A lot of Newcastle United fans have reacted to Alan Shearer’s post about Steve Bruce’s substitutions, which transformed the match in the Toon’s favour.
Newcastle were trailing 1-0 to Southampton and had barely had a touch in the opposition half before Bruce decided to bring off the ineffective Joelinton for Andy Carroll.
Does Bruce deserve credit for the win against Southampton?
Yes
No
This move changed the game, and many Toon fans are happy to praise Bruce for the switch.
Not pretty at times but a great 3 points for the Toon. Very good substitutions that worked very well. ???????? #NEWSOT
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) December 8, 2019
He’s doing a great job old brucy
— Luke (@Luketuc57920589) December 8, 2019
Looks like Rafa wasn’t the great messiah after all. Brucey showing him up. And villa for that matter
— Ian Cox (@Ian_Cox_101) December 8, 2019
All hail #kingBruce
— Andrew Thomas (@AndrewThomas_83) December 8, 2019
Football not pretty but the players have taken to Bruce and are fighting for him. Great result, hope we keep it up.
— NUFC_TheMightyMog (@RonnieB91805312) December 9, 2019
Long way to go I know but I’m gladly eating humble pie re Steve Bruce
— Terry Wilkinson (@wilkinson_terry) December 8, 2019
Steve Bruce deserves more credit. What he’s doing with the players we have has been remarkable.
— Chris Brown (@cbrown257) December 8, 2019
Other Newcastle supporters would like to see Shearer back at St James’ Park in a coaching capacity.
Your statue has better movement than Joelinton. He desperately needs coaching
— Paul Daglish (@daglish_paul) December 8, 2019
Get Joelinton down for a shooting session Al. Why do you think Joelinton is struggling?? Confidence or adopting to the premiership or something else..??
— William Rea (@wills2slim) December 8, 2019
Can you have a word with Joelinton. Give him some tips and advice ?? see glimmers of hope, just lacking confidence! As is Miggy.
— Dan ? (@frodo0905) December 8, 2019
What do we think?
Bruce proved his worth for Newcastle on Sunday, bringing Carroll on allowed them to go direct and play to Carroll’s strengths, and he was a battering ram.
The 30-year-old also provided a stunning cross for Jonjo Shelvey, who thumped home a header. (1:33)
However, it was not just the substitution of Carroll that made the difference.
Bruce also brought Sean Longstaff off the bench, who played a big part in the winning goal. (2:28)
Allan Saint-Maximin found the 22-year-old on the edge of the box, and he hit a shot that Alex McCarthy palmed into the path of Federico Fernandez, (2:33) who was on hand to score his first goal at St James’ Park.
The win has put Newcastle on 22 points and above Arsenal in the table.
Bruce has found a style that is not pretty, but it is effective, and the Toon keep grinding out results – which has delighted many of their fans.