Paul Merson believes there would have been ‘uproar’ if Steve Bruce made Newcastle United’s January signings.
The Magpies had a very busy transfer window, securing five new players. They completed relatively early deals for Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood, before adding Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Targett and Dan Burn late in the window.
Newcastle may even have signed more, but multiple clubs proved difficult to deal with during the mid-season market.
While perhaps we are light up front, the majority of Toon fans seem very happy with the club’s transfer business. The new owners have invested a lot of money, and the squad is in a much better position to avoid Premier League relegation.
However, Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson isn’t convinced.
What does Steve Bruce have to do with anything?
The former Arsenal forward looked at Newcastle’s January signings in his latest column.
“Only time will tell regarding Newcastle’s transfer window,” Merson wrote for Sky Sports.
“All I can say is that if Steve Bruce had bought in all these players there would have been uproar, and I think that tells you everything you need to know.”
If Steve Bruce had brought in these players, there wouldn’t have been uproar. What a baseless claim. And it’s a claim that many pundits have made, seemingly thinking they can speak for an entire fanbase that they clearly do not understand.
Kieran Trippier – an England international coming from a Champions League club. Exceptional.
Chris Wood – a consistent Premier League goalscorer who also weakened a rival with his move. Good business but perhaps on the pricey side.
Bruno Guimaraes – a midfielder with Champions League experience who is capped by Brazil. What’s not to love?
And Matt Targett and Dan Burn add depth at the back.
To bring up the ‘if this was Steve Bruce…’ argument is exceptionally poor from a pundit who should know better by now. But why let ignorance get in the way, eh?
Paul Merson not getting carried away with Brazilian international
The Merson ignorance continued, despite admitting that Guimaraes could be a ‘gem’ for Newcastle.
“Bruno Guimaraes, who knows?” he wrote.
“He’s never played in the Premier League before, and he could be an absolute gem of a player and we’ll sit back and think what a result Newcastle had in getting him. We’ll be left asking why didn’t any of the big boys go for him.
“Or they could go down and we’ll be saying they needed to get someone who was ready-made for the Premier League.”
Merson has a strange obsession with Premier League experience. Yes, it can be important, but it’s not everything.
If Lionel Messi came to England, no one would be saying ‘bit of a risk, never played in England before’. It’s just a different league, it’s not a different sport completely. Although you’d think it was with the way some people go on.
Guimaraes should be a hit for Newcastle. He has all the credentials to be a star in black and white, even if he never has played away at Burnley on a cold Tuesday night…
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