Some Newcastle United fans have rejected the notion that Steve Bruce would be in a marginally favourable position were the season to be declared final.
Play is currently on pause until, at least, April 30 all the while the UK continues to try and tackle the spread of coronavirus, which included the country being put in lockdown after more than 6,500 people tested positive.
Were the season declared final now, Bruce would have the Toon sitting 13th in the Premier League standings, having led the club to nine wins and eight draws over his 29 top-flight games at the helm.
Newcastle are also an FA Cup Quarter Finalist this term, which United had not been able to boast since the 2002/03 season. But were the term called now, some fans would argue Bruce has been ‘underachieving’ given the tools at his disposal.
Bruce has the club’s two most expensive purchases of all-time in £21million man Miguel Almiron and the £40m, one league goal striker Joelinton. Allan Saint-Maximin, signed for £16.5m rising to £20m, is also on the books following his summer arrival.
And yet the Toon rank 20th of all 20 Premier League sides for average possession (40.8%), and 17th for average shots (10.3) and completed passes (74.2%) per game, per WhoScored data.
We also allow the fourth-most shots to be taken against us (15.3), are called offside the third-most times (2.1) and make the 14th-most tackles (16.1).
How would you rate Bruce's tenure to date?
Positive
Disappointing
So when the Chronicle’s Mark Douglas suggested Bruce would be marginally in credit, these fans disagreed…
Just a yes https://t.co/wJ59c5Oviy credit needed.
— Douglas Smith (@Douglas33546856) March 23, 2020
✅ 20/20 in possesion – lowest in PL history
✅ 20 in many attacking stats, incl. goals, xG, created chances etc
✅ 19-20 in touches in opp. box, progress. passes & runs, smart passes
✅ 20 in pressing intensity
✅ luckiest team in league (xPTS, goals prevented by GK)
✅ 🤕crisis— Stephan (@st_prm) March 23, 2020
For me he gets very little credit. Results have been a result of players attitude and commitment.
They’ve saved his skin more than once and I feel next few seasons you’ll write an article on how much the players papered over his cracks when we’re eventually relegated
— Lee (@leerobson23) March 23, 2020
Going off league position, aye. Going off performances, definitely not.
— walkerizm (@walkerizm) March 23, 2020
No
Top10/10th with a promoted side with lineup cost of £35m deserves credit
Finishing lower with £80million front 3 & most expensive NUFC lineup since promotion is £ for £ underachiving in comparison
NUFC’s lowest goal rate season since 1988🤢
13 open play goals in 29 games🤢 pic.twitter.com/BAx0vwxDYi
— Rafa Facts (@FactsRafa) March 23, 2020
Not with me he wouldn’t…
— jacques_kerouac (@kerouac151) March 23, 2020
Not with me either… I don’t give any Mike Ashley yes men credit
— Blackmagic🙋🏻♂️ (@BlackAliblack1) March 23, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club have been given a free path to sign a 29-cap international this summer.