'It changed very, very quickly for me': Scott Parker reveals what went wrong for him at Newcastle United
Scott Parker has spoken about the pressures that come with playing for Newcastle United ahead of his return to St James’s Park.
Fulham, managed by Parker, take on Steve Bruce's side tonight.
Parker spent two years at Newcastle, the second of which as captain, before leaving for West Ham United in 2007.
The 40-year-old was asked if he had sympathy for Bruce, who has been under intense pressure since taking charge of his boyhood club last year.
“Definitely, I have sympathy,” said Parker. “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.
“It (pressure from fans) can be a negative or a positive sometimes. 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. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”