Former Liverpool midfielder David Thompson has claimed Newcastle United have the worst squad in the Premier League and that Steve Bruce is doing a better job than Rafa Benitez.
The Magpies ran out 3-0 winners over Sheffield United on Sunday in a result that all-but secured their Premier League safety for another season.
Bruce has come in for criticism from fans for his style of football this season in comparison to Benitez, with many suggesting his time in charge will be shortlived if the proposed takeover of Newcastle goes through.
Yet, speaking to BBC Five Live's Football Daily, Thompson argued that Benitez's football was turgid in comparison to Bruce.
He said: "I watched Newcastle under Rafa Benitez and I think they're playing better football now under Steve Bruce.
"Under Rafa, sometimes I couldn't even watch it, if they were playing in my back garden I'd draw the curtains."
Thompson went on to argue that Newcastle have the worst squad in the Premier League, despite sitting 17 points clear of rock-bottom Norwich City with twice the amount of wins.
He said: "I actually think Newcastle have got the worst squad in the Premier League.
"If you were tipping anyone to go down at the start of the season it would have been them."
He added: "I think they've got a worse squad than Norwich.
"Some of the Norwich players have got more of a chance of getting into the Newcastle team."
When asked where the Magpies' weaknesses were, Thompson singled out Joelinton, who scored his first Premier League goal at St James's Park in the win over Sheffield United.
He said: "All over the pitch, particularly up front.
"They've got a number nine who is meant to be a big number nine but touches the ball more on the left and right-wing than he does anywhere near the box.
"No wonder he hasn't scored a goal."
He added: "I think Steve Bruce has done a magnificent job with that squad.
"The expectation of Norwich was that they were going to go down.
"They came up playing great football last year and knew they were going to go down.
"Newcastle expect to be mid-table or pushing for honours and they don't make the investment into their squad.
"I know they paid £40m for that striker but, looking at that squad, it just doesn't excite me one bit."
