Martin Keown says what all Newcastle fans are thinking when discussing Steve Bruce

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Martin Keown has told TalkSPORT that Steve Bruce is part of the problem at Newcastle United, and believes he needs to go – rather than get a chance.

The new owners have seemingly decided to allow Bruce to clock up his 1000th match as manager – against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

There has been plenty of chat regarding whether the new owners need to appoint a new manager. Some, though, think Bruce deserves sympathy.

A handful of pundits think he deserves to be given the cash and backing deserved, to get Newcastle out of the position they are in.

But for fans of the club, they want him gone – a recent poll stating 95% want him out. Keown agrees with the latter view, claiming he is part of the issue.

“Look at the record of Bruce, there has been a problem for a long time,” Keown said. “Between December and April last season, two wins from 17.

“They did well at the end of the season, five wins from eight – but two were already down. They haven’t won a game this season.

“Regardless of a takeover, Bruce was on borrowed time. The fans aren’t behind him, but he has played his part. It’s the next chapter now.”

Keown on Bruce: Newcastle fans will love his comments, gets it bang on

Yes, Bruce probably does deserve a little bit of sympathy in that he has not had the backing he needs. But he has underperformed, enormously.

Newcastle do not have a squad that should be in the relegation zone. They are littered with international players, proven Premier League performers.

But a fear of losing, a negative style, has seen fans turn on Bruce – that is down to the manager. Not the owner, the manager.

Some pundits feel he has earned the right to get a chance with the money – but Newcastle fans know their club, and he has got to go.