Paul Merson says if Steve Bruce had signed the players Eddie Howe signed ‘there would have been uproar’ as he casts doubt on Newcastle’s survival hopes.
The former Arsenal midfielder told Sky Sports that after spending more than £90m in the transfer window Newcastle United should be favourites to stay up but he does not believe they are.
Instead, he pointed to the club’s failure to bring in another forward and compared Newcastle unfavourably to fellow relegation battlers Watford.
Speaking ahead of the win over Everton, Merson said: “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.”
Later he added: “They have got solid players in, don't get me wrong, but I don't see 18 0-0 draws keeping you up. It may be enough, but I'm just not convinced.
“Newcastle were always saying they wanted two forwards, but they only got Chris Wood, and I think that might prove costly.”
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It was Newcastle’s difficulty in scoring goals and their failure to fix that problem that caused Merson particular consternation, especially when compared with Watford’s frontline.
He said: “When you've spent all the money they have, I'd expect them to be a definite to stay up, but I just don't see that.
“I look at Roy Hodgson going in at Watford. He's going to get them solid at the back and for me, anyone of Watford's forward players in Ismaila Sarr, Emmanuel Dennis, Josh King and Joao Pedro would get into the Newcastle team.
“Any of them would play up front with Callum Wilson unavailable, and that's how you've got to weigh it up.”
