"I enjoyed the game and let's be honest it could have gone either way.

"It was like when you play at school, it was end to end and to be fair to Leeds they force you into that way. After a difficult start, the actual game and response from our team was terrific.

"It's been fine margins today. We needed a bit of luck to go our way. It's been a difficult start there's no disputing that but if we keep playing the way we did there then I'm convinced we'll be ok.

"That's the big thing about the Premier League whether you're at the top or the bottom. You have to accept when you don't win a game you come under pressure. How you handle it, keep your dignity, do what you think is best and stick with it.

The way they have gone about their work today, it could have gone either way, but it was a great football match.

"It is very, very difficult - it is the demand of a big club. We are a big club with huge support.

And there is a frustration and we want Newcastle competing in the top half of the division. At the moment we're not. So we have to accept the criticism that comes our way and get on with it, not let it affect you. And keep trying to do your job the best you can.

"I can understand frustrations. I get that. The atmosphere they created makes the spectacle. They are unique and the way they got behind the team was the most important thing and I'm very pleased about that.

"These fans can be the best in the world: we need to get them back on board and our performances need to improve to get them on board.

"I can't sit here and say it's not difficult. I understand that frustration. I really, really do, but for me it's all about the team and the way they were as a crowd towards the team and the atmosphere that generated. What can I say about the chants (calling on him to leave) ?

"I'll continue to try and be the best I can be in this situation. I hope I can draw on the experience which I've had over the last 20-odd years to try and keep out the noise."

On the decision to alter formation mid-game:

"On last year’s awful run, we changed to a back four, and had a response. Then we changed back after Brighton, and changed to a different formation, and went 5-3-2. After Brighton we stayed with 5-3-2 with results.

"It’s given me food for thought again. I’ve always thought it was important that we have the ability to change. We’ve certainly got that in our locker.”

On the returning Karl Darlow:

"I’m pleased for him. I’m pleased to see him fit and healthy, because a few weeks ago, he was in a desperately poorly situation.

"First and foremost, good to see him back as a goalkeeper, more importantly his health is good, fortunately for him and us. I think he proved what a good goalkeeper he is.

"Unfortunately, Freddie (Woodman) hurt himself on Wednesday diving in a shooting drill, so the decision was easy. Freddie hasn’t made it. He wasn’t quite ready.”

On the unselected Dwight Gayle:

"I think it’s the system that we are playing, which I’m looking at of course; Dwight trains every day and is a great pro.

"I’m sure he will be frustrated – well, I know for a fact he is. But then again, so are ten, 12 other players. I have got to pick a team to win a football match and go with a system – and he hasn’t found a way in yet.”

Bruce's media Zoom call comments from Thursday:

On the "Brucie out" chants:

"Look, it's always difficult. I would be sick if I said I quite enjoyed it. It's difficult.

"The frustration is, like any other Premier League club or any other Football League club, if you don't get results then ultimately the manager, head coach, whatever I am, bears the brunt.

"That's what it is, so I have to accept that results haven't been good enough.

"What the disappointment was we played very well at a difficult place last week - as difficult as it was going to get. We played very well and didn't get anything out of the game, which was the frustration.

"It’s not all about me. I’m here to only do what I think is best for the club – and that is manage it as best I can and keep us moving along.

"It’s for other people to answer that (questions about his future). I will continue to do my best. I’m never going to walk away from the challenge of it, that’s for sure. You’re asking the wrong person.”

Asked whether he would consider his position if the abuse he received became detrimental to the team:

"Well then you start looking at yourself, of course but knowing the way I am, it’s not in my nature to walk away from something when we’re in a fight. ‘Oh it’s too difficult so I’m going to walk away’, that doesn’t really register with me.”

He also said:

"Do you not think I want better players? Do you not think I want a better squad to choose from? Do you not think I want the ability to compete at the top end of the transfer market?

"It’s not possible, so I have to accept it and get on with my job as best I can, at this moment. There’s the frustration for everybody concerned, and I’m the same.

"In these difficult moments, I hope my experience of being in it a long time can steer us along that path. It’s not great, I understand that, but that’s where we are.

"The challenge at the minute is just ticking along and make sure that the club stays where it is and we maintain our Premier League status.

Stirring words eh? a billion miles away from his predecessors - and don't forget that ticking along is an aspiration, not a reflection on where we currently are.

"I know for a lot of people that we should be better than that, but that’s where we are at the moment and we have been for a while. That is everybody’s frustration.

"I want Newcastle to be in the top of the league so that frustration is there but I don’t think about, ‘Oh the noise is too bad, walk away Steve’.

"It’s not in my nature to walk away from something when we’re in a fight."

Asked about Alan Shearer's comments on Match of the Day, labelling Newcastle a ‘hollow and an empty club’:

"Look, Alan is entitled to his opinion, that’s what he gets paid for, that’s what his job is now.

"What I will say is there is a lot of people and a nucleus of players who have been here a long time, and the club means something to them. There’s a lot of good people who work at the club who have also been here a long long time.

"They want the club to do well and unfortunately at the moment we are not doing well enough.

"All Newcastle fans want to see their team competing at the top of the table, like they did 20 years ago. Unfortunately at this particular moment, we’re not there.

"So there is the frustration for everybody concerned. My job is to keep us — and I knew this was going to be difficult — on an even keel, try and get on with the job and move the club forward as best I can, which is very, very difficult, of course.”