Bruce: You have to show pride
BRUCE CALLS ON MAGPIES TO BOUNCE BACK QUICKLY
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer brings his Manchester United team to St James Park for an afternoon kick-off this Sunday.
It could be safe to say both teams came into this season with very different expectations but neither has lived up to them so far, making a prediction in this one anybody’s guess.
With Steve Bruce still looking for his first three points at home, the 5/2 on offer for the win may provide a bit of value.
The Toon have been unable to find the net in their last two fixtures and with Manchester United not notching in their last away outing the 5/6 available for both teams not to score could be worth a look.
Then again, both teams to score is also available at 5/6.
Newcastle goals being hard to come by is reflected in the first goalscorer market with some possible value out there. Joelinton, who has looked as though he can be a handful when he does get the ball, is available at 7/1.
Sean Longstaff, back from a short lay-off and liable to chip in with the odd netbuster, is on offer at 16/1, while Fabian Schar, who has proved to be a bit of an inspiration in front of goal, can also be backed at 16/1.
Two players who have only really been seen from the bench to date, may be worth a look at for last goal should Steve Bruce look to keep a settled line-up.
Andy Carroll is on offer at 13/2 while Allan Saint Maximin, who has generated a bit of excitement during his cameos of late, is priced up at 12/1.
With both teams having a shaky time of it, I am looking at a close game and am backing the Mags at 10/1 to register a 2-1 win.
vSTEVE Bruce knows Newcastle United are a team which must lift themselves out of the gloom ahead of the international break.
The next two weeks could either offer relief on Tyneside or make for another period of apathy with the mood continuing to feel damper as the weeks go on.
After the 5-0 loss against Leicester City came the inquest at Benton.
Bruce is believed to have told some players they could not hide behind the negativity and like him needed to face the public with some fighting spirit.
Some players put their hands up and took responsibility, others put their heads down but, either way, Bruce will wield the axe if he sees fit.
Have the Magpies a battling performance in them these days?
Are they even capable of digging in when things are going wrong and producing the type of performance which beat Manchester City in January?
Or does another manager have to go through the motions and the club and city endure another relegation before minds are fully focused?
For Bruce, it has been the manner of the performance that worried him the most.
He said: “We were very disappointing and got our backsides kicked.
“You have to show pride in yourself and make sure you put it right.
“When you are beaten in a certain manner, then you have a good right to be angry.
“It is about how you react and respond now.
“We have a wonderful opportunity to put things right against Man United.”
That is exactly what lies in wait tomorrow for the black-andwhites – an opportunity.
For all Newcastle’s problems, Manchester United are in crisis themselves.
Struggling for results, the Red Devils arrive on Tyneside after a slog of a week, having drawn 1-1 with Arsenal on Monday night and then only managing a 0-0 draw against AZ Alkmaar on a plastic pitch.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a man
You have to show pride in yourself and make sure you put it right. It is about how you react
under immense pressure at Old Trafford. Bruce was asked about his plight and quipped: “I have enough on my plate to worry about what Ole has on his!
“I wish him the best, he has a hard job but he has a fantastic opportunity.” Steve Bruce