Loads of Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media, after Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp suggested that it is time Steve Bruce is given credit for the work he has carried out at St. James’ Park.
Bruce arrived in the summer as the successor to Rafa Benitez 23 days after the club announced that the Spaniard would not be continuing on in his role as manager, and has since overseen four top-flight wins in 14 games.
At this stage of the 2018/19 campaign, we had one fewer victories to our name and were four points worse off, having scored two fewer goals and allowed three fewer in at the other end of the pitch.
Bruce has faced relentless backlash from the Toon fanbase since his arrival after being initially described as a disaster of an appointment, and is still yet to gain the full support of the St. James’ Park faithful.
Those against Bruce’s position in the dugout can point toward our disheartening displays against Norwich City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester City and Watford to support their arguments, while those more in favour can use our wins over Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Saturday’s draw with Manchester City.
The result against the Sky Blues from Saturday left a mark on Redknapp, it seems, as the former Liverpool midfielder has used his column for the Daily Mail to call for supporters to finally give Bruce the ‘credit he deserves’.
“It is time to give Steve Bruce the credit he deserves,” Redknapp wrote. “After 14 games, Newcastle have 16 points. At the same stage under Rafa Benitez last season, they had 12. Bruce’s side have not lost at St James’ Park since the opening day.
“They beat Manchester United there in October, and Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City felt just as good for those fans. They enjoyed this because Newcastle earned that point in style.
“They had a go against one of the best teams in the world. Yes, they only had 23.6 per cent possession but whenever they had the ball, they looked forwards. This was a performance of positivity.
“Under Benitez, they’d approach these games in more of a negative manner. They’d sit deep. But Bruce wanted to test City. This would have been billed as a Benitez masterclass 12 months ago, so let’s give Bruce credit.”
Does Bruce deserve more credit than he receives?
Yes
No
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to the Sky pundit’s claim…
I get the logic but what has he actually done? He has used exactly the same system that worked last year, only difference is we drew instead of won.
— Chris Black (@ChrisBlack10) December 2, 2019
Totally agree…..all should give him backing he’s doing a good job in my book! Season 1 if he keeps Newcastle up then expect season 2 will improve! Ashley is the problem not our manager! In Brucey I believe 👍
— BasherBate ⤴️ (@basherbate) December 2, 2019
Nothing to celebrate yet, still 14th you know. If Bruce can win against SUFC, so he deserved it. Draw against Mancity is good but can’t cover the lose against Villa.
— Ginkoh_NUFC (@Ginkohro) December 2, 2019
Thing is when Rafa done it when we first got promoted we had a 4 million pound striker up front. We now have an 80 million pound attack
— Dazza (@NUFC_DazzaD) December 2, 2019
They’re all quick to say he deserves credit after a decent result, but they were quiet after last Monday night
— Steve McKenna (@SteveMcKenna_) December 2, 2019
Only as good as your last game.
— pol1971🏴 nufc (@Polyflanders191) December 2, 2019
Yes he’s done a very decent job.
— James (@StMaximumSauce) December 2, 2019
Prefer to wait till the end of the season to judge the job Bruce has done, still a very long way to go..
— Chris Cossey (@Cosseycj) December 2, 2019
No. This always comes up when we get some form of a result. Where were all these comments after the Villa game? They keep saying more points than this stage last season, I guarantee in May (when it matters) we’ll have less. Bruce is the worst manger in the PL and we all know it!
— Dan (@DanHeths84) December 2, 2019