It has become quite evident that Steve Bruce has to make some drastic changes to this system. Newcastle just have nothing to offer in the final third.
When you combine that with a weak midfield and a defense that has become far too open, you get thoroughly outplayed by a team that hadn’t won in eight games.
This was another performance that was lacking in all areas, and it falls directly on the shoulders of the head coach to find some solutions.
Steve Bruce spoke after the dismal 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. The Chronicle have published much of his post-match comments.
Bruce may have finally come to the conclusion that a change may be necessary. He said the following about possibly making a change after seeing his team be second-best all afternoon:
“The better team won, we have had decent possession, but we gave the ball away too cheaply, especially when in good areas.
“We didn’t ask questions, maybe it is a time to change – we have to score to win a game.
“It was difficult with the conditions, but we have no complaints saying the better team won.”
This was a match that Newcastle needed a result from. They also needed to show a reaction from last week’s performance against Arsenal in the second half.
That didn’t happen, and once again, Newcastle came out of the break and were dominated by their opponents. It was another game that ended in a whimper with no rousing charge for an equalizer to end the game.
Bruce spoke about a couple of areas where he was most disappointed in the lads. For anyone who watched the game, it’s not hard to figure out what that was.
“We are disappointed that the big Achilles heel was obvious, giving the ball away so cheaply, especially in the final third.
“We never really asked their defenders to defend properly, and maybe it is time to change and look at something different. Our final ball and our final cross has been lacking.”
Newcastle were sloppy in possession and bereft of quality in the final third. But for Martin Dubravka and Crystal Palace also being wayward in front of goal, this could have been another onslaught.
The head coach did commend his team for not giving up, which they didn’t. However, that does little good when you can’t score a goal. Newcastle had just two shots on target, and both were from long range.
Bruce spoke about the trouble creating quality chances and how that was such a problem today.
“The one thing they didn’t do was give up, and that’s not a problem. But we have to have more of a threat to win matches in the Premier League.
“Arsenal and Palace away, both are not easy games, but we didn’t cause enough problems in the final third, and that’s what we have got to try and address.”
It was like a broken record watching Newcastle this afternoon. They were sloppy in possession and created nothing in front of goal. At least Steve Bruce recognizes that. Now it’s up to him to get it sorted out before we drift further into trouble.
Who Was Newcastle's Best Player At Crystal Palace?
- Martin Dubravka (79%, 1,121 )
- A. Saint-Maximin (9%, 133 )
- Valentino Lazaro (3%, 45 )
- Joelinton (2%, 30 )
- Dwight Gayle (1%, 19 )
- Fabian Schar (1%, 15 )
- Miguel Almiron (1%, 13 )
- Sean Longstaff (1%, 10 )
- Federico Fernandez (1%, 9 )
- Matt Ritchie (1%, 9 )
- Nabil Bentaleb (0%, 6 )
- Danny Rose (0%, 5 )
- Jamaal Lascelles (0%, 4 )
Total Voters: 1,419
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112 comments so far
Mad Frog Boom 22
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:35 PM
Comment #1Mad Frog …kaput. Too much, this is just too much…Ashley please save me!
JDdubai
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:36 PM
Comment #2We give the ball away coz there is no-one to aim for when we get it – everyone is within 30 yards of our goal with a CF isolated vs 3 defenders.
Time for a change, it was time to change pre-Xmas.
Bruce was a dinosaur in the 00s, now he is pre pre-historic in his approach, big bang era.
Can see his “change” being Gayle isolated in the same formation, that will do it!
geordiesteve520
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:37 PM
Comment #3If they’re not:
1) His tactics and
2) His coaching ability
Then there’s something wrong.
lesh
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:41 PM
Comment #4Two areas of concern? Ashley and Ashley
droppy in Wallsend
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:41 PM
Comment #5Two areas of concern.
1. Crap system that doesn’t work being used every single game by a pathetic dinosaur manager.
2. The club is still owned by the school bully who treats the fans like little flies who he enjoys pulling the wings off.
Jib
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:43 PM
Comment #6The one thing that was obvious after half-time that the players had been told
was to keep the ball on the deck
However
Surely pro footy players don’t have to be told that
If you are playing when it’s blowing a hooley you don’t punt the ball
Big Bruce Stars.
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:43 PM
Comment #7Ok jib so your logical appraisal is that those who said Bruce’s appointment signalled a downfall in quality and expectation and outlined what would happen are LESS knowledgeable than those who slowly realise they have been hoodwinked?
Get in! Top blagger award for you! 🙂
Mad Frog Boom 22
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:44 PM
Comment #8i just hope one day we can be like Burnley or Crystalboy, now we can not compete with those big guys. Ashley save us, please!
Jib
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:46 PM
Comment #9The Welsh are such bad losers
Big Bruce Stars.
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:46 PM
Comment #10And there was no “instant hate” of Bruce. Just acknowledgement of why he was and what he was. Stop trying to make those who spelled out the reality into hysterical ragers already – it’s one thing to be wrong, another to blame others for it.
Big Bruce Stars.
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:47 PM
Comment #11Now we have to hope the points we have are enough.
fairscup
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:48 PM
Comment #12They p1ss around with it at the back for a couple of minutes then give it to Dubs who bangs it up the pitch even when we are losing. FFS tactics?
toon22
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:48 PM
Comment #13JIB
Its tough having to stay positive after yet another abysmal performance
Yet you still try to
How many season tickets do you think he will shift next season with the rubbish on offer ?
Now thats he made sure they are worthless
Jib
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:50 PM
Comment #14Tsunki
You went into whine mode before a ball had been kicked
Different attitudes
I said give him a chance
You changed your avatar to mock him
clever lad
toon22
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:50 PM
Comment #15JIB
Are you saying the fans who dont like the rubbish on offer are to blame for the rubbish thats currently on offer ?
Blame the fans ?
Well done
Assassins Inc
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:50 PM
Comment #16Two areas of concern.
My son is a big mouth idiot.
And I don’t know what the fcuk I’m doing.
Thanks for being honest Steve.
Big Bruce Stars.
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:51 PM
Comment #17We have a pretty ugly group t he bottom now. West ham villa and Watford will start busting a gut for fourth bottom place, Bournemouth and Brighton likewise to get some air between them. Three more points needed I think.
toon22
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:52 PM
Comment #18JIB
If only all of the fans had just went along with Jabbas scheme to rob the club for another 13 years
If they just sat happily watching the worst football in the clubs history
Its shocking 10k decided not to renew their season tickets
Its their fault ??
Ron Knee
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:52 PM
Comment #19Poor penalty.
droppy in Wallsend
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:52 PM
Comment #20I mentioned the other day that I love the gallows humour of NUFC fans.
My Dad, who is recovering from a 3 hour operation to take bone from his hip, and use it to help fuse two vertebrae together, just text me to say
“Well the operation was the second most painful thing I’ve been through this week, the first is that MA still hasn’t fu**ing done one”
Oddly when I was there they got him up and trying to walk for the first time and he looked more mobile than half of our squad lately.
fairscup
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:53 PM
Comment #21Going for a drink now.
toon22
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:53 PM
Comment #22Or are you desperately trying to defend Jabbas ownership of the club ?
Blame anyone or anything
What we need is a another solid 5 year plan , that’ll fix everything
Jib
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:54 PM
Comment #23toon22
The definition of irrelevancy
bettyswallocks
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:54 PM
Comment #24Lesh…….. I didn’t suggest we get a young inexperienced manager in. I said a modern thinking progressive one of which there are several in the PL who are not young but doing OK with worse squads than ours.
toon22
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:54 PM
Comment #2570% off
Everything must go
Sale ends soon
24/7/365
toon22
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:55 PM
Comment #26JIB
Have you managed to explain what we should be positive about yet ?
Must have missed it
You trying to say its the fans fault for the mess the clubs in and we should be positive about it ?
Big Bruce Stars.
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:56 PM
Comment #27Job as ever you act thick when it suits. The avatar mocked the entire situation, still does. That was Bruce in his heyday. What do we have now you’ve given him your chance? Another year of giving Ashley a breather, well done, well done. You’re sick because the situation some of us predicted – not “whined” about – is inevitably drawing to its conclusion. At best a mid to lower table finish. Another nothing season. Go back and look at the posts at the start of the season you dolt.
Jib
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:56 PM
Comment #28droppy was your dad in the shipyards ?
there’s a compo scheme if his back is the result of industrial bad practise
toon kk
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:57 PM
Comment #29Time for change?
Three things need changing.
The owner, manager and the team.
Predictable rubbish, expect more of the same in our next game.
toon22
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:58 PM
Comment #30bettyswallocks
The problem is that kind of manager isnt going to join us
We will end any hope of a career in football management
Jabba will mug him off in ways he woudnt have thought possible
Chew him up and spit him out
Its been proven legally, in court
Big Bruce Stars.
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:58 PM
Comment #31Jib saying that a fan concerned enough about the state of his club to be vocal about it is a detriment to that club. Right up Mike’s street, amongst other things.
Uncertain Toon
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:59 PM
Comment #32Shit or bust 433 for rest of season
Anglo Saxon
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:59 PM
Comment #33Why does the fat tw@t make us go through this year after year is he a narcissist as well?
toon22
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:59 PM
Comment #34JIB
Ahh start an argument
Thats not been tried before
LOL
Very poor Lee, might need to get Keith to drop some help in for you
geordietom
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:59 PM
Comment #35For example, a sending off due to a second yellow card will result in a one-match ban, as will a red card received for a professional foul. Dissent leading to a red card will generally earn a two-match ban, while violent conduct can be punished with a suspension for three games.
droppy in Wallsend
Feb 22, 2020 at 6:59 PM
Comment #36Jib
No he was RAF and gets a bloody good pension from them.
Just one of those things with his back it’s more likely hereditary so I will have to be careful as I’m a fat get.
Jib
Feb 22, 2020 at 7:00 PM
Comment #37Leic City vs man City 0 – 0 after 70 minutes
LPool must be laughing their cocks off
Big Bruce Stars.
Feb 22, 2020 at 7:01 PM
Comment #38Droppy I’d rather suffer the pain of having a kidney out than watch any more of these displays. And I’ve only got one left. 🙂
geordietom
Feb 22, 2020 at 7:02 PM
Comment #39#flushthefrog#
toon22
Feb 22, 2020 at 7:03 PM
Comment #40Said he wanted to sell
Buyer meets asking price and puts money on the table
Lets just pretend he couldnt get the sale over the line again
Its not what the year round sale signs are supposed to achieve