Bruce planning for next season
STEVE Bruce says he is already making recruitment plans for next season – but insists the transfer window poses to be a huge challenge for all Premier League clubs.
Bruce’s words on new signings dropped a big hint that he is safe in his position as long as Newcastle are in the Premier League and under Mike Ashley’s ownership.
While there is renewed talk of the Middle East takeover being sanctioned if Ashley wins his arbitration case, there is a strong possibility Bruce will call the shots in terms of new players when the window opens this summer.
When asked about the plans for summer recruitment, Bruce said: “The main focus is now.
“What never changes is we are always going to look.
“There are all the conversations to be had about where we are with budgets and things like that.
“There is no doubt that the football world has been rocked by Covid.
“Whenever I speak to any manager they say finances are going to be a problem.
“I cannot see there being huge movements next summer throughout football because of the problems Covid has caused.”
United go into the game against the Hammers this weekend facing off with a side which finished three places below them last term in 16th with five points less.
Going into the final seven fixtures of the campaign, they have 55 points in the bag and are pushing for the top four.
Bruce added: “It gives everybody a look at what you can be.
“They have been very shrewd with signings.
“Jesse Lingard has been a wonderful loan signing. He came in just at the right time at Christmas.
“It looks like he has lit up the place. “Let’s not forget the kid is a top player. “They have been very good in their recruitment and Moyesy (David Moyes) has proved what a good manager he is.
“They have had a wonderful season and it gets everybody that bit of hope that that is what you can go on and achieve.
“The difficulty for West Ham will be replicating it and asking how they stay there next year.” Bruce said: “We know we are capable, we just have to get there and perform well.
“If we are going to get anything out of West Ham we know we will have to play well and arguably the last time we played at St James’ was the best we have played this season. We hope we can replicate it and perform.”
Bruce faces former Sunderland boss Moyes with the Scot enjoying a return to the upper echelons of the Premier League having hit similar heights with Everton before winning the Man United job.
Bruce said: “For me, David Moyes is already manager of the season. We are all envious of how he has done it.
“The recruitment has been good. They have bought well and been superbly managed.
“It makes us all think, ‘if they can do it why not?’
“They have had a consistent season so you have to say well done to them all.”
Newcastle go into the game in high spirits after beating Burnley, and Bruce wants more of the same this weekend.
Bruce reflected: “It seems very quiet for a change! But then there is a takeover on the horizon isn’t there!
“There is nothing quite like a result to give everybody a lift.
“We have gone about our work very quietly in the last few weeks.
“We have not won enough but only lost one of our last six.”
The last time we played at St James’ was the best we’ve played all season... we hope we can replicate it Steve Bruce