Roy Keane has never been one to mince words, but his latest assessment of Newcastle United’s plummeting form was particularly scathing. Following a dismal 2-1 defeat at St. James’ Park against Bournemouth, the Sky Sports pundit turned his fire on two specific individuals, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy, branding them as “failures” who need to leave the club immediately.
The Magpies’ season has spiraled into a nightmare, with the loss to the Cherries marking their eighth defeat in eleven games. For Keane, the blame lies squarely with the lack of quality and character in the wide areas. Elanga, a £40 million summer signing from Nottingham Forest, has struggled to justify his price tag, managing only three goals all season. Murphy, meanwhile, has found himself relegated to a squad role that Keane believes is no longer up to the standard required for a club with Champions League ambitions.
”I’m looking at these players and I’m seeing ‘bluffers’,” Keane fumed during the post-match analysis. “Elanga and Murphy—it’s the same story every week. No end product, no desire to track back, and quite frankly, not enough heart. They’ve had enough chances.
If Newcastle want to be a top side, they need to get rid of these two in the summer. They are a failure after another poor performance.”
Keane’s frustration stemmed from a second half where Newcastle surrendered a one-goal lead, with both wingers failing to provide any service to the isolated Alexander Isak. The Irishman highlighted Elanga’s inability to beat his man and Murphy’s lack of defensive awareness as the primary reasons for the collapse.
The “Keane verdict” has put further pressure on manager Eddie Howe, who is already facing questions about his future. With the PIF ownership expecting a summer rebuild, Keane’s demand for a “ruthless clear-out” starting with the two wingers has resonated with a frustrated Toon Army. As the 2025/26 season nears its end, it appears the patience for underperforming stars at Newcastle has finally run out.