Steve Bruce says that his fiercest critics have made him work even harder this season to prove people wrong.
The Newcastle United boss has guided the Magpies to 42 points after 32 matches and the club is in its best shape points wise for over half a decade.
With United now safe, Bruce has asked his side to finish the campaign in even stronger fashion with a top 10 place up for grabs and the possibility of eighth spot offering a Europa League spot.
All of it is a far cry to when Bruce first arrived through the door 12 months ago when Newcastle were talked about relegation candidates.
Bruce said: "Some journalists I couldn't even take a walk.
"There was a bit disrespect at times.
"It makes you work harder and stay a bit more grounded.
"It gives you that bit of spirit and say: 'I'll show em'.
"I have the capability of managing so it just spurs me on."
Yet Bruce spoke about his pride in being Newcastle manager and commented after the 4-1 win over AFC Bournemouth: "It is a great club, a unique one, I am delighted to have the opportunity to manage it.
"All I want to do is manage it.
"The performance tonight we can only be pleased what I've seen."
United are now five games unbeaten in the Premier League and are performing in a much more entertaining fashion since switching to a back four.
Bruce said: "Some of the football we played and the goals we scored were a delight to watch. All credit to the players.
"I felt we had lost that cutting edge, creating an opportunity to try to win a match.
"We enjoyed playing, that was pretty evident.
"There was a certain cutting edge to them. Long may it continue."
