‘Sick joke’, ‘Ruined my Sunday’: Newcastle fans react to shock Benitez decision v Southampton
By Russell Edge
Newcastle United fans have taken to social media to react to the news that Mikel Merino was dropped to the bench for the club’s clash against Southampton on Sunday
The Magpies confirmed their line up on the club’s official Twitter account, confirming that Rafael Benitez has made two changes to the starting XI in their first match after the international break.
Ciaran Clark was replaced in favour of summer signing Florian Lejeune, while Merino found himself axed with Isaac Hayden taking his place in the starting XI.
Many fans turned to Twitter to register their shock at his absence after the Spanish youngster’s impressive performances, with it confirmed during the week that he had made his loan move to Newcastle permanent.
Here, Football Insider has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ best tweets:
Merino has appeared in every one of the club’s seven league matches this season, but will have to appear from the bench if he is to continue that run.
Newcastle come into Sunday’s clash off the back of an impressive 1-1 draw with Liverpool, with the Magpies frustrating a forward line containing the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho.
Southampton meanwhile have failed to score in all but two of their last 11 competitive fixtures at St Mary’s, with their last home win a 3-2 victory over West Ham back in August.
Their last match saw them slip to a 2-1 defeat away at Stoke, Peter Crouch scoring a late winner after Maya Yoshida had cancelled out Mame Biram Diouf’s first half header with 15 minutes left to play.
In other Newcastle United news, there was a surprise reveal in this official announcement about the club’s latest deal.
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