Steve Bruce has a few reasons to smile during this international break before Newcastle United travel to Anfield in two weeks.
Newcastle United will have to wait until September 14th to return to the pitch for Premier League action when they face Liverpool at Anfield, but this international break will serve the team well. The Magpies have been blessed to be given two weeks to prepare for a difficult game against a title contender away from home, but this extended preparatory period is only one reason for Steve Bruce to be a happy manager.
The fact that Newcastle United have four points from their first four games is a major reason why Bruce should be happy. While some fans might not be impressed by this tally, it’s important to note that Bruce was not given the slightest of chances to find success early on. If it wasn’t for one mistake against Arsenal and one unlucky deflection against Watford, Newcastle United could very well have been sitting among the top seven with seven point at this stage of the competition.
The most important reason for Bruce to be confident and much more relaxed during this two-week break has to do with how his players responded to criticism after the Norwich City loss. The Magpies did not show up to compete at Carrow Road and they were embarrassed by a newly-promoted side as they conceded three goals that afternoon. Fortunately for Bruce, the players were tuned in during training the following week and responded with an unexpected victory against Tottenham in London.
The Toon were hoping to take three points from Watford before facing Liverpool, but taking a point is better than nothing and the draw enabled the team to climb five spots (14th) in the standings. It’s still early and a loss at Anfield could very well throw Newcastle United back in the drop zone, but the Magpies’ recent form – one win and one draw – gives the players some confidence ahead of a more difficult string of games that are coming up this month.
I am well aware of the fact that losing Matt Ritchie for two months (ankle) and Allan Saint-Maximin for one month (hamstring) is bad news for Bruce, but the Magpies do have some quality depth to cover for those players while they are out. Moreover, this break from league action gives Saint-Maximin some time to rest and recover without the disappointment of missing games.
Those two injuries aside, the overall mentality and feeling within the squad is positive and this bodes well for Bruce as he aims to silence his doubters with more positive results over the next couple of weeks.