Many Newcastle United fans have been reacting to comments made by Steve Bruce that the Magpies gave as good as they got for most of the game despite suffering a heavy 5-2 defeat at Leeds United last night.
The Magpies had taken the lead in the first half through Jeff Hendrick, but that was to be a rare bright moment on a difficult night for Newcastle. For prolonged periods of the game they were forced back by Leeds, who controlled possession and eventually started to make their dominance with the ball count, duly carving Bruce’s side open.
Newcastle found a way back into the game after they had fallen 2-1 behind and then for a brief period enjoyed their best spell of the game before Leeds went onto to retake the lead. From that point on, the Magpies were left exposed on the counter-attack far too often and allowed the Whites to make it a comfortable 5-2 final score.
Bruce insisted afterwards that the Magpies were well in the game and had given as good as they got until the closing stages. He also confessed they gave away some bad goals during the latter stages of the match at Elland Road.
As per a tweet from journalist Lee Ryder, the manager said: “Up until the last 12 minutes I thought we gave as good as we got. It could have gone the other way. Unfortunately, we were punished and gave away bad goals. When you give away bad goals it’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
Newcastle fans rage at Steve Bruce comments
Many Newcastle fans were bemused by the comments made by Bruce, believing that Leeds had been in complete control of the game as they enjoyed more than twice as much possession and attempts on goal. One supporter even suggested that the manager was “delusional” to come out with such remarks after the heavy defeat.
25 shots against 10 shots is giving as good as we got? Or was it Leeds having over 500 passes while we only had 240? No wonder we are in such a state, we deserved to lose, it wasn't a bitter pill to swallow.
— Angel ?? (@AngelNUFC) December 16, 2020
He’s absolutely dreaming! We were completely outclassed by a team playing attractive, free flowing, attacking, incisive football. Whilst we played defensive, cautious, low quality counter-attacking/ long-ball guff! Get a grip Steve and credit us with some intelligence.
— Anth Graham (@madtoon71) December 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/Anth1977/status/1339311863331434500?s=19
Is he actually having a laugh? Embarrassing comment that.
— Adam Nicholson (@AdamNic40679454) December 16, 2020
Our manager is delusional https://t.co/PtHny1TSkI
— Erik Bjerke (@nordicgeordie) December 16, 2020
The only thing worse than playing that badly is having a manager who can’t see how bad his team is. Dangerous. #NUFC #LEENEW https://t.co/LazB3WeHEW
— James Lowery (@jlow88) December 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/DanielB00955238/status/1339328043861635082?s=19
