Bruno's Hidden Message about LCFC

[Happy Fox]

http://www.thebluearmy.co.uk/news/Bruno-Berner-Column-consistency-stability-vital/article-3497503-detail/article.html

I wrote about stability in a football environment and how important it is for every single member of a club to feel settled.

The more stability I find in my environment as a player, the more I can push on in my development. That stability leads to consistency, which is what you need to be successful, especially in the Championship.

The desire for quick success brought some dark clouds over my hometown club, Grasshoppers Zurich. After winning the league five times in the 1990s and playing twice in the Champions League, there was a real thirst for more.

At the end of the 1990s, new investors showed interest. Three financially powerful patrons with relations to Credit Suisse supported us with a special motivation only Swiss bankers can have.

It was clear that they would have a huge task. Their only goal was to play in the Champions League, year after year.

The know-how they had in the international business arena would not have automatically guaranteed us success in football.

That's why the patrons were eager to bring in a famous name and a very well known gentleman in Switzerland. Grasshoppers were proud to announce Roy Hodgson as the new manager.

But, with a big name as a manager, pressure increased immediately on us, the players. All of a sudden, everything that was built before didn't count any more.

Club members were calling for a change and proposed to off-load several players, players who deserved certainly more than just to be off-loaded. But, in their eyes, new players with a bigger profile had to be signed.

The start to the new season was average. We never really got going. There was no bond, no connection and the spirit in the dressing room was yet to come. Week in, week out we tried hard but the results were often disappointing.

After a couple of months, people started to lose patience. New signings were in the loop and regular players started to get nervous. Hodgson was calling for more patience. The media launched criticism at him and, of course, us as well.

With fresh money, big names and strong investors behind us, it was a must to win the Swiss League and qualify for the Champions League – not tomorrow, not next season, but now!

How on earth am I able to perform consistently and how can a manager build a team without patience and time to develop his own philosophy?

Nevertheless, we remained focused and never gave up. We were on top of our game and achieved some positive results but, with the next defeat, the same people started to bang on our door again.

Unfortunately, and not even after one season, Hodgson stepped down as our manager.

Why? It was the demand for quick success without patience.

In the following 12 years, Grasshoppers became Swiss champions only twice after making considerable changes and never qualified for the Champions League again. Today, their financial situation is close to collapse and they battle against relegation.

[Nick]

http://www.thebluear...il/article.html

I wrote about stability in a football environment and how important it is for every single member of a club to feel settled.

The more stability I find in my environment as a player, the more I can push on in my development. That stability leads to consistency, which is what you need to be successful, especially in the Championship.

The desire for quick success brought some dark clouds over my hometown club, Grasshoppers Zurich. After winning the league five times in the 1990s and playing twice in the Champions League, there was a real thirst for more.

At the end of the 1990s, new investors showed interest. Three financially powerful patrons with relations to Credit Suisse supported us with a special motivation only Swiss bankers can have.

It was clear that they would have a huge task. Their only goal was to play in the Champions League, year after year.

The know-how they had in the international business arena would not have automatically guaranteed us success in football.

That's why the patrons were eager to bring in a famous name and a very well known gentleman in Switzerland. Grasshoppers were proud to announce Roy Hodgson as the new manager.

But, with a big name as a manager, pressure increased immediately on us, the players. All of a sudden, everything that was built before didn't count any more.

Club members were calling for a change and proposed to off-load several players, players who deserved certainly more than just to be off-loaded. But, in their eyes, new players with a bigger profile had to be signed.

The start to the new season was average. We never really got going. There was no bond, no connection and the spirit in the dressing room was yet to come. Week in, week out we tried hard but the results were often disappointing.

After a couple of months, people started to lose patience. New signings were in the loop and regular players started to get nervous. Hodgson was calling for more patience. The media launched criticism at him and, of course, us as well.

With fresh money, big names and strong investors behind us, it was a must to win the Swiss League and qualify for the Champions League – not tomorrow, not next season, but now!

How on earth am I able to perform consistently and how can a manager build a team without patience and time to develop his own philosophy?

Nevertheless, we remained focused and never gave up. We were on top of our game and achieved some positive results but, with the next defeat, the same people started to bang on our door again.

Unfortunately, and not even after one season, Hodgson stepped down as our manager.

Why? It was the demand for quick success without patience.

In the following 12 years, Grasshoppers became Swiss champions only twice after making considerable changes and never qualified for the Champions League again. Today, their financial situation is close to collapse and they battle against relegation.

chance grapes sour of any ?

[sphericalfox]

There's nothing subtle about that in any terms hidden or otherwise.

I think we all secretly fear, as none of us have any concrete assurances about our owners other than the Public Relations, and the amount of pressure they may put on Sven and the team to succeed.

I think Bruno is allaying his fears regarding this also, but at a guess he'll know no more than we do about the relationship between Sven and the owners, or how Lee Hoos handles their expectations and demands.

[Babylon]

Exactly why the Thais need to be patient with whoever is in charge.... And the fans.

[Guest Col city fan]

Exactly why the Thais need to be patient with whoever is in charge.... And the fans.

I agree we have to give Sven more time.... 99% of people on here? suggest that Sven needs a close season with which to build his own, settled squad. However, only 10% are making any sort of suggestion regarding how long he should be given if his philosophy doesn't bear fruit?

Hypothetical question yes, but Sousa was given 10 games...what is your opinion re. how long Sven should be given if it don't go well?

[Nick]

I agree we have to give Sven more time.... 99% of people on here? suggest that Sven needs a close season with which to build his own, settled squad. However, only 10% are making any sort of suggestion regarding how long he should be given if his philosophy doesn't bear fruit?

Hypothetical question yes, but Sousa was given 10 games...what is your opinion re. how long Sven should be given if it don't go well?

Where have I read this before?

[Babylon]

I agree we have to give Sven more time.... 99% of people on here? suggest that Sven needs a close season with which to build his own, settled squad. However, only 10% are making any sort of suggestion regarding how long he should be given if his philosophy doesn't bear fruit?

Hypothetical question yes, but Sousa was given 10 games...what is your opinion re. how long Sven should be given if it don't go well?

Depends on your opinion on going well. If we are bottom after 10 games then he'll go the way of Sousa, if we are mid table within a decent run of the playoffs, then longer.

[Finnegan]

DOOOOOOMED

[Guest Col city fan]

Depends on your opinion on going well. If we are bottom after 10 games then he'll go the way of Sousa, if we are mid table within a decent run of the playoffs, then longer.

Thats my opinion too - however, with this massive emphasis that people are placing on here regarding the importance of giving Sven a close season, do you feel that there is going to be a lot of negativity if we arent near the top of the league right from the off? I sense that mid table mediocrity (at whatever part of the season we are at) may not be tolerated by many

[Nick]

Thats my opinion too - however, with this massive emphasis that people are placing on here regarding the importance of giving Sven a close season, do you feel that there is going to be a lot of negativity if we arent near the top of the league right from the off? I sense that mid table mediocrity (at whatever part of the season we are at) may not be tolerated by many

Why don't we do a new thread or a poll on it?

[Guest Col city fan]

Why don't we do a new thread or a poll on it?

Nick, are you ok this morning mate? you seem to suffering terminal sarcasm... you werent being serious about harming yourself I hope?

[Babylon]

Thats my opinion too - however, with this massive emphasis that people are placing on here regarding the importance of giving Sven a close season, do you feel that there is going to be a lot of negativity if we arent near the top of the league right from the off? I sense that mid table mediocrity (at whatever part of the season we are at) may not be tolerated by many

I'm sure of it, our fans are impatient. I count myself as fairly patient though and prefer to build a team (takes time) and will give the manager as much of a chance as I think you can.

I think December time everything will have bedded down and decisions will be made by the owners if things are going badly.

[Guest Col city fan]

I'm sure of it, our fans are impatient. I count myself as fairly patient though and prefer to build a team (takes time) and will give the manager as much of a chance as I think you can.

I think December time everything will have bedded down and decisions will be made by the owners if things are going badly.

Agree with you fully...for me, and this is the important thing IMO, it will matter less as to the position we are at, as to the style and standard of football we are playing. If we look well-organised, tactically sound, with a bit of flair, I'll be happy because I'll feel that we are moving forwards as a team.

When we were under Holloway, I could just see, weeks and weeks before we finally went down, that things on the pitch were just not right. I was saying to my mates at the time (season-ticket holders) that we were going to go down, I was worried about it and just knew it. They stated right up until the last month, that we were too good to go down.

I will be happy enough if we look like we are progressing. That will do me. For a bit anyway.

[Haydos]

Thats my opinion too - however, with this massive emphasis that people are placing on here regarding the importance of giving Sven a close season, do you feel that there is going to be a lot of negativity if we arent near the top of the league right from the off? I sense that mid table mediocrity (at whatever part of the season we are at) may not be tolerated by many

There will undoubtedly be the usual crowd dismissing him if we're not top 3 after 10 games, of course there will. I also think people will fail to understand that the beginning of next season will still be transitional for us. It is likely we'll have quite a few new players and personally if we're improved on this season in terms of personnel and performance but again just miss out on the playoffs I won't be too disappointed. I won't mind a slow growth and believe it's more stable in the long run (eg. More likely to stay up if we got promoted).

BUT, I'm not sure this will be acceptable for most, I think that if we fail to make at least the playoffs next season, a lot will be calling for Sven out and I am almost certain that would be a backwards step.

[Guest Col city fan]

There will undoubtedly be the usual crowd dismissing him if we're not top 3 after 10 games, of course there will. I also think people will fail to understand that the beginning of next season will still be transitional for us. It is likely we'll have quite a few new players and personally if we're improved on this season in terms of personnel and performance but again just miss out on the playoffs I won't be too disappointed. I won't mind a slow growth and believe it's more stable in the long run (eg. More likely to stay up if we got promoted).

BUT, I'm not sure this will be acceptable for most, I think that if we fail to make at least the playoffs next season, a lot will be calling for Sven out and I am almost certain that would be a backwards step.

I agree with your posts Haydos

[Nick]

I agree with your posts Haydos

I love you Haydos, I'll always be your friend, tell me I'm the only one.

[B52]

See my postings i Hobbsthred....

What is a proffessional football player?

[Guest Col city fan]

I love you Haydos, I'll always be your friend, tell me I'm the only one.

I DONT love you Nick, and don't want to be your friend. I'm sorry but i've made my mind up.. how old are you btw? - you sound about 10 this morning

[FoxyPV]

That's about as subtle as a brick in the face.

Patience is a virtue not often known in football especially in recent years so why not give Sven some time? It's not like we're fighting for survival. I think a preseason will do the team and Sven wonders.

[MPH]

ouch, Bruno

He is clearly on his way out (or wants to be). You dont write a newspaper article like that and still expect to have a Job..

[funkyrobot]

That's about as subtle as a brick in the face.

Patience is a virtue not often known in football especially in recent years so why not give Sven some time? It's not like we're fighting for survival. I think a preseason will do the team and Sven wonders.

Give Sven time like he's given to Hobbs, waghorn and Bruno? You are all going on about being patient but the signings of yak, kamara and the like show little in the way of future planning or patience and more in the way of a desperate attempt to get a quick result.

[Guest Basildon Fox]

Give Sven time like he's given to Hobbs, waghorn and Bruno? You are all going on about being patient but the signings of yak, kamara and the like show little in the way of future planning or patience and more in the way of a desperate attempt to get a quick result.

But you are missing the point. He did not sign those players and their skills although apparent may not fit with the style we want to play. This is why people are saying that he should be judged after he has had the chance to build his team over the summer and have a pre-season with them.

If Sven fails miserably (I believe he will succeed looking at his previous track record) then any descenting voices will have a point.

[funkyrobot]

Im not missing the point, im merely saying that you are asking for patience for the man yet sven hasnt shown that same patience with players who could play well in his team. Hobbs can play, he was schooled at Liverpool. He's good on the floor, you guys have short memories. Waghorn wasn't given fair game time and Sven hasn't shown any patience with him despite flashes of brilliance.

[Guest Basildon Fox]

Im not missing the point, im merely saying that you are asking for patience for the man yet sven hasnt shown that same patience with players who could play well in his team. Hobbs can play, he was schooled at Liverpool. He's good on the floor, you guys have short memories. Waghorn wasn't given fair game time and Sven hasn't shown any patience with him despite flashes of brilliance.

Hobbs can not pass for shit which is why he is not in the team.

Also where this season has there been any flashes of brilliance from Waghorn?

[Babylon]

Im not missing the point, im merely saying that you are asking for patience for the man yet sven hasnt shown that same patience with players who could play well in his team. Hobbs can play, he was schooled at Liverpool. He's good on the floor, you guys have short memories. Waghorn wasn't given fair game time and Sven hasn't shown any patience with him despite flashes of brilliance.

Why people find it hard to grasp that the manager sees players in training every day. He doesn't need to see them in matches to make his mind up.

Pearson is gone, his players will mostly be out the door also. Sven his is own man with his own ideas on how football should be played. Him and Pearson are chalk and cheese.

I wish Pearson hadn't left, it's nice to be winning and having young players in your team. I think we would have finished higher this season no doubt.

But it's not Svens fault Pearson isn't here, if a player doesn't fit into his system then he will get rid and replace him with someone that does. he will do what it takes to get the team playing his way.