Bruno- stay or out?

[BCWolf]

Amazing how quickly this seems to have escalated. However its likely been months in the making.

West Ham (a) was the beginning of real doubts about Bruno for me and Burnley last week was the final straw, or so I thought. Today made that performance seem acceptable.

 

[TheConcourse]

Decent and well balanced post in the chaos. The Arsenal fans is a good analogy.
Something has changed since the Leeds game. None of us will really know what is going on though.

The question we need to ask is we have almost the same players as we had when Nuno was deemed to be surplus to requirements. Can 2 different managers have exactly the same problems with the results and performances?

As fans we have to be careful we don't start to look entitled. We are Wolves not Man Utd..

Entitled in what respect?

Find me a team in the league that’s played football like us this season. Then 2x it, because for two years it’s been absolutely turgid.

Recruitment is a shambles. Our defence, after four years of PL money, is still made up of a rash CM and Mr Shouty.

Honestly, it’s bordering on neglect seeing the lack of attention that’s being payed to the massive opportunity that sat in front of us this season.

Meanwhile we have soundbites from a DoF who successfully weakened us in January and dampens expectation of spend constantly, when in reality that’s what’s exactly needed unless they want to fall slowly towards the trapdoor.

I don’t think this is entitlement, I think it comes down to ambition - or a lack of - that’s running through the club right now.

 

[TheConcourse]

So he isn't doing anything differently to Nuno but you'd have him back. Remember the reports that the players felt it was right time for a change from Nuno as well.

Time to start seeing who the common denominators are.

I think Nuno saw them. He made reference to it after Sevilla. No coincidence for me that he then took an age to sign his contract and seemed to spend the majority of the season ****ed off.

The common denominator is the bean counter in the CEO’s chair who thinks innovation comes in the form of spending as little as possible on players who show an iota of potential.

 

[Deleted member 8455jwf]

I think Nuno saw them. He made reference to it after Sevilla. No coincidence for me that he then took an age to sign his contract and seemed to spend the majority of the season ****ed off.

The common denominator is the bean counter in the CEO’s chair who thinks innovation comes in the form of spending as little as possible on players who show an iota of potential.

Nuno took a Spurs side who are in a good shout of 4th to midtable and could barely score a goal

 

[TheConcourse]

Nuno took a Spurs side who are in a good shout of 4th to midtable and could barely score a goal

And? Every person in world football pretty much sounded out that it was a terrible move. Jose struggled there too. Conte has steadied the ship after throwing his toys out of the pram a few times already.

The Spurs experience doesn’t make him a bad Head Coach, it was just very bad timing.

We’re seeing this play out now with Bruno.. perhaps the player just don’t like him enough, which is why they’ve defaulted to Nunoball.

 

[YouGottaRaulWithIt]

It is getting a bit silly on here. We'll probably go and beat Chelsea next week.

People are angry and upset, but with good reason. For a while now we seem to have stopped trying, and the last three games have been as bad as I can remember.

We don't look like scoring. After a meteoric rise the team has gone backwards. The ground is falling apart, our best players look like they are leaving and we are buying players like Hwang.

We won't get 8th, the team are on the beach already. Dreading next week at Chelsea, and then City and Liverpool. Can't see us getting another goal let alone a point.

Time for a change. New coach, new players, new ideas. I am done watching this lot.

 

[Deleted member 8455jwf]

And? Every person in world football pretty much sounded out that it was a terrible move. Jose struggled there too. Conte has steadied the ship after throwing his toys out of the pram a few times already.

The Spurs experience doesn’t make him a bad Head Coach, it was just very bad timing.

We’re seeing this play out now with Bruno.. perhaps the player just don’t like him enough, which is why they’ve defaulted to Nunoball.

Nuno has proven in 4 stints he can't play front foot attacking football. That isn't his strength. He is a very good coach at organising a defence and counter attacking but any time he has to set up a possession based game plan he can't do it. We saw it loads, Valencia, Porto and Spurs did.
Nuno is a specialist, a very good one but he is what he is

 

[JohnB]

Think about today and previous two games:

Does anyone see us scoring a goal without Podence playing?

Does anyone see us creating a chance? On the break? Or from open play?

Does anyone see us keeping a clean sheet?

No, nor me.

Now think about our next 4 games - Chelsea, Liverpool away, City home and Norwich home.

Will we score (even against Norwich with not scored in 180 mins), will we get another point? 3 wins out of 14 - relegation form for more than 1/3rd of season.

Right money on a win vs Chelsea then….

 

[Loefah]

People are angry and upset, but with good reason. For a while now we seem to have stopped trying, and the last three games have been as bad as I can remember.

We don't look like scoring. After a meteoric rise the team has gone backwards. The ground is falling apart, our best players look like they are leaving and we are buying players like Hwang.

We won't get 8th, the team are on the beach already. Dreading next week at Chelsea, and then City and Liverpool. Can't see us getting another goal let alone a point.

Time for a change. New coach, new players, new ideas. I am done watching this lot.

Well when you put it like that. Yeah all that’s true but it’s a tricky one to reconcile at the moment since we are still in 8th and there was talk of Europe 2/3 games ago.

 

[Warrington_Wolf]

Where do you start in all honesty? I genuinely think we could debate this for hours and still be none the wiser. Wolves are the ultimate conundrum when it comes to analysis.

The Jekyll and Hyde performances are one of the things I find the most difficult to understand. This however, is not completely new, it existed, albeit to a lesser degree, under Nuno. One game, we genuinely look 2 or 3 top players short of a real top 6 contender and the next, it looks like without our best 2 or 3, we are bottom 3 contenders.

Probably not that black and white but that’s how it appears at a glance. It’s only my view but I think because we have overachieved in the main this season, that fan’s expectations were falsely raised. Then when reality balances things out, we’re all left wondering what happened.

There could be more going on behind the scenes than we know but we can only base it on what we do know. That leads me to thinking, yes we have been awful lately but at the same time we haven’t been consistent all season. Based on what Bruno had to start with, injuries and not having a single top proven player come in, has he done better than expected or worse?

I would have to say better but of course he’s not perfect by any means. His in game management is bewildering and he seems to have more patience with some than others, etc. This is just a guess but could there be too much of a “Portuguese” influence at the club for others liking?

It is a bit of a, be careful what you wish for scenario. After all, it is his first season and all things considered, we would have been elated if someone had offered us this last August.

Can’t help thinking back to Arsenal fans last season and the beginning of this one, continually moaning about Arteta, week in week out, “he needs to go”. Haven’t heard them moaning lately. Things take time and usually investment. Whether that’s the intent at Wolves remains to be seen.

Good, measured post

 

[Oh When the Wolves]

Out now.

All talk no action

 

[Autistic Kangaroo]

That was embarrassing. The players neither run or attempt to shoot on target.

We will go down next season unless there are sweeping changes and strong investment.

 

[Rangiora Wolf]

If he's off, they should do it now. Zero risk. We're safe and no chance of euro football. Gives the new guy more time to assess the task at hand.

 

[wolfgar]

A few months back we were outside contenders for a champions league spot. A chance that may not come around again soon. If ever. The way we’ve utterly capitulated has been quite something. Not looked ***** at all. The lack of fight has been so frustrating to watch. Chelsea and Man City next, and then relegated, nothing to me play for Norwich. I don’t think Lage will be here next season.

 

[SteveBullsKnee]

Out and out of his depth will be relegated if it carrys on this way...this type of form with this stale squad will continue next season without major investment in proven quality.

Lol

 

[SteveBullsKnee]

Entitled in what respect?

Find me a team in the league that’s played football like us this season. Then 2x it, because for two years it’s been absolutely turgid.

Recruitment is a shambles. Our defence, after four years of PL money, is still made up of a rash CM and Mr Shouty.

Honestly, it’s bordering on neglect seeing the lack of attention that’s being payed to the massive opportunity that sat in front of us this season.

Meanwhile we have soundbites from a DoF who successfully weakened us in January and dampens expectation of spend constantly, when in reality that’s what’s exactly needed unless they want to fall slowly towards the trapdoor.

I don’t think this is entitlement, I think it comes down to ambition - or a lack of - that’s running through the club right now.

Lol

 

[WickedWolfie]

Jesus Christ you really are a ****ing idiot aren’t you?

Bring back Deano!!

I never wanted Saunders near this club let alone bring the **** back!

 

[Deleted member drgr12429]

Watford FC are asking if you could please come back.

 

[Contrarian]

If we get a new manager, it's safe to predict that 6 months from now, after a 3-0 defeat, there will be virtually identical comments that "it was the worst performance for years". "This isn't the man for the job" ,"A.N.Other is our worst signing ever" ad nauseum.

 

[Contrarian]

A few months back we were outside contenders for a champions league spot. A chance that may not come around again soon. If ever. The way we’ve utterly capitulated has been quite something. Not looked ***** at all. The lack of fight has been so frustrating to watch. Chelsea and Man City next, and then relegated, nothing to me play for Norwich. I don’t think Lage will be here next season.

Same thing happened in the first Covid lockdown. We were even better placed then. Closer on points and with, on paper, the easiest run in of any team. It's not the first time this has happened recently. I just think it's horrendously difficult for any ordinary club to bridge that gap. West Ham and Leicester can't keep up the challenge, either. The amount of money required is more than Fosun care to spend, probably. And back in the Championship years, an end of season capitulation to avoid promotion was an annual event for us.

 

[SteveBullsKnee]

This thread is why Albion fans call us fickle. How embarrassing

 

[marrs-guitar]

This thread is why Albion fans call us fickle. How embarrassing

Why should anyone show even a flicker of interest in the opinions of Albion fans, a fanbase who think they played total football under Tony Mowbray and are currently ripping their own club to shreds because of their perceived divine real to finish no lower than 6th in the Championship at worst? While they were firmly positioned in the top 6 this season they led a campaign of empty seats and online vitriol to get the manager sacked.

 

[whitnash wolf ex.dewsbury]

Why should anyone show even a flicker of interest in the opinions of Albion fans, a fanbase who think they played total football under Tony Mowbray and are currently ripping their own club to shreds because of their perceived divine real to finish no lower than 6th int he Championship at worst?

fans who carried a coffin around the ground because they wanted the manager out

 

[Mugwump]

Bit of a leap of faith from me, and basing it off the bust up rumours, i'm saying go. Once a manager loses the group, even if the manager isnt in the wrong, its curtains for him.

 

[Howler]

My position hasn't changed, Bruno should walk as he's never going to get the squad he wants - he's just a puppet if he doesn't.

 

[TheConcourse]

Nuno has proven in 4 stints he can't play front foot attacking football. That isn't his strength. He is a very good coach at organising a defence and counter attacking but any time he has to set up a possession based game plan he can't do it. We saw it loads, Valencia, Porto and Spurs did.
Nuno is a specialist, a very good one but he is what he is

I don’t disagree with you on style, but the sequence of events is a concern:

Delay signing contracts
Talks about squad overhaul
Doesn’t happen
Looks fed up for the majority of the season
Huge donation > thank you
Leaves
Bruno in
Demands players
Performances drop
Sellars sets expectations

The common thread is pretty clear. We’re going to have the same players next year, probably bar Neves - we’ll play the same way and we’ll see a slow decline until the squad needs a huge overhaul.

That’s my view, anyway. Might be wrong. Perhaps Jeff’s couple of young cheap gambles will pay off.

 

[TheConcourse]

This thread is why Albion fans call us fickle. How embarrassing

Fickle? I’m 34. I’ve seen us play in Europe once. I’ve seen us in two FA Cup semi-finals. Hardly pulled up trees have we.

We were so so so close to doing something outrageously special a couple of years ago, and for the sake of not taking a relatively small gamble we decided against it.

Default to fickle if you want. I see frustration and people bemoaning a missed opportunity and concerned that things clearly aren’t right behind the scenes. Like hiring a manager whilst clearly not being aligned on the recruitment strategy.

Nothing to worry about though. Easier just to call the fans fickle.

 

[Eastern Wolf]

From what I've read, Bruno has a set play for all scenarios. Is this something the players haven't taken to? Is it too complicated, confusing and restrictive for the players that they are either not executing correctly or they dont like it and their recent lack of efforts are them telling him so?
Football is a simple game at heart hence its appeal to players and fans alike.
I can see players getting frustrated by being forced to play in a particular way when instinct tells them otherwise.
We have players capable of being expressive and expansive - are they purposely being held back by Bruno to fit his game plans? What is obvious now is that Bruno is not the tactical genius he is sometimes made out to be.
This is only part of it I guess. The iffy team selections, lack of in-game management and motivation of players are other aspects that need to be looked at.
Is our current league position down to the players' individual performances or Bruno's tactics? It's the former to me because I have rarely seen us dominate teams to an extent that I can attribe wins to Brunoball.
I am now very sceptical of Bruno. He has shown enough for us to make a judgement now.
If we somehow manage to get some good results from the remaining few games, he may be given an extended stay. But he needs to up his game, make some fundamental changes otherwise he's out before Christmas.

 

[WarringtonWolf74]

Scenario

Sorry, Raul, I'm picking Silva as you can't hit a barn door with a banjo since your life-threatening injury.

Jonny pipes up but you won't pick me and I've been at it since my return.

In all seriousness wasn't it universally agreed at the end of last season that we would be relegation fodder this season.

I think that fosun dues to external factors want us to be self-sustainable but we do not have the squad to do it. They will see reasonable finishes in the majority of our prem seasons and not be prepared financially to back us to the next level.

 

[Willywolf]

I’ve just started watching Ted Lasso series which is about an inexperienced coach taking over a football club after only ever coaching in NFL/American football. New owner has picked him to coach the team, despite having absolutely zero experience of football, to kill the club and get one over her ex husband (previous owner and loves the club) for his infidelity.
The start of this series shows serious disrespect to the coach and the players have no idea what they’re trying to achieve. There is also divisions/unrest within the team. But Ted looks like he’s starting to win them round and the skipper is dishing out real, proper leadership. I’m guessing that the team’s fortunes are about to change. Looks a reasonable watch atm.
If only it were as simple as being charismatic and having enough energy, enthusiasm and being a nice person!

 

[IANWILSON]

I'm not sure I'd trust anyone at Wolves with transfer funds. Bruno certainly not. New direction needed. After that yesterday, i can't see us scoring again this season.

 

[sedgwolf1980]

3 scenarios here…
A. Bruno stays, the club go balls out and back him whole heartedly.
B. Bruno goes, the club get another manager and back him whole heartedly
C. Bruno or another manager are tasked with managing a stale, unbalanced squad, littered with a few top drawer players in fairness, but with minimal investment.

Looks to me like it’s option C as things stand, which means more seasons like the last couple. On the flip side however there were noises on here and in the press that the club planned to back Lage this summer, so maybe it will be option A after all.

Lage is far from faultless. Naive in some situations imo. Plus these players we hold dear to our hearts as they have given us our best period in over 40 years, however, doesn’t mean they are blameless, even the likes of Raul.

Really not sure what to make of it all.

 

[Bill McCai]

PL games we have gone behind in (and the final score) this season.

0-1 Leicester
0-1 Spurs
0-1 United
0-2 Brentford
3-2 Villa (

)
0-2 Palace
0-1 Liverpool
0-1 City
0-1 Arsenal
0-1 West Ham
0-2 Palace
0-1 Newcastle
0-1 Burnley
0-3 Brighton

We've gone behind in 14 games this season and got just three points from a losing position. Not only that - we haven't even scored one goal in the other games when we have conceded first!

 

[Irish_Wolf]

For me it depends on how much, or even if, there is money for the players we need to bring in during the summer.
If the money is there to overhaul the squad, then give him time to build his team.
If it is sell to buy, then get rid of him.

Who comes in as manager to a team dismantling its squad?

If you sack Lage you could end up with a Frank Lampard who will be unemployed soon.

 

[Pilchard]

Is it a coincidence that the decision to change the last manager happened between the time the ‘Ask Wolves’ q&a was recorded and eventually aired?

 

[Mugwump]

Who comes in as manager to a team dismantling its squad?

If you sack Lage you could end up with a Frank Lampard who will be unemployed soon.

Or you could end up with somebody outstanding. If Lage has lost the dressing room or isnt up to the job, you dont keep him because you might get Frank Lampard.

 

[RMNottm]

So we get a new manager who only has sell to buy options with reduced commercial income.

What result do we expect?

Repeat a la Watford to get new manager bounce?

 

[The Clock]

Poor old Bruno getting a pasting.
A year after poor old Nuno getting a pasting.

Lets suppose you were a well respected financier and you are headhunted in June to help move a business forward.
You arrive with a good package and are looking forward to the future.
In January you are advised the Company was changing its car policy.
You had been happy with your Ferrari (Traore) but were told you were getting a Robin Reliant (Trincao) to replace it.
How would you feel?
They did it to Nuno and now doing it to Bruno.
Who the hell is Scott Sellars?
My view - ditch him first!

 

[KnowNuttin]

It seems Bruno doesn't react in the right way when thinks aren't going so well. He seems a bit unprofessional when under pressure, looking to deflect the blame from himself. I noticed this in the first three games, particularly when he blamed our defeat to Manure on them not kicking the ball out for us.

I'm struggling to see a way back for him. If the performances of the last few weeks are of a team playing for the manager we are in serious trouble. It seems obvious the players have lost belief in him and in those circumstances there can only be one outcome.

 

[Scallywolf]

This thread is why Albion fans call us fickle. How embarrassing

I’d rather be fickle than an Albion fan thanks very much!