---
title: "Newcastle United: Supporters far from happy as Bruce-Willems debacle continues"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-supporters-far-from-happy-as-bruce-willems-debacle-continues/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ally Darlow"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2019-08-16T18:55:10Z"
modified: "2019-08-16T18:55:10Z"
---

# Newcastle United: Supporters far from happy as Bruce-Willems debacle continues

**Newcastle lost 1-0 in their Premier League opener against Arsenal at St. James’ Park last Sunday, although it seems one incident from that game is still a talking point, as Steve Bruce has attempted to clear up what happened when he subbed on Jetro Willems.**

> Steve Bruce says he did bring on Jetro Willems in central midfield last week but changed his mind “very quickly” because it was “unfair” on the player. Willems was moved to left back within one minute of coming on & was one of those at fault for Arsenal’s winner one minute later.
>
> — Craig Hope (@CraigHope\_DM) [August 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/CraigHope_DM/status/1162274449594306560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The Dutchman, who signed this summer from Eintracht Frankfurt on a season-long loan, [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/11776014/newcastle-sign-allan-saint-maximin-from-nice-and-jetro-willems-on-loan-from-frankfurt), was brought into the action against the Gunners on Sunday on the 54th-minute mark, and it was just two minutes later than the defender changed his position and two minutes after that the Magpies conceded.

The only goal of the game, scored by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, came from a mistake from Willems too, as the left-back was pick-pocketed by Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the Arsenal man then put the ball on a plate for Aubameyang who netted, and now Bruce has been trying to explain what happened with Willems before the goal.

You can read the Magpies’ verdict on Bruce’s comments here:

> Shambolic
>
> — BW3BSTER (@BW3BSTER) [August 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/BW3BSTER/status/1162277638599106564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Oh dear. That’s not promising for future
>
> — All Good (@NUFC\_GRB) [August 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/NUFC_GRB/status/1162282319924748288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> The sort of thing that happens on a Sunday morning down the park. It was an absolute shambles when he started to make changes
>
> — Stu Renton (@lRodneyTrotterl) [August 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/lRodneyTrotterl/status/1162275688352628739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Excuses excuses excuses from old rubber face who doesn’t have a clue, Norwich will beat us tomorrow
>
> — Sam (@SamRobsonn) [August 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/SamRobsonn/status/1162278228972589057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Why are people surprised ???? You know what you are getting when your club has zero ambition and appoint this failed manager
>
> — Mark (@mja1980) [August 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/mja1980/status/1162280302980423681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Inept doesn’t describe it.
>
> — Steve (@toontoon999) [August 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/toontoon999/status/1162276972380086272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Jeez, these sort of amateurish errors are going to be a recurring theme this season.
>
> — Lewis (@lewyakers) [August 16, 2019](https://twitter.com/lewyakers/status/1162275326233153537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The Geordies above are all very cutting in their assessment of the issue that Bruce and Willems had, and will be keen to see an improvement tomorrow against Norwich.