Bruce – job future out of my hands

STEVE Bruce says his position is in the hands of others after Newcastle United slumped to a miserable defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

The Magpies were rolled over 3-0 in the capital on a night in which Arsenal managed 20 attempts at goal.

Bruce is under immense pressure from fans but was told last week to fight on as boss.

Whether a defeat by Arsenal changes that remains to be seen, but when asked about his job, Bruce said: “I am trying to do the best I possibly can as always but you will have to ask others about that.”

And reflecting on the game, Bruce said: “We gave as good as we got and got ourselves into some decent opportunities but that little bit of confidence has ebbed away for sure.

“We were caught in the second half where we didn’t see it coming from the first-half performance.

“I certainly think in the first half we got ourselves into decent positions, but that little bit of quality has gone as a confidence thing and that happens when you are on a run like we are.”

Bruce was then asked about how United come back from this and replied: “The only way it comes back is with a couple of victories.

“We just have to keep working at it. We have tried. To win a game you have to score a goal.

“We always knew we were entering a really difficult run of games. To play Arsenal, Leicester, Liverpool and Manchester City we always knew it was going to be difficult against these top teams.

“You have seen their [the players’] approach.

“We are disappointed because we have been caught trying to get forward. Two passes and they are in on our goal.

“That is something we have to learn from and understand.

“The reason we have been defending deep was to avoid situations like that. We have to get the balance right and we will keep working on it.”

Newcastle now visit Aston Villa on Saturday night. Toon skipper Jamaal Lascelles said: “We had a gameplan and tried to stick to it as well as we could.

“It never helps when you let goals in like that and it’s hard to come back from it.

“We need to get back to the drawing board and regroup.”