The Newcastle manager is convinced the big four of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are so far ahead of the rest of the top-flight financially that it has made the battle for the title boring.

And Coppell, whose side are fighting for survival at the other end of the table, could not agree more with his former England team-mate.

He said: "I have been saying that for a long time.

"At the start of the season you know within four teams definitely, probably within three and most betting people would say within two teams, who is going to win the league.

"I contradict myself by saying it is brilliant to watch these teams do well in Europe, but they have too much of an advantage on a week-to-week basis for it to be a really competitive league.

"There are sub-divisions within the league that are competitive, but in terms of winning the division you know who is going to do that at the start of each year."