Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson is talking about Newcastle once again. It was just two weeks ago when he spoke of Newcastle fans needing to have realistic expectations under this new ownership group.
Here’s a bit of what Merson said at the time:
“It would take tons and tons of money to put Newcastle up with the elite. Liverpool are set, Man City have got fortunes, and the likes of Manchester United will always be a powerhouse. To get up in that sort of company isn’t a realistic dream.
“They are a million miles from that great Newcastle side of Shearer, Ginola, Ferdinand, and Batty – a million miles. A team that, incidentally, still didn’t win anything.
“So, why expect new owners, who are clearly astute businessmen, to throw money at it left, right, and center to see an improvement of a few league places?”
Merson’s contention was that it was unrealistic for fans to expect the new owners to spend a lot of money because it was highly unlikely that Newcastle could reach the top six.
However, clubs like Sheffield United and Leicester City have proven that with ambition and a sound plan, the top six is achievable. That will especially be the case for a club like Newcastle under ambitious owners.
The Sky Sports pundit has now touched on Newcastle’s coaching situation in an article in the Star. Merson thinks replacing Steve Bruce with Mauricio Pochettino would be a big mistake.
This is some of what Merson has said:
“It wasn’t pretty to watch, but Bruce showed balls in going against his own attacking instincts and realising fairly quickly that Newcastle, with the players he had, needed to keep it very tight to have any chance.
“Don’t forget everyone including the Toon Army were tipping them for relegation back in August following Rafa Benitez’s departure.
“If Pochettino arrives and tries to impose his own cavalier methods on the team, then they face another struggle.”
Merson’s contention is that Newcastle currently lack the ability to play on the front foot, and therefore Pochettino would struggle to implement his style on this team.
He thinks Bruce should be kept at Newcastle until the end of NEXT season while the club recruits the six to seven players needed to play attacking football.
So Merson’s plan is to continue with Bruce and have him bring in the players that will ultimately thrive under the next manager.
Here are some more comments from Merson:
“Of course, all the talk is that Newcastle need a big name boss to attract big name players and while there is a degree of truth in that, it’s naïve to think the five, six or seven signings they need to play that way will arrive immediately.
“That’s why new owners should stick with Bruce at least until the end of next season.”
Newcastle could very well struggle over the next few seasons as they try to build for the long-term. However, if Steve Bruce is not in those plans, then why would the new owners keep him on board for longer than this season.
Most local journalists are reporting that Bruce will remain in charge until the end of this season if it gets completed. They are reportedly in no rush to make a decision on the manager until the fate of this season is decided.
However, it makes little sense to keep Bruce for next season while they try to recruit players for the next manager. Also, this squad isn’t necessarily only built for playing ten men behind the ball.
Bruce loosened the reins a bit in the week before the season was suspended, and the results were promising. With a couple of class signings this summer, any top manager should have enough to work with to keep this team heading in the right direction.
49 comments so far
WLtoon
May 2, 2020 at 10:24 AM
Comment #1The Princes Mate from previous
I used to be a whiskey drinker in my 20s but it was getting a hold of me so had to stop, through the wishes of my old man. Never touched a drop since. I can down a bottle or two of Port, neat of course, without any repercussions in the morning, so all is good.
fairscup
May 2, 2020 at 10:26 AM
Comment #2Merson = pr1ck
JP...from The Rock
May 2, 2020 at 10:27 AM
Comment #3Merson, Keys, Rio Ferdinand are all bias twats that can’t help but talk rubbish about Newcastle. Haven’t got time for these fool’s opinions and I really want us to build a great team to shove all their sour comments down their throats.
Jail for Ashley
May 2, 2020 at 10:27 AM
Comment #4It’s like that lad at work who asked me where we should be aiming for next season. Basically, unless I’d said top ten he was going to call me deluded. When he then said Wolves were an established PL team then you know he’s talking shite.
TudorCrisps
May 2, 2020 at 10:28 AM
Comment #5Sharrap Merson just sharrap
VanToonMan
May 2, 2020 at 10:30 AM
Comment #6I want to say let’s just assume it’s not happening so we don’t get our hopes up and don’t analyse every day’s media posts – which would leave the door open to be pleasantly surprised.
But deep down I think it is happening and we just have to be patient.
Check this article from BBC about the timeline of Man City’s takeover:
1. they announced sale agreed on 01 September together with Robinho signing (Abu Dhabi group told Shinawatra that a condition of the purchase was he had to sign a marquee player – giving him a list – cost of which would obviously be factored into sale price)
2. Takeover was actually completed on 23 September (22 days after sale agreed announcement)
What date was it publicised about our price agreed? I’m thinking up to 22 days after that is to be expect at the very least.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/45372362
WLtoon
May 2, 2020 at 10:31 AM
Comment #7My sentiments exactly JP.
Get this takeover sorted and see these barstewards squirm when we start building a class team, Would Love It
John Tudor
May 2, 2020 at 10:32 AM
Comment #8Nob belongs in the hands of Keys
DubaiMicky
May 2, 2020 at 10:33 AM
Comment #9That Merson’s a bit of a twat isn’t he.
wartongeordie
May 2, 2020 at 10:36 AM
Comment #10The so called football experts will not get it through their thick heads that we all know we aren’t going to be champions in the next few years, it will take time to grow and its getting the antichrist out of our club that counts. ignorance is bliss so they should all be very happy at the minute.
Boy from the Bay
May 2, 2020 at 10:37 AM
Comment #11What makes Merson think that everything needs to be done quickly?
I think most fans would just like to see us going forward, rather than stagnating as we have bee for 13 years.
Bruce is NOT the man to take us forward . Nice man though he undoubtebly is, his managerial track record should tell everyone that he is simply not good enough.
SPRINGY
May 2, 2020 at 10:39 AM
Comment #12Hibbitt
Are you thinking of cracking open that japanese whiskey once the sale is confirmed? Lol
geordietom
May 2, 2020 at 10:41 AM
Comment #13With so much focus on the Premier League’s Directors and Owners checks, one leading sports lawyer voiced his certainty the deal would be waved through.
Sports lawyer Nick De Marco told the BBC: “Unless there is a clear and obvious link between an individual and an offence and that individual has been convicted in some court of law or tribunal then it’s very difficult to see how they could fail the test…
from the Chronicle …
the Northumbrian
May 2, 2020 at 10:44 AM
Comment #14The thing that makes little practical sense is calling merson a pundit
VanToonMan
May 2, 2020 at 10:46 AM
Comment #15The response/question that pundits on our side Should publicly put to those pundits such as Merwe Rio etc is:
Is it acceptable for a club the size of Wolves to come up after we did – spend £100m+ and finish 7th?
We don’t wanna be Man City or Liverpool (straight away lol) – but we should NOT be getting outspent and outplayed by Wolves.
Let’s see their response to that!
SPRINGY
May 2, 2020 at 10:47 AM
Comment #16Merson along with a lot of other so called experts or all stuck in the mindset that we geordies believe we should be challenging at the top regardless of earning the right to be there,that its just something that should be….to coin a phrase “deluded geordies”… obviously the only deluded people are the idiots that keep saying this shit….we just want rid of ashley….first and foremost,then for the club,new owners to be excited and proud to have this club,and then just try to improve us,have ambition,to challenge,not necessarily win,but give it a bloody good go….shame the”experts” would rather jump on the lets have a go at newcastle bus, rather the lets see what happens bus…..eejits.
Captain AmeriMag
May 2, 2020 at 10:47 AM
Comment #17Friend of mine posted this in our NUFC Takeover Talk WhatsApp group this morning (we had to make a separate group from our Fantasy Football one as I was posting too many takeover tweets!!)
We’re in real friend of a friend of a friend territory but could be significant:
A message to my work pal from his mate “Just got a text this morning from my mate finishing shift on security at airport, private jet flew in through the night, was not on the scheduled list for flights coming in which is only 2/3 flights a day, some Saudi hi roller came off the aircraft…you know me Andy I would not bullshit over something like this..I’ve waited the same as you…I want my football club back…hopefully it’s not too far away…”
#CANS
Jail for Ashley
May 2, 2020 at 10:48 AM
Comment #18It’ll be nice just going in to a season where trying to win the FA cup is the norm rather than a publicity stunt.
WLtoon
May 2, 2020 at 10:49 AM
Comment #19He,s a pisshead, with half a brain CELL
Essex Geordie Bill
May 2, 2020 at 10:49 AM
Comment #20A mate of mine who’s a bit of a wheeler dealer, got hold of several bottles of Whiskey that, as a reformed alcoholic, he didn’t want so I gave him a tenner each for two of them. One I’ve drunk, can’t remember the name of it but it was OK.
The second one I still have but can’t find much on the net about it, anyone help.
It’s called ‘Scottish Leader’, I think it was made as an example of Scottish whiskey making skills.
Cheers
Hal
May 2, 2020 at 10:52 AM
Comment #21Tom… Its like that link I put in from Craig Hope’s tweet. Even the beIN piracy crap is void, as its been stated the beoutQ was turned off by SA and the American Government praised Saudi for its fight against piracy… Some strange stories flying around.. I’m looking for confirmation on that one..
geordietom
May 2, 2020 at 10:52 AM
Comment #22Springy …
thats all we ask for a team that competes , and rid of Ashley of course …
Merson take no notice of him two reason’s he hates us. 1 he’s a cockney . 2 he played for Villa says it all …
lochinvar
May 2, 2020 at 10:53 AM
Comment #23Sky must be pulling the FA and the Premier Leagues strings very hard to try and play out the season behind closed doors with all the inherent health risks and in defiance of all the Government advise and instructions that we all have to adhere to. Social distancing in a football match – ha ha ha. That’s no wall in free kicks then.
The moment one person from one team has to isolate or experience symptoms of the virus the whole concept collapses and matches will have to be abandoned rendering the whole schedule worthless and that’s before the litigation starts.
Imagine a match between say between Villa and West Ham or the equivalent where a point or even goal difference is the difference between survival and relegation. Expect players to develop headaches or coughs and the ref will have to abandon the game. Its a scary proposition but trying to complete the league fixtures is clearly designed around TV money and is impossible to deliver. Even next season must be difficult to predict how that will be managed unless we are all vaccinated by then and all being well with the club’s ownership we more than any will want normality to return.
See that the Saudis want to host the next World Championship Unification decider boxing match with Joshua.
Only one step away from all Premier League games being played in Saudi for global TV audiences. Clubs and their families all isolate over there for two weeks then live there for the season and everyone is screened and monitored. 1984 has arrived albeit just a little later than predicted. Chinese technology being at the forefront of surveillance. Now ain’t that strange.
geordietom
May 2, 2020 at 10:55 AM
Comment #24Hal …
the beoutQ was turned off in August of last year going on what i read , they are looking to put us Geordie’s down running scared springs to mind …
Boy from the Bay
May 2, 2020 at 10:55 AM
Comment #25He’s either ignorant of what has been going on for the past 13 years, or he has an agenda against us (as most of the southern press do)…or both!
I’d love to see a debate between Merson and Shearer so he could be ‘educated.’
SPRINGY
May 2, 2020 at 10:57 AM
Comment #26Geordietom
Yeah,would like to think we could out buy everyone,sign the world most expensive players and beat everybody all over Europe winning shitloads….just like every other football supporter all over the world!…but just gettin rid off the slug would be like winning the cup ryt now…. that’ll do.
geordietom
May 2, 2020 at 11:00 AM
Comment #27well i’m still confident about the takeover happening …
keep the faith lads …
Hal
May 2, 2020 at 11:01 AM
Comment #28It’s the big 6 not wanting competition. Can you imagine them having to share more tv time with “little” Newcastle. Or heaven forbid they slip further down the table and get less revenue. Oh not to mention advertisers.. Newcastle reaching 33 million Arabians… beIN losing the rights to the tv.. all this griping is about cash flow.
I’m surprised Merson was able to read the script Sky gave him!
geordietom
May 2, 2020 at 11:02 AM
Comment #29Springy …
agree with to get rid HIM from our club will be a celebration in its self mate …
RolandoOverhead
May 2, 2020 at 11:02 AM
Comment #30Have to laugh when you see pundits creating their own special brand of fiction. They all assume to know exactly what ALL the fans are demanding.
The one thing that can’t be denied about us, is that we’re always newsworthy, we fill more column inches than pretty much any other club Nationally.
Failing to capitalise on that exposure and make us a global brand, has to be up there with Cashley’s biggest ever blunders.
Our Toon
May 2, 2020 at 11:03 AM
Comment #31I cant see Saudi’s flying in over Ramadan to do anything press related or league related. They can sign paperwork from Saudi and have Staveley and co here to deal with that stuff.
Plane watching or excitement about anyone coming from there makes zero sense in my opinion. No doubt a statement will already be put in place.
AncientC
May 2, 2020 at 11:03 AM
Comment #32I do not remember Wenger throwing tons and tons of money to put Arsenal in the mix with the top clubs. Paul Merson may have heard of Wenger. The answer to Merson’s question is staring him in the face; beyond those sophisticated glasses he is wearing.
A good manager can work on an ambitious and yet limited budget.
geordietom
May 2, 2020 at 11:03 AM
Comment #33Hal …
i was just gonna say that can Merson Read you beat me to it mate …
Our Toon
May 2, 2020 at 11:04 AM
Comment #34As far as pundits are concerned the same stuff was spouted when citeh got taken over. It the way of the media to act like the voice of reason when in reality no one expects us to be flying high for a few years yet.
fairscup
May 2, 2020 at 11:05 AM
Comment #35Surprised that Sky are not jumping from the rafters with all the new subscriptions they will get.
yogz69
May 2, 2020 at 11:06 AM
Comment #36Jail what shop you buy your keyring from?
geordietom
May 2, 2020 at 11:06 AM
Comment #37ourtoon …
they might of flew over to get the Keys to the Castle mate…
Our Toon
May 2, 2020 at 11:06 AM
Comment #38Times have massively changed since Wenger worked his magic, others clocked on and essentially followed the blueprint in scouting. Since big money come into the league Wenger’s Arsenal slowly started to drop in league
geordietom
May 2, 2020 at 11:07 AM
Comment #39wonder if Ashley will pay the leccy bill before he pisses off …
HpoolMag
May 2, 2020 at 11:08 AM
Comment #40Wonder if Merson would want Bruce at Arsenal if they sacked Arteta seeing as his he thinks he is so good