Newcastle United are about to remind Gary Neville why he's wrong about 'robotic' Premier League

I can't really blame Gary Neville for the somewhat depressed tone he struck following Sunday's Manchester derby stalemate at Old Trafford. The respected Sky Sports pundit went as far as apologising for his own 'boring' co-commentary follow a Super Sunday which failed to deliver.

He was less apologetic over what he perceives is the state of the Premier League right now. Neville been involved with the English top flight, both as a player and a pundit, for long enough to be well qualified to comment, and his assessment that we are seeing more 'robotic' football based on 'micromanaged' players does hold water in the context of Sunday's viewing.

“I don’t think there was one player who walked off that pitch disappointed about drawing 0-0, from either side,” Neville said after the Old Trafford stalemate. “They all walked off sort of thinking, ‘We’re OK here, got away without making a mistake’. It was that type of game.

“It was really disappointing. I apologise for my co-commentary actually, I think I let it get to me. I was boring on there as well. That was drab as well. I think the congratulations and love-in that I’m watching says both teams are happy with a 0-0.

“The best Man City and Man United teams would be very disappointed with the way they’ve approached the end of that game. It looks like it’s Sunday afternoon and they’re going to go for a roast dinner together now. They’re micromanaged to an inch of their lives, so robotic, and it’s symptomatic of a lot of games that we’re watching nowadays. I’m disappointed. It’s a Manchester derby. It should have more blood, thunder, and risk and courage involved in playing the game and winning the game than that.”

But while it's understandable that 'Stupefying Sunday' left a sour taste in the former Manchester United and England defender's mouth, he's way off the mark if he feels the top flight is not exciting. And he won't have long to wait for a reminder.

Neville will likely be part of the Sky Sports team which will cover Newcastle United's home clash with Man United on Sunday - and he will see first-hand just how fabulous the Premier League can be. Because, as we all know, Eddie Howe's Newcastle will bring their own brand of front-foot high pressing football to the nation once again as they bid to seal a Champions League place.

Newcastle fans have sat through more than their fair share of dross down the years. They've seen how bad things can get. And what Howe and Co serve up on an almost weekly basis is the polar opposite. Try telling any United supporter than watching Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton is boring.

It's laughable. Not since the days of Kevin Keegan's Entertainers or Sir Bobby Robson's title challengers have United enjoyed a side which attacks with such vigour and intent. Even the back line is built to attack - just think of the contributions Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have made going forward.

Neville's assertion that sides can be micromanaged does ring true for me - but only if it's done badly. We know Howe is meticulous in his planning and tactical analysis, but it allows Newcastle to exploit weaknesses in the opposition. Never was that more clearly seen than in the Carabao Cup final where United out-thought and out-fought Liverpool to win their first domestic silverware in 70 years. Boring? Try simply incredible.

Now they are focused on the task of qualifying for the Champions League by finishing in the Premier League top five - a race which currently feasibly includes the top 10 sides in the division. There might be little drama at the bottom end, but the fight for European places looks set to go to the wire.

Newcastle need to make the most of their next three games - at Leicester tonight and then at home to Manchester United and Crystal Palace. Let's hope they deliver a searing reminder next Sunday of why this league is anything but boring.