Scott Parker believes Steve Bruce has done a 'fantastic job' at Newcastle United but the former Magpies' captain can understand that fans want to see the club back where it belongs.
Supporters again made their feelings clear towards Bruce during Newcastle's 1-1 draw against Watford on Saturday - even when the visitors were in front at Vicarage Road.
Whereas Bruce was protected in empty stadiums last season, the 60-year-old has felt the wrath of the fans in each of Newcastle's last four matches.
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Bruce has won just seven games since mid-December but Parker, who was previously in charge of relegated Fulham, has sympathy for his opposite number after attempting to chase down Newcastle last season.
At one point, in April, 18th-placed Fulham were just two points behind Newcastle in the table but Parker could only watch on as the Magpies pulled clear of danger and avoided a potential relegation play-off at Craven Cottage on the final day.
"I think it's a difficult city in that sense," the Bournemouth boss told talkSPORT. "It's a one club city. It's an intense place to play but an amazing place at the same time.
"There is no in between up there. I experienced that when I was there, really. There is no real in between. It's either fantastic or it's the other way, the end, in terms of the worse case.
"Look, it's a fantastic club. Probably, a little bit, at times, needs to have a real realism about it to really push it on, but I also understand the commitment that everyone's showing there in terms of the fans and stuff like that and what that club has been used to as such.
"The players and the teams that certainly I was brought up around at a young age have probably had a big lasting effect on a lot of the fans.
"It's a real tough one but I think Steve has done a fantastic job there. I honestly do. Last year, there was talk that it would be us and them at the bottom end and we were the last game to kick off.
"I think Steve kept saying he was without [Callum] Wilson, without [Allan] Saint-Maximin. Them boys came in and it took them off to 12th. I think that probably says a lot."
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