Newcastle United's Steve Bruce is an 'evolutionary' who is not 'stuck in a time-warp'

CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 09: James McClean of the Republic of Ireland celebrates victory with David Meyler after the FIFA 2018 World Cup Group D Qualifier between Wales and Republic of Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadium on October 9, 2017 in Cardiff, Wales. Ireland reach the play-offs ahead of Wales after a 1-0 victory. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) | Getty Images

placeholder image — CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 09: James McClean of the Republic of Ireland celebrates victory with David Meyler after the FIFA 2018 World Cup Group D Qualifier between Wales and Republic of Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadium on October 9, 2017 in Cardiff, Wales. Ireland reach the play-offs ahead of Wales after a 1-0 victory. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Former Sunderland man David Meyler has jumped to the defence of former manager Steve Bruce.

Meyler claims the under-fire Newcastle United head coach is not “stuck in some time-warp” after his tactics came into question at St James’s Park.

In fact, in an interview with the Athletic, Meyler described Bruce as adaptable and able to “evolve” – hence why he was such a success when the pair were at Hull City together.

“There was no stone left unturned in training, that’s why we were successful at Hull,” said Meyler.

“We knew everything about the team we were playing. We were playing with confidence, executing the manager’s game plan. We played three or five at the back, we played four. All different formations. He evolved and we evolved; he’s been managing since he retired as a player but he’s not stuck in some time-warp.”