Mick Quinn has savaged Newcastle United defender Ciaran Clark in a brutal assessment of the squad after such a poor start to the season.
The Magpies are in the relegation zone and have so far failed to win any of their games across all competitions.
And Quinn points to the fact that Newcastle have sub-standard players like Clark playing in the first team every week as one of the reasons why they have endured a winless start.
“He is a Championship player for me. He gave everything to get Newcastle back to the top flight and is committed to the last, but he is extremely lucky to still be playing in the Premier League. For me, he shows the lack of depth,” said Quinn as he blasted a good portion of Rafa Benitez’s squad on the Newcastle Chronicle website.
OPINION
Quinn has hit the nail on the head here. Newcastle just have to suffer a couple of injuries and Benitez is being forced to call upon players like Clark, who let’s face it, is nowhere near the standard that the Premier League demands. The Ireland international has played seven of eight games in all competitions this season – which is already too much. He was brilliant in helping the Magpies get back to the Premier League, but since then he has been short of the required ability and should really be cashed in on in the January transfer window. A top Championship club would be willing to pay a decent amount of money for Clark, and that should help Benitez strengthen his squad by utilising his scouting system. Last January’s business really helped the Magpies solidify their Premier League status, so maybe this winter will be the same and a couple of ins and outs could make a massive difference.