Steve Bruce is back in Newcastle and ready to start up training again tomorrow at the Benton Training grounds.
He seems fresh from his time away on the family farm in Cheshire, and it’s back to work for the Geordie manager.
Steve seems very sympathetic with players who may not want to return because of the dangers of the coronavirus pandemic.
But not one player in Newcastle’s squad has refused to return to training, and even Danny Rose, who has vented about Project Restart in the national papers, has agreed to return.
And some of the good news for Steve is that Paul Dummett can return to the squad – he was injured and was not in the 25 man squad Steve out forward in January because of the hamstring injury.
But the Premier League will allow those like Paul, who is now fully fit after two months of recuperation, to return to the squad – so there will be some real competition for places.
Steve Bruce – Newcastle’s sympathetic manager
There will also be five substitutes in each game because there will not be a lengthy preseason period, and players could become injured because they will simply not be match fit.
This is some of what Steve said in the Star interview:
“Everyone is looking forward to coming back having been given guarantees that the measures put in place will make the training ground as safe an environment as possible.”
“All of us are in the privileged position of being tested twice a week and if anyone tests positive, they would stay away from the rest of the group until given the all-clear.”
“But I appreciate that at times like this, everyone has their own views and they are free to express them whenever they want.”
“Should someone decide that as training is stepped up, they are putting themselves or their loves ones at risk and would prefer to drop out, then we would understand.”
“At this stage, no-one has asked to stay away but I know that could change in the weeks ahead.”
Our players will also be keen to show what they can do with new owners probably coming in any day now.
But they were always going to take over next season.
So Stave will manager the nine games remaining plays the FA Cup, where we have a home fixture against Manchester City.
That could be some game.
But all games will b in front of empty stadiums, and that will be detrimental to Newcastle ho would likely have sellouts for each of the remaining games at St. James’ Park.
We’ll have to see how out las can Faye, but with 35 points from 29 games, we should be safe.
A in early on and 38 points will make us safe.
[table “84” not found /]What do you think?
Comments welcome.
31 comments so far
ctommo
May 18, 2020 at 11:32 AM
Comment #1Surely not 1st?
Munster Mag
May 18, 2020 at 11:33 AM
Comment #2Looking good Tommo!
ctommo
May 18, 2020 at 11:37 AM
Comment #3Oh yes Munster. Perhaps the first first I reckon. Time for a can maybe
Zele
May 18, 2020 at 11:38 AM
Comment #4Hope Steve’s doctors have taken note of Professor Spector who leads the team running the Covid Symptom Tracker app.
He said they had identified around 14 symptoms associated with having a positive test – but the UK continues to emphasise only coughs and fevers.
He said the country was likely to be missing 50,000 to 70,000 infections by overlooking complaints such as fatigue, muscle pain and loss of taste or smell, which other countries are including as indicators of coronavirus infection.
Another Government shambles.
WLtoon
May 18, 2020 at 11:38 AM
Comment #5The takeover is in jeopardy imo. The PL are stalling on their decision and the Saudi,s might just take a sod you attitude and walk away. Oh yes they can.
Their reputation is being questioned every day by every angle, they dont need it, and if it goes on for much longer this takeover will collapse.
The PL dont need to answer to anyone soon, nor do the government , one wont and the other one dare,nt .
Its a pathetic shower of shite show which will only end up with one loser, The fans AGAIN
Ron Knee
May 18, 2020 at 11:41 AM
Comment #6Never too late, Zele.
Advice (finally) issued this morning:
The statement says:
“From today, all individuals should self-isolate if they develop a new continuous cough or fever or anosmia.
“Anosmia is the loss or a change in your normal sense of smell. It can also affect your sense of taste as the two are closely linked.
“We have been closely monitoring the emerging data and evidence on Covid-19 and after thorough consideration, we are now confident enough to recommend this new measure.”
hibbit
May 18, 2020 at 11:43 AM
Comment #7Zele try and keep https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52704417 LOL
Rotonda heights
May 18, 2020 at 11:44 AM
Comment #8WLToon
You’re getting as negative as Irish rob in every post. snap out of it or report to the captain!
Catchy
Touched a nerve have we, you haven’t crawled out for a while.
And yet you prefer bruce’s ”park the bus and hoof it” style. Try and explain why that is the case and I’ll pretend you know anything about football. Imagine some half witted scrote going up to Rafa and say you don’t know anything about football and he turns round and says ”look at this pal” http://www.rafabenitez.com/web/in/honours/12/
Meanwhile for your strangely preferred Bruce
https://www.themag.co.uk/2020/01/the-steve-bruce-playing-style-exposed-at-newcastle-united-by-these-two-sets-of-players-stats/
If you don’t like Rafa and you have certain right wing tendancies just be honest about it but don’t try and re-write history.
SuperShearer
May 18, 2020 at 11:45 AM
Comment #9@WLtoon – you don’t think PIF would have been aware of all this potential press? They’ve paid a £17 million deposit, and while I’m sure they can afford to lose it it’s not like paid it on a whim, they paid it because this is a business they want to own.
ctommo
May 18, 2020 at 11:46 AM
Comment #10Wltoon, On the other hand the Saudis could see it differently. They may see this as a minor hurdle which they knew would come, and would make them more determined to press on and show they cant be pushed around. Who knows, this reaction from everybody could see the Saudis controlling an even larger share or NUFC on a day to day basis.
Zele
May 18, 2020 at 11:46 AM
Comment #11hibbit,
Sorry
hibbit
May 18, 2020 at 11:49 AM
Comment #12Zele are you from Belgium ??
Rotonda heights
May 18, 2020 at 11:51 AM
Comment #13Catchy
Is this the hoofball you’re on about.
https://www.facebook.com/theEFL/videos/newcastle-united-team-goal-they-score-with-every-player-touc/1416050025089211/
PS
You’re a cerebrally challenged nugget with delusions of competence, just accept it, or as Rafa would say: FACT.
the crown princes nashers
May 18, 2020 at 11:52 AM
Comment #14rome wasnt built in a day and neither will this takeover happen quick enough, takes time and we all should just carry on instead of saying its not going to happen ect ect ect, its just like the reporters saying were linked to this player that player and the others they havent got a clue what the new owners want and going to do like all of us, reporters venting there anger at the toon over what how saudi conduct there affairs they should be looking into the uk government and how they conduct there affairs, we are getting smashed from pillar to post but do you know what I am loving it because all these people will know what is about to come when things all gets sorted out
hibbit
May 18, 2020 at 11:53 AM
Comment #15Zele is located in the Belgian province of East Flanders, around 20 km east of Ghent. ?
Our Toon
May 18, 2020 at 11:53 AM
Comment #16WL Toon
Saudi’s babe to listen to this stuff all the time, they wont care tbf.
giimps
May 18, 2020 at 11:55 AM
Comment #17The main thing is ,if the Saudi’s were going to pull out ,it would have happened by now, no new allegations have come out, no new skeletons in the cupboard , so if the prem were going to fail them ,it would have happened already……17 mil is what they have paid so far to the slug, probably the same again in investigations into the club , so prob around 30 mil which they wont get back if they pull out, it makes no sense to pull out nowfor either the buyer or seller….this is going through, and soon ……IMHO
Our Toon
May 18, 2020 at 11:55 AM
Comment #18Get used to this type of negative press lads n lasses, when the takeover completes we will be the most hated team in UK.
This is just the beginning
the crown princes nashers
May 18, 2020 at 11:56 AM
Comment #19with everything going on with the fingers pointed at the saudis and us this will only cause more determination from the saudis into making not just the club but the whole city into a huge statement to ram it down reporters and others throats
Zele
May 18, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Comment #20WLToon,
‘..The takeover is in jeopardy..’
Would the three buyers still go ahead if we were looking at relegation ?
Before the lockdown if a risk assessment was done it would probably conclude that we were safe.
But the restart will have thrown up factors that make it hard to be so certain of our future involvement in the Premier League.
Some buyers would consider pulling out or delaying their purchase until our position was clearer but others having a long term plan and money to go with it may continue the buying process.
the crown princes nashers
May 18, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Comment #21Our Toon
naa not just the UK the whole world I reckon 🙂 excellent cant wait
hibbit
May 18, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Comment #22spot on Our Toon this will be the new norm
hibbit
May 18, 2020 at 12:00 PM
Comment #23mark
i think we’ll be popular in Saudi
the crown princes nashers
May 18, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Comment #24hibbit
aye just a bit, can you imagine how many club strips they could sell there and other arab countries, more money coming into the club and more advertisments as well, it will spread as well throughout asia cant wait be fantastic
the crown princes nashers
May 18, 2020 at 12:03 PM
Comment #25wouldnt it be great if the toon army back at the staduim wore the arab head dress in black and white stripes 🙂 I wouldnt put nowt past them haha that be a right kick in the teeth for reporters and the rest of them
Our Toon
May 18, 2020 at 12:05 PM
Comment #26Does anyone know why our fans are on plane watch? I see all kinds daily about planes from saudi ir private jets etc. What relevance has that got with takeover?
Oldgit1
May 18, 2020 at 12:06 PM
Comment #27It will be interesting if they bring back VAR. can’t see it somehow.
the crown princes nashers
May 18, 2020 at 12:07 PM
Comment #28our toon
its just something different to do I think, ive done it still do now and then
Dondatta13
May 18, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Comment #29Oldgit1 The Germans used VAR at the weekend!
RB Leipzig were held to a 1-1 draw by Freiburg but Freiburgs midfielder Robin Koch’s late effort was ruled out by VAR.
the Northumbrian
May 18, 2020 at 12:21 PM
Comment #30Scottish prem has been cancelled
WLtoon
May 18, 2020 at 12:39 PM
Comment #31I think the PL season will follow Scotland and cancel.
There seems to be more and more players voicing concerns about a restart.
Will the PL listen, yep , they will have to.
Every team in the league will have to cough up their share of the deficit to pay Sky.
Teams like Burnley and Norwich will argue all they like about having to pay their share but hey ho, tough titty.