Gabby Agbonlahor reckons Steve Bruce will change his Newcastle United side for the trip to Arsenal to give the fans ‘what they want – attacking football.’ In what is another example of pundits sadly getting the demands of Toon supporters incorrect, Agbonalhor speaking to talkSPORT, suggested that United don’t have the defence to play attacking football but Bruce may do so anyway and should it fail, turn to the fans and tell them ‘I tried.’
Gabby Agbanlahor said “If you look at the bench [against Sheffield United] Almiron, Gayle, Joelinton, Carroll – maybe Steve Bruce will look back and think he could have given Dwight Gayle a start against a struggling defence, I think he’ll change [the team] for the next game and play that bit more attacking and give the Newcastle fans what they want. If it doesn’t go right then he can hold his hands up and say ‘you know what I’ve tried to give you what you wanted – the attacking football’ and take it from there. The way Leeds play, everyone is buzzing off them, entertaining football, defenders flying forward, one-on-one at the back but maybe Steve Bruce looks at his team and thinks defensively that they aren’t capable of doing that. If he goes out and plays attacking football, he doesn’t want to get beat seven-nil by some of the top teams. Bruce will be thinking of a formation and a way of playing that will keep Newcastle in the Premier League – and that is what his job is to do.”