Newcastle boss Steve Bruce confident fans will ignore calls for boycott and back the team

STEVE BRUCE is confident the Toon Army will ignore calls for a boycott and turn up in their droves for his first match in charge.

Newcastle supporters’ groups have urged fellow fans to stay away from their Premier League opener with Arsenal in protest against Mike Ashley.

1

But new Toon boss Bruce believes the Geordie faithful will still pack out St James' Park next Sunday.

He told talkSPORT: “Whether the boycott will take place, your guess is as good as mine.

“I saw a so-called demonstration the other day and there were 12 people involved in it. It sometimes can be blown out of proportion.

“I'm convinced that come the first game of the season, the supporters will be like they always are, right behind the team.

“The Newcastle fans will be there cheering their team like no other set of supporters can do when the season starts.

“I’m not everybody’s cup of tea, and many have voiced their disapproval that I got the job, but I’ll give it everything I can.”

Newcastle fans are furious that owner Ashley allowed ex-boss Rafa Benitez to leave - and they are underwhelmed by the appointment of Bruce.

But the Magpies manager added: “The big thing that disappoints me is that you get labelled with this 'dinosaur' thing.

“There is nothing wrong with old school, but of course you have to embrace what the whole job is now.

“That is the biggest thing I've got to overcome - to overcome these doubts and get a team that can match everybody.

“Rafa was that popular with the fans here that whoever was going to come in had big boots to fill.

“There aren’t too many Rafa Benitez’s around who have been as successful as he’s been and won the Champions League.

“So there was always going to be an adverse reaction. I completely understand that and it’s up to me now to prove people wrong by getting results on the field.

“This is my big opportunity in management, there’s no doubt about that.

“I’ve had to wait a while for it, but I’m determined to be a success at this magnificent football club.”