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Mark Douglas

Banner calling for Steve Bruce to be sacked left outside St James' Park as pressure rises

Newcastle fans sent a stark message to Mike Ashley as a banner calling for Steve Bruce to go was left outside St James' Park by Wor Flags.

Bruce addressed the media on Friday ahead of a must-win game against Wolves - with the prospect of Newcastle being caught by Fulham if they lose and the Cottagers win.

Supporters are locked out of games due to the COVID crisis but they have been left increasingly frustrated by results, performances and some PR gaffes by boss Bruce.

And Wor Flags - who also put up a banner saying 'Act Late, Seal Your Fate' earlier in the season - draped a new banner from St James' Park calling for action.

The banner depicted Ashley at the roulette table and a message: "Stop gambling with our club". Bruce was pictured on a 'joker' card.

Newcastle have stuck with Bruce through a run of 12 defeats from the last 16 matches and indications are that the manager remains relatively safe unless United's situation grows starker.

The manager says he has been encouraged by performances recently as the team adapt to a new, higher pressing style. But since that happened against Leeds, they've won two from six matches. Without Callum Wilson there are worries about where the goals may come from but Bruce insists he's "quietly confident" they will stay up.

With United facing Wolves, West Brom, Aston Villa and Brighton in their next four, a season-definig run of matches lies ahead.

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