Peter Crouch hails Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce

Add as preferred source on Google

Peter Crouch believes that Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce is proving his doubters wrong and is desperate for him to win silverware at St James’ Park.

The 59-year-old took charge as Magpies boss in the summer and is enjoying the ride of managing his boyhood club.

His side have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals to set up a home tie against Manchester City, plus they sit 14th in the Premier League table as it stands.

But Newcastle are only five points above the relegation places and have work to do to ensure their top-flight status for another year.

Bruce divides opinion with the fanbase for his defensive tactics and his team are the lowest scoring team in the Premier League with just 24 goals in 28 games.

But Crouch is a big admirer of the English coach and wants to see him succeed.

“Some Newcastle fans haven’t warmed to him just yet but the one thing this top, top fella deserves is respect for plotting his way through a season that had the potential to be problematic,” Crouch told the Daily Mail.

“If Bruce led them to a trophy during his time at Newcastle, the club would build a statue for him. I really hope he succeeds.”

TBR’s View:

Bruce certainly wouldn’t have any doubters if he managed to get Newcastle into an FA Cup final, but they were handed the worst possible draw against Manchester City and they are going to need a packed St James’ Park to try help them cause a massive upset.

The main priority though needs to be Premier League status and it looks like they will still need a few wins from their remaining 10 games to stay up.

A trip to Southampton at the weekend presents them with a possible opportunity and they do possess real quality on the counter attack to hurt teams.