Newcastle United may have suffered a 5-1 friendly defeat against Middlesbrough but Steve Bruce will know 'it's different when the competitiveness starts' later this month, according to Neil Warnock.
Warnock's side put the Magpies to the sword in their behind-closed-doors clash at Rockliffe Park on Tuesday as both teams continued their preparations for the new campaign.
Two goals from Britt Assombalonga and a fine striker from Marcus Tavernier gave Middlesbrough a commanding lead before Allan Saint-Maximin pulled one back for the visitors just before half-time.
Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Wing were both sent off after an off the ball clash early in the second half, but losing a man did little to deter the hosts as Grant Hall and Ste Walker added the gloss.
After the game, Warnock said it was 'good to see the goals go in' against a 'tough' opponent but added both sides were 'in pre-season and experimenting' .
"You can't judge too much in pre-season games, etc and I'm sure Steve will know it's different when the competitiveness starts," he told the club's website.
"That first whistle, that first proper match - some players need that. I was just delighted with my own team really. That is all I worry about."
Karl Darlow, Javier Manquillo, Jamaal Lascelles, Isaac Hayden, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin were among those who started the game for Newcastle.
The Magpies welcome Stoke City to St James' Park for their penultimate pre-season friendly on Saturday before a rematch against Middlesbrough on Monday at Benton.
The black-and-whites then get their Premier League campaign under way against West Ham at the London Stadium on September 12.
