Former England defender Danny Mills believes Steve Bruce represents a 'safe appointment' for Newcastle United.
Bruce has been appointed as Newcastle manager on an initial three-year deal and his assistants Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence will join him in the North East from Sheffield Wednesday.
The 58-year-old has spoken of his delight at accepting the role at his boyood club but Magpies fans are underwhelmed he has been confirmed as replacement to Rafa Benitez - one of the most decorated managers in the game.
But Mills believes it is a solid appointment and has criticised Newcastle fans' lofty expectations.
"I think it is a safe appointment and I think it is what they need right now," he told TalkSPORT.
"Could they really gamble like Derby have on a Phillipp Cocu? Mike Ashley is not going to do that.
"The fans' expectations and what the fans want for that football club is at completely the other end of the spectrum to what the owner wants.
"They have had great players and great teams in the past that haven't quite been able to do it. 50-odd thousand turn up for every game, the fans are fanatical - we know that. It doesn't give you an divine right to be in the top six.
"It can be done on smaller budgets, look at Bournemouth. I just think Newcastle fans' expectations are a little bit too high.
"Because of the days they have had in the past and we harp back to the days of Shearer, Ginola and players like that when they were challenging for things. But it has been a long, long time."
Former Newcastle forward Darren Huckerby took issue with Mills' tone and fired back on Twitter saying: "Not sure Newcastle fans are expecting top 6, they just want a owner who cares about the club, wants to progress it forward and not bleed the club dry!"
