Steve Bruce says the 'gloves are off' with his underperforming Newcastle side. 

Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat away to Sheffield United was their sixth in a row without victory.

Should results conspire against them, Newcastle could go to Arsenal on Monday night just four-points clear of the Premier League dropzone.

Their poor run - which included an FA Cup 3rd round loss to Mikel Arteta's side - has brought Bruce's position into question again.

But the manager feels the players aren't delivering for him.

"We were absolutely frigging hopeless the other night," Bruce told his Friday press conference, "Absolute shite we were. I have to accept it.

"I've let them [the players] be comfortable but the gloves are off now. I'm going to do it my way.

"I've said from day one the way I wanted to play and haven't done it enough."

Andy Carroll's late consolation away to Leicester earlier in the month is the only time Newcastle have found the net in their last six outings.

But it's their last game with which Bruce takes umbrage, "If I was a supporter, I'd be concerned as well after watching the first half at Sheffield United, we were absolutely hopeless.

"Unfortunately, in my 18 months here, we've thrown that hand grenade in too often for my liking. It all blows up after that.

"In hindsight, I picked the wrong team. I have to accept the performance was nowhere near good enough and take responsibility."

Bruce added, "In some people's eyes I was never the right choice. I can understand that.

"But if you look at my record over the years, for being a team that is in the bottom half of the league, then I've got enough on my C.V. to make sure I can try and slowly take the club forward.

"That's what I'm here for and that's what I will continually try to achieve."

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