Toon boss backs up controversial ‘remit’ remarks
STEVE Bruce has defended his postgame comments after the 2-0 loss to Manchester City, when he suggested his remit was simply to survive in the Premier League.
The remarks by Bruce were immediately scrutinised by football legend and Newcastle’s all-time top scorer Alan Shearer on Match of the Day, with the England icon saying: “The fans just want a bit of ambition, they don’t want a club that just exists.”
Bruce had suggested back in July that being 13th in the Premier League wouldn’t be accepted, but in the direct aftermath of the City defeat, he stated it was to stay up.
When asked for some clarification on Newcastle’s aims, Bruce looked in the other direction in the Premier League and, responding to whether the remit has changed, he said: “No, no, no, no, no, no – the remit hasn’t changed of course.
“The remit has been like that since I walked through the door.
“My attitude towards it is, we have to try to aim towards the top 10. That’s what I have said.
“We were two or three positions away from it last year, and over the course of a season, you are where you are.
“I am just putting simple facts out there.
“Of course, we would all like to be shooting for the top 10, but the first thing we must do is remain a Premier League outfit.”
Newcastle players had trooped dejectedly off the field in the League Cup quarter-final against Brentford.
Indeed, it had an air of the season being over before Christmas about it and, while there was a slight improvement on show at Man City, the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat was still nothing to write home about.
Bruce said: “Certainly by the response at Man City, there was certainly an attitude of togetherness amongst them.
“Yes, they understand they were beaten by the better team on the night. But the way they stuck together and had a go, I could not have asked for more. I hope that came through on the TV.
“I witnessed it was against a good side.
“They are only human beings and the criticism hurts.
“I hope that I can create a mentality to make sure we roll our sleeves up and shut a few people up.
“The only way to do that is to get a few results and keep working hard.”
Yet Bruce was clearly furious by the aftermath of Brentford, and, despite saying he’s taking everything that comes his way, he brought up the media inquest again before the clash at Man City.
When questioned by The Chronicle, Bruce offered a clipped answer on the matter and said: “I can understand the frustration, of course, I can. But that’s where we are.”
Bruce was then asked about why teams like West Ham, Southampton, Everton and Aston Villa are sitting comfortably in the top 10.
Bruce said: “Look, I can understand the frustration. I just reiterate what I have just said.
“We are where we are. Yes, we’d all like what Everton have been able to do in the last two or three years.
“And certainly since I left Aston Villa there has been spending power which has propelled them up the league.
“Of course, but I keep saying it, we are where we are.
“And that’s where unfortunately, that is where we are at this particular moment”.
Shearer summed up the frustration of fans when he said: “They look at Villa who have ambition, Everton have ambition, Southampton have ambition – they don’t have that with Newcastle.”