Bruce defends Newcastle job - and signings made

Former Newcastle boss Steve Bruce feels he did a good job at St James' Park.

Bruce also defended the signings made during his time in charge.

He told ChronicleLive: "What we thought at the time, myself and Lee [Charnley] was that we'd buy one player at a time, rather than two or three, because that was the budget we had.

"So Callum Wilson, Joe Willock, Joelinton... Allan Saint-Maximin was another one. Rather than being able to bring in four or five at a time, we identified one area where we just tried to make the team that little bit better.

"Would I change anything? Not really. I think we did our jobs, in difficult circumstances, and that's what we were there for. Where they're at right now, in terms of their recruitment, it's been incredible.

"Every player that they've brought in has had a positive effect, starting with Kieran Trippier, who has led by example since his first day.

"The goalkeeper, Nick Pope, has been wonderful. That list could go on and on; whoever you pick out who has come in since the takeover, you'd say they've had a positive impact. They've turned Newcastle into a really, really good team."