Nail on the head from Alan Shearer on Newcastle, transfers and top-four hopes?

Alan Shearer has had his say on Newcastle’s start to the season, our “disappointing” summer, our squad and our chances of securing a top-four finish.

For m, our former number nine hits the nail on the head in his assessment, feeling we’ve made a “good start” to 2024/25 “without playing well”, feeling we were fortunate to beat Spurs on Sunday but have shown an impressive togetherness and “will to win” while performing well below our best.

However, Shearer remains frustrated that Howe wasn’t backed this summer and fears the team is no better than it was last season, believing our poor transfer window reflects badly on CEO Darren Eales and new sporting director Paul Mitchell, who failed to secure a new centre-back or right-winger.

As a result, Shearer feels we’ll have to be lucky with injuries this time around to have any chance of a top four finish, especially when other clubs in and around the ‘big six’ have strengthened.

Speaking to Betfair, he said: “Without playing well, Newcastle have had a good start to the season. Two wins and a draw and through in the cup too. I was at St James’ Park on Sunday though, and I thought they we were fortunate.

“Spurs were really poor in forward areas, and had they been any better than I think Newcastle wouldn’t have got that result. Having said that, the thing that impressed me is the togetherness and the will to win, because without playing well, we’ve not lost yet and have seven points.

“If Newcastle click, then that can only be a good thing because we’ve done okay so far, but there’s massive room for improvement. It’s so disappointing that we didn’t get the signing(s) over the line and, as I said, it doesn’t reflect well on the Sporting Director or the Chief Executive.

“I don’t think they’ve given Eddie the best chance in going into the season with as good a squad as he would’ve wanted, and I don’t think they’ve improved his squad from last season. When you…

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Author : Olly Hawkins

Publish date : 2024-09-04 15:00:07

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