Newcastle United lost again last night, and it’s now 11 games without a win in all competitions.
The Magpies were beaten 2-1 by Leeds United, with Raphinha and Jack Harrison scoring either side of a Miguel Almiron equaliser.
The hosts were shambolic in the first-half, but gave it a good go in the second and actually created several decent chances.
The introduction of Allan Saint-Maximin appeared to spark some belief, and the Frenchman is going to be vital going forwards.
But it was still another defeat for Steve Bruce, who is well and truly up against it now. Or at least he should be.
There are still no indications that the manager is close to the sack, with Graeme Jones set to join the club with Bruce giving the green light (The Athletic).
It seems Mike Ashley is still prepared to back the 60-year-old, and one wonders if the financial side of things is playing a part in his continued stay at St. James’ Park.
Few other managers would have survived such a dismal run of results and performance, but it seems Newcastle fans are stuck in the middle of two stubborn individuals.
Newcastle fans suffering Ashley-Bruce stand-off?
It is very possible Ashley doesn’t want to wield the axe on Bruce because it would involve paying him off. Bruce is just over halfway through the three-year contract he signed when he took the job, and the cost of relieving him from his duties could be fairly significant.
And Bruce is highly unlikely to resign, as some people – like Tony Cascarino (talkSPORT) – have called for him to do so, as that would mean he forgoes any kind of compensation.
It’s likelier for Bruce to be sacked than for him to walk away, but one wonders just how long Ashley is going to leave it, and if the man who replaces him will ultimately have too much to do.
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