Despite nicking one of their results of the season at the weekend, drawing 2-2 with Premier League champions Manchester City at St. James’ Park, supporters are still extremely hesitant about Steve Bruce given the nature of his appointment – with club legend Alan Shearer’s latest praise for the manager being met with discontent.
Two brilliant strikes from Jetro Willems and Jonjo Shelvey ensured Newcastle United would earn an incredibly unlikely point given their previous outing away to Aston Villa, with the club’s all-time top scorer and Match of the Day pundit Shearer ultimately praising Bruce for the team’s heroic display.
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However, given the nature of his appointment by Mike Ashley, taking over from previous managerial hero Rafa Benitez, it was always going to be a tough act to follow – and fans weren’t impressed with Shearer’s comments.
Speaking to Match of the Day via Newcastle Chronicle after a huge draw, the former Magpies striker said:
“Steve Bruce deserves a lot of credit because they are four points better off than they were under Rafa Benitez last season.
“I was very disappointed on Monday night against Aston Villa . They were slow, there weren’t enough passes forward and I think that what is crucial against this Manchester City is that when you win the ball back your first or second pass to get through their intial press.
“If you do that, you can be successful – particularly as there’s no Laporte in there.”
Some Magpies fans have since taken issue with the praise and hint it won’t be good enough in the long run to save their season – here’s what they had to say on Twitter.
Of course he is. Sticking up for his mate. Shearer is like most of the media, when we win it’s because of Bruce and when we lose it’s because of the players.
— Jamie Elliott (@wantabiggerboat) December 1, 2019
Our season depend on the game like next game against SUFC or Villa not Mancity. He deserved credit for last night but overall still not yet. We will be back to the ground again if we get humiliated by SUFC next week.
— Ginkoh_NUFC (@Ginkohro) December 1, 2019
A lot of pundits including Big Al are reminding everyone that we are 4 points better off with Bruce than we were with Rafa this time last season, just 4 points yet no one mentions the £80m+ in transfer funds that makes us financially worse off, with a £40m striker with 1 goal 🤷🏻♂️
— Rich Wearz (@wearz) December 1, 2019
