Steve Bruce has insisted that he is “not at all” anxious ahead of the return of 10,000 fans to St James’ Park tomorrow night, believing supporters will come to cheer on their team – not boo him.
The NUFC boss has also accepted for the first time that our dismal defeat at Sheffield United back in January was his fault, saying he selected the wrong team and takes responsibility for our ‘darkest moment’ of the season as a result.
Elsewhere, Bruce has remained coy on our attempts to sign Joe Willock this summer, confirming talks will take place at the end of the season but remaining unsure if Arsenal will be willing to part with the in-form 21-year-old.
Here’s what he’s had to say on all of the above in today’s press conference…
Bruce when asked if he was ‘anxious’ about the reception he’ll receive from 10,000 fans at St James’ Park:
“No, not at all.
“I am delighted.
“I think fans will be coming to cheer on their team. They’ll have enjoyed watching them of late. It’s great to see them back. I’m sure they’ll give the team a wonderful reception.
“Let them come in, go to the pub and have a few beers and support their team.
“I think we’ll start feeling it when we arrive tomorrow and see supporters.
“We had a flavour of it with the cup final and the play-offs and all of a sudden it’s a wonderful spectacle.
“We’ve all said it, if we ever need reminding what we play football for and what we’re in it for is supporters.
“I’m sure people will go to the pub before and after and discuss all the things that make this great game what it is.
“Whatever type of reception I get, I am delighted, it’s been a bloody long time since we have seen the supporters.“
Bruce on that defeat to Sheffield United in January:
“It was one of the dark moments of the season and I certainly picked the wrong team, so I have to take responsibility for it.
“I certainly picked wrong team, which doesn’t help. It was one of the awful displays of the season.
“If we slacken off we know they will punish us. Supporters are back in the stadium so we want to keep that attitude right.
“We didn’t play well enough. If we don’t show them huge respect, it’ll be difficult for us as they’re a decent side.”
Bruce on Joe Willock’s future:
“He’s an Arsenal player. We have to respect that. But we’ll be having conversations with them.
“I think every club will be digesting the season (before transfers happen).
“We’ll have dialogue and see where it takes us.
“You can see him enjoying it and enjoying scoring. To take the ball off Joelinton for the penalty shows the state of mind – he wants to score.
“He’s given us another dimension from midfield.
“The distance him and Almirón cover from midfield is great to watch.”
If it were a case that the first thing our fans do being back at SJP is boo Bruce, then we deserve all the criticism we get imo.
There have been far more important things gone on this year than our relegation battle – and it’s a battle we ultimately won – so it is time to celebrate.
There will be plenty of time to take issue with Bruce & Ashley again, but our first game back should be a happy occasion.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I hear what you’re saying and wouldn’t criticise anyone for turning up, applauding the players and just enjoying being back at SJP after so long away, but there will be many who sees this as our first chances in over a year to send a message to Ashley / Bruce.
Given all the built up frustration he’s caused, I wouldn’t blame anyone if they made their feelings known.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly – do you think they’ve missed our message over the last year like?
Over that same year there has been bigger things than Bruce & Ashley &
We will have lost plenty of fellow supporters through this pandemic.
For the first game at least I’d rather see us come together and put that above any bad feeling.
It’s been frustrating & it’s not been pretty at all – but it hasn’t been relegation.
Sharpy17(Quote)
He is optimistic about the fan’s isn’t he,I love the midfield apart from shelvey to lazy for me, would be great if we can make wilock sign but alot of if and buts are to be made their,do not sell Murphy or st maximum please
Martin Souter(Quote)