Many Newcastle United fans have flocked to a tweet that The Chronicle recently relayed on social media.
The Chronicle’s recent tweet relayed an article on Twitter. The article said that Magpies boss Steve Bruce has his core group of players now but he’s still decided to set up a defensive-minded team. The piece said that former manager Rafael Benitez didn’t have players like Allan Saint-Maximin, Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson and perhaps that is why the Spaniard had to use a defensive system.
The article essentially asked whether Bruce should use a defensive system all the time. The last line read: ‘It begs the question: What is the benefit of such a defensive-minded approach?’
The tweet that had relayed this article on Twitter asked fans if they agree with the piece or not. It caught the attention of many Toon fans.
What did Newcastle fans make of the latest article from The Chronicle?
Yes. This 8 men defending 1 on the wing and 1 up front has to stop. All the players energy is being used up running around defending. If Bruce wants to play that way put 8 defensive players on the pitch.
— thereal andrew young (@temperamentalan) October 20, 2020
Should Steve Bruce change his system?
Yes
No
he needs to stop giving credit to other teams or players and be more competitive in his press conferences too – this good guy attitude is not winning games for the toon
— Michael Peliza (@peliza84) October 20, 2020
It’s time to give respect to the players he has. I.E. forwards such as Fraser and Miggy. They can help win games.
— Tom (@TTTTTOOOOOMM) October 20, 2020
Bruce shows too much respect to everyone not just top six
— Darren Ward (@DarrenW88384744) October 20, 2020
The Magpies were 1-0 up against Manchester United on Saturday but they ended up losing 4-1. Before that, they had beaten Burnley and had held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw. They have already beaten West Ham United this season (as per Whoscored).
Newcastle currently find themselves in the 13th position in the Premier League and have seven points in the bag so far.
Some other Newcastle fans also expressed their opinion about Bruce and they had negative things to say about the club’s manager.
It’s time for #nufc to get a new manager #BRUCEOUT
— Bruceout (@Bruceout3) October 20, 2020
That is exactly it, Bruce goes in with the team respecting them to much, he’s to soft to be a manager! Look at Leeds for e.g they haven’t been in the league for 16 years, They show no respect to anyone! Bruce needs to book his ideas up and stop being everyone’s friend #NUFC https://t.co/M6VvM9qkt5
— Kyle John ?????? #ApproveTheNUFCsale (@kyleken19720958) October 20, 2020
These Toon fans want Bruce to change his approach in games and want him to be less defensive than he currently is.
Last season, the Magpies scored the fourth-lowest number of goals in the Premier League. They had generated the second-lowest xG in the league last season and it stood at only 36.49 (as per Understat).
Those aren’t promising numbers in a goalscoring sense and because of that, it is understandable why Toon fans want Bruce to change his approach this season.