Loads of Newcastle supporters have been reacting with sheer dismay to Steve Bruce’s justification of leaving Ki Sung-Yong out of the matchday squad to face Arsenal on Sunday.
The veteran South Korea international was passed fit ahead of the Premier League curtain-raiser over the weekend, but Bruce confirmed after the game that he had opted against including the 110-cap international in the teamsheet as he needed to cover for our starting defence, as noted by the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope.
Paul Dummett had taken a knock ahead of the opening fixture of the term, but lined up on the left-hand side of a three-man defence, joined by Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles, who caused concern because he was not feeling one-hundred per cent.
This meant Bruce called on four defenders to sit on the bench alongside attackers Allan Saint-Maximin and Yoshinori Muto and back-up goalkeeper Karl Darlow, and had no natural alternative to turn to when Jonjo Shelvey developed an injury.
Taking off Sean Longstaff for Saint-Maximin also meant Isaac Hayden stood as the sole central midfielder for the final period of the game, as the French summer signing and Matt Ritchie were tasked with offering support to Joelinton in search of an equaliser.
Newcastle fans reacting to Bruce’s reasoning behind leaving Ki out of the squad have laughed off his claims, and questioned how his justification even works out.
Here’s what these fans have shared…
Why were they played then? We had fit defenders on the bench. A manager who trying to please his players will achieve nothing. The team and club should come first which Rafa always did no matter who they were.
— Zak Khan (@llkhan8) August 12, 2019
Why would you need 4 defenders on the bench when you can only make 3 subs
— scott jones (@scottjones75) August 11, 2019
Four defenders to cover for two. pic.twitter.com/SNRDMrJG73
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) August 11, 2019
bruce you absolute platypus how does that even make any sense????
— Bima (@rbpamungkas) August 11, 2019
Such basic, basic stuff. Really worrying
— Tom (@85nufc) August 11, 2019
Don’t worry next week we’ll have 7 goal keepers on the bench, you know, just incase there’s an injury to Dubravka..
— Tommy Strong (@strong_te) August 11, 2019
Anyone who thinks 4/6 outfield subs should be defenders surely can’t be managing in the Premier League..
— Anthony Margaretic (@AntonMargaretic) August 11, 2019
There’s so much wrong with that it hurts…
— Bobby Norris ⚫️⚪️???????? (@wonderbonzi) August 11, 2019
Yikes, that is dumb
— Geordie Ahmed (@GeordieAhmed) August 11, 2019
Don’t play them simple
— OUT TILL ASHLEYS GONE (@toondave2015) August 11, 2019
Hahaaa. That’s a hilarious explanation of stupid proportions.
— Richy Lavender (@richylavender) August 11, 2019