Forward thinking has Magpies in a positive mood
PLAYERS RELISH ATTACKING APPROACH
STEVE Bruce believes his Newcastle United side is now starting to show the type of resolve required to play more attacking football.
Head coach Bruce vowed last July he wanted to get on the “front foot” but discovered his players had become accustomed to operating in a defensive manner.
Before lockdown he had switched back to a back four with a degree of success with wins at West Brom and Southampton.
United began Project Restart with another victory with a convincing and impressive display against Sheffield United.
When asked about playing with a back four and getting more bodies forward, Bruce said: “We tried to change at Leicester, if you remember (United lost 5-0).
“I know we went down to 10 men but the one thing I detected very, very quickly was the players were not ready for change.
“With the experience I would like to think I have it was, ‘Well why do I change it? Let them be comfortable.’
“The time came when I thought our big players up the top end of the pitch were not becoming a threat in the final third. They were working so hard for the team but we had lost that little bit of counter-attack, if you like.”
Bruce feels playing with a back four will help bring out the best in both Miguel Almiron and Joelinton, who both performed well against the Blades.
Reflecting on the change from five to four at the back, he added: “I did not think we were a big enough threat for what we have, so thankfully the time was right to change and at the moment they are enjoying it and we are certainly more of a threat.
“We scored three against West Brom in a good cup
tie.
“We have scored three again against Sheffield United so things are looking up.” Bruce also feels his players are equipped for the tough challenge ahead in the Premier League. The Magpies face eight games in a month with the gruelling fixture list mirroring the festive period, which resulted in multiple injuries for Bruce’s squad. However, United – who have crammed in six weeks worth of preparations into a three-week period – looked strong against Sheffield United and managed to maintain their impetus throughout the 3-0 win.
United – who have a quick turnaround
Steve Bruce for Aston Villa at home tomorrow – came through the game without any major injuries and when asked about their good physical condition Bruce said: “They have worked hard.
“The one thing we do is make sure physically they work hard because they have to play at a certain intensity and have to cover enough mileage and we have drummed that home since we walked through the door here, which we can improve on. They have bought into it.
“Some players – Jonjo Shelvey, for example, he is one, Isaac Hayden is another, Matt Ritchie – they are all physically in good condition, so we are very decent in that midfield area.
“They look OK, but fair play to the players.
“They have worked extremely hard under difficult conditions and come back and looked OK.”
United also adapted well to not having the backing of 50,000 Geordie fans behind them.
Bruce added: “It was like being a reserve game, which we have all been to when they used to be played in stadiums, but with intensity.
“You think, ‘Hang on a minute,’ so mentally it is different and strange, even what we are doing now.
“What helps enormously is the preparation we have given the players – they looked in good nick.”
The time was right to change and at the moment they are enjoying it and we are certainly more of a threat