So here’s the test – games will now be coming thick and fast

STEVE Bruce feels that his side will be judged over the next couple of months as the games come “thick and fast” in the Premier League.

With the first 10 games of the season now behind the Magpies, they know they must dig deeper to fend off the threat of the drop in the top-flight.

United face West Ham today before a clash with AFC Bournemouth to see them through until the international break. A tough end to the month sees a trip to Aston Villa and then a home clash with Manchester City before the hectic festive season gets under way.

United are six points better off than this time last term but how long that record is maintained remains to be seen.

Bruce said: “It’s now coming to a critical part of the season.

“November and December. “We have six Premier League games in December which is ridiculous you have to say, but they come thick and fast.

“The middle of winter is nearly upon us.

“We’ve had an OK start – nothing spectacular – and we need to improve in front of goal.

“That’s what we will try to improve.”

Bruce questioned why his side had not continued their efforts of the first half against Wolves last weekend and why they could not put together the complete performance.

It was a similar story in their last away game at Chelsea after impressing in the first half but fizzling out after the break.

He reflected: “I think we all feel as though we’re not far off. “We’ve put a few performances together for 45 minutes here and an hour there.

“They have to sustain it.

“We’ve had a couple of magic moments by beating Spurs and Man United.

“The consistency looks to have arrived defensively.

“We have to now be a bit more creative at the top end of the pitch.

“Two or three points separate a vast number of teams so if you put back-to-back wins together, you shoot up the table.

“That’s got to be our aim.” West Ham have struggled with inconsistency too this season so far, and sit 10th in the table.

Bruce said: “West Ham are a good side with good players.

“Every team in the Premier League does and that’s why it’s difficult.

“We’re quietly confident that we can go there and get a result.

“If you look at the table, Man United are sitting in seventh and they’ve only won three games so we’re in and amongst them all.

“That’s the way the league is – it’s very competitive.”