Paul Merson verdict on Newcastle United two weeks into the season… | OneFootball

Paul Merson speaking about Newcastle United.

United with two weeks and two games of the new season having gone by.

A point at Villa where Newcastle were the dominant team and should have won the game.

Then an unbelievable performance on Monday night against Liverpool, easily the better team with 11 v 11 in the first half, then astonishingly after going down to 10 men, Eddie Howe’s team even more of a threat and Liverpool a poor second best in everything but goals.

Paul Merson had predicted a feisty encounter and a 2-2 draw, sadly that prediction undone in the tenth minute of added time

Eddie Howe’s team now preparing for their next match. A 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday, away to Leeds.

Paul Merson discussing how things now stand for Newcastle United as they travel to Elland Road ahead of the first international break of the season.

Paul Merson talking to Sportskeeda ahead of Leeds v Newcastle:

“Newcastle were outstanding the other day against Liverpool but they got no points to show for that brilliant performance, which will be quite hard to take for the players.

“The bigger problem here is that they could be without Joelinton and Sandro Tonali, who both limped off with injuries in that loss to Liverpool.

“Alexander Isak is obviously missing and to make matters worse, his deputy at centre-forward Anthony Gordon is suspended!

“If Newcastle had all of them players fit and available, they would easily win this game. William Osula came on and scored against Liverpool but I still don’t think he’s ready to start week in, week out in the Premier League.

“This is the perfect time for Leeds to take on Newcastle and they should try to make the most of it. Leeds will be disappointed about losing to Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, that is a game they should have won. I expect a better result this weekend.

“Prediction: Leeds 1 Newcastle 1”

It is never ideal playing a promoted team away from home so early in the season and this completes what always looked a very tough set of opening August fixtures for Newcastle United.

Newcastle could arguably should have been sitting here with six points from the first two fixtures but it wasn’t to be. Such is football.

Leeds were woeful against Sheffield Wednesday but no doubt will be desperate to bounce back in front of their fans.

We should get a better idea on how both Tonali and Joelinton are, when Eddie Howe gives his pre-match press conference later this morning.

Fabian Schar misses on Saturday due to concussion protocols, whilst Anthony Gordon is suspended.

New outfield signings Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey all impressed on Monday night, so Eddie Howe is boosted by his summer business, with Aaron Ramsdale also waiting for his chance. Whilst Thursday night’s news of a striker breakthrough is massive, Nick Woltemade is a very exciting young striker and I think is going to be class for United.

Eddie Howe has to get through this match on Saturday and then regroup. Even with the missing players, I think there is still plenty of room for optimism in this Leeds game, especially when you saw that commitment from all the players on Monday night. Lewis Hall and Sven Botman are also now possibilities who could come into the starting eleven, as well as Jacob Murphy who was excellent last season and one of Newcastle’s best players in pre-season.

It would be a massive three points for Newcastle and then a two week gap before Wolves at home, when Eddie Howe should hopefully have more options and the new signings having had more settling in time.

Obviously the big Alexander Isak question as well. With Newcastle still needing two striker surely for what lies ahead, even if/when Woltemade is signed, I can’t see Isak allowed to leave unless another striker as well as the Stuttgart star is signed, plus of course another club has to belatedly put in a credible bid for Alexander Isak.

This all feels like a massive few days for Newcastle United that will hugely impact this 2025/26 NUFC season.

Saturday 30 August – Leeds v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 13 September – Newcastle v Wolves (3pm)

Saturday 20 September – Bournemouth v Newcastle (3pm)

Sunday 28 September– Newcastle v Arsenal (4.30pm) Sky Sports