Andy Carroll compares 2019-20 campaign to Rafa Benitez’s last season at Newcastle

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Andy Carroll has told TalkSPORT (Wednesday, 09:20am) that Steve Bruce is doing a better job this season – if not better – than Rafa Benitez managed as Newcastle United manager during the 2018-19 campaign.

Carroll, 31, was brought back to his boyhood club last summer on a free transfer after his contract at West Ham United had expired. Though he has played 19 times for Newcastle, he is yet to score in his second spell.

However, the former Liverpool and England ace has laid on five assists with the Toon sitting in a more than comfortable 12th place with five league games to play. The Toon are mathematically safe from the drop.

Speaking to TalkSPORT’s Laura Woods, Carroll stated his admiration for manager Bruce despite admitting the duo had had arguments this season. He also compared this season to last, under Benitez.

“He was getting so much stick, but he has done an excellent job and compared to last year – we are just as good if not better. We have had a couple of arguments but nothing serious. He is just so easy to get on with,” Carroll said.

TBR’s view – Has Bruce done a better job?

Given the majority of the fanbase were reeling from Mike Ashley’s decision to let Benitez go and bring in Bruce, the Geordie boss had it ridiculously hard from the word go.

He has had to tend with signings made by Ashley and Lee Charnley, but Bruce has been as good as he could have been. Last season, Newcastle finished in 13th with 45 points and Benitez was regarded as the Messiah.

Now, with five games left – Newcastle are 12th on 43 points with another 15 available. Bruce deserves more credit than Benitez ever got.