I don't think we will win but I could see it, as you said - a reaction and then Bruce will come out and say "his way" works.
I think we will.
Bruce has hung the entire squad out to dry-makes a change from singling out individuals, I guess- and it's pretty easy to make the inference that he was having a dig at Rafa, too.
The game against Sheff Utd looked very much like a bunch of players who had lost all faith in their manager so, whilst I think we'll see a reaction tomorrow, it will be as a two fingers to Bruce more than it will be a show of support for him. In addition, after saying what he said, I think Bruce wouldn't dare set out his team as defensively as he did on Tuesday so I can see us having more of a go at them.
Arsenal are a strange team where their performances amount to less than the sum of their parts more often than the reverse of that. If they all hit their straps they are light years ahead of us but they've rarely done that this season and I think our lads will be fired up.
It's been such a strange season, you just never know...
I don't think we will win but I could see it, as you said - a reaction and then Bruce will come out and say "his way" works.
I would snap your hand off for a draw right now.
The expected reaction would be a drop in effort from the players compared to the last game.
My only question is if that is possible?
That's a fair point that I'd never really considered. My first reaction was 'oh, the players are bound to want to show some professional pride'.
After what Bruce said, my feeling is that they'll want to show a reaction. Partly because they'll know that the eyes of the football world will be on them even more now and partly because they know that they let themselves down on Tuesday-whatever blame you can attribute to Bruce's shite tactics, they're culpable too and they'll want to show they're better than that.
But, you could be right-especially if Arsenal start well and score-maybe what little confidence they have will be washed away completely and they'll crumble.
Shame we're not neutrals as it'll be interesting to see which way it goes.
The reaction will go one of two ways.
I think we lose 3 nil.
We don’t have the players to cause a reaction. You get a reaction when your playing a bottom of the league team.
You don’t play 4 centre halves and have all your forwards on the bench. I think with his comments that he has completely lost the dressing room and the players have no faith in him now.
I hope we will get a result, but Arteta and co. need three points just as bad as us - for different reasons.
A lot depends on his line up knowing him he will bring back lascelles joelinton and carroll and of course keep longstaff in to boss the midfield i hope we see 4 4 2 with Gayle up front with Wilson but wont hold my breath. Arsenal 3-0 winners
The reaction could be the players think f.u.c.k Bruce, We keep loosing he gets sacked.