da winzada777： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da pinnacle： Alan Shearer has backed Steve Bruce and believes he could do well with Newcastle this season.
What did he say?
Bruce has been the target of much criticism during his tenure at Newcastle having only picked up eight points from eight games, leading the Magpies legend to suggest he was very happy that the team picked up an important win against Manchester United.
As well as winning, the performances of the Longstaff brothers was a huge positive, and could be a sign that Bruce might be able to turn things around, and Shearer certainly believes so.
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The former striker acknowledged there has been some disappointing moments, but is choosing to look on the bright side. Speaking at the opening of the Wallsend Boys Club, as reported by Chronicle Live, he said:
“There’s something in there to work with. If you can keep the majority of the squad fit, then I think they’ll do alright.
“Then if you look at investment in January, and hopefully that’ll come as well.
“I think it was a huge relief to everyone, including Steve, who I was delighted for, because he’s had to put up with a lot of **** over the last couple of weeks.
“They’ve had a hammering, and rightly so, but you always get a right to reply as a footballer and football manager. If you get a result like that (against Man United), it certainly gives you something to go and build on.”
Surprising outlook?
It seems like the majority of Newcastle fans are against Bruce with many unhappy at Rafa Benitez’s departure and some boycotting matches, yet Shearer is willing to give him his support.
The former England international also supported the Spaniard but was happy to criticise him for a lack of “entertainment”, yet Bruce has continued the same style – with five goals in eight league games – and Shearer hasn’t mentioned it.
Worse still is the fact Newcastle are currently not picking up points with the same consistency, with Bruce’s average of one point per game below that of Benitez in his three Premier League seasons at Newcastle – including the one in which they were relegated.
Performances in the 5-0 defeat against Leicester and winning only one home game in four is a poor return, and though he mentioned it briefly, he has not addressed the concerns that came from those displays, and instead thinks any problems could be ironed out by supposed strengthening in the transfer window.
For a keen Newcastle fan one would think he’d be more ruthless in his verdict and question the set-up from the Magpies boss, which saw his side have just four shots on target and 29% possession against Brighton.