Former Newcastle United player Jermaine Jenas has not only issued a defence of Toon boss Steve Bruce, he has also had a pop at journalists for their criticism of the former Manchester United defender.
Whilst speaking to BBC Fiver live, the retired midfielder spoke about Bruce and the revival that has seen the Magpies confirm their Premier League status for the next season.
“It’s what I’ve been trying to say all year with Steve Bruce, I have been fighting his corner.
“Steve Bruce is one of those honest managers where if you have something negative to say about his team he knows why you’re saying it because they are playing poorly but he was working with what he had at his disposal.”
He then took aim at local journalists for their opinions on Bruce over the course of this season.
“There’s a couple of journalists up there who need to be eating a bit of humble pie as far as I’m concerned.”
I find this idea bizarre. Why should they be eating humble pie? Is it not acceptable to call a run of two wins in 21 games not good enough? Why shouldn’t they hold the Head Coach to account when performances were atrocious week after week?
The same unnamed journalists have probably also given some degree of credit for the recent run of form but comments about poor performances were spot on.
He then goes on to bring up Bruce’s favourite excuse, the fact that players had been unavailable throughout the course of the season.
“They’ve given him nothing but stick all year and he’s taken it on the chin – but with his best team at his disposal, he has shown he can cause some problems.
“From a manager’s point of view you can’t do anything without your best players – you’re just hanging on.
Bruce was awarded the Manger of the Month award for April and this is something that Jenas clearly thinks should shut up the journalists that were apparently too harsh on the Head Coach.
“Fair play to him and I just want him to take that manager of the month trophy out with him for a little meal, plonk it on the table and hopefully a few journalists will pop in and have a look at it.”