Newcastle United should offer a new contract to manager Steve Bruce.

That is the opinion of Dean Saunders, with the 57-year-old speaking about the subject with talkSPORT recently.

Bruce helped the Magpies to a respectable mid-table finish last term, but fans are not enthusiastic about the football his style plays in the majority of matches.

Recent English media reports have suggested Bruce may get a new three-year contract.

Saunders told talkSPORT: "He gets criticised for the team not playing attractive football but I think he deserves a new contract for working with Mike Ashley.

"He's got his hands tied and they finished 13th.

"He's a Newcastle fan. I've been there and worked there, it's a great club with great supporters.

"They're really enthusiastic and as friendly as you can imagine - any other club I've been at, I was treated brilliantly there.

"They demand that the team goes at people but that's been squashed a little bit because they've been relegated and then [Rafa] Benitez took over and played 4-5-1.

"I never thought a crowd at St. James' Park - you'd be able to sit back and let teams have 60 per cent possession, but they did.

"They realised he's done the job with no money and now Steve Bruce has ended up with the job. Similarly, he's setting the team up not to lose most games.

"He's having a go at teams he thinks he can beat and he's not shopping in the top shelf. He's shopping three stores down somewhere to try and get his players.

"He's been given the minimum amount of money and if he keeps Newcastle in league, I think he's done a good job."