Some punters here at the Transfer Tavern have been turning to the scotch on the rocks a little early in the day this season, particularly if they are supporters of Newcastle United.
Indeed, since they finished in an incredible fifth place in the 2011/12 season, things have gone rapidly downhill since.
The Toon Army will be dreading January also, where it looks like Mike Ashley will be looking to flog his best players as per usual.
The sacking of Alan Pardew saw their decline accelerate even quicker, with John Carver lucky to not avoid the drop, before ultimately being relieved of his duties.
However, not much has really changed for Steve McClaren either, bar the 6-2 win against Norwich City, things really haven’t been good enough.
But after some truly shocking performances, how far can the manager really be blamed? Indeed, there have been some absolutely atrocious displays from Newcastle United at times this season.
Below, we have picked out FIVE of Newcastle’s worst performers so far this season…..
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE WORST PERFORMERS
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Fabricio Coloccini
While he has certainly not been the worst defender in the Premier League this season, Coloccini’s performances have been way below par.
Coloccini’s own defending has not only been questionable, but as the captain, he simply hasn’t lead by example at all.
Though his red card against Sunderland was rightly rescinded, the stupidity of the foul truly summed up his season so far.
Moussa Sissoko
Rated by many here in the Tavern as one of Newcastle’s most talented players, the Frenchman has been truly underwhelming so far this season.
In recent weeks, Sissoko has certainly started to put a lot more effort in than his lazy displays at the start of the campaign, but his finishing has unfortunately been seriously disappointing.
On Saturday, even despite coming up against a brilliant in form Jack Butland, Sissoko missed an absolute sitter.
Cheikh Tiote
Another midfielder who was once rated as one of Newcastle’s greatest assets, it was hard to believe that the Ivorian was once linked to Arsenal.
Tiote has not imposed himself enough in the Newcastle midfield at all, and can certainly take some share of the blame for the side’s poor defensive displays.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Though Mitrovic has looked better in recent weeks, he simply hasn’t been good enough.
The club’s big money signing has not only showed poor discipline this season, but currently has only two goals, the same as right-back Daryl Janmaat.
The Toon Army will be expecting a lot more.
Florian Thauvin
Newcastle fans can also be disappointed with their other big money signing Thauvin, who arrived for £12 million this summer from Marseille.
Turning up to games in Tuxedos and showing a poor work rate, Thauvin clearly needs to buck his ideas up fast, and apply his talent far better than he has so far.
