Newcastle United are currently in 18th place in the Premier League table, while Aston Villa are in 20th place.
Charlie Nicholas has told Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, which was broadcast on 20 February, that Newcastle United’s situation is edging closer to being similar to Aston Villa’s.
Newcastle are within touching distance of safety, while Villa are cut adrift in the relegation zone, but Nicholas fears that there are not too many differences between the two clubs.
The former Arsenal man believes that Newcastle’s players are in danger of completely ignoring Steve McClaren’s management, as Villa’s squad seem to have done with Remi Garde.
He said: “He got no reaction after he played the bad cop, and told a few home truths. And then about three weeks later, they did get a reaction. You think what’s changed?
“But then it falters back into line and you question are they listening? It’s like the Villa players now, they are not listening to Remi Garde, they’ve decided that’s it, and Steve is getting close to that.”
Garde’s Villa side have won just three Premier League matches all season, and although Newcastle’s campaign has been a disappointment it has not been quite that disastrous.
The Magpies are currently in 18th place, but their inconsistent performances are proving to be a major frustration.
Newcastle are unbeaten at home in 2016, but their away form has been nothing short of atrocious.
McClaren’s side lost 5-1 against Chelsea in their most recent outing, which followed up a 3-0 defeat at Goodison Park against Everton.
Newcastle have gone to La Manga to participate in some warm weather training this week as McClaren looks to iron out the faults in his squad.
They return to action with a match against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium next week.
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