A lot of Newcastle United fans have flocked to a tweet that was recently posted by the club’s official Twitter account in which they shared Toon manager Steve Bruce’s post-match comments on Isaac Hayden following his injury in the North East club’s 4-1 loss to Manchester United on Saturday.
Hayden left the pitch in the early stages of the second half on Saturday and as per the Toon’s official Twitter account, Bruce explained that the 25-year-old midfielder “nicked a hamstring in the first half” but they “thought he was going to be okay” to play in the second half, which he ultimately wasn’t.
As per ChronicleLive, the £9m-rated midfielder is now ‘facing a medical assessment’ as a result of this injury that forced him off the pitch on Saturday.
So, what did these Newcastle United fans make of Steve Bruce’s post-match comments on Hayden’s injury?
SB on Isaac Hayden:
“Unfortunately he nicked a hamstring in the first-half, just before half-time. We thought he was going to be OK for the second but obviously he wasn’t.” pic.twitter.com/jgLDSJYUaL
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 17, 2020
Many Newcastle United fans replied to this post from the club’s official Twitter account relaying Bruce’s comments to slam the 59-year-old manager, with some Toon supporters seemingly criticising the Toon boss for taking the risk of sending Hayden back out onto the pitch for the second half.
Bruce playing Russian roulette with soft tissue injuries again. And he wonders why everyone thinks he’s a dinosaur
— Richard Patterson (@spaniels1980) October 17, 2020
Why risk him then? It’s absolute madness. Have to be so careful, especially with hamstring injuries.. That’s Hayden out for a while now
— Graeme Bell (@GraemeBell_NUFC) October 17, 2020
You don’t mess with hamstring injuries. I remember Gavin Peacock being carried off by the staff immediately at Bristol Rovers 30 years ago. Out for 6 weeks rather than 3 months. I’ve lost it with this fella.
— acpatto (@AnthPatterson) October 17, 2020
So he gambled on an injured midfielder backfired and left an injured goalkeeper on which also backfired. Bruce out before it’s too late
— Triple JPH (@haggo28) October 18, 2020
Absolutely negligent of Bruce and his medical team. Dubravka, Darlow and now Hayden playing/ training on with an injury… beggars belief.
— Rütger van Banks (@banksie1892) October 17, 2020
Shocking management!! When a hamstring’s gone,it’s gone. Hugely irresponsible!!
— Toon Mad (@stuartymck) October 17, 2020
Did Bruce make a mistake by playing Hayden in the second half?
YES
NO
We should report this man to human rights he’s risking players careers here man
— NathJD (@NathJD4) October 17, 2020
Why even chance him if he’s tweeked it, more excuses blah blah blah, on ur bike
— David Robson (@dagvidjunior) October 17, 2020
So, judging by these Newcastle fans’ replies to this tweet, it certainly seems as though plenty of Toon supporters are livid with Bruce for how he handled this situation.