Rio Ferdinand has provided Newcastle United with some added motivation after he predicted the Magpies to be relegated from the Premier League.
Ferdinand was speaking on BT Sport prior to Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City, where both he and Joleon Lescott were asked to give their predictions on 2022.
And the former Manchester United defender, who has a history of riling Newcastle supporters, thinks that Eddie Howe’s side will go down alongside Norwich City and Watford.
The Magpies currently find themselves second bottom in the Premier League, with just one win from their opening 19 matches.
However, their recent performance in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United, as well as the opportunity to recruit some real quality in the transfer window this month, means there is real hope they could escape the current predicament they find themselves in.
It is not the first time that Ferdinand has found himself getting on the wrong side of the Geordie faithful, with one example coming last year after his comments on Mike Ashley.
He told Newcastle supporters that Ashley was within his rights to run the club however he wanted, and if they didn’t like it, then they should have put some money together and bought him out themselves.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “He doesn't care what people think.
“It’s his club and he’s doing what he wants to do.
“Whether you like it or not, he’s the one that’s put the money up and he’s doing what he thinks is right for the club.
“Whether the Geordies don’t like it, a lot of them hate him and don’t like him but, round your money up and take over the club then.”
