As he forecasts this weekend’s game against Manchester City, Paul Merson claims that Newcastle United’s performances have improved significantly this season.
Newcastle are trying to reach their first FA Cup semi-final since 2005, when they were defeated by Manchester United, but they face a difficult opponent.
Merson, in his weekly predictions for Sportskeeda, believes Newcastle have little chance of defeating the treble winners given their recent defensive displays in the Premier League.
Merson gives Newcastle little hope vs City
Newcastle do not have a great record at the Etihad Stadium, with their previous triumph coming in the Carabao Cup in 2014, when Rolando Aarons, Adam Armstrong, and Gabriel Obertan led the line.
The Geordies have a much-improved roster from ten years ago, and they were hoped to finally end their long-standing trophy drought this season, but there isn’t much optimism on Tyneside right now.
Newcastle were significantly below standard against Chelsea on Monday night, showing little fight and surrendering several really sloppy goals that were easily avoidable, and Eddie Howe will be quite concerned going into this game.
Merson believes this has been a major issue for Newcastle all season, since they were so tight at the back last year with one of the finest defences in the division.
Merson commented on the game, saying, “I can’t see anything other than Manchester City winning. I was at Stamford Bridge the other night; Anthony Gordon was injured, and Newcastle conceded too many goals.
“There is something missing at Newcastle right now, but I can’t put my finger on it. They suddenly become incredibly open. They were once enjoyable to watch from the back. The goals they surrendered against Chelsea were likewise quite awful; they had to score two worldies to make the scoreline more reasonable.
“I admire Eddie Howe, and I believe they’ve been unlucky with injuries this season, but a few other clubs have also been decimated by injuries. They can’t keep making excuses because, as we saw against Chelsea, they had a decent enough squad to compete with them.
“At the present, Newcastle can’t really go out and splash the cash owing to FFP constraints, so I doubt they’ll pull the plug on Howe to start a new project. I feel sad for them a little bit. They haven’t won a trophy in God knows how long, and this is a terrible draw for them, to be honest.
“Kevin De Bruyne is Manchester City’s best player, so he’ll be hurt if he’s subbed off early in arguably the most important game of the season.” I don’t mind his reaction, and I believe even Pep Guardiola understood it. He’s been connected with a move to Saudi Arabia, and I’d be devastated if he moved there.
“I can understand if Mo Salah were to move to Saudi as that could be a huge coup for the SPL considering his stature in the Arab world, but if I’m De Bruyne, I doubt I’d be swayed by a big-money move to the Middle East.”
Prediction:Â Manchester City 3-0 Newcastle
Make or break for the Magpies
A win over Manchester City might radically turn Newcastle’s season around, as they presently appear to be destined for a mid-table finish in the Premier League.
They gained a significant lift this week when Anthony Gordon appeared to have escaped serious injury and could even be fit for this game, though they may not want to take the chance.
On a personal level, Howe might profit much from another trip to Wembley, with many thinking that he is unsuitable for managing a top side and that he has taken Newcastle as far as he can go.
In his defense, he has had to cope with an unprecedented number of injuries, but the 46-year-old has made some poor judgments on team selection and substitutions, so there is some culpability to be shared.
Newcastle will, of course, be supported by hundreds of visiting fans who must hope they can finally beat Pep Guardiola’s team in their own stadium.
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