Former Premier League stalwart Carlton Palmer has criticised some controversial comments issued by Newcastle’s Paraguayan playmaker Miguel Almiron prior to Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
In a recent interview with Paraguayan radio station ABC Cardinal, the attacking midfielder expressed his desire to play for a side that ‘fights more’.
According to Football Insider, his comments have since evoked fury from the Newcastle dressing room.
Speaking to Football FanCast, Palmer issued a strong belief that Almiron’s comments were counter-productive, saying: “If I was Steve Bruce, I would be absolutely annoyed and angry. There’s too much, there’s too much coming out of Newcastle at the moment. I mean, the manager’s had a flare-up with one of the players, which is an everyday occurrence at football clubs up and down the country.
“Whether it’s between player and player or between player and manager, whether it’s a big player and a coach, there’s always a disagreement, but why that gets into the public domain…”
The ex-Sheffield Wednesday player also added: “Him making that comment now is going to create more problems within the dressing room because players are going to turn around and say, ‘well you’re accusing me of not fighting then for the club?’”
Newcastle fans have been vocal in their discontent towards the management of the club, and Almiron’s comments are the latest sign of the fracture lines exposing themselves on Tyneside.
With the club embroiled in a relegation battle, Almiron’s comments are not indicative of a squad pulling in the same direction with a positive can-do survival mindset.
It is the latest cause for concern at a club that could do without more off-field headaches.
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