Steve Bruce insists he is "delighted" with his squad going into the second half of the Premier League season - and insists he can see improvement behind the scenes for Newcastle United.
Bruce believed that Newcastle are equipped to stave off any threat of the drop and has the players on board who have done the job in the last few seasons after two 13th place finishes and a top 10 position three years ago.
The Magpies enter a crunch period of their season and the next two games will either lift a locked-down Geordie public or deflate them further after the recent League Cup exit against Brentford and a run of six games without a win in all competitions.
Bruce has admitted recently he will be unable to spend big in the January window and may look towards the summer trading period for cash investment.
When asked about the team spirit from the players he has, Bruce told Chronicle Live: "The nucleus of the squad have been here a long time so they understand what we need. I am delighted with it."
When asked what his aims are for the new year ahead, Bruce, who guided United to 13th last season, reflected: "I will repeat what I've said from the day I have walked through the door - I'll try to improve the club as best I can.
"We have a unique and fascinating club which I am delighted to be associated with and it's just to try to improve, bit by bit.
"It takes time, of course, and I'll let other people judge whether we've improved or not.
"But that's my aim, to keep nudging us forward and to get up to that top 10 would be terrific."
Newcastle have started the year in 15th place and while they sit eight points above third-bottom Fulham, the bookies still see United as relegation candidates.
Bruce, though, is focused on Newcastle moving forward, even if it is only slight progress.
Bruce added: "More of the same, and improve. We'll see what we can do."
