Six or seven in battle to stay up, says Bruce
STEVE Bruce admits Newcastle are in a Premier League relegation scrap – but reiterated his belief it is not just a shoot-out between the Magpies and Fulham.
United could sink into the bottom three of the top-flight if they lose tonight and the Cottagers defeat Crystal Palace tomorrow.
It is believed Bruce’s position will only come under threat if the Magpies drop into the bottom three and look at risk of being relegated.
When asked about the battle at the bottom, Bruce said: “It is the tickly part of the season and I always say when the daffodils are up it is a sign the real crux part of the season is upon us.
“If you are at the bottom end, which we are, unfortunately... Can we finish above the bottom six or seven? That is the aim and I am quietly confident we can do that.
“Everybody says it is just Newcastle and Fulham but there are others.”
Fulham face the Eagles on a crucial weekend at Selhurst Park but Newcastle step up first to face Wolves at St James’ Park.
Giving his views on Fulham, Bruce added: “They have won two matches in a week and what a difference that makes.
“Before that they had won only two in six months. It is all to play for.
“It is not just Fulham, there are six or seven teams nervously looking over their shoulders and we are one of them.”
The Toon boss was also asked about facing up to Fulham on the last game of the season at Craven Cottage and whether it could be a relegation decider.
He said: “That is two or three months down the line. I am only concentrating on tomorrow’s game.”
Bruce also believes the loss of Wolves’ £33million man Raul Jimenez this season sums up how tough life can be for teams who lose their star players.
Wolves have finished seventh in the last two seasons, with a run in the Europa League thrown in for good measure, but without the former Benfica ace they have slipped down the table. Jimenez will be missing for the visit to Tyneside but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has won its last two matches without him.
When asked about the Mexican international Bruce added: “Raul Jimenez at Wolves, Callum Wilson with us, Allan Saint-Maxmin with us. “Every team has their big players who they rely on.”
Wolves have beaten Southampton and Leeds in back-to-back games after struggling for results in the Premier League after the festive period and going eight games without a victory in the top flight.
That poor run ended when they secured a 2-1 victory over Arsenal and they have remained unbeaten in the last four games.
Bruce said: “It would have been nice to get them a month ago but therein lies your luck.
“However, they are still a very good side. They have been for the last two or three years.”
Newcastle know a repeat of the draw at Molineux back in October would keep them out of the bottom three this weekend.
Back then Jimenez opened the scoring but Jacob Murphy scrambled a late draw with a wonderful curling free-kick.
Bruce added: “It is another difficult game but one we are quietly confident we can get a result from.”
Bruce also hit back after receiving criticism for smiling with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after Newcastle’s 3-1 defeat at Manchester United.
The former Red Devils teammates caught up as they were walking down the touchline, some fans objecting to the fact the Magpies’ head coach was smiling.
Bruce said: “Ole was complimenting us on how well we played.
“If that is a bad thing I have smiled with Ole then OK. Let it be.”
Can we finish above the bottom six or seven? That is the aim and I am quietly confident we can do it Steve Bruce