When the match against Sheffield United during mid week completed, there were loud yells in the away stand . Anyone in that atmosphere can be forgiven to be confused on whether they were hearing ‘Bruuuuuuuce’ or ‘booooos’. Forgiven for two reasons – Steve Bruce was an underwhelming appointment at the time when club was not getting sold, key players were sold and the club’s popular manager – Rafa Benitez had left. We covered Steve Bruce and being an 11th choice appointee in a previous blog – Link . Newcastle were not expected to be sitting at 11th position in the Premier League table after the awful set of opening fixtures.
So let’s look at the managerial genius of Steve Bruce and how he turn it all around at Newcastle ??
Newcastle United regardless of league positions and relegations ,still considers itself a big giant football club similar to stature of Manchester United , Liverpool , Arsenal and Chelsea. Despite kitchen sink thrown against them, Newcastle club prides themselves of doing things hard way, grit by not accepting relegation and roaring back to Premier League following season. This is not easy and club and manager leading the club require a big personality. Steve Bruce has clearly shown ability to absorb all the unwanted pressures from fans, constraints of the club and inconsistent performances from certain players to keep the club moving forward towards a result .
Steve is known for having a thick skin but at Newcastle he has shown it …
Steve Bruce had a weird managerial background before becoming a Magpie coach. Even though Newcastle job was a dream gig for a proud Geordie, among the 33 managers to have managed 200 or more Premier League games in charge, his win percentage of 28.1% (110 games in 392 games) was the second-lowest. And he had previously managed Sunderland, which to the staunch Magpies fan was a big no-no.
The season had fair share of lows but Steve Bruce had inspired Newcastle to some big significant results that made Magpies feel like a big club again.
The wins over Tottenham and Manchester United took some by surprise before Bruce’s men secured back-to-back victories against West Ham and Bournemouth. A fighting draw against high flying Manchester City and then a win against the blades. Fans have now recognized that Steve Bruce has not been bad at all as they thought at the start of season. Players are believing their manager and even Jonjo Shelvey’s performances which are usually inconsistent, ill tempered and filled with silly challenges show more positive aspects.
Steve Bruce was asked recently by a journalist how his side could produce a listless display like the one against Villa followed by one of a far superior standard. Steve Bruce said “That’s one thing we have to address. We go up and down too easily, especially away from home. We have to improve. Consistency is what we’re striving for. We have to keep working at it and keep plodding away. Newcastle won’t go down this season. Definitely not.”
