United boss prepared for ‘cup final’
HEAD COACH RECOGNISES IMPORTANCE OF NEXT GAME
STEVE Bruce admits that Saturday night’s encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion already has a “cup final” feel to it.
The Magpies slipped into the Premier League’s relegation zone after the last round of fixtures and the Seagulls already have one more point than the black and whites.
But Bruce feels that the intensity of this weekend’s clash is why the English top flight is one of the greatest in the world, and he’s far from daunted by it.
Bruce said: “They are the big games.
“You look at anything you get off the top six now is a bit of a bonus.
“Five games in and it’s already a bit of a cup final.
“But that is the beauty of the Premier League.”
Bruce is still searching for his first home win as Newcastle boss, with United having picked up four points from a possible 15 so far.
Looking at his opening few weeks in charge, Bruce, who was in the stands for the club’s under23s victory against Norwich City on Monday night, reflected: “There are plenty of positives.
“They are a group that have been together for a few years now and have a spirit and attitude around them that’s great.
“I have enjoyed every minute of it. It has been difficult in the first five weeks knowing who we had to play.”
As well as the Seagulls, United’s next clutch of games includes a tough trip to Leicester City and then a home game with top-four hopefuls Manchester United.
It’s a run of games that doesn’t get much easier, and places more importance on the meeting with Brighton.
Bruce said: “We have played Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool in the first five.
“It was always going to be difficult.
“But we have acquitted ourselves very well.
“If we keep applying ourselves like that then we will only get better.”
Indeed, Bruce feels that incoming summer signings like Joelinton, Jetro Willems, who scored a fine goal in the 3-1 loss at Liverpool, and Emil Krafth will only improve as the games are ticked off.
Joelinton won high praise from Jurgen Klopp, no less, in the last game at Anfield.
Bruce said: “He is a big powerful lad who gets a hold of it, he’s still young.
“I was delighted for Jetro too. They’ll need time to adjust to the Premier League and playing for Newcastle.
“But I am delighted with what we’ve achieved in the summer.
“Hopefully, we will get a few back fit. We’re a bit short up top.”
Brighton go into the game after surrendering a 1-0 lead in their last game against Burnley.
A 91st-minute equaliser from Jeff Hendrick cost them dearly last weekend.
Seagulls gaffer Graham Potter said: “It would have been nice to hang on but that’s the Premier League – one thing can hurt you and that’s what happened. “You need to add those goals to kill off the game.
“There is always a chance the opposition can do something with a bit of quality.”