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Steve Bruce refuses to give in to mounting criticism from Newcastle supporters who say he has taken the club as far as he can and should be fired.
Although Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is highly unlikely to make an imminent change of direction, Bruce is well aware that he must navigate stormy waters in the wake of some disappointing recent performances, including a 5-2 win at Leeds and a defeat in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Championship Side Brentford.
“Ever since I walked in the door I have tried to move the club forward,” Bruce said as he prepared for a trio of test matches in Manchester City on Saturday, followed by home dates with Liverpool and Leicester.
“It is slow and you have to accept that people will say that there has been no progress. Sorry to differ, but people have their opinions. You have to close the hatches and firmly believe in what you are doing. But I’ve faced that before in my career. Fortunately, I’ve been around the block a bit. “
Bruce suggested his detractors were mixing a lack of realism with a lack of perspective and are ignoring the reality that Newcastle have had their best start to a top-tier season since 2011-12 when they finished fifth under Alan Pardew.
“My job is to collect points over a 10-month season,” he said. “And if you are with a team that is expected to be in the lower half of the Premier League, it will always be difficult. There will be periods when you will go up and down. Unfortunately, we have had a bad week. We have to accept it. “
Many Newcastle fans feel that the team is capable of improving football, but they are limited by Bruce’s tactics, but the coach sees things differently. “The vast majority have been at the club for a long time. They know what it takes. All you have to do is roll up your sleeves and get to work. You have to face the music when it comes to you; accept the challenge. I believe in what I do in training camp.
“But the only thing I can’t level with them is a lack of commitment. Yes, we can pass the ball better. And that’s the biggest disappointment. We haven’t done enough with the ball. We have been so slow and pedestrian with the ball. “
Bruce’s cause has not been helped by a recent coronavirus outbreak at the club. Most of the players are now recovered, although a quartet of those who make up the first team remain out, with the captain, Jamaal Lascelles, a mainstay of central defense, and the often catalyst winger Allan Saint-Maximin, still. for returning to training.
“Hopefully they can rejoin the team in the next week, maybe two weeks,” said Bruce, who in certain recent games has been able to select only one recognized central defender. “Probably Jamaal before Allan.”
