Plenty of Newcastle United fans have slammed former Arsenal and England midfield player – now pundit – Paul Merson’s claim that the Tyneside club will not reach the top four despite a takeover.
The 52-year old also believes that the Toon faithful will celebrate once Mike Ashley ends his 13-year ownership, as per his Daily Star column.
Merson thinks that no matter how much money the new owners chuck into the club, it will not make them a top four side, despite an example not so long ago with Manchester City. In 2008, City were taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group, backed by Sheikh Mansour, and have since won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and three English Super Cups as per Transfermarkt – not bad.
Despite recognised examples, the pundit still sticks by his claim. He says that the Magpies will not be able to have the pulling power that perhaps other more ‘attractive’ clubs in the top flight might, and listed the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United as sides that he suggests would still be in front of them.
Merson made other points as well, but it seems as if these members of the Toon faithful had switched off at that point. One NUFC supporter branded him ‘clueless’ as others flocked to Twitter to slam him:
Thankfully, his opinion is worthless.
— Cornwall.Mags (@Cornwall_Mags) April 18, 2020
Paul merson also said yaya toure would be a flop at man city
— Ben Scott (@ben_scott2) April 18, 2020
Just like it didn’t make Man City a top 4 side? Haha mans clueless
— Danny Cormack (@dannyrcormack8) April 18, 2020
Aye cos his opinion matters in the scheme of it all..
— Clive Kerr (@Civster4) April 18, 2020
To be fair he is an expert in talking utter nonsense
— Gary Young (@GaryYou40285335) April 18, 2020
This clown has to be the most uneducated/un researched pundit in the game, no club wins the Prem without huge investment these days, and WE only ask for a club that trued to compete, we do not demand trophies unlike his Arsenal fans🤔🧐🍾🥂
— Geordiedoonunder13 (@RirieSteve) April 19, 2020
