Bruce must accept criticism after Carabao Cup KO

blew the chance to reach their first League Cup semi-final since 1976.

But

Bruce

addressed talk about his future that he might be sacked following the 1-0 defeat in west London.

Bruce called up his strongest squad for the match against

Brentford

but they were beaten by the Championship high-flyers, who didn’t have some of their key players.

The

Newcastle boss

said: “

I’m not really interested in the changes Brentford made, I’m hugely disappointed that we missed a wonderful opportunity to take this club to a semi-final, where it hasn’t been for

40-

odd years.

“But we simply haven’t played well enough to win the tie. We should have had enough, that’s why I went as strong as we did. Unfortunately we haven’t played well enough.

“We were too slow in possession, we didn’t do enough, we didn’t cause them enough problems, especially with the attacking players we had on the pitch. So we have to accept what’s coming our way.

“There’s no one more disappointed than me at the way we performed. I’m as frustrated, disappointed and bitterly upset as the huge following we have.

“I have to accept the criticism, which is fully justified, get ready for the challenge of a difficult Christmas period, dust ourselves down and get on with it.

“Are the players playing for me? I think they are. Maybe they’re not playing well enough, but it’s not without effort and determination.”

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