Seven matches without a win, but Bruce sees hope for future
SIGNS OF PROGRESS ARE THERE, SAYS HEAD COACH
STEVE Bruce believes his side has responded in the right way since being dumped out of the League Cup by Brentford – despite no wins in the last seven matches.
United endured another cup knockout on Saturday night at Arsenal.
However, Bruce was proud of his players in defeat and in his postgame press conference insisted he is seeing signs of progress.
Newcastle must now dust themselves down and prepare for Sheffield United tonight in what feels like a must-win Premier League fixture. Bruce, who was left to rue two missed chances by striker Andy Carroll, said: “I could not have been more pleased with the way they have gone about their work, we just needed to take that opportunity when it came along. “You are going to hold me on this Brentford one, I know you are.
“We could not have been more disappointed after that but the players’ reaction against Arsenal, Manchester City and Leicester was good.
“Yes we have not won those games but what we are trying to do is get higher up the pitch.
“I think the players are getting used to it and I can see signs of progress.”
Bruce tried to pick Carroll up after the defeat with positive words as two fantastic scoring opportunities passed him by at the Emirates Stadium.
The Toon head coach then added: “There is nobody more disappointed than Andy that he did not take one of them.
“I thought his overall play and the way he led the line was good. Andy was terrific and it would have capped it off for him after scoring last week for us for the first time in 10 years.
“To have another big opportunity like that, when it fell to him on his left foot I think we were all shouting ‘goal!’ with 30 seconds or so to go.” Newcastle’s wait for a trophy will now move on to at least 2022 after being knocked out of both cups in the last month.
Bruce reflected: “We have been to two quarterfinals in 18 months and we are disappointed not to take the next step.
“As long as I am sitting in this seat I will treat the cup the way it should be.
“We are all disappointed by the way we went out but we had a right good crack at it.
“If we had taken our chances we might be in the next round.”
I couldn’t be more pleased with the way they have gone about their work, we just needed to take that opportunity when it came along
Steve Bruce