Lots of Newcastle United fans have been discussing whether or not Steve Bruce has an identity as a manager, after the boss referenced Rafa Benitez’s decision to play a five-at-the-back while justifying his tactics at the St. James’ Park helm.
Bruce has reflected on his style of play ahead of our FA Cup Fourth Round Replay with Oxford United on Tuesday night, having drawn 0-0 with Norwich City at the weekend – marking our third stalemate in a row across all competitions.
Saturday’s goalless draw with the Canaries was also our seventh shared point in the Premier League since Bruce’s appointment last summer, while seeing the Magpies possess the football for just 43.4% of the match.
That figure is up four per cent on our season average of 39.4% – the worst in the top-flight – but WhoScored’s heat map from the game showed that our 579 touches as a team were heavily taken inside our half of the field or on the wings, rather than causing Daniel Farke’s Carrow Road side constant issues.
Does Bruce lack his own identity?
Yes
No
Sadly, that is nothing new, as we have only averaged 22% of our league matches in the attacking third of the field – another worst in the division – compared to 32% in our defensive third – the third most – and 46% in the middle – also the third most.
Bruce has tried to justify our performances by reflecting on Benitez’s decision to switch to a five-at-the-back system last season, having often utilised the same core shape as the Spaniard.
“I could change tomorrow, like *this*,” Bruce said, via quotes by the Chronicle. “Open us up, play open and expansive football, play the way Norwich play quite easily but for me, it’s all about keeping the club where we need to be.
“We changed this time last year. Rafa changed to five at the back because with four at the back, they were in big trouble. I think with the players we’ve got, we are comfortable with the system we’ve got.”
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Bruce’s comment and discussed if the boss is lacking a key trait of the game – having his own style as a manager…
Bruce: “It was this time last year the team went to a back five. Before that, they couldn’t win a corner.”
My problem with SB is his lack of identity as a manager. He may as well thank Benitez for making us competent in this formation.
Awful tactician, decent motivator. #NUFC
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) February 3, 2020
The passing is so slow and predictable – and we are too deep. Tbf I think there are many other reasons why we don’t cause teams problems… can’t knock the spirit but it’s tough viewing!
— Spudwilson (@Spudwilson1) February 3, 2020
Im not saying that Bruce is a good tactican, but you need the right players to play the way you want! When you had a manager who never took a chance on anything, and the squad consist of 80% defensive players, its not easy! Give the man a chance and some time.
— Jan-Henrik (@JanHenrikBerg1) February 4, 2020
I do wonder if we will ever see SB do something bold with team? I don’t think we will. He is being careful, non-disruptive and will take the luck when it arrives. As such there is very little variety in what he says, he promises very little also. It’s working for him- so far.
— Toon161070 (@Toon161070) February 3, 2020
And before that time we didn’t have joelinton, Carroll, almiron, saint maximin, bentaleb, rose, Lazaro, so what’s his point? Say we get taken over “oh well 2 years ago we played a back 5 and it was effective” guys an utter clown.
— Jack (@Boshhhhhh) February 3, 2020
Truth is there to see how pivotal Rafa was… laid the foundation for a solid team, towards the back end of last season we looked like a team on the rise if we had of secured rondon and Rafa… instead we’ve pissed 40m up the wall and hired a clown.
— Anth Sloan (@AnthonySloan2) February 3, 2020
The back five isn’t the problem.
It’s what is going on ahead of them that causes issues.
We have two wingers who BOTH drop far too deep, leaving Jo on his own. Last year, Perez was closer to Rondon, Miggy narrower too.
Wing backs gave us width. Now we’re too wide and too deep.
— RJ (@rjNUFC) February 3, 2020
If he doesn’t change it up against Oxford when will he ever change it? 4231 or 433 get the lads attacking. I’d love to see 4231. Back 4, Hayden and slongstaff, Lazaro/Asm/Ritchie wide almiron central and whatever striker we have fit. Change it up and attack them
— Dicky (@Dicky0130) February 3, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club risk missing out on Bruce’s number one January target again following the player’s reported decision.