Former Portsmouth striker Steve Claridge has taken aim at Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren following the Magpies' 1-0 defeat away at Stoke City this evening and feels if the north east giants go down they will be the best side ever to have dropped into the Championship.
An 80th minute goal from Xherdan Shaqiri at the Britannia Stadium condemned Newcastle to defeat and ensured that McClaren's men remain in the bottom three.
Newcastle have 24 points from their 27 games so far and are inside the relegation zone on goal difference, in deep, deep trouble.
Claridge feels that with the quality at McClaren's disposal, Newcastle should not be staring relegation to the Championship in the face.
The former striker said on BBC Radio 5 live: "How can Newcastle be bottom three? I can't have that.
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"Just with the players he's got and the quality he has there, to be bottom three you've got to look at the manager and say 'what are you doing here because you're not getting it right?'", Claridge continued.
"Last time they went down it was the best team ever to go down. This will certainly be the best squad if they get relegated", he added.
Next up for Newcastle is a visit from Bournemouth on Saturday, before they then travel to lock horns with league leaders Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Monday 14th March.
The Magpies then have a fierce derby fixture against Sunderland at St. James' Park booked for 20th March, their final game this month.
