BBC pundit Garth Crooks has sent a warning to Newcastle fans ahead of the busy Christmas period, admitting that he ‘dreads’ to think how Benitez’s thin squad will cope now the games are coming thick and fast – saying we are ‘slowly running out of gas’ and are punching well above our weight in the Premier league.
The 59-year-old has had quite a lot to say about us this season, and after predicting our ‘bubble would burst’ back in September when we were 4th in the league, he now envisages us running out of steam ahead of the upcoming busy schedule – with Benitez and the boys facing four games in just 9 days following our trip to West Ham on Saturday.
Whilst he raises a fair point given our insufficient squad, it’s perhaps a little harsh to suggest we’re ‘punching above our weight’ when we’re currently in the relegation zone as it is!
Here’s what Garth had to say when discussing NUFC during his column for the BBC this week:
“The reality is the Magpies are punching above their weight and are slowly running out of gas.
“I dread to think how this squad is going to cope over the Christmas period. The games are coming thick and fast now.
“Players are going to have to play with knocks and bruises and put their bodies on the line for their clubs and team-mates.”
He raises some fair points, however I would argue that our squad isn’t low in numbers, it’s just low on quality. We have options in most areas, we’re just short on Premier League quality. I’d also question if we’re running out of gas? The effort is there, it’s just the lack of final product that’s costing us.
Either way, let’s hope we don’t struggle like Garth is anticipating. After a torrid few months, a good Christmas could be essential to our survival hopes.
Do you agree with Garth and fear our squad will be incapable of coping with the busy festive schedule? Let us know your thoughts!
