Schedule not to blame for slump – Bruce

STEVE Bruce is refusing to use Newcastle United’s packed schedule as an excuse for their late season slump in the Premier League.

The Magpies have some respite before their next game after playing three matches in seven days – all ending in defeat and all resulting in fresh injuries.

United lost Switzerland international Fabian Schar for the remainder of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

The central defender went down hurt in the closing stages of the 3-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park.

That blow came just days after Jamaal Lascelles went under the knife for an ankle operation as his campaign concluded with him hobbling off in the 2-1 loss at Watford on Saturday.

After Wednesday’s defeat, Bruce said: “It’s a frustration, but we knew what the schedule was going to be and we’ll just batten down the hatches, get on with it and try to finish as high as we can.”

When asked to address poor form in the last few games, Bruce added: “We’ve had an awful night against Manchester City and an awful second half against Watford in the last eight games.

“It’s disappointing, but we’ve played very well against a very good Tottenham team, who are pushing for Europe and are one of the best sides in the country.

“In terms of the way we played, I couldn’t be more pleased.

“The frustration is that we’ve given away a couple of soft goals again, which unfortunately sticks with me a bit.

“But I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them.”

With United forced to put youngsters like Tom Allan and Jack Young on the bench against Spurs, Bruce may have to add another Academy player in Kell Watts to the squad for Brighton due to the lack of centre-backs.

Indeed, Schar, Lascelles and Ciaran Clark all being out injured leave Bruce with a major headache.

With the squad already bare, Bruce can only look at the clubs who have spent big and are able to fill their bench with internationals.

He said: “It certainly benefits the bigger teams, who can make five or six changes.

“They can do that and their strength doesn’t change.

“We’ve got our two fittest boys – Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff – nicking a hamstring, and that’s the consequence of playing tired and not recovering enough.

“We haven’t got that luxury of changing five or six.”

TO ALL intents and purposes, Newcastle United’s season has already fizzled out.

Steve Bruce’s talk of pushing for a top-10 finish after the restart has dissipated after the Magpies’ third straight defeat against Tottenham on Wednesday night.

Any lingering relegation fears were quickly snuffed out by United’s six-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

However, this was emphatically ended by Manchester City, who also knocked the Magpies out of the FA Cup.

Bruce’s side bounced back from their quarter-final exit in impressive style with their thumping win at Bournemouth. But recent defeats to Watford and Tottenham have halted United’s momentum and has put the season at risk of petering out.

The ongoing takeover saga continues to cloud any discussion of the club’s future planning, and upcoming matches against Brighton and Liverpool seemingly hold little value except attempting to best last season’s points tally of 45.

But for certain members of United’s squad, this last week of the extended season poses a final opportunity to prove their respective points to Bruce.

Here’s a look at the three players who have the most to prove at Newcastle in the final week of the season:

NABIL BENTALEB

The former Tottenham midfielder has been frozen out at current club Schalke, and this loan spell at United was a chance to revitalise a career at risk of stagnating.

However, Bentaleb has struggled to win over the Toon Army with a series of inconsistent displays.

The 25-year-old has been unable to nail down a consistent starting spot, and recent performances such as his display at Manchester City have drawn criticism from supporters.

United’s injury crisis should afford Bentaleb the opportunity to start against Brighton and Liverpool.

Whether his long-term future lies on Tyneside or elsewhere, the midfielder needs to impress in these remaining fixtures.

Nabil Bentaleb