He said: "We didn't spend the money in January, which enabled us to keep hold of it and make sure that we could get the players that we wanted to get in this summer. I think that was a smart move.

"I've worked tirelessly alongside Steve, Lee Charnley and the scouting department. We try to work together – of course, it's impossible for me to see every single player.

"But we all thought that with the short pre-season, with the build-up not being long, to get people settled into a new environment, let's go for a little bit of the tried and tested. I think it's certainly helped us."

With £13.5million full-back Jamal Lewis also making an impressive bow at West Ham and goalkeeper Mark Gillespie claiming a clean sheet against Rovers, Newcastle have enjoyed as positive a transfer window as they have had for some time.

As a result, Bruce and his players have started the new campaign – which continues with Sunday's home clash with Brighton – in a far more positive environment than they did the last, when the former Manchester United defender also had to contend with popular disquiet over his own appointment.

He said: "It was difficult coming through the door 12 months ago. There was not a lot of time to work with the team and blah, blah, blah. But there's nothing like a couple of results – that helps.

"The work we've done in the transfer market has given everyone a lift, not just the manager, but the group of players and the supporters.

"You reporters now see a group of players where you think, 'Newcastle have a half-decent squad', and that's the improvement that you want in 12 months."