BRUCE SHAKER
Frustrated Toon boss goes on attack
STEVE BRUCE will send out a new-look Newcastle today with the emphasis on attack.
Whether the players will celebrate in traditional manner, should the plan deliver goals, is another matter, considering the rules around coronavirus introduced this week.
Players have been told not to shake each other’s hands, as has been the daily norm, when reporting for training.
So celebrations may be restrained if Newcastle end their goal drought and find the net against in-form Burnley at St James’ Park.
Newcastle’s attacking play has been too restrained for Bruce’s liking, hence his decision to abandon the defensive formation which has become their hallmark.
The Magpies are without a goal in four and a half hours of league football and the Toon boss has decided to overhaul the system in a bid to boost firepower.
Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie, Jonjo Shelvey and DeAndre Yedlin are all in contention to start, but it is the way Newcastle play which Bruce hopes will be radically different.
With a fifth round FA Cup tie at West Brom on Tuesday, Bruce knows successive wins could dramatically change the outlook.
“It’s a big opportunity and it would be lovely to get a couple of positive results,” he said.
“Our counter-attack threat has waned in recent weeks and we haven’t caused teams enough problems.
“There are two things you can do when you struggle – change the personnel or change the shape.
“We have to be more creative and get them at the other end of the pitch, so we will try something different.”
On the last occasion he picked just two centre-halves, Newcastle were thumped 5-0 at Leicester on September 29, a result and performance which convinced Bruce that safety first was the way ahead.
Now he’s following his instincts, hoping improvement at one end of the pitch does not result in deterioration at the other.
“The front three have scored four goals and we’re all disappointed in that,” he added.
“When you look at those statistics, we’ve done remarkably well.
“We’ve got the best defensive statistics at home apart from Liverpool but the worst scoring record along with Crystal Palace. Therein lies the problem.
“If change is a new era, then we will try.”