WORK TO DO
Bruce: We need to add four or five
NEWCASTLE United boss Steve Bruce has admitted his squad is in dire need of a boost this summer. The Magpies will go into a short close-season period before pre-season gets under way next month but the transfer window has been extended until October. Whether there is a takeover or not, Bruce knows improvements must be made at Benton in the next few weeks. The head coach was also asked if a new striker will be on his shopping list with big-money duo Joelinton and Miguel Almiron failing to hit double figures this season. Bruce told the Chronicle: “I think we need four or five players to add to the squad of players we have. “So we will go to work on that. “I have always said with Jo (Joelinton), I think he is better playing to a side – which suits him – so it is quite possible a centre-forward could be on the list, yeah.”
Bruce says United’s squad has lacked depth in the final laps of the season.
He had to put out a patched-up side against Brighton and says United have not been able to cope as well as other sides with the demands of Project Restart.
He added: “Fair play to everyone who worked tirelessly to get the games on and get the season finished. “However, it has been a long, long year and we will have played 10 games in 35 days, which is a huge ask. We don’t have the ability to rotate so all in all the players have done well.”
United’s defensive line-up at the Amex on Monday night included two full-backs in the back three.
With Jamaal Lascelles, Florian Lejeune, Ciaran Clark and Fabian Schar all out and Paul Dummett unavailable, Bruce knows he is depleted going into the final game. He said: “Emil Krafth has a really sore ankle. He has done well to carry on.
“He epitomised the spirit of all of them today. It was not a classic, don’t get me wrong.
“However, it was important we put a point on the board.”
Despite earning a point – and admitting he was grateful – Bruce knows it could have been more at Brighton.
He added: “I thought if anyone was going to win it in the second half it was us.
“When you see Andy Carroll head and shoulders above their defenders you think it is a classic Andy goal.
“He is disappointed because it had goal written all over it but it was not to be.”
United’s draw at Brighton edged them on to 44 points for the season but they now know they cannot finish higher than 13th. Reflecting on the 0-0 draw, Bruce said: “Considering the problems we have had I was delighted.
“The one thing you cannot deny about this group of players is their ability to roll their sleeves up and have a go.
“We played two full-backs as centre-backs at Brighton (Emil Krafth and Danny Rose) and they were terrific. I was delighted with their attitude.”
It has been a long, long year and we will have played 10 games in 35 days, which is a huge ask.
Steve Bruce