• Manager highlights poor possession statistics last season• Bruce: saying players are confused by his tactics is an insult
Steve Bruce is not impressed by suggestions Newcastle United’s players are confused by his frequently shifting tactics. “I think that’s the biggest insult I can have,” he said. “Graham Potter changed Brighton’s formation four times during last week’s game [a 0-0 home draw]. Graham’s radically changed Brighton’s style and I want to change my team’s too, but I won’t do it radically. It’ll be gradual, it won’t be overnight.”
In what could be construed as a veiled dig at his predecessor, Rafael Benítez, Bruce cited Newcastle’s lack of possession retention as his biggest problem. “Last season Newcastle were second bottom of the
Premier League in the respect of keeping possession,” he said. “If we’re to improve, it’s something we have to get better at – we have to keep the ball better.”