Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling have been looking at Newcastle United ahead of the 2024/25 season, offering slightly different takes on the current situation on Tyneside.
Sky pundit Merson wonders if “something’s going on” after Amanda Staveley’s exit, which in truth is nothing to worry about, but feels it’ll be a “hard one” for Newcastle this coming season, feeling Eddie Howe should be taking the England job while he can – even if he has “good players” in his current squad.
Stelling reminded the Sky pundit that Staveley had a “very small” stake in the club, rightfully downplaying her departure, and added some positivity to the debate, believing we will “certainly” get back in the top six after slipping to seventh last term.
Speaking on the Football’s Greatest podcast, Merson and Stelling had this to say when discussing Newcastle’s prospects:
Merson: “Where do you think Newcastle will come next season?”
Stelling: “Well, certainly top six. Yeah. Where do you think they will come?”
Merson: “I don’t know. I don’t know if they have to sell anybody yet. You have got one of the richest people in the world, you know, something’s going on. The lady is just leaving. Why is she leaving?”
Stelling: “I don’t know, Amanda Staveley, but she had a very small percentage of that football club.”
Merson: “Surely, you know, (some) people read the script quicker than other people. I think it’s going to be a hard one for Newcastle next year. They have got good players, but if you are Eddie Howe, 46, I think you take it (the England job).”
Does anyone know why merson hates Newcastle? I know he always has, but never known why he hates Newcastle. Never has a nice thing to say and always tips us to lose our best players and never succeed.
Toonali87(Quote)
Paul Merson is just a mouthpiece similar to London based tabloid rubbish that is printed.
They know nothing about NUFC and only want to talk about the “established” big six.
I have news for them Newcastle, Villa and possibly Brighton are going to gatecrash that lot and the sooner the better.
PSR and FFP need to be challenged as every football fan knows the system is outdated and corrupt.
Can’t wait to see what the Man City challenge turns out like.
Joseph(Quote)
it’ll be from his time at the smoggies add in the fact he sees us as a threat to his beloved arsenal, oh yeah his brain being melted by coke as well probably has a factor in it.
Porkpie(Quote)
The fact that he doesn’t even know ‘the ladies’ name tells you just how abreast our situation Merson really is.
He was such a talented footballer – probably underrated actually. But a pundit he will never be.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Merson played for the smoggies and since he didn’t play for the top NorthEast team it’s good old sour grapes!
Charles(Quote)
Serious question…… Does anyone give a flying f*ck what Merson thinks? He is the epitome of pundits getting a job because “he has played the game”. Is there any insight in the things he says, or does he just give unresearched ramblings
A(Quote)
You’re being a typical Toon fan of the “everybody’s against us” category.
While Merson does say the odd negative thing, he’s probably been 50/50 for and against, it’s just that remembering that doesn’t sit well with the Toon fans’ paranoia.
Daveys **** mate(Quote)
My theory is that somebody had to fall on their sword for the 7th place finish, and Staveley was the easy choice, and if we’re honest, would be the least disruption to the club.
PIF want results and progress. While we all know that 4th was a flash in the pan, dropping to 7th straight after was unacceptable.
Plus I suspect she also took the hit for the Ashworth debacle.
Daveys **** mate(Quote)
Merson, keep your big beak out of our business.
Paul Piecha(Quote)
playing for the boro he came to the toon for a pissup and got the **** taking out of him from fans hated us ever since
Peter Walton(Quote)