Former Newcastle United star Kieron Dyer has insisted Steve Bruce deserves more plaudits for his efforts this season after the praise issued to Rafa Benitez.
The Magpies boss was an unpopular appointment after arriving from Sheffield Wednesday in controversial circumstances over the summer.
However, he's led Newcastle up the table and clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
The club sit 13th in the standings ahead of Tuesday's clash with Brighton and could finish as high as 11th with victories in their final two games.
With rumours still circulating that Bruce could lose his job if the proposed £300million takeover is ratified by the Premier League, Dyer believes Bruce deserves more credit, especially given how loved Benitez was.
"Just touching on Newcastle, if Rafa Benitez had this season that Steve Bruce had, everyone would be saying 'what a super manager'," Dyer told Sky Sports.
"He was like a messiah. He got so much credit with Newcastle the last two seasons. Steve Bruce, under a lot more difficult conditions, comes in, the fans weren't really having him.
"There's been takeover talk, he might be losing his job and to be in the chance of getting the best points total ever is all credit to Steve Bruce."
