Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce hit out at his players after defeat to Sheffield United.

Bruce offered no excuses for the loss during the week.

"We were absolutely frigging hopeless the other night," he said. "Absolute sh**e 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."

Bruce has tried this tactic before, calling out his players following similar performances, and has invariably won a response.

But after eight matches without a win and just one goal scored in 10 hours, fans are calling for him to be sacked. The main supporters group contacted the club this week to warn that they are "sleepwalking to relegation" under Bruce.

The head coach said: '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."