DAYS TO GO BRUCE CALM...

When Bruce tries to give an honest answer on his transfer plans, his hopes or his relationship with Mike Ashley, he’s hit with shouts along the lines of: “Lies. Collaborator. Should have turned the job down,” from a section of fans, especially on social media.

Gently spoken, not rising to the bait, Bruce is walking through the storm.

Can the 59-year-old stop Newcastle being a club where fans basically turn up for a communal moan about the owner with little expectation of success?

Can he make Toon enjoyable to watch and focused on football, rather than the endless cycle of fan unrest against Ashley.

Strengthen

clears the air with some wins. He knows he’s “not Rafa Benitez” who leaves “big boots to fill for anyone.” He knows he’s “not everyone’s cup of tea.”

He admits he has a “different philosophy” to Benitez, but he is convinced with 20 years, 10 clubs and 900 games of managerial experience, that he can handle it.

His first few dealings with Ashley have convinced him he’s a straight talking guy. He reckons he’s had way worse owners elsewhere. Newcastle’s finances are profitable and solid, but commercial revenue has fallen behind rivals.

Benitez was rightly loved by the fans for his three years building the club. Some players felt he took credit when it went well, and talked down the squad during tough times, but enjoyed his work.

Benitez, who did not trust Ashley to deliver progress, played his exit to maximum dramatic effect, letting his deal run down and heading to China – he admits – for the money.

Honeymoon