[Dexy]

He can change things. With injuries, yes, the starting XI picks itself in the way he plays.

Teams are onto the Wallace threat now, they double on him the last few games, that means there is space to be exploited somewhere. If i've picked up on it the last 2 games Brucey needs to be coming up with something to help with that.

For me it just feels like he sends them out on the pitch and says "have a go lads, 4-2-3-1"   which isn't good enough.

He can't though , huge difference between Swift / Wallace and Reach / Phillips as a good example , outside the first 11 maybe 12 theres nothing of quality ( Robbo maybe but looks to be off ) . Its still early in the season so I get trying to settle a side , new players , style . Even Ajayi / Dara is a new pairing in front of a different keeper  . You might say go two up top , well you have Grant but who else as a real scorer or threat ? . I'vs seen comparisions to Megson taking over and a lot rings true , lets not forget he got 5 players in pretty much straight away to kick start things , the games changed for the worse money wise .

[baggie82]

He can't though , huge difference between Swift / Wallace and Reach / Phillips as a good example , outside the first 11 maybe 12 theres nothing of quality ( Robbo maybe but looks to be off ) . Its still early in the season so I get trying to settle a side , new players , style . Even Ajayi / Dara is a new pairing in front of a different keeper  . You might say go two up top , well you have Grant but who else as a real scorer or threat ? . I'vs seen comparisions to Megson taking over and a lot rings true , lets not forget he got 5 players in pretty much straight away to kick start things , the games changed for the worse money wise .

Correct, it is somewhat alarming to be in August and to be running with such a small squad that is already struggling with injuries - the board need to give their heads a wobble. The cynical part of me suspects they have zero interest save for continuing to bleed money out of the club. Let's hope we get some business done tomorrow, get some luck and three points against Burnley. It is fine margins, and we just need a relatively small improvement to turn a fair number of these draws into three points. At the moment we always seem to be just short, team never quite has enough, like a blanket shrunk in the wash.

[gazberg]

I agree that they were ludicrously stupid errors but as gaffer he needs to be on them.

If in doubt whack it to row z. Sometimes we over complicate things needlessly and it always cost us

[boinging_along]

He can change things. With injuries, yes, the starting XI picks itself in the way he plays.

Teams are onto the Wallace threat now, they double on him the last few games, that means there is space to be exploited somewhere. If i've picked up on it the last 2 games Brucey needs to be coming up with something to help with that.

For me it just feels like he sends them out on the pitch and says "have a go lads, 4-2-3-1"   which isn't good enough.

Couldn't agree more.  Starting line up is what it is - but then that's it from Bruce.  A couple of like for like subs - most attacking one we did was Phillips for Molumby.  Didn't change shape - didn't try and mix it up - the possession\passing stats look great but that's because it's all deep inside our half and Wigan didn't mind us having the ball there. 

There was no commitment from the midfield to get into the box - how often did Grady or Wallace get to the byline tonight?  I can't really remember any times at all.  How often did the full backs overlap?

I don't even think Grant was that much to blame - what chances did he miss really?  And if the manager keeps insisting on crossing it to him it's not his fault he doesn't win much in the air, the crosses were rotten anyway.  And we had a strong midfield 5 out that was nothing like last season's.  But for some reason we created nothing and that's got to be on Bruce and his tactics.  If we'd gone 3 at the back - their only threat was McClean(!) barging his way through, or chucked Bartley up top for the last 10 minutes, or put TGH in the middle, or put Cleary on the bench to come on to partner Grant. 

Just do something Bruce rather than hoping something just happens. 

[baggie82]

I agree that they were ludicrously stupid errors but as gaffer he needs to be on them.

If in doubt whack it to row z. Sometimes we over complicate things needlessly and it always cost us

I'm sure Dara got a right rollicking for his mistake on the weekend, albeit out of character, this is Steve Bruce after all, centre back and huge personality at Utd. Ajayi has always had a mistake in his locker, shame it came out again tonight. I actually reckon having Bartley back will help.

[gazberg]

He can't though , huge difference between Swift / Wallace and Reach / Phillips as a good example , outside the first 11 maybe 12 theres nothing of quality ( Robbo maybe but looks to be off ) . Its still early in the season so I get trying to settle a side , new players , style . Even Ajayi / Dara is a new pairing in front of a different keeper  . You might say go two up top , well you have Grant but who else as a real scorer or threat ? . I'vs seen comparisions to Megson taking over and a lot rings true , lets not forget he got 5 players in pretty much straight away to kick start things , the games changed for the worse money wise .

We have been unlucky with injuries but there's no way he's getting anywhere near the best out of these players half the games and that's what he is responsible for.

He can try different formations, may or may not work. We don't know unless he tries.

[gazberg]

I'm sure Dara got a right rollicking for his mistake on the weekend, albeit out of character, this is Steve Bruce after all, centre back and huge personality at Utd. Ajayi has always had a mistake in his locker, shame it came out again tonight. I actually reckon having Bartley back will help.

I don't know whether it was rust or what but Bartley looked bewildered for their goal. He was much better in 2nd half to be fair

[baggie82]

Couldn't agree more.  Starting line up is what it is - but then that's it from Bruce.  A couple of like for like subs - most attacking one we did was Phillips for Molumby.  Didn't change shape - didn't try and mix it up - the possession\passing stats look great but that's because it's all deep inside our half and Wigan didn't mind us having the ball there. 

There was no commitment from the midfield to get into the box - how often did Grady or Wallace get to the byline tonight?  I can't really remember any times at all.  How often did the full backs overlap?

I don't even think Grant was that much to blame - what chances did he miss really?  And if the manager keeps insisting on crossing it to him it's not his fault he doesn't win much in the air, the crosses were rotten anyway.  And we had a strong midfield 5 out that was nothing like last season's.  But for some reason we created nothing and that's got to be on Bruce and his tactics.  If we'd gone 3 at the back - their only threat was McClean(!) barging his way through, or chucked Bartley up top for the last 10 minutes, or put TGH in the middle, or put Cleary on the bench to come on to partner Grant. 

Just do something Bruce rather than hoping something just happens.

I hear what you say but it comes down to tired legs and lack of quality IMV. Cleary alongside Grant would have been interesting but also bear in mind Bruce was criticised for changing shape and taking a gamble at Huddersfield after they broke and hit the post late on - he can't really win.

[Dexy]

We have been unlucky with injuries but there's no way he's getting anywhere near the best out of these players half the games and that's what he is responsible for.

He can try different formations, may or may not work. We don't know unless he tries.

Very , very limited what you can do with this lot .
A big number 9 who can link up play and score would make a huge difference imo .

[gazberg]

Very , very limited what you can do with this lot .
A big number 9 who can link up play and score would make a huge difference imo .

I agree with that. Let's see what the next 48 hours hold for us all!

[baggie82]

Very , very limited what you can do with this lot .
A big number 9 who can link up play and score would make a huge difference imo .

Yeah, even a Danny Dichio would help. If Robinson is on the verge of leaving then we must have irons in the fire to bring a few in. Fingers crossed.

[baggies_24]

What’s this fascination with him having Swift play left wing. It completely takes him out of having any sort of influence on the game. Once again Bruce has shown he’s absolutely incapable of tactically breaking down a team that sits in. As against Cardiff we looked more threatening without the ball than with it, don’t get me wrong it’s not the best team we’ve had down the Albion but with Swift, Wallace, Yokuslu, Diangana he should be getting so much more attacking wise from this lot than he currently is.

Burnley & Norwich to come we could be staring at the very real possibility of 1 win in 9 surely he doesn’t survive that start given his record last year.

[baggie82]

What’s this fascination with him having Swift play left wing. It completely takes him out of having any sort of influence on the game. Once again Bruce has shown he’s absolutely incapable of tactically breaking down a team that sits in. As against Cardiff we looked more threatening without the ball than with it, don’t get me wrong it’s not the best team we’ve had down the Albion but with Swift, Wallace, Yokuslu, Diangana he should be getting so much more attacking wise from this lot than he currently is.

Burnley & Norwich to come we could be staring at the very real possibility of 1 win in 9 surely he doesn’t survive that start given his record last year.

This squad has shown consistently that it struggles to score goals and is over reliant on Grant. That was the case long before Bruce was appointed. We are better this season thanks to his signings but still well short of what we want.

[SirTonyM]

It's clearly not all on Bruce...at the same time he signed Wallace, Yokuslu and Swift add that to Diangana and that should be enough to beat Wigan. He doesn't help himself either. "That was dire"....If a fan said that it would make sense when the manager says it and he's responsible then it's a worry.

[alex1]

We failed to put the Wigan defence under enough pressure. Grant has got to be braver around the penalty box and midfielders have to make runs into the box. Its also noticeable how slow we are to turn defence into attack. Endless sideways passes allowed the Wigan defence time to get compact. Many times forward passes are on, but players prefer the safety first passes. Or forwards are not making themselves available.

[SirTonyM]

Can we also give the stat stuff a rest, the world has become dominated by stats...We have great XG and we are in the top 5 teams in the league for most passes and look at our possession yesterday it was 67%....
One stat matters - 7 games and 1 win.

[Atomic]

Can we also give the stat stuff a rest, the world has become dominated by stats...We have great XG and we are in the top 5 teams in the league for most passes and look at our possession yesterday it was 67%....
One stat matters - 7 games and 1 win.

Another stat is 7 games and 1 defeat.

We're really not that far away. We are competitive in every game, the better team in the vast majority and we're not losing.

Now is the time not to panic.

Forget Ismael, Forget last season, never mind what Forest did and all the rest.

Bruce is making progress under exceptionally difficult circumstances due largely to the owner and to some extent Luke Dowling and the contracts he was responsible for during his tenure.

Any new manager would have the same set of players that Bruce has and the same set of problems without a transfer window to do anything about it.

Now is not the time to be thinking about changing the manager. Yes, if things are looking desperate further down the line then it may be time to reassess but for now we need to stop knee-jerking to every result and stop over-reacting.

On to Burnley on Friday night. A win and the whole world will seem a better place.

[Baggiee_Boyy_Benn]

Another stat is 7 games and 1 defeat.

We're really not that far away. We are competitive in every game, the better team in the vast majority and we're not losing.

Now is the time not to panic.

Forget Ismael, Forget last season, never mind what Forest did and all the rest.

Bruce is making progress under exceptionally difficult circumstances due largely to the owner and to some extent Luke Dowling and the contracts he was responsible for during his tenure.

Any new manager would have the same set of players that Bruce has and the same set of problems without a transfer window to do anything about it.

Now is not the time to be thinking about changing the manager. Yes, if things are looking desperate further down the line then it may be time to reassess but for now we need to stop knee-jerking to every result and stop over-reacting.

On to Burnley on Friday night. A win and the whole world will seem a better place.

Have literally said this about the Wigan game.. oh and majority of games the past 2 seasons and will continue to say this until its too late, then its too late.

[beechyboy90]

Another stat is 7 games and 1 defeat.

We're really not that far away. We are competitive in every game, the better team in the vast majority and we're not losing.

Now is the time not to panic.

Forget Ismael, Forget last season, never mind what Forest did and all the rest.

Bruce is making progress under exceptionally difficult circumstances due largely to the owner and to some extent Luke Dowling and the contracts he was responsible for during his tenure.

Any new manager would have the same set of players that Bruce has and the same set of problems without a transfer window to do anything about it.

Now is not the time to be thinking about changing the manager. Yes, if things are looking desperate further down the line then it may be time to reassess but for now we need to stop knee-jerking to every result and stop over-reacting.

On to Burnley on Friday night. A win and the whole world will seem a better place.

I like this post. Is bruce perfect? No. Is he long term answer? No. However he has signed wallace okay and swift which have all improved the starting line up. He has resurrected diangana. He has phased Livermore Phillips and bartley all to the bench. Made oshea captain and he has returned to form.

This squad besides swift, Wallace,  diangana, okay and oshea is terrible. The other 6 that inevitably make up the starting line up are average at best all can be improved upon. The bench today only TGH i thought had something about him to change the game.

Yes he could get better results and there is better managers out there but im all for the clesr out he is doing. This season we wont go up regardless who is in charge

[Groovephil]

So many people on here just can’t see the issue is Bruce and the way he sets the side up. The team should have won 4 easily so far.

We are so off the pace it’s embarrassing, well coached teams usually take 4 or 5 games to find their footing, we have got worse since the second game. You have to get more people forward when we don’t have a recognised forward, we just don’t.

I’m sorry but he’s not going to suddenly come good, what you are seeing now is as good as it gets under Bruce. And it isn’t good enough.

Remove him and and bring in a manager who isn’t hideously out of date and can take players and bake them play Bryony their limited talent.

[zippyandbungle]

The blokes got his faults but look at the forwards he's working with , money tied up on players not worth that ( their the ones who should be getting stick and those who handed out those deals) .
Tonight was awful to watch , it always is at Wigan but theres been some much improved football at times this season usually without a finisher . Phillips , Livermore and Bartley seem to be bit part players and being edged out the door which we all wanted . Better players in Wallace and Swift plus the return to form of Grady , its small signs but we look better .
Changing managers yet again and the old crew getting another chance ? , not yet ...not now . I'll judge Bruce over longer and if he gets a decent forward .

Is about where I am
Everyone wanted Livermore out…it happened
Everyone wanted furlong out…it happened
I think his mistake last night was not putting in TGH for furlong,but I get the cautious approach.

[baggie82]

So many people on here just can’t see the issue is Bruce and the way he sets the side up. The team should have won 4 easily so far.

We are so off the pace it’s embarrassing, well coached teams usually take 4 or 5 games to find their footing, we have got worse since the second game. You have to get more people forward when we don’t have a recognised forward, we just don’t.

I’m sorry but he’s not going to suddenly come good, what you are seeing now is as good as it gets under Bruce. And it isn’t good enough.

Remove him and and bring in a manager who isn’t hideously out of date and can take players and bake them play Bryony their limited talent.

We have 1 striker and 2 centre backs.

You’ll only end up calling for his replacement to be sacked in September and the third manager this season to go in October and the fourth gaffer to be given a P45 before December, and then the next one before the January transfer window….

[blindreferee]

Avid reader of this forum and very occasional poster - my thoughts on this would be as follows :

I wasn’t a supporter of the initial appointment of Bruce - the CEO coming out with “he’s the only candidate we spoke to” was poor - however he was a very low risk appointment at the time - where the board got it wrong was extending his contract at the end of the season. His football has always been dour, safety first and he has always been very reluctant to bring through his younger players - all he is doing now is reverting to his norm and doing what he has always done

Some posters are giving him credit for the 3 signings he has made ? Yokuslu was a Big Sam find who knew the club and, due to the apparent lack of any other offers, wanted to come back. Swift and Wallace were 2 of the stand out performers in the Division last season who were both available on frees - I would imagine every club in the Division was interested - hardly scouted and found these players ? If the past is anything to go by we merely offers them more money than anyone else ?

His one big plus which he should be given massive credit for is the reemergence of Grady, who has been our best player by a mile this season. Bruce still hasn’t “found’ us a centre forward and we are still needing 2 full backs

Has he done a good job since February - no - would anyone else have done any better - possibly, possibly not

The squad is poor, lacks depth and investment - this Bruce cannot be held fully responsible - the board, the CEO must take the majority of the blame here -the  notion that the squad should be challenging for the top 6 is laughable - which of our players would get into a team in the Prem ? None. Which of our players drew interest from elsewhere over the summer ? None. The prospect of us going up is frightening - we would literally be hammered week in week out

Would I sack Bruce now ? No, there is no point - it would be another costly pay-off for him and his cohorts with no obvious candidate who could (or would be willing to ) take over. Club needs a reset and 2-3 year plan

Need to identify a younger, hungry coach who can develop the youngsters and isn’t afraid to give them an extended run - Bilic did this when he first came - improved the older players and brought through unheard of youngsters - scouting network needs ripping up and starting from scratch and as fans we need to accept that thoughts of promotion and  completing in the Premiership are a million miles away at the moment

The ownership will not change in the immediate future and there is very little as fans we can do about this -we need to be realistic and accept where we are and what we have

Worrying times - the future looks bleak

[paulosull]

I personally would have got rid in summer as he didn’t get us in playoffs which should have been a minimum requirement. That being said I actually don’t know what board will term unsuccessful to remove him from his post this season is it being out of top six by December or flirting with relegation? 

[Smethwickender93]

Going to be a tough season for us again. Can't see Bruce going unless we get some really poor results through September.

Things could get ugly with the fan base but will they turn on Lai or Bruce or both?