Alex Bruce

**Qwerty** · 15/11/2008, 12:27 AM

So Bruce is off form a bit, he started 37 games last season. He has 124 career starts as they say in US which isn't bad. He is an option. And we don't have enough of them.

**the doc** · 15/11/2008, 5:58 PM

Originally Posted by Qwerty

So Bruce is off form a bit, he started 37 games last season. He has 124 career starts as they say in US which isn't bad. He is an option. And we don't have enough of them.

So why have Ipswich decided not to offer him a new contract then?

In contrast St Ledger has just signed a new 4 year deal and has made nearly 200 appearances, in addition to sweeping the board at both Peterborough and Prestons player of the year awards, respectively.

**Qwerty** · 16/11/2008, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by the doc

So why have Ipswich decided not to offer him a new contract then?

In contrast St Ledger has just signed a new 4 year deal and has made nearly 200 appearances, in addition to sweeping the board at both Peterborough and Prestons player of the year awards, respectively.

Phone Jim Magilton and find out.

**Noelys Guitar** · 16/11/2008, 2:49 AM

I get the impression that Bruce is Trap's McCarthy. Lacks all the qualities of a top flight center half and yet....he is confident in his own ability and will tell better players than himself how to play. Magilton not recognizing his talents is no surprise.

**danonion** · 17/11/2008, 5:36 AM

I think Magilton is about to get the sack anyway. I don't think Alex Bruce is as terrible as he is made out to be (from my 2 times seeing him live). Mick was a better centre-half then he is given credit for as well.

**Stuttgart88** · 17/11/2008, 7:03 AM

Originally Posted by danonion

I don't think Alex Bruce is as terrible as he is made out to be (from my 2 times seeing him live). Mick was a better centre-half then he is given credit for as well.

Agree on both counts. I don't think Bruce is an aggressive centre back, he's more in the O'Leary or Breen mould.

**paul_oshea** · 17/11/2008, 1:09 PM

what he makes lots of mistakes?

**geysir** · 17/11/2008, 1:24 PM

He made a lot of mistakes in the USA friendlies, probably Guinness book of record proportions, but he doesn't bang his head on the turf about them, he just gets up and gets stuck in again.

**Duffman** · 17/11/2008, 6:33 PM

I saw him play twice for Tranmere a few years back and it was the first I had heard of him, didn't know that he qualified for Ireland back then. Thought he was very average for that division never mind coming from a premier league side. Anything I have seen of him since hasn't changed that opinion either.

**Predator** · 08/01/2011, 12:45 PM

Bruce is probably having one of the best games of his life at the minute alongside O'Brien against Arsenal.

**SwanVsDalton** · 08/01/2011, 12:59 PM

Being lauded on the Beeb text updates too:

Originally Posted by BBC Text Updates

1329: Leeds' defence very much the stand-out story of the match so far, with Alex Bruce and Andy O'Brien outstanding so far. Arsenal's failure to test the visitors' full-backs may wrankle with Arsene Wenger a touch.

1331: Kasper Schmeichel, too, has played his part in keeping Arsenal at bay so far - and he makes another neat save at the near post from Nicklas Bendtner on the back of a fine run into the box from the Dane. Alex Bruce, meanwhile, looks like he might be struggling with a knee injury sustained in a collision with his own player. They won't want to lose him, Leeds, that's for sure.

paultwentworth on Twitter: "Bruce and O'Brien looking resolute for Leeds - do Arsenal have it in them to break them down? Think a giantkilling is on the cards!

Has anyone been following him? I'd forgotten about him but Leeds are going well and Bruce seems to be more in form than O'Dea.

**Predator** · 08/01/2011, 1:07 PM

The whole Leeds side has been well disciplined and O'Brien and Bruce have been marshalling the defence well. Bruce is carrying an injury as well, but he could have been sent off after a high challenge on Chamakh, so I think it's safe to say that he's not the messiah, but a very naughty boy.

**balls** · 08/01/2011, 1:25 PM

pat dolan doesnt rate bruce anyway slated him at half time on setanta

**Predator** · 08/01/2011, 1:35 PM

Yeah, Dolan was adamant that he was not international standard, but admitted he was having a great game. Who knows what might happen? How many of us thought St. Ledger would be partnering Dunne?

Schmeichel has been fantastic today too.

**tetsujin1979** · 08/01/2011, 1:41 PM

Originally Posted by balls

pat dolan doesnt rate bruce anyway slated him at half time on setanta

pat dolan is the worst pundit in football tv history

**Philly** · 10/01/2011, 9:26 AM

With the awful time St Ledger has being having of late, I'd be all for Bruce getting a chance in the next Ireland game, or at least a call-up. St Ledger seems to have lost his confidence or something of late.

**Junior** · 10/01/2011, 1:33 PM

OBrien is 31 yrs of age. Can someone remind me again what was the basis of his retirement from International football? Was it just because he wasnt featuring too much, 26-27 is young to be retiring. I know he had a few patchy years and then went completely off the radar but as comments above suggest, the newcomers we have are either very young/inexperienced.

Not advocating a call up other anything before anyone jumps to that conclusion just an 'out of interest' question.....

**irishfan86** · 10/01/2011, 5:17 PM

Junior, O'Brien retired after being benched repeatedly during the aftermath of the famous Cyprus humiliation. Kenny and himself were the two main scapegoats if I recall correctly.

O'Brien is premiership/international standard in my view and I was upset when he chose to retire. If Trap wants him and he's willing to return as a squad player he'd be a good short term option.

**geysir** · 10/01/2011, 5:29 PM

I thought Bruce played very well against Arsenal, but he eagerly treads the thin line between total commitment and being a lose cannon. I can guess Trap might have his reservations. I don't why Keane got shod of him at Ipswich. Bruce is yet another player who has fallen out Roy and carried on to do very well elsewhere.

**peadar1987** · 10/01/2011, 5:33 PM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

Junior, O'Brien retired after being benched repeatedly during the aftermath of the famous Cyprus humiliation. Kenny and himself were the two main scapegoats if I recall correctly.

O'Brien is premiership/international standard in my view and I was upset when he chose to retire. If Trap wants him and he's willing to return as a squad player he'd be a good short term option.

I thought the same. I think O'Brien was very harshly treated by an Irish media on the lookout for scapegoats as well, it might have had something to do with his retirement.