STEVE BRUCE has attributed the ongoing upheaval at Newcastle United to the ‘unrealistic North-East expectations’ he claims forced him out of his previous position as Sunderland manager.

Bruce takes his Hull City side to St James’ Park this afternoon hoping to benefit from the divisive atmosphere that will see thousands of home supporters participate in a mass protest against Magpies manager Alan Pardew.

Almost three years ago, Bruce experienced similar protests himself as his reign as Sunderland boss unravelled during a caustic home defeat to Wigan Athletic.

At the time, the boyhood Newcastle fan cited the unrealistic demands of the Sunderland supporters as a key factor in his dismissal, and he feels similar sentiments are now placing Pardew in an equally unenviable position on Tyneside.

“It all comes from the huge expectation in the North-East, full stop,” said Bruce. “Why always baffles me. That’s the nature of the beast in the North-East. It seems to create mass hysteria very quickly.

“There seems to be a mass hysteria in the North-East, more than any other area. All I’m interested in is how we play, and can we take advantage of the situation? All the other stuff is nonsense.”

Bruce has been heavily linked with the Newcastle job if Pardew was to leave, although given the strength of Hull’s transfer activity this summer, it is far from a given that he would leave the KC Stadium in order to move to St James’ Park.

Tellingly, however, the Northumbrian has described this week’s rumours as “disrespectful” rather than dismissing them outright, and the chance to manage Newcastle would carry an obvious emotional appeal.

For the time being, he merely states he hopes Pardew emerges from the current crisis with his job intact, although he feels it would be disrespectful to make personal contact with his fellow boss.

“I find it (the speculation) hugely disrespectful,” said Bruce. “I’m a Geordie, but I turned the job down in 2006 after Sir Bobby (Robson) left because the timing wasn’t right. Since that day, it always seems that my name gets linked with it. What can I do?

“As managers, we all know what goes with the territory. Everybody on the outside thinks you get your money anyway, and all the rest of it. But it’s a dark place to be. It affects everybody around you, your family and your mates. I hope Alan pulls through – after this game.”

A further sideshow to today’s game is the presence of Hatem Ben Arfa, and while the winger is unable to play against his parent club, he will be part of the Hull contingent that travels to St James’ Park.

“He’ll be part of the travelling squad,” confirmed Bruce. “I don’t get involved in all that nonsense. I’m delighted he’s our player, and all the other nonsense doesn’t interest me one bit. He’ll sit wherever Newcastle sit him.”