Two Newcastle United players told they’ve been ‘absolutely rotten’ this season

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ESPN pundit Craig Burley has been absolutely shocked to see such a drop in form from two Newcastle United players this season.

Newcastle recorded their 15th defeat of the season in all competitions against Arsenal, eight more than they had in the entirety of last season, and their defence has been a shadow of its former self.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Burley suggested that, while he was so impressed with Sven Botman and Fabian Schar last season, the two centre-backs have been ‘absolutely rotten’ for Newcastle this year.

Pundit says Newcastle duo have been ‘absolutely rotten’

Newcastle’s defensive record has been so far off what it was last season, especially since Nick Pope suffered a shoulder injury back at the beginning of December.

Botman, who was rule out for three months after a cruciate ligament injury earlier in the season, has come back into the team but has looked like a completely different player to the one we saw last season.

There were some suggestions that the centre-back could have even been included in the Premier league team of the season after some incredible displays, but now he’s been more of a liability for Newcastle and looks to have possible lost a yard of pace.

Schar on the other hand has been probably Newcastle’s best defender, but he certainly didn’t have his greatest game against Arsenal, though you could say that about every player in that starting 11.

On Botman and Schar, Burley said: “I thought this Newcastle side once they got some players back would get back on the train, my goodness.

“And the two centre-backs typifies what Newcastle is right now. Schar and Botman last season were absolutely fantastic, this year they’ve been absolutely rotten.”

Newcastle are limping their way to a nothing season

It’s been a really unfortunate season for Eddie Howe who has had to deal with so many unexpected injuries, and it’s massively impacted their results on the pitch this season.

Although they saw a couple of players return to the team this weekend, it’s simply not been enough of a boost to help them record a result away to one of the toughest teams in the league.

Now, as they sit seven points off of Man United in sixth and just 11 points from the last 36 available, the Magpies look like they’re headed for a mid table finish and nothing to play for come the end of the season.

A lot is now riding on this FA Cup run as they take on Blackburn in the fifth round on Tuesday, but an exit there would really put the pressure on Howe.