bobzy

I thought the narrative was that Bruce played players out of position constantly and that Tuanzebe was actually a centre back being shoe horned into playing right back. Is he now a right back?

I hate the term "support Bruce" or "Bruce backers" etc - I'm neither in favour nor against him. Most of the time I find myself going against those who adamantly want him out is that reason appears not to be a thing. I didn't consider last season a "failure" (I quite enjoyed it!) and we're not complete shit. So, whilst the manager could be doing better and our football could be better too, we're not in a crisis and not doing terribly. If that changes, I'll likely want Bruce gone. Until then, I'm more a "meh". Apparently, this means I'm incredibly pro Bruce. Go figure... Ultimately, bad performances over a period of time will end up being because of the manager. To be a cliched as possible, the buck stops there. However, as a one-off match (and unless some really bizarre decisions were made by the manager anyway, as I say, I didn't see the game at all) more "blame" should be apportioned to those on the pitch - unless you're of the view that the team put out simply wasn't good enough to beat Burton's.

I agree with all that - and his responsibility (and the largest one he has IMO) is picking the side and signing players. So he obviously has a large portion of blame to take when he completely changes a team, to largely consist of his own signings, and for them to play terribly. However, he says that. He says he takes responsibility for that but that the players have let themselves down after "knocking down his door" (I imagine this is a dig at senior pros tbh - Taylor, Lansbury, Elphick maybe de Laet). I don't see how it's disappointing to blame them too. They're the ones that have the single greatest impact regarding what happens on the pitch, after all.

I didn't watch the game at all, but if the players were garbage then I don't really see how it's disappointing to say that?

Has anything come about (from owners etc) for there to be such activity in here, or is this because we got knocked out of the cup?

As proven last season when we won over 50% of our games, drawing fewer times than promoted Fulham

I think our football has been much better over the past 2 games - we've been "unlucky" not to win both (purely in terms of we haven't finished our dinner). It's been anything but "shite dour football". Each to their own.

2017/18: Hull (A) [1 point], Winner of L1 (Sheff Utd (H)) [1 point], Ipswich (A) [3 points], Brentford (H) [1 point], Reading (H) [3 points] = 9 points 2018/19: Hull (A) [3 points], Winner of L1 (Wigan (H)) [3 points], Ipswich (A) [1 point], Brentford (H) [1 point], Reading (H) [1 point] = 9 points We've got exactly the same number of points from these games as we got last season.

I think part of the problem with people appraising Grealish is that we seem to be expecting goals and/or assists from him in every single game. Maybe he's been far too overhyped and those doubting him or saying he "doesn't do much" have bought in to it and expect an incredible return at the top end of the pitch. What he is, is our best player by some distance. That doesn't mean he won't have off games or games where he does a lot of work in the middle of the park, but he is completely crucial to anything we do this season. It's encouraging to see that, in McGinn, we have a player who looks well suited playing alongside Grealish and who, I think, will be able to build up a good understanding with him. I have no idea how people don't rate him. He's comfortably Premier League quality and would be well suited at a top half side. Let's enjoy him whilst he's here.

Are you suggesting that England aren't a "tin pot" national side?!

You can't be in "terrible form" after 2 games ffs.

Are you honestly blaming Chester diving in on someone in the 92nd minute on Jedinak?!

Oooh, fair - did not know this at all. He's fine there, let's bring him in.

So you'd continue playing someone who you consider to be out of position, in a position that you don't feel he should be in - but this is also why Bruce is so wrong? Interesting.

Yes, really.

Bit weird being a negative move if he's in the box and scoring! He shouldn't be first choice right winger though - and I don't think he is/will be. Likely Bolasie will be on that side?

Surely it has no bearing on us long term. They're either in the wrong position right now and that's the problem or there's just no issue. Presumably you think we should play De Laet, Chester, Tuanzebe (as left sided CB?!) and Taylor?

But he was there today and scored. What a terrible decision?

On what basis are Forest very good? They're below us having played similar teams. I couldn't give a shit about Blues and don't really see why they're being brought up anyway. I'm happy with the performance in the last 2 games, yes.

For the avoidance of any doubt here - I don't think anyone is being played out of position, with the possible exception of Jedinak; who looks like he may well be a CB for the rest of his career anyway. Hutton is now a left back and has been playing there for a while and doing well. Tuanzebe can apparently play a variety of positions and is playing is one of them - likewise El Mohamady down the right of the pitch. So, aside from maybe Jedinak, I don't think anyone is playing out of position.

They haven't won a game all season. Calm down ffs.

I don't want to defend Bruce - I couldn't care less about the guy - I'm just saying that this players being played out of position thing is entirely exaggerated. It's not surprising, of course, but it's ridiculous. Hutton at left back is fine, he looks comfortable and has played well there. Tuanzebe at right back is fine, he looks naive at times but I've seen absolutely nothing at all to say he'll be any better/worse at CB. Jedinak at CB is fine... but undoubtedly the weak link and I'd rather have someone else there.

It's a fact because someone on Twitter said so? OK then. Also, who is the 4th?

Ah, I missed around half time as the stream kept getting messed up. This is our biggest problem, for me - we don't seem to contain attacks that well. Teams will always get a chance against us and it will seemingly always be a really good chance.

Pretty much everyone is blaming Bruce. "Teflon", lol.