Former Newcastle United striker Micky Quinn says Sheffield United have improved in recent weeks.
Not only that, but Quinn says Newcastle can be caught in the ongoing Premier League relegation battle.
Fourteen points still separates the bottom-placed Blades and the Magpies in 17th after their 3-0 defeat at West Ham United on Monday.
Newcastle also lost later that same night, getting beaten 2-0 by Chelsea.
Yet those around them all picked up points over the weekend. Burnley beat Crystal Palace and Fulham won 2-0 at Everton. Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion and West Bromwich Albion earned home draws against Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively.
It draws Newcastle ever closer to the drop zone and Quinn thinks they’re in trouble.
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“You look at some of the players – Jonjo Shelvey, Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll’s past his sell by date, Joelinton couldn’t hit a barn door with a pig. These are guys who fall below Premier League class,” the 58-year-old told talkSPORT.
“If you look at some of the games recently – Sheffield United have improved, Fulham have improved. You look at Burnley, they’ve improved. This is from like three or four weeks ago and are starting to rack up points.
“They (Newcastle) are in a relegation fight.”
Is Micky Quinn right?
The Magpies certainly do look the side for the current bottom three to catch if they are to avoid the drop.
Yet while Fulham have closed the gap to seven points, it remains double that for the Blades.
Like Newcastle, they allowed others around them to gain ground this weekend after a disappointing display at the London Stadium.
But, as Quinn says, they have shown improved form in recent weeks. Going into their game with West Ham, the South Yorkshire side had won six of their last nine matches in all competitions.
Up next for the Blades is a trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday. They have to win that to have any chance of beating the drop.
However, at least they have team in Newcastle to target now.