OPINION
The longer Sunday’s clash against Arsenal went on, the more problems seemed to appear for Steve Bruce and Newcastle United.
After the Gunners had taken the lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bruce called for Allan Saint-Maximin off the bench and then the Magpies lost all shape in their search for an equaliser.
The potential that Newcastle have always held has been massive, and Rafael Benitez left a great foundation in the North East for his successor to come in and pick up where he left on and improve the side.
Their back-to-back mid-table finishes seem like a distant memory now though, with continued unrest surrounding the ownership of Mike Ashley and the appointment of Bruce.
Despite those things, Trevor Sinclair still believes that there is potential for the club to move to the next level, and bring back the glory of old when the likes of David Ginola graced the pitch.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Sinclair said: “I’ve played against a team with Les Ferdinand and Ginola, and all these players and the place is buzzing. It lives for the football – what a carrot that is for a manager if you can get the right players in to perform week in week out in the Premier League and have that kind of support, wow, it must be amazing.”
Newcastle have a long way to go before getting anywhere near to the past memories of those type of players and full stadiums cheering on their side if Sunday’s game is anything to go by.
They have three main attacking players in Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, and Saint-Maximin, a group of players that Bruce looks set to be heavily reliant on and no successful side have similarly limited options.
With many Newcastle fans also boycotting the Arsenal fixture due to Ashley’s reign at the top of the club, it also seems a long time until St James’ Park is packed to the rafters with passionate fans celebrating the football their team play.
Newcastle clearly have a long way to go before being able to match the clear ambition Sinclair as for Bruce’s spell in charge, with the pundit surely kidding himself with his comments.
