Gary Neville believes Newcastle United have delivered a 'faultless' performance on and off the pitch since the takeover. The Sky Sports pundit has praised the 'patient and understated' approach on Tyneside in contrast to a 'naive' start at Chelsea for Todd Boehly.
Newcastle have lost just once all season and recorded a sixth win in their last seven Premier League matches with a comfortable 4-1 victory at Southampton. Eddie Howe's side currently sit third in the table, and are guaranteed to occupy a top-four spot at Christmas due to the World Cup break after the home clash with Chelsea.
Neville admits he did not expect Newcastle's new owners would be so 'mature and patient' in their first year at the helm, avoiding expensive deals for 'massive names'. The former Manchester United full-back reckons this approach is in complete contrast to Boehly's early months at Stamford Bridge, with the pundit accusing the American businessman of showing 'immaturity' so far.
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Speaking on The Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet, Neville said: “I didn’t think the ownership at Newcastle would be as wise, mature and patient as they have been in the first year – looking at other ownership groups that have come to the Premier League, like Abu Dhabi at Manchester City, they come in and want a star signing and a star, fashionable manager.
“Newcastle’s owners have done the opposite, and have been patient and understated, the opposite of the Chelsea situation. Chelsea were competing for and winning trophies, and the new ownership have come in and shown immaturity and naivety.
“Newcastle appointed a manager with a good record but not one that would win you the league or get you into the Champions League. The players he signed are not massive names, but they are building spirit and reconnecting with the fans, not wasting money on old, expensive players who just see a transfer as a payday. At this moment in time, it’s been a faultless performance on and off the pitch from Newcastle.”
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