Joe Cole makes baffling claim about Newcastle manager Steve Bruce following Aston Villa draw

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Another game passes by without Steve Bruce guiding Newcastle United to victory.

It could have been a lot worse, with Ciaran Clark’s unfortunate own goal gifting Villa the lead in the 86th minute.

But Newcastle responded, with Jamaal Lascelles’ 94th minute header rescuing a point.

The draw moves Newcastle on to 28 points, but they remain in 16th.

If both Brighton and Fulham win this weekend, we will drop into the relegation zone.

While there were big celebrations following the last-minute equaliser, the game has to go down as another wasted opportunity. Aston Villa were there for the taking, but we failed to capitalise.

It’s three draws in a row for the Magpies, but we desperately need to find a way to win. If we fail to do so next week against Brighton, things could become even more desperate. A terrifying prospect.

But despite a performance where Newcastle were clearly stifled by their system, BT Sport pundit Joe Cole had some strange praise for manager Steve Bruce.

Joe Cole gets it all wrong about Steve Bruce and Newcastle

Pundits defending Bruce has been a recurring theme ever since he was announced as Toon boss.

However, the Bruce fan club has gone slightly quiet in recent weeks. Luckily for them, former Chelsea midfielder Cole has come up with an absolute corker.

“If Newcastle were in this position and didn’t have a manager, Steve Bruce would be at the top of the list to get them out of this mess,” Cole said after the game on BT Sport.

“They have the right man.”

I don’t know where to begin.

The reason Newcastle are in this mess is Steve Bruce. His woeful attempts at management have dragged us closer to relegation each passing week.

I don’t want to speak on behalf of all Newcastle fans out there, but I would bet a small fortune that not one Toon fan would want Bruce as manager if we were in this position under someone else.

At no point in 2019 when Rafa Benitez left did anyone think Steve Bruce would take his place. Nobody wanted him.

If Newcastle had the right man, they would be nowhere near the relegation zone. They had the right man five years ago when Benitez arrived.

Joe Cole’s comments are frighteningly off the mark.

Unfortunately, we are in this mess, and it looks like Bruce will have to be the man to get us out of it, because Mike Ashley seems intent on twiddling his thumbs and gambling with the club’s future.