Newcastle United news: Steve Bruce admits ‘the buck stops with me’ after slow start to season

Bruce is the new favourite to be the first Premier League manager sacked

Steve Bruce has taken the blame for Newcastle United’s slow start but suggested the situation has been “over sensationalised.”

Newcastle have started the season with back-to-back defeats, and Bruce is now the bookies’ favourite to be the first Premier League manager sacked.

Ahead of their meeting with Tottenham on Sunday, Bruce called for more calm over his side’s situation, though admitted results have to pick up soon.

“After two games there is a so-called mini crisis. Everything is over sensationalised. There’s always a storm in Newcastle. At the minute we’re in one. The only way I can shut a few people up is by getting results. The buck stops with me.”

Bruce has started with a three-at-the-back formation in his side’s first two games, despite this pushing some members of the side out of position.

Predecessor Rafael Benitez utilised primarily a five-man defence towards the end of his tenure, and also a four man defensive unit while in charge on Tyneside.

However, Bruce has insisted he will stick with his system against Spurs as he looks to get the best out of record signing Joelinton and Miguel Almiron.

“We may tinker a bit and change a couple of things. It’s too early to change formations,” Bruce said.

“It’s new for Joe, it’s new for four or five players. Given time, we hope they can forge some sort of relationship. For Almiron, we’re working on getting him higher up the pitch and into a goal scoring position.”

Spurs will present a tough test to Newcastle, who will be without injured striking pair Andy Carroll (ankle) and Dwight Gayle (calf), and Bruce recognises they will have to improve to hope of taking anything from the game.

Steve Bruce’s Newcastle have started the season with two defeats (Getty)

“They’re a very, very good side. We’re under no illusions as to how difficult it will be, but hopefully it’s just the right type of game for us.

“We know we’ll have to play well to get anything at all – far better than we did last week.”

Christian Atsu is back in training after a hamstring issue, while Allan Saint-Maximin should be available for the Spurs game after recovering from a similar injury.