Premier League 2019-20: 5 talking points from matchday 2

#2 Turbulent times for Steve Bruce at Newcastle

Steve Bruce has lost his first two matches as Newcastle manager

It would not be out of place to suggest that these are not the best of periods for Newcastle United. The Toon Army are one of England's more traditional and vociferously supported teams but currently find themselves at crossroads, as the relationship between fans and club owner Mike Ashley keeps deteriorating with each passing day.

Uncertainties at the club led to the resignation of the highly paid Rafa Benitez, and despite numerous other names being linked with the position, the Newcastle board decided on the appointment of Steve Bruce.

In the market, the club also spent a club-record fee to bring in forward Joelinton from Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim and the fact that the 23-year-old had less than an impressive scoring return in Germany made many express reservations about the amount expended to get him.

It was a less than ideal start for Steve Bruce in his new role, as his side fell to a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal, with the match characterized by fan protests a day prior to kickoff, as well as numerous empty seats on matchday which was indicative of just how hostile things have become between the fans and management.

It got from bad to worse on matchday two, as Newcastle put in an even more listless performance in a 3-1 defeat to newly-promoted Norwich City, with their record signing massively underperforming by missing many gilt-edged chances, apart from suffering an injury during the match.

Though it might be early days, the signs are there that this would be a long and arduous season for Newcastle, and there is the real possibility of the club facing the drop, close to the end of the campaign.