Paul Merson has voiced his shock at Newcastle United for the Magpies’ lack of a clear plan after sacking Steve Bruce following the Saudi-led takeover, in a column for Sportskeeda.
Mike Ashley sold the Toon on October 7 and the new St James’ Park hierarchy fired Bruce 13-days later. But despite early reported talks with Paulo Fonseca before advancing their interest in Lucien Favre, Graeme Jones will remain in interim charge against Chelsea.
Jones oversaw his first match as caretaker manager at Crystal Palace last week, and saw Newcastle scramble a draw. But Merson felt the Eagles tore United apart and were unlucky not to win after Christian Benteke spurned several chances.
Newcastle will have their work cut out against Chelsea as they continue their search for a first win this season. The Blues top the Premier League table and have only conceded three goals in nine games, while United sit 19th.
Merson fears for Newcastle vs Chelsea
Merson fears what Chelsea can produce at Newcastle this weekend after what he has seen from the Magpies recently. Noting that their new owners’ lack of planning off the field is costing them on it at a difficult time. He wrote:
“I worry for Newcastle. Nothing’s changed for them. They don’t have a manager, they’re in a relegation battle, and I don’t know what’s going on. They got absolutely ripped by Crystal Palace last week and they were lucky that Benteke didn’t have his shooting boots on.
“It’s all right to come in with all this money, but you need to have a plan. They’ve sacked Steve Bruce and they’re going into tough Premier League games without a manager. I can’t believe what I’m seeing at the moment.
“Chelsea have rested most of their players this week. They made loads of changes in the Carabao Cup, and I don’t think they can be stopped this weekend. Newcastle United are an absolute disaster at the moment, and I don’t see anything but a [3-0] Chelsea win here.”
Can Jones cause an upset on Saturday?
Callum Wilson saved Newcastle from defeat at Crystal Palace, and Jones will need to rely on the striker against Chelsea. The Toon started positively in their first game since sacking Bruce last weekend, but the feel-good factor did not last.
Only for Benteke’s wastefulness did the Magpies leave Selhurst Park with anything to show for their efforts. Now, another week has passed without Newcastle replacing Bruce, to leave Merson questioning the Saudi-led consortium’s plans for the club.
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