Under-fire Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce hit back at his critics before Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City, claiming that the 'histrionics' that have surrounded the club since the Carabao Cup defeat against Brentford have been 'ridiculous'.
The Magpies have not won in their last three matches in all competitions, and will now face three more tough tests in the Premier League with consecutive games against City, Liverpool and Leicester City.
"We've had a bad week, it's a simple as that," Bruce told BT Sport before kick-off at the Etihad Stadium. "The disappointment of course of getting beaten in the cup tie is still sore, and as I said it topped off a miserable week, I have to say.
"The histrionics which has gone around it is quite ridiculous at times, but that's what it is at a club like ours."
Newcastle fans on Twitter were left feeling disrespected by Bruce's comments, with a number of supporters calling for the 59-year-old's head in no uncertain terms.
@rustykirbs81 : Histrionics? You mean fans venting their anger and frustration at the ever increasing clueless performances of the team under Bruce and his tactical ineptitude. Really condescending comments, this isn’t one or two fans, this is the vast majority who’ve had enough.
@andyhudson77 : That’s it. He’s not only lost the players but any fans who remotely supported him before now must surely be on their way. What disrespect. Histrionics?? The bloody cheek!
@AndyHarle1968 : Another shot at the fans! He really has to go.
@Jaywillis15 : Shows how out of touch he is thinking what’s been happening is good enough.
@NUFCDon : He just doesn't get it at all does he! Blinded by his own ego and stupidity.
@ToonMouthTyne : He's turning himself into the pantomime villain up here. Fast turning from dislike to anger and hatred. He needs to accept his fate and move on. Walk away.
@CrierToon : You can always guarantee Bruce will say the wrong thing. He must be ecstatic that there are no fans in the stadium because he must know what the vast majority think about him, whatever he says.
@KEVLED91 : A classic Souness tactic being used there, blame the fans for his own ineptitude rather than take any form of responsibility.
@Joe_Gray21: He’s getting such an easy ride. If the fans were in the ground, he wouldn’t be coming out with this.
@fadanufc111 : He’s just digging his hole even deeper.
@RichardJones43 : Steve Bruce needs to get in the bin.
