Sports

Isaac Hayden admits Steve Bruce fall-out during interview on Beautiful Game podcast

Published

1 year ago

January 5, 2022

Hayden reveals friction between Bruce and players...

Newcastle midfielder Isaac Hayden has revealed that there were a number of ‘ding-dongs’ between players and ex-boss Steve Bruce.

Hayden has admitted that the squad were ‘no-where near fit enough’ under Bruce and claims the squad are ‘believing in themselves’ once again since the arrival of Eddie Howe.

Although the Magpies currently sit 19th, having won just once in their opening 19 games, there has been significant improvement in the fitness levels across the whole squad and the team are in much better shape heading into the second half of the season.

Hayden suggested that Steve Bruce’s tactics at Newcastle were too negative and confirmed the pair had a few disputes at St James’ Park. The midfielder also hailed Bruce for being a ‘man’s man’, confirmed there were a few ‘ding-dongs’ with his former boss.

Sportsmail revealed towards the back end of last year that Newcastle’s players, as a collective, believed the training regime was set up to suit the manager’s plans – and not the players.

Isaac Hayden revealed to the Beautiful Game Podcast:

“The difference is that I think with Steve, sometimes, he got caught up a little bit on the opposition and a little bit caught up on how good they were and what we had to do to stop them rather than what we were good at and what we could impose on them.

“Eddie’s come in and, to his credit, has got everyone believing in themselves a little bit more ability wise and as a team. We don’t really show the teams that much respect anymore. We played Liverpool and they won 3-1, but we didn’t sit back. We were pressing them, trying to impose our own performance on the game.”

He added:

“Even Man City. There were a couple of times where we nicked the ball and could’ve scored and could’ve created something so we’re pressing teams a lot more.

“We’re not really showing them that respect, especially higher up the table, and I think that’s his mentality that we’ve got some good players, especially attacking players, that can hurt teams and to be imposing our style on the game a little bit more.”

Eddie Howe has instilled a new identity at the club and reports suggest that players were falling to their knees after training sessions during his first week in charge, as well as going to bed early due to tiredness after Howe had the squad in overdrive.

Newcastle produced their best performance of the season in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at St James’ Park last time out. The team were on the front foot from kick-off and won the midfield battle, thanks to an impressive display from Joelinton in the middle of the park, his best in the black and white.

Newcastle’s players, naturally, have had to be even fitter to be able to carry out Howe’s demanding instructions off the ball and are in much better shape for it. The tempo has been much higher and the increase in attacking threat under Howe is there for all to see.

Thoughts?

Was Hayden right to criticise Bruce? Is this helpful given the change in direction since the departure of Bruce?

Join in the conversation and have your say…

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Featured

Newcastle United to Reveal New Shirt Sponsor?

Published

2 weeks ago

March 13, 2023

Chris Tubman

footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.

They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’

Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..

Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.

What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.

You can also download our FREE app – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter

Featured

Amazon filming Newcastle United for “All or Nothing” style documentary

Published

2 months ago

February 8, 2023

Lewis Thompson

Amazon Prime are currently filming behind-the-scenes footage at Newcastle United for a new documentary.

The docu-series will provide an insight into the club and its efforts to secure a top-four finish and a piece of silverware in the 2022-23 season.

Reports today revealed that camera crews have been filming a four-part documentary for their All or Nothing series. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie confirmed that the series will cover the club and the new owners as they attempt to qualify for the Champions League and win a trophy.

The All or Nothing series has previously documented other Premier League Clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Spurs as well as the Brazilian national team, Juventus, and the All Blacks of rugby.

Something I mentioned last night on @tfNUFC: Camera crews have been filming behind-the-scenes at Newcastle United for a four-part documentary to be shown on Amazon.
The series will chart the club & its owners as they attempt to win a trophy & qualify for The Champ League #NUFC

— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) February 8, 2023

Newcastle face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final on February 26 at Wembley.

🗓️ 26.02.23@ManUtd 🆚 @NUFC #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/V23zWPDoxP

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 1, 2023

The Magpies have featured three times in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Most recently in the 2003-04 season as they reached the third qualifying round, eventually losing on penalties to Serbian side FK Partizan.

The season before the Toon finished third in the 2002-03 Champions League group stages, winning twice against Bayer Leverkusen and drawing with Inter Milan 2-2 at the San Siro. The lineup that night; Given, Solano, O’Brien, Dyer, Shearer (C), Bellamy, Speed, Griffin, Hughes, Dabizas and Viana.

The series is expected to air later this year and will be available on Amazon Prime.

Based on previous seasons, you can expect exclusive access to training sessions, team meetings and match days, giving fans an in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis at Newcastle United.

It is set to be an incredible storyline and one that should provide fans with some real insight into what it takes to compete at the top level of professional football.

What do you think Newcastle fans?

Does this excite you or do you stand more with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who once said the cameras could be intrusive to the dressing room when he turned down the offer from Amazon In 2018?

Join the conversation on our Facebook page…

Sports

Newcastle target rejects Everton move following £45m bid.

Published

2 months ago

January 30, 2023

Lewis Thompson

Everton have made a £40million bid with £5m in add-ons to sign Connor Gallagher from Chelsea.

This comes after Newcastle completed the signing of Anthony Gordon, the club’s second most expensive transfer behind Alexander Isak.

Everton received an initial fee of £40m plus add-ons that could increase the deal to £45m.

EXCL: Everton have submitted a bid to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. It’s £40m proposal plus £5m add ons. 🚨🔵 #EFC

Chelsea will make a decision soon as there are also other clubs interested in Gallagher — and player has to decide his future too. pic.twitter.com/xZeuGqaR01

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023

The Toffees currently sit 19th in the Premier League and are looking to reinvest the money from the Gordon deal to sign much-needed players under newly appointed manager Sean Dyche.

But, multiple sources have reported today that Gallagher is not actively pushing for a move and has no intention of going to Goodison Park. However, with Chelsea having met the record-breaking €120m release clause for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher may be forced to leave the club if the transfer is complete.

🚨| Conor Gallagher is not interested in a move to Everton 🔵 pic.twitter.com/0CYzXjBoBd

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 30, 2023

This leaves Newcastle an option as the player would prefer a move to a top-six club.

This morning, Eddie Howe said, “We’ll see what we can do to try & bring a player in. There’s no guarantees. In terms of permanent signings, it will be very difficult. We’ll look at a potential loan. But it’s got to be the right player & not one for the sake of it”.

Due to financial fair play, the only way Newcastle could sign the player is through a loan, with an obligation to buy the player for at least £45m, the same price they paid for Anthony Gordon.

Gallagher has been playing regular Premier League football over the last two seasons. Since returning to his parent club Chelsea, the 22-year-old has been linked with a move away to numerous Premier League clubs.

Last season he was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season by their fans. He also won the Player of the Month award twice, Goal of the Month once, and was awarded the Young Player of Year at the 2022 London Football Awards.

In the same season, he made 36 appearances scoring eight goals and registering three assists that earned Palace a 12th-place finish, one point behind Newcastle.