Steve Bruce certainly didn’t hold back in his analysis of Newcastle’s goalless draw with League One side Oxford.
Newcastle came into the game in decent form, unbeaten since their New Years Day defeat to Leicester, including earning a point against in-form sides Wolves and Everton, while picking up a dramatic late win over Chelsea, all within their last three Premier League outings.
However, in front of an expectant sell-out St James’ Park crowd, Bruce’s strong Newcastle side were unable to break down Karl Robinson’s Oxford United, and just like in the third round, they will need to replay a tie against a third-tier opponent, having needed two attempts to beat Rochdale earlier this month.
Speaking after the 0-0 draw, Bruce described the Magpies display as ‘a poor performance all-round’.
“Frustrating, disappointing. We didn’t do enough basically,” Bruce told Match of the Day.
Here are your full-time scores!
What is THE result from the fourth round 3pm kick offs? ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/nEPdsVdEdP
โ The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 25, 2020
“Oxford you have to say well done to them they came and made it difficult for us but this is one of those where we didn’t play well enough. We are still in the hat and we will go there and I am sure be better than we were tonight.
“We didn’t pass the ball well enough, we didn’t create enough. It was one of those afternoons where too many of them didn’t get to a level they can.
“It is a disappointment for all those thousands that came today and we didn’t play well enough to get in the tie. It was a poor performance all round.
“Oxford have some good players, they are well organised and well drilled.
“It is what it is. We can’t make many changes because of the injuries we have. We accept we have had a tough time with injuries so we will be as strong as we can be.”
Read – The six biggest Premier League risers on Football Index after Gameweek 24
Read Also – Largest title winning margins in Premier League history