'Newcastle need a Steven Gerrard to replicate Rangers' revival' - Warren Barton

Newcastle United legend Warren Barton says the club need someone to grab it by the scruff of the neck – like Steven Gerrard has done with Rangers.
Steven Gerrard, manager of Rangers looks on during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Ross County and Rangers.Steven Gerrard, manager of Rangers looks on during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Ross County and Rangers.
Steven Gerrard, manager of Rangers looks on during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Ross County and Rangers.

The Magpies are struggling near the foot of the Premier League after picking up just two points from their last six games.

Manager Steve Bruce has come under considerable pressure from a number of fans and pundits after a poor run of form which has seen the Magpies slump to 15th in the table.

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A horrendous performance against Sheffield United on Tuesday night saw Newcastle dominated and then beaten by a Sheffield United side who hadn’t won a league game all season.

And Barton, who played under Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson, says the club needs a huge lift from someone like Gerrard, who has taken Rangers 21 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

"This has been a long time coming,” Barton told Talksport. “They look like even when they win a game, no one is enjoying it, which is such a strange thing to say. I know Steve and he’s a good football man but I don't see him enjoying being manager of Newcastle.

"I look at what Steven Gerrard has done to Glasgow Rangers. He’s gone in and grabbed that club by the scruff of the neck. He’s got hold of that club and took it forward. Someone needs to do that with Newcastle. You should enjoy being at that football club. There’s no ambition.

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“That’s what is demoralising for me. It’s not enjoyable to watch and it can’t be fun to play in.”

Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce.Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce.
Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce.

Gerrard has been linked with the Newcastle job in the past, but the Echo understands Bruce’s position is safe at St James’s Park for the time being.

The former Sunderland boss often cited his Geordie connections as a reason why Black Cats fans called for his head back in 2011, but Barton says he isn’t seeing any signs of Bruce being a Newcastle fan.

"Even when he gets interviewed afterwards, Steve, he’s supposed to be a Geordie from the area,” said Barton. “When he wins the game there’s no passion. I remember Sir Bobby Robson he’d be smiling from ear to ear, as would Kevin Keegan.

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“I used to walk into St James’s Park and think ‘how lucky am I to be playing for this football club?’ I don’t see that (now) from the staff, I don’t see it from Steve, and I feel for the players as I think there’s enough quality to be playing a lot better, more attractive and winning games than what we’re doing at the moment.

"When we got those new signings at the start of the season you thought ‘go on boys, have a go’. And they beat West Ham, looking good, and then slowly slowly it turns back round again, and it's negative and it's boring and it just drains you in the end as you can't see a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s like this pandemic!

“Steve was a fighter, a winner, a great captain and leader but I don’t see that at the minute. Maybe it’s his backroom staff.

"You think if you are going to go down, go down all guns blazing.”