Steve Bruce spoke after Newcastle’s vital 2-3 win at West Ham this afternoon. While the performance was dominant, the failure to convert some chances handed the Hammers an undeserved lifeline back into the game.
Not many West Ham fans would have thought they deserved anything from a performance like they had this afternoon. However, they were right there at the end of the game and could have easily rescued a point.
Steve Bruce spoke after the match, and he too touched on the slim margin of the victory. The Chronicle have compiled some of Bruce’s post-match comments.
Bruce had this to say about the performance:
“It’s the best 45 minutes we’ve had while I’ve been manager. We had 2/3 opportunities to kill off the game but the last 15 minutes were a bit hairy. The first-half performance was as good as we’ve played this year.”
The first half was the most dominant we have seen the Magpies under Bruce. In fact, it reminded us a bit of the 0-4 win at Fulham to close last season with the excellent chances created.
Steve will be thrilled with the win as it’s a big one and comes off of a poor result last weekend against Wolves. However, the lack of clinical finishing in front of net could have cost us dearly.
Bruce again mentioned the flurry of chances Newcastle had in the first half, only two of which they were able to convert:
“It should have been 6-0 within an hour. It wouldn’t have been unjust, would it? We had some wonderful opportunities which we didn’t finish, and your worry is ‘Will it come back to bite you?’ which it nearly did.
“I think that would have been a bit unjust, but overall first half in particular, and some of the second half, the one thing you can level against us is we need to be a bit more clinical.”
Bruce was also unhappy about conceding from the corner in the second half. That goal gave West Ham some life as they started to ask a few questions of the Newcastle defense.
They ended up getting a second goal from an excellent Robert Snodgrass strike to make it almost unbearable for the final five minutes.
This is what Steve had to say about West Ham’s first goal and how Newcastle should never have been in the position of having to see out such a close game in the first place:
“If we’re going to be ultra-critical, we’ve given a bad goal away (the first one) I think they understand that. In the first half with the amount of chances we had it could have been four or five.
“We’ve got to be more clinical but you can see they’re a threat and it was good to see them do that today. We’re going to have to do that if we’re going to win games.”
The final score aside, it was a terrific display from the lads as West Ham had few answers for Newcastle’s speed on the counter. Their defense was ill-equipped to handle Newcastle’s pacy wide men especially the full-backs Pablo Zabaleta and Aaron Cresswell who were just over-matched.
However we have to put away our chances when they come. Though at least we had a steady stream of them this game instead of just the one or two we usually create. Bruce was right to be happy about the increased opportunities we created today:
“We’ve created some chances and had some wonderful opportunities. Today was key to that. Almiron, Saint-Maximin and Joelinton were a threat and they can only get better.
“I keep saying you need to give them time to adjust, to Newcastle, to the Premier League and what it takes to play in England. But you can see they’re a threat.”
Let’s hope today was a sign that the front three are getting more accustomed to the league. They were outstanding today. Saint-Maxmin or Almiron just needed to convert one of those chances and it would have been an almost perfect day.
Who Was Newcastle's Man Of The Match At West Ham?
- A. Saint-Maximin (49%, 1,182 )
- Jonjo Shelvey (22%, 530 )
- Miguel Almiron (9%, 224 )
- Federico Fernandez (5%, 119 )
- Jetro Willems (4%, 102 )
- Ciaran Clark (4%, 85 )
- Isaac Hayden (3%, 61 )
- Joelinton (2%, 52 )
- Martin Dubravka (1%, 25 )
- Andy Carroll (1%, 14 )
- Jamaal Lascelles (0%, 10 )
- DeAndre Yedlin (0%, 7 )
- Paul Dummett (0%, 6 )
- Christian Atsu (0%, 5 )
Total Voters: 2,422
64 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:15 PM
Comment #1HWA,
Lilongwe knows nothing about football??? He only helped run an entire nation’s youth academy. Jeezus.H.Christos.
Munster,
I’m pleased for the team, Steve Bruce is of no consequence for me.
carltoon
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:23 PM
Comment #2The Wife I wanted Shelvey in the team. I’ve always thought he was very talented. When he plays well the team play well. I’m not knocking Sean or Matty but they got a long way to go before they are at Shelvey’s standard.
carltoon
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:24 PM
Comment #3That’s just my opinion
IrishRob
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:26 PM
Comment #4Richie wont get in the team unless he can play Rwb or Wille gets injured. Cant see Ledjune starting a match for a least another month, not least of all because you cant just ditch the boys who are playing decently atm. I’m not willing to judge this performance untill we see if they can replicate it next match. Then I’ll start to believe were turning a corner.
DaveD1000
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:27 PM
Comment #5Jail mucker
you are in for a treat when you watch the game. One of the ones where everyone was on the same page and grafting like gooduns. Not perfect but I ferkin Loved it.
Nufc-83
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:28 PM
Comment #6I mean the CB position is an impossible puzzle to solve. Lejuerne when fit is probably our best CB. Schar has been incredible for a while now. Lascelles is captain and pretty consistent. Clarke has been exceptional since he come in. Fernandez has never let us down and surely can’t be dropped. Even Dummett is very good in a back 3. Good luck with that one Brucey!
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:29 PM
Comment #7Would like us at Opposition corners to stick Almiron or Maxi on the half-way line got pace to burn and would a target for a Quick break
Dubravka gets the ball but no outlet also I’m with Lil on us over the last few seasons sitting back second half
IrishRob
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:30 PM
Comment #8Carltoon when he plays well. But we will always concede more with Shelvey in midfield over any of our other players because he leaves too many holes, and isnt bothered running after people once they get by him which happenes 80% of the time.
Hes deserved his spot in the team for the next match, saying anything more than that is a bit blinkered in my opinion.
Ron Knee
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:31 PM
Comment #9https://www.nufc.co.uk/nufc-tv/highlights/west-ham-a-brief-highlights-19-20/
Hail Wor Ashley
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:34 PM
Comment #10Lilo
Read on “…….for most of the game…….”.
Idiot. I’m done with you now. You’re clueless.
Hail Wor Ashley
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:34 PM
Comment #11JfA
You;re another who knows jack shite about football, so instead prefers to just shit stir.
IrishRob
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:37 PM
Comment #12If Miggy is no winger like some people are saying, why doesnt Bruce play Miggy and Maxi as two number 10’s, that still leaves Joelinton as the central target.
It’s very unorthodox but it could just work. Playing all 3 forwards relatively central shouldn’t be an issue because we play with wing backs to cross the ball if needed.
Hail Wor Ashley
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:40 PM
Comment #13Selection headaches in defence are easy, you keep playing the same personnel until somebody has a glaringly bad game or they collectively do. Next weekend I’d start the exact same team. Joleinton will do very well up against Ake and Cook. Neither are as powerful or imposing as those he played against today and he did very well against them. Probably the slightest CB pairing in the league actually.
All he needs is to get into scoring positions more often, he’s adapting well to the other aspects of being the target man.
Lilongwe Geordie
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:47 PM
Comment #14Hail,
Dod you watch or were you there? Conveniently not answered that twice….
carltoon
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:51 PM
Comment #15Irish Rob like I said that’s my opinion, he needs a defencive mid next to him, and let him provide the passes, only thing is his lack of goals, but that’s been our down fall, not today though, great win. Let’s hope We can keep it up. Very very happy today
Hail Wor Ashley
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:53 PM
Comment #16Lilo
Of course I watched. I wouldn’t be taking you to task on your plain idiocy if I didn’t.
Wish we had a block feature on here. JfA, Lilo and Toon22 would be first on my list.
Hail Wor Ashley
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:53 PM
Comment #17Trio of worthless c****.
lesh
Nov 2, 2019 at 7:58 PM
Comment #18Hail
Carry on the way you are and you’ll be Jibbed – sent to the naughty step.
carltoon
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:08 PM
Comment #19Has anyone watched the Jonjo interview, someone mentioned he didn’t eat well or train well. He’s in the gym every day after training, eating all the right food, doing everything to get back into the team.
carltoon
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:11 PM
Comment #20Come on lads we had a fantastic win today, what’s all the animosity for, let’s be happy,
Hail Wor Ashley
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:24 PM
Comment #21Jonjo just isn’t genetically gifted when it comes to body composition. Glad he’s doing all he can to optimise his conditioning. If he can stay in the groove and help us get another win going into the break, then competition will be fierce when we get back to it.
I said we needed 6 from the next 4 matches before the Wolves match, for us to gain a bit of a cushion, 4 as a bare minimum to tread water, already got them, another 3 next week and we’re looking rather good.
15 from 12 would be a good return given the pressure Bruce has been under since the start, the negativity and empty seats, all the new players he’s been integrating and giving another academy prospect an opportunity.
IrishRob
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:28 PM
Comment #22Carltoon that’s fair enough I wasnt bashing just offering my opinion on it all. Is your name Carrol btw?
IrishRob
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:31 PM
Comment #23Hail at 17 I laughed because I know you’re only on the wind up with that one. Lol people are far far too serious on here most of the time.
Moonraker15
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:33 PM
Comment #24We have the best group of centre backs I’ve known in decades. Rafa certainly knows how to build a team; imagine if Ashley had given him 5 years and a decent budget! You can see what attracted Rafa to Newcastle and SB of course wanted to manage his boyhood club to finish his career.
We are dogged by missed opportunities!
Just a fan
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:33 PM
Comment #25I think.
The wife
Is a jib alt
MagpieRanger
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:42 PM
Comment #26Looking at our fixtures they’re really not too tough in the coming weeks. It’s very tight, though!
jane
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:46 PM
Comment #274 points above the relegation zone and 4 points below top 6.
jane
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:49 PM
Comment #28maybe Shelvey is a luxury against the weaker teams but a liability against the strongest teams.
carltoon
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:49 PM
Comment #29Irish Rob I know you were, that’s what the blogs for. No me names not Caroll. Shelvey has to produce that performance every game.
jane
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:53 PM
Comment #30if you include the defeat to Leicester on pens in the cup as a defeat our last 10 matches have alternated between defeat and not a defeat. hopefully we will break that cycle in the next match.
jane
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:54 PM
Comment #31just realised we broke that cycle today!
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:55 PM
Comment #32Carltoon
Totally with you on the Shelvey issue, I think I’ve got him down for POS, I do wonder if people actually watch him playing, lazy he aint.
jane
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:55 PM
Comment #332 matches in a row now without a defeat now for the first time this season. on a roll.
carltoon
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:56 PM
Comment #34Jane he’s not a luxury. he’s a very good player with fantastic passing range. In a team with limited players anyone would struggle. he’s made for the players we have now in Almiron and St. Maxim. He’s not had a chance this season apart from Norwich were every player was horrendous. Let’s see how he plays next game, he’s a lovely person as well. Don’t be fooled by his moody looks.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:58 PM
Comment #35Another couple of feet and we would have had a penalty and probably one of theirs sent off.
Miggy is a total conundrum for opposing players.
We should be looking at more MLS players imo.
carltoon
Nov 2, 2019 at 8:59 PM
Comment #36Ha ha Bill we both wanted him back in didn’t we. Let’s hope he doesn’t let us down next game. Have you watched his interview on NUFCTV. Really interesting.
dougie
Nov 2, 2019 at 9:00 PM
Comment #37Once again the centre halves save the day because Joelinton and Almiron are not Premier League standard yet.Maximun looks like a player so he will be be sold for a nice fat profit in the summer because the parasite loves to line his pockets.West Ham we’re absolutely woeful for 60 mins,by far the worst we’ve seen this season.Pellegrini will be getting the sack soon.Any three points is a good three points but they nearly blew it the end.So now we go to the lofty position of 15th but a real club with ambition would have capitalised on the work done last season with a world class manager and improved us further instead of getting rid of our goalscorers and dropping us in the shit.Its a zombie club with no ambition,another long hard relegation battle ahead,cheers Mike.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 2, 2019 at 9:00 PM
Comment #38Later!
ronaldo aarons
Nov 2, 2019 at 9:01 PM
Comment #39Hibbitt
Thanks for the clarification earlier today about the stadium debt as part of the £70m.
ronaldo aarons
Nov 2, 2019 at 9:08 PM
Comment #40I thought it was a good performance, first half very good. Looked drilled, organised and up for it. 2-0 flattered them at half time. Put a lot of energy in early in the match and suffered a bit towards the end and in the second half. Typical of nufc to make a 3-0 winning margin into a very tight 1 goal win.
Thought every player played well and brought something to the team. That first half for me is the standard set we should be hitting every game this season. Still room for improvement but we’ll get better the more we play the tactics and players familiarise themselves with each other.
Lascelles was very good and looked like the player in the first season back. He’s been showing signs of getting back to that level.
What I will say is in the first half, thought shelvey was good with the one touch short passes. Keeping things ticking over, moving the ball and finding the forward players. We lost that second half like but it’s not something he’s always done and he needs to do more of.