Steve Bruce thought Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear's foul-mouthed rant at the press in the opening week of his reign was "absolutely fantastic".Kinnear, who was the surprise choice as caretaker manager at St James' Park when Kevin Keegan resigned, opened his first press conference with a volley of abuse at journalists whom he felt had unfairly criticised him.
His outburst dominated the headlines for days afterwards but Wigan manager Bruce believes it was a canny piece of psychology from the man famed for creating the 'Crazy Gang' when he was former Wimbledon manager.
Prior to that the focus on Newcastle had all been about their poor form, Keegan's departure and owner Mike Ashley's plans to sell the club.
"I thought his rant at the press was absolutely fantastic," said Bruce, whose side face Newcastle at the JJB Stadium on Boxing Day.
"I was thinking 'Has he done it on purpose to take it (the pressure) away from the owner and the players and pile it on himself?'
"If he did do that then I have to say well done, pat on the back to him, because it has got them going and since he has gone in there they have lost two in 13 games."
Bruce was full of praise for the work Kinnear, who was out of work for nearly four years before being catapulted back into the spotlight, has done in stopping the rot at Newcastle
"Newcastle have always been associated with playing one way - they've had to be because the supporters are a little gung-ho - but he's made them more difficult to be beat," said Bruce, himself a Geordie.
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