Stat’s enough Number-crunching!
BRUCE SUMS UP FRUSTRATION WITH SELECTIVE ANALYSIS AS HE INSISTS AGAIN THAT HE NEEDS MORE TIME
STEVE Bruce insists his critics’ numbers don’t add up and tell the whole story when looking at how Newcastle United are progressing.
Sitting 15th in the Premier League table, the Magpies statistically rank among the division’s worst sides in certain attacking categories this season.
Only five clubs have scored fewer goals this season than United, who are last in the table for expected goals, 18th in the table for expected goals against, and second bottom in terms of passes into the final third.
BT Sport also presented a caption during the Chelsea game with Newcastle bottom of the pile in terms of shots and bottom for touches in the box.
However, Newcastle have a better defensive record than champions Liverpool after almost a quarter of the season and a victory at Crystal Palace tonight would leave just two points of the top 10.
Bruce has faced criticism in recent weeks for his side’s approach but argued observers should judge United on more than just numbers.
“Look, you can look at the statistics as much as you want,” said the Magpies head coach, who turns 60 on New Year’s Eve,
“Our defensive record is on par with Liverpool, yet we’re the same as Sheffield United [in terms of goals conceded]. You can have all sorts of statistics.
“For me, we have not played well enough in the last two games against two very good teams, one of which, and I will be brutally honest, was miles better than us.
Bruce, who took over 16 months ago, added: “I am never one to make excuses. We have not played well enough.
“This is a big opportunity now (at Palace) and I can do one of two things, change personnel or change the system, which I am looking at, looking at a bit of both.”
Newcastle are yet to finish a league game this season having had the majority of possession, and resorted to merely parking the bus against the divsion’s top sides in a desperate attempt to nick a point.
However, United will go up against a team many would consider a rival for a midtable spot in Crystal Palace, who will be without their star attacker Wilfried Zaha.
Bruce said he believes there is more to his side than just the defensive tactics he uses to stifle the likes of the ‘Big
Six’ and described his team as ‘adaptable’.
“If we go toe-totoe with a Man City and try to play the way they do and push the fullbacks up the pitch and play open and expansively, we will get turned over like everybody else does,” he said. “Can I change it? I
try to find a way.
Last year we picked up
10 points against the top six. We beat Chelsea, we drew with Man
City, we beat
Man United and Tottenham.
“We did it by playing a certain way.
That is the way I see it and how I’ve tried to be.”
But he added: “Against Bournemouth away (last season, when United won 4-1), we played a 4-2-3-1 – that is my preferred way of playing but I do believe if I played that way against the big teams we’d get turned over.” This season, Newcastle have used that formation sparingly and in each of their four games over the last month, United have used three centre-backs to try to stifle Wolves, Everton, Southampton and Chelsea.
While the first two of those saw Bruce’s men come away with four points, the latter pair have yielded nothing other than two dreadful displays.
The Geordie head coach does not need to be reminded about the type of conversations supporters are having at the moment about the state of the team.
However, he insisted he will always be honest and admitted he is not happy with how things are going right now.
Bruce said: “The one thing I would never try to do with the public here is pull wool over their eyes.
“Look, in the last couple of games we did not play well enough against two teams that are better than us so I understand [the criticism from fans], totally.
“But two or three weeks ago we played Everton, played very well on the day against a team that could have gone top of the league and beat them.
“We went to Wolves who have been seventh twice and we got a respectable draw.
“We have played well against Burnley and West Ham too – so let’s not all dive into the negativity.
“I understand what we are judged on.
“Again, we have not played well enough or been good enough.
“Against Chelsea in particular, they are just a far, far better team than we are.”
Tonight, the Magpies will do battle with Roy Hodgson’s men looking to bounce back and silence some of their critics in the process.
The Eagles failed to beat B Burnley rnle and are another side who have gotten off to an inconsistent start, and in the absence of Zaha, they will need big-money summer addition Ebe Eze to put in a good display. Since Bruce took over at United, the club have spent in the region of £100million to improve the squad, with big money spent on Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Jamal Lewis in particular. Along with a number of thrifty loan signings and free-agent deals, Bruce has looked to reshape the Magpies over the past 16 months. But he once again pleaded for patience from supporters who want to see more progress. “I can’t change us around and say here we go. I understand that it is all about style and that is in the debate too,” he said. “I remember at Aston Villa this was lodged against me there, but hang on a minute, we nearly got up through the play-offs, and when I left in 2018 when I got the sack we’d scored as many as Man City! “All am I asking is people asking to be balanced and fair. I can’t change us overnight like we’d all love to.”
I am never one to make excuses. We have not played well enough. This is a big opportunity now (at Palace) Steve Bruce