Alan Shearer is not using PSR as an excuse for Newcastle United’s start to the season.
The Magpies were beaten at home on Saturday, with Newcastle losing 1-0 to Brighton after Danny Welbeck scored the only goal of the game. It was Newcastle’s second loss at St James’ Park of 2024, with the other coming to Manchester City back in January.
The defeat to Brighton was infuriating. Newcastle were so poor in front of goal, with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon squandering huge chances. It got to a point that you just knew Eddie Howe‘s side were not going to score.
Newcastle lacked that extra bit of quality in the final third, which is something they want to address very soon. Newcastle’s priority for January is to sign a winger, after failing to do so in the summer.
In fact, Toon officials failed to make any major signings in the summer. It was an extremely disappointing transfer window, and Shearer believes it is continuing to effect goings on at St James’ Park.
Alan Shearer says Eddie Howe has not been backed as Newcastle United manager
Alan Shearer has spoken about Eddie Howe on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, and has admitted that he does not think the Newcastle United manager has been backed despite all of his good work.
“Are Newcastle any better this season than they were 18 months ago, and with the transfer windows they’ve had behind them? I would say probably not,” he said.
“I just feel as if they probably haven’t backed the manager as good as they should have.
“After what he’s done for Newcastle and achieved, and I get the PSR and the financial laws and rules, whatever you want to call them, but there was money in the pot this summer because they bid £60milion or £65million [for Marc Guehi].”
Alan Shearer asked PIF question
Shearer was then asked by Gary Lineker if he thinks the Newcastle United owners have lost interest due to the financial restrictions of PSR.
“No, I don’t,” he said.
“I think the turnover of personnel in the summer hasn’t helped. At the top of the club with Amanda and Mehrdad leaving, new director of football coming in with Dan Ashworth leaving whenever he left.
“I just don’t think that has helped at all. And I just think they’ve let the coach or the manager down in the last transfer window. I don’t think they’ve helped them at all.
“From where they were last season to where they are now, and I know they’ve certainly not been helped by serious injuries, particularly to Sven Botman. But I don’t think they’re a better team now with a transfer window or two behind them than they were 18 months ago. And that is a slight concern.”
Newcastle must rebuild in January
Shearer believes that Howe has been let down. And he makes a good point about PSR not being the main issue, as Newcastle did show a willingness to almost break their transfer record to sign Marc Guehi. However, the deal did just not get done.
Paul Mitchell did try to back Howe. He tried to sign Guehi. After that, he tried to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. The sporting director tried to complete two major deals, but failed in both instances.
In that respect, you could argue that Howe was let down. However, Mitchell will go back to his argument about Newcastle’s transfer strategy being the issue.
Regardless, there are problems that need to be addressed in January. Newcastle United have not kicked on since that incredible season that saw them qualify for the Champions League. Sandro Tonali is the only real game-changer to arrive since then.
Newcastle could be accused of standing still, at a time when their rivals have improved so much. Mitchell needs to try and close that gap in January and use the winter transfer window as a chance to show Howe some commitment.
A winger is essential, while a striker and a centre-back is required too. However, only one acquisition feels likely.
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