Since the transfer window opened, Steve Bruce has downplayed expectations for January. Though he has admitted that targets have been identified and if he feels they improve the squad he’ll try his best to bring one or two in.
Newcastle have been linked with a few domestic loans. There were recent reports that a deal in principle has been agreed for Manchester United fullback Brandon Williams.
However, with Timothy Fosu-Mensah looking to be headed to Bayer Leverkusen, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may opt to keep the 20-year-old behind as cover.
That is what talkSPORT’s Alex Crook thinks may happen. This is what Crook said about the knock-on effect of Fosu-Mensah leaving Old Trafford this month:
“One of those affected could be Brandon Williams, the United defender who is wanted by both Southampton and Newcastle.
“I wonder if United would be so willing to let him go now that Fosu-Mensah is set to depart because that would leave them a bit short of cover at full-back.
Crook’s comments come off the back of an interview Steve Bruce did on talkSPORT earlier. It was during this interview that Bruce reiterated his stance for this transfer window. He again said a couple of targets are ‘bubbling away’ but he’ll only bring in a player that improves the squad.
This was Bruce’s familiar answer when asked about this window:
“We’ll see. If there’s somebody there who can help us, we’re always actively looking and one or two things are bubbling away.
“But I cannot see it being a busy transfer window for everybody.”
Bruce did, however, add something new during this interview in that he has ruled out moves for any attackers this month. When asked about the reported interest in Bournemouth forward Josh King, Bruce was adamant that he was not a target while also revealing his lack of concern about the ‘top end of the pitch’.
Here is Bruce’s response when asked about Josh King:
“No, No. At the top end of the pitch, we’ve invested a lot of money, so no, we’re okay in that area.”
If Bruce can be taken at his word, it looks like he’ll concentrate on the defense and midfield for this window. This could also mean that Elliot Anderson, who made his debut over the weekend, could be called upon more in the second half of this season.

54 comments so far
Tackle from behind
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:20 PM
Comment #1Bruce Rules Out Additions ‘At The Top End Of The Pitch’
Due to the ball never going there.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:20 PM
Comment #2“Ok in that area”
We are a Wilson injury away from a relegation dogfight Bruceyboy you fackwit.
coming home
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:23 PM
Comment #3So in other words we are getting no new player’s
Well I suppose its understandable that they won’t trust brucey to bring anyone in with the axe looming
Zorro
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:26 PM
Comment #4Tackle
And you are obviously one of 80% on here who have a bus pass and bore the blog to death
BRUCE OUT BRUCE OUT BRUCE OUT
Tackle from behind
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:29 PM
Comment #5Zorro
Couldn’t be further from the truth fella.
I would say you were more of a bore than me with your monotone agenda.
DubaiMicky
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:32 PM
Comment #6Sadly, I can see us losing tonight (12:28 my time now). Hope I’m wrong, like NY Mag, I don’t like the corporate NUFC, the owner, the MD, the henchman who aren’t listed (Barnes etc), but the team will always be in my heart, I want them to win every game, I don’t give a toss who the manager is really, it’s the 11 guys that run out on the hallowed turf of SJP.
They are who I support.
lesh
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:32 PM
Comment #7Brucey boy’s saying we don’t need a striker ( “We’ve invested a lot of money, so no, we’re okay in that area.”).
Invested a lot of money yes, but was £40m of it wisely spent?
This just confirms that players mean nothing other than money.
lochinvar
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #8Bruce thinks that the top end of the pitch is where our keeper stands.
Somebody turn him round and point him in the right direction.
kilcline
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:37 PM
Comment #9We could sign Kane and Son and they wouldn’t touch the ball under this absolute twunt.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:37 PM
Comment #10Oh goody were getting a goal keeper!
Bloke is delusional if he thinks we are well equipped up top – does he not look at the goalscoring charts – its not as if there is a lot of data there for him to take on board!
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:40 PM
Comment #11Im installing a chicken wire cage around the TV for tomorrow night – ala Blues Brothers!
Its gonna be a hard watch
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:44 PM
Comment #12Mund/Tackle
Thank you, it’s good to see that we feeble minded pensioners have champions on the blog1 🙂
Tackle from behind
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:47 PM
Comment #13EGB
Don’t thank Mund – his answer was incorrect. 😉
As for Zorro – I fart in his general direction
kc2012
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:49 PM
Comment #14How does Bruce think we’re ok at the top end of the pitch when we’ve scored 18 goals and haven’t really won a league game comfortably all season.
If Wilson gets injured we literally have nobody apart from Gayle and he’s going to need a crate of WD40 on him if he doesn’t get some proper game time soon.
What he means is ‘attacking players cost money and Mike said no more pocket money for me so no thanks, but oooooo I do love large Donner n chips’
Tackle from behind
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:51 PM
Comment #15Re: Joelinton – we seem to play him due to his 80k/week wage rather than others.
Look at Arsenal – Ozil is on 350K/week and he is out of their squad –
Adamn_92
Jan 11, 2021 at 8:56 PM
Comment #16At this stage someone needs to have a word in Bruce’s ear and tell him to stop talking to journalists and the media. He makes himself sound dumber and out of touch more and more with each passing one.
Wor B
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:00 PM
Comment #17………………….Wilson
Almiron…….Gayle……..Murphy
………Anderson…….Hayden
Dummet…Clark…Schar…Manquillo
………………..Darlow
Gonna rip Sheff Utd a new one with this line-up!
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:00 PM
Comment #18Is Joelinton really on £80k, bloody ell!
beermonkey
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:01 PM
Comment #19re joelinton and the big fee and wages
under pards it was often mentions not sure it was proven but he had to play certain players
long time ago
mind you under pards he had 11 purples and that was it
bruce says we are ok for strikers but joelinton was not a striker before we bought and he wont be a striker when he leaves
so it leaves gayle and carol if wilson gets injured and both of them are made of glass
the club will take a massive hit when joe goes, bruce is quick enough to copy rafa when it all went wrong why cant he watch some footage of how joe used to be played and copy that
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:03 PM
Comment #20Adam – its good for laugh – speaking of which have a listen to wor Brucie reading his book Striker on Talksport
Might be true!
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:03 PM
Comment #21Best if I give the link
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/striker/id348889102?i=1000485827690
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:05 PM
Comment #22Wor B
Close but I’d prefer.
Darlow
Manquillo Schaar Fernandez Clarke Dummett
Shelvey Hayden Almiron
Wilson Carroll
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:08 PM
Comment #23Or perhaps Murphy for Miggy.
lesh
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:09 PM
Comment #24So, we’re ok at the top end now that Carroll showed he could last a game.
Let’s just overlook the months since he played a full game!
Wor B
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:17 PM
Comment #25EGB
Yep that looks reasonable, although Shelvey needs a rocket up the proverbial if he starts.
Either way we need to seriously press and push on tomorrow. If we can’t dominate SU and get a convincing win I fear we are doomed to struggle til the last game of the season.
I know it’s a must not lose game but I don’t know how much more Bruce-ball I can take!!!
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:20 PM
Comment #26Such a bizarre situation at Newcastle. It’s like something from the pages of a George Orwell novel. The club just doesn’t communicate at all, except through Steve Bruce, who really has nothing at all to say. It’s mind bending stuff.
I watch his press conferences, because I’m pathetic, and they could be over in 20 seconds, just by announcing who’s available.
I understand the need for non disclosure, but the club should be releasing a statement each week on the position of its dispute with the EPL and the relationship with the bidders.
I’d be satisfied with that and a list of who’s available, and no Steve Bruce interviews at all. I’d prefer it.
Wor B
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:25 PM
Comment #27Lesh
Be interesting to see what part AC takes if any tomorrow. Noticed he sat out in the cold without a coat at Arsenal after being subbed. Might have been better if one of the coaching staff had marched him down into a hot bath prior to a vigorous massage!!!
RoyalToon
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:25 PM
Comment #28Bruce has got to get the chop if we lose tomorrow.
Get Tuchel in to replace him.
Ashingtoon62
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:28 PM
Comment #29Wor B He’s a Geordie ffs!!
Hot baths and a vigorous massage,are yee a porvort? 🙂
lochinvar
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:29 PM
Comment #30BlackNWhiteBarmy
Be prepared
https://youtu.be/ri83v76PXdE
Tackle from behind
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:30 PM
Comment #31Ashington
Suprised he didn’t tak his shirt off anaal it woz aanly sleetin like
beermonkey
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:33 PM
Comment #32nicky
the club dont care it keeps the fans divided
and the more bruce flounders and makes a prat of himself the better for them as it keeps the fans divided
coming home
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:34 PM
Comment #33Essex
Good shout, thats the team I would go for
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:34 PM
Comment #34Wouldn’t mind this team. Take a better look at the kid.
………………….Wilson
…….Joel……….Almiron…….Murphy
………Anderson…….Hayden
Dummet…Clark…..Fede…Manquillo
………………..Darlow
Ashingtoon62
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:35 PM
Comment #35Tackle seems yee knah what ya taaking aboot. 🙂
magicmac54
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:37 PM
Comment #36Steve Bruce knows he will never get a job in the premier league ever again, so there is no chance of him ever confronting Ashley and insisting we need another striker as we are only an injury to Wilson away from being in huge trouble, we all know he is a yes man and does not possess the moral fibre to stand up to his pay master, thats where we`re at unfortunately.
Wor B
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:37 PM
Comment #37Ashingtoon
Yer sorry mate, I used to dive into the North sea off Church point cliffs in February then run 5 miles barefoot for an ice cream.
RoyalToon
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:41 PM
Comment #38Anderson wont play CM.
Him in place of Joe and then Matty in the middle.
WLtoon
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:46 PM
Comment #39There`s as much chance of us getting Tuchel as coach as there is of me getting the job.
If Bruce does eventually get sacked then it will be another dino that gets brought in to replace him.
Tuchel will be the last name on Ashley`s list unfortunately
🙁
Tackle from behind
Jan 11, 2021 at 9:48 PM
Comment #40WL Toon
If it’s one off Ashley’s list, our next manager will be either Fenwicks or Burtons