Paul Merson disrespects Newcastle United players | OneFootball

Paul Merson speaking as Eddie Howe’s team are preparing for their next match.

A 3pm kick-off on Saturday afternoon.

Newcastle United having won 10 of their last eleven games.

Paul Merson discussing the possibilities for Newcastle United in their home match against Fulham this afternoon.

Plus yet more Alexander Isak nonsense…

Paul Merson talking to Sportskeeda ahead of Newcastle v Fulham:

“I watched Fulham the other day and I must admit I was disappointed. They did not show their true colours and let Man U off the hook in that game.

“In my opinion, they could have easily gotten a point and may look back at that loss as a missed opportunity.

“Despite Fulham flattering to deceive in the last game, they will still make life very difficult for Newcastle.

“This game could go either way but Newcastle certainly have a bit more quality within their ranks.

“We’re talking about the best centre-forward in the League right now in Alexander Isak. His goals and contributions have been mightily impressive.

“The thing with Isak is that he is consistently good.

“Some players score 10 goals in 10 games but there would have been two hat-tricks in there.

“But Isak is someone who scores in every single game and that makes him the best out there.

“There is no doubt that all the top clubs will want to sign him.

“With Financial Fair Play (FFP) also coming into the picture, it will be interesting to see if Newcastle can hold onto him.

“If Arsenal signed Isak, I would be shocked if they don’t end up winning the Premier League.

“The same goes for Chelsea, it will seal that top four place and take them to the next level!

“Prediction: Newcastle 2 Fulham 1”

So is Paul Merson on the right track here?

Well, hopefully he is with the prediction of Newcastle to make it 11 wins in 12.

As for the rest of what Paul Merson says, I also agree with a lot of that as well.

Then we get to his usual Arsenal (and Chelsea this time!) nonsense.

Even if Alexander Isak did leave Newcastle United at some point, why would he go to Arsenal or Chelsea?

When Paul Merson goes on about ‘top clubs’, there are a number of other clubs that are more ‘top’ than that pair.

I also find it disrespectful to the other Newcastle United players.

As United fans we all know just how good Alexander Isak is BUT Newcastle are not a one man team.

Paul Merson makes it sound like Newcastle United are totally reliant on Alexander Isak, yet many/most people agree that there is no better Premier League midfield than Newcastle’s midfield trio at the moment. Anthony Gordon another who is top quality, whilst Newcastle have very likely the long-term England full-backs also in this team.

Also, worth remembering that when Newcastle finished fourth two seasons ago, Alexander Isak only started 17 PL matches and scored 10 goals. Callum Wilson started 21 PL games that season and scored 18.

Alexander Isak of course would improve any Premier League team but I think it is silly to think a foregone conclusion that who he signed for would automatically win the league. Arsenal have some good players but Newcastle have defeated them four of the last seven times and only lost two when the two teams have met, with and without Isak playing.

As for FFP, Newcastle United have done the hard yards in not bringing in any first team contenders these last three windows, due to having to pay out to buy the essential extra quality (Isak, Tonali, Bruno, Livramento, Hall, Gordon, Barnes, Pope, Botman…) after so many years of lack of squad investment under Mike Ashley. When we get to the new financial year, at the start of July, the FFP/PSR situation will be far healthier and United will be in a position to go for the two or three first team contenders that Eddie Howe wants.

This can be done with the help of selling some more squad players, NOT our very best players.

It is so disrespectful of Paul Merson (and others) to repeatedly keep mentioning the best Newcastle players supposedly set to go elsewhere, when they are supposed to be discussing NUFC.

With a clear levelling out of the Premier League now (Liverpool top of the Premier League with same players who finished third last season) as Man City and Arsenal not as good as recent seasons, why isn’t Paul Merson talking about what Newcastle United could potentially do next season and beyond, if they add more quality of the levels of Tonali and Isak, rather than only talk about United able to lose quality players?

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)

Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle (5.45pm) BBC1 and BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)

Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 26 February – Liverpool v Newcastle (8.15pm) TNT Sports

(Weekend of Saturday 1 March –  NUFC will play in FA Cup fifth round if getting past Birmingham)

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 15 March – Newcastle v Crystal Palace (3pm)