A few Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media to reports by the Chronicle suggesting that owner Mike Ashley is pleased with the job Steve Bruce has done so far.
It is claimed that Ashley is content with what Bruce has achieved having taken charge at St. James’ Park in difficult circumstances following Rafa Benitez’s departure.
Benitez left at the end of his contract having failed to reach a positive conclusion in negations with Ashley over extending his tenure into a third full season, with the Spaniard unable to secure the guarantees he was after in terms of transfer policy and taking greater control of recruitment.
Bruce has managed to oversee four wins in his 12 Premier League games since signing a three-year contract in the summer, with triumphs over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United before taking back-to-back three points against West Ham and Bournemouth.
Results under Bruce have been enough for us to take 13th place in the table, having ended last season in this position after needing 17 games to achieve our fourth win of the campaign.
We did also lose heavily at Leicester City, though, and bowed out of the Carabao Cup at home to the Foxes after Bruce declared his desires to compete in the knockout tournaments.
Ashley is understood to be planning on sitting down with Bruce at some stage to catch-up on club matters, while funds will be made available for the boss in January although he is expected to play the winter market cautiously.
Is Bruce doing better than you expected?
Yes
No
Here are some of the reactions shared to Ashley being pleased with the job Bruce has done so far…
Even if we was 17th he would still be happy
— Liam ⚫️⚪️ (@LiamNUFC1998) November 17, 2019
But we’re not at all happy with the “work” that FCB Ashley has done! #AshleyOut #NUFC
— Mr. Man (@kikkeliskokkel9) November 17, 2019
But he would prefer to be 17th and not 13th ????
— Tony Shaw (@shawt1974) November 17, 2019
Probably because Bruce’s main ambition is to stay in the job rather than challenge the owner to improve the club ????????♂️
— NUFC1982 (@NUFC19822) November 17, 2019
Tatman will be – he like yes men, and no questions asked.
Rafa wouldn’t do that, he had his own ideas for the NUFC project.
— Lucy (@dunelmcuths) November 17, 2019
To be perfectly honest I thought we would be bottom of the league but we are doing ok. Not a fan of Bruce but give credit where it’s due
— tom pearson (@tompear43423567) November 17, 2019