Steve Bruce’s reacts to ‘disappointing’ criticism of Newcastle United tactics

Bruce’s side beat Newport County 5-4 on penalties last night to reach the last eight of the Carabao Cup following a 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade.

Newcastle, trailing to an early goal in the behind-closed-doors game, looked to be heading out of the competition until Jonjo Shelvey struck in the 87th minute.

United had been second best first 60 minutes, and Bruce – who had defended his tactics after Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Tottenham Hotspur – again addressed criticism of him and his team after the fourth-round tie.

“Look, I’m the manager of Newcastle,” said Bruce. “If you don’t win, or perform, then you get criticised. I’m not immune to that.

“I agree, fully, that we didn’t play well enough. All of a sudden, now, it’s questioning tactics. I just find the whole thing disappointing. I understand we didn’t play well. You know, we don’t go out there and not want to play well.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t, and for large parts of the game we didn’t tonight, but we stuck at it, and, towards the end, the last 35-40 minutes I thought we, and rightly so, dominated possession, and just had to take one of the chances we created.”

Bruce felt the introduction of Callum Wilson and Joelinton in the 62nd minute helped his team get on the front foot at Rodney Parade.

“You have to give credit to them (Newport), and I thought once we introduced our two substitutes, we were far, far better,” said United’s head coach.

“Look, it the first half, they made it very difficult, and you say ‘well done’ to the opposition.

"But, the longer it went, I thought the better we were. We were much, much better after the first half, in particular.

“I thought all of the second half, we were better, but we didn’t score, and, unfortunately, the longer it goes on, people get more anxious, and we needed a great goal from Jonjo.”

Newcastle take on Burnley at St James’s Park in the Premier League on Saturday night.

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