Newcastle remained in the bottom three over the weekend as they were thrashed by Leicester on Sunday.
Steve Bruce’s side lost 5-0, with midfielder Isaac Hayden also seeing red in the first-half for a poor challenge on Dennis Praet.
After the game, Bruce claimed that it had nothing to do with tactics and, instead, was about showing pride.
Twitter: Bruce: “I have heard lots of nonsense about tactics but the big thing is about showing pride and having a go.”
?️ https://t.co/n3ugRFLUAM (@ChronicleNUFC)
These Newcastle fans reacted to his comments…
Why?
Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC On the field they have no pride, no tactics & not had a go, so why is he there??? (@toon_mentalist)
More to come…
Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC Having a go? Oh dear , more heavy defeats to come then… ? (@dinga53)
Clueless…
Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC So where was the pride and having a go at Norwich, at home to Watford and Brighton and today? Excuse… https://t.co/VjDovwlvxU (@ISimpson73)
Retire…
Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC Retire Steve (@Rich1982Miller)
Well…
Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC Championship mentality. (@ChrisWater9)
READ NEWCASTLE VERDICT
As much as Steve Bruce clearly does not want to talk about tactics, it is hard to deny the evidence. Newcastle have set up to sit back and defend in every game so far, and it has worked once – against Tottenham away.
Newcastle have held a deep line and looked to counter teams, but Christian Atsu, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton have not shown enough so far to suggest that they are good enough to be effective playing that way.
If results continue to go against Newcastle, Bruce could be in trouble – given the money spent over the summer.
