Newcastle United players would probably rather forget what happened in the Tyne-Wear derby this weekend, but Mark Clattenburg’s damning verdict on the Magpies’ latest outing is a message they need to hear.
All of the pre-match hype and expectation was for nothing on Sunday as Newcastle United’s players barely even looked as if they turned up for the game.
What was Eddie Howe’s BIGGEST mistake against Sunderland?
I've no idea why we were so deep, or why Elanga started!
The 1-0 defeat has led to mass criticism for Newcastle players from the likes of Alan Shearer and Jamie Carragher, and deservedly so.
Eddie Howe has a lot of questions to answer and a lot of making up to do for the Newcastle fans. Now, Mark Clattenburg has told him exactly where it all went wrong.
- READ MORE: Newcastle United’s disgraceful record runs deeper than losing to Sunderland, it’s unacceptable
Mark Clattenburg’s verdict on Tyne-Wear derby
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Back Four podcast, former Premier League referee Clattenburg — a Newcastle fan — slammed the way the Magpies set up for the game and insisted the players have let the Tyneside faithful down.
He said: “It was a borefest. No players wanted to make mistakes and both coaches were negative. Newcastle expected to outplay Sunderland but that’s not how games are won. Sunderland bullied Newcastle without overstepping the mark. Newcastle never got any flow.
“Eddie Howe made some bold selection calls like Anthony Elanga starting over Jacob Murphy, which backfired. Newcastle never – haven’t seen them do it much – controlled the match and the pressing simply wasn’t there.
“The players let the fans down. Newcastle have a bad run at Sunderland; it feels like they have a hoodoo over us. Felt like Sunderland wanted it more which is sad as a fan. Newcastle want to end records and dominate derbies, but they have to be winning at arch enemies. Fair play to Sunderland, they’ve done remarkably well so far and their fans are incredible at home. They deserved the win; the best team won.”
After losing on Sunday, do you think Newcastle United will finish higher than Sunderland this season?
They weren't particularly great, but they didn't need to be.
Are Sunderland now the top team in the North East?
Sunderland are now four points clear of Newcastle after 16 games and have put themselves firmly back in the conversation for the European spots this season. The Magpies, meanwhile, are as close to 17th as they are to 4th place.
There’s no denying Sunderland have bragging rights, at least for now. Newcastle will have to wrestle them back come March next year, but it’s going to be a long and painful wait until that opportunity for redemption at St. James’ Park.
Still, at least Opta’s supercomputer predicts Newcastle will finish above Sunderland by the end of the season. If they want to keep their status as the top team in the North East, they simply have to surpass Sunderland in the league.
Newcastle may have the trophy and the Champions League pedigree, but Sunderland are now unbeaten in ten against the Magpies and that’s a very worrying record indeed.
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