Rooney was working as a pundit on Newcastle's 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney(Image: Chris Ricco - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
View Image
Newcastle United are 'going a little bit flat' this season and look a 'different' team to the side who have been so successful under Eddie Howe.
That is the frank verdict of former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney who feels that is a criticism that has been very rarely used towards the Magpies in recent seasons.
Newcastle were beaten 2-0 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday as goals from Emi Buendia and Ollie Watkins condemned United to defeat at St James' Park.
It has left Howe's side ninth in the Premier League table and three points adrift from a fifth placed finish that looks like it could be enough to secure a Champions League place next season.
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK!Keep up with all the Newcastle United latest via the Chronicle’s dedicated Facebook page
And ahead of a glut of difficult away fixtures, Rooney's comments about Newcastle's performances this term should come as a cause of concern for Howe.
"I think Newcastle were a little bit flat today," Rooney told Match of the Day.
"Aston Villa are a good team and hard to play against and, of course, they will miss Bruno [Guimaraes] because he is a fantastic player.
"But it is an opportunity for other players to come in and go and show the manager that they want to play and they deserve to play in the team.
"I think this season Newcastle have been a little bit different than they have in the last couple of seasons and they seem like they are going a little bit flat.
"That is very rare to say that about Newcastle with that fanbase behind them."
The success of Howe's tenure has been built on Newcastle's relentless pressing and energy with slogans like 'intensity is our identity' becoming a hallmark of their growth from relegation contenders to trophy winners.
For that to now be questioned should be setting alarm bells ringing inside St James' Park and it is something they must rediscover ahead of some huge games across all competitions.
The Magpies travel to Paris to take on European champions PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday, before trips to Liverpool and Man City follow in the Premier League and Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
Content Image
Content Image