A Geordie's take on Steve Bruce - and the current situation at NUFC..
I really wish Steve Bruce well. There's nothing better than a Geordie at the helm - I just wish he was a better manager.
He knows what to expect - ‘no excuses’. It’s been reported that Alan Shearer advised him not to accept the job, but for Steve it was a ‘no brainer’.
When everything fails, the fans become disgruntled, the results are failing and the players are not motivated - he takes his compensation and says farewell.
It’s been reported (by Sky) that he has £91m to spend? It sounds a huge amount as Ashley goes, but it's actually just the minimum we should expect given our recent lack of investment, the money we've received (from sales and the Premier League/ TV deals) and the current fees sort for quality players.
I must admit, I will be amazed if we sign Joelinton for £36m - even if people at Hoffenheim are suggesting it's happening. Is Ashley really about to give this much money on a talented but unproven 22-year-old?!
Steve Bruce said he expects a 'couple' of new signings yesterday, but I'm hoping that was a figure of speech considering it is so obvious we need at least 4 or 5 new players - and that’s assuming we retain the little quality we have.
We've watched West Ham splash £45m on one time target Sebastian Haller as if it’s no big deal, Everton have signed Gomes for £22m, Leicester have got Perez for £30m plus a raft of other players, Villa have spent almost £100m, Norwich have brought in 10 new names, while Southampton and Sheffield United with 3 new players apiece.
Many of these are teams we will be competing with at the bottom end of the league, so it's fair to say we have a lot of work to do in what remains of the transfer market.
We can dream, but reality is stirring us in the face. A defeat, all be it in a friendly to Wolves, felt like a sign of things to come. That said, we were much MUCH better against West Ham today, but the fact Jack Colback back in the fold sums up how we've regressed this summer.
I will be the first to applaud genuine investment in the squad and a show of intent from the owner, but I'm not holding my breath, no matter how many times Sky and such like tell us Steve Bruce has big money to spend.
If only Rafa could have enjoyed a modest budget of £90m, I would have had confidence in a promising season. I just cannot however see anything positive coming out of the appointment of Steve Bruce.
