Embarrassing comments from Steve Bruce after pathetic performance in 2-0 defeat to Arsenal

I think someone needs to remind Steve Bruce that Arsenal were 11th in the Premier League and bang out of form going into today’s game at St James’ Park.

Instead, the NUFC boss has defended our display by insisting it’s “always going to be difficult” when you come against these “big teams”.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Bruce also praised the players work rate and attitude, saying he “couldn’t fault” the ‘effort’, ‘endeavour’ and ‘commitment’ they showed.

They had stepped up in recent weeks, helping us move nine points clear of safety ahead of today’s game, however that was a pathetic performance, with us failing to show up against one of the poorest Arsenal sides we’ve ever seen and looking like a side already on their summer holidays throughout.

Here’s what Bruce had to say after the game:

The better team won.

We weren’t at the level we have been at in the last few weeks.

We recovered at Liverpool last week but we gifted them a goal after four minutes.

It is always going to be difficult against these big teams.

“I couldn’t fault the effort and the endeavour and the commitment of the players,” 

“We simply weren’t good enough on the day to beat them.”

This was also an Arsenal side who’d made eight changes after playing in Spain little over 48 hours ago, yet they spent most of the game in cruise control as if they were up against 10 men.

Bruce then said this to the BBC when asked about Fabian Schar’s red card, claiming his challenge on Martinelli was a booking at best:

“The way it is at the moment and the rules are, there’s no tackles anymore,”

“I don’t think it deserves a red. Maybe it’s a yellow.

“Is it dangerous? Not really.

“We’re playing Arsenal so you have to get into them. When that stops it becomes very difficult.

“I have sympathy for Fabian Schar. He tries to win the tackle.

“Maybe a yellow card but certainly not a red.”

Sadly, it’s become a theme for Bruce to talk up the opposition – not matter how average they are – and set low standards when it comes to our own level of performance.

No wonder Jonjo Shelvey gets in the team every week if he thinks our effort levels were spot on in this one!

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

4 thoughts on “Embarrassing comments from Steve Bruce after pathetic performance in 2-0 defeat to Arsenal

  1. The players have done enough to stay up, they therefore have continued their stance re bruce, schars sending off smacks as the same as frasers earlier in the season.

    The narrative in recent days has all been about how bruce is steady and we should keep him,
    His record suggests we won’t improve next year if he is here

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  2. Normal service resumed = 2 years of mismanagement under Bruce

    He has to go = if he’s still hear next season I’m not going to renew my season ticket as the past 2 years have been awful to watch

    Latest even Sunderland are a Top Top side! The guy’s a loon!

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  3. We were playing their reserves Mr Bruce!
    Wake up and smell the coffee!
    Just be honest for once in you lifetime, we were pathetic!

      (Quote)

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