Steve Bruce says he is not a long ball manager - now he needs to prove it
As Steve Bruce prepares to go on trial at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night in front of Sunderland owner Ellis Short he was keen to banish one misconception.
Last time out Sunderland repeatedly hammered the ball from defence into attack. Long ball after long ball “lumped”, his words, towards a forward line ill equipped to handle such strong arm tactics.
Bruce says he is not a long ball manager. He has never ordered his sides to go as direct as their failed policy against Fulham. He says he’d have “anarchy“ in his ranks if those were his orders.
The point is Sunderland’s players, whether it be a lack of confidence, lack trust in each other, lack of patience or lack of bottle, took it upon themselves to panic into such a game plan.
Launching long balls is the easy way out for his players. A statement that you are not prepared to take a risk, look for clever ball, the inventive angle and just want rid of the ball before you make a mistake. And most of Bruce’s defence and midfield were guilty.
On Tuesday night comes the big test against the experts of direct play, Bolton.
Evidence that his squad is still listening is needed to pacify Wearside, from owner down to the terraces.
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