Former Sky Sports pundit Richard Keys has taken a dig at Newcastle fans by saying that they “must be hating” the success of former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce.
The presenter – who currently works for beIN Sports – hit back at fans after he claims to have had ‘vile abuse’ from supporters for complimenting the work that he has been doing.
While writing his blog on his personal website, he said: “And you knew I was going to mention it – what about Brucey? Newcastle fans must be hating what he’s doing!
“He’s proving that not only Rafa can manage that club. He’s 10 points better off than the Toon weren’t [sic] this stage last season – and there’s not a hint of turmoil behind the scenes.
“I had hoped one or two of you serial abusers in the North East might’ve had the good grace to withdraw some of your vile abuse.
“No – I’m kidding. I knew you wouldn’t but I do hope the rest of your season continues as it is now.”
While you can understand the frustrations towards Mike Ashley and the board for the nature of Rafael Benitez’s departure, you simply cannot argue that Steve Bruce is doing a really good job.
There have been many suggestions that this has come due to the investment in the squad, where in reality, it’s not a particularly fair argument. Not only has the former Villa boss had to overcome the adversity of a number of injuries to key players such as Matt Ritchie, Jamaal Lascelles, Florian Lejeune and Fabian Schar, but he also had to replace two of his main attacking outlets in Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon.
Has Bruce done enough to win you over?
Yes, he's doing a great job
No, he needs to do more
After 16 games this season, the club are sitting pretty in 11th and are incredibly just two points short of fifth place. It’s nearly half of the season gone and they are within touching distance of the Europa League; if that’s not enough proof to suggest that he is doing a good job given what’s happened then I don’t know what is.
Yes, only Palace, Norwich and Watford have conceded more and the style of football is hardly great to watch, but it is not as if Benitez’s side were playing particularly fluid and attacking football.