Newcastle United man Matt Ritchie was part of the team which lost 1-0 to Arsenal on opening day.
Ritchie was required to play at both left-wing back and central midfield in Newcastle’s opening Premier League fixture against Arsenal.
Newcastle were beaten 1-0 at St. James’ Park in the contest, and Ritchie was harsh on himself after the game.
He said to the Daily Mail: “The quality wasn't quite there in the final third - speaking for myself, really, I feel I should have had a shot on one and there was one cross that I felt I should have done better with personally.”
However, new Newcastle boss Bruce has a very different opinion on Ritchie’s performance.
Bruce suggested that he thought the £10 million winger (Daily Mirror) was one of Newcastle’s best players on the day.
“I thought he was terrific,” he said. “He’s full of life, full of energy. I was delighted with him.”
The reaction to Bruce’s first defeat at Newcastle has not been positive.
Already the experienced boss is under pressure, especially after he decided to bring on Jetro Willems for Jonjo Shelvey, only to see the substitution backfire.
Willems made an error soon after coming on which allowed Arsenal to score, in what was a tight game.
Newcastle’s next match comes against newly promoted Norwich City at the weekend.
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