Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has made the massive claim that Newcastle United will be staring relegation in the face if they lose to Fulham at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies have managed to crawl their way up the Premier League table to sit four points off the bottom three, Salomon Rondon netting the only goal of the game to secure three points against relegation rivals Huddersfield away from home.
Welcoming the Cottagers to Tyneside, Merson believes the Magpies upcoming fixtures, which include clashes against sides in the top five, mean that a defeat to Fulham will leave them facing a battle for survival, although admits he is predicting them to pick up at least a point.
He told Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday (22/12, 13:43): “If Newcastle get beat today I’d go as far to say they’ll get relegated.
“If they lost today – I don’t think they’ll lose – if they lose, I think they’ll get relegated. Shocking fixtures coming up, just been beaten at home to Fulham who can’t beat anybody. That would be my statement.”
Opinion
This is huge from Merson, who seems to believe that one single game could impact the rest of Newcastle’s season. Yes, losing to a side firmly battling relegation themselves would be a blow not only to their points total but to morale too but there are plenty of games to come where Rafael Benitez and his men could rescue something and ensure this season does not end in bitter disappointment. Just like last weekend’s game against Huddersfield, these are the games that if Newcastle win, they can be feeling a lot more confident about their chances of survival. However, losing to hand the club’s around them three points drags them deeper and deeper into the mire and as such Benitez needs to make sure his side put stopping the opposition first, grabbing a win for themselves second. One point a piece is better than coming away with nothing while their rivals pick up a valuable three.