The difference is under Benitez the tactics would have been well drilled into the players and considerably more effective (we did beat Man City with him as manager in fact) . I also am of the opinion that Benitez went into every game trying to win. Bruce isn't even a defensive manager, his teams cannot defend.
Yes Rafa was defence first but there was a considered plan for every match and there were also attempts at progression and that half season with Rondon up-top with Perez and Almiron buzzing around behind we played some good stuff at times.
Bruce isn't being criticized for the game against City it's the performances against the likes of Fulham and Brentford, games that were there to be won that were thrown away by a complete lack of desire to take the game to the opponents or even a knowledge of how to break them down. Even the West Brom game we were for large swathes of that game comprehensively outplayed.
The heavy defeat against Manchester United they were under huge media pressure had already been proven to be mentally fragile and gifted us an ealry goal and what happens ? The same Bruce tactics of dropping to the 18 yard line, not pressing, delaying making any attempts to win the ball and defending deep. It's like it's the only two lines he's ever bothered to read from the Uefa A coaches handbook. These tactics have been repeated throughout the season whether it's Man City or Brentford B.
This manager has been supported more financially by Ashley than any other manager in his tenure. There are some good players there and they are being ruined by Bruce. If Ashley truly wants to protect his investments and give himself the best chance of selling the club he needs to act sooner rather than later to secure it's future.