FROM man manager to man handler, is there even a Newcastle 11 Steve Bruce can trust any more?
Training-ground bust-ups and subsequent leaks are nothing new but Bruce’s ruck with Matt Ritchie on Tuesday exposed the civil war engulfing Tyneside.
Steve Bruce has become embroiled in a relegation fight with Newcastle this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Bruce must somehow galvanise his mutinous troops for Sunday’s must-win humdinger at West Brom.
And how ex-Toon boss Sam Allardyce must have chuckled.
The Baggies manager snubbed a return to St James’ Park in the summer of 2019, with Bruce reportedly 11th on owner Mike Ashley’s wish list after Rafa Benitez’s exit.
While loyalists remain, it is anything but a happy camp after two wins in 17 games.
So just who can Bruce — lauded for his man-management skills — count on at The Hawthorns?
Firstly, he is without his three best players in Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron through injury.
And it is safe to assume Bruce’s sparring partner Ritchie will not feature.
After the 1-1 draw against Wolves the winger called his manager a “coward” for throwing him under the bus on TV over failing to deliver tactical instructions as he came on from the bench.
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On hearing this, the Newcastle boss stormed out of his office to confront and “shoulder barge” the winger.
But Ritchie was far from the only one Bruce — who gave the squad a day off yesterday — dug out last weekend.
Jamal Lewis was blamed for not stopping the cross before Ruben Neves’ equaliser, with Martin Dubravka criticised for not saving it.
And Joelinton was blasted for missing a great chance to win it.
Dubravka was in goal for Karl Darlow, who was raging after discovering via social media that he had been dropped.
The Longstaff brothers have not played in six weeks.
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Sean bore the brunt of the humiliating 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United and has not played since.
Matty was brought in from the cold at the end of December but, after providing some much-needed energy in midfield, was discarded.
With goals needed, maybe Dwight Gayle is the man.
But starting just one game since his late clincher in December’s 2-1 win over ten-man West Brom, what must he think?
And spare a thought for Joe Willock. Six months on loan at Newcastle from Arsenal sounds dreamy. The reality is anything but.
Then there is Graeme Jones. Some Toon stars reportedly believe the season can be saved if Bruce is replaced by the new Magpies coach.
While a win at the Baggies will save him from the chop, a defeat could force Ashley to act.
Sunday will prove beyond doubt just how many are still fighting for their Geordie manager.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
