Jamie Redknapp has defended his claim that Steve Bruce's football is not dissimilar to Rafa Benitez's at Newcastle United.
Sky Sports pundit Redknapp came in for criticism from some Magpies fans recently when he compared Bruce's playing style to popular former manager Benitez.
Speaking to the Athletic, Redknapp said that the response to his claim reinforced his decision to stay off of Twitter.
“I did a Newcastle game recently and I didn’t really say much about Steve Bruce,” he said.
“I just said he’s doing a decent job in the circumstances. The next thing that’s been turned into I’ve said he’s doing a great job.
“I also said the football wasn’t much different under Rafa Benitez, which I stand by. The next thing, you get absolutely slaughtered by people.
“I think, ‘Hold on, it’s just an opinion’. Imagine if I was on Twitter, you can get consumed by it. I’ve got a job to do at Sky. If you’re reading stuff on social media it can affect what you’re thinking. I think it’s quite important to have your own view rather than letting Twitter affect your judgement.
“Punditry is harder now because more people are armed with information. Some of it is right, some of it is wrong.
“You say something about a player or a particular team and you get a crazy amount of abuse for it. It’s not life or death but people take it so seriously. I get that.
“I’ve always been of the opinion that what I don’t know doesn’t hurt me. I think that’s a good way to go into it. What would I want to see all that negativity? I love my job. I feel very lucky to do what I do.”
