A DEFIANT Steve Bruce came out swinging at his Toon Army critics — claiming he finds all the stick INSULTING.
Despite one loss in six this season, the Newcastle boss is failing to win hearts and minds on Tyneside.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has hit out at his own fansCredit: PA:Press Association
A dubious spot-kick saved them at the death against Tottenham last weekend before they scraped past League Two Newport on penalties in the Carabao Cup.
The Toon have had just three shots on target in the Premier League and were thumped 3-0 in their last home game against Brighton.
But ahead of hosting Burnley tonight, a spiky Bruce took a pop at the boo-boys who reckon he is winging it in his dream job.
He said: “Now I’m lucky, lucky am I? Wow. So I’ve been lucky for 20 years, have I? I suppose it’s better to be a lucky manager than a good one.
“But all of a sudden now it’s a raging debate.
“If we win against Burnley we might go into the top six, and now because I’m lucky! I find that a little insulting.
“If we were bottom of the league, we’d been knocked out of the cup by a lower division team and hadn’t taken a point, I could swim with you.
“If we win tomorrow we probably go into the top six and we are in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.”
Newcastle fans are yet to take to their manager Steve BruceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The football has generally been a slog since Bruce arrived last summer.
Taking over from fans’ favourite Rafa Benitez, the Geordie is moving at a snail’s pace to put his stamp on the side.
But Bruce is adamant he is a man with a plan — even instructing journalists on the virtual press conference to spread the gospel of Bruce.
He added: “Can you not explain that to supporters, what we are trying to do.
“I just find it deeply frustrating, this thing about a lack of direction.
“‘The style is a concern? So all of a sudden we have to think we’re Liverpool, do we?
“The style is we’re going from a back five to a back four, with one off the front.
“What do you not understand? If you’ve watched us, what do you not understand in what we are trying to do?
“I think that would be pretty obvious.
“I find it baffling, I really, really do. Does it feel like I can’t win? Sometimes.
“I had noise from the moment I walked in. I know we haven’t played well but, for goodness sake, let’s just have some balance.”
STILL INTERESTED IN HOLDING
After adding Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser, Jamal Lewis, Jeff Hendrick and Mark Gillespie this summer, Bruce has ruled out splashing any more cash.
But he wants a striker and centre-back on loan after a move for Arsenal defender Rob Holding collapsed.
With the window closing on Monday, Bruce said: “I don’t expect to be that busy. But if something becomes available we will act.
“If someone as good as Holding came along, we would look at it.”
Newcastle United unveil new signings Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
