BRUCE: TOON MUST SPEND OR STALL
STEVE BRUCE has marked a year in the Newcastle United hotseat and warned that they won’t be satisfied with mid-table stagnation.
The Toon boss fears Premier League transfer budgets are likely to be slashed this summer – but pledged Newcastle WILL spend to satisfy the supporters.
His side will face Brighton tomorrow missing eight players through injury – including five of their six centre-backs.
Youngster Kell Watts could play if he gets clearance. And Bruce is planning for another year in charge – even though his position would be in jeopardy if the Saudifunded takeover is approved.
He said: “We can’t just be stuck in mid-table. That will never be acceptable.
“So I didn’t really celebrate a year – it passed by on Friday. There’s still plenty to do here.
“It has been a rollercoaster, of course. The easy thing a year ago would be to think, ‘I don’t fancy that job, I will get a bit of criticism, some stick’. I knew there would be storms and waves.
“When I look at the quality below us, we have done OK and when I look at the teams we can catch above us, where we are is OK. But we must keep improving.
“You look at the quality of Watford, West Ham, the £150million Villa spend and you say, ‘Wow’. You have to be realistic.”
Bruce wants an answer from out-of-contract wonderkid Matty Longstaff this week.
Longstaff has a £25,000-a-week offer to stay, but Udinese have come in for him too.
Bruce said: “We’ve done everything we can to keep Matty here, it’s up to him now.
“We think a lot of him and his progress was fantastic up until Christmas. It’s up to Matty.
“In the next week or so, we’ll find out if he’s going to stay or if he’s going to move on.
“Of course, I’d be disappointed to see him go – I put him in. He’s a young lad and I hope he stays – I’ve made that pretty obvious.”