Dave J

What's that saying - don't let the truth get in the way of a good story??

Absolutely ran the show in the 2nd half at VP.

100 % agree with you

No I think you are right - I seem to recall this as well

Average job - lets have it right Guys

TRO - as always you make some very measured and reasonable points - although in reading your post the word average jumps out at me - which is what I have said I believe him to be all along. Yes he did some good things and YES he did some bad things = average to me. I will never accept having a pop at your own fans through the media TRO - this crosses a line for me. You simply don't bite the hand that feeds. Imo

Darren Byfield - I thought he looked a real prospect, quick, skifull seemed to have a good career ahead of him. I remember him starting against Stromgodset years ago - we were dire and he got hauled off for Vassell who scored two poxy goals and that was the end for Byfield. Shame in lots of ways as he was technically so much more gifted than Vassell. i guess this is football ?

Of course - this is true, but how difficult a task was this in reality - given we were in a lower standard of football and a whole lot more resource available compared to the majority of competitors?

One decent win might as well have been 10 wins away - when taking into account what he had at his disposal. And was he really so upstanding towards the club ? There were reports on here that he was looking west until the new owners came in to the club. Look neither of us know him - but I can't help feeling he looks out for no 1 and that's where it ends imo

That is a fair point. But it does not make it right

Strange but ok. I think my point here is this. If Bruce was as popular and garnered as much team spirit as you and others suggest - why when most of us knew that anything other than s win - might seal his fete, did the team put in such a display. I'm not saying any of our players disliked him - but neither did I think they would run through brick walls for him.

With respect I will say again - you can't have it both ways. However do you really think this record depicts anything other than an average managerial career ? Dont you think that after 20 odd years in the game - the fact that he has never landed a top job - or ever really been in the frame for one - tells you all you really need to know. Before he was appointed as our manager my underlying thoughts of Steve Bruce - were that he is a journeyman manager - not bad - nor good, bang average I suppose. In your view - what has he done that makes you feel - he does not deserve this label ?

Fantastic team spirit - you quote this a lot - was it really fantastic ? I don't think so. i'd say last year was fantastic - after Bruce left. Did you see anything fantastic at 2-2 with Preston ? A defining moment in his tenure you might argue - nor me either

I'm afraid you can't have it both ways

Bruce did average things almost entirely throughout his tenure at the club. People talk about Wolves at home - yet forget the mauling at Molineux. People say we were one point off promotion - it may as well have been 21 points. The guy had resource given to him that most managers in the championship could only dream of - yet he failed in his objective in consecutive seasons. people call him the promotion guru? 4 promotions in 20 odd years of football management sounds pretty average to me. There is a reason - why he has never got a top job ( apart from us whilst on our kness ) is this - he is average in every way. And are you really sure about the team spirit you mention quite a lot ? it simply does not compare to what Smith has created imo.

I disagree - He built a very good side at Norwich, which I don't believe was a fluke. He deserved the job at the time - but left a broken man imo. The Paul Lambert of old will never be seen again

I think you are being very harsh on Lambert. He got the job through producing a very exciting and free flowing Norwich City. He rocked up here to be well and truly shafted by Learner - and for this, the true Paul Lambert will never be seen again. Dont think you should lump him in the same boat as Bruce tbh with you imo

I do hear what you say - and can't argue too much on the face of things. I would challenge your views of putting Andy Carroll in the same bracket as Sturbridge tbh with you and also Richards. Clearly the popular view on here is that Sturbridge is now a has been - whilst Richards is a never has been. For what's it's worth I would take him on the right deal - but I accept the view of the majority of VT.

Yes that is a legitimate claim in all fairness - which is why I think a pay as you play type contract would work well. I'm sure you would agree Sturbridge is a class footballer - who would not be on a free if there were no strings attached ?

I never mentioned 40k - not sure where this figure came from ? I would be looking at some type of deal that is linked to games played or similar. Look you have to realise that players like Daniel Sturbridge do not ordinarily come on a free - there's usually some reason or other behind this. He is an exceptionally gifted footballer - he is a natural talent - but also comes with certain foibles shall we say. we are not the only premier league team being linked with Sturbridge and I believe one way or another we'll see him at VP next year.

I did say if the wages were alright - 80k is clearly not alright. Daniel Sturridge is in my opinion an exceptionally talented footballer whose career has been blighted by injury - and I acknowledge Klop has at times questioned his desire - however I do feel he is a Smith type footballer and maybe he might just fancy one last hurrah at the place where it all began for him?

I would welcome Daniel Sturbridge back to VP if the wage demands are not ridiculously high. He is last chance saloon now with everything to play for. On his A game - which are currently few and far between, he is probably the most gifted of all English strikers imo.

I would be looking to keep him - for me he has all the attributes to be a real top player - not saying he will be viewed this way once his playing days are over - but he defo had the potential

I totally agree - he will just get better and better. Regardless of whether he stays with us, or goes elsewhere - I have a feeling that he will always have gratitude for us - for putting him back on track.

£500k for a slow cart horse were my first thoughts. Ex - dingle even worse for me.