Alan Shearer was born and bred in Gosforth before he joined Southampton as an apprentice when he was 15 years old in 1986.
And Shearer is first and foremost a Newcastle fan, and his comments on BBC Sport after our terrible performance at Bournemouth, when we looked so tired and jaded and lost 2-0 – are interesting.
This season is the first time we have been in Europe and our players have very little experience playing in the Champions League as does Eddie Howe in managing in Europe, so it’s a steep learning curve this season.
We have done fairly well so far but lost out last two (important) games – 2-0 at Dortmund in the Champions League and 2-0 at Bournemouth in the Premier League.
We are currently bottom of Group F and 7th in the Premier League and we have again reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, where we play at Chelsea.
This is what Alan Shearer has told BBC Sport:
“Newcastle need a lift. Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth was their first in the league since 2 September but it looked a game too far for them, and they were not anywhere near their best.”
“Eddie Howe’s side have got a lot of injuries and suspensions to contend with but they did not deserve anything against the Cherries, who were the better team from start to finish.”
“Newcastle looked really flat and very tired, and they probably need the international break more than anyone in terms of resting some players and getting others back to fitness.”
“It was always going to be a big ask for them to cope with Champions League football and challenge for the top four again.”
“They are still giving it a good go, and have reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals too, but at the moment it looks like fighting on three fronts has caught up with them.”
True comments there from Alan, and all is certainly not lost this season.
But we do look vulnerable in our next 10 games before the end of the year if we can’t get players back quickly from injury.
They are going to be important games for us, and then in early January we hope the owners can bring in maybe 4 new players to help Eddie Howe and his team out in the second half of the season.
We need them to do that!
Comments welcome.
15 comments so far
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:07 PM
Comment #1In like Flynn 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:10 PM
Comment #2I still don’t think it’s anything to do with the extra games, we rotated nicely against Man U and Man City, none of these injuries are fatigue bar possibly Miggy’s hamstring which was a result of other injuries. If not for all the other injuries everyone would have been comfortably rested.
Fenham to Chalfont
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:13 PM
Comment #3News that Bruno has gone off injured within 5mins of the Brazil game whilst in international duty. 🙄
lesh
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:14 PM
Comment #4Flynn?
lesh
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:15 PM
Comment #5Jail
You got no work you could be getting on with?
lesh
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:15 PM
Comment #6Jail
No answer required. I’m sure you’re up to the eyes.
Rotonda heights
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:16 PM
Comment #7Jail
I don’t think anyone said the injuries were directly fatigue related but obviously been fatigued can make you more susceptible.
Fenham to Chalfont
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:17 PM
Comment #8There are some proper weirdos on Twatter. Apparently fake news re Bruno.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:17 PM
Comment #9Going out now lesh 😕
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:18 PM
Comment #10Rh,
But none of the players were fatigued when getting injured.
Wor B
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:27 PM
Comment #11FPL
I’ll post the H2H D1 results and tables while Jail is out doing some graft, it might be upsetting for him reading how the FPL big beasts are doing. 🙂
GW12 H2H Div1
Vask 59 – 72 Benbulben
Chico USA 40 – 64 Average
TDS 70 – 77 Dubai Micky
Ashingtoon 67 – 64 Scythe
The Eggman 87 – 57 Assassins
Darnik 65 – 55 AncientC
IITianToon 74 – 58 BigSteve
Clasol 70 – 72 The Ledge
Asi Fish 84 – 93 ZG
Uncertain 86 – 54 Taco
…….Team……..……W….D….L…Score…Pts
1….The Ledge…..10…..0…..2…774…30
2….Uncertain………9…..0…..3…730…27
3….IITianToon…..…8…..1…..3…739…25
4….Ashingtoon….7…..1…..4…701….22
5….DubaiMicky….7…..1…..4…661…22
6….AncientC……..7…..0…..5…717…21
7….Benbulben…..7…..0…..5…705…21
8….Assassins……7…..0…..5…672…21
9….TDS………….…..6…..0…..6…694…18
10..Average……….6…..0…..6…658…18
11..Taco……………..5…..1…..6…704…16
12..ZG………………..5…..1…..6…684…16
13..Darnik………….5…..0…..7…723…15
14..TheEggman..5…..0…..7…718…15
15..Scythe…………5…..0…..7…699…15
16..Vask……….……4…..1…..7…681…13
17..Chico USA…..4…..1…..7…607…13
18..Clasol……….….4…..0…..8…657…12
19..Asi Fish……….3…..1…..8…740…10
20..BigSteve………2…..0…..10…582…6
Ibizatoon
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:28 PM
Comment #12Wor B…£10 sent to lose the 3rd division H2H results…
CLINT FLICK
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:31 PM
Comment #13Reckon the games we played in torrential rain didn’t help with tiredness and injuries, at a crucial point.
Really heavy pitch proper takes it outta ya!
Add in the occasion!
Extra effort goes in and that can take a toll.
Wor B
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:32 PM
Comment #14Ibiza
The PO Box is closed today!
😆
Ibizatoon
Nov 14, 2023 at 1:36 PM
Comment #15Wor B…Am I going to incur another £10 return fee for out of office hours?