13th ‘will not be good enough next season’

BOSS SETS BAR MUCH HIGHER THAN MID-TABLE FOR UNITED

STEVE Bruce has revealed Newcastle United must raise the bar next season and admits 13th place will not be acceptable in 12 months time – regardless of who owns the club.

The Toon head coach is facing a tough test against Liverpool at St James’ Park today where few people expect him to beat Rafa Benitez’s tally of 45 points from last season.

Only a win will better the Spaniard’s haul of points but, despite being questioned by scores of fans and pundits when he was appointed, Bruce could yet end his first season in charge in exactly the same position in the table as the ex-real Madrid boss did last term.

The ex-manchester United captain was tipped to lead Newcastle to relegation this season but has not tasted life in the bottom three since October.

Bruce, speaking ahead of today’s game, said: “For me, it has always been the position.

“To have seven teams below us in the Premier League table – at the start of the season I might have accepted that if I was offered it.”

However, Bruce says such an expectancy of ending the season in the bottom half has to end this term.

He added: “Going forward we cannot just accept that.

“It is not about finishing above six or seven teams.

“We must improve the squad and improve where we finish.

“We cannot be happy with 13th and it is my job to make sure we try to be higher.

“Let’s not beat about the bush here.

“It is our third year back in the Premier League but now it is important we keep adding that bit of quality to the squad which makes you better.”

Newcastle round off the season with a home game against champions Liverpool at St James’ Park – and Bruce knows it does not get any harder.

United’s head coach went on: “We could not have asked for a tougher one to finish off.

“I we knew the end of the season would be hard, with Manchester City twice, Tottenham and Liverpool.

“It is a hard run-in and we finish with the champions.

“Let’s be fair, they have slaughtered everybody in the Premier League this year.

“We could not have wished for a more difficult fixture but congratulations to them.

“They have set the standard we all have to get to.”