Steve Bruce’s son Alex has taken exception to an article written by the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope. The article written yesterday after Newcastle’s narrow 0-1 defeat to Arsenal highlighted the substitution gaffe that ultimately led to Newcastle’s undoing.
Alex Bruce has come out today and defended his father which is admirable. However, this is not what is needed for Steve Bruce right now. Steve just needs to accept responsibility for the last 30 minutes of yesterday’s match and move on.
This is the exchange that Alex Bruce has had with Craig Hope.
The buck stops with Steve Bruce after clumsy introduction of Jetro Willems (who did not know where he was playing) disrupts NUFC rhythm before ragged final half hour https://t.co/vs1zHUuJ4q
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 11, 2019
Never seen so much nonsense and lazy journalism, nothing in the game at all most people with a brain could see that except one mistake, this is a prime example of exactly what Graeme Souness was on about yesterday https://t.co/rp1QWMp28F
— Alex Bruce (@AlexBruce84) August 12, 2019
You’re right Alex, there was nothing in the game. So fine margins make the difference, yes? A player coming on & not knowing where he is playing is a fine margin. Two minutes later & he is caught cold for the goal. For that, the buck stops with the manager.
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 12, 2019
Willems came on in centre midfield exactly where he played for @eintracht_eng last season for Shelvey who was carrying a knock but I suppose you’d prefer an injured player left on the pitch?? https://t.co/hdbASbAtUu
— Alex Bruce (@AlexBruce84) August 12, 2019
We’ve been v fair with your dad so far. He’s made a good impression. But we have to comment on a game in isolation – and bringing on a player who doesn’t know where he’s playing does not look good. It affected the team & contributed to losing a game they deserved something from. https://t.co/fF807yk4HT
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 12, 2019
As for “creating a shit storm”. Please, don’t blame the journalist. All fans are talking about is the confusion of the Willems sub, not naming a midfielder on bench & how ragged the final half hour was. To blame a reporter is ludicrous – Steve McClaren tried that & didn’t get far https://t.co/fF807yk4HT
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 12, 2019
A player making a short pass which was cut out lead to the the result, nothing to do with tactics or personnel….. and Willems knew exactly what his role was going on it’s just you trying to cause negativity. V fair?? It was his 1st game and your already starting https://t.co/8sgAuCUKHl
— Alex Bruce (@AlexBruce84) August 12, 2019
We don’t think Craig Hope said anything wrong and we understand that it must be very hard for Alex Bruce as his father has not been well received by many in Newcastle. Yesterday’s second half did not do anything to help Bruce and that is just the way it is.
However, it was time to move on to Norwich and now Alex Bruce has stirred it up again by confronting a journalist who made a very astute and accurate observation.
Bruce needs to put yesterday in perspective and right the wrongs for Norwich. It should be taken as a learning experience and his focus should now move to getting the squad ready for a pivotal match at Carrow Road.
This article was originally posted here