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| Phil Neville’s currently the head coach of the England women’s team. Wikipedia Image Credit: BBC |
Newcastle United are struggling right now after their worst start to a Premier League campaign in 120 years.
The Magpies have failed to win any of their opening 10 matches of a league season for just the second time in their history, last doing so back in the 1898-99 top-flight campaign, and manager Rafa Benitez is under a lot of pressure.
Newcastle have just three points after managing to draw three games, losing the other seven, and while many think owner Mike Ashley is to blame for their woes, BBC Sport pundit Phil Neville believes the players aren’t doing enough.
“I think they will be delighted with the point today, I don’t think they played well,” he said on BBC’s Match of the Day on Saturday night. “I think there is a lot happening at Newcastle off the pitch that is affecting them, but I think the players now have to start taking responsibility and start winning games and playing for the club. “Don’t hide behind Mike Ashley, don’t hide behind Rafa Benitez’s situation, start playing.”
Despite conceding 14 goals – one more than fourth-placed Arsenal – Newcastle have managed to score just six times – the second least in the league – and they have to get better in the final third going forward.
Saturday’s goalless draw with Southampton was supposed to signal the start of a good run of form following a tough run of fixtures that pitched them against the bigwigs.
However, it was nothing to write home about, and they have to quickly arrest the poor run if they are to retain their top-flight status come May next year.
Newcastle players just have to do better.
