Alan Shearer (left) and Newcastle United manager Eddie Howeplaceholder image
Alan Shearer (left) and Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe | Getty Images
Newcastle United sit two points above the relegation zone following a tough start to the Premier League season.
Alan Shearer believes Eddie Howe is “under pressure” at Newcastle United but has enough credit in the bank to be given time to turn the tide.
Five defeats from the opening 11 Premier League games have the Magpies sitting just two points above the relegation zone. On Sunday against Brentford, Newcastle lost consecutive top-flight games in London after taking an early lead.
Several Toon stars spoke about needing to “earn their money” at Brentford following the West Ham United loss a week earlier. However, the Magpies served up more of the same to send alarm bells ringing around Tyneside.
Alan Shearer on Eddie Howe position
Newcastle icon Shearer is adamant Howe deserves the chance to put the situation right at St James’ Park. He said: "I guess a manager's always under pressure to get results. But I think the job that Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle and what he delivered in the Carabao Cup, the trophy, I guess he's got a lot of points in the bank.
“What I would look at is Eddie's Newcastle team have always been full of energy, being tough to play against, not giving the opposition any space. That in the away performances is missing, and even the home form really. The thing that is missing for me is the high press and the energy.”
Nick Woltemade ‘problem’
Shearer also suggested that Nick Woltemade’s style may be causing “problems” for Newcastle up front. He added: "I've said before that as good as Nick Woltemade is with the ball at his feet, he is a problem for Newcastle because he's not the quickest, and he can't press, and he doesn't run in behind.
“Eddie's teams have always done that. Look at what Alexander Isak did or look at what Callum Wilson did, they all pressed and ran behind. But this guy can't do that, and that's a problem for Newcastle."
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‘Lacking in confidence’ - Eddie Howe
Howe admitted that his team lacked confidence at the weekend. He told reporters post-match: “It was clear, for me, if you watch Newcastle regularly, we were lacking in confidence today.
“There were a lot of technical mistakes, which is really unlike us, especially in the middle of the pitch where we're usually really fluent. That contributed then to putting us under pressure. So I think a different feeling to West Ham, different emotions.
“It's really important today that I support the players and we know we're good players. We know we've got a really good team, but we just need to stay grouped together in this difficult period.”
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