Scott Parker has revealed why quit Newcastle United back in 2007.
The Londoner was skipper under Glenn Roeder in his second season at the club following his switch from Chelsea in 2005.
But a dip in form resulted in Parker being sold to West Ham weeks after Roeder parted company with the Magpies.
Parker used the word “relentlessness” when describing how he saw life on Tyneside.
Asked at his Press conference whether he had “sympathy” for Steve Bruce, Parker said: “Definitely, I have sympathy. It was a factor for me.
“I went up to Newcastle and was playing some of my best football.
“Every week I gave nothing but my everything and ended up being captain of that football club.
“In a very, very short space of time, it changed very, very quickly for me. It went the other way, for some reason.
“Obviously, we were in a bit of a bad turn at the time in terms of results but nothing that was too much of a crisis. It did turn and before you know it, I had to leave.
“It’s a passionate club, it’s a passionate city.
“It’s an unbelievable city and an unbelievable club at the same time.
“But I have sympathy for Steve, totally. He’s from that way so he probably understands it a little bit more.”
Parker then expanded on the pressure of life as Newcastle.
He said: “It can be a negative or a positive sometimes (the Newcastle fan pressure). People may find it too hard up there to go and perform.
“The relentlessness of it is difficult.
“But Steve’s been in and around it for such a long time with vast experience.
“He did a fantastic job last year and this year as well with the stuff they’ve had to deal with with Covid.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
