Ash-backed Bruce stays

MOODS, personality clashes, rows and fights are all forgotten amid the intoxicating feeling of victory.

Winning points patches up the most toxic disputes.

Steve Bruce and Newcastle United have side-stepped the worst of what this season could have delivered.

But doesn’t it also herald an uneasy coalition?

The United boss needs to harness the momentum of the last few weeks to keep it all knitted together, as fans are eased back into St James’ Park.

It’s only 43 days since Bruce (below) looked doomed.

What authority did he have to stay in charge? What hope did the Toon have of survival, after defeat to Brighton, following the Matt Ritchie training ground bust-up, and two wins in 20 games?

What’s happened since is remarkable, sparked by a typically belligerent, but clever, decision by owner Mike Ashley – backing Bruce within 12 hours of the Brighton debacle.

Unequivocally, behind the scenes and in public, Ashley let it be known Bruce was staying and any sulky, player-power attempts to get rid were pointless.

Ashley threw the situation straight back at his employees. Try harder. Make it work. Do your jobs better.

Since then, Newcastle have “accumulated points”, as Bruce likes to say, eight in the last four games.

Credit where it is due, players have stepped up, Bruce hasn’t held grudges against those vocal over his methods and determination has been rewarded with late goals.

Bruce will almost certainly stay on as boss. How will that go down as militant fans return? Will they also not hold grudges and hit the fresh start button, or try to hound him out at the first sign of trouble?

How will dissenting players, some still unconvinced over Bruce’s leadership, tackle the future? Be moved on or knuckle down?