Newcastle’s recent form is causing some supporters to revise their initial opinion of Steve Bruce, and The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has defended the Magpies’ boss by suggesting he was judged before he got the chance to prove himself.
In the main, he has continued where Rafael Benitez left off, and although he has been given more money to spend than the Spaniard ever was, he is making the most out of it.
Newcastle have lost just once in the previous seven matches, which includes impressive results such as the win at Bramall Lane and the draw with champions Manchester City.
Added to that, Bruce has got fans raving over players like Allan Saint-Maximin and Federico Fernandez while Jonjo Shelvey, who now has five goals this season, has also impressed.
Even Andy Carroll is beginning to prove his worth, and if it wasn’t for the hostility between the fanbase and Mike Ashley there would be a feel-good factor around St.James’ Park.
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Some fans suggest their opposition to Bruce is born out of their distaste for the owner. That’s why they couldn’t get behind him upon his appointment, and why it is difficult for the former Aston Villa boss to ever win them over.
Despite not losing at home in the league since the opening day fixture against Arsenal, attendances are at a low point and seem to be getting worse – with the average at a little more than 43,000, almost 9,000 lower than capacity.
That is perhaps unlikely to change given the negative style of play, too, though Bruce is slowly winning the faith of some fans, and will continue doing so if the current form continues.
Nevertheless, a few Newcastle fans aren’t being so naive. They believe that the current run of form won’t last and for every good result, there will be one equally as negative – with performances against Leicester and Aston Villa at the forefront of one fan’s mind.
There is still a lack of faith in Bruce’s management despite a return to form and perhaps some supporters just can’t shake the idea that he is too friendly with Ashley to ever be held in high regard.
Meanwhile, the future of one Newcastle player is still very much in doubt under Bruce.
