IT has been something of a whirlwind, maybe even more of a hurricane, first couple of months in the Newcastle United hot-seat for Steve Bruce. Having waited all his career for the chance to work for his beloved boyhood team, though, he is only thinking of improving things at St James’ Park rather than running away.

Bruce has an eye on the January transfer window as well as the remaining fixtures of 2019, starting with a hugely testing trip to Liverpool tomorrow when there will be very few, if any, expecting the Magpies to spring a second surprise win of his early reign.

Even if there are Newcastle fans boycotting home games, season ticket sales and are still hugely critical of his appointment as well as against Mike Ashley’s continued control, Bruce will stay focused on trying to win over the hearts and minds of the supporters.

He is already reasonably impressed with certain levels of quality within his squad, but he knows that when Newcastle hit the New Year they have to be prepared to spend more of the money remaining in the transfer kitty after a summer when Ashley did invest in the squad.

“To be fair, Steve Nickson, the chief scout, has had a couple of weeks break because he has been working all May and June,” said Bruce, who looks set to let Achraf Lazaar join Italain side Cozsena.

“But I have just seen what games we're covering this week and last week, and it's vast the amount of work we do so nothing changes in that (recruitment) respect. It doesn't stop.

“There's a little bit (of money in the pot). I think the really good thing now is to concentrate on the 25 players we have got and get the best out of them so you put that away. But it always is ‘how can we improve?’ I think that's the key.

“You see the difference in an Almiron or a Joelinton. That little bit of extra quality which comes in is hopefully what we're looking for now.

“We've got a nucleus of a very good squad. Rather than five or six new signings, maybe it's important to go for one or two. I think that's the way forward. We've got good players here. If we can just keep adding to the quality of them, then I think that's the way forward.”

Bruce has had to endure some rough times already since agreeing to succeed the popular Rafa Benitez at St James’. He knows, however, not even Benitez would ever have found it as special to be leading Newcastle like he does.

“I have that feeling like no one else could and I always say, if you're born a Geordie, it never leaves you,” he said. “The pride of where you're from or the tough working-class background you’re from never leaves you and usually if you're born here you support Newcastle. Male or female, you support Newcastle. It's ingrained in you. That's why we can never take it for granted. It's quite unique.”

Newcastle have only won one of their opening four Premier League fixtures under him, losing two. The manner in which they won at Tottenham impressed some of the doubters, but he has never felt like the fans he has met have wished bad on him.

Bruce, who has had a couple of days away during the break, said: “I haven't been far but everyone when I've walked down the street has stuck out their hand and wished me luck, whether I'm in a shop or in Kwik Fit up the road or whatever.

“They've all been the same. They've all been, 'hope you do OK' and that's the overwhelming feeling I have and the vast majority of supporters want me to do OK. They don't want us to struggle.”

“Thankfully, a bit of experience taught me to have a couple of days away. Read a book and try. I think it's vitally important that you try and sleep sometimes.”