Steve Bruce takes blame for Newcastle’s abject display against Brighton before Morecambe tie
The Magpies boss and his players came in for severe criticism after they were dismantled by Brighton on Sunday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Steve Bruce will dust himself down after a weekend mauling before attempting to guide Newcastle into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The Magpies boss and his players came in for severe criticism after they were dismantled by Brighton on Sunday in a 3-0 Premier League defeat which took much off the gloss off a fine display as they secured victory at West Ham eight days earlier.
They will head for League Two side Morecambe on Wednesday evening with something to prove, and no-one more so than the man in the hotseat.
Bruce said: "I've got a decision to make – and let's be honest, I got the decision wrong at the weekend because we were beaten. If you pick and team and are beaten, it's the manager's fault, it's as simple as that.
"It's the way the Premier League is now, so we're not alone in it, especially these days. Everything is broadcast, everything is laid bare for everybody to see.
"You have to admit when you don't play well enough and when you look and analyse it, we were nowhere near to the level we were the week before."
Bruce will make changes once again at the Globe Arena – he made 10 for the second-round victory over Blackburn – and the injured Jamal Lewis and Allan Saint-Maximin are unlikely to be the only men to make way.
The reward for the winners is a fourth-round trip to either Newport or Watford, but Bruce is counting no chickens despite the Shrimps' 5-0 drubbing by Cambridge on their own pitch on Saturday.
He said: "They've had as disappointing a weekend as we had, but let's be fair, it's their cup final. Their lads will be absolutely champing at the bit to play against a big Premier League team."
Newcastle head across the Pennines with much of the North East living under tighter coronavirus restrictions and with Orient's clash with Tottenham in doubt after several of their players tested positive for Covid-19.
Football League clubs no longer have to carry out mandatory testing and Spurs had paid for the checks, although Bruce confirmed the Magpies had not made a similar offer.
He said: "The way the Premier League and the Football League see it is actually when you're on the pitch, it's very, very difficult to transmit any disease. It's in stadiums and places like that, so we'll do our best to make sure that we try to stay safe."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments