Steve Bruce suggested that at times Newcastle will “come unstuck” when using their new offensive set-up after Monday night’s defeat to Chelsea.
After being on the end of criticism for being too defensive, Bruce has recently adopted a more positive approach at Newcastle. This has coincided with the addition of Graeme Jones into his coaching team.
The Magpies were without a win in eleven games in all competitions. That came to an end on January 30 as they beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park.
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They lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace at the start of February, but they returned to winning ways days later as they defeated Southampton 3-2.
On Monday night Newcastle were convincingly beaten by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They are now just seven points above Fulham in the last relegation spot. Scott Parker’s side also have a game in hand.
Speaking after the Chelsea loss, as cited by The Sheilds Gazette, Bruce insisted that Newcastle’s new system is still “a work in progress”:
“We’ve made no excuse. We’re doing something different, which is always difficult to implement.
“There are times when we’re going to come unstuck with it. I’m pleased, it’s the way I want to go about it. The players, I think, are enjoying it.
“Of course, we need a few results along the way. That belief comes. Next game, nice easy one away at Old Trafford.
“They were very fluid in their movement at the top end of the pitch with Werner and (Mason) Mount in particular. They caused us a few problems, which we managed to make better in the second half.
“That gives us a little bit of confidence. It’s still a work in progress. I keep using that (phrase). I was pleased in the second half, the way we stuck at it.
“We were manful in the way we went about it second-half, and more like it. Bit of freshness, that helps in the last 10-15 minutes. All credit to them in the second half.
“They’ve rolled their sleeves up and had a right good go. We weren’t quite good enough, but a lot of teams will have a problem coming here.”
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