BRUCE ZOOMS OFF

Under fire Toon boss pulls plug on questions as club prepares to bring in a new coach to help him

STEVE BRUCE said he would “never shy away from a challenge” before gagging reporters from asking questions.

The Newcastle manager, whose side have not won for 10 games and have scored one goal in the last eight, cut his video call short to avoid being quizzed in detail.

Geordie fans have been demanding that Bruce be sacked for several weeks with protest banners hung outside St James’ Park after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa.

But Bruce remains defiant and declared his “experience” gave him belief he could turn around the slump which has seen his side score once in 12 and a half hours of play.

Bruce and the Newcastle communications department allowed “rights holders” only to ask the Newcastle boss questions.

Bruce has inflamed the anger on Tyneside recently by branding his team “frigging sh**e” to newspaper reporters, and mockingly referring to “the Mighty Rafa” when defending his record. He has also branded fan discontent as “histrionics” and “mass hysteria”. Newcastle are sticking with Bruce, but with his side in freefall and entertaining Leeds United tonight, the club are appointing a new coach to help him out.

Graeme Jones, who has been a No.2 with Everton and with the Belgium national team, is in talks to leave Bournemouth.

Facing a toxic situation, Bruce said: “There is no disputing we are on a difficult run. It is a difficult situation.

“The quicker you get a good result the better. We are not alone. You ignore the noise and focus on the match, which is another opportunity.

“We need to find a bit. We need results. I have been in this situation before. You draw on your experience. Am I still convinced that I am can sort it out? Yes.”

Asked about the protests, Bruce said: “I understand their disappointment. I understand how they feel. All I can do is try and get the team in as good shape as I can and win. You are disappointed when you see things (the banners) like that.” NEWCASTLE: Dubravka, Krafth, Lascelles, Hayden, Lewis; M Longstaff, Shelvey, Hendrick, Almiron, Fraser, Wilson.

LEEDS: Meslier, Ayling, Llorente, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison, Bamford.

SILENT TREATMENT Steve Bruce cut short his video call yesterday as the pressure grows