Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson says Newcastle’s game with Southampton today is must-win for Steve Bruce.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday at 2.19pm on Saturday 28/08, Merson acknowledged the pressure Bruce is under.
The EFL Cup exit at the hands of Burnley on Tuesday has only worsened the situation.
“This is a big, big football match today,” said Merson. “A massive football match.
“If they go and lose this game, they’ll have lost three league games on the trot. It’s not like they’ve been beaten by Man United, Man City, Liverpool or Chelsea.
“Gone out of the cup playing a strong team against Burnley… if they don’t win this game, I think Steve will need thick skin.
“40-50 thousand Geordies there, if they get beaten by Southampton, I think there will be uproar, there will be absolute uproar.”
Merson’s prediction
Merson also gave a prediction for the game to Sportskeeda. His prediction was a 2-2 draw.
That would give Newcastle their first point of the season but they’d still be waiting for a first win.
It would also be an opportunity missed against a winnable opponent, but time will tell whether Merson is proved right.
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