Steve Bruce says it’s an “insult” to label his team as fortunate – as they’ve made their own luck.

Newcastle United are 12th in the Premier League – and seven points above the relegation zone – going into the winter break.

And the club could reach the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time under Mike Ashley’s ownership tonight, when they take on Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium in a replay.

Newcastle beat Chelsea with a 94th-minute winner last month, and also staged an injury-time comeback against Everton at Goodison Park.

In other games the team, held to a goalless draw at St James’s Park by Norwich City on Saturday, has been indebted to goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

"In the last couple of weeks, maybe (we’ve been lucky),” said Bruce. “But I can’t see that the accumulation of points over the last seven months is luck.

“I think that's an insult to the players, I really do. They might not be technically the best, but they go out and give us as much as they can give. That’s all you can ask.”

Bruce abandoned plans to play more attacking football earlier this season following what he described as an “embarrassing” 5-0 defeat to Leicester City.

United's head coach – who had toyed with playing two up front – reverted to the defensive, counter-attacking blueprint of Rafa Benitez, his predecessor.

“I don't think we're ready to change,” said Bruce.

"I could play the way Norwich play quite easily, but, for me, its all about keeping the club where we need to be. I think if we changed to four at the back, we'd be in trouble. I think the players we've got are comfortable in the system we've got.

“We didn't play well against Norwich, because we didn't do enough with the ball, we didn't create enough problems for them.

“I have to say in defence of the players, particularly at the top end of the pitch, where we're crying out for something a bit different, I haven't been able to freshen things up and give them a few days off.”