For some Newcastle fans around the world, in case you have missed the highlights of the game yesterday, when we looked hopeless against Brighton & Hove Albion, here’s the video from NBC Sports.
And after that performance it’s not surprising Steve Bruce looked so unhappy during his press conference.
A glum looking Steve Bruce – before the press conference started.
Comments welcome.
167 comments so far
t hibbitt
Sep 21, 2020 at 1:44 PM
Comment #81the only dim half wit on here is you Munster, and as for playing to the gallery you’re the expert at that,
Rotonda heights
Sep 21, 2020 at 1:45 PM
Comment #82Tinman,
”But I didn’t see any of the players busting a gut to put it right.”
MOTIVATION is what bruce is paid for
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 1:48 PM
Comment #83Jamesthefirst
There was no other choice Bruce was the man all along don’t believe reports they were all a smoke screen
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 1:50 PM
Comment #84The players are just to blame where is the Lascelles who spoke up when it wasn’t good enough? As much as most the blame is at Bruce’s door the players don’t get off lightly
Paul141726
Sep 21, 2020 at 1:51 PM
Comment #85Many pundits claim that Bruce is a great “man manager”. That may be the case, but that performance yesterday requires that he put the hammer down on the team. And while he’s at it, take a good look in the mirror. That loss was just as much on him and the so-called coaching staff as the players. Did he even scout Brighton? Especially against Chelsea?!!!! Hey Steve, the old ways of defending that you were so good at DO NOT cut it in this day and age!!! Please, buy a clue!!!!
Lindisfarne
Sep 21, 2020 at 1:52 PM
Comment #86“”We do OK for a while, then we throw a hand grenade in.””
I do not think there is a deliberate act of sabotage, the occassional performance does destroy any sense of creditability. All teams can have off days but that is when the organisation of the side is relied on. “Go out, enjoy yourself and give it a go” is not a professional strategy.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Sep 21, 2020 at 1:55 PM
Comment #87@Mund
All the talk of Viera, Arteta was just that talk! They would have listened to ambitious guys like them for about a minute and go no way this is another Rafa!!
There was the rumours that Van Bronkhurst went to the club with a fully costed break down of what he could achieve and they went for Bruce as a “safe” pair of hands due to this experience
Looking at how Arteta has changed Arsenal around with such simple processes they press well , compress the space of course they have better quality than us going forward but the same techniques would get 100% more out of our current group
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 1:58 PM
Comment #88Lee
Exactly and I personally know the day after Rafa left that the club where gong for Bruce so all these reports and managers saying they turned us down are all a smoke screen but Ashley has been good at that down the years
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Sep 21, 2020 at 1:58 PM
Comment #89A lot of our players seem to now be quite happy with the mediocrity that Bruce employs
I mean Shelvey and Lascalles on 70k a week and get a couple of days off during the week? What an easy shift that is just don’t rock the boat almost turning the side into multiple Colocinni’s happy with the status quo
Rafa would have had them in working overtime for a performance like that as would Bielsa or Fergie etc
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:00 PM
Comment #90https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/steve-bruces-40-game-newcastle-united-premier-league-story-statistics-including-shock-home-goal-numbers-2978300?page=1
For those who think 2 games this season is too early to make a sound judgement on Bruce as manager..
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:01 PM
Comment #91Who ever says that Bruce needs more time before we come to any judgement come at me I’ll tell you, you are wrong and you can tell me why you would think such shite
Jamesthefirst
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:15 PM
Comment #92Mund – yes players didn’t step up. But when the manager isn’t pushing them and the stadium is empty and there is no pressure on them from fans, they give up easily.
Lascelles has said many times that when things aren’t going well on the pitch Shelvey is the first to drop his head. You can see it everytime. He just gives up.
As does ASM.
bettyswallocks
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:15 PM
Comment #93Steve Bruce is clueless when it comes to choosing formations. I would rather have Jesperfuglslang in charge of team set up, at least he knew a thing or two about formations as he proved with his tireless discussions on the subject . Admittedly Jesper wasn’t allowed to watch all of our games but he could put forward a good formation by analysing the player’s stats.
A far more modern approach than the one being currently adopted by Bruce.
Jamesthefirst
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:17 PM
Comment #94Ashley either needs to force the takeover through legal proceedings (has a very strong case)
Or he drops the asking price to £200 million and takes a loss. Loads would buy us at that price.
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:19 PM
Comment #95James
Then don’t play them!! It’s as simple as that mate.
Don’t want to hear heads dropping as it’s my biggest bug bearer. They get paid a fortune and Shelvey is our highest paid player which he wouldn’t get anywhere else and we have to worry about his head dropping? Give me a break.
That’s no excuse and will never be acceptable and I blame Bruce and desperately want him out but I won’t let it slide with the players just because of that.
Jamesthefirst
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:23 PM
Comment #96@Mund – I’m not saying that is acceptable from players. We just have many players like that. They are bottlers and sub standard. It’s why we have them and not a top six team.
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:26 PM
Comment #97James
That’s another reason I think he has to go as he doesn’t have the bottle to make the tough decisions.
I said before the start of the season that I hoped Shelvey kept up his good form after restart as even if he does play shit he would always keep his place. Rafa saw it and dropped him but Bruce does not have the balls do make those decisions.
Jamesthefirst
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:27 PM
Comment #98Bruce said in his post match interviews it wouldn’t have been “fair to Andy” to drop him. Being fair to AC was more important than setting up the team properly to win.
Jamesthefirst
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:29 PM
Comment #99As much as Ritchie is not good enough, he never stops yelling at the players when they are out of position or messing about. Lascelles hardly speaks during a game.
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:31 PM
Comment #100We need a fresh start with the coaching team they are all clueless.
At least a with Rafa he brought in the right people for the right positions.
Jamesthefirst
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:32 PM
Comment #101One thing I noticed after lockdown, the first few games while the takeover was imminent, there was spring in the step of all of them. All playing with smiles and on the front foot trying to impress.
When takeover was pulled, heads dropped. All over the pitch. The prospect for playing for Bruce in front of an empty stadium is not going to excite anyone.
bettyswallocks
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:34 PM
Comment #102IT was the manner of the defeat that has made people realise Bruce isn’t up to the task. With those tactics, setup and personnel we could play Brighton every week and not win one match against them.
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:35 PM
Comment #103James but it’s there job mate not a hobby. Lots of players don’t like to play for whatever manager but they still go out and perform.
Bambams
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:35 PM
Comment #104No top 8 team would put up with Shelvey, he is too comfortable and is just not hungry enough.
Every preseason we hear he is looking fitter than ever, he just strolls around and hits the odd 40 yard pass.
In the next game watch how many times he drops back to within 10m of our Centre halves and takes a pass but usually gives it straight back and jogs off to the wing.
I so want our players to do well, i have given Shelvey the benefit so many times but no more.
Shelvs and Joelinton are two players I would shift as soon as possible. Had more than enough time at our club.
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:37 PM
Comment #105Bambams sadly Bruce won’t have the balls to drop him mate
Jamesthefirst
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:40 PM
Comment #106Mund – same thing happened at United. The players didn’t even try and win that game.
Something clearly wrong in the dressing room.
DrGloom
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:40 PM
Comment #107Jeez Munter – you’re like a broken record, Bruce has had at least 14 players he wanted in during his time here and over a year to coach them in the style he wants to play and has a net spend of over 120 million quid (inc loan deals)
He is statistically the worst manager in the premier league of managers with 300+ games
Steve Bruce 27.7%
Tony Pulis 30.4%
Joe Kinnear 32.1%
Alan Curbushly 32.9%
Mark Hughes 33.9%
Sam Allardyce 34%
Can we just focus on our current incumbent
Potter almost relegated Brighton last season and the reason we made them look good was because of Bruce’s team selection and tactics
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:42 PM
Comment #108James only one United mate
Jamesthefirst
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:43 PM
Comment #109West Brom, Villa, Fulham, are all worse than us.
Outside of those 3 I expect any of the others to beat us.
That is how bad we are.
Bambams
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:44 PM
Comment #110Bruce only knows defending, he has never managed a team that were known for attacking.
So if you concentrate so much on men behind the ball, without any release up front, the law of averages will tell you if a team keep having chance after chance against you – inevitably they will eventually score, one or more.
We cannot keep the ball in opposition half for more than 30 seconds. We only attack with 2-3 players and the rest are too far back to offer support.
I think Blackburn in the cup possibly had 83% possession during a 20-25 minute period, something similar if not exactly this.
Hoofball will never work in the PL
Again, did you hear Bruce opening sentence when interviewed after the match “You can talk about tactics as much as you want”…He knew he was going to be asked so got in first, he has been found wanting and ‘His stats prove this’.
Seventh choice !
I feel for the bloke, its not personal he is just a poor manager not suited to the PL.
Jamesthefirst
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:46 PM
Comment #111All that said, and the doom and gloom about the game, I still fully expect the takeover to go through.
De Marco never loses. And they have confirmed they are actively working on behalf of Ashley to push the takeover through, despite the website notification being taken down. Everything is quiet, with lawyers and a government aid, working to get the deal done. Exactly the way it should be. Quiet. And at some point it will just get announced out of the blue we have been sold to PIF.
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:47 PM
Comment #112James
I do agree tho that not having a packed stadium is detrimental to the team and a lot of other clubs suffer with it as well.
So much a different game without the fans.
bettyswallocks
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:47 PM
Comment #113I agree tactics are not Bruce’s strong point . So what are his strong points?
Bambams
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:48 PM
Comment #114Mund
I know mate, its frustrating.
I look forward to the day when we all discuss wanting to replace our top scorer in the PL who has only managed 40 goals in the season for his understudy who is currently on 30 goals but 10 years younger….
I can but hope.
😉
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:48 PM
Comment #115James i agree and think the same. But needs to happen sooner rather than later or we might find ourselves in a sticky situation
catchy in norway
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:49 PM
Comment #116The ledge
Please stop,
Rafa was terrible at nufc, just like the 3 clubs before us and just like in China now.
Rafa did not make Longstaff a good player, it was the youth coaches.
Rafa took many nufc players backwards, simply because his style doesn’t really make hero’s, it’s all about the collective just doing a job.
Rafa is sitting 2nd bottom of a crap chinese league with the 4th most expensive team. Capello sits top of his scoring goals and defending.
Bruce is not a good coach, no one ever said he was, we compare the 2 because they both managed nufc, with similar outcomes. Crap football
Jamesthefirst
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:49 PM
Comment #117@Mund – exactly, and none more so than our place. Well documented how 52,000 can carry the team through when they are not playing well. We lift them when they are down. The energy levels are incredible. We have replaced that with silence. Never going to make these lot step up to the plate
Cathedral on the hill
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:49 PM
Comment #118Bambams
If he who shall not be named had got his way, shelvey would have been straight out the door as would half the team. The team assembled in the champo was only done so to get us out and consolidate for a season.
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:49 PM
Comment #119Bambams I hope Ashley is as frustrated as us fans are, I really do or at least get the takeover approved so things can change
Mund
Sep 21, 2020 at 2:50 PM
Comment #120James I do agree but it still pisses me off lol