Former Newcastle United forward John Barnes has issued a fierce defence of Steve Bruce, confidently declaring that they will avoid relegation this season.
Newcastle have struggled to find their rhythm this season and are now six games without a win in all competitions, ahead of this weekend's FA Cup clash against Arsenal.
Bruce 's style of play has been criticised but Barnes has stated that results are the most important thing and that he doesn't expect the club to suffer relegation.
"I have sympathy for all managers because it is a difficult job and the Premier League is very competitive," he told BonusBetCodes.co.uk
"I think Steve Bruce will keep Newcastle up, but there’s also a balancing act between playing attractive football that Newcastle fans may want and staying up.
"I think Steve Bruce is doing a decent job, things may not always go well but they’ve had some decent results and I think the harmony of the club, support belief and togetherness is the most important thing.
"They’ve got some good players and they just need belief and support from the fans and everybody connected. I’m sure Steve Bruce will be fine.
"A lot of people said that Wimbledon didn’t play nice football but they won the FA Cup. What Newcastle want is to win matches.
"If Newcastle won matches by playing the way they play and Leeds, for example, slipped down to the bottom half by playing their football, the Newcastle fans will point to the fact they’re winning matches.
"If Leeds play good football but always lose matches the fans won’t be happy. If they lose 5-4 every week but play nice football and are bottom of the league, things would change."
