Newcastle journalists Liam Kennedy and Miles Stanforth have sought to explain the 'method' in the club's 'madness' after it emerged that Steve Bruce's job remained safe.

Members of the squad were anticipating Bruce's sacking following the woeful 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday, but it soon emerged that he retained the faith of Mike Ashley (via Daily Mail).

The Magpies are not currently in the relegation zone, but the gap to 18th-placed Fulham is a precarious two points.

In a Q & A for The Shields Gazette, Kennedy said 'there was a theory floated' that change would be more disruptive than continuity.

The club could point to the 08/09 season when they brought in Alan Shearer and the 15/16 season when they sacked Steve McClaren - neither move was successful.

On the other hand, when they stuck with Alan Pardew and John Carver, Kennedy points out, they were able to stave off relegation. Kennedy himself admits he thinks this theory is 'madness'.

His colleague Stanforth meanwhile suggested the decision was rooted in Ashley's relationship with Bruce.

The Newcastle owner is said to admire the 60-year-old's 'passion' for the club and trust him because of his 'experience'.

Transfer Tavern verdict

It is not the change itself that has been the issue at Newcastle - it is the timing.

Benitez and Shearer were appointed on 11 March and 1 April, giving them too little time to make a decisive impact, and you fear Ashley has failed to learn those lessons.

Perhaps the Brighton match presented the final meaningful opportunity to dismiss Bruce and give the new man an international break and nine games to salvage the season.

Newcastle have won two of their last 20 games, and they are only going one way.

In other news, Rob Draper dropped this claim on Rafael Benitez and a potential takeover.