Former Newcastle United star Chris Waddle feels for manager Steve Bruce.

The Toon have kicked off the season with consecutive defeats.

Waddle told the Evening Chronicle: "It's hard when the Premier League is as strong as it is to start with.

"There are not only the top teams and the classy sides, you now six to 10 other teams that are very strong also.

"So once you look after the top 10 you can see different sections.

"In fact there's almost three different leagues!

"There's a top four challengers of around six or seven teams, then there's a bunch of teams going for seventh to 10th, and then after that it's like nine or 10 teams battling to stay out of the bottom three.

"I look at Newcastle and unfortunately they are in the bottom eight or nine teams.

"It's hard for Steve Bruce.

"He's there at an awkward time."