IF THERE were as many goals as there are moles in the Newcastle dressing room, Steve Bruce really would be in business.
But once again, the Toon boss sees his side left hanging over the edge of the relegation cliff – and there is no ladder in sight.
Steve Bruce’s Newcastle failed to push clear of the relegation zone on SundayCredit: Reuters
Bruce’s position in the Geordie hotseat has never been hotter after a training ground bust-up with Matt Ritchie on Tuesday and the subsequent leaks that followed.
Yet the flames would have dampened slightly had he manoeuvred a crucial three points in what was their biggest game in years at the Hawthorns.
Instead, the man accused of being a coward by Ritchie would have been within his right to throw that back at a few of his shot-shy forwards.
This was a Championship clash in everything but name, with neither side firing a shot in anger.
A point will be taken. A point closer to Bruce’s beloved “accumulation of points” that will see his side safe to struggle another season.
But don’t be fooled into thinking this was a good point earned.
Merely a brief painkiller as the ache of the drop remains constant.
This was a chance to end the week from hell with a step closer to heaven.
For now, the devil remains lurking on Bruce and Newcastle’s shoulder.
To make matters worse, Bruce’s men ended the game hanging on for dear life against one of the poorest outfits the Premier League has seen in Sam Allardyce’s West Brom.
Neither side was able to break the deadlock at the HawthornsCredit: Paul Marriott – The Sun
Goalkeepers battled glaring sunlight down one endCredit: Getty Images – Getty
By the end, Newcastle looked content to avoid defeat. A damning indictment.
Yet their lack of firepower at the other end was hardly surprising.
With Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin all missing, Jeff Hendrick was the highest scorer in the starting XI with two to his name, and just one shot on target since the opening day of the campaign.
And the omens were not good, with Newcastle failing to score in seven of their last nine league away games.
Ritchie was sat on the bench once more, thankfully with several mediators separating him from Bruce on this occasion.
And despite accusing the Prem of wanting to relegate his Baggies with just three days to prepare for this clash, Big Sam made no changes from midweek.
For a game that had all the ingredients of a nerve-jangling squeaky bum affair, both sides were open from the off, such was the significance of an early goal.
And Ryan Fraser – one of few bright, attacking sparks in Bruce’s starting XI – almost gave the Geordies the quick start they craved as he broke free down the right.
Joe Willock was free on the penalty spot, but Fraser’s delivery was poor, leaving Joelinton to mop up before Emil Krafth’s deflected effort from outside the box stung Sam Johnston’s gloves.
Willock was enjoying his free role as an inverted winger/playmaker with the Baggies surprisingly willing to give him the space to get on the ball and turn.
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His perfectly-weighted pass through to Joelinton saw another failed cross when a shot may have been the better option – Darnell Furlong this time with a crucial block.
Newcastle’s early dominance tailed off as the hosts found their feet, Matheus Pereira this time testing Martin Dubravka with a volley in the area.
Mbaye Diagne was also proving a handful, and should have hit the target as he skied a volley in the six-yard box from Kyle Bartley’s header.
The response from the visitors was fairly mute, with Jonjo Shelvey’s whipped effort from a short corner the only real chance that had Johnstone even the slightest bit concerned.
But that was merely a fleeting moment of ingenuity in a performance seriously lacking in any sort of belief that today was their moment to shine.
As the half neared its end, shoulders were beginning to shrug and frustrations laid bare. Steve Bruce was chucking expletives across his technical area like no tomorrow.
After handling this past week with an impressive calmness, it is clear he is starting to feel the pressure, even more so as the Baggies almost went into the break ahead but for a scrambling save from Dubravka to deny Diagne’s darted header.
Newcastle’s heads remained dropped and sapped of any real enthusiasm in the second-half as Matt Phillips blew a golden chance.
Conor Townsend’s low cross from the left found the feet of Phillips but for a panicked effort that cleared the bar by some distance.
Bruce reacted just before the hour mark by taking off leading scorer Hendrick with Dwight Gayle – whose only goal this season came in the reverse fixture at St James’ Park. A late winner for the Toon.
Sam Allardyce faces a huge fight to save the BaggiesCredit: Paul Marriott – The Sun
The Magpies have won just 10 points in their last 16 league matchesCredit: Paul Marriott – The Sun
Straightaway he was playing provider, laying off Willock for a speculative and rare effort on target.
But despite a great chance by Joelinton wasted, Newcastle spent the rest of the game scrambling back to their own box as West Brom peppered them with cross after cross.
The kitchen sink was thrown, yet the floodgates did not open, such was the lack of any quality and composure.
For Big Sam, this could well be goodnight. For Bruce, the unbearable slog continues.
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Furious Steve Bruce on hunt for ‘treasonous’ Newcastle dressing room mole after explosive Matt Ritchie bust-up leaked
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
