Steve Bruce brands Newcastle United fans 'demanding' in bizarre post-match media comment
Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce has branded Newcastle United fans as ‘demanding’ in a bizarre end to a post-match interview with BT Sports.
Bruce had just watched on as his side rescued a seemingly unlikely point against Aston Villa courtesy of a late Jamaal Lascelles header in a game they looked to have thrown away at St James’ Park. A Ciaran Clark own goal looked to have consigned the Magpies to defeat before skipper Lascelles nodded home a perfect centre from sub Jacob Murphy.
And while Bruce was pleased his side got what they deserved from the encounter, in his eyes, in his post-match interview with the TV cameras he pointed the finger at Newcastle fans when justifying his claim that life in the Magpies’ hotseat is tough.
Although, he does say he believes ‘demanding’ is no bad thing.
"I'm still convinced we will be OK,” he said of the Premier League relegation fight United find themselves in.
"You gain from your experience. Managing Newcastle United is always tough. We have a magnificent support but it is demanding, as it should be."
Bruce’s use of language will be seen by many fans as interesting, especially given the negative connotations pinned to United fans’ demands by many pundits in the national media.
Back to the football, however, Bruce was pleased his side ‘scraped something’ by showing some ‘hunger’ and ‘desire’.
“There wasn't much in the game. Arguably we had the best chances,” he said.
“The goal they scored was a fluke. But the one thing you have to do is show hunger and desire (in these situations) and we scraped something from it.
“(There is) Still 10 games (left). And we are unbeaten in last couple. We would love to have won one.
"We have some big players just around the corner (Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson), we have been hampered. Losing one is cruel enough, but when it's three...”
Bruce was keen to pick out the performance of Joelinton – and tasked the Brazilian with becoming a hero for United.
“Joe has come in for some criticism but has contributed to the team. He needs to score a goal and be a hero for once,” said Bruce.
"I’m sure there’s a goal around the corner. I was happy with his overall performance.”