This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has hailed the work being carried out at Newcastle United by Steve Bruce, and has called on the St. James’ Park faithful to back the Toon boss as they have been under-appreciating his efforts in the dugout.
What’s he said?
Bruce has overseen nine fixtures across all competitions since his arrival on Tyneside this summer as the replacement for Rafa Benitez and has orchestrated victories over Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur among those.
A Newcastle fan calls for Sean and Matt Longstaff’s Mum to give birth to a starting eleven’s worth of Longstaffs in the video below…
But the Toon have also been beaten by Norwich City and Leicester City after underwhelming displays.
The inconsistent performances by the Magpies first-team have ensured that fans are yet to fully get on side with Bruce and his tactics.
Newcastle’s fans are the best in the country in the eyes of the former Arsenal striker, but Nicholas feels they are misplacing their frustrations by taking them out on Bruce and should instead support their boss.
Speaking with Sporting Life, he described Newcastle as his biggest disappointment of the campaign, saying:
“They started to love Rafael Benitez but Steve Bruce has started better and he does not have the same impact upon the fans. The most engrossing thing for me is how the Newcastle situation has played out. They have been awful in three of those games, but they have played well in the rest. They got a win at Tottenham and they got a win against Manchester United, but it is as if they are still unhappy.
“I don’t blame them for being unhappy with Mike Ashley, but they are one of the best sets of fans in England at getting behind their team, and even more so in backing their manager. Bruce added three players – this may not have been of any significance, but he has given it a good go thus far.
“The most intriguing thing is the disappointment surrounding Newcastle. Bruce is doing a very good job, but some are hoping he doesn’t. I never quite understand the animosity towards him. Somewhere along the line, they have to give their manager a pat-on-the-back.”
Bruce’s praise will come
While Bruce’s role in Newcastle’s victories over Manchester United and Tottenham should be lauded, the Toon boss’ praise will be on ice until he can manage to organise more favourable performances against the sides the Magpies have a more realistic expectation of competing against.
Newcastle’s performance at home to Brighton in a 0-0 draw will be remembered for a long time until the Toon start to perform better, more often, and against that level of competition, as supporters will not gladly sing the name of a manager who is in charge of a team that allowed an opponent that finished 17th in the league last season to enjoy 71% of possession in their own back yard, per WhoScored.
United’s 28.7% of the ball at home to the Seagulls was only marginally below their season average, as well, with Newcastle enjoying just 37.5% per game so far this season, which is the lowest in the Premier League.
The Magpies are not creating chances, either, as a result of their lack of time in possession, with the only winless side in the league, Watford, joining Bruce’s Toon at the bottom of the shots per game chart with an average of 9.5.
Until these stats improve, Nicholas won’t be getting his wish.
