Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has strong views on the current situation at the club.
Newcastle have failed to win in their last six games, losing five and drawing one in that time.
The 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last time out has seen Rafa Benitez’s side drop down to 15th in the Premier League table, just five points above the drop zone.
The run of poor form has coincided with talk of a takeover with financier Amanda Staveley reportedly having submitted a second bid for the club, as reported by The Sun.
And it has been offered up by some supporters and pundits as a reason for Benitez’s side’s struggles of late.
But Magpies legend Alan Shearer told Coral the takeover is no excuse and has warned his old club they are very much in danger.
“It (the take-over talk) shouldn’t be for the players because it’s got nothing to do with the players whatsoever,” Shearer told Coral.
“The players should be able to go out on the football pitch and perform and not worry about what’s happening off the pitch, so there’s no way the players can use that as an excuse.
“For the football club as a whole, the sooner it’s done the better because the manager needs players in, he needs to get them in in January and looking at performances they’ve been very, very disappointing over the past few weeks.
“I expect them to be in a relegation battle, and I did before a ball was kicked because of the squad that they have.
“Nothing has changed my mind, even when they were going unbeaten, you’ve got to put things in perspective, they are where they are and it will be a long, hard season for Newcastle.”
It might be hard to hear for supporters, but Shearer’s comments should serve as a wake up call for the club, who have become something of a yo-yo club.
Benitez has stuck by the club despite his wishes for more funds in the summer failing to be realised by Mike Ashley.
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