Paul Merson has written in SportsKeeds that Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has gone off the boil.
The former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit made the comments about Wilson while looking ahead to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Merson has backed Newcastle to beat Wolves 1-0 at St. James’ Park in the Premier League today.
However, the pundit has noted that Newcastle manager Eddie Howe does not have a reliable goalscorer in his squad, pointing out that £92,000-a-week (SalarySport) Wilson is not really having a good time at the moment.
The 31-year-old English striker has scored seven goals and given three assists in 15 Premier League starts for Newcastle so far this season.
Wilson has had injury problems as well.
Paul Merson on Newcastle United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers, Callum Wilson
Merson wrote: “This is a huge game for Newcastle United. They’ve lost three on the trot and are winless in their last five. Newcastle United are struggling at the moment and are just two points ahead of Fulham and three points ahead of Brighton.
“If Brighton, Brentford and Fulham finish over them, all the good work they’ve done would have gone to waste. It’s alright if you keep winning even if you’re not scoring too many goals. But if the results aren’t going your way and you’re not scoring goals, then that becomes a major problem.
“They need to win this one. If they win this game, they are back in the top-four race. The problem for Eddie Howe right now is that they just don’t have a reliable goalscorer. Callum Wilson has gone off the boil.
“Wolves have been difficult to beat under Julen Lopetegui and they no longer get hammered. They’ve done an unbelievable job in landing Lopetegui. He is a top-tier manager. Wolves are a good team and they shouldn’t be where they are in the table.
“They have good players and they are a difficult team to beat. It’s not going to be an easy game for Newcastle United but I still expect them to get the win here.
“Prediction:Newcastle United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers.”
Need a top striker
Now, Newcastle United did sign Alexander Isak in the summer of 2022, but the 23-year-old has had injury problems as well this season.
However, we believe that if the Magpies are to seriously challenge for the Premier League top four on a regular basis, then they need an established striker who can make an immediate impact.
The big problem that Newcastle could face is being able to sign a truly world-class striker in the summer transfer window.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
