Newcastle United defender Paul Dummett has moved to clarify his post-Norwich City comments, and insists he was not criticising the efforts of Steve Bruce and his backroom staff when claiming things were not right in the warm-up.
The Geordie defender is one of seven players yet to miss a minute of top-flight football under Bruce, with the Magpies ace lining up on the left-hand side of a three-man defence against the Canaries like he was tasked with against Arsenal.
United’s backline were caught out throughout the Carrow Road encounter, though, as the reigning Championship title holders breezed to their first win in the Premier League since 2016.
It seemed as if Dummett offered an honest assessment of the team’s performance on Saturday, too, when he claimed: “Every one of us has got to look in the mirror and know it’s not good enough.”
But the £35,000-a-week ace has now sought to clarify his post-game comments, and took to Twitter to pen: “Just to clarify my comment on the warm-up in my post-match interview, it was about us as players and as a team, not the coaching staff.
“As I said in the interview, we know it wasn’t good enough from the first whistle. We need to stick together and improve – and we will.”
Dummett seeking to clarify his comments has missed the mark with some Newcastle fans, though.
Here’s how these Magpies supporters replied…
Wise up, grow a pair and EARN your money
— Q Mac Giolla Mhuire (@qc_gilmore) August 21, 2019
2 games in and we’ve got players trying to explain situations etc. Classic relegation szn
— Dell ???? (@agbnufc) August 21, 2019
With respect Paul, we hear this at the start of every season. Perhaps we should be asking why players need to apologise for performances/results early in the season year after year.
— Mark Gillon (@mgillon81) August 20, 2019
They put you up to this #AshleyOut #bruceout #nomoremoneyforashley
— Northshieldsmags (@againstashley) August 20, 2019
It’s both. Manager has no clue what to do and the players played with 0 passion for the club.
— Mark ⚫️⚪️ (@MarkMazzocchi) August 20, 2019
Paul don’t kid yourself. We will beat Derby’s lowest points record this season.
— J’ (@questy88) August 20, 2019
You’re losing the support of the best fans in the country and I never thought I’d see it
— leon steed (@toonarmy3) August 20, 2019
We all know you have been told by mike Ashley to come on here and do that. Our club is rotten
— DAVID NUFC ⚫️⚪️ (@GreenGeordie9) August 20, 2019
Paul, remember what Rafa said – “The fans are clever, they know what’s going on”.
Keep going but don’t jeopardise your principles.
— David Pick (@davidpick1987) August 20, 2019
Grow a pair Paul! Man up!
Bruce is out if his depth! Clueless— Rafa knew! #bruceout (@TOONRafalution) August 20, 2019
Was that ok @KBA__Agency?
— Ali Al-Mufti (@AliAlMufti86) August 20, 2019