Steve Bruce responds to Nigel Pearson's bizarre claim about Newcastle United

That was the view of Nigel Pearson ahead of yesterday’s game at Vicarage Road, which his Watford team won 2-1 thanks to two Troy Deeney penalties.

Football returned behind closed doors last month following three-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pearson – who had a spell as a coach a United earlier in his career – spoke about Tyneside’s “expectation levels” before the game, and, in his programme column, he claimed it might be easier for Newcastle to play in an empty stadium.

Pearson wrote: “I’ve seen some other managers talking about the different a lack of a crowd can make, and I go along with the sentiments about it being quite tough at times to play in an environment that really is so unusual.

“I’m not sure how Steve feels about this, because I know just how expectant the supporters can be from working there, so perhaps they’ve found it to their liking.”

Newcastle took eight points from a possible 12 following the Premier League restart.

And, asked about Pearson’s comments, Bruce said: “It’s all about opinions. I think we all need fans back in the game. Whether it’s suited us or it hasn’t, we all need the supporters back in.

"That’s what makes it the spectacle. It’s not quite the same when it’s behind closed doors. How many really good games have you seen? Have you seen a really good game where you’ve thoroughly enjoyed it? Probably not.”