Sunderland-supporting presenter Dave Jones had to come to the defence of Newcastle United on Sky Sports following Graeme Souness’ verbal attack.
Ex-Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was praising the club’s fans and how they are a ‘proper football club’.
But Souness didn’t seem to agree with him by stating ‘they aren’t on a level with other big clubs’.
Before the Mike Ashley era, Souness stood in the St James’ Park dugout, but things didn’t go as planned for the Scotsman.
Some, or even most, Newcastle fans will say that he is bitter towards the club because of how things panned out when he was in the job – it actually turned out to be his last job in management.
Despite Souness’ comments, Sky presenter Jones made it clear that ‘50,000 fans turn up every week’ for the club.
“Once you get that stadium, and I had on a few occasions, when you get that stadium going there’s nothing like it,” said Pardew.
Souness interrupted and said: “There are places like it. Try going to Glasgow. Try going to Liverpool. They are proper football clubs.”
Pardew added: “That’s a proper football club, Newcastle.”
Souness then responded by saying: “I don’t know how you can say that. They aren’t on a level with other big football clubs.”
Jones added: “50,000 will turn up every week, Graeme. It means that they are an extremely passionate football fan base.”
One thing that can’t be denied is how Newcastle supporters have backed their club during their most difficult periods – and they have had a lot of them.
Even in the Championship, they had 50,000 turn up to St James’ Park and that under the unpopular Mike Ashley.
So, if Eddie Howe can turn the club’s fortunes around and help them survive relegation, then he has the chance to awake the giant inside the club.
But the hardest part will be trying to pick up the Magpies from the canvas because they have taken some serious blows this season.
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