Newcastle failed a big test this evening at Bramall Lane. This match, against the league’s basement dwellers, was an opportunity to show Newcastle were at least better than the clubs below us.
While this is the Premier League where anyone can beat anyone, the manner of defeat tonight made it perfectly clear that it’s just not working for Steve Bruce. He did well enough last year to keep the club safe under very trying circumstances, but the remit this season is to improve over the last one.
Bruce’s capability of moving this club beyond abject insignificance grows increasingly unrealistic with each tiresome performance. The transfer window should have been enough to take this club forward at least somewhat. But it has regressed.
While three of our signings did arrive from relegated clubs, Bruce is just not getting the best out of this squad. The performances swing like a pendulum from decent to dreadful then back again. They rarely ever reach a level where this team is gratifying to watch.
This lack of consistency falls on the shoulders of the head coach. Bruce now has a fight on his hands to keep this team out of trouble. After failing to win in our last six league matches, Newcastle are no longer comfortably ahead of the bottom three.
It’s highly unlikely tonight’s result will spur Ashley into making a decision on Bruce’s future. But this can’t continue for too much longer. The Chronicle has asked Bruce about his future after tonight’s defeat and this was his response:
“You are asking the wrong one. I will never ever walk away from the challenge. I think I have been in it long enough to have that respect.
“I understand that in the first half we weren’t good enough. At the end of the day, I take responsibility for that because I pick the team.
“In hindsight, we have been trying something different in the last few weeks in going forward.
“I wanted to see us higher up the field and offering a goal threat and that didn’t happen.”
222 comments so far
Unused Substitute
Jan 13, 2021 at 2:28 AM
Comment #81Simply putting five at the back doesn’t make a team defensive. There’s a heaven-and-hell difference between Rafa’s back five and the crap we have right now. The players no longer tackle nor do they know their roles to take positions and cut off passes. All they have been told is to pathetically retreat hoping for a mispass. Then the imbecile-in-charge hopes (he is eternally hopeful as anyone watching him speak would say) for counterattacking football without drilling into the players how to take positions or how to combine.
As one can see hope is the keyword, here. There’s no plan, only hope. The supporters are also just hopeful that we will continue to sneak in a point here and another there and survive. This only took this far. May be our time is running out.
NY Mag
Jan 13, 2021 at 2:30 AM
Comment #82Nicky,
Obviously, I have respect for your option.
If Ashley was to pull the trigger on Bruce, who would think would be the replacement?
NY Mag
Jan 13, 2021 at 2:31 AM
Comment #83Make that opinion…you’ll always have options
AshLIE is a Joker
Jan 13, 2021 at 2:32 AM
Comment #84That sh!t show last night was the worst display I have seen from NUFC in 32 years of supporting the club. Bruce needs to walk for the good of the club.
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 13, 2021 at 2:34 AM
Comment #85Well, that’s the thing NY. Do they have anyone lined up, and if they do is he better. You’d imagine no and no.
Look, Rafa should of course still be the manager. Ashley is dreadful.
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 13, 2021 at 2:38 AM
Comment #86I think Ashley turned to Bruce in desperation, having believed Rafa would come round and stay, and also believing the club would have been long sold by now.
Assassins Inc
Jan 13, 2021 at 2:40 AM
Comment #87Well it’s 7.30pm here in the states just got home from work and watched the match on Peacock TV.
Now I’m going back to work to get into a work related accident maybe a limb as I really need something else to take my mind of that shower of shite I just watched.
When is that fcuking cabbage patch idiot going to understand that playing the way he does only upsets and restrict the players he has.
For the love of all thing’s Geordie, get out of our club you Mackem loving cabbage.
Mirandinha
Jan 13, 2021 at 2:44 AM
Comment #88Jesus. Listened to the first 20 mins in bed and just woke up and checked the score. A truly abysmal team selection and result, but one that most pundits, bookies, and fans saw coming a mile off. Surely that says it all!
theartfuldodger
Jan 13, 2021 at 3:43 AM
Comment #89Ashley must have taken notice…Our survival in the PL, I think, would be critical for the takeover…I dont think Bruce will survive if he loses the next 2 or 3…
This season is a little different given the takeover looming…I think Ashley will act earlier…
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 13, 2021 at 4:05 AM
Comment #90NY Mag, Interesting to see McLaren’s pts vs Bruce’s. I’ve worked it out on a points per game to compare more accurately. McLaren had 0.86 pts per game so his average would have seen his team on 14.6 pts compared to Bruce’s 19. This would have had McLaren just above Brighton in 16th place and about 4pts above Fulham who have two games in hand (one the cancelled game against Burnley which would have shook things up).
It gets more interesting when you look at how many pts McLaren actually had after 17 games – 17 points. Only 2 behind Bruce which would have seen him occupy the same league position as us with a six point cushion on Fulham (having played 2 extra games).
It get’s frightening when you look at our next 7 games. (Caps home games)
Arsenal, LEEDS, Everton, PALACE, SOUTHAMPTON, Chelsea, Man Utd.
The longer our poor streak continues the more demoralised and frustrated our players will become. If we fail to beat the next three teams even Palace will be tough. If we don’t beat Palace how many pts can we expect from the other 6?
Charlietoon
Jan 13, 2021 at 4:12 AM
Comment #91Did he really say we failed because we attacked too much?
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 13, 2021 at 4:21 AM
Comment #92Yes Charlie,
Despite it being our most defensive line-up of the year so far with Dummet coming in on the left, three defensive midfielders. He’s probably just saying that so we can accept the ultra defensive tactics coming up in this tough run. Every time we lose he blames it on attacking too much. Never because we failed to attack at all.
Tonyd3b54
Jan 13, 2021 at 4:22 AM
Comment #93Sorry just watched the highlights but when. Did we go down a man? Was it 45″ or 80″ cuz I didn’t see a difference…
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 13, 2021 at 4:25 AM
Comment #94If it wasn’t for early goals, late goals, justified penalties, (non of which count unless we get them), injuries, and games lost because we thought about passing the half way line too often, then Bruce would probably be undefeated going all the way back to when he managed Sheff Utd.
jazzyp
Jan 13, 2021 at 4:27 AM
Comment #95Bruce wont quit like Ashley won’t leave the club.
Ashley doesn’t give a shite about us …We all know that by now.
We play the bottom of the league who haven’t won a game in the Pl with 5 at the back,Wtf is that at the back.There is only one way we are heading under this regime and that is down,And the alarming fact is we wont come back up this time as before
AshLIE is a Joker
Jan 13, 2021 at 4:54 AM
Comment #96Really grim reading
https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2021/01/12/embarrassing-loss-should-be-wake-up-call-to-woeful-newcastle/
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 13, 2021 at 5:10 AM
Comment #97“I will never ever walk away from the challenge.
“I think I have been in it long enough to have that respect.
Bruce has walked out on Sheff Utd, Wigan (after two months), Palace (after a few months), Birmingham, Wigan, Hull, and Sheff Wed. 7 clubs
His other jobs. Sacked from Villa, Sunderland, Huddersfield, and eventually Newcastle. 4 clubs sooner or later.
Every time was for more money or bigger club. It’s seems the minute he hits a decent spell, he looks around for more money. But he does seem to hang on when he’s at the bigger clubs and on more money presumably.
I’ll repeat his quotes for the astonishing lack of self-awareness.
“I will never ever walk away from the challenge.
“I think I have been in it long enough to have that respect.
beermonkey
Jan 13, 2021 at 5:17 AM
Comment #98morning jazzy how are you
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 13, 2021 at 5:24 AM
Comment #99While I was looking at the fixtures from the season we went down, I noticed we had 5 outstanding results.
6-2 Norwich, 2-0 Liverpool, 2-1 Spurs, all under the Wally.
3-0 Swansea, 5-1 Spurs in Rafas ten game spell.
That’s 5 times we were entertained, and were happy and not ashamed to be toon fans.
How many games can Bruce claim the same? Bournemouth last season? Any more? Perhaps Burnley and Sheff Utd last season being very generous but they hardly compare to the above 5 games.
cyprus
Jan 13, 2021 at 5:34 AM
Comment #100Someone was “never so happy” that we lost, many others just glad.
Next there’ll be the relegation wishers.
This from the greatest fans in the world. Can you imagine the worst?
It was already futile when Bruce arrived, now it’s poisonous. There really is no choice for him unless we suddenly become a top 6 team.
cyprus
Jan 13, 2021 at 5:42 AM
Comment #101In the past several seasons we’ve learned to be looking, even rejoicing, at things like goal difference and to be scraping results from minimum possession and very few chances.
This isn’t Newcastle United.
Let’s go for it. This will include a few hammerings, we just ain’t (spoiler alert) Barcelona.
But, we will be entertained and we will have wins along the way.
Better to burn out than fade away.
toon22
Jan 13, 2021 at 6:02 AM
Comment #102He has no shame
NONE
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 13, 2021 at 6:27 AM
Comment #103The likes of Redknapp saying we were just as boring under Rafa doesn’t add up. Rafa won by 3 goals 7 times, a feat Bruce has only managed twice.
Here are Rafas best results. 3-0 West Ham, 3-0 Southampton, 3-0 Chelsea, 3-0 Swansea, 5-1 Spurs, 3-0 Cardiff, 4-0 Fulham. Add in respectable wins against Arsenal, Man Utd, and Man City, and these are the types of games that make having a season ticket worthwhile.
What has Bruce given us? 3-0 Sheff Utd, 4-1 Bournemouth, and extremely lucky 1-0s against Spurs, Man Utd, and Chelsea which Hayden described as day light robbery. Other than that the last 15 months have been a write-off.
We used to play far better and more attacking football than now.
Mister Tuff
Jan 13, 2021 at 6:28 AM
Comment #104Trouble is we all have a level of self arrogance, a false self belief that we can do a better job better than somebody else. I think it might be a common human trait.
But clearly some people are naturals and can do the job they have signed up to.
A lot think they will be successful but have no chance because they are plainly just not up to the job (but think they are)
Brucie fits into this category.
lochinvar
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:01 AM
Comment #105As a side note VAR and the referee have confirmed that shirt pulling is no longer a foul or bookable offence.
Perhaps the FA could ratify that.
Not another deJong
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:02 AM
Comment #106Chump – fooling only himself
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:03 AM
Comment #107You’re right Tuff, never before has this self-delusion or coping mechanism been more evident than today. We have millions of people (mostly men) marching about claiming to know more than scientists or politicians just because they’ve watched a few youtube videos saying phone masts or Bill Gates are trying to wipe us all out or whatever the latest theory is. I’d say if you ran a poll 99% of men would place themselves within the top 20% when it comes to ‘knowing best’ or intelligence. It’s a strange world we live in. Women are generally far more humble and modest despite actually outperforming us. Arrogance seems an inborn male trait.
beermonkey
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:06 AM
Comment #108fat dave
under rafa there was a clear plan yes we sat back but everyone knew here job
we also moved as team
while we never had someone prolific up front we had alot more people chipping in with goals
if we lose wilson now we are sunk
lochinvar
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:07 AM
Comment #109Bookies now have Bruce priced at 4/1 down from10/1 to be the next manager sacked in the top-flight, with Wilder’s odds drifting after a win and Lampard’s also shortening.
With Arsenal up next for Newcastle, those odds are likely to get even shorter if Bruce survives the next week
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:13 AM
Comment #110Cyprus
Football is meant to be entertainment and I don’t mind getting beat if have a go – gets you on the edge of the seat
But to lose to the bottom team who have not won a game not kept a clean sheet
Plays five centre halves
One forward
Leaving four forwards on the bench
If we got beat 4/3 yesterday but had a go – yes would not of been happy but a least we had a go
But to lie down to a team with 2 pts
Then the manager has to take the blame and go.
But over the last few years I have not been entertained yes we have won games great but we have been a dire watch
beermonkey
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:14 AM
Comment #111unless there is a real chance of a sale we wont sack bruce
we never sacked pards and we sacked mclaren a month to late
pards used to get dogs abuse and some of his runs were woeful yet we never got rid
lochinvar
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:18 AM
Comment #112Just a Fat Dave Basset
Are you suggesting a female manager?
Nominations include
Boadicea
Joan of Arc
Piti Patel
Mrs. Brown.
No nonense, speak your mind types who lead by example.
Other suggestions welcome.
The fact that I’m writing this is just Co formation that the club has hit rock bottom again.
But it could still get worse.
martoon
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:26 AM
Comment #113A dreadful performance which was not helped by Bruce’s team selection. There was no capability to break forward and surely if Bruce could see that at half time he should have changed things despite the sending off.
However I do agree with Bruce about the penalty – it was never deliberate hand ball. Things always look worse and more deliberate in slow motion but even then you could see that Fernandez’s arm was pushed into the ball and he was probably being fouled anyway. I agree with Bruce that VAR is ruining the game and to be honest I don’t enjoy watching it anymore because of these farcical decisions.
hibbit
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:26 AM
Comment #114#bruceOUT
Mister Tuff
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:31 AM
Comment #115Mmm Joan of Arc – very interesting person.
Last year went to the Plantagenet stronghold in France – Chinon Castle where Joan of Arc met the Dauphin. Amazing place. Richard the Lionheart was sometimes based at Chinon.
They wopped us because of her leadership before we got her and burnt her at the stake.
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:32 AM
Comment #116Lochinvar,
We have a few ladies on here I’m sure could do a better job
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:35 AM
Comment #117Martoon,
I didn’t realise the pen was for handball despite watching it six times. I thought it was either for cutting across him or pulling him down. If handball then it is harsh, although was the challenge not a foul?
lochinvar
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:41 AM
Comment #118A banner has appeared outside St James’ Park tonight asking for Steve Bruce to go
It states “Bruce Out”
Is it beyond the Chronicle as a lap dog of Ashley to realise that the banner is not asking Bruce to go as that would involve a question mark and a R.S.V.P.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:42 AM
Comment #119All those that gloated that he was doing better than Rafa deserve this shite, shame for the rest of us that seen how footin predictable it all was.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 13, 2021 at 7:43 AM
Comment #120And where does catchy actually go in these times??.