Newcastle United round-up: Steve Bruce backed as pundit slams Mike Ashley, Toon legend expects better from winger

Asides from the result, here are some of the other headlines surrounding the Magpies:

Pundit believes Steve Bruce will stay at Newcastle

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie believes Steve Bruce will remain at Newcastle United next season, insisting Mike Ashley is the root of all the club’s problems.

The 60-year-old’s position as head coach had looked untenable before the Magpies’ recent upturn in form, which has lifted them nine points above the Premier League drop zone.

United lost to Arsenal at St James’s Park this afternoon but McAvennie is confident Bruce has done enough to seal safety.

“Mike Ashley will keep Steve Bruce on now it looks like Newcastle are safe,” McAvennie told Football Insider. "I don’t know many managers who would like to go in there and work with Ashley, that’s a problem.

“Listen, they are safe now and they could get rid of Bruce but nothing will change as long as Ashley is there. So what’s the point?

“He’s not going to pump money into the club, he’ll give just enough to keep them in the league. It’s an incredible way to run a football club, I really don’t get that.”

Rob Lee expects to see more from Ryan Fraser

Newcastle United legend Rob Lee expects to see better from Ryan Fraser after a “disappointing” opening season on Tyneside.

Fraser joined the Magpies on a free transfer last summer but has struggled for a consistent run of games due to injury.

The 27-year-old is sidelined for the next few weeks with a groin problem.

Lee told This Is Futbol: “I think he has been disappointing this season and I’ve said before that it could be down to a number of reasons such as a lack of form, playing in different positions and injuries.

“It’ll be big for him next season because he needs to show the form that he had at Bournemouth, and I think he knows that.”

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