Wolves 2-1 Newcastle: Time to sack Steve Bruce before it’s too late

Olly Hawkins

Well, that was absolutely atrocious.

A 2-1 defeat to a Wolves side who never had to get out of second gear to beat us, leaving us 19th in the table and STILL without a win seven games into the new season.

After such a pathetic display and damning defeat, we head into the international break hoping the club finally see sense and sack Steve Bruce now they have two weeks to bring in a fresh face ahead of a clash with Spurs at St James’ Park in 15 days time.

I’d be shocked if we did, as ‘sense’ and Mike Ashley don’t go together, but even he must see us as a sinking ship unless something changes. I honestly believe we’ll be a Championship club this time next year if we allow this to go on any longer and miss yet another opportunity to get rid.

Steve Bruce named an unchanged side for this one, picking the 11 who started last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Watford.

A fair decision based on the fact we created more than enough chances to win last time out, however it didn’t take him long to switch back to a five-man defence in this one.

That came after a promising opening few minutes – which saw us press well and push high up the pitch – turned into disaster when Hwang Hee-Chan got in behind after some good work from Jimenez and slid the ball past Darlow.

Our usually reliable stopper could’ve done better – he didn’t do enough to narrow the angle and could’ve made himself bigger – but it was static defending at best and all too easy.

1-0 Wolves and a pretty awful first half performance until an unlikely equaliser arrived just five minutes before the break.

Few harboured much hope when an injured Joe Willock was replaced by Jeff Hendrick 35 minutes in, yet it was the Irishman who actually got us on level terms after firing past an injured Jose Sa – who’d just collided with Joelinton – from 20 yards.

Saying that, we weren’t level for long. Just over 10 minutes into the second half we conceded yet another cheap goal which was all too similar to the first as our midfield were left for dead by Jimenez – who set up Hwang to score once again from an angle.

It was a good finish, but questions will be asked as to why Darlow was beaten so easily, with him appearing to get his angles wrong for both goals.

The final 30 minutes were painful. No idea where anyone was playing, shocking final ball, non existent build up play and Bruce taking off one of our most creative players in Almiron for Gayle – a player that relies on creativity behind him!

It must be said that Saint-Maximin had a huge chance to make it 2-1 before Wolves’ second, but, in truth, we didn’t deserve a thing from today. Alan Shearer summed it up well with this post-match tweet:

The players didn’t perform today, but Bruce needs to go. It’s been obvious for a long time and we’ll never have a better chance to pull the trigger now the international break is upon us.

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.

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183 thoughts on “Wolves 2-1 Newcastle: Time to sack Steve Bruce before it’s too late”

  1. Why do The Chronic always say “Steve Bruce, 60”? Do I really need to know his age in every story? Will they say “Antonio Conte, 50” or whatever his age is?

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  4. Me 79 year old Mam just rang me all excited. I dont think she has ever been to a Newcastle game live. I was always the big fan. I had a paper round when I was 12 to pay for the tickets. The school janitor and his wife used to drive me to SJP. They were in the East Stand and I would go to The Leazes End.

    I really hope we dont get relegated. That has been my fear with the Cabbage.

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  5. If we do Eric, it will be our last time ?
    Could be seeing 4 or 5 decent signings in January. Just to hang on until then.

    Conte is the stand out candidate if the takeover happens.

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  6. We dont have the worst squad in the Premier League.

    We have the worst Manager in the Premier League and the worst Steves in the Pemier league. Adn maybe the worst Graeme if he lets Brucie switch back to 5 at the back.

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  7. What worries me is lack of quality and depth in the goal scoring department. Take Wilson out and we have no natural striker good enough at this level.

    Maybe a better manager would rally the performances around to keep us at least close to safety until January, then a few decent signings should get us over ‘the line’.

    My worry is we may be too far adrift by Mid season and may have to take one last season in the Championship.

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  10. I will take the “die” bit back. I just want Bruce to have a stroke or a heart attack and that he moves to his farm or Portugal. I will be pleased and delighted when he does.

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  12. Oof – looks like it’s actually happening! Fk me sideways. After all these years of dross we are going to be big hitters again ❤️

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  13. probably the worst win rate of all time. Mackems hate him. Villa hate him.

    29% win rate in PL.

    19% for NUFC in 2021. FFS.

    It will be so good that he never gets to 1,000 games.

    He shouldnt have got to 1 game.

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  15. Wow, It;s done?

    Premier League must have been really scared about what might have come out.

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  16. Whaaaat!
    Looking forward to spending more time with you all again peeps!

    We have endured some rough rides here over the past 14 years ?

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  18. YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

    What a day!!!!

    Bring back KK immediately!!!. Not as manager, but I don’t want another game at SJP where he’s not present!!.

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  21. I am shocked. Totally shocked.

    I thought it was going to be dragging out of the CAT and the BS Masters BS.

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  22. Cheers buddy,

    I do keep an eye out but definitely lost the passion after years of being ground down!

    Eric+Sykes:
    Shamrock: it will be good to have you back mate. I always enjoyed what you wrote.

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  23. Oh God, can we get rid of Bruce now? Pleasedly and Delightedly. Please go, you boring man.

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  24. Just needed a moment or two to take in the fact it’s actually happened, he’s gone, he’s really gone.
    Was starting to think I would never see the back of him.

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  25. Today is a good day.
    Bruce out would make it even better.
    All of our tomorrows should be wonderful.

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  26. toon can spend 200 mil under new fair play rules after taking over
    will get some **** from Bruce now sad sad man,he can become a pundit now 😀 😀

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  29. Look at the scenes outside of SJP man!!! Best fans in the World!!!.

    I have always thought this squad is good enough to stay in the league with a decent manager/coach setting them up the right way – I still believe that.

    It took City a good 4 or 5 seasons if I remember correctly and worked through a number of managers before getting Mancini in & success.

    I don’t expect things to change over night – but Bruce has to go. The board has to be changed & work start on this mystical training ground that has been in the pipeline for about 6 years now.

    I’d settle for another 12th spot this season while we get behind the scenes sorted – there’s only so much we will be able to do in January.

    A new manager NOW though please.

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  30. Shamrock:
    Surely Bruce has to go before the next game.

    Sham – good to see you back buddy.

    If he’s not it will be down to some kind of stupid loyalty they think they need to show … but it would be a huge mistake – get rid of the old steward – it was far from pretty but he done what was asked of him – but it’s time for change!!.

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  32. I have to admit I am shocked. Did any of us really think this would happen during CAT and Admin?

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  33. I am still shocked I am sitting on my couch in like a daze. Like, what just happened, I never expected it.As I said earlier today, my 79 year old Mam called me and said – Graeme, he’s gone, the poison has left the club. She was like so happy, yelling like I had won a sack race when I was 6 years old. She was so much fun. So excited.

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  36. Eric+Sykes:
    It is fcn madness! So now we are the richest football club in the world!

    Bruce out!

    Eric – for who mate?

    We are the richest club in the World now mate – it’s not dreaming anymore – who do you want in?

    What players do you want in January???.

    I feel like Del & Rodney after they sold that watch ???

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  37. Bruce out, Bruce out, Bruce out!!!

    You cabbage heeded, bagpuss fcn boring cnt, Pack your bags an go to the far you bent nosedn twt. Take your pleasingly delightful platitutes with you as well. And the Steves. And Graeme.

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  39. Yeah Conte by a Country mile ahead of other managers please.

    Then the rest will follow. Can’t wait to see it all unfold, the training ground, facilities, youth set up, investment in the area, star signings eventually…

    Wow!

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  41. Wow, straight in with Conte is it?! – no building up to it?.

    The romantic in me would love Jose.

    But I think both are a few years away yet. I think we need to be CL or thereabouts before managers like that seriously consider coming to NUFC.

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  42. Sharpy17: Eric – for who mate?

    We are the richest club in the World now mate – it’s not dreaming anymore – who do you want in?

    What players do you want in January???.

    I feel like Del & Rodney after they sold that watch

    This time next year Rodders

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  45. With what has come out about the premier league in the recent CAT case, I think they had no choice but to approve the takeover. I think there was a lot more dirt that they didn’t want aired in another court hearing so had to to buckle. Whatever the reason, I still find it hard to get my head round what has just happened in the last 48 hours.

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  46. We’ve spent that long shopping in the bargain bin I can’t even think of what players we could start off signing – I know money isn’t an issue, but the top top players want CL and we are a few seasons off yet.

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  47. Yeah I think 1 or 2 elite players might be tempted if PIF throw crazy money at them, CL footy or not – but on the whole we are just going to be looking to sign experienced, quality PL standard players – maybe not world beaters but players capable of keeping us at a consistent, competitive level whilst we slowly tempt the stars to sign on.

    Achievable this January – Kelvin Phillips? Ivan Toney?

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  48. Shamrock:
    Yeah I think 1 or 2 elite players might be tempted if PIF throw crazy money at them, CL footy or not – but on the whole we are just going to be looking to sign experienced, quality PL standard players – maybe not world beaters but players capable of keeping us at a consistent, competitive level whilst we slowly tempt the stars to sign on.

    Achievable this January – Kelvin Phillips? Ivan Toney?

    Toney maybe mate but not Phillips – Bissouma from Brighton maybe. I think he’s a decent player.

    Madrid want rid of a few – Jovic could be one – but it just doesn’t feel right talking about signing players from Madrid ???

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  49. On Ashley – I despise his lack of ambition for this club whilst he was here – but I’ll credit him with pursuing this deal doggedly. He promised to only sell to someone capable of making us capable of challenging for honours – and that is what has happened.

    Imagine if he had sold to those dodgy consortiums that came and went over the years – we’d have been condemned to decades more dross.

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  51. There must have been some back story to this.

    Th PL just wouldmt have collapsed like it did.

    Was Hoffman sucking Marsters’ d!ick?

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  52. I reckon Bein were holding off signing a new billion dollar tv deal unless the Saudi situation was sorted out. Things seemed to happen very quickly after the new tv deal was signed and the Saudis played ball with the broadcasts in their homeland. I reckon there was too much tv money at play and Bein were holding the PL to ransom somewhat.
    Regardless I am still reeling from this day. It hasn’t truly sunk in yet.. It’s a strange feeling actually looking forward to seeing what good things may come from Newcastle Utd. It has been so long without any light at the end of the tunnel I have almost forgotten what it was like to be happy in regards to the team and set up. Happy Days!!

    Eric+Sykes:
    There must have been some back story to this.

    Th PL just wouldmt have collapsed like it did.

    Was Hoffman sucking Marsters’ d!ick?

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  53. I am trying to think of Managers to replace Man B0obs Bruce. He must not be called Steve, so that rules out Gerrard. Antonio, Antionio, where for art thou Antonio?

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  55. Little Jimmie Krankie? Englebert Humperdink? Britney Spears?

    They are all better than Bruce and Graeme Jones.

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  57. I put an extra “e” in sardines because me man called me and said “e” the Saudis have bought NUFC.

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  59. I am trying to think of players to buy. Raul Jiminez?

    Gordon Ramsey to fix the kitchen and yell at people?

    Lyle Lovett to sing really **** songs?

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  60. I have just made it official. London has the worst architecture in the world – a fcn pickle and a shard.

    I moved to Chicago 30 years ago and was driving into the city and thought what the fck is that? It was amazing. It was the Sears Tower and The Hanc@ck Building. Both designed by Skidmore, Owens and Merriill (and before they did the Trump orifice, different designer). But before that there was Louis Sullivan and the most famous American Architect of all time – Frank Lloyd Wright. And transplants. The founder of The Bauhaus School moved here. Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe. And Helmut Jahn. If you havent been to the Chicgago city hall it is the wildest building you will ever see, Helmut Jahn at his craziest.

    The Crown Fountain is probably the best piece of art I have seen in 50 years. It is better than the Picasso and the Chagall that are here as well. There is so much art here, The whole city is like an outdoor museum.

    You should all come to Chicago just to see it.

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  61. I had such a weird dream last night.

    I dreamt the takeover went through and Mike Ashley no longer owns our club … but further to that … we became the RICHEST club in the World ???

    I’m gonna take a break from the drink for a while I reckon ???

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  62. Well **** my life! It’s happened! Ding dong the witch is dead!

    First job sack Bruce – second job appoint either Rodgers or Conte.

    I see Gerrard is fav but why should we keep him warm for Liverpool?

    It’s not realistic for him to be in the dug out for the Spurs game is it? I really don’t think they will bring the enthusiasm down by doing that…

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  66. Conte. The perfect project for an ambitious manager surely.

    Not bothered about Howe or any other average managers. We need a winner, as we have a big challenge to keep our heads afloat this season, especially in the lead up to January.

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  70. Ciro Immobile says the new owners approaches his agent last season. I think the club will bag a suprise or 2 in the next window.

    I like the idea of Tarkowski and Lingard. Ward-Prowse maybe? I still think Kalvin Phillips could be tempted. A fit, quality striker is a must.

    Not convinced about Gerrard. He has no experience at top level football.

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  73. It’s like a ghost town here these days. I thought the takeover would have pulled a few more people in and a few old faces.

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