The immediate impact of Bruce’s unofficial sacking at Newcastle United

Steve Bruce still enjoys his title and £1m salary as Newcastle United head coach, but it is clear that he no longer sits in the driver’s seat. The Magpies’ much-needed and impressive 2-0 victory over Everton had Graeme Jones written all over it.

The “assistant coach” Newcastle United paid £250,000 for a few days ago had an immediate impact on the players as the team put in their best shift of the season. Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron were a handful for Everton’s defense, and nearly everyone else had a game to remember.

Yes, Newcastle United woke up against Leeds United on Tuesday when they created 22 chances, but the team was reactive and desperate. Despite their offensive urgency, the defending was not compact and allowed Leeds United to score twice and create additional meaningful chances.

Well, that was the end of the Bruce era. It is still shocking that Mike Ashley does not want to spend £1.5m to let Bruce go, but his demotion to sideline observer has already worked wonders.

Graeme Jones has grabbed the Newcastle United bull by its horns.

Just by taking a look at the photographs circulating around social media – some from the club and some posted by fans – one would see how engaged Jones has been from day one.

His man management is already miles ahead of what Bruce offers, and this was evident in how much confidence key players had against Everton despite the winless streak that haunted the team.

The first thing Jones did was place Miguel Almiron in his preferred number ten role, which allowed Newcastle United to control more of the ball in the final third. The second, and most important change Jones implemented was situational formations.

If you watch a team like Aston Villa this season, the key observation one would take away is how quickly they transition from defending in large numbers to attacking with several bodies forward. Newcastle United did just that at Goodson Park for the first time since Rafa Benitez left.

On paper, the scheme was 4-4-2 for Newcastle United, but that formation was only seen off the ball to keep six or seven players in defense. The high pressing led to unforced errors and more possession higher up the pitch for the visitors, who then shifted to a 4-3-3.

In other words, what Jones has done with this team in a few days is what the Toon Army were hoping to see from Bruce over the last 18 months. If the Everton performance taught us anything it is that Bruce-ball should no longer pain our eyes.

It is clear that Jones is calling the shots and has the full attention of the players. Bruce is simply a figure head like most European countries who have presidents in a parliamentary system.