerful forwards. It works.
No it isn't. Not any more. If it was purely hard work and simple tactics then Burnley and Newcastle would top the table. Even then I'm doing a disservice to Burnley and Newcastle.
We do, although some are informed opinions...