Some Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media after Jamaal Lascelles reflected on the system currently favoured by Steve Bruce at St. James’ Park.
Lascelles has started in 17 of our 27 Premier League fixtures played since Bruce took up his position at the helm, and has captained the Magpies in each match played across all competitions thus far.
The 26-year-old was forced to sit out ten top-flight encounters between November and January after cracking his tibia 20 minutes into our 2-1 win at home AFC Bournemouth, and has helped the club to keep two clean sheets in the five matches since his return.
Two successive draws followed by back-to-back defeats have left Lascelles with reason to be concerned, though, and has called on his Toon teammates to start taking more control of games as of Saturday’s clash with Burnley.
But the former England U21 international also doubts that a string of more favourable results will be possible without Bruce first changing his system, which fans believe has been behind our aptitude to “crumble” under pressure.
“Yeah [we] definitely [need to do more on the ball],” said Lascelles, via quotes by the Chronicle. “Not just for the stats, but to wear the other team out.
Should Bruce change his system vs Burnley?
Yes
No
“When we’re up against a big team and they’re just moving the ball side to side, it takes it out of you – just constantly sliding right to left and trying to win the ball back. If we can increase our possession a little bit, get the other team running, then that will be massively towards our advantage in winning the game.
“I think a lot of it is about who turns up on the day. For us, especially, there’s not been many games we’ve won by playing amazing, pretty football, passing the team off the park and having really high possession.
“We’ve done really well from turning up, heads in the right direction from the minute we cross the white line and letting the team know we’re in this game and we’re here to play – everyone fighting and working with each other.
“Second half against Arsenal, we didn’t have that. I do think we had it against Crystal Palace, but their quality obviously got them the goal. We roll our sleeves up and try to amend things for Saturday.”
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Lascelles’ comments…
“Current approach” you literally stand there on the edge of the box until they score and then crumble. Bruce hasn’t a clue. https://t.co/oCqnST3Pd9
— Cal (@crxigzzz) February 26, 2020
in other words play football 🙄🙄🙄
— daniel fraser (@geordiejock73) February 26, 2020
Keep the ball. Good tactics.
— Michael Johnson (@johnswine87) February 26, 2020
Agreed. Looks and feels like the lads at the back and Dubravka are being relied on every game because of how Bruce sets the team up. No pressing what so ever until it’s to late. So terrible by management. Because he says he can’t train a team to a new setup.
— Hudson (@xDawsx) February 26, 2020
We did ok with Rafa taking the defensive approach. With the injuries we’ve had this season, and Lascelles suggesting the players are getting worn out by how we play, questions should be asked about the fitness regime now at the club.
— Andrew McVittie (@Andrew_McVittie) February 26, 2020
Sounds about right that, we only play the game with 6 players, sit back, Dubravka in goal, and 5 poor blokes at the back defending like beavers, to absolutely no avail at the minute
— Jamie Lee (@JamieL92) February 26, 2020
— Denis Taylor (@ToonDen) February 26, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, a £35k-p/w player will not feature against Burnley in the absence of a £20m international.