FUL PHASE OF THE TOON
When Newcastle failed to beat Fulham in 2018, Rafa said he needed a ’miracle’ but today Bruce knows he requires more than soundbites to win over a sceptical Toon Army
TWO years ago this weekend, Steve Bruce’s predecessor stood grimfaced in the bowels of St James’ Park and talked about his side requiring a miracle to avoid relegation.
Newcastle had just been held to a goalless draw by struggling Fulham and Rafa Benitez was not a happy man.
Of course, his doom-laden assessment was classic Rafaspeak, as much a political tool against the Mike Ashley regime as a sign of his own growing frustrations.
And few of his Toon disciples took him at his word. Like Benitez (above), a point against the Premier League’s bottom club was not what the Geordie faithful wanted going into Christmas.
But they felt safe and assured with Benitez at the helm.
Those emotions felt justified when the Magpies, far more comfortably than the Spaniard had predicted, ultimately pulled away from the dangerzone.
Bruce, of course, knows had that “miracle” soundbite come out of his mouth, it would stir very different emotions among the masses.
Just as in December 2018, Newcastle never looked like taking a maximum return from this winnable fixture.
They needed a controversial Callum Wilson penalty to rescue a point after Matt Ritchie’s comical own goal had given the visitors a deserved lead. And sitting just a few feet away from where Benitez had delivered his rant, no one could accuse Bruce (above) of trying to hide from an inadequate Toon display.
He admitted they were fortunate to be trailing by just one goal at half- time and berated his players for failing to make the most of numerical advantage when Joachim Andersen was sent off.
“We struggled with the ball. Even when they went down to 10 men we couldn’t create enough,” said the Magpies boss.
But such honest assessments will do little to convince Bruce’s doubters that Newcastle are heading in the right direction under his leadership.
Points-wise they’re better off now than at any time under Benitez in the Premier League at this stage of the season.
And a win in the League Cup quarter- finals at Brentford tomorrow night would bring some sort of feel-good factor to Tyneside.
But it is performances that win hearts and minds and Bruce is a long way from persuading his critics that brighter times lie ahead.
Indeed, right now, getting an increasingly sceptical Geordie public onside looks like a bigger miracle than the one required to avoid relegation two seasons ago.