‘We did not play well enough’ – Bruce admits poor display

STEVE Bruce admitted that Newcastle United weren’t good enough against Fulham after their 1-1 draw at St James’ Park, writes LEE RYDER.

When asked about the angry fan reaction on social media and the fact that Newcastle lacked ambition to win the game, Bruce told The Chronicle: “Ambitious? In the end, I had every forward player we had on the pitch.

“Look we didn’t play well enough so we are going to get criticised, the one thing we have to do better, is create more, and look after the ball better than what we did.

“Unfortunately, we gave the ball away too cheaply and if you do that in the Premier League then, unfortunately, you will get punished. “We did not play well enough.” Bruce then accepted that the result will give critics extra ammunition and reflected: “I am expecting what comes with it but there’s no denying we have to be better than what we showed tonight.

“I have to tell you it was against a Fulham side who are a very decent team.”

Bruce expanded on what his team weren’t doing well and said: “I make no excuses. We would love to be in a semifinal of a cup. That is upon us on Tuesday then we have an unbelievably tough run in the Premier League but that is what it is.

“We have to be better and I am quietly confident that we will.

“We have had the real kick in the teeth because unfortunately, we have lost players again today through illness. It’s the fatigue of the lads where they have recovered but are not 100%. That has been a concern but we don’t really want to make excuses as we want to be better than we were today.”