Steve Bruce responds to Lee Charnley's latest comments

There was a backlash on Tyneside to Bruce’s appointment as Rafa Benitez’s successor in the summer.

However, a series of impressive results have eased the pressure on the club’s head coach, who is no longer one of the favourites in the Premier League’s sack race.

And United managing director Lee Charnley this week said Bruce and his players had “changed the narrative”.

Bruce, for his part, took the job with his eyes open.

Asked about Charnley’s comments ahead of tomorrow’s game against Burnley at Turf Moor, Bruce said: “Look, I said from day one, results – especially here in the north-east – help everybody concerned. My job, as I said from day one, was to try to take the club forward if I possibly could.

“The one thing I have done, even through all of it, I've tried to enjoy it. I've said from day one 'right, I know what it is, warts and all, I'm going to try to enjoy it. It's a big opportunity, how lucky am I to have this job?'.” I've said that many, many times.

“The more results you get, the easier the path becomes. We've had a good couple of weeks, that's all it is. It's a platform, let's still try to keep moving forward.”

Newcastle are 11th in the Premier League with 22 points.