Newcastle United fans were outraged over the weekend when Sky Sports journalist Mark McAdam unexpectedly mentioned Arsenal while covering Alexander Isak’s goal against Southampton.
Luke Edwards from The Telegraph noticed it and called McAdam out, leading to a wave of criticism from Newcastle fans.
While we don’t support personal attacks on McAdam, we understand why fans were frustrated by the uncalled-for mention of Arsenal.
With things now calming down, Keith Downie posted a YouTube video where he shared that he spoke with McAdam, who admitted his comment was poorly chosen and understood why Newcastle fans were upset.
Downie also addressed the theory that Sky Sports favors the ‘Big Six’ and pushes narratives like the Isak-to-Arsenal speculation. This theory, popular among fans, is largely considered a conspiracy. In reality, Sky tailors its coverage to attract the largest audience, which often means focusing on clubs with bigger fanbases.
However, Downie made a solid point: Newcastle may well be considered one of the ‘Big Six’ now, especially given where Tottenham and Manchester United currently stand in the Premier League.
One of the key takeaways from Downie’s video was his message to Newcastle fans to stop fearing links between their top players and other big clubs.
“Think of yourselves as one of the top clubs. Think of yourselves as a club that can hold onto Alexander Isak. Don’t be afraid of rumors linking him to Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, or Liverpool. Be confident in your ability to keep a player like him,” he said.
This is an important perspective. To be taken seriously as a top club, Newcastle fans need to act like one. As the club grows and attracts higher-quality players, this sort of speculation is inevitable, but it shouldn’t be a source of fear.
While you may not agree with everything in Downie’s video, this particular point is worth considering for all Newcastle fans.
‘Dont be scared’: Keith Downie tries to calm Newcastle United fans after ill-judged Sky Sports moment on Saturday
