Newcastle and Sunderland are languishing at the foot of the Premier League, but it seems that this is becoming a recurring theme as both teams have demonstrated in recent seasons.
Both sides have endured relegation battles and the managerial merry-go-round ocntinues to turn with each passing season, the latest to depart is Sunderland's Dick Advocaat after a disappointing 2-2 at home to West Ham.
Sports reporter with the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, Luke Edwards, and footballer writer with the Time, George Caulkin, joined Ger in studio tonight and explained the culture of misery that envelopes football in the North East.
There were some rather sobering assessments of the clubs, in particular Sunderland who struggled toward the end of last season and likewise at the beginning of this one.
"The directors haven't built a team. They've spent a lot of money but the structure hasn't changed," Caulkin explained.
"There's no idea of building a team there either, it's just building players who they might be able to sell on for a profit."
The forensic examination of Newcastle wasn't too kind either, their near miss with relegation last year followed up with three points from eight matches so far this season.
"At least I think Sunderland try to be a proper football club" Edwards said.
"I don't think Newcastle are trying, they're more there to be an advertising hoarding for a certain sports shop.
"They could both go down, genuinely. Newcastle have no fight in the dressing room, they're a bunch of hired help mercenaries."
Caulkin added: "Newcastle is a shell, that's the sad thing".
You can listen to tonight's full discussion by clicking the podcast below.
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