Why Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has told his side they must respect his old club Sheffield United at St. James' Park

Steve Bruce, the former Sheffield United manager, has called on his Newcastle United side to show the Blades respect tomorrow evening at St. James’ Park after admitting defeat in the reverse fixture was “one of the dark moments of the season”.
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The relegated Blades go into their penultimate game of a season to forget buoyed by victory away at Everton at the weekend.

That was only their sixth league win of the campaign after waiting until January for their first, a 1-0 victory over Newcastle at Bramall Lane thanks to Billy Sharp’s penalty.

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"It was certainly one of the dark moments of the season, if you like,” said Bruce of that game.

“I certainly picked the wrong team, so I have to take the full responsibility of it.

"That was one of the awful parts of the winter. Our performance at Sheffield was nowhere near the levels, and rightly so we didn’t get a result.

"I’ve got enormous respect for Chris [Wilder, the former Blades boss] and what he built there.

Steve Bruce was a big fan of his successor Chris Wilder's work at Sheffield United (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Steve Bruce was a big fan of his successor Chris Wilder's work at Sheffield United (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Steve Bruce was a big fan of his successor Chris Wilder's work at Sheffield United (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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“They’ve been relegated but they won at Goodison a few days ago, and they’ve won at Old Trafford. That’s the beauty of the Premier League and how tough it is - that doesn’t happen in other leagues.

"They are genuine and honest group of players who've had a wonderful few years.

“This year it hasn't quite happened for them but I've still got a huge respect for them, and if we don’t show them that then they'll be difficult for us because they’re still a very decent side."

The game will also be a rare chance for United to play in front of supporters again, with 10,000 fans being allowed into St. James’ Park.

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"I've said it before - it's been absolutely weird playing in front of nobody,” Bruce added.

“At the start, it took some getting used to. But it's a step towards being normal again, and we've all said it: if we ever need reminding what we play football for, what we're in it for, it's supporters and the spectacle of it.

"I'm sure people will go to the pub and have a few beers, and go to the pub afterwards and discuss all the things that make this great game what it is."

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