Former Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has named three players who simply have to start for Eddie Howe after the Magpies beat another one of his former clubs Sunderland on Saturday.
It was the Tyne-Wear derby and the Steve Bruce derby on Saturday, as Newcastle ran out 3-0 winners to secure bragging rights over their rivals and secure a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
It was a comfortable victory for the Magpies, which was to be expected considering the gulf between the two sides. Newcastle were in the Champions League earlier this season, while Sunderland are in the Championship.
But there were plenty of nerves before the game, as is always the case with a derby. This one felt even bigger, as it was the first meeting between the two clubs since 2016.
Steve Bruce never faced Sunderland when he was Newcastle manager, but he did experience being on the other side of the rivalry. In fact, he was the last Sunderland manager to lose to Newcastle before Saturday’s game.
Steve Bruce says Newcastle were back to their best against Sunderland
For the first time since 2011, Newcastle beat Sunderland on Saturday, and Eddie Howe’s predecessor Steve Bruce has admitted that the Magpies were back to their best at the Stadium Of Light.
He has been speaking about the latest Tyne-Wear derby to Sky Sports, and commented on Newcastle’s fortunes improving as players begin to return from injury.
“Of all the great things he has done, he has had a bad six or eight weeks,” he said.
“These things happen when you are at the top level.
“I thought they were back to their best. They looked as if they are getting a few injuries back. It’s important that the centre-halves are available and Trippier is available. They need their big players fit and when they are all fit I think they are fine.”
Newcastle need a settled defence after chaotic end to 2023
Bruce picked out three players who Newcastle always need to be fit – Kieran Trippier and the two centre-halves Fabian Schar and Sven Botman.
The latter has missed a lot of football but is fully fit once again, and had a pretty easy afternoon at the Stadium Of Light. He was largely untested against a Sunderland side that struggled to lay a glove on their rivals.
The game also saw Kieran Trippier return from injury, and he was absolutely outstanding. He captained the side in the FA Cup third round contest, and looked much sharper after a poor end to 2023.
If the three players who Bruce picked out can remain fit then Newcastle will have a much more settled defence. That should result in stronger performances, as all of the enforced chopping and changing has been really damaging.
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