Alan Shearer was still hurting from the Sunderland disaster while predicting Newcastle United’s chances at Crystal Palace.
Alan Shearer believes Newcastle United players deserve to be “hammered” after losing to Sunderland.
And ahead of the Premier League resumption, the Toon icon admitted he cannot confidently back Eddie Howe’s men to win this weekend. Newcastle sit 12th in the table and travel to Crystal Palace aiming to banish their Tyne-Wear derby demons.
A bitter defeat to the Black Cats left a sour taste going into the three-week hiatus. The nature of the loss has intensified questions regarding Howe’s future and the Saudi-backed project overall.
Alan Shearer on Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace
When asked to predict Newcastle’s visit to Selhurst Park, Shearer was clearly still scarred by the recent Sunderland loss. He is likely not the only Toon fan who feels deflated going into the final seven games of the season.
“Newcastle have been hammered after their performance and result against Sunderland, and rightly so,” Shearer told Metro. “That will hurt them and it will stick with them until they play them again.
“But I always say you get the chance to reply as a player. They have to come out and reply, not only this weekend, but next weekend as well because they’ve been miles off it in terms of their league campaign this year.
“I can’t say with any huge confidence that they can go there and get the three points. I think I’ll sit on the fence and say they’ll get a point. Crystal Palace will be tough.
“They’ve had an up and down season as well, particularly after last season. But they’ve got some really talented players in there, Crystal Palace. So, I’m going to say a draw.”
Alan Shearer backs Nick Woltemade
Earlier this week, the club’s all-time record goalscorer insisted Nick Woltemade deserves more time at St James’ Park. The German arrived as a striker but has been deployed in midfield since February.
“I think it's really early for Newcastle to sell Nick Woltemade,” Shearer told Betfair. “There's no doubt there's talent in there. We saw that when he first arrived but for whatever reason, and I guess there are multiple reasons.
“It's not just playing him in midfield because at times he did look laboured and slow. At times, the pace, power and energy of the Premier League looked a little bit too much for him. But there's no doubt there's talent and ability in there.
“I guess it’s just about trying to get that out of him in whatever position because at the minute he hasn't suited Newcastle and Newcastle hasn't suited him particularly.
“He did have a good start but we haven't seen a lot of that, and he will say because he's been played out of position that he hasn’t been at his best and I totally understand that and get that. I guess he's been a victim of what's happened at Newcastle this season, unfortunately for him.”
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