The pundit also gave his verdict on a potential fan boycott.
Martin Keown feels Papiss Cisse’s ban for spitting has been a ‘disaster’ for Newcastle United and has turned them into a ‘bit of a mess,’ according to the Daily Mail.
The Magpies have slid down the Premier League table of late, with John Carver showing a disturbing lack of ability as manager at St James’ Park.
Underperforming players and mass injuries have also taken their toll on Newcastle as another league campaign ends in disarray.
Keown, though, feels the St James’ Park outfit were a different side with Cisse in their team, even under the struggling Carver. Losing their main goalscorer has therefore been the biggest factor behind the derailment of their season, he argues.
The pundit said during a Tackle Keown session on the Daily Mail website: “I think they have a better squad than their rivals but they don’t play as a team. And, since Papiss Cisse was banned for spitting, they have not had a goal-scorer. That has been a disaster for Newcastle – he has been a huge loss for them. Things have become a bit of a mess.”
Meanwhile, Keown also gave his verdict on a potential mass boycott – fans plan to protest by not turning up to the Newcastle – Tottenham Hotspur game this Sunday afternoon.
But the former defender feels it ‘won’t achieve anything’ as the supporters have never been listened to by the Magpies hierarchy anyway.
Keown said: “When you look at the likes of Leicester, QPR and Burnley who are playing with such spirit, it reflects poorly on Newcastle and Sunderland. But a fan boycott won’t achieve anything. At the end of the day, have they ever been listened to?”
Newcastle host Spurs this weekend on the back of five consecutive Premier League defeats, although Mauricio Pochettino’s men are off form themselves.
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