Newcastle Boss Bruce: I Understand Fans' Criticism

Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce said on Monday that he can understand criticism from fans but added he is the right man to turn around the club's form.

The Magpies are without a win in 10 games in all competitions and have only scored one goal in eight matches.

"We've been on a poor run and I can understand how they feel," he said. "It's a difficult situation."

"All I can do is try to get the team in as good a shape as I possibly can," the 60-year-old added.

"You've got to draw on your experience and handle it with a bit of respect and a bit of dignity and go to work, basically."

Asked if he still believed he was the right man for the job, he said: "Well, I've been in it a long, long time, I've been in this situation before and you draw on your experience with it.

"There's no doubt at all it's difficult, but I'm still convinced, 'yes', is the answer to your question.

Newcastle are 16th in the Premier League with 19 points from 19 games and are five points above third-bottom Fulham, who have a game in hand.