It's time for accountability at Newcastle United

On a sunny day by the river a couple of years ago, it was clear Newcastle United and Fulham were going in very different directions.
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Visiting fans, many of who had travelled to Craven Cottage on a flotilla of boats, saw their team end the 2018/19 season with a 4-0 win.

The victory was every bit as convincing as the scoreline suggested. Fulham were relegated that season, and Newcastle, then managed by Rafa Benitez, finished 13th.

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United fans, however, fear that the final game of this season, which will also be staged at Craven Cottage, will have a very different dynamic.

This time, it’s unlikely that there will be any fans due to the coronvirus pandemic. There’ll be no boat parties on the River Thames – and supporters fear that there’ll be nothing to celebrate back on Tyneside.

Over the past week or two, third-bottom Fulham have been catching Newcastle, despite two wins from four since Graeme Jones’s arrival late last month. A 10-point gap has become a three-point gap.

Scott Parker’s side are seemingly on the up, but what about United?

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Steve Bruce pledged to take the club forward after succeeding Benitez the summer before last, but this season, so far, the team has gone backwards. Yes, the Covid-19 outbreak is a factor – and, yes, the club has been hit by injuries – but the club’s problems on the pitch run deeper.

Steve Agnew, Graeme Jones and Steve Bruce.Steve Agnew, Graeme Jones and Steve Bruce.
Steve Agnew, Graeme Jones and Steve Bruce.

They haven’t been good enough over the season.

Benitez was this week linked with a return to Newcastle, but that is highly unlikely so long as Mike Ashley remains as owner.

Fans want a managerial change, but that has not been on the agenda up to now. The appointment of Jones as Bruce’s assistant was the club’s roll of the dice, and Ashley and the club’s hierarchy will no doubt point to the improved points haul since his arrival.

Jones has brought with him a “fresh ideas” – and a fresh system. Finally, the club has a settled formation, and Bruce has spoken about some encouraging performances in recent weeks.

Callum Wilson and Steve  Bruce.Callum Wilson and Steve  Bruce.
Callum Wilson and Steve Bruce.
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Bruce has also spoken a lot in recent weeks of the “accumulation of points” over the course of the season.

The truth is that United haven’t accumulated nearly enough over the past few months – and fans, understandably, question whether they accumulate many more between now and the end of the season.

Bruce’s side take on Manchester United tonight in desperate need of a result. That’s a big ask, as far better Newcastle teams have struggled at the stadium. The club’s only win at the stadium since 1972 came in December 2013 thanks to Yohan Cabaye, who this week retired from football.

Hopefully, one or more of Bruce’s players can come to the fore this afternoon – and the club can extend the gap.

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Bruce – who demanded more “respect” from written journalists last month – has been unhappy with some of the criticism levelled at him and his team this season.

But if the club slip into the bottom three, it won’t be because of any negativity from fans and journalists. Positive performances are needed on the pitch.

Bruce, ultimately, is accountable for what has gone wrong so far this season – and time is running out for him to put it right.

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