Bruno Guimaraes releases statement after Newcastle disaster
Sunday felt like the biggest low point in what has already been an up-and-down season at St James' Park.
Not only was it another loss at home and a extra-time defeat that dumped us out of one of the most open FA Cups, we lost Anthony Gordon to a three-game ban, have new injury concerns, were denied a stoppage time winner and performed poorly for the majority of a gruelling 120-minute match.
The next few weeks are huge to salvage a season in danger of slipping away and one of our captain Bruno Guimaraes has spoken out.
Bruno issues strong message
Bruno Guimaraes has become the first Mag to speak publicly after a frankly disastrous day at St James' Park on Sunday.
The Brazilian accepts the nature of yesterday's defeat was 'hard to accept' and has taken some of the blame on his shoulders despite huge frustration towards Anthony Gordon, Joe Willock for his miss and a number of our defenders for the poor roles played in Brighton's goals.
However, in a post on X on Monday morning, Bruno has urged everyone to stick together, insisting we still have 'great things ahead' as we plan for next Monday's trip to West Ham and the Carabao Cup final a week on Sunday:
Bruno said: 'Disappointed not to progress in the FA Cup, as it was clearly one of our goals. Moments like this are when we need to stick together the most.
'I know that when eliminations like this happen, it’s hard to accept, and we always look for someone to blame. If you need to find one, you can blame me.
'We have two weeks before one of the most important games for the club in recent years, and we must be ready for this great opportunity.
'My only request is that, in this moment, we stay united as one and go after the best for the club because we still have great things ahead.'
Disappointed not to progress in the FA Cup, as it was clearly one of our goals. Moments like this are when we need to stick together the most. I know that when eliminations like this happen, it’s hard to accept, and we always look for someone to blame. If you need to find one,… pic.twitter.com/Vtuf7ts27H
— Bruno Guimarães (@brunoog97) March 3, 2025
We the Brazilian back to his best
Bruno has looked well below his brilliant best of late, with some of that down to the number of games he's played over a relentless 2024 - where Copa America denied him a break - and busy start to 2025.
He's featured in 35 of our 36 games in all competitions and, despite being taken out of the starting 11 yesterday, still played almost an hour as the game went to extra time.
Bruno's ability to make things happen in tight spaces, control the midfield, snap into tackles and cover every blade of grass is second to none when he hits top gear, but we haven't see that often enough since the turn of the year.
With Gordon set to miss the final and our defence managing a few injury concerns, it is absolutely vital our midfield trio of Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton are back to their imperious best soon; starting at West Ham next Monday.
