OPINION
Steve Bruce needs to liven up his Newcastle United side and “channel his inner Keegan”, according to talkSPORT host Adrian Durham.
The Magpies currently find themselves in 17th after six matches following a turgid 0-0 draw with Brighton on Saturday evening, and Durham is of the belief that the 58-year-old is approaching his new role in the wrong way.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Monday, he said: “He’s been given a golden opportunity and he’s blowing it. I want to know why he’s choosing to do it like this. When you have something so special, you should cherish it.
“This is my message to Steve Bruce: ‘You’ll never be Rafa Benitez, we all know that. Stop with the dull, negative tactics.’
“What he needs to do is channel his inner Keegan and go for it.
“Be remembered for trying to entertain the Toon Army.”
"He's been given a golden opportunity, and he's blowing it."
"Be remembered for trying to entertain the Toon Army." ?
"Don't have any regrets, this is the only chance you'll get to manage #NUFC!" ????@talkSPORTDrive's inspirational message to Newcastle United's Steve Bruce.. pic.twitter.com/UaM83VyjcP
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 23, 2019
In many respects, it’s difficult to argue with him.
So far this season, only Norwich City and Sheffield United have registered fewer shots in the Premier League than Newcastle, as per the league themselves, and only Burnley have completed fewer successful passes over the course of the opening six matches.
In short, Bruce’s side are struggling to keep possession, and when they do have it, they are struggling to do anything meaningful with it.
Obviously, to an extent, the manager has to be pragmatic, and there have been certain matches this season, such as the hard-fought 1-0 won over Tottenham, in which shutting up shop has been a necessity to grind out a result.
But by the same measure, it would surely be preferable from a fan’s perspective for the Toon Army to grab other, more winnable matches by the scruff of the neck.
Against the Seagulls at St. James’ Park on Saturday, United had just 29% possession, as per the BBC.
By contrast, Watford, who were soundly beaten 8-0 by Manchester City away from home, managed 31%, as per the BBC.
Surely, no Toon fan wants to see that kind of insipid performance regularly, and Durham may well be right.
Bruce might just win himself a few more devotees if he pushes the boat out.