Dave J

I didn't realise he had said this - which makes the original post even more bizarre - why on earth bite the hand that feeds ? It can only end one way TRO

Nothing surprises me in football anymore - and to think we employed him on good money.

Of course - but with the right coaching over a consistent period of time, players are less likely to make the same basic mistakes and the fundamental difference between a Bruce team and a Smith team is this:- Smith's players make mistakes trying to play the game in the right manner - Bruce's teams do what they do.

As always I don't think that ultimately we are that far apart in our views - I only differ in as much as I don't believe that professional sportsmen should respond even to a small minority. I should also state that personal abuse is not a valid criticism towards a professional sportsman at any point.

As always I don't think that ultimately we are that far apart in our views - I only differ in as much as I don't believe that professional sportsmen should respond even to a small minority. I should also state that personal abuse is not a valid criticism towards a professional sportsman at any point.

Fair one - the bit about Smith's haul being dissaponting lent itself to a form of criticism - I apologise for this

I totally disagree TRO - your old enough to know that back in the day it was a rare ocaision that a manager or player would criticise supporters - unfortunatley nowadays modern day managers/ players are so far removed from supporters that they have no respect. In my humble view a manager/players takes criticism on the chin - regardless of who it involves. If you can't stand the heat - stay away from the very wealthy kitchen

I'd go one step further and say Leeds took a lot out of the whole club and you rightly point out - today was about the whole fortitude of the club. we might well look back on this win in crucial light come next May. If we had lost today - the momentum could have been lost long enough for us to be out of the race.

You never mentioned the poles apart playing style, the feel good factor around the club, the new found belief. All factors you can't measure - but absolutely essential to take the club forward.

Not from inside TRO - if your fortunate enough to be in the pro game then in my view you are expected to see the bigger picture and remember never to bite the hand that feeds. its never a right of passage to lambast supporters of any club.

Agreed - just too much to bridge that gap to auto

I agree - I so hope that I am wrong but I honestly feel this ship has left port. This said if we make the play off's I'm not sure anyone would fancy taking us on

Absolutely this - just hope the Bruce had turned in this performance brigade will see this as a valuable 3 points and realise that Smith will not always oversee cavalier type performances - but neither will this be his default.

Well there you go and spoil it all - talking common sense and calling it right. it will never do you know.

Agreed - I'm happy to go with you and hope for the best

I totally agree - he has bags of ability but how many inconsistent wingers can you say this about? I fear he is also in this catagory tbh with you.

Potential? - without question yes, just how much we get to see in this division is debatable.

As alluded to in a previous post - he is a typical winger - magic one moment, missing the next. This is him and this is what we'll get from him.

Just how very dare you speak such common sense.

You must also factor in that Bruce meddled in the championship - you know the division that he's an expert in getting out of - or so they say.

You are correct - it is just you, you cannot manage a game that you do not control. Leeds had the upper hand in every department. Lets leave the Smith naivety comments alone and give Leeds their due credit.

You have called it bang on the head - all this stuff about seeing the game out is nonsensical - we were never in command of the game enough to manage it out - and as you say the third goal was always going to be crucial - Smith knew this and he also knew if we didn't go for it - we wouldn't be good enough to hold on.

I don't go along with those who speak of closing the game out. 1. It's not his style. 2. We did not particularly play well in the first half. I would have had a go at the team and tell them it wasn't enough. attack is the best form of defence after all. 3. We could have gone 3-0 in that initial period after half time and I doubt Leeds could have clawed this back. 4. If we sat back - Leeds would most likely have carried the same threat as they had done most of the game. 5. Leeds were just better on the day - and we missed important players for us. I'm happy to go with a bad day at the office and move on to the next game.

Having followed us since 1975 - I can say that McLeish and Bruce are the two managers who left me feeling completely and utterly underwhelmed on their appointment and I can say with hindsight I actually prefer McCleish the man. Billy McNeil will probably go down as my worst manager - although he was at least in the top flight - not like Bruce fudging around in the second tier

You are not right most of the time - today makes a change and your not far off.