Bruce must be given time.. and respect

PERHAPS it’s a face that looks like it has taken one elbow too many.

Maybe it’s the accent. Or the fact that the strain of being a manager shows in his reddened complexion during a post-match interview.

Or else it’s the fact Steve Bruce can poke fun at himself – an endearing quality if ever there was one. Whatever it is, the former Manchester United Double-winner has been a convenient kicking- post – and his managerial record demands more respect than he is being shown.

Of course he wasn’t the first choice of the Geordie nation to take over the reins at St James’ Park. There shouldn’t have been a vacancy to fill for a start – but we have been there before.

The situation is what it is. Bruce is the man in a white- hot seat and it’s time for the avalanche of criticism that he receives s to be given a semblance of balance.

Here’s one for a start. For almost 20 years he has left every club he has been at in a better position than he found it. In Sunderland’s case, certainly y no worse.

Starting with Huddersfield, who were riding high in the Championship before his chairman sold star striker Marcus Stewart from under him, every single club has benefited from him.

Crystal Palace were on a fast-track to nowhere before being revitalised and then Birmingham City sparked a row with Eagles’ owner Simon Jordan that hasn’t been forgotten to this day after enticing away the manager.

Bruce took over an under-performing side at St Andrew’s and, following a mammoth unbeaten run, finally managed to get them across the finishing line and into the Premier League.

After five years – yes, including one relegation and another promotion – he left for another club that was sliding into obscurity, Wigan Athletic. The Latics were going nowhere. He steadied the ship, ship turned a massive profit by selling Antonio Valencia to Manchester United for £21million and headed to Wearside – a brave move for a Geordie.

He managed to secure a mid- table spot, balanced the books with the sale of Jordan Henderson (below) to Liverpool and Darren Bent to Aston Villa. And was hounded out in painful fashion, rebuilding his career at Hull City.

And for those who throw the ‘Dinosaur’ tag at him – he did it using three centre-halves when it was about as fashionable as bell-bottomed jeans.

The Tigers enjoyed a few seasons in the big league, contested an FA Cup Final against Arsenal and visited Europe. That’s Hull City. Yes, Hull City.

Finally, to Aston Villa who had won – and this is fact – four league games out of the previous 54. In his h only full season there he came within 90 minutes of securing another promotion.

He left with midfielder Glenn Whelan fluffing f a last-minute penalty, the scoring of o which would have seen Villa move up t to fifth with a root vegetable having been thr thrown at him. The club eventually finished fifth l last season.

And so to Sheffield Wednesday where he again reversed their fortunes. He quit for Newcastle, perhaps knowing a chance wouldn’t come again.

To read some of the absolute garbage written on social media, you would think this bloke was the worst to ever enter the referee’s room and hand over a team-sheet.

Taking over this Newcastle job was never going to be easy – regardless of identity. Rafael Benitez was a tough, tough act to follow.

And it may not get any better at Spurs today. But then, the Magpies hardly flew out of the blocks last season. Benitez was given time.

Toon fans are hurting. That’s a given. But they need to park emotion and give Bruce a chance. He’s no mug. He deserves not to be treated as one.