Steve Bruce makes pledge over Newcastle future as fans demand Mike Ashley sacks boss

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Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce says he will not walk away from the job despite his side’s awful recent form. Newcastle lost 1-0 at Sheffield United on Tuesday to give the Blades their first Premier League win of the season. The Magpies are now winless in their last eight games in all competitions.

Bruce, 60, has seen his side lose six of those eight matches and also crash out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

Newcastle were reduced to 10 men just before half time at Bramall Lane, when Ryan Fraser was given two yellow cards in quick succession.

Billy Sharp scored from the penalty spot in the second half to give Chris Wilder’s side a valuable three points.

Some Newcastle fans took to social media to demand for owner Mike Ashley to sack Bruce.

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But the former Manchester United defender is determined to stay and turn things around.

“I will never walk away from a challenge,” he said in his post-match press conference.

“I understand that especially in the first half we were not good enough and I take responsibility for that.”

Bruce had no complaints about Fraser’s red card but was aggrieved at the awarding of Sheffield United’s penalty.

Federico Fernandez was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area after a review by VAR.

Bruce was also upset that Sharp was not sent off for a challenge on Fabian Schar seven minutes after his goal.

Bruce told BBC Sport: “I’ve got no issues with the red card – we can’t argue with that and you can’t argue with how poor we are in the first half.

“But the penalty baffles me. The referee got it spot on in real time. It hit [Fernandez’s] hand but it’s not intentional. It could have been a foul on him as well.

“VAR is supposed to be for clear and obvious decisions. How someone 300 miles away on a TV screen can overturn it is beyond me.

“You know when the referee goes to the screen it will be a penalty – it’s pathetic. It’s beyond me.

“And then there’s a horror challenge by Billy Sharp, that should be a straight red card. It’s blatant. They didn’t check it. It’s laughable the whole VAR situation and I don’t think anyone enjoys it.

“I’m struggling to cope with it. Week in week out, it’s ruining the game.”

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