Crouch fires a warning to angry fans

STEVE Bruce will ‘get stick, no matter what’ as Newcastle United manager.

That is the view of former England forward Peter Crouch, who has warned frustrated Magpies fans ‘the grass is not always greener’ as the pressure on Bruce continues to intensify.

Newcastle have won just two of their last eight games in all competitions, Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester City following a bitterly-disappointing exit at the quarter-final stage of the Carabao Cup to Brentford.

Frustration has been building all season over United’s lack of attacking intent, the club ranking in the bottom five of almost every possible attacking metric in the Premier League.

Those alarming statistics are now being backed up by poor performances and results and the pressure is on Bruce to turn things around - and quickly.

Newcastle still have a sevenpoint gap between themselves and the relegation zone but they face champions Liverpool and Leicester next in the Premier League before a trip to Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup.

Nonetheless, Crouch has urged fans to ‘look at the bigger picture’ and suggested the blame for the tension building around the club should lie firmly at the door of owner Mike Ashley.

He said: “I just don’t know what more Steve can do.

“I know there will be objections to that in Newcastle but I only speak as I find. I respect what Steve has done throughout his career and he is a top man.

“Would he get recognition from United fans even if he led the side into the top 10? I am not sure.

“It feels like he will get loads of stick no matter what.

“The League Cup defeat last week at Brentford was not good enough, for sure, but look at the bigger picture around the club.

“Mike Ashley wants to sell and would go today if he could. That uncertainty does not make for a productive environment.

“The negativity building around the club will be having an impact in the dressing room, as everyone will feel the pressure.

“I understand many fans want change but I would warn the grass is not always greener.

“Someone could come in and talk about playing with a philosophy, an expansive style - but what happens if that leads Newcastle to the Championship?”