Steve Bruce utters the dreaded four words after Newcastle 2 Tottenham 3 | OneFootball

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The Mag

·17 October 2021

Steve Bruce utters the dreaded four words after Newcastle 2 Tottenham 3

Article image:Steve Bruce utters the dreaded four words after Newcastle 2 Tottenham 3

This was typical Steve Bruce.

Even though Newcastle United got off to the perfect start, a goal up inside two minutes, what followed was dreadful.


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Very quickly the team just sitting back and letting Tottenham dominate, until the inevitable happened.

Only 15 minutes for the equaliser and then five later Tottenham ahead.

The final score was 3-2 to the visitors but that massively flattered the homes side who didn’t have a shot on target after Wilson’s opener.

One effort on target but two goals??? Yes, Dier gifted us a comedy own goal in the 89th minute but Tottenham should have been five or six up by that point, not that it ever looked remotely like Nuno’s players would need more than the third goal Son scored in added time before the break.

Yet again it was very difficult (impossible?) to work out the Steve Bruce plan, or even where certain players were supposed to be playing. Just a mess, with the only hope that individuals such as ASM or Wilson might override the ‘plan’ and do something off their own initiative.

As is often the case, Steve Bruce speaking afterwards (see below) makes it sound as though he isn’t responsible and / or in any kind of a position to influence what he just watched…’For a few times this season, we have got off to a blistering start but unfortunately sat deep and did not do enough defensively fort that crucial period.’

If the players aren’t following his ‘plan, why then does Steve Bruce do nothing to change that?

Newcastle trailed for some 70 minutes in this match and yet the only striker alternative, Dwight Gayle never gets off the bench, even when Callum Wilson was subbed…?

Steve Bruce then uttered the dreaded four words that no Newcastle fan wants to hear: ‘I will carry on…’

The NUFC Head Coach yet again refusing to resign, even though it is now a horrendous no wins in nine to start the season, six defeats and three draws. A massive 19 goals conceded in eight Premier League games, three more than any other team. It is now an 18% win ratio over the last ten months, seven wins in thirty eight matches.

Steve Bruce speaking after losing 3-2 to Tottenham:

“For a few times this season, we have got off to a blistering start but unfortunately sat deep and did not do enough defensively fort that crucial period.

“A difficult second half.

“We huffed and puffed but it was too easy for them.

“They are a very good side, they exploited [Newcastle’s weaknesses] a lot of times.

“That [stay on as Head Coach] is for other people to decide.

“Ever since I have walked into this club of ours, it is difficult.

“I knew how difficult it was going to be with the frustrations.

“I will carry on as best I can until I hear otherwise.

“The owners have conducted themselves respectfully since they came in.

“As long as I don’t hear otherwise, I will go into work tomorrow.”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 2 Tottenham 3- Sunday 17 October 4.30pm

Goals:

Tottenham

Ndombele 17, Kane 22, Son 45+4

Newcastle:

Wilson 2, Shelvey red card 83, Dier OG 89

(In brackets the first half stats)

Possession was Tottenham 64% (59%) Newcastle 36% (41%)

Total shots were Tottenham 14 (8)  Newcastle 7 (4)

Shots on target were Tottenham 4 (4) Newcastle 1 (1)

Corners were Tottenham 9 (3) Newcastle 2 (1)

Referee: Andre Marriner

Newcastle United:

Darlow, Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Ritchie, Sean Longstaff (Shelvey 60), Hayden, Willock (Murphy 77), Saint-Maximin, Joelinton, Wilson (Fraser 77)

Unused Subs:

Gillespie, Schar, Lewis, Fernandez, Hendrick, Gayle

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