Steve Bruce's bizarre post-match comments, shoehorning Joelinton & back to basics with Dwight Gayle – Newcastle United talking points

Steve Bruce says he’s “quietly confident” Newcastle United will have enough to avoid the Premier League drop, few fans now share his sentiment after watching their side put in a marginally improved show against Burnley, but again fail to find the back of the net for the fourth top flight game in succession.

Put whatever spin you want on it, the final months of the 2019/20 season looks set to be a whole lot nervier than it looked like they would be at the turn of the year.

Goals (or a lack of) and system changes were the talk of the Toon around the pubs and clubs of Tyneside this weekend – here’s THREE more key points of discussion, picked out by our NUFC writer Liam Kennedy.

Gayle force

Having led the line on United’s return to the Premier League under Rafa Benitez, it was clear after a season the Magpies needed a striker upgrade on Dwight Gayle.

After seven months of Joelinton, Gayle looks like a breath of fresh air as a central striker.

Gayle made more meaningful runs in 45 minutes than the £40million Brazilian has produced since August. His movement was basic, but just what you want from a striker, and a massive improvement. And, importantly, Gayle was on the end of things in the box.

Did Newcastle pay £40m for a winger?

United did not surely think paying £40m for a winger, who has no pace, no end product and doesn’t score goals was good business?

Essentially, that’s what they’ve got in Joelinton. They are shoehorning him into their XI at the moment and he does not seem to naturally fit any role.

Bruce coaching comments

I can’t help but feel Bruce has made a rod for his own back with his post-match comments.

On his system change, Bruce said: "The only thing a coach can do is change personnel and shape.”

A manager of his experience knows there’s more to coaching than that. It is almost insulting to his own reputation. If he means it, then Newcastle have got a whole lot more to worry about.