There were no anti-Steve Bruce chants. Yet.
Newcastle home and away fans haven’t turned around. Yet.
But “still” feels like the crucial word.
St. James’ Park was almost fully booked on opening day and 2,950 Newcastle United fans were in Villa Park on Saturday. Despite the disappointing defeats in a row, positive chants almost soothed the team.
Such a euphoric mood won’t last forever. Its lifespan is precariously limited. Given the size of this week – Newcastle hosts Burnley in the Carabao Cup, then Southampton in the Premier League – it feels like the lockdown honeymoon may already be over.
There is only one way for Bruce to extend this (still) blissful time – by actually winning games.
“I’m going to try to get supporters and that can only happen with results,” Bruce said during a phone call to fans at BBC Newcastle last Thursday. “That’s basically the manager’s job.”
The season is only two games old, but the need to win is already acute. Bruce is in his third campaign and his popularity has always been minimal. While Bruce appeared on the radio all the time, it wasn’t a critical, reputation-building show. It was also two years late.