Plenty of Newcastle fans have reacted on Twitter to quotes from Steve Bruce regarding Mike Ashley.
The Magpies chairman was in attendance to see his side reach the fifth round for the very first time under his ownership as his side overcame Oxford United 3-2.
It was by no means plain sailing, though, with the Us coming back with a late comeback which saw them take the game to extra time despite being 2-0 down.
Despite watching his side struggle, he was at least there to witness some good individual performances from Sean Longstaff, Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton – the three players who all got on the scoresheet for Steve Bruce’s team.
After the game, the former Sunderland manager was asked whether his smile at the end of the match was directed at the chairman. He denied, stating that it was for his son.
He said (via the Chronicle): “No, no, no, no, no. It was my lad, I think he was still here and that’s who I was looking for.
“I’m sure (Mike Ashley) will go home delighted. It’s the first time in his era we’ve got past the fourth round, which I’m sure he’ll be delighted about.”
Do you begrudge Bruce for these comments?
No, all he said was that he would be delighted
Yes, he shouldn't be talking about Ashley at all
Not sure
The Chronicle’s Newcastle-dedicated Twitter page posted about the comments, to which many fans weren’t particularly happy with.
As you can see from the replies below, many fans tore into both the manager and the chairman…
Even more delighted that he's got away with his annual January transfer window trick of paying various people off to start the bullshit takeover rumours and not spending anything substantial on transfers.
— 🇬🇧 DavidL1980 🏴 (@L1980David) February 4, 2020
Ok Alan pardew
— Steven (@steram81) February 5, 2020
— Mal Huddart (@M4lah75) February 4, 2020
*cringe*
— Simon (@LittleHenryD) February 4, 2020
— Lee (@leerobson23) February 4, 2020
— Eddie Temple (@TempleEddie) February 4, 2020
In all honesty, what do fans actually want Bruce to say in this situation?
Take a dig at Ashley for all his wrongdoings over the years, of course, but it’s simply unfair to criticise the manager for saying such an obvious and innocuous comment. All he said was that the manager is likely to be delighted after reaching the fifth round of the cup for the first time – hardly offensive or untrue, is it?