Bruno Guimaraes issues fresh apology as Newcastle United stars try to make amends with diehards

Newcastle stars looked dejected after suffering another defeat on the road with the efforts of the Magpies coming under fire by critics

Bruno Guimaraes has issued a heartfelt apology after Newcastle United’s defeat to West Ham – and vowed to fix things in time for the Champions League clash with Athletic Bilbao.

The players held a dressing room inquest after the painful 3-1 reverse with Newcastle, slumped in 13th spot in the Premier League after finishing fifth last term. As players left Stratford for their flight home, they discovered the snap verdicts of the likes of Alan Shearer who posted on his X account: “That was awful. No better 2nd half. Not one positive. Lazy. Leggy. Lethargic.”

The Brazil international was below par in the loss at the London Stadium despite setting up an early goal for Jacob Murphy to put the Magpies in control. But Newcastle faded soon after and were soundly beaten against a West Ham side that had not won at home this season.

After the game, Bruno said: “Have to say sorry for our fans.

“Not near enough to our best level. Your support is more than appreciated by us, and we have to show it on the pitch, especially away from home.”READ MORE: What Newcastle fans did at full-time speaks volumes as ruthless Eddie Howe tactical call implodes

Many Newcastle fans had headed towards the exits before Bruno and his team-mates came over to show some appreciation for their efforts to reach the capital amid both travel disruptions and the LNER stabbing incident, which had held up some supporters on the eve of the game.

United’s goalscorer, Jacob Murphy, had an air of calmness around him and was nominated by the dressing room leadership group to face the cameras after the capitulation. The forward, who got the nod over £55m Anthony Elanga, is pleased there is another game up and coming to put things right.

Former Sheff Wed and Norwich man Murphy added: “Collectively, we know we weren’t good enough. We were coming into this on the back of some really good form, but we do have the Champions League in midweek to put things right.

“We will just go home and reflect. I think this is a moment where we have to stay calm and not be reactive. We know we have to put things right, and we have some good games to do that.”

With another international break creeping up on us, Newcastle face the Basque side at St James’ Park before another chance to improve their woeful away form at Brentford on Sunday.

United have now gone without a victory in eight consecutive Premier League away games after four draws and four losses for the first time since a nine-game run at the start of the 2021-22 season.

But Howe was only in charge of the final three matches of that streak with caretaker Graeme Jones and Steve Bruce also associated with that barren streak.