During his press conference today, Steve Bruce covered a wide range of topics. One that has come up again is the Jetro Willems introduction into the match for Jonjo Shelvey.
Craig Hope wrote a column after the game about the chaotic few minutes following this substitution. He also linked this confusion to the mistake for Arsenal’s deciding goal. It was a well-articulated piece but caused a bit of a storm.
The buck stops with Steve Bruce after clumsy introduction of Jetro Willems (who did not know where he was playing) disrupts NUFC rhythm before ragged final half hour https://t.co/vs1zHUuJ4q
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 11, 2019
This article led to an angry response from Steve Bruce’s son Alex on Twitter. Alex Bruce later deleted those tweets.
This is how Steve Bruce explained what happened with that substitution.
“I put Jetro on in midfield where he played for Frankfurt. Then I thought it was unfair. Then I switched him quickly. We made a mistake.”
We think a lot has been made of this situation, and like a lot of other issues at Newcastle, it is time to move on. If you rewatch the game, Willems was settled in at left wing-back when he failed to move towards Paul Dummett’s risky pass. Whether his stint in midfield had anything to do with his mistake is anyone’s guess.
It’s time to move forward to Norwich City now and put the Arsenal game in the rearview mirror. We hope to see some improvement at Carrow Road in a significant match for Newcastle.
54 comments so far
IrishRob
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:07 AM
Comment #1Woop woop!!
Ron Knee
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:08 AM
Comment #2@10
By coincidence, I just read this in a tweet: “Space cadet” comes from a 1948 novel by Robert Heinlein
toon22
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:10 AM
Comment #3Catchys the replacement Tony
G
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:15 AM
Comment #4Irish, from previous thread “If Rafa is a Dinosaur then Bruce is an Ammonite”. I don’t think he’s from the Middle East mate.
Rob1971
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:16 AM
Comment #5Catchy who is judging Bruce, I said he needs a chance, you have already judged him as a step up after one game which we lost to a weakened Arsenal team with 5 players missing? how can you judge him a step up, also I didn’t slag you off or call you so how can you slag me off as a clown, if you can’t discuss things without calling anyone it says a lot about you!
IrishRob
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:16 AM
Comment #6I didnt think at the time Willi was to blame but looking back at the pass it wasnt even that light of a pass, he was expected to run towards the pass and because he wasnt paying attention he didnt see Maitland-niles steaming in on the ball, he was far too lackadaisical and just wasnt switched on to what’s going on around him. That’s worrying!
Also once the move happened Lacelles was caught in No mans land, he switched off and allowed Aubameyang to create space for himself, Lacelles has a bad habit of switching off too.
Moonraker15
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:16 AM
Comment #7Bills
Last season’s squad wasn’t a PL squad in quality so Rafa worked wonders with it but only after Rondon and Miggy came in in January!
I think losing Rondon and Perez, has severely weakened the team. That’s why we are relegation candidates through no particular fault of Bruce, just that Joelinton is not in Rondon’s class at the moment and we won’t score enough goals! Surely that’s obvious; take 25 goals out of the team; who’s gonna get the goals?
MrMojoRisin76
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:17 AM
Comment #8Why is it unfair to bring a sub on and play him in a position he’s played before?,it’s not like they asked him to play in goal.
IrishRob
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:18 AM
Comment #9G…. if I were you I’d look up the definition of Ammonite. Just saying……
Ron Knee
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:18 AM
Comment #10Pete@pete_quinn1
My barbers got took over 10 years ago and I’ve had sh*t haircut after sh*t haircut ever since. I won’t boycott it though, it’s my barbers. I was there before them and I’ll be there until the day they sell up
Ron Knee
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:21 AM
Comment #11Mike Ashley@MoneyMikeAshley
Mike Ashley Retweeted Newcastle United FC
Really hoping we ‘nick a result’ at newly promoted Norwich.
This is the kind of ambition that got Steve the job.
#nufc
Rotonda heights
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:23 AM
Comment #12Another really positive soundbyte from our esteemed owner
In an interview he (Ashley) ”fears” he may own NUFC forever.
KBA really aren’t worth the money he pays them.
Ron Knee
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:23 AM
Comment #13Lee Ryder@lee_ryder
Bruce on Jetro Willems mix-up: “I put Jetro on in midfield where he played for Frankfurt.
“Then I thought it was unfair.
“Then I switched him quickly.
“We made a mistake.” #nufc
lochinvar
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:27 AM
Comment #14So much of playing and winning is about confidence in the team around you and the support you get from the sidelines and management.
Bruce arrived for the first training session and promptly sent the players off on a long run – straight out of the Sgt. Majors handbook, hardly inspiring,
Next he puts Jetro on in midfield perhaps because he’s a midfielder ? and then moves him into an unrehearsed position allowing Arsenal to break and score .
Not the best of starts to boost confidence among the players.
Lascalles needs to step up and call the odds on the pitch as we don’t want another Colo not motivating those around him.
Alex Bruce needs to keep stum for everyones sake.
lochinvar
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:30 AM
Comment #15Bruce
‘We made a mistake.” #nufc
No WE didn’t Steve.
You did.
The word is I.
Take ownership and sort this out
IrishRob
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:32 AM
Comment #16Bruce is only covering up for Willi, but the fact is, even if that was the case if he was alert and aware of whsts going on around him that goal would never have happened. No one is going to slate the man for one mistake, but we are allowed point it out and have reservations.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:33 AM
Comment #17It was unfair because Willems had told the gaffa before the game that he had himself down in Fantasy Football and he wouldn’t get any points in CM, Brucey thought about itafter he put him on and said ”you know what son, you’re right, that’s unfair, get back over to LB”
Rotonda heights
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:33 AM
Comment #18Ron
I think in a nutshell that is the whole problem we have which will never change and why toxic doom and gloom is all consuming here. Other clubs in our situation would probably see 90% of their fans make a stand. I go to nice coffee shops but if the service tails off, prices go up but the product becomes inferior I’m out of there, no matter how much I liked it before. The customer is king.
Trent1211
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:34 AM
Comment #19Hahahaha! What a liar and bluffer Bruce is. This is worse! Put a sub on then change your mind within seconds about where he should play. Just not true. Trying to salvage his reputation as not knowing what he’s doing. I heard a lot more that lines up with him being an absolute knacker first hand source. Players will see see through him v quickly. Whatever happens at Norwich/short term this guy is not the solution. Joke appointment. This is Trump level Fake News!
toon22
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:34 AM
Comment #20The traitor is at -131
I doubt it will improve this season
IrishRob
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:35 AM
Comment #21Dont anyone be getting upset by what Catchy is saying because hes a clueless as they come honestly.
Jib
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:35 AM
Comment #22Ron
Robert Heinlein brings to mind those yellow covered
Gollancz SF books in the public library
I used to read them voraciously
toon22
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:36 AM
Comment #23The problem Jabba has nobody wanted the job before the traitor
Less people will want it afterwards
toon22
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:37 AM
Comment #24Hiya JIB
Sept 11th
IrishRob
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:39 AM
Comment #25Catchy is still here I see!
Jib
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:40 AM
Comment #26toon22
Hiya JIB
Sept 11th
You going to fly a plane into Shirebrook ?
fingers crossed
Jail for Ashley
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:41 AM
Comment #27catchy was biding his time to come out with a statement such as today’s but he really couldn’t help himself, Jibbers is right, one man thinks he’ll do well and another doesn’t, unfortunately only time will tell.
Moonraker15
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:42 AM
Comment #28Ron
I like your analogy about the barbers. I bit the bullet this week and changed barbers as the guy left. If only changing toons owner was as simple!
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:42 AM
Comment #29Willems said he moved because he’d lost his place in the international team at LB due to playing in midfield, he wanted to come here to play LB.
You’d think the manager would’ve got that memo, it was only mentioned in several articles written about the move.
Knows funk all about our signings.
Ron Knee
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:43 AM
Comment #30Jib
I remember when our local library installed a rack of jazz albums. Innovation!
Ron Knee
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:45 AM
Comment #31Yes, Moonraker. If only…
Jib
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:46 AM
Comment #32Ron
Ha ha ha
Me too !
Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis blew me away
Ron Knee
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:49 AM
Comment #33We had a few Blue Note albums: Jimmy Smith, Wayne Shorter.
IrishRob
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:50 AM
Comment #34I wouldn’t give Bruce too much stick about his comments. I’m sure Willi was brought in to play Lb, Bruce is only covering up for him and his mistake by saying he played him Cm, Which is fair enough it’s his first game and he doesnt want him stressing over it. But it’s still worrying how he completely switched off on his debut, the one day you imagine his focus would be highest.
geordie157
Aug 16, 2019 at 11:57 AM
Comment #35Guess fair play to Bruce to admitting his mistake but maybe give Willems a bit of time to settle into the game before switching his position.
Although I’d still say Willems is partly to blame, as are Schar and Lascelles.
Anyway moving on, this Norwich game is not going to be easy. Buendia is very creative and drifts across the midfield. Aarons and Lewis love to get forward and i think Pukki will do alright in the premier league.
However if Zimmerman and Klose are still out, they have a massive weakness at the back aka Grant Hanley so Almiron and Joelinton should both get good chances IF we play well. I’m thinking 2-2 but I think we’ll edge it 3-2 in an entertaining game. (brave i know saying entertaining with our lot these days)
geordie157
Aug 16, 2019 at 12:00 PM
Comment #36and thank Hibbit, I was completely oblivious that Atsu is out for a while. Just further backs up that we should have included Aarons instead of Atsu or maybe Clark/Yedlin
geordie157
Aug 16, 2019 at 12:00 PM
Comment #37thanks ^
bill
Aug 16, 2019 at 12:00 PM
Comment #38Why don’t people just tell the truth?
I doubt Bruce knew anything about the signings brought in. So Steve, just say the players were already signed or due to be signed before you arrived.
He hasn’t got off to a good start with a total shambles of a second half. I’m not sure what he was trying to do but it didn’t work. It might take him months to sort out the best team at his disposal. By then it might be too late.
Legolas
Aug 16, 2019 at 12:08 PM
Comment #39Martoon
Final league position 16th
Final points 42
League cup 2nd round
Fa Cup semi Final
Player of the season Shelvey
Top goal scorer Joelinton
Number of goal 12
simon376
Aug 16, 2019 at 12:10 PM
Comment #40Micky and Jib
Brilliant seeing pictures like that and the kids now adults still there together, just such a shame the industry at the bottom of the street now gone