Steve Bruce was been quizzed by the press on Friday following last Saturday’s collapse against Manchester United – and, yet again, his comments sadly raise more questions than answers.
Firstly, he’s defended the result and our late collapse against the Red Devils, feeling we some of the criticism is over the top given we “were four minutes away”…..from a draw that is.
This in itself says everything you need to know about our negative approach that night, with Bruce’s comments telling us he was very much happy with a point – and that showed in our lack of attacking intent throughout.
Bruce’s comments on fan criticism aren’t much better either, with him once again suggesting that the “huge scrutiny” he’s under is “unjust” and that it’s part and parcel of being Newcastle United managers that people complain.
He also says that “everyone is a manager” in this day and age, feeling social media is now full of those telling him how to do his job – yet I’d argue this only happens because fans struggle to see the plan he’s trying to execute each weekend or see him make the same mistakes followed by the same old excuses.
Here’s what he’s had to say:
“At the end of the day, we were four minutes away.
“We were disappointed from the way it finished. From 1-1 to 4-1, it was awful, the last five or six minutes.
“That’s when you need the help of the supporters.”
“I’m under no illusion that if you’re manager of Newcastle, then the criticism flows.
“Sometimes you think it’s a little unjust but it’s what we deal with these days with social media and every game on the TV.
“You come under huge scrutiny.”
“In past, you used to discuss it in the pub: ‘What did you pick him for?’ ‘Why has he picked him?”
“Now everybody is a manager.”
Forgive me for wanting more, but when you’re 1-0 up against a side who got battered 6-1 before their trip to Tyneside, it’s not good enough to sit back from that point onwards and play for a point.
He accepts that we were “awful” in the final 10 minutes of the game, but the tactics he adopted for the first 80 were just as bad – if not worse.
I don’t enjoy scrutinising every comment that comes out of his mouth, however it constantly feels like it’s everyone’s fault but his, whether it be the players collapsing late on, Wilson missing his big chance, the opposition being too good (when they really weren’t) or us struggling to keep going without the support of fans inside St James’ Park.
Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE
Steve Bruce operates at the same level as Steve McClaren and is therefore in the totally inept category. He needs to leave soon before it is all to late!
Steven Pearson(Quote)
If you are so clever Mr coach, then fix it. and stop making exuses, Ashley will not sack you, you are his yes man. Perhaps you will meet Sunderland, next season in the Championship.
Ascot7(Quote)
He thinks he is getting stick on social media can you just imagine if the stadium was full he is a very lucky man that he cant hear the supporters..
fj1200xxx(Quote)
So – as someone who has a go at Bruce for every conceivable thing, you don’t think the criticism is a bit over the top?
Man U may have been hammered the previous game, but that doesn’t make any of our players any better, and it doesn’t change the fact that our team cost a paltrey 250 million while theirs cost a billion.
Where were the complaints about the teams style and showing too much respect to top 6 teams when Rafa was doing exactly the same thing and achieving exactly the same results?
Where were the complaints when Rafa played exactly the same style against EVERY OTHER CLUB in the prem?
Where were the complaints when Rafa said “If I can keep the club in the Prem with this squad it will be a miracle?”
Just admit it, either you just dislike Bruce or you are just putting out critical articles that you think your readers want to see.
Bruce could win 4 – 0 tomorrow and you would still find a reason to gripe.
Helen Clarey(Quote)
David(Quote)