After Thursday’s win at Sheffield United, Steve Bruce gave his pre-match press conference for Sunday’s game against Southampton. So as you could imagine, there was not a lot of information that the head coach could pass on.
For example, there were no questions asked about Allan Saint-Maximin, who was very sore leaving the field after Thursday’s game. Hopefully, Allan will be ready to go for Sunday as his absence would be a massive hole for Bruce to fill.
Bruce was asked about Andy Carroll’s availability for Southampton after he made his first start this season. This is what Steve Bruce had to say about the big striker getting his second start on Sunday:
“I haven’t even decided that just yet. We’ll come to Sunday and see how he is.
“We’ll see how he recovers tomorrow and how he recovers on Saturday.
“That may be asking too much. But we’ll see how he is.”
Keeping in mind that this press conference was done directly after the match on Thursday, that’s probably the best answer that Bruce could give.
Bruce is a sensible man, and when he says ‘That may be asking too much,’ we tend to believe he’ll err on the side of caution with the 30-year-old. Two starts in three days for Carroll would be a significant risk.
We expect Joelinton to get back in from the start on Sunday afternoon with Carroll available for his late-game cameos. It’s just the proper move to make with Andy’s history and coming off his first start since February.
What Will Be The Result Against Southampton On Sunday?
- Win (71%, 1,015 )
- Draw (19%, 277 )
- Loss (10%, 141 )
Total Voters: 1,433
69 comments so far
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 7, 2019 at 12:15 AM
Comment #1Yeah, the poor old guy does need a time out, I mean thirty years of age, he’s almost eligible for his bus pass!
JohnJ
Dec 7, 2019 at 12:19 AM
Comment #2I’m a big fan of Rafa, but alas he’s now gone!
However Steve Bruce is now the Man that matters as far as NUFC goes and so far we can’t complain at the points we have gained but I do find the knocking of Rafa very distasteful & unnecessary. Rafa put 100% into the Team Manager role and achieved a lot on very limited backing from the owner so to knock him is uncalled for!
But now we have to get behind the latest Manger so come on guys support Steve Bruce and leave the unnecessary flack of Rafa and show the man some respect for all he did for Newcastle United.
NY Mag
Dec 7, 2019 at 12:35 AM
Comment #3JohnJ,
I agree with that….well said!!
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 7, 2019 at 1:01 AM
Comment #4Yep he was a very good manager but he wasn’t a god, that was SBR.
Does Rafa deserve a shrine in the Haymarket, no I don’t think so, it really is time to move on, we’re very soon going to have to discuss the players we are going to buy as a topic, which is something more important and relevant to us now!
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 7, 2019 at 1:05 AM
Comment #5JohnJ
I’m glad you bought up the subject of Manger’s at this time of year on the upcoming birthday of a very important Jewish chap. 🙂
lesh
Dec 7, 2019 at 1:09 AM
Comment #6Yes JohnJ
Get behind Brucie boy, it’s be wrong and unfair unfair to do otherwise. He’s been made a pawn in Ashley’s game.
However and yes Rafa’s gone, history but they say that history’s both written by the victor and there to be learned from.
Ashley won the battle with Rafa but will he ever learn from it? Sadly, it’s highly unlikely. There’s none so blind as those that will not see.
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 7, 2019 at 1:10 AM
Comment #7On that rather lonely note I shall drift off to bed, G’dNight all!
NY Mag
Dec 7, 2019 at 1:11 AM
Comment #8Bill,
That’s going to be some some discussion…..all 30+ of the rumours so far, and the window isn’t even open yet 🙂
Unused Substitute
Dec 7, 2019 at 1:19 AM
Comment #9We should form opinions and share them. Some of what is said I don’t agree with, some exactly in line with my thoughts, some are even disconcerting. But I read, learn and enjoy. I try not to appear trying to enforce my views on others. I also believe a sterile environment doesn’t have character. One way of maintaining balance is to disengage occasionally; in this regard I completely agree with catchy.
Like sometimes I think since NUFC is Ashley’s property, if he destroys it, why should I bother? I just raise my concern and be at peace. I have to live my own life.
NY Mag
Dec 7, 2019 at 1:26 AM
Comment #10Unused,
I agree with your first few sentences, although the rest is beyond me.
lesh
Dec 7, 2019 at 2:23 AM
Comment #11‘This is what Steve Bruce had to say about the big striker getting his second start on Sunday….
“I haven’t even decided that just yet. We’ll come to Sunday and see how he is.
“We’ll see how he [Carroll] ecovers tomorrow and how he recovers on Saturday.
“That may be asking too much. But we’ll see how he is.”
Yes, Andy was a freebie but there’s not even a hint he could put a full shift in. What price economy? £20k a week to be a will he won’t he be fit enough to even sit on the bench squad member.
lesh
Dec 7, 2019 at 2:24 AM
Comment #12* let’s try recovers for ecovers.
Unused Substitute
Dec 7, 2019 at 2:31 AM
Comment #13NY @10: unless prosports are properly regulated, community spirit that created the entities that eventually turned pro is not going to regain its position. Stakeholders are then going to have to remain at the mercy of the likes of Ashley.
NY Mag
Dec 7, 2019 at 2:34 AM
Comment #14Lesh,
Why be so down on things?
We won our last game, let’s hope wel’ll win our next game .
Everything else is just noise.
NY Mag
Dec 7, 2019 at 2:50 AM
Comment #15Unused,
I’m sorry, i understood that comment less than the previous one….maybe thats just me being not very bright,
The next Mike Williamson
Dec 7, 2019 at 4:48 AM
Comment #16We need a striker and Bowen in January. Any ideas for he striker? I guess the coffers are almost empty. Bowen for 20m is a must and a striker on loan. We really should go for Rondon. Rafa will need another foreigner and he is already maxed out with 4. Rondon was a bad fit for that team. Rafa will probably have a better understanding now of the Chinese league. I fear we’ll get some African striker who used to get goals from China or the Middle East who at 29+ is past it.
bettyswallocks
Dec 7, 2019 at 5:10 AM
Comment #17TNMW…………. I have posted numerous times on here that the striker we must buy in January is the Tanzanian lad Samatta. For the price we will not get a more suitable PL standard proven goal scorer.
You obviously weren’t paying attention.
Unused Substitute
Dec 7, 2019 at 5:15 AM
Comment #18NY @15: getting legislated public ownership (fan and/or city) of at least 10% and one board membership for an elected representative of minority shareholders could stem the rot of current structure I was thinking.
Nicky the ball tosser
Dec 7, 2019 at 6:27 AM
Comment #19Let’s be realistic, there’s little to no chance of getting Bowen and also another striker in January I’m afraid. Another wider withdrawn striker maybe, but only if we can move on one of Gayle or Muto, and maybe even both before we’d buy.
We play 3 up front and have 7 forwards in the group. I understand the issue is a lack of goals from our attacking players, and it’s a worry, but we simply aren’t that proactive. We’ll most likely do nothing, and get two or three in for two or three out in the summer window where there’s better value to be had.
DubaiMicky
Dec 7, 2019 at 6:51 AM
Comment #20Morning!
Just seen that we’ve beaten all the other “Uniteds” in the EPL so far this season.
There’s only one United and we play in black and white.
OK, there’s only two but still…
Ron Knee
Dec 7, 2019 at 8:05 AM
Comment #21Nigel Pearson to Watford!
Mindshaft
Dec 7, 2019 at 8:22 AM
Comment #22We have 4 strikers at the club of some description
Sick note Carroll who after 4 months if training still can’t manage 90 minutes of football
Muto who we’ve been told is a striker
Linton see above but no evidence to prove this theory and he’s never played as an out and out striker in his life
Gayle – apparently only a championship striker according to many on here
They’ve 1 goal and 2 assists between them in 15 games
Lindisfarne
Dec 7, 2019 at 8:36 AM
Comment #23Shelvey has looked to play more on the front foot and get up to the oppositions penalty area, rather than hanging around our own. I wonder, a bit of a stretch, if it anything to do with Lascelles not playing and perhaps not having the Captain demanding more protection?
Lindisfarne
Dec 7, 2019 at 8:47 AM
Comment #24Carroll and Joelinton are different types of players and it is difficult to compare their overall contributions, although i would hope the younger player can learn from Andys performance at Sheffield. I thought there were a few comments about Carroll not having the mobility to play the loan striker role which was fair enough, but he does offer more of a link.
Bruce will continue to use more of the squad rather than continually using a certain starting 11. So I imagine Gayle will also get a start at some point. However, if fit, Carroll could start again to develop his game with others against more lowly opposition. Or it likewise offers the opportunity for Joelinton to continue his development.
Lindisfarne
Dec 7, 2019 at 9:14 AM
Comment #25Rather than trying to move the team up the field as a whole, I have noticed recently Bruce is asking the wingers to create overloads more, with some success. It has resolved the problem of having one independent attacker trying to make something of a situation.
The next Mike Williamson
Dec 7, 2019 at 10:27 AM
Comment #26I’d take a punt on him Betty. He seems on the ascendancy. It’s the strikers in their late twenties/ early thirties you have to be careful with. Half of them are on the way out. Especially the ones playing in China or poor leagues.
geordietom
Dec 7, 2019 at 10:27 AM
Comment #27wheres everyone doing christmas shopping …
Our Toon
Dec 7, 2019 at 10:59 AM
Comment #28Like it or not but carroll played a big role in both goals midweek, I’m not bothered about his mobility as worries defenders, sheff utd had one of the best defensive records in the league and carroll made the 3 CBs graft hard with his physical presence.
For a player who is essentially a sick note it might not be a bad idea to bench him for the weekend, 2 games in 4 days for a player who barely managed 10 games for 2 seasons is asking a bit much. Lots of games this month, joelinton will have learned a thing or 2 aswell from Carroll performance.
Our Toon
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:02 AM
Comment #29Mindshaft
Thought carroll was on a pay as you play deal or pay if your fit only deal?
Even if he is on £20k a week, if we finish 1 place higher come end of season as a result of his assist then he will have paid for his entrie wage for season plus profit for club. To me it’s been a sensible move getting him in, both off and on field
Our Toon
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:06 AM
Comment #30I’d look closer to home for a striker, sell gayle to Leeds and or sell muto and get batshuayi on loan or Giroud on loan. Chelsea can now buy in January and both of these lads are barely getting a kick.
Lampard has also said going forward he sees pulisic as a false no9 as option if abraham gets injured or they need to change it.
Trent1211
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:11 AM
Comment #31Form is temporary, class is permanent – in the wrong way – where Bruce is concerned. Those pleased with him I hope you enjoy your 4 stripe ‘adidas’ trainers on Christmas morning. Ashley loves your contentment.
Hail Wor Ashley
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:25 AM
Comment #32Lesh you idiot.
It was Carroll’s first start in how long? Effectively that was a pre-season game for him. He got stronger 2nd half and showed signs he could get near to being his old self once fully match fit.
Thnk ASM may be rested at weekend with his ankle issue. Definitely wasn’t moving with the same speed and agility the other night.
Think Bruce might go with Andy again as ST and Joleinton on the LW.
Our Toon
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:36 AM
Comment #33Hail
That’s not a bad shout if ASM is unable to play, my only qualm is the lad got his 1st goal and we dont play for a week after tomorrow so probably better to start ASM
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:38 AM
Comment #34I reckon Toney might be worth taking a gamble on and I don’t know if I’ve mentioned him but Bradley Dack would be a fantastic buy.
Munster Mag
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:40 AM
Comment #35Trent you are probably right but what are we bashing him for when he has the team fighting so well for the shirt. What are you going to be like when we go on a bad run?
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:42 AM
Comment #36AC didn’t look knackered to me when he came off, I don’t think he’d have a problem playing Sunday, I do think ASM needs a rest though he appeared to be limping at times in the game, Atsu should be able to fill in OK for him.
Our Toon
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:43 AM
Comment #37Essex
Could probably get Dack for the same price we sell gayle at tbf, I’ve liked what I’ve seen of him. The ship has sailed for Toney though, I’d rather give Sorensen a chance ahead of bringing in Toney and that’s only if we were desperate. Be interesting to see if Toney could make the step up into championship
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:43 AM
Comment #38Trent
Hiya
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:46 AM
Comment #39Hail
Just realised I more or less echoed what you said re AC and ASM. 🙂
Our Toon
Dec 7, 2019 at 11:46 AM
Comment #40Munster
Maybe trent would prefer us to be losing? Odd comment for someone to make
Good luck to big Duncan today, I know Everton are below us and in relegation spot but cant seem em going down.