Premier League pundit Robbie Savage has taken aim at Newcastle fans for their treatment of Steve Bruce on the eve of the 2021/22 campaign.
Savage, who played under Bruce at Birmingham City, has been one of Bruce's most ardent supporters during his tumultuous two-year reign at Newcastle boss.
The former Blackburn and Wales midfielder has not been afraid to debate and engage Magpies fans over their criticism of Bruce during that time and that looks set to continue heading into the new season.
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Bruce presided over a run of just two wins in 21 matches between December and April last season and it was then that the supporters' disapproval of his management of Newcastle reached its peak.
To the United boss' credit, he steered Newcastle to five wins from their final nine matches to steer them away from a relegation battle and a 12th placed finish.
And Savage feels Bruce deserved more credit from the supporters as a result and believes another 12th placed finish is on the cards this season after the Magpies secured the permanent signing of Joe Willock.
"Manager Steve Bruce's popularity has not increased on Tyneside despite leading the Geordies to mid-table safety amid horrendous injury and Covid-related absences," Savage told The Mirror.
"Joe Willock was an outstanding loan signing and I'm not surprised Bruce went all-out to make the move permanent."
