Jamie Redknapp has declared that Newcastle United's lack of exciting football has been present for years, stating the football under Rafa Benitez was not any better.
Criticisms have been directed towards Steve Bruce's approach, with Newcastle without a win in their last seven games in all competition.
That has seen the pressure on Bruce ramp up ahead of the Premier League clash against Sheffield United, who are rock-bottom of the division and without a win in 17 matches this term.
However, Redknapp is still sticking by the Newcastle boss and has claimed that his style is no different to his predecessor Benitez.
“I like Steve Bruce, I’ve gone on record for thinking he’s doing a reasonable job at the club. Newcastle fans will want more, they want possession-based football, they want to be more exciting, but it hasn’t happened like that in years," he told Sky Sports.
"They want a bit of excitement, I get all of that, but they haven’t got Saint-Maximin, which is a bit of a problem because he’s one of their most exciting players. Of course you want to be playing better football, getting up the pitch and making it more exciting, but so do a lot of teams, so do a lot of clubs.
"This has been a by-product of Rafa Benitez, and Newcastle fans will say it was better under Rafa - it wasn’t. I watched a lot of football when Benitez was manager and it wasn’t enjoyable.
"At times, this isn’t enjoyable, but they’re getting reasonable results. I think with better players and the more money they spend. Players that have signed haven’t really worked out, which doesn’t help Steve Bruce.
"But make no mistake, this is a results-based business and if they don’t win today, he’s gonna come under huge pressure. The result against Brentford wasn’t a good one, losing against Arsenal in the FA Cup, they need to start doing better.”
