Steve Bruce was in attendance tonight as Newcastle Under-23s beat Norwich Under-23s 3-2. The young Magpies had goals by Rosaire Longelo, Luke Charman, and Tom Allan to get a second win on the trot.
10' – Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce and first team coach Stephen Clemence are both in attendance at tonight's #PL2 game against @NorwichCityFC, where it is currently goalless. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/jTKqdlNBfW
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 16, 2019
It will have been a nice boost for the youngsters to know Steve Bruce was at the game. This is one aspect of Bruce that we think will be beneficial to the club going forward.
He has time for the youth players and that will help spur them on in their development. They have seen Matty Longstaff get his debut against Leicester City last month, and a moment like that will give them inspiration. Just last year it was Matty playing in these Under-23 matches but now he has progressed into the first team.
The Under-23s have been able to pull themselves out of the Premier League 2 Division 2 cellar with their two straight victories. They are now in 7th place after having a terrible start to the campaign.
18 comments so far
Rotonda heights
Sep 16, 2019 at 10:26 PM
Comment #1Just for Munster
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The Head Coach made bold but short on detail claims that his Newcastle United team would always be looking to play on the front foot, the emphasis on playing entertaining and attacking football.
Newcastle fans taking this as a clear slur on what had gone before under Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard always open and honest and admitting that at times he felt he had no option but to play in a certain way, due to Mike Ashley refusing to allow proper investment in the playing squad.
A bit like his pledge to give equal importance to the cups (seven changes for the defeat against Leicester) as the Premier League, Steve Bruce’s front foot football is yet to be seen.
Indeed, Steve Bruce has actually sent his teams out to be more negative than we saw under Rafa, the side defending so deep rather than pressing the ball, leading to the following possession figures against the six opposition teams so far – 38% v Arsenal, 37% v Norwich, 20% v Spurs, 32% v Leicester, 49% v Watford and 24% v Liverpool (stats via BBC Sport).
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Long ball city, less possession than under Rafa and most worryingly a return to a lengthy injury list.
Jib
Sep 16, 2019 at 10:53 PM
Comment #220% v Spurs
What was the result again ?
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:05 PM
Comment #3Jib using the “my grandad smoked 40 a day since he was 12 year old and lived to 85” argument about how 20% possession pays off. yep let’s keep that up all season top five here we come!
Jib
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:08 PM
Comment #4The only time Sen. Benitez managed to beat Spurs was when we
were already relegated and it didn’t matter.
Munster Mag
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:10 PM
Comment #5Rotunda, the current picture is very little major difference between the two coaches broadly speaking at the start of the season. Low possession , so-so football. Rafa lost to spurs at home I think , SB won away. SB had rank game v norwich. Rafa had no stinkers. But not a lot of serious performance or results, comparing both . Anyway thats from the Mag I think, a serial misery producer.
Jib
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:15 PM
Comment #6When we famously beat Man City Tuesday 29th January 2 – 1
NUFC had 23.8% possession ( at SJP !!!! )
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:16 PM
Comment #7Plenty of season to go for the free flowing attacking football we know Mr Bruce will deliver. No need to panic just yet.
Genjikai
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:20 PM
Comment #8We need to put 6 teams to the sword twice this season starting with brighton.
Throw in another shock win against the likes of spurs and we should be alright?
The 6 teams that we need to target home and away wins?
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:21 PM
Comment #9So by that logic the best way to beat the top teams is to sit back in our own third and get shot at for 80 minutes then nick a goal from the break. A bit like defeating a boxer by letting him bray ten bags out of you for nine rounds until he collapses with exhaustion. Yay! Can’t fail! No teeth and your childhood piano lessons and that school trip to Belgium disappear but you win!
Munster Mag
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:22 PM
Comment #10Tarquin (jib can u stick up a pic of the viz characters, I cant wemember them) no-one was promised sexy football.
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:25 PM
Comment #11The pragmatism that kept us in the league by percentages with a tight squad got moaned at for being unduly restrained.
Cue the fat champo coach and it’s now a positive step in the right direction with the promise of cup glory ha ha bring it on brucey!
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:26 PM
Comment #12No Munster (ha ha Tarquin yeah good one what does that mean exactly you never said?) We weren’t pro.ised anything. But we can safely assume it’s nowt.
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:28 PM
Comment #13Yeah jib go get some links done to help your ignorant oaf twin-town pal do a bit of blog bullying, you know the stuff he’s complained about before but now is ok.
Jib
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:28 PM
Comment #14This season after 5 PL games we have 4 points and lost in the League cup to Leicester City after penalties.
Last season after 5 PL games we had 1 point and lost in the League cup to Nottingham Forest 3 -1
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:34 PM
Comment #15How much did we spend on top players before last season?
Munster Mag
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:37 PM
Comment #16Again tsunki you choose to ignore the quite simple to understand statements that I make. Where did I say we were going to get better football under steve b. Or a cup? Rotunda asked me the other day if I wud take rafa back tomorrow. I would, although it wud be harsh on SB who is barely here. Read the comments I make dispassionately. Its not hard.
Munster Mag
Sep 16, 2019 at 11:41 PM
Comment #17Any why are u touting sunderlands colours on this blog. Oh I forgot you wont accept the new guy until he wins you a cup. Charming. Did u berate benitez when he put out a weak team and lost at forest. Did you hell. Nor did your loud friends. Double standards.
jon.c
Sep 17, 2019 at 2:29 AM
Comment #18For Feuk sake for get Rafa and look to the future