Steve Bruce blamed expectations for his demise as Sunderland manager, while opposite number Alan Pardew embraced them. Stuart Rayner looks for lessons the next Black Cats boss can learn
ALAN Pardew might have sympathy – of sorts – for Steve Bruce, but the Newcastle United manager is too canny to fall into the trap which ensnared his local rival this week.
Their polar opposite approaches to the task of managing North East expectations is something Bruce’s successor would be wise to study. Do so, and he may well decide to follow Pardew’s path.
When Bruce was ushered out of the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night, it was with his complaints still echoing in the ears of the disgruntled supporters who turned so viciously on him days earlier.
Whatever the failings of his team, Bruce compounded them with his excuses. He talked often about “unrealistic expectations” on Wearside, blaming them in part for the impatience of supporters. It was a theme Sir Alex Ferguson – close to Bruce and Pardew – warmed to in his programme notes for Newcastle’s recent trip to Old Trafford, laying the blame firmly at the door of the local North East media.
Bruce’s excuses began to grate, with many fans feeling they were entitled to expect better than they got from a club they have backed in such large numbers. They took offence to the suggestion that despite having not seen a major trophy paraded around the city for 38 years, they somehow had their heads in the clouds.
Pardew, on the other hand, is happy to let the imaginations of Newcastle supporters run away with them.
Beyond their heartland, the Toon Army are regularly mocked for their obvious enthusiasm and willingness to worship false messiahs. They will only get encouragement from Pardew.
Consecutive games against the three best teams in the country were supposed to be the crunching reality check for a team allegedly yet to face anyone decent opposition (Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur apparently did not fall into that category). A defeat and a draw from the first two, both in Manchester, have done nothing to dampen any enthusiasm, particularly given the manner of the performances which earned them.
With the third-best team of the trio next, and at St James’ Park to boot, some are starting to talk up the chances of Newcastle continuing the upward curve with victory over a Chelsea side under pressure after three defeats in their last four matches. The league table says they should. Dream on, the cynics will sneer.
