Bruce responds to Chronicle’s job poll as he vows to ‘weather the storm’
ASHLEY IS SUPPORTING ME, SAYS UNDER-PRESSURE MAGPIES BOSS
STEVE Bruce says Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has given him his support – while reiterating he will continue to ignore the views of furious supporters calling for his head.
A whopping 95% of Magpies fans said in a ChronicleLive poll they want the beleaguered boss out of the St James’ Park dugout, which flies in the face of the club’s continuing support for the 60-year-old.
Tomorrow, Newcastle will look to ease their relegation fears when Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham come to St James’ Park.
The Magpies are just two points above Fulham in 18th place.
Supporters’ anger has hit new highs at various points throughout this season but the miserable 3-0 surrender at relegation rivals Brighton was quickly followed by news Bruce’s job was safe.
Boyhood Newcastle fan Bruce has repeatedly said he will not resign and yesterday revealed he has received word from the club’s unpopular owner backing him.
“He has not had a say at all. He sent a message of support,” Bruce said when asked if he had spoken directly with Ashley.
“I have a regular rapport with CEO Lee Charnley.”
Bruce said he regularly speaks with managing-director Charnley and insisted there have been no crunch talks concerning his future.
He added: “Lee Charnley comes down to the training ground every week.
“There is nothing different in that, nothing different whatsoever.
“He comes down to see how things are, blah, blah, blah.
“There is nothing new there. It is how it works.”
The club’s decision to persist with Bruce, whose side has won just two of its last 20 matches, has infuriated an already disillusioned fanbase fearing a third relegation in 12 years.
In a poll conducted on our website, 92% of the 14,000 respondents said they believe the Magpies will go down if Bruce remains at the helm.
The results, backed up by anger on social media and banners outside the ground and training complex, illustrate the depth of feeling towards the hardened former defender.
However, Bruce said he is not interested in the views of his critics and is only worrying about getting the club out of their current predicament.
He said: “Look, I have said many, many times, everybody is entitled to their opinion. I really cannot take any notice of polls.
“All I can focus on is Tottenham at the weekend and getting the squad as best prepared as I possibly can, not take any notice of any polls.”
Was the club to dispense with his services now, United would have to pay the head coach millions in compensation.
Despite being seemingly bulletproof in the eyes of many, Bruce insisted he is not sitting comfortably.
He said: “I never take anything for granted and I realise the performance was not good enough. You have to accept it and move on.
“Because we are in a fight the last thing I want to do is walk away.
“Certain individuals are entitled to an opinion but I am determined to see it through.”
Midfielder Isaac Hayden went off injured against Brighton and might miss the rest of the season but Newcastle have had some good news on the injury front. Bruce was able to start playmaker Miguel Almiron last time out against Brighton, while fellow attacking stars Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin are edging closer to their own returns from injury. However, the head coach said
Wilson is unlikely to feature tomorrow, though French winger Saint-Maximin could play some part.
When asked about the pair’s chances, Bruce said: “Allan is more advanced than Callum is.
“He took part in a big session 48 hours ago.
“We hope he is a bit more advanced than Callum. We hope he can play some part.
“We have had a little bit of time. We have lost Isaac, that has been the cruel side, we have been unfortunate.
“Isaac did not need an operation but he will not play the rest of the season.”
Bruce says he will be guided by the Toon’s medical staff on Wilson and when asked whether Saint-Maximin will play a part the Newcastle head coach added: “He could be involved.. “He came through a big session and we have two more days. We hope he can play some part.”
On Wilson, he replied: “I would not have thought so.
“There are still a couple of training sessions to come but next week might be realistic against Burnley.”
Bruce was also asked how much of a boost the sight of Saint-Maximin, Almiron and Wilson has been.
He said: “Almiron was desperate to play at Brighton.
“I don’t care what anyone says, at this level when your top players are missing it becomes a big struggle.
“It gives everybody a lift to see Allan back and performing in training.
“We get a few back and then lose Isaac and in the heat of the battle ahead that has been a loss.”
Bruce still believes he can steer Newcastle clear of the drop zone in the last nine games.
If he can do so, he will have met the remit given to him by Ashley.
After a season which would have seen off many managers, Bruce still wants to come back after the summer for another round.
When asked if he would still be in the dugout for the first game of next season, he added: “That is for other people to decide, I can only focus on the next game.
“I will rely on the experience I have drawn on over the last 40 years.
“I will need it over this testing time. I am determined to see it through. I hope I am the manager of Newcastle next year – but it is for others to decide.”