nbthree3

For a man who repeatedly claims to have a ‘thick skin’, ‘accepts criticism’ and insists ‘everyone is entitled to their opinion’, Steve Bruce’s behaviour continues to support none of those assertions. On Saturday, following Newcastle’s 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford, he blamed the local newspaper for supporters’ calls for him to go. Bruce refused to answer a fair question as to whether he had been on holiday during the international break. We understand he spent four nights in Portugal. ‘Do you think I really have to answer that to you?’ he said. ‘That's what the fans are asking, are they? We've trained all week and we were in every day. Preparation was meticulous. ‘To have to answer questions like that is typical of the question I would get off you and your newspaper. That's why they (fans) are the way they are, the way you are and your negativity and your newspaper.’ Bruce is his own worst enemy at times. Supporters had wanted to know why, after one point from nine and a League Cup exit, the manager saw fit to take a break. But if going on holiday is no big deal, then say so, don’t take aim for the press and your own fans. It caused an immediate backlash - the local paper called his conduct 'risible' - and Friday’s visit of Leeds is at risk of turning toxic given the growing strength of feeling against the head coach. Supporters are well aware of Bruce banning journalists and the club handpicking those who are allowed to ask questions of him, and he prickles when the subjects of tactics and selection are broached. But he is badly mistaken if he genuinely believes the reason for poor performances and supporter unrest is the media. He needs to look far closer to home in that regard.

Fwiw Swansea fans were glad to get rid of him, despite making the play-off final he didn't seem committed or play the style of football he alleges

https://theathletic.com/2818326/2021/09/12/steve-bruce-is-fighting-battles-on-and-off-the-pitch-and-hes-losing-all-of-them/?source=user_shared_article Everything about Bruce’s demeanour smacks of a head coach who is making his final stand. This feels like an end-of-days scenario. At any other club, it would be. But at Newcastle, Bruce looks set to struggle on, exhausted and indignant, at least for now, until his fate is eventually sealed. But that will only come following further harmful skirmishes. Having already faced the humiliation of his own fans calling for his dismissal during the 2-2 draw with Southampton that was Newcastle’s final game before both transfer deadline day and the September international break, Bruce pushed for a defensive midfielder and a centre-back on loan during the final days of the summer window. In his opinion, these additions were gettable and necessary, and he worked to make them happen until just 90 minutes before the 11pm UK time deadline on August 31. The issue was that Lee Charnley, the managing director, disagreed. Charnley was adamant Newcastle could not afford to make further signings, both due to financial constraints and because room had not been made in the squad to accommodate them by moving other players on. On the first Thursday of the international break, images on social media circulated of Bruce seemingly boarding a flight to Portugal. The players had a gym session that morning but were given the ensuing weekend off. Bruce may well have needed a mental refresh, as those close to him attest, but, given Newcastle’s poor start, the optics of his Algarve sojourn were terrible, internally and externally. Just like at St James’ Park a fortnight previously, the supporters turned on Bruce. While chants of “We want Brucie out” did not begin until the final 10 minutes, once they started, they increased in both regularity and volume and were witnessed by Charnley from the directors’ box. There was some temporary respite for Bruce, whose achievements as a Manchester United player meant he was serenaded by home supporters as he conducted interviews pitchside, but he had already become understandably pained by the songs from the Newcastle section. It felt like an almost uncontrollable response; as if, in that moment, the frustration Bruce had accumulated over previous days just poured out of him. To allege a local media agenda against him was destructive enough, but to then claim supporter opinions have been shaped by what they have read, rather than what they have watched his team do on the pitch every week, was ruinous. Exasperatingly, as so many associated with Newcastle warned, including many in and around the club, this was all so predictable. “It was inevitable,” says one well-placed source. Bruce is embroiled in skirmishes on several fronts and his few remaining allies appear to be deserting him. Even he must recognise that this is a civil war he can never win.

Speaking of your name, he said that "rolled our sleeves up" in the club interview 1:10 mark

"The fans want to know" "Overwhelming requests from fans" yet it's Ryder and the Chronicle's fault for asking what the fans want? A disbelief from Bruce that fans want to question why their head coach has gone on holiday. If he had defended himself well and calmly, maybe we'd understand why he took that decision. But he's deliberately averse, defensive and playing all the wrong cards

He's probably totally oblivious to the media unless it's what Alex shows him, which is all the negativity and harshness that's fully deserved. The "disgrace to the shirt" he's said a few times like Sheffield Utd 1-0 and Brighton 3-0

Can't begrudge a fan wanting to do something tbf

Don't even read the comments

It's no wonder people are so hellbent on a takeover, it's a total sliding doors moment. Spurs 5-1 in 2016 atmosphere most games with a manager like Rafa in the dugout who respects the club's traditions and appeals to the fans. Making ambitious investments into infrastructure and signings, creating a real sense of unity in the community and funding the women's, the academy teams too. The club of the north we could be. But face the reality and we've got a so-called boyhood fan who dismisses the fans' negativity as being driven by the local media, someone who does not respect the club's foundations + is happy to settle. Taking "many positives" out of demolitions and almost single-handedly destroying that short sense of unity. Goes for the owner too

Lee Ryder is the reason fans are negative?

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steve-bruce-angrily-denies-newcastles-21543600 When the question was put to Bruce by ChronicleLive, he responded: "Wow... Go on . . . Do you think I really have to answer that to you? "That's what the fans are asking are they? We have trained all week and we were in every day. "The preparation was meticulous. "Let me tell you. There is nothing more in preparation... "What was I supposed to do? We had six of them away. "The preparation was fine and we have been in all week. "You could see the game plan was what we worked to. "To have to answer questions like that is typical to the question I would get off you - and your newspaper. "If I am being brutally honest. "That's why they are the way they are, the way you are and your negativity and your newspaper." Wow

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steve-bruce-finds-positives-newcastles-21543594 I was very pleased with a lot of it. We were a constant threat on the counter attack. "With the third goal we had a big opportunity with Joelinton to maybe go 2-2 and then with the quality [Bruno] Fernandes possesses he smashes, one in the top corner and all the hard work all comes undone. “We had some really good opportunities. "I can’t remember coming here with so many opportunities. "The difficulty is giving poor goals away."

In the 2018/19 season we didn't win until game 11 which was in November. We lost 7, and drew 3 before winning. Of those 7 defeats, 6 were within a 1 goal margin (for example a 2-1 or a 1-0). The lone defeat that wasn't was by 2 goals. Out of 4 games this season, we've conceded by a margin of 2 in 2 games, 3 in 1 game and drew 1. The defence fragility is clear for everyone to see...

Think we're 5 points down on last season (Lost to West Ham at home this year, won last season + drew to Southampton at home this year, won last year). Not looking good so far

Injured supposedly

If you've seen the crowd for Ronaldo that's another thing, but it is a world superstar and maybe the greatest ever compared to a man who has never won at Old Trafford... "As a manager, Bruce has famously struggled against his former side. In fact, he only has one win to his name against the Reds in 25 attempts across all competitions." "Aside from that, Bruce has taken points off us on just five other occasions, only one of which came at Old Trafford – a 2-2 draw with Sunderland in October 2009, when United only salvaged a draw thanks to Anton Ferdinand’s late own goal." (1 point in 12 meetings, out of a total 36)

They're here