Steve Bruce quotes Pep Guardiola to make point about Newcastle United tactics

Newcastle United are just three points above the Premier League’s relegation zone ahead of tonight’s home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

And there have been more calls from fans for a managerial change at the 17th-placed club, which was beaten 3-1 by Manchester United last weekend.

Supporter group Wor Flags this week raised a banner outside St James’s Park calling on owner Mike Ashley to “stop gambling with our club”.

However, Bruce, appointed as Rafa Benitez's successor in the summer of 2019, remains defiant ahead of the Wolves game – and he referenced comments from Guardiola in his pre-match press conference.

United’s head coach said: “Did you see Pep Guardiola asked about tactics the other night? His reply to it was ‘we’re blessed with a lot of money’, and how fitting it was, because you can talk about tactics as much as you like – (but) it’s all about players.”

The pre-season aim this season was a top-10 finish following the summer acquisitions of Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser, Jamal Lewis and Mark Gillespie, but, once again, it’s all about survival.

Asked if he would take fourth-bottom now, Bruce said: “Well, whatever we do, we’ve got to stay in the Premier League.

“I’d like to finish a bit higher than that, but, for me, there are seven teams in it – and there has probably been that from the start.

“There are six or seven teams that usually compete at the bottom end, and last year we finished top of that table, so our aim is can we do that again?

“That’s what I’m trying to aim for, and trying to be a little bit realistic. But, of course, you’re always looking over your shoulder.

“But we’re not alone, I must stress this. It just seems as though Newcastle are the only one in it – we’re not alone. There are six or seven teams all in and around us who are still nervously looking over their shoulders.”

Bruce retains the backing of Ashley.

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