Bruce: Bosses showing no signs of displeasure
HEAD COACH ADDS: I HAVE NEVER SAID WE WERE ENTERTAINING
STEVE Bruce has not had any ‘assurances or displeasures’ from Newcastle United’s hierarchy but the Magpies’ head coach admits he was not happy with the way his side played against Southampton and Chelsea.
Newcastle currently lie in 15th place in the table after suffering back-to-back defeats in the Premier League for the first time this season and tonight will go up against Crystal Palace.
Bruce’s side was fortunate to only lose 2-0 against Chelsea at St James’ Park last time out and the Tynesiders simply could not cope with Southampton’s intensity earlier this month.
Supporters have made their feelings clear on social media and, ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park, Bruce was asked if owner Mike Ashley or managing-director Lee Charnley had communicated their support this week.
He said: “No, I have not had any assurances or displeasures or whatever,.
“Look, we have not played well enough in the last two games and I have to say we found it very difficult against a very good Chelsea team.
“We have to accept the criticism which comes our way, roll our sleeves up and say we have to be better and hopefully we will be better on Friday night.’”
In his opening programme notes of last season, Charnley infamously wrote Bruce ‘wants the team to play with intensity and on the front foot.’
The Newcastle head coach has come to rely on a back five, soaking up pressure and looking to hit teams on the break. because he believes the Magpies will be ‘torn to bits’ if they are ‘too attack-minded’ against the ‘bigger teams’.
He added: “I have never said Newcastle were entertaining. I have never said that.
“What I have said is when I came in, where we finished last year, is about par for the course of where we are. I think that is accepted by everyone else. My aim is to try and take us forward. That is not going to be overnight because we cannot simply go and do that.
“We have added to the squad well this summer, a little bit, and that is the way forward.
“We cannot make any radical changes quickly because we donot have the money to do that and that is the way it is.
“We have to accept that progress is...I will let other people decide if we have progressed or not and I think you can only judge that on results and where you are at the end of the season.”
Meanwhile, the decision to put the North East into Tier Three means there will be no fans at St James’ Park for the foreseeable future.
Had Tyneside been placed into Tier Two of the new regionalised coronavirus restrictions, the club would have been able to admit 2,000 supporters.
When asked about return of fans, Bruce said: “Why only 2,000 or 4,000 when we have the capacities to house 20,000?
“It is a step in the right direction, a small gesture. For the small clubs it is a relief, they live off it.”