Analysis was NOT factor in argument, says boss
STEVE Bruce says Jamie Carragher’s stinging analysis of Newcastle United’s communication breakdown vs Wolves is not a factor in his row with Matt Ritchie.
Carragher’s five-minute piece on Monday Night Football highlighted Ritchie entering the field in the 1-1 draw against Wanderers but failing to get instructions over to Jacob Murphy quickly enough.
The consequence of the incident arguably cost Newcastle three points against Wolves as Isaac Hayden was left marking two players and unable to block Ruben Neves’ header.
When asked why – despite having an empty stadium – the message that Ritchie failed to relay wasn’t re-iterated quicker, Bruce said: “I didn’t see Jamie’s analysis and I think the consequences of those events have been played out before and I don’t really want to comment. I made a comment at the time that upset Matt and the well-publicised row and bust-up.
“He apologised to me, my staff and he did it in front of all the players.
“As far as I’m concerned it’s done and it’s dusted. We move on . ... I’m convinced with the group of players we have we will get out of the trouble we are in.
“So, let’s go and do that.”
Newcastle avoided being pulled into the bottom three on Thursday night as Fulham lost narrowly to Tottenham Hotspur at home.
Yet the threat remains this weekend as a defeat at West Brom and a win for the Cottagers at Liverpool – which can’t ruled out the way the Reds are playing at Anfield – would drag them into the relegation zone. Bruce was asked if the controversy this week can help “circle the wagons”, and replied: “I hope so.
“You do it by trying to keep everything on the training grounds and circle the wagons.
“The disappointment in all of that is somewhere around the training ground there is a leak to a certain journalist which is totally disappointing of course and we’ll top our utmost as a club to find that source.
“When you’re up against that you always believe you can circle the wagons and I’ve got complete faith in the squad of players I’ve got and I’m sure they have in me and we will do our utmost to get out of the trouble, unfortunately, we’re in.”
I’m convinced with the group of players we have we will
get out of the trouble we are in.
Steve Bruce