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NUFC thread 2021.
- Thread starter Left For Dead
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Tin Soldier
Striker
That was Ashley’s fault not Rafa ! This is all Bruce’s fault though
He won't.
D
Deleted member 1169
Guest
Not higher but a win will ensure he has more points than Rafa ever got despite being without three best players for a chunk of the season albeit a very weak league this year (see below)
Rafa (tail end of 15/16) - 18th
Rafa (Champ 16/17) - 1st
Rafa (Prem 17/18) - 10th on 44 points
Brucey (Prem 18/19) - 13th on 45 points
Brucey (Prem 19/20) - 13th on 44 points
Brucey (Prem 19/20) - currently 15th on 42 points with 3 to play for. 10th is on 56 so no chance.
I really don't get the Rafa love in. He did deliver CL for Liverpool and is forever loved for that but I wouldn't trust him to spend money based on his track record.
I often use sum of bottom 3 as a indicator of how week the league is so in Rafa's defence getting 10th 17/18 was decent with 97 sum for bottom 3, 18/19 weak on 76, 19/20 89 and 20/21 currently on 74. The year mags went down it was 88 and when we went down 86. Interestingly when we finished 7th in 00/01 the sum was 94 which shows how good a side that was.
Onwards!
Moderate Power
Central Defender
Absolutely, getting beat at Craven Cottage is the safest bet for the weekend accumulators.
Newcastle have a lot of injuries and Fulham (a decent side) will put on a performance for their supporters.
They say the league table does not lie, but for large periods Newcastle were the worst team in the division. Frankly they stole some points as the predicted goal index clearly shows.
Indeed the mood music on these boards (for two months) was that Newcastle and Sunderland would be in the same division next season. People on here congratulating Steve Bruce’ success are the same who were mocking during the winter.
The really curious thing is that as a club they are trying to do the bare minimum and yet seem to bumble to safety.
Fulham win.
I was just pointing out he won't finish higher. He may achieve more points, and if he does fair play. I will never believe Bruce is fit to be a manager in the Premier League, nor do I buy this liveability everyone talks about. I cant stand the bloke, BUT he's done the job he was brought in to do and will have another crack next season. Which will be be same as this one. And, yeah the bottom 3 have been awful this year. Be interesting to see how the dynamic changes, if at all with fans in the ground next season.
Moderate Power
Central Defender
He will not get the points or the position in the league but don’t let that change the narrative on here.
I don't think Bruce will ever finish 10th or higher managing us, and I think Fulham will beat us Sunday but at least its not winner takes all.
I, like many, felt at one point we were destined to meet each other next season but a couple of months in football can change a lot. Bruce just isn't a very good manager in my eyes. Incredibly lucky to be where he is, and he won't get another job at this level again.
Monkey Boots
Full Back
Genuine question - who would you go for out of the managers available to replace him?
Moderate Power
Central Defender
It looks like you are trying to set him up to ridicule his answer.
I wonder what these boards were like in 2016 if Newcastle fans were bemoaning Steve McClaren and wishing for somebody with League and European winning pedigree?
Think I have said before, Howe would probably be my first choice as I think he would try and implement a bit of a new style, and he knows Wilson and Fraser well. Plus I just find him likeable.
I would love Gerrard like, but obvs he wouldn't leave Rangers to come here, but Im a huge fan of his. Otherwise Lampard, or Wilder probably.
It's gonna be Bruce again either way.
D
Deleted member 1169
Guest
When Fulham signed Maja and they beat Liverpool I thought you were nailed on to go down. @Wolfbeard told us you were safe as houses and you were. I've no sympathy for your predicament as most Newcastle fans are reactionary and clueless, present company accepted, but you didn't need to do much this season with those three teams beneath you and ASM, Wilson and the Mig in your locker. I wouldn't trust Bruce to spend the money needed to get say the 17 points to catch Everton next season.
Monkey Boots
Full Back
I’m really not, I’m just curious as to who you think will realistically move you forward. You always say Ashley is the issue - assuming he’s still there next season, who do feel would do a better job under those circumstances?
I know Howe’s stock is high, but I honestly don’t know how he’d cope at a club where the expectations are higher. He was a hero at Bournemouth for keeping them up but I‘m not sure how he’d cope with more pressure.
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Aye, I was certain we were going down at one point, when Brighton beat us 3-0 it was particularly worrying. But for whatever reason, something seemed to click a little after that and we got some important wins, ASM and Wilson returning was of course huge. We need to keep hold of them both desperately. Not sure anyone will be spending mega this season, and we won't be either, but I do think there's an okay set of players in place. Aye, we won't be anywhere near Everton haha, but it would be a decent season if we were safer earlier and looking at maybe 10th to 12th as a bit of an aim. Don't think Bruce can get us there though, and with fans in, if we put in some of the performances we have this season he will be on borrowed time I think.
I guess nobody knows until a team gives him that chance, but I just like the way he goes about things, and I'm so sick of Bruce's continued lies and Bullshit. That offends me more than the results on the pitch to be honest.
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Moderate Power
Central Defender
My opinion, is that nobody can really be very effective under the restrictions that Mike Ashley puts on their club.
Certain positions seem to be filled by Championship standard players and there is no will to replace them.
They seem to mainly scavenge the loan / end of line / damaged goods market (not unlike his retail operation). If they get a Demba Ba they might hit on short run success if they get a Jeff Hendrick it’s just about making do.
Perhaps, there is a more progressive coach, Graham Potter type option?
D
Deleted member 1169
Guest
This is the conundrum Ashley (and any new owners face)
Mags wages = 101m,
Everton = 160m...thats the challenge an incremental 300m over five years. Leicester on 150m, Hammers on 136m. Wolves punching at 92m.
Obviously these are trailing figures.
Personally I wouldn't trust Howe or Wilder to spend money and land an extra 50m on the wage bill.
Think I had read or heard something looking at the direct correlation between wages and success in football and the link is there. But Ashley is not all of a sudden going tonchange what he does (which is his right of course) and we exist to finish 17th. As a fan it's just boring and joyless, which in turn leads to apathy. And re managers, there's not many I would trust, and that's a hard one in itself. Wilder brought in some expensive dross at Sheff Utd, but then every manager at every level can be guilty of that.
The greatest danger may be if Ashley one day does what Ellis Short did, and just not put any more money in at some point.
If Fulham don't win then it will be lowest ever.
31 points would of kept you up in 2009/10.
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