Stuart Pearce pushes claims of Newcastle United star


 
 
 
 
 
 

Stuart Pearce came to Newcastle United in the twilight of his playing career.

One of Kenny Dalglish’s ‘dad’s army’ signings for the 1997/98 season, with Ian Rush and John Barnes also coming in.

Stuart Pearce went on to put in some very decent performances at centre-back for Newcastle United.

However, back in his prime, Pearce was a superb left-back, for me he is the best ever England left-back, just so good in defence and in attack.

Now Stuart Pearce has been talking about somebody who he sees as set to play for England in his old position.

Lee Carsley names his third England squad on Thursday (7 November) and Stuart Pearce ‘fully expects’ Lewis Hall to be named in that squad.

Three excellent performances against Chelsea and Arsenal in a week have been perfectly timed to give even more justification, if it was needed, for Lewis Hall to be included, when Lee Carsley names his squad to face Greece (14 November) away and the Republic of Ireland at home (17 November).

After seeing how well Lewis Hall played against Bukayo Saka on Saturday, that just reinforces the belief of Stuart Pearce in the 20 year old Newcastle defender’s credentials.

Talksport report – Wednesday 6 November 2024:

“I think the fact that he [Lewis Hall] is a natural left-footer helps.

“They [England] have put right-footed left-backs in there in recent years.

Having watched him [against Arsenal] and bearing in mind who he was up against – Saka – who, if you show any weakness, exploits it.

“I think he dealt with him brilliantly.

“From a defensive point of view, I thought he was outstanding and showed real maturity.

“He is playing regularly for Newcastle and it would be more of a surprise if he wasn’t in the team, than if he was.

“He gives natural balance.

“Some of the players who have played left-back [for England] have either not offered us enough going forward, or defensively, being frail.

“He ticks a lot of boxes.

“He is playing regularly for one of the top sides in the Premier League and I would fully expect him to be in the [England] squad.”