Steve Bruce has say on Graeme Jones's 'input' into team affairs at Newcastle United

Jones was last week appointed as an “assistant” to Bruce following an 11-game run without a win in all competitions.

The 50-year-old took a training session ahead of the weekend’s game against Everton – and Newcastle won 2-0 thanks to two goals from Callum Wilson.

Jones was vocal on the touchline at Goodison Park, and fans took to social media to praise what they saw as his influence on the team, which played positive, attacking football – and pressed high up the pitch.

Supporters also hailed tactical tweaks to a team which had been short on confidence following a dismal run of results over the festive period.

However, United’s head coach, also assisted by Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence, Steve Harper and Ben Dawson, saw signs of improvement in the defeats to Leeds United and Aston Villa last month.

Asked about the impact Jones had made at United, Bruce said: “Graeme’s worked for a couple of days with us.

"Personally, I think we’ve seen an improvement against Leeds in midweek, and I saw a slight improvement against Aston Villa in the second half. So over the last two or three weeks there’s been a few signs.

"What you need to do is put it all together, of course. And, of course, you need your big players on the pitch, and that’s what we’ve been able to do in the last two, three weeks.

"Yes, Graeme will be a welcome addition to what we’re trying to do. Let’s hope it continues.”

Bruce said Gateshead-born Jones would bring “fresh ideas” to the relegation-threatened club, which is 16th in the Premier League and eight points above the bottom three ahead of tonight’s home game against 13th-placed Crystal Palace.

Asked about the praise for Jones following the Everton win, Bruce said: “Inspired choice.

Jones had been first-team coach at Bournemouth. The Championship club, which netted £250,000 in compensation for Jones, has since replaced the 50-year-old with former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate, who was most recently in charge of Middlesbrough, his hometown club.

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