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Steve Bruce determined to find leak to the media

Phil Egan
Phil Egan

11:54 5 Mar 2021


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Newcastle manager Steve Bruce says "there is a source feeding stuff" to the media after news of his training ground row with Matt Ritchie was leaked to the press.

The pair were involved in a heated exchange following last weekend's Premier League draw with Wolves but Bruce says the matter has been resolved and Ritchie has apologised.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's trip to West Brom, Bruce was asked about the row with Ritchie.

"There is no denying I had a row with Matt Ritchie," Bruce said.

"That happens at training grounds up and down every week.

"You are dealing with 25 men and emotions run high and it is fiercely competitive.

"Unfortunately with Newcastle it gets blown out of proportion. Matt apologised and for me personally, it's over.

"It happens, but ours leaks into the media and causes a frenzy and with a big game coming up we could do without it.

"As far as I'm concerned it's over and we get on with it.

"The very following day he trained well and apologised in front of the staff and the players."

The Matt Ritchie incident was not an isolated incident and Bruce also tried to clear up a story about Karl Darlow that emerged in public two days before the Newcastle goalkeeper found out he was set to be dropped.

Bruce added: "I will have to say the story about Darlow that I'd go to a newspaper with an exclusive I find totally disgusting.

"If I thought I'd do that I'd resign tomorrow. It's certainly not true, it's unfair on Karl and arguably over the last 18 months that has been the most difficult decision to make.

"Yes it is true I had a row or argument with a player, the rest of it is total nonsense.

"We have to draw a line under it and move on."

Newcastle are just three points above the relegation zone in the Premier League with just two wins from their last 15 league games.

Bruce said the recent leaks are not helping as the club looks to move away from the relegation zone between now and the end of the season.

"There is a source feeding stuff," he said.

"It is the most disappointing thing. We are looking into to it to find the culprit.

"At other clubs it does not happen.

"That is the biggest disappointment that it, unfortunately, happens too often.

"We will try to look to see who it is."


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Karl Darlow Matt Ritchie Newcastle Premier League Steve Bruce Wolves

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