Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and (inset) Alan Shearer
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and (inset) Alan Shearer
When he speaks about Newcastle United, you sit up and take notice - and Alan Shearer has once again hit the nail on the head over his former side and the future of Eddie Howe.
The Magpies chief is, naturally, facing growing pressure at St James' Park after just two wins in 11 outings of late. Saturday's 4-2 reversal at Brentford - and the manner of the second-half performance in particular - has added to the concern, with a crucial set of festive fixtures on the way against Leicester City, Brentford in the cup and Ipswich Town.
Shearer's Athletic column on Wednesday saw the Newcastle legend claim his beloved club are 'drifting' and looking 'stale'. Big questions over the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund [PIF] and their backing, along with criticisms of the players and their attitude against the so-called lesser sides were also levelled in the piece.
However, the point that resonated most was Shearer's backing of Howe to turn things around. Despite outside noise growing over whether he is the man to lead Newcastle into the future, the former No 9 still believes the former Bournemouth boss can prosper on Tyneside.
It is a sentiment echoed by the majority of the fan base - despite recent performances - due to one big reason. A lack of backing in the transfer market of late. As we approach January and the winter window, it is 18 months since Howe saw his first-team bolstered with a player who would instantly command a starting spot.
After a 2024 that brought two transfer trading periods, no senior additions in January and squad players only in the summer, Howe has enough credit in the bank to see if he can get back to winning ways after backing in the transfer market.
Of course, the head coach is not absolved of blame in this saga. It is on Howe to find a way to control games in a more consistent fashion. His Newcastle must also become more accustomed to chasing games when trailing. As part of that, Howe must also improve at in-game changes after multiple occasions this term in which Newcastle have looked weaker, rather than stronger, after his second half substitutions.
As Shearer points out, things have looked 'stale' of late. A squad refresh is an absolute necessity next month - and Howe deserves the chance to oversee any type of overhaul.
"I’m not the first person to point out that Newcastle haven’t signed a first-team-ready player for two consecutive transfer windows, partially because they have hit their limits with PSR and partially because it appears they fixated on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi last summer, which came after that desperate spell in late June when they ended up selling Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to balance the books," Shearer wrote.
"The effect of all this was twofold and, like it or not, it ripples out all the way to Brentford. How do managers reinvent themselves? Well, they can innovate in training or they can bring in new coaches, but the most common method is through a turnover of players. When two or three come and go every year, the newbies change and lift things. They respond to the voices and faces and keep everyone on their toes."
Shearer added: "By standing still in the transfer market, they are overtaken. They are easier to work out by the opposition. Yes, there are fewer fitness concerns, but there is less in the way of competition and without the help of incomings, Howe has to conjure something from what he already has. Players who could and should have been moved on are still there. Stagnation is the risk, a marginal dropping off of percentages."
January promises to be a huge month - both on and off the field. Newcastle's continued PSR concerns have been well-documented but a big-name arrival would give everyone - from the fans to the players - a lift. It would also be a huge boost for Howe in his fight to get the Toon back on track.