Darren Ambrose delivers Steve Bruce verdict that fed up Newcastle fans will love

Steve Bruce. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The 60-year-old has come under intense pressure in recent weeks following an underwhelming run of results that has left the Magpies winless in their last 10 outings.

In response to his side’s slump in form, and following a barrage of criticism from supporters about his negative tactical approach, Bruce pledged to change the way that he set his team out.

Since making those comments, however, Newcastle have lost successive matches against Arsenal and Aston Villa, failing to score in either game.

Reflecting on his former club’s recent downturn in fortunes, Ambrose has been quick to suggest that Bruce should think about walking away from St. James’ Park.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “I do think he should resign. Probably for different reasons, not as a friend, because I don’t know Steve Bruce personally.

"I just feel that he could have won the fans back. He could have won them over, if he went out and played exciting football, attacking football. He definitely could have won them over. I think perhaps that was the biggest opportunity to get them onboard.

"They’re in freefall. There’s no direction, there’s a lot of uncertainty. The owner is hated. If he [Bruce] went out and played football that would excite Newcastle fans, I think he would have won them over, and I think they would have grown to love him.

"Everything that’s going on off the pitch is irrelevant if you’re playing free, exciting football.

"I hear the argument, ‘What do Newcastle fans expect? They’re not going to win trophies’. They don’t expect to win trophies. They don’t expect to be in Europe.

"They expect to have a team that they’re excited about, to have a team that they can watch and enjoy and talk about with their friends. That’s what they expect. That’s what every supporter wants for their team, and it’s just not quite happening at the moment for Steve Bruce.

"I don’t think he’s read the fans when he’s come in.

"He should have had a real go, and what worse could he have done?”