Newcastle United are 'sliding quickly' towards relegation from the Premier League.
That is the verdict of former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson who believes Newcastle's players would have been 'absolutely shredded' by supporters for recent performances, had the Toon Army been inside the grounds.
Magpies boss Steve Bruce is facing up to increased pressure over his position after an alarming run of eight games without a win culminated in a damaging 1-0 defeat to rock-bottom Sheffield United on Tuesday evening.
Bruce named just two attacking minded players in his starting XI at Bramall Lane, against a Blades side who had registered zero wins in 17 Premier League matches heading into the clash, and had scored just eight times in the league this term.
The United manager admitted he got his team selection wrong in hindsight and while Merson had criticism for that, he also had criticism for Newcastle's players - suggesting they are 'playing on the strength that they won't be relegated', given the seven point gap between themselves and the bottom three.
"When I am watching it I am thinking: 'Is Steve getting involved in the game here?'" Merson told Sky Sports' Gillette Soccer Saturday when asked why Steve Bruce did not bring on either Miguel Almiron or Joelinton from the bench
"Is he thinking: 'Oh my God, here we go again. Am I going to be the first team to lose to Sheffield United?'
"Before you know it, the game is finished and you get in the dressing room or get to the coach and think: 'How did I not put those two on?'
"That is what pressure does sometimes. You make bad decisions or wrong decisions and, for me, they have got to have a go now.
"I think these players are very fortunate the fans aren't able to get into the ground.
"If they were in the ground, these players would be getting absolutely ripped. They would be getting absolutely shredded.
"At the moment, I think they are playing on the strength that they won't get relegated.
"They are sliding quickly."
