Like any good football pundit Alan Shearer tends to tell it like it is, and when talking about Newcastle United on Monday night’s Match of the Day he didn’t pull his punches about his home town club.
Newcastle didn’t play particularly well and we lost to West Brom who won their first game in six games and so are now 6 points above Newcastle.
Alan has said Newcastle are third bottom of the league for a reason – and we are not playing well whatever Steve McClaren keeps saying at the end of the recent games.
Alan Shearer – Newcastle 3rd bottom for a reason
Here’s some of what Alan said on Match of The Day when talking about Jonny Evans having blatantly brought down Mitrovic in the penalty area in the second half but no penalty was awarded:
“It was a definite penalty, Jonny Evans on Mitrovic, he is holding him and he pulls him back. A clear penalty, I don’t think there is any doubt about that.
“Newcastle haven’t had a penalty for over a year now, Boxing Day I think.”
“What Steve McClaren says about Newcastle…he can’t keep on saying that they are playing well – they’re not playing particularly well. They are third bottom for a reason.”
“Things have to improve, they spent a lot of money and they are in trouble – a relegation fight.”
Steve McClaren is obviously trying to put the (poor) results in the best light possible by intimating Newcastle are simply unlucky and things will get better soon.
We should have had a penalty and we missed chances and all that good stuff.
But those are simply the reasons being talked about – because we don’t have the results.
You either talk about the results – or the reasons you don’t have the results – it’s really that simple.
When you keep having poor results all you can do is talk about the reasons and after a while it all becomes a little boring.
Comments welcome.
68 comments so far
nightfa11
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:13 AM
Comment #41A lot of people say that you need to give the manager money to buy what he thinks he needs.. I do agree to some extent.. But before he earns that, he needs to show he knows what hes doing.. Mclaren doesnt.. Playing players out of position, same squad every week, 2 dmcs, etc etc..although he has a team of internationals.. He has a good squad..But Its not mclarens fault..its the mans who put him there..
As for carr..I think hes doing a good job..every player he brought in played well in their previous club..the only player we overpayed based on his last performances was thauvin.. As for others..We cant blame him for that.. Rivi was worth 6 mio..he just wasnt mentally strong enough.. Goufrann was great when he arrived until pardew started playing him as LB, etc etc..
The problem in my eyes are chairmans.. I understand that Ashley wants a person he trust in that position, But that person should have some football knowledge and common sense..
Anyway..we’re signing non uk players, why cant we sign a non uk manager for a change?
WWSBRD
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:15 AM
Comment #42Jib
So 17 points from 19 games and -15 goal difference is acceptable to u? Bad fortune where? It rained it wasnt Carlisle level of rain mate, Garde was able to cope with it and adapted their approach but McClaren gifted it to them. Everton we were lucky to get to half time without them scoring and West Brom McClaren played the same starting 11…West Brom dont play like Everton but our tactics are identical to combat them and thats not even mentioning the tiredness issue of the players
I do recall we were told we would be making our own luck this season
WWSBRD
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:17 AM
Comment #43Also not sure its crass to judge a management team on its performance otherwise no management team would ever be sacked
WWSBRD
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:18 AM
Comment #44Plus u didnt answer my question, what are u upbeat about?
Moonraker15
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:22 AM
Comment #45I can’t see the point in you guys suggesting different team line ups. You can shuffle the pack as much as you like but we won’t win enough games with that midfield and defence. We need reinforcements asap and I hope Charnley is of the same opinion otherwise we are going down. What is frustrating is that other teams have players lined up already; somehow I can’t see Charnley doing that. He thinks urgency means panic! Far from it. The next month is one of the biggest in our history cos if we go down we ain’t coming back!
AK Malaysia
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:28 AM
Comment #46It has been a while since i last commented here… firstly McClaren should not have chance the first 11 of liverpool and spurs and villa games just because of that header missed by Siem de Jong… he should not tinker too much… yes, Ayoze Perez was on form.. but he is better as impact substitute .. running at opponent while fresh as defense starting to be tired.. secondly, Gini is not suppose to be a left sided midfielder … with Anita injured.. time to put Gini in the middle, partnering Colback (no tiote please…) let sissoko at right… siem de jong as AMC / Forward and Thauvin or new, proper left sided midfielder coming in during jan transfer window (Andros Townsend comes in my mind)… forward?? Mitro need 1 season to adopt.. Ayoze still young.. hence, we really need out and out striker that can score goals now.. Charlie Austin please!!
Rotonda heights
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:29 AM
Comment #47Nightfall
Spot on
Munster Mag
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:30 AM
Comment #48Moonraker, I agree. For years i have said that too many guys on here have played too much Fifa. 442 was derided until we got some results with it and saw other play it, good and bad. I have seen all sorts here ….4-1-2-2-1 etc etc. Doesnt count for much if you have lazy bastards on the pitch like Sissoko and the useless Thauvin. And a transfer policy that values sell on price rather than team need. In simple terms, we need a central midfielder ( no …that is NOT Sissoko …the man cant tacle or pass consistently ) , two wingers and a striker. I will live with our crap defence if i could get guys in those positions. Shelvey, Austin and two wingers who can cross a ball and also work hard. Then sack SMC at end of season. Mind you, for those of us who look at watford and leicester , both their managers had very iffy histories but we dont research our managers. Its now looking like Pardew is better than SMC for Gods sake.
Rotonda heights
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:32 AM
Comment #49Malaysia
I agreed up until you said Townsend
OneAlanShearer
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:32 AM
Comment #50——————————–elliot————————————
janmaat————-mbemba——-colo—————–dummett
———-sissoko———tiote———colback—-
Wijnaldum ———————–mitro————–———–perez
The team I’d use. Play our midfield 3 narrow with only sissoko and colback license to go up field. Tiote to sit.
Moonraker15
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:33 AM
Comment #51Jib
We will need more than the “rub of the green” against Arsenal and Man U mate! I agree we are not in a perilous position yet, but this has been going on for a year now and it ain’t gonna improve without a load of top players coming in and we are not showing signs yet.
Jib
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:37 AM
Comment #52WWSBRD Also not sure its crass to judge a management team on its performance otherwise no management team would ever be sacked.
Do you have learning difficulties – warn me and I’ll cut you some slack.
This is what I said
To berate a coach or a collection of players for having hard lines , is crass in the extreme.
SUTTY1978
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:40 AM
Comment #53Every win we have had this season has been lucky, there’s not one single occasion where we have outplayed the opposition. Even Norwich had far more opportunities against us than we did against them.
Rotonda heights
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:42 AM
Comment #54Basically only 2 managers in our relatively recent past have ever got it mostly right here and been popular long term figures, namely KK and SBR.
That was purely because they produced fast free flowing exciting to watch, attacking football.
Conversely people hated the dour styles of Charlton, Dalglish, Souness, Allardyce and AP.
Anyone going in as manager at NUFC who knew anything of our history would know that the fans want to see good entertaining football, even if, as per, we don’t win anything.
The last procession of managers we have suffered under have largely seen us play with fear.
Whilst it may be too simplistic to say to SM – go alter the style, surely the denial SM is displaying after JC and AP before him in making absurd comments and using buzz words like consistency and confidence, when clearly the opposite is true, is throwing his job under the bus
SUTTY1978
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:44 AM
Comment #55Jib, when have we been unlucky?? WBA managed to only score one from 22 attempts, it’s not like it was their only shot in the game, same goes for Everton. We have been the worse side in every game apart from against the Mackems and we still managed to get stuffed in that one. McClaren is incapable of finding a winning formula with this team. We have had a few lucky wins thats it. Hard lines my arse
WWSBRD
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:45 AM
Comment #56Jib
Cracking come back son u are evidently well versed in a debate u have retorted all my points fantastically via ignoring them all
I can see why ur so highly thought of on here with that level of input
Rotonda heights
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:45 AM
Comment #57Moonraker
It is more than just top players we need. SM is a buffoon who can not see the error of his ways, is fatally stubborn with no plan B in sight and makes way too many head scratching decisions.
AK Malaysia
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:46 AM
Comment #58Height,
I can put Mahrez, Ozil or Blind at that left sided midfield… but we all know it will not happen… with the team current position, not many are willing to come.. plus we need a left side mid who can also defense and support our ever fragile leftback … and since Townsend is now hardly plays at Spurs, I sincerely thing that he is capable of doing something good for the team… anyhow, since you didn’t agree with Townsend… who’s you pick then?? (Logical choices, please..)
WWSBRD
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:47 AM
Comment #59SUTTY
Maybe we are unlucky because we support Newcastle? And dont be too mean we arent allowed to judge McClaren and NUFC until….erm not really sure mate Id ask Jib but I feel I am already fighting a losing battle trying to get him to answer 1 question never mind 2
Jib
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:48 AM
Comment #60Moonraker15
It would be just like us and typical of this topsy turvy season if we beat The Gunners on Saturday afternoon.
Our Toon
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:54 AM
Comment #61Munster
You’d buy Austin aka 3:16. Mr sick note is currently enjoying his 2nd spell in the treatment room, add to that he’s been dropped by Jimmy and no one seems to want this player that only newcastle fans rate. I’m intrigued why you think Austin would be a good signing?
His record wasn’t even better than Cisse’s last season, mins per goal etc….We need quality players agreed but Austin is nothing but bang average!!
AncientC
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:54 AM
Comment #62Remi Garde is trying to get Loic Remy on loan. I would personally be gutted if that deal goes through. We paid a £2 million loan fee last time out for him, he would be worth that for less than half of the season left in the upcoming window. I am certain we could offer Remy a better chance of getting international football over Villa too.
Our Toon
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:55 AM
Comment #63I agree on Shelvey though he’s a player who could excel here
Jib
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:59 AM
Comment #64Sutty
WBA only had 5 shots on target ( most of which were blocked by Colo ) we had 3 on target ourselves and were the away team.
West Brom were gifted their goal by Darlow.
NoahJ
Dec 30, 2015 at 12:11 PM
Comment #65lesh @28
Surely his abilities are under more scrutiny if he appears to genuinely believe we’re playing well? There are ways of admitting that we were poor without publicly criticising players (as he did with je jong against villa, and darlow against west brom actually)…
I just wish we had a manager in charge who was honest enough to say “we’re not good enough, but x, y and z will change”… it’s just simple accountability, and that’s the least we the fans deserve
Ravostag
Dec 30, 2015 at 3:40 PM
Comment #66No bad luck, no poor refereeing, no rain, no penalties just POOR PLAYER S. Other teams find good players without paying 13m and get them from lower leagues Mahrez Vardy Morgan piuncheon clyne deli ali Long the list is endless these lads hit the ground running. Give Lascelles a chance and Mbabu
edgar.ee
Dec 30, 2015 at 4:53 PM
Comment #67although shearer is a club legend, i think he should think twice before he speaks. he was the one who got us relegated and insisted on having iain dowie as his assistant.
stuart no9
Dec 30, 2015 at 10:12 PM
Comment #68How can people keep saying we are not in a dangerous position yet . Bottom 3 on 17 points , keep this up in the 2nd half of season and we are down . Sounds a little bit iffy to me like .