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Steve Bruce is a proud man ‘We are in the dizzying heights of 13th’

3 years ago
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Steve Bruce passed another milestone on Friday night.

The very surprising but even more welcome 4-2 win at Leicester, meaning that the NUFC Head Coach has overtaken the 37 points that Newcastle were relegated with the last time in 2016.

Standing now on 39 points with three games remaining, this is currently the third lowest ever points total in Newcastle’s Premier League era, the relegation season of 2008/09 saw only 34 points accumulated.

After the final whistle at the King Power Stadium, Steve Bruce declaring: ‘We are in the dizzying heights of 13th. We haven’t done it yet but we have made big strides in the last few weeks.’

Looking at the Premier League table on Saturday morning, I think pretty safe to say Newcastle United are staying up:

This dismal season under Steve Bruce at least now has the possibility of an almost semi-respectable ending.

Having inherited a very decent mid-table team and squad from Rafa Benitez, then being allowed a net spend of £100m+, Steve Bruce should never have been relying on Fulham not to win games in these last few months in order to survive.

Man City up next looks a tough one but wins over Sheffield United and Fulham would at least give Steve Bruce and his players 45 points and a potential final league position of 12th or 13th if other teams’ results go their way.

Friday night’s win makes it five victories in the last twenty six matches in a tough to watch five months of TV football for Newcastle fans.

This win over Leicester probably by some distance the most enjoyable of the campaign, Newcastle fans even able to relax and enjoy the final 30 seconds or so of injury time!

Steve Bruce speaking to BBC Sport:

“We were deadly on the counter attack and the difference was the big lads being fit at the top end of the pitch.

“We could not just see it through at 4-0.

“It would not be Newcastle otherwise but I am really pleased.

“I have said quietly for weeks that we’d be okay when we got our big players back.

“My staff have worked tirelessly to make sure we got to this position.

“We have turned it around at the right time.

“Normally it is enough.

“We are in the dizzying heights of 13th.

“We haven’t done it yet but we have made big strides in the last few weeks.”

On Joe Willock:

“He is enjoying his football.

“We have taken the reins off him and let him run forward and that was probably what we didn’t have enough of in January, that forward-running midfielder who likes to score.

“We’d love to keep him but he has got a big future.”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Leicester 2 Newcastle 4 – Friday 7 May 8pm

Goals:

Newcastle:

Willock 22, Dummett 34, Wilson 64, 73

Leicester:

80 Albrighton, 87 Iheanacho

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Leicester 69% (67%) Newcastle 31% (33%)

Total shots were Leicester 25 (7)  Newcastle 14 (9)

Shots on target were Leicester 9 (4) Newcastle 6 (3)

Corners were Leicester 9 (2) Newcastle 6 (5)

Referee: Darren England

Newcastle United:

Dubravka, Murphy, Fernandez, Krafth, Dummett, Ritchie, Shelvey, Willock (Sean Longstaff 77), Almiron (Hendrick 88), Wilson, Saint-Maximin (Joelinton 84)

Unused Subs:

Gillespie, Lewis, Manquillo, Carroll, Clark, Gayle

Crowd: 00,000

(Brendan Rodgers declares ‘We could have had 5 goals’ v Newcastle and points to missing star – Read HERE)

(Leicester 2 Newcastle 4 – Match ratings and comments on all the NUFC players – Read HERE)

(Leicester 2 Newcastle 4 – What have I just watched??? – Read HERE)

Leicester 2 Newcastle 4 – Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to Friday’s 6 goal thriller – Read HERE)

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