Steve Bruce 'stung' by criticism from Newcastle United fans

Bruce’s side have lost their first two Premier League games – and there was a backlash to the weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Norwich City.

Supporters were critical of Bruce’s tactics in the game at Carrow Road, which was decided by a Teemu Pukki hat-trick. The result heaped more pressure on head coach Bruce, who succeeded the popular Rafa Benitez at St James’s Park last month.

Bruce, according to the Daily Star, was “braced for a backlash” when he signed a three-year deal at St James’s Park. However, the report adds that he “has been stung by the level of vitriol thrown at him, particularly since the Norwich loss”.

Newcastle, beaten 1-0 by Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season, are away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.