Alan Shearer has criticised one Newcastle United player for switching off against Luton as the Magpies lost yet another away game.
Luton took the lead through former Newcastle man Andros Townsend from a corner but Shearer was very disappointed for the way that the set-piece was defended.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer was critical of Lewis Miley who had lost his man for the corner which ultimately resulted in the defeat at Kenilworth Road.
Shearer says Miley was at fault for opening goal
There were a number of things wrong with Newcastle’s performance at Luton, but one key moment in particular led to the Hatters taking a first-half lead and giving them the confidence to see out the game.
Miley has been so good for Newcastle and definitely wasn’t the worst performer on the pitch yesterday so can feel a little disappointed to be withdrawn after 37 minutes as Eddie Howe looked to change up the tactics.
That said, it was Miley’s mistake at the back post which did lead to the goal and while he may just 17-years-old, he’s not immune to criticism just like any other Newcastle player.
But it is important to remember just how inexperienced he is and the fact that he wouldn’t even be on the pitch if it wasn’t for the number of injuries Newcastle are suffering from.
Shearer did analyse Miley’s poor defending for the goal, but it was Newcastle’s entire display against Luton that frustrated him so much.
On the show, Shearer said: “In any football match you’ve got match your opponent’s intensity, you’ve got to have the desire and a will to win. Even more so when you’re going to Luton who are playing for their captain.
“This is not acceptable, Newcastle lose the first tackle, lose the second tackle and Luton were brilliant at that.
What are Luton good at? Set-pieces, so you’ve got to be switched on and they weren’t, Miley lost his man and they get punished with a goal.
“Luton deserved it they worked really hard and were more organised.”
Newcastle have to beat Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day
Having lost five of their last four game, or three of their last four just including the Premier League, Newcastle are now in a tricky position heading into January.
Next month, the Magpies will take on Liverpool, Sunderland, Manchester City and Aston Villa, all of which are now huge games because of their previous results.
It puts a lot of pressure on Newcastle to win against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day as yesterday’s defeat saw them drop down to seventh and drift even further away from a top four position.
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