This season has been a true disaster for Newcastle United as they sit just above the relegation zone, precariously lurking into the abyss with Fulham breathing down their neck. Just two points clear of the drop, albeit with one game in hand, they are looking like a team in real free fall with no idea of how to stop the rot. To be honest, it looks like that manager is certainly out of ideas. We take a look at why Steve Bruce doomed at St. James Park.
Steve Bruce is no stranger to the Premier League and has a reasonable record in the topflight (and management in general). Having managed Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, Sunderland and Hull City in the topflight he has the credentials to be in the topflight but this latest adventure with Newcastle will have to go down as an utterly terrible one.
The Newcastle team look completely bereft of confidence and are struggling to get any sort of form together. This was summed up in the dire 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion where they showed no intent on pushing for the win. This is not the first time and it feels like it will not be last time this season that a Bruce side will not push on and challenge the opposition side with any venom.
Bruce has not really been on the back of humiliating losses but the number of losses by the odd goal have hurt them and it is the reason why they are languishing low in the league. Admittedly, losing top goalscorer Callum Wilson will hinder that but Bruce has shown zero faith in Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle. They may not have been the players they once were but surely, they are more effective than the record purchase flop Joelinton?
The lack of trust in a striker has meant that Bruce is wasting the talent of Miguel Almiron by playing him as a false nine but Almiron does not look half as comfortable as he does in the attacking midfield role. It is losing Newcastle control in the centre of midfield and affect the build up play to the strikers.
Bruce has not managed his players well with rumours of disputes with players like Matt Ritchie and constantly calling out the players by throwing them under the bus after several defeats this season. It is usually a sign that the manager is not happy and that translates onto the players quite quickly, affecting how they perform for that manager.
With names like Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche both being linked with the managers job at Newcastle United, it does look like Bruce’s days are numbered especially with both managers having much better records in the Premier League then him and more recently. Bruce will be very lucky to survive the sacking from owner Mike Ashley especially if they get relegated to the Championship.
