---
title: "Fans on social media say Newcastle must ‘get rid’ of Matt Ritchie for ‘stealing a living’"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2022/01/10/fans-on-social-media-say-newcastle-must-get-rid-of-matt-ritchie-for-stealing-a-living/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2022-01-10T14:00:00Z"
modified: "2022-01-10T14:00:00Z"
---

# Fans on social media say Newcastle must ‘get rid’ of Matt Ritchie for ‘stealing a living’

Newcastle United’s FA Cup third round exit to Cambridge United has many supporters suggesting the writing should be on the wall for a number of their underperformers.

Matt Ritchie was one player singled out after the [1-0 defeat](https://www.nufc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2021-22/newcastle-united-v-cambridge-united/), as fans believe he’s been below-par for the longest time and isn’t good enough to keep them in the Premier League.

Newcastle have been told to offload the 32-year-old by supporters on [social media](https://twitter.com/search?q=matt%20ritchie&src=typed_query&f=live). They appreciate his efforts in a makeshift position but feel he’s subpar for the task ahead of them.

> Matt Ritchie is at least 3 years past his sell by date. Yeah he shows passion but he is nowhere near the standard required to play at this club … let alone out of position ! [#nufc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/nufc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — LeeW1892 (@fans\_toon) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/fans_toon/status/1480133719637827585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/Ethan\_NE1/status/1479839916066549762?s=20

> matt ritchie is a liability and his oace has gone. need go get rid if am honest [#NUFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#NEWCAM](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEWCAM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — TOON TOON BLACK N WHITE ARMY (@MIGGYSRIGHTFOOT) [January 8, 2022](https://twitter.com/MIGGYSRIGHTFOOT/status/1479840137735516163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/Nosivi12/status/1479835341687242752?s=20

> I wish ASM would pass. Longstaff and Shelvey aren’t good enough. No idea what’s happened to Willock. Ritchie I can’t fault his heart but he’s not a premier league left back. We need the Cambridge keeper and about 83 other players!
>
> — Mike Senior (@MikeSenoDJ) [January 8, 2022](https://twitter.com/MikeSenoDJ/status/1479883292132392960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Needs an overhaul NOW. Same old players not good enough. Krafth, Ritchie, Longstaff, Shelvey, Murphy, Fraser. There not good enough. Dúbravka isn’t looking Half the GK he was! We need 2 CB’s asap, a LB, At least 1 CM & a CF in before Watford!!!
>
> — Mike Pitt (@mikepitt84) [January 8, 2022](https://twitter.com/mikepitt84/status/1479902128617492481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Players like Shelvey, Hayden, Murphy, Ritchie, Willock, Clark, Manq, Almiron, Gayle, Longstaff all know they will not be here in next 12 months or so, they are just not up for a full 90 minutes, Shelv should of been moved on years ago.\
> They are just not good enough
>
> — Jeep1970 (@Jeep\_1970) [January 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/Jeep_1970/status/1480095316183588864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Matt Ritchie – Awful, Sean Longstaff – Awful, Jonjo Shelvey – Awful, Joe Willock – Awful, Jacob Murphy – Awful, Emil Krafth – Awful, Jamaal Lascelles – Awful !\
> Can’t replace them all but we have to try and replace the majority before the end of Jan, if not, we’re doomed![#NUFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — David Alexander (@DavieAlexander1) [January 8, 2022](https://twitter.com/DavieAlexander1/status/1479900703858511875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Ritchie [joined](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-ritchie/transfers/spieler/92469) the Magpies from Bournemouth in 2016 and has gone on to make [186 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-ritchie/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/92469) in all competitions, scoring 24 goals with 33 assists. The Scotland international remains a regular at St James’ Park, featuring [17 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-ritchie/leistungsdaten/spieler/92469) across the board this season, but he’s not been at his best.

Ritchie has created 28 chances and whipped in 103 crosses in [16 league games](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/68648/Show/Matt-Ritchie), but he’s been dribbled past 17 times and given away 13 fouls. His deal at Newcastle is up in 18 months and may not be renewed based on current form. It doesn’t appear fans would be too upset.

***[In other news, fans on social media say ‘disappointing’ Jonjo Shelvey is ‘not good enough’](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/01/10/fans-on-social-media-say-disappointing-jonjo-shelvey-is-not-good-enough/)***