Steve Bruce fronted up to disgruntled Newcastle fans by taking critical calls on the radio on Thursday – and declared “it's still my dream job”.
The Newcastle boss took gripe after gripe on the chin in a brave performance that met his terrace critics head-on.
After being abused from the stands in pre-season, Bruce was last night accused of talking the Toon down, not making quick progress and ruining the seventh best defence in the league.
Other supporters questioned his brand of football saying it wasn't entertaining enough, and the ambition.
But Bruce refused to hide and said: “I am a fan myself. I want the best for this great club, which is to try and win something.
"I was like a kid in a sweet shop when I was offered it. It is my dream job.
“Winning a trophy has become difficult, because of the power of the top six, maybe top eight.
"I got to a cup final with Hull, Wigan have done it, Leicester have. The fans here want it more than any other team.”
Bruce was told he was too downbeat BEFORE games, when often he is just being respectful to the opposition.
Bruce replied: “Point taken. I will try to address that. We are up against Europe's most outstanding teams. I don't want to under-value or belittle our club in any way.
“We have the nucleus of a very good squad and if they stay fit I know we are capable of taking on anyone.”
Bruce knows he can't spend hundreds of millions to transfer the club in one transfer window.
So when asked when fans could expect the brand of football, and results, to improve, Bruce replied: “In two years you have four transfer windows. We have brought in Willock. We have got Almiron, Joelinton, Callum Wilson. The team is improving.
“The brand of football is a debate? You have to be a bit pragmatic at times. Fans want to see goals and entertainment. It is getting the balance right.
“We have got to be better than avoiding relegation. Stay well, big players stay fit and I am hopeful we'll be better than last year.”
On the social media abuse he has received Bruce told Total Sport on BBC Newcastle: “No one likes to be criticised. From day one I knew I'd not be everyone's cup of tea. I try to win them over and that is by results.
“If it is balanced and constructive, fine, you accept it. It is part of it.
"My son (Alex) has got embroiled in it. Then again some of the comments... he has a right to have a go back. Some of it is ridiculous.
“The vast majority, like when I walk the dog, people are great to me. A few on social media just want to be destructive.”
Bruce says his relationship with owner Mike Ashley is from “afar” and he is allowed to get on with managing with no interference.”
On his 900-odd game career in management, Bruce added: “I have managed the two clubs in Sheffield and the two in the North East!
“After my time at Sunderland it was a long time before the phone rang. It was Hull and I was hmm, cautions, but enjoyed my four years there.
“When I got the call from Lee Charnley I was like a kid in a sweet shop! It was an unbelievable opportunity. It happened so quick, out of the blue.
“I was offered the job 14 years ago and maybe that was too early for me to grasp it, and understand how enormous it is.”
On rumours he is told to play record signing Joelinton because he cost £40m, Bruce said: “My bosses have never interfered and I would never allow it. I have to stop that nonsense.
"They have never said "play him because we paid a lot of money". That is a load of bull!”
Bruce concluded: “It can be a bit difficult, it is the nature of the job, but manage a Premier League team and it will be difficult. I wanted to answer a few calls and let the supporters listen."
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