Bruce’s players have to take responsibility
was not spectacular but after the 3-2 win at West Brom in the FA Cup fifth round there was perhaps a sense Bruce was gaining a bit of respect from some sections of fans.
This season has more treacherous. Sitting 11th in the table after a 2-1 win over Everton in November, Bruce already had the team in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
There was a genuine opportunity to reach a semi-final for the first time since 2005 at United. Then Covid hit, ripping through the squad and depriving the head coach of some of his best players. Some untimely injuries to Allan Saint-Maximin certainly did not help.
At the start of December, the 2-1 win over West Brom had Newcastle in 12th place with 17 points after 11 games and 11 points clear of 18th.
After that, things soon got really heated and uncomfortable.
Newcastle have won just twice in 22 attempts since beating West Brom on December 12
Newcastle crashed out of the League Cup in humiliating style at Brentford, the exit a particular tipping point for some detractors.
The shocking display at Sheffield United resulted in louder calls for change and banners calling for Bruce’s head appeared on a night when the rock-bottom side won 1-0.
Bruce had Newcastle 10 points
The Magpies celebrate as a group after Joelinton’s opener against Spurs on Sunday
clear of the relegation zone with 15 matches to play. They have not won since.
Bruce’s tally of 29 points from 30 games leaves his team teetering just above the drop zone.
Forget Fulham. Newcastle need to prove they can do this themselves.
They need to inject some belief. They just need to win again.